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Review: The Church Builder, by A. L. Shields

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The Church Builder, by A. L. Shields

The Church Builder, by A. L. Shields (Zondervan, 2013)

One day, Bethany Barclay’s biggest worry is keeping her small-town law practice afloat. The next, there’s a dead body in her home and she’s on the run from the FBI. Who framed her, and why? Is it connected to the recent hit and run death of her best friend, Annabelle?

Following clues, barely keeping ahead of the FBI, Bethany realizes that somebody wants her to finish what Annabelle started. But what is that? And for whom?

Bethany is a pawn in a centuries-old power struggle between two secret groups: the Garden and the Wilderness. The Garden guards people’s religious freedom, Christian and other. The Wilderness wants a world based on reason, and will undermine faith any way they can.

The Church Builder is a fast-paced conspiracy-and-chase novel. Bethany retraces Annabelle’s steps, Agent Carraway tries to catch her, and the shadowy members and minions of both Garden and Wilderness plot and manipulate.

Members of the Garden go by titles, and “The Church Builder” is the name of the Garden leader. The book’s cover image, a snake wrapped around a pole, is the Wilderness symbol.

I enjoyed the novel, and will definitely be on the lookout for the next one in The Church Builder series.

A. L. Shields is the pen name of Yale professor and bestselling mainstream author Stephen L. Carter. He talks about this new series, his choice to use a pen name, etc in this YouTube video.

[A review copy was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.]

Heaven’s Prey: the woman in peril

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Today I welcome a very special guest to my blog. Ruth Warner has lived in my head for almost 20 years now, and I’m excited to introduce her to the world.

cover art: Heaven's Prey by Janet SketchleyRuth is the heroine in my novel, Heaven’s Prey—that’s her picture on the cover. She and her husband, Tony, are in their mid-forties. We’re chatting with Ruth today just before the novel begins, because (whispering so she won’t hear) she’s about to be abducted by an escaped convict.

Ruth (rolling eyes): How many times have you rewritten or edited my story now? I know what’s coming. But for the sake of people who haven’t read it yet, I’ll pretend it’s my first time through the plot.

Janet: Thanks. And for the record, I’m proud of how well you’ll handle everything that happens. I hope you’ll give our readers some things to think about. So… let’s back up to the Wednesday this all begins. It’s mid-June. And it’s pouring—heavy winds and rain off the Atlantic from a storm that’s tracked upward along the eastern seaboard of the US until it hit Nova Scotia, Canada.

Ruth: I work at Harrington’s Fabric Hut, downtown. What a drive to get home! The storm drains can’t keep up with so much water. I’ve already heard of a few streets being closed. Luckily I live on high ground.

Janet: So you’re home from work and probably soaked.

Ruth: Just got changed, actually. It was so nice coming home to chili in the slow cooker. The spicy smell met me at the door. My husband, Tony, was already here. He’s a principal at one of the local high schools, and his day ends earlier than mine. It starts earlier, too.

Janet: The last few years have been brutal. Can you tell us about that?

Ruth: We’ve been through a lot. Our niece, Susan, went missing in Toronto two years ago. She was in her early 20’s, just starting a nursing career. The police were already looking for a serial rapist-murder, and Susan was … one more victim for him. For us … Tony and I have no children. Susan was like the daughter we never had. It still hurts.

On top of that, the identity of the killer, when they caught him? Harry Silver, champion racing driver. My husband’s hero.

Janet: Healing hasn’t come easily for you, I know. What’s your biggest challenge right now?

Ruth: Prayer is what kept me sane. It’s been hard, but I’ve learned to forgive Harry Silver, and to pray for him. I thought it was about healing. That’s what Pastor John said. Nobody warned me I’d start to care about the man’s soul. Tony’s an agnostic. He thinks this is all in my head, and he’s so offended that I’d pray for Harry. I don’t want to hurt him, but I can’t stop praying, either. It’s—well, God wants me to do this.

Janet: Tony’s a real sweetheart, and almost as patient as my own husband, but he just doesn’t understand your relationship with God. You’re praying for him, too, and God can use those prayers.

Ruth: I can’t convince him, so I pray. And tonight … he won’t like me going back out in the storm for our weekly prayer meeting, but Harry recently escaped from prison. They have to catch him before he hurts anyone else, and he needs to know Jesus before he runs out of time. This burden is getting heavier, and it’s too much for me to carry alone. There’s power in group prayer. I just hope Tony doesn’t get too mad.

