COLLATERAL DAMAGE by HANNAH ALEXANDER

COLLATERAL DAMAGE by HANNAH ALEXANDER is an exciting and worthwhile read wih liberal doses of suspense, romance and biblical truth.
The little town of Jolly Mill has become unsafe, especially to the Russell and Tyler families. Is there a serial killer on the loose or were people simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? This is what sixteen year old Emma Russell sets off to find out, much to Sarah Russell's dismay, as she fears that the secret she has hidden for sixteen years is about to come out into the open and that this will disrupt the lives of those she loves. She also fears for Emma's life seeing that her grandparents' deaths no longer seem to have been accidental.
In a small community like Jolly Mill, one would think it would be hard for a killer to hide, and speculation is rife. Could it be one of the people that Gerard and Megan are looking after at their shelter? Or could it be Nora who everyone knows has killed before? Or could the killer be against men and women in the ministry? As the story unfolds and the truth is uncovered, we see how jealousy, bitterness and unforgiveness can lead to downright hatred in a person's heart.
Nick Tyler is looking into the suspected murders, especially because his mother was killed with the Russells. Nick and Sarah were always the best of friends, having grown up together, and they seem to take on where they left off so many years ago - with their studies, Nick's disastrous marriage and divorce, and Sarah's secret having kept them apart for years.
Collateral damage can also be caused by hiding the truth and the choices we make, and there are always consequences. However, with the Lord we can put the past behind us, no matter what has happened, as He turns things around and gives us hope for the future.
It is a beautifully told story, with believable characters. We see how different people react to their situations and circumstances, and also, most importantly, we see how their spiritual lives are affected by all that they experience.
I really enjoy this author. She reveals so much biblical truth as she uncovers the human heart with all its fears, doubts and feelings of inadequacy, showing how a compassionate God really does "work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose".



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OLD FASHIONED by RENE GUTTERIDGE

OLD FASHIONED by RENE GUTTERIDGE is a delightful read. This contemporary novel, from the screenplay of Rik Swartzwelder, is full of age old truths, is sensitively written, and the characters are well portrayed.
When Clay Walsh meets his tenant, Amber Hewson, his carefully constructed list of rules takes quite a lot of strain! For nine years he has tried to pay for the guilt he feels for the way he lived and especially for the way he treated women, by living an exemplary life. Instead of accepting God's forgiveness and forgiving himself, he tries to live rigidly by the Ten Commandments. He feels responsible for ruining two of his friends' lives until he realizes that the same God who saved him is quite capable of working in their lives as well!Unfortunately this rigidity in his beliefs and lifestyle has not only made people see him as decidedly weird, but it has turned him inward and made him quite self-centered.
Amber is a young woman with quite a lot of baggage as well, but she is outgoing and friendly. She desperately wants to be loved and feel attractive.
There is definite chemistry between them, and whilst Clay keeps to his rules Amber is constantly trying to crack through his self-control. She is willing to play along with his "marriage preparation", as behind it all she sees glimpses of the real Clay.
This is a love story with a difference, played out against the background of Clay's antique shop, where he repairs broken things, Amber's job at the florist shop, and their very different friends.
The dialogue is very amusing at times and there is a strong Christian message that flows through the book. I cannot wait to see the film, as I love this story!



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THE RECONCILED HEARTS TRILOGY by DORIS ELAINE FELL

THE RECONCILED HEARTS TRILOGY by DORIS ELAINE FELL consists of three novels from her SAGAS OF A KINDRED HEART SERIES, consisting of BLUE MIST ON THE DANUBE, WILLOWS ON THE WINDRUSH and SUNRISE ON STRADBURY SQUARE, the story carrying through all three novels, taking us on a journey through Europe, America and England. I really enjoy this author - her stories are beautifully told, her characters and their struggles well portrayed and the settings in the different places to which she takes us really come alive. There is also a strong Christian message.
Sacrificial love, adoption, marriage, family relationships, guilt and forgiveness are some of the issues dealt with in these novels, together with the redemptive power of the cross of Jesus Christ. The theme of the Prodigal Son coming home and the importance of mercy in relationships runs through all three novels.
There is romance, intrigue, art theft, the tragedy of war, and more, to make an exciting and enjoyable read which I can highly recommend.  Although each of the novels can be obtained and read separately, I think this trilogy is very good value and the novels are well worth reading in sequence.













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KEEPERS OF THE COVENANT by LYNN AUSTIN

