THE SHEPHERD'S VOICE by ROBIN LEE HATCHER

THE SHEPHERD'S VOICE is one of ROBIN LEE HATCHER'S earlier novels which has just become available on Kindle. What a delightful book! The story is really good, the characters very real, and it is full of biblical truth.
We have the prodigal son, Gabe Talmadge, whose return to Ransom is met by even greater hatred from his father than that which sent him to prison fourteen years before. We see how he gradually allows the Lord to break down the prison walls that he brings with him to the outside world.
Akira, whose name means "anchor", is a true child of God, who hears His voice and loves His Word. She has inherited her godly grandfather's sheep farm and is the shepherdess who longs to lead the lost to the Good Shepherd. She is a disappointment to her socialite mother, but Akira realizes that she needs to be true to the person God created her to be.
When this innocent young woman and the ex convict get together the rumours are rife in the small community of Ransom.
We see the importance of forgiveness, not only towards others but also towards one's self, of standing strong, dressed in the full armour of God, and of trusting the Lord no matter what one is faced with. We are reminded that we don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of darkness. As we are drawn to the love of the Good Shepherd we are able to show His love and acceptance to others.
I really enjoyed this novel and cannot recommend it highly enough.


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MIRIAM by MESU ANDREWS

MIRIAM by MESU ANDREWS is the second novel in the SECRETS OF THE NILE series, following after THE PHARAOH'S DAUGHTER, which I reviewed on the 26th April 2015. I recommend reading the books in sequence, although of course they can be read as stand alones.
Once again the author has given us a well researched, sensitively written, bible based, account of one of the most amazing and miraculous events in history. I find it especially significant that this novel, which speaks of Yahweh's deliverance of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt at the first Passover, has been released precisely at the time that believers are celebrating the greatest Passover of all, when our Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, died and rose again to set us free from sin and death!
The story is told from Miriam's perspective, and I really enjoy the way her emotions are described as she feels abandoned by "her Shaddai" who seems to have changed. He is now speaking to Moses instead of her. She has faithfully served Him all her life as His prophetess, and to start with she feels set aside and useless, and even a bit jealous.
We see each of the characters struggle in one way or another when they are faced with the manifestations of God's power. In fact, if we are honest, we can see ourselves in some of their fears and reactions!
We see jealousy, unforgiveness, disobedience and pride giving way to peace and love when a person chooses to obey Yahweh. We see the arrogance of Pharaoh, who is worshipped as a god by the Egyptians, and the fear he instills by his bloodthirstiness and hatred, as opposed to Moses' complete trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The fictional characters help to make the novel flow and definitely do not take away from the truth of the biblical story.
This novel gives a person much food for thought with its refreshing way of telling the story of redemption, and it is way "up there" as one of the best Christian novels I have read.
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THE REAL ENEMY by KATHY HERMAN

THE REAL ENEMY by KATHY HERMAN is the first novel in the SOPHIE TRACE TRILOGY, and is not only an exciting thriller, but it is a very touching story of a family in crisis. The Christian message is really good and I like the way the author deals with the characters' emotions - they are very real people with very real struggles.
Brill and Kurt Jessup have moved to Sophie Trace from Memphis with their nine year old daughter Emily. Brill is police chief and is hardly ever at home, but there is more to their problems than Kurt being practically a single parent and Emily missing her mother. Eighteen months before their move Kurt confessed a one night stand with the prom queen who he had had a crush on at school. In spite of Kurt's abject remorse, Brill makes it clear that she is prepared to stay married in name only and will never forgive him. Kurt is devastated, especially as their farce of a marriage is upsetting their children, particularly Emily, and is determined to overcome Brill's bitterness towards him by loving her and being good to her. He takes his commitment to the Lord and to their family very seriously and is determined to "overcome evil with good."
Brill finds it impossible to deal with her relationship with her husband and the effect her unforgiveness is having on her children, at the same time as trying to solve the kidnappings, murder and gang problems that are causing havoc in the small town. To cap it all, there is also the legend of the red shadows that some people are convinced are causing people to disappear.
This is an excellent read with a really good plot. We are made to think about the fact that our attitudes, particularly when we harbour unforgiveness and bitterness, can affect others as well as ourselves. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can highly recommend it.
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THE BABEL CONSPIRACY by SYLVIA BAMBOLA