Janet: What’ll he do while you’re out?

Ruth: He has a woodworking shop set up in the basement, and he spends a lot of time there. Faith got me through losing Susan; carving is what helped Tony.

Janet: Is there a particular Scripture verse that’s made a big difference for you?

Ruth: The Psalms and the Book of Philippians were a huge help to me in the early days of praying for Harry’s victims’ families, and eventually for Harry himself. The verse that really hit home when I started praying for him was Ezekiel 3:18. Let me grab my Bible … here it is: “When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.” That’s from the NIV.

I’ve been praying for God to prepare Harry’s heart, and to send someone to warn him. He’s done such horrible things—but God still loves him. He yearns for him. I know it from the nightmares that made me pray for him. You or I might write Harry Silver off, but God hasn’t.

Janet: To be honest, I have to admit I wish there were a limit, a point beyond which God would reject a cry for forgiveness. I struggle with the thought of people who commit crimes like Harry’s—or worse—being welcomed into the kingdom of God. But I love this magnificent God who is not willing that any should perish. His mercy is beyond understanding.

Ruth: It is, indeed.

Janet: Let’s move on to some lighter things. Coffee or tea? Cake or Pie?

Ruth: I drink both, but I’m a tea person. Earl Grey’s my favourite. As for cake or pie, it depends. If I’m baking, it’s pie. Blueberry is my specialty. If I’m ordering, cheesecake. There’s this spot in Halifax, Sweet Hereafter Cheesecakery, with over 100 varieties of cheesecake in their recipe book. You know you want to get one to celebrate the novel’s release.

Janet: I do indeed. And since Sweet Hereafter is a real place, I can indulge. So what do you like to do to recharge?

Ruth: I love working with fabrics. Quilting is my passion these days, and I’ve started a community quilting group at church. We have nine women, and one lone male, and we sell our projects to raise money for the children’s hospital. Tony said this was one church group even he could support, so he made us some wooden stands to display the finished results.

Janet: Tell us something you appreciate about where you live.

Ruth: Hmm … the ocean. Tony and I like to drive along the shore roads on lazy summer weekends. We watch the waves, stop in little shops, and just unwind. And sometimes after a storm like this one, we’ll go and watch the breakers coming in.

Janet: What’s the most surprising, fun or scary thing you’ve ever done?

Ruth: I’m pretty boring. The only unusual thing I’ve done is to forgive and pray for my niece’s killer. It’s been a quiet life, and I’m glad.

Janet: And I’m sorry for what’s about to happen, but you’ll discover that no matter where you go, Jesus will be there.

Ruth: That sounds ominous …

===

Janet Sketchley‘s novel, Heaven’s Prey, releases November 1, 2013 from Choose NOW Publishing. Feel free to tell your friends! For more information and a free sample chapter, see the Heaven’s Prey page.

Review: Dirty Deeds, by Christy Barritt

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Dirty Deeds, by Christy BarrittDirty Deeds, by Christy Barritt (Princeton Halls Press, 2013)

Dirty Deeds finds Gabby St. Claire on a week’s holiday with her fiancé, Riley Thomas, at an exclusive resort. Riley’s there for a conference, and to reconnect with some lawyer buddies that he hasn’t seen since college. Gabby … well, the opulent setting and posh lawyers make her nervous.

Riley has a low-paying practice that’s more about helping others than getting rich, and Gabby is used to struggling for every cent. Still, relationships involve sacrifices, so she’s determined to fit in for Riley’s sake. She even promises not to snoop into any mysteries for the week.

Asking questions about a kidnapping isn’t snooping, is it? She’s just being … helpful, right?

Suddenly she’s not just a fish out of water, believing that her upbringing cuts her off from the rich and powerful, she’s keeping secrets from Riley and wondering what secrets he’s keeping from her about his past.

And now it’s not just about kidnapping. It’s murder.

Dirty Deeds is book 4 in the Squeaky Clean Mysteries series. Gabby is a fun character and the situations she gets into always provide a laugh. I’m glad to see her developing more faith in her worth—and in God. Book 1 in the series, Hazardous Duty, is a good place to meet her in her crime-scene-cleaning role, but if you want to jump in here with book 4 you won’t feel lost. (There are spoilers for the earlier books, though.) Book 5, The Scum of All Fears, has also released.

