LOST IN DARKNESS by MICHELLE GRIEP

Publication date 1/11/21

LOST IN DARKNESS by MICHELLE GRIEP is the heart wrenching story of Colin Balfour, a terrifying monster to look at but with a heart of gold, and his beautiful, devoted, older sister Amelia, who longs for him to be able to come out of hiding and live a normal life. Their father was overbearing and unloving and left instructions in his will for the unconventional surgeon, Mr Peckwood, to operate on his son’s brain in order to make him look normal.

Graham Lambert, a former ship’s surgeon, has become Peckwood’s partner and assistant, and as such does his best to alleviate the pain caused by the painful procedures he has to perform on Colin every day. Graham has become very close to his patient and to Colin’s sister Amelia. The day of the operation dawns at last…and I will leave you there for fear of spoiling things for you!

I like the author’s portrayal of the characters - Amelia, the successful author of travel articles with her superstitions and her need to appear perfect, Colin with his loving heart and strong faith in God, Graham with his compassion and growing faith, and the rather strange and frightening Mr Peckwood, to name a few. 

Taking place in England in 1815, there is a decided Gothic atmosphere in the novel, with strange people, strange occurrences, hallucinations, monsters and dark intrigue. 

I found Lost In Darkness fascinating and highly recommend it for the great story, well defined characters and strong Christian message.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Barbour Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

AFTER SHE FALLS by CARMEN SCHOBER

AFTER SHE FALLS by CARMEN SCHOBER is a really great read, full of action, memorable characters, and a Christian message of redemption as we see how Jesus transforms those who look to Him and how reconciliation with Him “can lead to  reconciliation with people”. I like the cage fighting theme and the loyalty between the fighters and their coaches. I also like the reference to broken people being put back together.

Adri Rivera and Max Lyons are two such people, meeting again after six years during which time Adri has had a daughter and married Owen Anders, who abused her physically and emotionally, and Max has opened a training gym in their home town of Sparta, taking over from his late father. 

There are other interesting characters such as Roman Rivera, Adri’s uncle, who took her in when her mother abandoned her, saw her passion for the sport and trained her to fight from the age of eight. We also see, on the opposite side of the spectrum, bullies and manipulators amongst the fighters and coaches.

It is really a lovely read and I do not want to spoil it for you by telling you any more. I am looking forward to more novels from this author.

I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

UNLIKELY FIGHTER by GREG STIER

In UNLIKELY FIGHTER, GREG STIER tells us how he grew up with his terrifying and larger than life family in the poorer part of Denver where fighting was a way of life. Being timid by nature, he never really felt he fit in with them. He was introduced to the seedier side of life with his five extremely strong uncles, who, with his mother, were more than ready to fight, even without too much provocation. Most of the time he was afraid of his family members with their "big muscles and big emotions."
The author tells the story of the radical salvation of each of his uncles and how they really fought to get people saved.
After three near death experiences and the knowledge that he was nearly aborted, he comes to salvation himself.
When he hears the truth about his father he makes it his business to see his mother let go of her guilt and come to Christ.
This is a really good read and one I highly recommend for the easy way it is written and the strength of the Christian message. It is a story of hope and encouragement, showing us that there is no one too bad to receive the Lord's touch and making it very clear that we are saved by grace and not works.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.






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