I have just finished reading THE BABEL CONSPIRACY by SYLVIA BAMBOLA and can highly recommend the novel, especially for those who are interested in end times prophecy and the establishment of the New World Order.
Trisha Callahan is distressed at the way the world seems to have gone mad, with riots and explosions devastating the country. She has always taken God's word seriously and is obedient to His command to pray for America, waking up an hour earlier to do so every morning. That is not her only act of obedience - we see her fighting against the temptation of falling for a married man and also against harbouring unforgiveness and bitterness.
She is head of research and development at Patterson Aviation, and as they come up with a plane that is totally nuclear powered, all hell is let loose against those who head up the project. This is combined with corruption at the highest level of government - Anti-Semitism is rife, with Islamic terrorists working hand in glove with the president and oil companies such as Tafco Oil.
We are made aware, in no uncertain terms, of the lengths to which unscrupulous men will stoop when led by hatred, greed and religious fanaticism. Yet throughout there is the encouragement of God's word, of His promise of salvation, of His presence and the peace only He can give. It is a choice each individual must make for him or herself, and we see how some of the characters make this choice, while others remain rebellious to the end.
This book really gives us food for thought and is a must read for those who are serious about their Christian walk and who honour Israel and the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.



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DANGEROUS PASSAGE, FATAL EXCHANGE & HIDDEN AGENDA by LISA HARRIS

I had never read anything by Lisa Harris before reading the three novels in her SOUTHERN CRIMES series, DANGEROUS PASSAGE, FATAL EXCHANGE and HIDDEN AGENDA - in quick succession, I might add! Not only are the stories exciting and well told, and the characters interesting and well portrayed, but the Christian content forms the basis of the novels, rather than being added on as an afterthought, which to me is very important.
These detective stories cover a lot of ground and deal with themes such as the importance of forgiveness, sacrifice for the greater good, family relationships, and much more. There is also a generous dose of romance in each novel. Although I feel it is better to read the books in sequence, the novels can be read as "stand alones".
In DANGEROUS PASSAGE, the particular evil that is uncovered by Avery North and her team of law enforcement officers, with the help of Jackson Bryant, the handsome medical examiner, is that of human trafficking. It is awful to see how far criminals will go to hide their crimes. That is not all, throughout all three novels there is the fear of at least one mole in the police department, and the problem of whom to trust.
In FATAL EXCHANGE, Emily Hunt, Avery's sister, a dedicated teacher, is forced to show incredible courage in a hostage situation. Things are not as they seem and we are kept guessing right to the end.
In HIDDEN AGENDA, we see Michael Hunt, who has been working undercover trying to bring down one of the biggest criminals in the drug cartel, fighting for his life after being saved from certain death by his enemy's children. Will he have any credibility with the police when he gets home, and will his family ever be able to forgive him?
We are reminded throughout the series that each person is responsible for the choices he or she makes, and that one's choices affect others as well. It is important to be able to leave the past behind, especially when one has had an unusual childhood, as was the case with Olivia and Ivan, who only found out the truth about their family when they were grown up.
I can highly recommend these novels for enjoyment and for the strong Christian message. I will definitely be reading more books by this author!








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UNTIL WE REACH HOME by LYNN AUSTIN

I thought I had read all of LYNN AUSTIN's novels and was delighted to find UNTIL WE REACH HOME, which I have just finished reading. It is the beautifully told story of three sisters who leave Sweden for a new life in America during the late 1800's.
Elin and Kristin have shameful secrets which they try very hard to keep to themselves. They each feel very guilty and feel they no longer have a right to expect anything from the Lord. They take a long time to accept His forgiveness and to forgive themselves.
The sisters have always been very close and have always shared everything. Elin, as the oldest, feels responsible for her sisters and feels she has let them down. What she has been through makes her fearful and quite bossy. To start with Kristin resents this, until she recognizes the extent of Elin's sacrificial love for them.
I love the way the author brings in relevant Scriptures throughout the story, and we see how Sofia, the timid baby sister, after being devastated by the death of her parents and losing the only home she has ever known, draws strength and guidance from God's word.
We see the contrast between the harsh treatment they received from their so-called Christian aunt, Hilma, and the treatment they received from their worldly employer, the rich Mrs Anderson.
Exploited by those who should have loved them, the girls finally find love and acceptance when they choose to trust God to guide them. They realize that He has always been with them and that He will lead them home.
This novel is well worth reading for the lovely story and the biblical truth on which it is based. I can highly recommend it.



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COLD SHOT by DANI PETTREY

COLD SHOT is another action packed novel by DANI PETTREY. The story is riveting from the beginning, and we are kept guessing right to the end. It is the first novel in the CHESAPEAKE VALOR series, and I am definitely looking forward to the sequel.
Ranger Griffin McCray and Dr Finley Scott meet when some treasure hunters unearth a recently buried body at the Gettysburg military cemetery. As they work together, and learn more about each other's past, we see the Lord at work bringing healing, the ability to forgive, and renewed faith into their lives.
This novel has interesting characters, an excellent plot, and a fair share of romance. There is a good Christian message and the struggle between good and evil is well brought out. I enjoyed this novel - it is a really exciting read.


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