Christy Barritt is a multi-published author of mystery, suspense and romantic suspense. For more about the author and her books, you can visit her website.

[Review copy from my personal library.]

Interview: Author Catherine Castle

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Catherine Castle

Catherine Castle

Catherine Castle has been writing all her life. Before beginning her career as a romance writer she worked part-time as a freelance writer. She has over 600 articles and photographs to her credit under her real name, Catherine Hershberger, in the Christian and secular market. Besides writing, Catherine loves traveling with her husband, singing, and attending theatre. In the winter she loves to quilt and has a lot of UFOs (unfinished objects) in her sewing case. In the summer her favorite place to be is in her garden. She’s passionate about gardening and even won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club.

Catherine’s debut book The Nun and the Narc is available as an e-book from Amazon.

Janet: Welcome, Catherine, and thanks for taking time to join us. I like that expression, UFOs (unfinished objects). That could apply to my knitting, as well as your sewing!

Catherine: Thanks for hosting me today, Janet. I’m looking forward to my visit with you and your readers.

Janet: You write in so many different areas, including co-writing with your husband… before we talk about your new novel, The Nun and the Narc, I’m curious how you juggle such similar yet different creative outlets. Do you have a favourite?

Catherine: I once read that Stephen King writes on one book in the morning and a different one in the afternoon. I haven’t been able to do that, although I can write a blog and work on a book in the same day. Mostly, however, I do one thing at a time. I think it keeps my voice consistent. When I was doing freelance on a regular basis I set aside a day for that job and another day for fiction writing. Several of the plays my husband and I wrote were done in the evenings on business trips that I tagged along on, or we set aside one whole weekend to write a play. The verse muse for poetry hits whenever she chooses and I just have to stop and write what she tells me.  As for a favorite,  I think it has always been fiction, although I do love writing plays with hubby.

Janet: What’s the most exciting thing for you right now?

Catherine: The whole process of being a new author is very exciting, but I must confess I get very excited every time I check Novelrank and discover I’ve sold another book.

Janet: I can imagine! What’s your biggest challenge right now?

Catherine: I think I would have to say that dealing with all the social media stuff and self marketing an author has to do is my biggest challenge. I had pretty much mastered the blogging end of that before the book came out, but I was, and still am, woefully behind on Twitter and Facebook. Actually getting into the chair and writing is hard when you marketing is overwhelming you.

Janet: Tell us a bit about The Nun and the Narc.

Catherine: The Nun and the Narc is about a novice who gets kidnapped, along with an undercover DEA agent, when she tries to break up a drug deal between a young Mexican boy she has befriended while building houses in his village in Mexico. Scheduled to take her final vows when she returns home, her time in captivity with Jed Bond, the DEA agent, turns her life, and his, upside down.

Janet: It’s an unlikely match-up of characters, and I can see lots of potential for conflict—especially once romance enters the picture. Where did the story idea come from?

Catherine: Originally, I started the story as a contest entry, with a different heroine. She was a missionary. But the story wasn’t working for me until one of my critique partners suggested I make the heroine a novice. After consideration, since I knew a nun story would be a hard sell, I changed the heroine to a novice and the story took off.

Janet: With all that you’ve written so far, do you have a favourite character or story?

Catherine: I am rather fond of The Nun and the Narc and Sister Margaret Mary.  After all, who doesn’t love their first book? And the sister is full of spunk. However, I think my unpublished devotional—Lessons from Nature-A Gardener’s Devotional— might be my favorite work. That book has been described as having a lyrical quality to it, and the stories contained in the devotional book are very personal to me.

Janet: Okay, I’m going to ask a question I personally hate answering. Feel free to pass. What’s this novel’s theme?

Catherine: I don’t know about theme. Theme is hard for me to figure out, especially since I don’t go into a book thinking, “The theme is going to be…” But I hope after reading The Nun and the Narc readers will realize there are many ways to serve God, and you don’t have to be the foreign missionary who dedicates his or her entire life in order for your service to be important. Whatever good works we bring to the Lord’s service are important for furthering His kingdom.

Janet: In researching for The Nun and the Narc, what’s the weirdest bit of trivia you’ve picked up?

