Band of sisters

 Gohlke has another winner with Band of Sisters.  I thoroughly enjoyed a work of fiction that revolves around another work of fiction.  Olivia reads In His Steps by Charles Sheldon and challenges those around her to ask themselves the question "What Would Jesus Do?"  Introduce 2 immigrant sisters from Ireland making their way through Ellis Island and entering America.  Maureen is determined to do it herself.  She weaves careful lies to make it seem like she's got it together.  She trusts the wrong people and quickly is in over her head.  So many times God placed people in Maureen's path who could have helped, but she allowed fear to determine her life.  The book dealt with a difficult subject - human trafficking.  Her characters were realistic and well developed.  The reader had a view of God's handiwork in each character's life.  Good plot, time frame and subject. 

Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales

 I LOVE a good mystery.  It takes a master storyteller to keep me in suspense the entire book.  Randy Singer captured me in this legal crime story, and I NEVER figured out the "who done it?"  There were at least 2 surprises at the end that I didn't see coming.  The story had a lot of characters, but they were all well developed and important.  He wrapped everything up quite well.  Sometimes when there are numerous characters "someone" gets left hanging.  Really only 1 person didn't have an "ending" but his role in the story was over.  Good combination of grace, trust, loyalty, second chances and the negative side of human emotion - greed, selfishness, revenge, hatred.  Characters were believable and their motives relatable.  Another great read by Singer.

I still believe. Do you?

 I have loved Jeremy Camp's music for many years.  I think I have all his CDs.  While I knew some of his story, reading I Still Believe filled in a lot of gaps, so to speak.  What an inspiring message.  Even in our darkest moments we can choose to believe.  We can chose to trust.  No one ever said it would be easy, but we still have that choice.  Something I thought was powerful was when he shared how a friend though he had a strong relationship with God, until he suffered great lost.  He realized that he was only in the meadow near the cross.  After it happened, he went to the foot of the cross and stayed there.  Suffering is an opportunity.  None of us volunteer for suffering.  We have no option to go through it, but we have the option of how we respond.  Will we get up and walk to the foot of the cross?  Will you?  Will I? I pray I always chose to still believe!

Captive in Iran

 WOW!  I just finished Captive in Iran by Maryam Rostampour, Marziyeh Amirizadeh & John Perry.  If I were to sum this book up in one sentence it would be "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.   Romans 8:28"  Maryam and Marziyeh's conversion story is amazing.  Being raised in an Islamic Regime that punished converts to Christianity by death, they were unhappy and unfulfilled.  Both had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ that forever changed their lives.  What they accomplished before their arrest was incredible in and of itself.  Their story is riveting.  What was an evil plot to destroy them, God used to lead untold others to Himself.  Regardless of being in the worst place on earth, they found love, joy, acceptance and total freedom to share Christ with others.  Truly an example of how God can use ANYTHING when we've surrendered to Him.   

Damascus Countdown - Joel C Rosenberg

This is the 3rd book in this series by Rosenberg.  I've read each book - one a summer as part of Tyndale's Reading Program.  Once again the novel was fast paced, edge of your seat suspense.  The false messiah has plans to wipe out the infidels with a nuclear weapon.  He is rapidly becoming the leader of all Muslim states.  The CIA operative David/Reza are on a mission to find the missing 2 nukes.  Back at home, his mother has died, Marseille is hanging on to hope he'll make it home alive, and the government is not sure what to do next.  Israel is in much the same state.  Many characters, and many different scenes to follow, but they all are woven into the storyline.  After reading on 1300 pages in this saga I can say without a doubt that Rosenberg knows his Bible and how to use it!  This well crafted novel carries you through the story while also challenging your knowledge and beliefs in the Bible.  Highly recommend it for those that like end-time stories.

Tangled Ashes

 I have read other books by Michele Phoenix and liked them.  However, Tangled Ashes was difficult for me.  It was well written.  Once again she uses a two part narrative.  Events go back and forth between two time periods.  She did a good job of combining them in the end.  Her books are emotional and difficult subjects.  I didn't like the characters in Tangled Ashes.  They were tangled in anger, hurt, bitterness.  I felt the story lacked redemption and freedom for the characters.  The story line had potential.  Marshall is hired to restore Lamorlaye Castle in France.  He is an alcoholic with serious issues.  The nanny, Jade, provides his meals and they clash often.  As details of all the secrets of the castle unfold, Lamorlaye has dark history - serving as a hospital for the breeding of Nazi's during World War II.  Likewise, the secrets of the current inhabitants of the castle have dark histories, that still are effecting them.  I just wished it moved me more.... 

The Judge

I've always enjoyed reading Randy Singer books.  His legal thrillers always are deep enough to teach, and mysterious enough to keep you glued.  At times The Judge was a little slow.  The court room scenes where they defended their faith got a little long.  But the reactions of the others kept you reading.  Judge Finney was chosen to be on a reality TV show Faith under Fire because he was a judge and terminally ill.  An unknown millionaire is funding the show because he has received a news that he has terminal brain cancer.  As one with no faith he decides to have those of various faith defend their beliefs and he'll decide who is right.  Finney quickly learns all is not as it seems.  He sends coded messages to his court room assistant back home.  Everyone wonders if it's hype or reality when they fear someone is going to die.  Even the reader isn't sure who to believe and who is being deceitful.  The interesting story line kept me reading and guessing right up to the end.