Tag Archives: Canadian authors

Review: Eye of the Storm, by Janice L. Dick

[Note: this review is of the original version of this book, which has now been revised and rereleased. For the review of the 2020 edition, click here.]

eye-of-the-storm

Eye of the Storm, by Janice L. Dick (Herald Press, 2003)

In Eye of the Storm, we follow the characters from Calm Before the Storm through the years 1917-1919. A less compassionate author would overwhelm readers with the cruelty and horror of this part in Russian Mennonite history.

The story centres on the fictional Hildebrandt family, but gives glimpses of historical figures like Trotsky and Lenin – and the execution of Tsar Nicholas’ family. At times the sense of growing tragedy made me put the book aside until the next day, but the characters always drew me back.

Rich in historical and cultural details, the book opens a window into the suffering of both rich and poor – and the faith of the Russian Mennonites. The Mennonite landowners experience raids on their property and possessions, but their faith calls them to a peaceful life. Some choose to learn self-defence, but family head Heinrich Hildebrandt cannot reconcile this with his beliefs. He removes all weapons from his estate, “that I might not be tempted.” Whatever the reader’s personal beliefs on pacifism, this book brings the agony of the Russian Mennonites’ choice to life.

It also demonstrates the struggle to keep hope and live by faith when the world is falling apart. Although the characters usually come to decisions in line with the tenets of their faith, it is never trite or without serious wrestling.

I’m glad I picked up books two and three of the series together – the ending of Eye of the Storm is the beginning of a new adventure, and I can’t wait too long to discover how things work out.

To learn more about the series, or for an overview of Russian Mennonite history and some authentic Mennonite recipes, visit the author’s website.

Fit for Faith interview

Over on the Fit for Faith blog, Kimberley Payne is interviewing “average jills” about their fitness habits. Today was my turn, and you can read the interview here. I think this is going to be a neat series. Reading about uber-fitness-types doesn’t inspire me, but reading about people more like me—but more successful in meeting their fitness goals—can inspire me to persevere. A good thing, after all the ice cream I ate on vacation.

Blogging on “Fiction Matters”

Pop, there it is: the perfect title for your story. Perhaps it even comes first, teasing you to discover a plot to do it justice. Or perhaps it has to be coaxed from some deep pocket of your brain.

If you’re a writer who’d like some help with titling your work, pop over to Bonnie’ Grove’s Fiction Matters blog. I’m happy to be part of the lineup of guest bloggers, and I share what’s helped me in finding titles for my stories. [Edit: Guest post is under the pen name of Joanna Mallory, which I was using at the time.]

2008 Best New Canadian Christian Author Award

Congratulations to Dr. Kevin Dautrement of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, winner of this year’s Best New Canadian Christian Author Award for his historical novel, The Golden Conquest.

Although my contemporary novel manuscript, Praying for the Enemy, didn’t win, it was encouraging to hear that all of us short-listed were considered to have publishable manuscripts. So the hunt goes on! [Edited: Want to know what happened with Praying for the Enemy? In 2013, it became Heaven’s Prey, published first by Choose NOW Publishing, and re-issued as a second edition in 2014 by Janet Sketchley after the publisher closed its fiction line.]

I want to say a special thank you to Larry Willard of Castle Quay Books and to The Word Guild for working together to offer this contest each year. In a time when it’s hard for first-time authors to break into book-length print, an opportunity like this is invaluable. This is especially true in Canada, particularly for Christian fiction, because there aren’t a lot of publishing options. (Government subsidies for a faith-based publisher? Not likely to happen.)

So thank you to Castle Quay books for investing in the future of Canadian authors who are Christian, and congratulations to Dr. Kevin Dautrement for a well-deserved award.