Catherine: I discovered there are Mexican drug dealers whose religious faith (which seems a bit oxymoronical to me considering their line of work) involves the adoration of Jesus Malverde, a 19th-century bandit regarded by many as the special patron saint of drug dealers. Who knew drug dealers had a patron saint?

Janet: Who knew, indeed! Your freelance articles have deadlines. Do you find that easier or harder than writing fiction and poetry?

Catherine: Books have deadlines, too, just longer. I had to face short, regular deadlines at lot when writing for the newspapers. I find non-fiction much easier to write than fiction, except for the interviewing process. Making sure you ask the right questions can make or break your article. For me, non-fiction is a bit like retelling a slew of information, which I got pretty good at. Fiction is much harder to me, since there are sagging middles, plot twists and all the good stuff we have to figure out on our own.

Janet: How do you keep your muse cooperative?

Catherine: The best thing I found to keep the muse cooperative is to think about your writing all the time. That trick came in handy once when I had the wrong deadline date in my calendar and the editor called and asked where my piece was. She knew I never missed a deadline and always had things in early. The 1000 word piece, which was due that afternoon, was written quicker than anything I had ever done. Had I not been thinking about that article for a while, it would have never made such a short deadline.

Janet: What got you started writing?

Catherine: I’ve always written. I was the student who loved the essay assignments, especially the ones that needed research. The more research the better! I wrote poetry, short stories, and my first romance as a teenager. I still have the romance and the poems.

Janet: Tell us what a typical day looks like.

Catherine: I don’t have a typical day. Deadlines drive my time in the office chair. When I’m on a tight deadline, everything else stops. Just ask the dust bunnies rolling around the house. I hate being interrupted when I’m deep into a character’s head.

Janet: Are you a writer who likes to immerse herself in details of the setting while incubating the story idea?

Catherine: I think I tend to run with the idea and do my research as questions arise. By looking at details of setting, or whatever research I might have to do, at the time the issue comes up I think it stays fresher in my mind while actually writing. I have discovered that I need to print out research details (photos, historical notes, whatever) and keep them in a notebook to refer back to.  I probably work this way because my first draft is often sparse, more like a play or movie script with mostly dialogue, then I go back and deepen the senses and setting.

Janet: What do you like best about the writing life?

Catherine: The actual act of creating a world, populating it with people and putting the words down on paper.

Janet: What do you like least?

Catherine: Oh, that’s easy—marketing.

Janet: What do your family think of your writing?

Catherine: For them it’s a natural part of who I am. I started freelancing regularly when my daughter was in middle school. She was the one who actually introduced me to one of my dearest friends, who was a writing teacher, by bragging that her mother was a writer. Dear hubby writes, too, so he’s all in when it comes to my career.

Janet: Is there another Nun and the Narc book in the works?

Catherine: I’ve had some readers ask if there is going to be more to Margaret and Jed’s story. I’ve been playing around with another story idea about Margaret Mary and Jed.  It’s not ready for discussion yet, though.

Janet: What has reader response been like for this book?

Catherine: Readers have loved The Nun and the Narc.  Most of my reviews, from readers and review sites, have been in the 4-5 range.  I did have a non-Christian leave a review on the book that says :

I loved this book. To be honest, I didn’t expect to, especially because in the forward, the author mentions trying to get it published as “Christian romance.” I’m not Christian and don’t enjoy books that preach to me. However, the premise was too intriguing not to give it a try… So, does the book preach? Surprisingly – shockingly, actually – it really doesn’t. It shares Margaret’s deep faith and her hilarious need to pray and confess even when bullets are flying, but it never seems too preachy or sanctimonious, even when Jed starts turning more and more toward Margaret’s God.

This was what I set out to do—write a book that even a non-Christian would want to read.  Her review was very gratifying.

Janet: That’s an amazing review, Catherine! I enjoyed the novel, too. You kept me turning pages. Is there a particular song or Scripture verse that’s made a big difference for you?

Catherine: Isa. 40:31 is my favorite verse. “But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This verse is such a comfort knowing the Lord lifts us up. I love the imagery of soaring with His hands holding me.

Janet: I love that one too. What are some books you’ve read recently that have stood out to you?

Catherine: I read a huge amount of romance, and I’ll read most any sub-genre of romance. I like mystery, fantasy, sci fi,  and paranormal books. The Lord of the Rings series is one of my favorites along with C.S Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. I devoured those books as a youth. Interestingly, I also like non-fiction and have even been known to read dictionaries, especially the ones with odd words in them.

Janet: I’ve dallied in the occasional dictionary myself… What are you listening to?

Catherine: There’s nothing in the CD player now, but when I listen to music I like John Denver, Dolly Parton, Elvis, and gospel hymns.

Janet: What do you like to do to get away from it all?

Catherine: Garden, if I’m staying at home. My garden is my refuge. We like to go to Disney World for getaways.

Janet: Coffee, or tea? Morning or evening person? Plays or movies?

Catherine: Tea and coffee. Definitely an evening person, and for plays and movies, both. We have season tickets for our local college theatre group and go to the movies regularly.

Janet: Since The Nun and the Narc has elements of suspense, I’ll ask this: What’s the most scary thing you’ve ever done?

Catherine: I’m not much of a daredevil. I rode the Kings Island racer rollercoaster backwards once. It wasn’t as scary as I anticipated.

Janet: Maybe that will work its way into a novel someday. Thanks so much for taking time to let us get to know you a bit, Catherine. God bless you and make you a blessing to others—in every area of your life.

===

You can find Catherine Castle at her website, blog and Amazon author page, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
The Nun and the Narc, by Catherine CastleThe Nun and the Narc

After being on the lam with novice Sister Margaret Mary, undercover narcotics agent Jed Bond will never look at nuns the same way. May God help him.

Where novice Sister Margaret Mary goes, trouble follows. When she barges into a drug deal the local Mexican drug lord captures her. To escape she must depend on undercover DEA agent Jed Bond. Jed’s attitude toward her is exasperating, but when she finds herself inexplicable attracted to him he becomes more dangerous than the men who have captured them, because he is making her doubt her decision to take her final vows. Escape back to the nunnery is imperative, but life at the convent, if she can still take her final vows, will never be the same.

Nuns shouldn’t look, talk, act, or kiss like Sister Margaret Mary O’Connor—at least that’s what Jed Bond thinks. She hampers his escape plans with her compulsiveness and compassion and in the process makes Jed question his own beliefs. After years of walling up his emotions in an attempt to become the best agent possible, Sister Margaret is crumbling Jed’s defenses and opening his heart. To lure her away from the church would be unforgivable—to lose her unbearable.

The Nun and the Narc, a 2007 ACFW Genesis finalist and 2003 Dixie Contest second place winner, was released April 24 by Soul Mate Publishing and is currently available at Amazon. Plans to release it on Soul Mate Publishing, Amazon and Barnes and Noble later on in the year, and it will be coming out as a print book later in 2013. To read an excerpt go to Amazon.com.

Review: The Nun and the Narc, by Catherine Castle

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The Nun and the Narc, by Catherine CastleThe Nun and the Narc, by Catherine Castle (Soul Mate Publishing, 2013)

Sister Margaret Mary O’Connor is on a mission trip to Mexico to build houses, and to decide if she’s ready to take her vows when she returns to the US. She still hears her Mother Superior’s parting words: “Stubbornness, curiosity and bluntness don’t become a nun.” (p. 12)

She’s a sincere young woman, and she loves the Lord. But she has to help others, even if that means meddling in their business. Mexico is no exception, and when she tries to keep a teen boy out of trouble, she gets captured by drug dealers—along with a man named Jed, who won’t tell her whose side he’s on.

Jed Barringer is an undercover officer whose carefully-set-up contact with the drug cartel is ruined by Margaret’s interference. Now he has to try to find a way to not only escape, but protect a civilian.

With the danger and the close quarters, Margaret’s and Jed’s mutual attraction feels a lot like love. Except she’s promised herself to God, and while Jed may not talk much to God, he doesn’t want to steal her from Him.

Before they can think about love, they have to escape. The Nun and the Narc is a fast read that kept me starting “just one more” chapter when I should have been stopping for the night. I enjoyed the action, and I also enjoyed the details of the setting, especially the Mexican market before Jed and Margaret’s abduction.

Catherine Castle is the pen name of romance author, poet, and freelance writer Catherine Hershberger. Catherine blogs at her website, Catherine Castle ~ Romance for the Ages. She’s agreed to stop by my site for an interview later this month, so stay tuned. In the mean time, to read an excerpt from The Nun and the Narc, visit Catherine’s Amazon Author Central page.

