Archive | February 2023

Over The Edge by Michael Garrett

Feb21

Nail Bitingly Good

Over The Edge by Michael Garrett is a compulsive contemporary Christian suspense that completely took over my life for a few hours! This book will deprive you of sleep, it is completely absorbing!

Michael Garrett is a masterful storyteller whose comprehensives descriptions paint the scenes in glorious Technicolor for the reader.

Michael Garrett chooses his words with care enabling the reader to reach a state of heightened suspense and tension as the novel progresses towards its’ climax – I must admit I did not see that one coming!

The handprints of God are evidenced throughout. “He’d [God] led her through… her life even when she ignored Him.” God has His hands on our hearts even though we do not realise it. God walks beside us, longing for us to notice Him.

“God had believed in her before she believed in herself.” We see the importance of loving the skin we are in. We need to see ourselves as God sees us.

Faith is important. We need to own our faith and be responsible. “Skipped daily Bible readings had become more frequent, her prayers shorter… A weakening faith caused an empty feeling.” Inside each of us is a God-shaped hole that only He can fill. We need to stay connected to Him. Daily Bible reading and prayers are the building blocks of our faith. “Still nagging at the back of her mind… was the anxiety of feeling her faith slipping away.” If we feel ourselves moving away from God, we need to re-centre our lives.

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Fraser by Susan May Warren

Feb21

You Are Mine

Fraser by Susan May Warren is a marvelous Christian suspense and the first book in a brand new series, The Minnesota Marshalls.

As a fan of the author, it was wonderful to meet up with old faces in this new series.

We see characters who are consumed by guilt over past events, worrying about what they cannot change. They are determined to do better and operate a policy of ‘not on my watch.’ They feel as if they have to be continually on duty. They have forgotten that when they know God, they are not alone. Life is a partnership with Him. It “is His way of showing you that you need Him more than you need a grand purpose.” God wants to be needed by us – not for His sake but for ours.

Trust is a major theme. God wants us to let go of the tight grip that we have on life, and to trust Him. When we cannot see the way, we need to lean into Him.

Prayer is important. We need to pray at all times and be sure to listen for the answers. “He couldn’t hear Him. Or maybe he was just out of practice listening.” As we pray more and listen more, we will learn to recognize God’s voice. Sometimes when we do not hear God, we fear God has forgotten us. “God hasn’t forgotten you.” God is always beside us.

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The Lonely Lake Killings by Wes Markin

Feb20

Gripping

The Lonely Lake Killings by Wes Markin is a totally gripping crime suspense that I could not put down. It is the second book in The Yorkshire Murders series but can be read as a stand-alone.

I enjoyed meeting up with familiar characters. An unlikely detective pairing once more work together to solve the crimes.

Everyone has a past. Sometimes our pasts follow us into our present, influencing our lives. There are characters who cannot move forwards as they are forever inhabiting their pasts.

Grief does not improve with time. A character tries to function but finds himself slipping backwards. His coping mechanisms could destroy him as his grief runs deep.

Old crimes resurface as a father seeks justice for his daughter.

Justice means different things to different people. We see that when characters seek justice, sometimes the lines blur between good and evil.

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A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz

Feb14

Angel Dog

A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz is the most beautiful heart-warming book about Dean and Gerda Koontz and their dog Trixie.

Trixie was an amazing golden retriever who was so much more than a dog. She was an angel in disguise, as more than one person noted.

Trixie was a remarkable dog who seemed to know and understand just what her humans were saying. She had an uncanny insight into the nature of people, knowing just who could be trusted and who couldn’t. She also seemed to be able to sense danger.

As I read through A Big Little Life, Trixie came ‘alive’ to me. Her personality bounded from the pages and into my heart. I ‘lived’ this book.

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