THE HARBINGER BY JONATHAN CAHN

I have just read THE HARBINGER :the Ancient Mystery that holds the secret of America's Future by JONATHAN CAHN and cannot recommend it enough!  It is a prophetic book which ties up the prophecies of the Old Testament, where the Jews were promised judgment instead of blessing if they turned from the Lord and did things in their own strength, with the judgment that has come to America because of the people's willful turning away from God and pride in their own strength.  We see how the nine harbingers, or warnings, received by Israel before her destruction tie up with the warnings given to America.
He shows how in both cases "the walls were breached" by the enemy, and how Biblical prophecy was fulfilled at Ground Zero and with the collapse of Wall Street.
He shows how the Lord is a God of mercy and desires above all that all men be saved and that He longs for them to turn to Him in obedience to His Word - how He warns them and yearns for them to come to Him - in fact their very future depends upon their reaction to His warnings.  There is definitely hope here, as we see God's great love for those He has created to have fellowship with Him and to follow His ways, ways which lead to His protection and incredible blessings.
There is too much in this book, which is more of a conversation and a teaching than a novel, for 
me to do it justice, and I suggest that you look up www.theharbinger-jonathancahn.com for more information.
It is a very exciting book, and I feel that the warning is not just for the United States but for all people everywhere to choose to return to the Lord before it is too late!

TRUE DEVOTION BY DEE HENDERSON

TRUE DEVOTION by DEE HENDERSON is the first book in the Uncommon Heroes series.  
Kelly is a lifesaver who saves a young boy's life when he is taken out to sea in a riptide.  She almost dies in her attempt to save him, but is herself saved by Joe, a navy SEAL who has become her best friend. Joe was her late husband, Nick's, commanding officer and best friend.  Nick died in saving Joe's life in a mission that went wrong.  Kelly was devoted to her SEAL husband, and for three years drifts far from true devotion to the Lord as she blames Him for his premature death.  When Joe saves her from drowning she tells him she loves him, which she realizes is the truth, but she is afraid of losing him as a friend if things don't work out for them romantically.
This near death experience causes Kelly to rethink her relationship with the Lord.  She is truly grateful to the Lord for saving her life and turns back to prayer and bible reading in her desire to get close to Him once again.
Charles, Ryan's father, shows his gratitude to Kelly by giving her lavish gifts, but there is something about him that Joe doesn't trust.  He thinks it is probably because Charles seems to be after Kelly's affection.  Kelly likes Charles and both she and Joe become very fond of Ryan.
The characters in this story show friendship, loyalty, single-mindedness, determination and heroism.  There is also much fun, camaraderie and a love of life amongst them, especially in view of the dangerous work they are involved in. We see Joe and Kelly's unselfishness as opposed to the selfishness and greed of those they are up against.
The story is fast-paced and exciting, and I like the almost conversational way that it is written.  It is easy to read and gives an insight into the lives of those who lay their lives on the line in order to keep the citizens of America safe. It is a story of devotion to one another, to their country and to the Lord.


 

THE PRESENCE BY T. DAVIS BUNN

THE PRESENCE by DAVIS BUNN is the story of what happens when a man is totally obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit in his life.  
T.J. Case has the support of his wife Catherine, and his best friend Jeremy Hughes, when, after a vision where he feels the Presence of the Lord very strongly, he is led to leave his law practice and go to Washington.  He is asked to come to Washington by congressman Silverwood, to work on the government's education policy.  Silverman is very ambitious and feels that having a black man who is a Republican there will further his cause. T.J has been in politics before, having run as a Republican candidate, without success, and is passionate about children's education, especially wanting government to have a programme for gifted children.  He is even more passionate about Christian parents having the right to choose Christian education for their children, and wants the government to subsidize this.  He becomes unpopular when he speaks on television about his ideas for education, and is adamant that the people of America, especially those in government, need to turn to God for the answers to the problems the country is facing.  He has also started a Bible study before work each morning, beginning with one person, Bella Saunders, the numbers rising quickly to about five hundred.  Most of the people in the office want nothing to do with him and his strange ideas, but he is well supported by John Nakamashi and two young girls who work for him who are committed Christians themselves. They feel it is an honour to be involved in the Lord's work. 
T.J. is called before the president who is about to fire him for giving interviews without permission, but T.J. is given a prophetic word from the Lord which he delivers to the president, who is struck dumb!
Jeremy is a humble man and he comes to Washington as T.J.'s servant.  He is a white man with not much education, but who has become rich through hard work.  T.J. was his lawyer and gave him good advice and they came to trust one another, both being strong believers. He becomes involved in the Community of Hope where he uses his entrepreneurial skills and his money to rebuild the dilapidated apartment buildings in the area.  Catherine becomes involved with the poor and abused children.  With the help of Senator Atterly, a committed Christian and faithful member of the morning prayer group, dishonesty in the awarding of building contracts in the area is uncovered and the Community of Hope gets even more contracts than they had originally tendered for.  
This is T. Davis Bunn's first novel and it really is worth reading.  There is so much truth in this book, it is filled with Scripture that is so relevant in this day and age, and the way in which T.J. humbly allows himself to be led by the Presence of the Holy Spirit in his life, even in the face of danger, is beautifully portrayed.  Love and loyalty, honesty, commitment and obedience are some of the subjects that are brought to light.  I can highly recommend this book.

