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Christian Novel Review

Having always been an avid reader, since becoming a Christian I have found a wealth of reading material in Christian bookshops and in various second hand bookshops. I have found that in Christian novels one often finds truths that help in one’s Christian walk. I enjoy reading about how the various characters deal with life, and I also find I am the richer for reading a really good Christian novel. Certain authors, through their books, give you a real insight into their joys and struggles, which I find very interesting. The books which I am going to review are those which I have really enjoyed, and have read at least twice – some books, for example the “Mark of the Lion “ series by Francine Rivers, I have read at least five times each. The first books that I am going to talk about are the latest two novels by Francine Rivers,


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Tuesday 26 July 2016

THE WITNESSES by ROBERT WHITLOW

THE WITNESSES by ROBERT WHITLOW is a legal novel with a really good Christian message.
The story starts in 1939 with Franz Haus, known as the Aryan Eagle, using his unusual gift of seeing into the future to help the German army. Although he has never killed a man he feels responsible for the deaths of many, and his disgust with himself and with what Germany has become, cause him to desert the army and escape to Switzerland and to eventually find his way to America.
Here he changes his name to Frank House and hopes to forget the nightmares that have plagued him for years. He is afraid of his past catching up on him, and doesn't like to talk about it. We meet him as an old man. Having been a commercial fisherman, he still fishes with his old friend Lenny. Fishing plays an important part in his life. He has also imparted this love of fishing to his grandson, Parker, with whom he has a close relationship, having looked after him after his parents were killed in a drunk driving accident.
Lenny, a veteran of the Vietnam war, has found peace in coming to know the Lord as his Saviour, and is always trying to get his friend to church.
Parker House is a promising young lawyer, who has "hunches" which he can't explain, which help him make decisions in his work.
Thomas Blocker, originally Blocher, is a very successful lawyer, whose overbearing attitude and controlling nature have estranged him from his photographer daughter, Layla.
Frank's gift of seeing into the future was passed down to him by his Godly grandfather by the laying on of hands when he was a young boy. Will he ever get to the stage where his unusual gift will be used for good, or has it gone forever? Has he left it too late or can the Lord use an old man like him? Will he ever be able to remember the good parts of his past life without feeling guilty about the things that he witnessed during the war?
The story is well told, the characters well portrayed and the Christian message comes through loud and clear. I can highly recommend this book as an excellent read.





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Friday 22 July 2016

MERCY AT MIDNIGHT by SYLVIA BAMBOLA

MERCY AT MIDNIGHT by SYLVIA BAMBOLA is a book that I just couldn't put down! What a message and what a story!
Just when revival is about to happen in the prestigious church which he is pastoring, Jonathan Holmes, in obedience to God's call on his life, resigns his position and is led to reopen the Beacon Mission.
Cynthia Wells is a reporter who is obsessed with death and obituaries, and has not much faith in the human race. In fact she feels disconnected from reality. She ends up at the mission to get a story, and is prepared to use people in order to do so.
Stubby is a homeless man whose link to Cynthia's past causes her immense guilt.
We see clearly, in the Author's handling of the
characters, the truth that there isn't a man or woman alive that doesn't need God's mercy. It is in this mission, surrounded by gangs and drugs, living amongst the dregs of society, that God does an amazing work of redemption in those who call out to Him.
Stubby's response to Cynthia's remark that life is unfair really sums it all up when he says that it is all about the prize of having Jesus in this life and in the next - the devil doesn't want anyone to have this and will do anything to stop people from having this wonderful gift!
Jonathan's is not a "pie in the sky" ministry - he is under no illusions that it will take discipline, hard work, and much prayer, together with total reliance on the Lord, to reach the people in his care.
This is one of the most encouraging, true to life, novels that I have read. I cannot recommend it strongly enough for the exciting story and the Christian message on which it is based.



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Saturday 9 July 2016

MISSING by LISA HARRIS

MISSING is the second novel in LISA HARRIS' NIKKI BOYD FILES, and after reading VENDETTA, I was looking forward to the next book in the series. I was not disappointed. The novels can be read as stand alones, but I am glad I read them in sequence, as the main characters we meet in VENDETTA are further developed in MISSING.
As in all her books, the Christian message is strong. Nikki Boyd is a missing persons' detective, and is passionate about her job. Her sister disappeared ten years ago and she does her best to not let her grief and guilt surface while she is investigating a crime. In fact it makes her even more determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. We see how she calls upon the Lord when she is in danger, and how she wants to trust Him more in her private life as well.
Her best friend's widower, Tyler Grant, who has issues of guilt himself due to his wife's death, is trying hard to let go of the past. He is also at risk, as he finds Lucy Hudson's husband's body on his boat.
Looking into Lucy's disappearance is not what it seems and there is something very sinister going on. Certain people are willing to commit murder in order to cover their crime, bodies are piling up, and time is running out.
The plot is well worked out and the book is exciting and hard to put down. I can definitely recommend this novel and am looking forward to the third one in the series, which I believe is coming out next year.


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