[Review copy from my personal library.]

Review: The Merciful Scar, by Rebecca St. James and Nancy Rue

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The Merciful Scar cover artThe Merciful Scar, by Rebecca St. James & Nancy Rue (Thomas Nelson, 2013)

This novel is life-changing. I almost didn’t read it, because emotionally-laden tales aren’t my thing. But the authors introduce us to Kirsten as her world falls apart, and the story isn’t about angst—it’s about healing.

Kirsten has been carrying a lot of pain for seven years now, hiding it from the world because that’s what she’s been taught. The pressure of post-graduate studies, and a boyfriend who won’t commit, only make things worse. Nobody knows that when the stress gets too much, Kirsten cuts her own flesh for relief. Her body is a map of scars.

Falling apart is the best thing to happen in her life, because now she can heal—if she’ll acknowledge the hurts. Despite parental objections, she chooses an unconventional sort of treatment centre: a remote sheep ranch run by a former nun, Sister Frankie.

Sister Frankie is amazing, and I wish we all had someone like her in our lives. May we become someone like her to those around us: present, listening, waiting, praying.

Other residents of the ranch include Emma, a young woman struggling with post-traumatic stress after a stint in Afghanistan, as well as Frankie’s Uncle Joseph and later her nephew, Andy. The daily work of caring for the animals bonds them into family and slowly allows Kirsten and Emma to begin the healing journey.

This is one of those richly-crafted stories with strong characters and a vivid sense of place. Kirsten, the hider, feels exposed on the vast Montana flatlands. In the sheep and in one of the sheepdogs, she sees much of herself. The authors don’t rush anything or over-explain, so readers can live the story too.

As we follow Kirsten’s self-discovery, there’s room for insights of our own. It’s not just Kirsten’s experiences and relationships that have damaged her, it’s the way she learned to handle them and what she began to believe about herself.

Like many of us, Kirsten has a snarky little voice in her head that’s quick with a snappy comeback or a self-criticism. She calls it the Nudnik. One of her assignments on the sheep ranch is to learn to hear the voice of God. Maybe, between the Nudnik and the Lord, she’ll discover her own true voice and find the courage to use it.

How do we handle our stresses? What lies do we believe about ourselves that impact how we live, that stifle who we were meant to be? Just like Kirsten sees herself in the farm animals, I see aspects of myself in her. And in her liberation, I find freedom for myself.

My favourite quotes:

“My soul chose that moment to do something it hadn’t done in longer ago than I could remember. It began to cry.” p. 41

“Finding that true self and embracing it is how anyone connects to God.” p. 167

“I already believed in God. Now I had to accept that God believed in me.” p. 169

The Merciful Scar is a gentle yet compelling story, well told, and it’s one of those rare books my heart felt safe to fall into. I highly recommend it to fans of women’s fiction, Christian fiction, anyone with insecurity or other stress issues, and to anyone who loves someone who practices non-suicidal self-injury (cutting).

About the authors: Rebecca St. James is a Christian recording artist as well as the author of a number of non-fiction books. Nancy Rue is a novelist and acclaimed teacher of the craft of writing fiction. This is their first collaboration, and I hope it won’t be their last. Twitter users can follow the conversation about the book under the hashtag #MercifulScar.

[A review copy was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.]

Here’s the Cover for Heaven’s Prey

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cover art: Heaven's Prey by Janet Sketchley

I’m blown away, and so happy to finally see what Ruth looks like. Our cover designer really captured the feel of the novel.

What do you think?

[Clicking the cover will take you to Heaven’s Prey on Amazon.com (affiliate link for Choose NOW Publishing). To see more of designer Christina Fuselli’s work, visit Fueslli Art and Design.]

Review: The Shadow Lamp, by Stephen R. Lawhead

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The Shadow Lamp, by Stephen R. LawheadThe Shadow Lamp, by Stephen R. Lawhead (Thomas Nelson, 2013)

A diverse cast of characters assembled from various times and places on Earth, a mysterious quest, powerful enemies, inter-dimensional travel to multiple Earths… The Shadow Lamp is an intriguing tale of adventure where even the smallest detail can have great significance.

This is a novel where the objective omniscient point of view works very well. There are too many plot threads for readers to benefit from a more intimate, deeper point of view, and somehow the omniscient approach gives the feel that we’re seeing the whole picture. There are even occasional moments where the narrator points to something the characters should have seen.

