DOUBLE CROSS by DIANN MILLS

DOUBLE CROSS by DIANN MILLS is a thrilling detective novel with a strong Christian message. Against a background of fraud against elderly Alzheimer's patients, murder and intrigue, we see how officer Daniel Hilton and F.B.I. Agent Laurel Evertson deal with issues of fear, doubt and forgiveness in their own lives, whilst doing all they can to find out who is behind the life insurance scam which has affected Daniel's grandparents and others at the Silver Hospitality seniors' home.
To do this they have to team up with Morton Wilmington, a convicted criminal who Laurel put into prison by living with him under cover as his fiancée, who has been paroled due to his supposed conversion to Christianity. They don't trust him, but they are forced to work closely with him in order to get in with his former partner in crime to find out who is behind this nation wide attack on the elderly.
Daniel is a believer who has been impacted by his godly grandparents, Earl and Abby Hilton, who took him in when his mother abandoned him and his father died. He has to deal with unforgiveness towards his mother.
Laurel's life fell apart when her parents died. She is angry with God for allowing it to happen and also for allowing her partner, Jesse, to be shot when Morton was arrested.
Was Morton's conversion real? Can he be trusted, or is he working against them?
Not only is the novel packed with suspense but it is a really good character study. I love the description of the loving relationship between Daniel's elderly grandparents and Daniel's love and respect for them. I also like the way Laurel treats the elderly with understanding and compassion. It is interesting to see how Morton tries to relate to people in the outside world after spending so long in jail.
Who is behind the scam? Is the double crosser himself being double crossed?
I can highly recommend this novel.


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THE VICTORS by JACK CAVANAUGH

 THE VICTORS by JACK CAVANAUGH is the seventh book in his American Family Portrait series. This novel is set during the Second World War and in it we see how Jesse and Emily Morgan's son Johnny's family fare at this horrific time in world history. Of the four Morgan children Walt and Alexandra have inherited their father's love of flying whilst Nathanial and Lily are the artistic members of the family. As it does throughout the series, the Morgan family bible plays an important part in the story.
Against the backdrop of war, we see how the characters grow in their walk with the Lord as they are forced by adverse circumstances to decide what really is important in life and to rely on Him as never before. Their struggles are very real and well portrayed.
I like the way the author uses Scripture throughout the novel, showing the importance of knowing the Word of God, especially when one is in impossible situations. In fact we see how Laura comes to trust God when she is at her lowest, even as Job worshipped God when he had lost everything.
We see the individual members of the Morgan family holding true to the Christian values of their heritage,as symbolized by the handing down of the family bible to a member of the next generation who will, in turn, teach his family the truth of God's Word.
Another remarkable aspect of this story is the way that we are shown how all Germans were not pro Hitler, and the human kindness that existed between individuals who showed love to those who others would have seen as their enemy. We see what true Christian love is all about!
This is a novel, based on history, with a strong Christian message, and I recommend it as a most enjoyable and interesting read.





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THE LIST by ROBERT WHITLOW

THE LIST by ROBERT WHITLOW is an exciting story of faith, love and redemption in a world raging with greed for money and power.
Josiah Jacobson, a young lawyer, known to everyone as Renny, is launched into a world of deceit and wickedness when he reads the terms of his father's will. He is disappointed and angry at his father, who he couldn't really get close to when he was older, until he hears about the money involved in being heir to his membership of The List.
This unholy inheritance is compared to our eternal inheritance in Jesus Christ, and the prophetic vision that his maternal grandfather passed down to him in a letter - he was to destroy the strongholds of idol worship like the godly King Josiah did in the Bible.
When a member of The List dies, his oldest son takes over the membership in this evil secret society , based on greed, lies and covetousness. In fact, we see clearly how the sins of the fathers are passed down through the generations! An example of this is the way Renny gets migraines like his father did as soon as he signs the oath of membership. Also the members have often died in suspicious circumstances!
Renny goes to his first meeting of The List with Jo Johnstone, whose father named her to make it seem as though she was male in order to not lose his family's membership. There is a great deal of money involved, which is what has lured Renny into joining, but Jo only wants to know more about her father. She is a strong Christian and is uneasy about the whole situation, and is uncomfortable with Renny's obvious love of money. The members of The List are afraid of Jo's Christianity.
Largely due to Jo's, Mama A's and his landlady, Daisy Stokes' prayers, Renny realizes his need for the Lord and makes a commitment to the God they serve. He is impressed by the way they talk to God so easily, like a friend.
When he realizes the evil in which he has become involved, he tries to destroy The List in his own strength and ends up bringing danger to the one he loves.
When he reaches rock bottom, he is led by his Christian lawyer to give over the control of his life to Jesus and to repent of his love of money, so that he can fight the battle in the Spirit against the satanic forces lined up against him.
We see the importance of prayer and fasting and even of laying down one's life for one's friends. We see also that the Lord is the God who answers prayers and is true to His Word. delivering and healing His children.
This novel is rich in Scripture reference, and is a wonderfully exciting story of the fight between good and evil. It leaves us in no doubt that we cannot fight evil in our own strength, and that nothing is impossible to the Lord.
This is a book that I cannot recommend highly enough, for the gripping plot, the very real characters and the spiritual insight of the author.


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THE CONFESSION by ROBERT WHITLOW

THE CONFESSION by ROBERT WHITLOW is a legal thriller with a difference. Not only is it an exciting read, but it is an in depth study of human emotions, not at all heavy or depressing but written in such an easy manner that one literally cannot put the book down. It is full of biblical truth and I found it most inspiring and thought provoking.
Holt Douglas is an assistant District Attorney and Trish Carmichael works in the Sheriff's office. They get together because of their mutual interest in a cold case which they both feel has not been properly investigated, suspecting a cover up by the authorities.
Holt is trying to make up for his past behaviour by being the best prosecuting attorney he can be, living his dead best friend's dream because of the guilt he feels for the lie he told the police at a drunk driving accident when they were teenagers. He thinks that he is safe in keeping the truth covered up, as he is the only one who knows what really happened, but, as his old friend Bishop Pennington says, "there is no statute of limitations on sin" and nothing is hidden from God. When Trish, who is a committed Christian, finds out the truth about the man she found so attractive and who she wanted to lead to the Lord, she makes a decision which has repercussions for herself as well as for Holt.
The issues of confession, forgiveness, mercy and grace run through the novel, as well as the danger of accusing someone without knowing all the facts. We see how a person's actions have consequences, and that true release can only come from confessing one's sins to the Lord. All the good works in the world are not enough to buy God's favour. Guilt and unforgiveness both have a devastating effect in a person's life. The importance of showing compassion rather than being religious and legalistic is also brought out clearly.
The characters in this novel are true to life and the story is well worked out. I really enjoy this author, especially the way he speaks of the importance of prayer, the supernatural power of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in people's lives.



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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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