Archive | December 2016

Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner

Dec13

Gripping And Guessing To The End

Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner is a contemporary murder mystery that will have you asking questions from the start. The book is divided into days with chapters within each day written from various viewpoints.

Missing, Presumed was a very different genre from my usual read but I enjoyed it. It certainly threw up many questions which I failed to solve but fortunately all the action and questions were completely wrapped up by the book’s close.

There was the theme of loneliness and being trapped. Many were living lonely lives trapped by isolation, work or relationships. The monotony of daily life often served to heighten feelings of loneliness.

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One Tuesday Lunch by T.K. Chapin

Dec12

A New Creation

One Tuesday Lunch by T.K. Chapin is the next instalment in the marvellous Diamond Lake series but can be read as a stand-alone. It is a contemporary Christian murder mystery romance. I loved it. It had me guessing until all was revealed.

There is the theme of PTSD as the main character Hunter is an Afghan war vet who lost his leg in action. T.K. Chapin shows that not all wounds of war are visible, there can be scars on the inside.

The theme of prejudice rears its head in the novel. People believe things about others because of past behaviour. “He was a bad seed. He always has been, he always will be.” People wrongly assume we cannot change. T.K. Chapin shows how with God we can have a fresh start, a new beginning. God takes the old, heals and makes it new. As it says in the novel he was “a little broken but mended together by God’s bandages of love.”

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The Thorn Healer by Pepper Basham

Dec11

Your Justice Or His Peace?

thornThe Thorn Healer by Pepper Basham is a historical romance. It is the third book in the Penned In Time series but can be read as a stand-alone. Set in the final year of World War I, fact meets fiction in this epic read.

There is the theme of trust – trust in God and trust in men. An alien intern camp in the small American town is met with fear and dislike. People distrust the Germans because of their experience in war. Prejudice is rife but not everyone should be tarred with the same brush.

Jessica is a nurse from the front who finds it hard to trust God after all that she has seen. “How can You see what is happening and so silent?” She is focused on man and not God. Her heart longs to see God but He seems absent. “If You are in the middle of all this mess, show me.”

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I Heard The Bells by Angela K Couch

Dec10

God Still Lives

I Heard The Bells by Angela K Couch is a short historical Christian story. Set in 1864 during the American Civil War, it shows how war divided families. God’s love is for everyone regardless as to whose side one is on. God’s love covers all and conquers all. Jesus came to set us free. He brought and continues to bring gifts of love, grace and forgiveness.

This sweet story is set at Christmas and shows by focusing on our Saviour’s birth, all horrors and divisions of war can be put aside as we celebrate Who Jesus is and what He’s done.

A gentle read and highly recommended.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON