Book Review: Need You Now by Beth Wiseman/3 Stars

About the book:


When big-city life threatens the safety of one of their children, Brad and Darlene Henderson move with their three teenagers from Houston to the tiny town of Round Top, Texas.

Adjusting to small-town life is difficult for the kids, especially fifteen-year-old Grace who is coping in a dangerous way.

Married life hasn't always been bliss, but their strong faith has carried them through the difficult times. When Darlene takes a job outside the home for the first time in their marriage, the domestic tension rises.

While working with special needs children at her new job, the widowed father of one of Darlene's students starts paying more attention to her than is appropriate. Problem is, she feels like someone is listening to her for the first time in a long time. If Darlene ever needed God . . . it's now.

My thoughts:

I have been a fan of Beth Wiseman's books since the very beginning.  Her Amish novels have this irresistible quality about them.  I start one, and before I know it, three hours have passed and I've devoured one!  Because she hasn't disappointed me yet, I've been anxious to see how she'll make the transition into the contemporary genre.

For the most part, I enjoyed it.  The overall tone had some of the simplistic styling that I'm accustomed to reading in Beth's Amish novels.  But to counteract that simplicity, the subject matter was complex and realistic.  It was dramatic and relevant.  There were questions posed that all of us have asked ourselves at one time or another.  There were situations that the characters found themselves in that most of us hope to never relive.  However, several story lines and POV's were used, and I think maybe one or two less might have helped to make the overall story tighter.

In my opinion, Beth has great strength with romantic story lines.  That is one feature that I always enjoy from her Amish novels.  I think, perhaps, if her future contemporary novels are more romantic in nature as opposed to strictly women's fiction, or maybe even a mix of both, I'll be more inclined to read them.

Without a doubt, though, I will continue to read her Amish novels.  She has been one of my favorites for so long now that I mention her in the same sentence with Cindy Woodsmall as a must-read Amish fiction author.  I'm glad to know that even with her new foray into the contemporary genre that Beth will continue to write Amish fiction.

3 Stars

Southern?  No
Sass?  No

**Many thanks to the B&B Media Group for providing a copy for review.


 

An Emotional Journey - Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry/5 Stars

Chris Fabry has penned another winner with his latest book, Not in the Heart.  From the back cover description, I thought I had prepared myself for what would be between the front and back cover, but honestly, I was not prepared for the emotional journey that I took through this story.

I imagine most folks know a "Truman" in their circle of friends.  Me?  Yeah, I have one, too, and he struggles with an addiction that only God can heal at this point.  It's difficult to watch someone I love succumb to fleshly desires, and sometimes I can't help but wonder, "If only..."  "If only he hadn't made this decision," "If only he hadn't met this person," "If only he hadn't gone down this road," yada, yada, yada...  But when I feel overwhelmed with those questions, I can do nothing but lay my concerns at the foot of the cross, and pray for his deliverance.

I guess in some way it was easy for me to identify with Ellen, Truman's wife, as well.  She had been let down so many times over the years because of Truman's actions, decisions, and absence in their family.  After awhile, it became human nature to think that nothing would ever change.  But somehow, she concocted a plan with the wife of a death-row inmate to lure Truman back into her heart and life, and more importantly, back to their son who was struggling to hold on just a few more days for a heart transplant that could save his life.

I also connected on a small level with Terrell who was on death row for murder, yet still maintained his innocence.  Before he landed in jail, he was nothing more than a no-good drunk and beggar, trying to bum a dollar from any Tom, Dick, or Harry that had it to spare.  But once he got to jail, he found the Lord, and before too long, the death sentence that he was facing in 30 short days meant that he was that much closer to seeing Jesus face to face.

Now, some may think that a jail conversion is just a ploy for some inmates to butter up their family members or friends, but truly, many of them are genuine.  While I was reading this book, it was on my calendar to re-certify as a volunteer at a local prison.  Once a year, some of the inmates get together and host a banquet for all the volunteers that have taken time to come and minister to them at the prison.  During the banquet, several of them stood and shared their testimonies of how they were on the wrong path when they got there.  One guy in particular shared his story of being in a gang, and when he got to jail, he didn't want to have anything to do with some fellow inmates that were trying to witness to him.  But they, as well as a couple of the chaplains, kept working on him, and before too long, he gave his life to the Lord.  Now, he's a completely changed person.  When new inmates come in, some of them that he knows personally from his old life, he continues the cycle by being a witness to them.  He makes it a priority to go to the chapel services that are held throughout the week, mostly run by volunteers, so he can continue to learn more about God.  That was just one of many testimonies shared, and it's so encouraging to know that a difference is being made in the hearts of so many, most of whom society has ignored and forgotten.  It made Terrell's story believable, and while I've never personally met someone on death row, I could identify with his honesty and sincerity as he shared his story with Truman.

Once again, Chris has found a way to create such a unique story that is bound to penetrate the hearts of several readers.  I can attest that it has penetrated mine.  And there's something for everyone here, too...a little drama, a little mystery, a little sadness, and even a touch of humor that I never expected.  So, if you're already a fan of Chris Fabry, then I have no doubt that you'll enjoy his latest. It's already earned it's place on my keeper shelf.  :o)

5 Stars

Southern?  Set in Florida, but not what I would consider a Southern novel.
Sass?  No

Summary of Not in the Heart:

Truman Wiley used to report news stories from around the world, but now the most troubling headlines are his own. He's out of work, out of touch with his family, out of his home. But nothing dogs him more than his son's failing heart. 

 With mounting hospital bills and Truman's penchant for gambling his savings, the situation seems hopeless...until his estranged wife throws him a lifeline--the chance to write the story of a death row inmate, a man convicted of murder who wants to donate his heart to Truman's son.

As the execution clock ticks down, Truman uncovers disturbing evidence that points to a different killer.  For his on to live, must an innocent man die?  Truman's investigation draws him down a path that will change his life, his family, and the destinies of two men forever.

**Many thanks to B&B Media Group for providing a copy for review.