Archive | May 2020

Dead Silence by Robin Caroll

Trust Him

Dead Silence by Robin Caroll is an exciting Christian contemporary suspense that had me glued from the start.

The novel is set among the political echelons of America and the FBI. There is always a question of who to trust especially as there appears to be a leak from within. God can always be trusted even when life is tough. He sees the end from the beginning and can turn around what others meant for harm. Even when life appears to be spinning away from us we have to “believe that God was [is] in control.”

Life has dealt blows to a character meaning that they withdrew from God in anger and pain. “It’s okay to rally at Him – none of it catches Him by surprise. He can handle your questions and even your anger.” God longs to hear from us, no matter what it is that is bothering us. If it bothers us, it bothers Him. He never abandons us. If we do not hear from Him, maybe we are not listening.

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The Babysitter by Phoebe Morgan

Families

The Babysitter by Phoebe Morgan is a thrilling edge of your seat, contemporary psychological murder suspense that I could not put down.

Phoebe Morgan has cleverly constructed plotline and a marvellous cast of ordinary characters, many of whom are carrying secrets. See if you can work out the truth from the lies.

The novel alternates between the present and a few weeks earlier, moving forwards in time to meet up with present day. Each chapter is written from a different point of view, some in the first and some in the third person.

Family is important. Those who have one are not always happy. Those who don’t, wish they did. Family supports each other through it all – or does it?

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When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Trusting In The Dark

When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas is a powerful Christian historical novel set in 1930. Some details are factual, around which the author has woven her story.

The main focus of the novel is an ancient feud, sparked by jealousy of the gifts from God. It is Old Testament stuff – an eye for an eye but Jesus shows us a new way, He calls us to love our enemies and to forgive. “God loves everyone – no matter how wrong we might think they are.” It does not matter what we think of people, each one is a child of God.

The feud is fuelled by anger. We need to let our anger go. When we cannot do this in our strength, we must ask God for help. “It was going to take long hours on his knees to let this anger go.”

God asks that we are obedient to His calling. At its core, the novel has the Jonah theme. Sometimes God has to bring us to our knees before we obey Him. Far better to respond when we first heart His voice.

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Music From Another World by Robin Talley

Grounded In Fact

Music From Another World by Robin Talley is a powerful historical young adult novel set over 1977 and 1978. It is a novel of discovery, protest and finding your way in the world.

The novel follows two fifteen year old female pen-pals – it starts as a school project but becomes a place where they can share their deepest fears and desires.

As fifteen year olds the world is a scary place as you emerge from childhood but are not quite an adult. It is a time to discover who you are and what you want.

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