THE INCUMBENT & BEFORE ANOTHER DIES BY ALTON GANSKY

 THE INCUMBENT AND BEFORE ANOTHER DIES by ALTON GANSKY.
These two novels are political thrillers with a definite Christian message.  They are very well written and well worth reading.  The descriptions are particularly good and make you feel you are right there!
In The Incumbent we are introduced to Madison Glenn, mayor of Santa Rita.  Her normally organized life is disrupted when three people who are connected to her disappear, one after the other, and when one of them ends up dead. 
Maddie is a widow, and she is still trying to come to grips with her loss, when she is hit by one kidnapping after another.  All the people who are missing are connected to her mayoral campaign, and, whilst she has some loyal supporters at the office, she has two who work together to thwart her at every turn. They seem to be more worried about what effect this will have on them as members of the city council than what it means to those who have been kidnapped and to their families. 
Maddie is close to her parents and to her aide Randi, and has a close friend in Dr Jerry West who she dated in college, but who is now just a friend.  Her friends and her parents are determined to keep her safe. She is afraid of being the next victim but is also determined not to be overcome by fear.  She is having trouble doing her work, which she normally loves.
When Lisa Truccoli is abducted, her daughter Celeste comes to live with Maddie, who reaches out to her from her own pain, her husband Peter having been senselessly murdered by highjackers. Celeste's estranged father is an angry man, and causes a lot of trouble when Celeste refuses to see him, and then only doing so to tell him to leave Maddie alone.  
Detective Judson West is the officer in charge of the investigations.  He is very well built and good looking, and Randi and Celeste tease Maddie about him.
There are many twists in the story.  We see how Maddie finds out something about her husband, Peter, that she didn't know, and how this affects her.  We find her committing her life to the Lord when Paul, the owner of the Fish Kettle, shares the truth of the Gospel with her.
In Before Another Dies, we find Maddie Glenn, still recovering from all she has gone through, faced with a dead man in a parked car in her mayoral parking place. When Chief Webb and detective Judson West decide that the man has been murdered the nightmare starts all over again.  There are two more murders, and there is a pattern that shows a definite connection with a late night radio broadcast with very weird subject matter.  There is reason to believe through these sinister messages that Maddie is to be the next victim.
In this novel Maddie is campaigning for congress.  Her friend and campaign manager, Nat, is a fascinating woman and she helps Maddie keep her focus.  When Maddie complains about all she has lost , Nat reminds her that she, Nat, who is confined to a wheelchair due to a car accident, has lost the use of two legs, one arm, and all chance of marriage and having children.
Maddie's new faith is a source of great strength to her, but she has always found it hard curbing her tongue, and from time to time still lashes out as she used to do before becoming a Christian.
Maddie has a new aide, Floyd Grecian, the son of her pastor.  Floyd is a lovable character, although rather scatty and unfocused.  He puts his life on the line to try and solve the murders, and we also see Jerry's devotion in saving her life.  
Maddie is a strong charactered woman, who works long hours and who is dedicated to doing what is right.  She is loyal to her family, friends and supporters, and can't bear the thought of bringing danger upon anyone through their connection to her.  With the danger she goes through she calls out to the Lord for His protection and we see Him coming through for her.
The novel is fast-paced and exciting, with much intrigue and keeps one guessing until the end.

THE LAST PLEA BARGAIN BY RANDY SINGER

RANDY SINGER is a writer of courtroom drama with a definite twist.  I have read most of his novels and enjoyed them all.  THE LAST PLEA BARGAIN is well worth reading as it is not only very exciting and well written, but there is a definite Christian message.
Jamie Brock, the protagonist, is assistant DA for Milton County.  Her boss, William Masterton, is campaigning for higher office, and he has the backing of all those who work for him.  
Jamie's father is dying, and both he and she are waiting for the execution of Antoine Marshall who was convicted many years before for murdering her mother and shooting her father.  Jamie's mother was a clinical psychologist who was well known in legal circles for her court testimonies.  Jamie misses her mother terribly and determined to get justice for her. Jamie's father was a defense attorney with an impeccable record - until there were rumours of illegal activities.
The two people who broke down her father's eye-witness testimony are Mace James, a former convicted criminal who is now a defense lawyer, and Caleb Tate, a successful attorney who heads up his own prestigious law firm.  Jamie is determined to see Antoine get his due and dislikes the two men intensely for disrespecting her father.  
Jamie loves her father, and goes to see him often in hospital, even though he has had two strokes and can't respond to her.  Her father dies and Antoine's execution is stayed once again. 
Jamie's brother, Chris, is a pastor and he is a great support to his sister.
Jamie lives in her parents' home, the one in which her mother is murdered, with her dog Justice.  Justice is great company, but not much of a watch dog, loving everyone and licking them to death!
When Caleb Tate's former showgirl wife dies from a drug overdose, Jamie goes all out to prove that he murdered her.  She had become a Christian and, amongst other things, Jamie felt that Caleb didn't like his "trophy" wife's religious conversion.
Jamie has always been against plea bargains, but there is a sinister turn around amongst the criminals who refuse all plea bargains and cause a tremendous logjam in the judicial system.  
Mace James, who has been in jail himself, has become a Christian and so has Antoine, although many people think the latter may not be sincere - just trying to evade the death penalty.  Mace knows that Antoine has definitely made a commitment to Christ.  Mace is against the death penalty and does all he can to save his client's life.
There is a strong message of the importance of forgiveness, of the danger of judging others and jumping to conclusions about people, and of the search for truth. Things definitely aren't always as they seem! It is when Jamie has a near death experience that she is drawn back to the God with whom she has been so angry for so long - ever since her mother's horrible death.  
The novel is exciting and the characters are well portrayed.  It is a "must read" for anyone who enjoys court room thrillers.

PROVIDENCE BY CHRIS COPPERNOLL

PROVIDENCE by CHRIS COPPERNOLL.
I have just read this novel for the second time, the first being some time ago. It is an interesting book and I can highly recommend it.  I enjoyed it very much.
Jack Clayton, the protagonist, is talked into writing his own life story after he has had great success with his third published book about the work of the Campus Missions Office in Providence. This leads to tremendous healing in his life and a much closer walk with the Lord as he faces the past and deals with it.  Being a very private person, he refuses to be interviewed by the media, and, whilst he writes about others, he doesn't write anything about himself.  This makes people, especially the media, suspicious.  He has become extremely rich through the success of his books, and they feel he is hypocritical being so rich and yet being known as "pastor to the poor". He really doesn't want to write this biography, not caring at all what people think of him, but when his best friends say he should go ahead and do it, even though it will mean time away from the office and more work for them, he agrees to do so, much to the relief of his publisher and agent Arthur Reed.  He also gets a strong feeling that the Lord is leading him to write this book for a reason.  He knows that it will be painful but he is determined to follow the Lord wherever He leads.  He is a man of forty who is forced to look back at his life and deal with so much - especially his guilt feelings about his treatment of Jenny, the love of his life, and his best friend Mitch's death, which he feels is his fault, as indeed it seemed to be.
He has known Mitch all his life and it is when Mitch comes to Chicago to talk some sense into Jack that he gets shot in Jack's roommate's car in a drug deal gone bad.  Although Jack doesn't do drugs or drink, he mixes with really bad types.  He has run away to get away from commitment - he is young and immature and selfish and breaks Jenny's heart.  Mitch is engaged to Erin and the wedding is to be in two week's time.
He remembers with longing the uncomplicated and happy days at college where he and Jenny, Mitch and Erin, made up a foursome and had so much fun together.
After Mitch's funeral, Jenny tries to take Jack back to Providence with her so that he can heal, but he runs off to Albuquerque where he lives the life of a hobo and is mugged and left for dead.  He ends up badly injured in hospital.
Jenny has gone to London to minister with her parents in their mission work and Jack  uses his last bit of money to fly out there for a surprise visit to Jenny.  He is devastated to find that she is getting married in two weeks' time.  He tries to talk her out of it, and when that doesn't work he comes to the end of himself down by the Thames and cries out to God to save him.  Here he makes a commitment to serve the Lord and follow Him which leads to his work at Campus Missions and working amongst the poor.  He becomes extremely rich and quite well known for his book "Labourers in the Orchard" and no-one knows that he lives very simply and gives away most of his money.
He is badly criticized by the press, especially by a hostile reporter called Bud Abbott, who writes an article full of lies about him because he refuses to be interviewed.  To the world it looks as though he has something to hide, but he doesn't want to be in the limelight.  He wants the Lord to have all the glory for everything he has achieved as he knows how he messed things up when he tried doing things in his own strength.  He does something quite rash when he tells Bud he wants him to write the book with him and that he will tell the whole story, leaving nothing out.  In spite of Bud's antagonism towards him he knows it is God who has called him to do this.
Eventually, through the writing of this his last book, he comes across Jenny again.  She and her parents and her sons have moved back to the States.  He meets her by chance, but he knows that it is the Lord who has orchestrated the meeting.  He knows that all things do indeed work together for good for those who are called according to God's purpose.
The novel is beautifully written and full of scriptural truth and insight into human nature.  We see the Lord's great love for His children and how He is the God of second chances.  As Jack is totally sold out to the Lord and His purposes, he is finally reunited with the love of his life. We see how important it is not to dwell on the past.  Jack is amazed at the fact that those he has hurt through his immature actions, including Jenny's parents, Jenny, Erin's parents and his mother, Marianne, have forgiven him long ago. Through the painful journey through his past, wishing he had done things differently, he comes into peace and joy.  This narrative of Jack's journey through life is well worth reading.

DOWNFALL BY TERRI BLACKSTOCK

DOWNFALL by TERRI BLACKSTOCK is the third and final book in the INTERVENTION series.  The novel can be read on its own, but I feel you will get more out of it if you read all three books in sequence.  
I reviewed VICIOUS CYCLE, the second book in the series, in June 2011.  The theme of the danger of drug addiction, the importance of family values, the tremendous pull that drugs have on young people who are struggling with family situations and with feelings of insecurity - especially the desire to belong and be popular - is carried through in this book.  We see that deliverance from addiction is a daily thing, and that it is very easy for an addict to be pulled back into using again.  We see Emily using the Word of God by quoting scriptures that she learnt when undergoing rehab to help her stay clean and close to the Lord.
Barbara Covington has moved her family to Atlanta for two reasons, the first being to remove Emily from the temptation of living in the same city as her former druggie friends, and the second to be near Kent Harlan, the detective who has helped them so much and with whom she has fallen in love.  There has been such a lot of media coverage of Emily's addiction, her disappearance from home, her stint in jail where she was falsely accused of murder, and her bravery in trying to help her friend who was in trouble, and all this seems to have followed them there as well.  Lance was happy at school in Jeff city and had lots of friends and was looked upon as a hero for his bravery.   He is not happy at his new school, where he is seen as a dork. He is still recovering from being shot, and looks a bit weak, and no-one wants to believe his stories.  The only friend he has at achool is April, but she has an unhealthy interest in Tyson, a drug dealer and a really bad influence.  Lance spends time with the two of them as he is trying to protect April from Tyson.  He ends up saving her life and becoming a real hero and suddenly very popular!
When Emily's car is blown up and things seem to go from bad to worse in her life, her mother is afraid that her daughter is using again.  She is very suspicious of her, especially when she stays out late with her friends.  Emily knows that her addiction has cost her family tremendous pain, and this upsets her terribly.  She is working hard at college and at making something of her life, but when she is suspected of Cassandra Carter's murder, she realizes that her past makes people ready to blame her, even though she is not guilty.  
On Saturdays Emily works at Haven House, a place for recovering addicts, and when Devon Lawrence, the wife of Bo Lawrence, a former inmate of Haven House ends up murdered in her home, Emily gets involved in a real web of intrigue that is nearly the end of her and her family.  She is set up by a psychopathic killer who calls himself the Avenger, and whose main aim is to destroy her and her family.  The devil is using him to try and bring about Emily's downfall.
The book is exciting and the drug theme is very relevant in the day and age that we live in.  Once again we see the Lord coming through for the Covington family.  We see the love that Barbara has for her children and also the love that  Kent has for her and her children.  He looks upon Emily and Lance as his own.  We see how he calms Barbara down when she gets hysterical with fear for them.  The emotions of a mother who has gone through so much with an addict in the family are very well portrayed, as are those of Lance, the brother who has been through a lot of pain because of his sister's past behaviour, and also those of Emily who is trying so hard to live her life to the glory of God and is afraid that she will never be able to get away from her past.  We see how the family have grown in their trust in God.  I feel the whole series is well worth reading and there is a strong Christian message.  There is hope for those who put their trust in the Lord, in spite of their past history, and He truly can change lives.