If you prefer tidy, self-contained fiction, you might want to give this one a miss. But if you enjoy the chance to explore a sprawling, multi-novel series with diverse and exotic settings, dive in.

You may want to start at the beginning with The Skin Map, but it didn’t take me long to orient myself in The Shadow Lamp with no previous experience. (It’s Book 4 in the Bright Empires Series.) The book opens with a list of key characters and a recap.

Some of the character descriptions, as well as the tone of the recap and the chapter titles, hint at a light-hearted touch to the narrative, and while it didn’t turn out to be as funny as I’d hoped, I didn’t mind. The story itself kept my interest. I didn’t find it particularly tense, but I always wanted to see what would happen next.

Although there are some deep concepts in this novel, readers don’t have to be scientists or intellectually-inclined. Characters travel between dimensions along something known as “ley lines,” which readers learn about by watching the characters learn. Multiple universes are touched on in the same non-threatening way.

The Shadow Lamp comes from a Christian publisher, but it feels like the sort of novel to please mainstream audiences as well. There are Christian characters, agnostics, and even an ancient priest of the Egyptian gods. Faith (or lack thereof) gives the characters their worldviews, but they don’t spend much time talking about it.

The most significant faith-talk comes in philosophical and scientific contexts: free will, and the effects of Jesus’ resurrection on the past/present/future. Toward the end, they talk more about science, generally accepting the Big Bang (or Alpha Point) theory and the measured expansion of the universe. Readers don’t need to agree with the characters’ opinions to enjoy the novel. It is, after all, speculative fiction.

Stephen R. Lawhead is perhaps best known for his mythic history novels about Arthurian times, and the Bright Empires series continues to bring to life richly-imagined settings from the past. To learn more about this internationally-acclaimed author and his books, visit his website: stephenlawhead.com.

[A review copy was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.]

Review: Rules of Murder, by Julianna Deering

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Rules of Murder, by Julianna DeeringRules of Murder, by Juliana Deering (Bethany House, 2013)

Drew Farthering: From the tip of his black Homburg to the crease in his cheviot trousers, he’s the epitome of a stylish 1930s English gentleman. His only problem? The body he just discovered. (from the back cover)

Drew is charming, urbane, and he wants more than the party circuit that absorbs many of his peers. He and his best friend Nick (son of the family butler) enjoy mystery novels, so what better sport than to investigate this crime? Except when the second victim appears, the deaths become personal.

Madeline Parker makes a delightful third member of the sleuthing team. Newly arrived from America, she catches Drew’s heart at their first meeting. But in a house of mourning, it’s not a good time to explore their mutual attraction.

Rules of Murder has the delightful tone and setting of a Golden Age English house party murder mystery, worthy of Agatha Christie herself. It has a gentle thread of faith, as Drew begins to wonder about the God he thought he outgrew.

The title comes from Father Knox’s Decalogue: The 10 Rules of (Golden Age) Detective Fiction, regularly quoted by Nick in the novel. Drew and Nick – and author Julianna Deering – know the rules, but this case wants to break each one.

I’m not much for villains who give a full explanation at the end, although in this case I’m not sure how else readers could have had our questions answered.

Rules of Murder is a satisfying mystery novel notwithstanding, with well-developed characters, layers of meaning and splashes of humour. I’m looking forward to the next Drew Farthering Mystery.

Julianna Deering is the pen name of historical fiction novelist DeAnna Julie Dodson. Check out this excerpt from Rules of Murder (the first paragraph convinced me to settle down and enjoy this book) and the author Q&A with Julianna Deering. You can read another interview with the author at Divine Detour.

 [Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.]
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Sneak Peek: Chapter 1 of Heaven’s Prey

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Heaven’s Prey releases November 1 — All Saints’ Day — but I’m allowed to let you read a sample chapter now. Click the link below to meet Ruth Warner, her husband, Tony … and champion race car driver turned serial killer, Harry Silver.

Heaven’s Prey, Chapter 1

As I said before, if you like this sort of story, I hope you’ll read it and spread the word. And if it’s not what you like, I hope you’ll tell your friends who might enjoy it.

My newsletter subscribers got the first chance to see this. They’ll see the cover first too, so if you’d like to be in on that, click here to subscribe or use the link in the sidebar to the right.