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The Premonition At Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright

Apr17

Engrossing & Entertaining

The Premonition At Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright is a powerful Christian dual timeline novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is a compelling murder mystery suspense too.

The action is set in 1910 and present day. The two periods are linked by buildings and ancestors. In 1910 there were two murders and an attack. Present day saw another murder, and in 1982 a young woman went missing. Seemingly isolated events but is there a link? There seems to be no peace and rest until answers are found.

God speaks through dreams. Can it be that He also gives us visions whilst we are awake?

A character is drowning in grief following several miscarriages. “The daily task of surviving when she felt the overwhelming cloud of death surrounding her.” Death seems to attach itself to her, as there are even old gravestones in the basement of her new house. We learn that “grief is a shadow man that follows us into our futures and swallows it up if we let him.” Our grief will always be with us. We need to learn how to live with it.

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Under Fire by Lynn H Blackburn

Mar17

Exciting & Suspenseful

Under Fire by Lynn H Blackburn is a fabulous contemporary Christian suspense that thrilled me from the start. It is book three in the Defend & Protect series but can be read as a stand-alone.

From the very start, the reader is drawn in as we have questions that need answers.

This was a highly suspenseful read. As the action came thick and fast, so the reader’s pulse rose.

We see that in uncertain times we can rely on a steadfast God. “I know God is in control. I also know He is love.” God’s character is love, and we know that He will love us completely, especially when life makes no sense. “You [God] have the power to fix them both. I’ll never understand why You don’t.” There are some questions that will never be answered this side of heaven.

Prayer is important. “I think we should pray before we go.” Prayer builds relationship with God. Covering ourselves with prayer is wise, especially if there are decisions to be made. “I’ll pray about it.”

We see that addiction has no boundaries. Even highly educated people in good jobs can stumble. “I’m not perfect… But I refuse to allow alcohol to steal the life God has purposed for me.” We witness a character having love and support to help her overcome her battle with alcohol. Sometimes it is tough loved that is needed.

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Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray

Mar6

Superb Suspense

Unforgotten by Shelley Shepard Gray is a powerful Christian Amish contemporary suspense that I thoroughly enjoyed.

There are the hard hitting and difficult themes of stalking and abuse. We learn that a character has been a victim of an attack in the past, and it has affected her whole life. She feels guilty as if the attack was her fault. It wasn’t and “she needed to forgive herself.” We are never responsible for the actions of another. We need to be kind to ourselves, always offering grace and forgiveness to the face in the mirror.

Throughout the novel there is a very creepy character who watches from the shadows. There are some very dark scenes at night which heightens the suspense, raising the tension. The action mirrors the conditions.

We witness the bond between cousins. They are very close-knit, supporting each other. Life means that they are equally strong for the other but at different stages.

Sometimes in life, life makes no sense. We cannot see where we are going but God sees. She “didn’t have any idea what was going to happen next, but God did.” God knows our end from our beginning and we can trust Him.

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The Chemist by A.A. Dhand

Feb17

Gripping

The Chemist by A.A. Dhand is a totally gripping contemporary gangland suspense that I read in just two sittings.

The reader enters the criminal underworld of Leeds as we traverse a no-go estate run by unscrupulous drug lords.

There is a tension as rival gangs fight over turf.

Within these turf wars, innocents are caught up and used by the rival gangs as pawns to force a father’s hand.

Those who would do good, find themselves spiraling downwards into a murky grey area as revenge is sought on behalf of the innocent.

Within The Chemist we meet anti-heroes who work to right the wrongs, using whatever is at their disposal. They clash with the law enforcement, even though they have similar goals.

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