KEEPERS OF THE COVENANT is the latest biblical novel by LYNN AUSTIN and the second in the RESTORATION CHRONICLES series. It is the story of the second return of the Jews to Jerusalem, led by Ezra, with the story starting with Haman's plot to exterminate the Jews, and the Lord's deliverance brought about by Esther's obedience. I love the way the author gives us such an insight into life at that time, both in Babylon and in Jerusalem. She vividly describes the fear felt by the Jews when the king signs their death warrant, and their bravery and determination when they are allowed to defend themselves. The novel follows the biblical account closely and the fictional characters enhance the story without taking away from the truth in any way. I like the relevant Scriptures that are brought in in just the right places.
The Temple is built, the Temple sacrifices are taking place and the Jews are trying to live according to God's Holy Law. Again in this novel we see the struggle the men of God have with understanding that, although He is a God of judgment, He also is a God of mercy and compassion. He demands obedience, but this obedience leads to His incredible blessings!
The fact that God has promised to bless the Gentiles who turn away from pagan worship to the true worship of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is clearly brought out in Amina's case. This young girl, with her crippled leg, who has been rejected and beaten by her pagan family, finds love and acceptance in a Jewish family who adopt her and treat her with love. It is through their kindness that she comes to know and love their God. Her sister, Sayfah, on the other hand, still sees the Jews as the enemy of her people and returns to her pagan lifestyle. The beautiful cloth that Hodaya and Amina, the crippled ones, weave, is symbolic of the beauty of God's creation, and how He can bring beauty out of all things. Biblical truth is also brought out in the pottery made by Ezra's family. We are reminded of the fact that the Lord moulds and shapes us as we yield to Him. We must also allow Him to refine us in the fire, getting rid of impurities and not cracking under the strain.
Reuben is badly affected by his father's death and seeks revenge for his murder. He is a blacksmith and he and his father made weapons to fight against the Babylonians. He turns against God and it is Ezra's patience and kindness towards him that brings him once again into a living relationship with the Lord. Here we see the Lord using Ezra to give Reuben a second chance.
I love the way the characters interact with one another and the way they are influenced, for good or evil, by the circumstances in which they find themselves. Their return to Jerusalem is compared to their ancestors' journey to the promised land. Ezra is compared to Moses as he also has a problem with rebellious people - not all of them have his vision for Temple worship and the study of the Torah. Ezra's wife, Devorah, is a real helpmeet to him, as, not only does she have an understanding of the Torah, having studied it with her father, but she helps him to see God as merciful and compassionate.
The importance of the spiritual restoration of God's holy people, of not becoming contaminated by pagan practices, of separating themselves and not losing their inheritance, and of keeping God's laws, is strongly brought out. These are all aspects of our Christian walk today and it is in our obedience that we are blessed and become a blessing to others. This is the story of our salvation.
There is so much to learn from this novel, the story is beautifully told, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.





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SECOND OPINION, NECESSARY MEASURES & URGENT CARE by HANNAH ALEXANDER

SECOND OPINION, NECESSARY MEASURES and URGENT CARE by HANNAH ALEXANDER are novels that are not only interesting, exciting and well written, but are also full of biblical truth. I particularly like the way the author sees Jesus as the Great Physician. I highly recommend them being read in sequence, but they can be read as "stand alones".
Dr Grant Sheldon and his teenage twins, Beau and Brooke, have moved to Dogwood Springs from the big city, where Grant practises emergency medicine at the hospital. Although Grant's wife, Annette, died two years ago, the family still miss her terribly. When Grant shows an interest in Lauren, who works with him at the hospital, Brooke takes an instant dislike to her. This changes and Brooke becomes just as keen for Lauren lto become her stepmother as Lauren's mother does to see her thirty-six year old daughter married! Brooke and Beau are very different, with Beau being the more serious one who is keen to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a doctor, but the twins are very close and Brooke has a heart of gold under her loud and outgoing nature!
The novels cover a lot of from drug addiction amongst the youth and adults, the importance of forgiveness and of living one's Christian faith as opposed to legalism and getting bogged down in good works, and the dangers of criticism and bitterness. It is a small town community and rumours tend to be rife. We see how dangerous this can be. 
 The importance of family relationships is brought out strongly, and we see how Archer Pierce battles with the demands made on him by the church that he pastors and how it affects his relationship with the lovely Jessica Lane. 
The importance of putting God first in one's life, then one's spouse and children before other commitments like one's  work and church, is very well worked out by the author. The Lord wants all of us, body, soul and spirit, not just what is left over, even if our life is full of Christian service! Archer, in particular, realizes that without the Lord in his life he is nothing and can do nothing. This message comes through very strongly in the novels. We also see how different people react to the storms of life, and how they react better to love and understanding than a critical, "holier-than-thou" attitude.  Real friendship is shown between the Sheldon twins and Evan as well as between Lauren and Gina, to name a few, especially when Lauren is not afraid to warn Gina when she sees her about to make a fatal mistake by getting involved with a married man.
The characters are well portrayed.  They are real people with very real emotions, and we can relate to them and their struggles. 
I can highly recommend these novels and can't wait to read more books by this author.








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REKINDLED by TAMERA ALEXANDER

I have just re-read REKINDLED by TAMERA ALEXANDER and enjoyed it just as much as the first time I read it. It is a beautiful love story which is full of biblical truth.
Kathryn Jennings comes from a wealthy Boston family and her husband Larson, the love of her life, feels guilty that he can't give her all that she has been used to.
When he goes missing in a snowstorm on Christmas Day, she does all she can to keep the land and the homestead that was Larson's dream and has become her own.
There is a message of forgiveness, redemption and the importance of truth in a relationship, amongst other things. We see the Father's love and His protection for His children throughout the story. We also see Him as the God of second chances. I can highly recommend this novel as a really good read.



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MICHAL by JILL EILEEN SMITH

MICHAL by JILL EILEEN SMITH is the first novel in her Wives of King David series. The story is sensitively told and the characters are beautifully depicted. Even though it is a work of fiction, the story sticks closely to the Bible and is told around the relevant verses.
The author tells us of the passionate love between young David and Saul's youngest daughter, Michal, their separation due to the king's jealousy and anger towards David, and how this love turns to burning hatred in Michal's case.
We see the difference between David's trust in Yahweh in the midst of all his problems, his humility and desire to please his God, and Michal's sense of importance as the daughter of a king and as David's first wife. We see how his love for the Lord pours out of his heart in psalms of praise, whereas she tends to blame God for her problems. It is only when everything is stripped from her that, in the loneliness of her chambers in the palace, she turns to Adonai in humility and experiences the joy of His forgiveness and presence in her life. This leads to her experiencing David's forgiveness and reconciliation with him as well. Her bitterness and pride melt away and are replaced with love for God and for her husband.
I like the way the interaction between the characters is portrayed, as there is so much biblical truth here that is applicable in our own lives today, and also the vivid description of life in those days. I admire the author for her research and knowledge of the Scriptures, which is combined with her story telling ability! I can highly recommend this novel.




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