PDF - Christian Library Journal

ADULT
FICTION
In this sequel to The Legend of the Celtic Stone,
Andrew Trentham, British Liberal Democratic
Party leader, continues to search for his Scottish
roots. With the aid of American BBC reporter
Patricia “Paddy” Rawlings, who helped him to
recover the fabled Stone of Scone, the puzzle
pieces regarding the murder of Eagon Hamilton
begin to come together and men at the highest
levels of government are implicated. Andrew
and Paddy discover that Scottish oil reserves,
money, and power lie at the heart of the murder
and the Stone’s theft.
Andrew travels incognito through Scotland
doing historical research and he meets the clan
of Finnlagen Gordon. Andrew is especially
taken with the petite daughter of the family,
Ginevra. The Gordons believe that their new
friend is Andy Trent and when they find out his
true identity, they assume that he is attempting
to find reasons to block Scottish devolution. As
Andrew examines his own genetic and spiritual
roots he finds his thoughts on Scottish
independence changing and it soon becomes
apparent that his vote on the issue will be vital.
Can he be the man of integrity he
needs to be and still win Ginevra?
In Michael Phillip’s enthralling An
Ancient Strife the reader is caught up
in the modern day story of Andrew
Trentham and the very real issues of
Scottish independence, and is equally entangled
in the history of Scotland. As in the first book,
modern day chapters are juxtaposed with
chapters on the history of Scotland from 843 to
the mid 1700s. Some readers may find the style
of jumping back and forth a bit disconcerting,
but not only is the main story very well told, but
the shorter historical fiction stories are
extremely involving and the way that they
illustrate the current situation in Scotland adds a
nice touch.
Teresa O’Donley, Library Media Specialist, Bayhmonte Christian
School, Scotts Valley, California
Beneath the mockingbird’s wings, by
Gilbert Morris and Aaron McCarver.
(The spirit of Appalachia; 4.) LCCN
99050633. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
2000. ISBN 1556618883, PAP, $10.99.
F. Frontier and pioneer life--Appalachian Region--
Fiction; Indians of North America--Appalachian
Region--Fiction; Appalachian Region--History--
Fiction; Cherokee Indians--Fiction. 270 p. Adult.
With Hawk and Elizabeth Spencer living in the
wilderness of Appalachia in the Misty
Mountains of the hoped for state of Franklin,
Gilbert Morris turns the focus of this fourth
book of the Spirit of Appalachia series on
Nathaniel “Fox” Carter the son of Titus Carter
and his Cherokee wife, Awinita. The Carters are
living at Havenwood, the Carolina plantation
which Titus will inherit at the death of his father.
However, before that event happens, Titus is
killed in the Revolutionary War, leaving “Fox”
the heir apparent, an eventuality which grates on
his greedy uncle, Namaan Carter, who can’t
stand to see a half-breed taking over the family
fortune. As the story develops, Fox and his
mother flee Havenwood to save their lives and
join the Spencers over the Misty Mountains.
Author Morris, with his editor Aaron McCarver,
spins a tale of intrigue, suspense, murder, and
love as Fox determines to choose between the
white world of his father and the intriguing
world of his Cherokee mother. His choice not
only affects his future and that of the Spencer
family, but lays the ground work for a fifth book
in the series.
Judy Driscoll, Retired Teacher, Poulsbo, Washington
★
Blessing in disguise, by Lauraine Snelling.
(Red River of the North; 6.) LCCN
99006578. Minneapolis: Bethany House,
1999. ISBN 076422090X, PAP, $9.99.
F. Norwegian Americans--Dakota Territory--Fiction;
Dakota Territory--Fiction. 298 p. Adult.
Augusta Bjorklund is leaving Norway and
joining her family in America. Single and thirty
years of age, Augusta has no reason to stay in
Norway. Traveling alone, with no
comprehension of the English language,
Augusta finds herself in trouble. She mistakenly
boards the wrong train and ends up far from the
town of Blessing. Kane Moyer is awaiting his
“mail-order” bride from Norway, and is at the
station when Augusta disembarks. Following a
quick ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. Moyer head back
to the ranch, with Augusta thinking she has just
signed papers for her citizenship. When
Augusta’s trunks arrive in Blessing, with no
Augusta, her family is in a panic. How will they
ever locate Augusta when they have no idea
where she ended up?
Lauraine Snelling has written an interesting
story that holds the reader’s interest. One can
not help but to sympathize with both Augusta
and Kane, but at the same time, want to “shake
some sense” into Augusta. The story line of
Blessing in Disguise that evolves around these
two characters is excellent, but the intertwining
stories of the persons in Blessing causes
confusion to the whole. I have personally read
one other in this series, and was lost with the
abundance of characters then, as I was again.
Reading the series in order would certainly help,
but if the author had fewer personalities in the
series, the reader would derive more enjoyment
from each story.
Tammy Williams, Freelance Writer, Social Worker, Port Orchard,
Washington
Blind justice : a novel, by James Scott Bell.
LCCN 99040602. Nashville: Broadman &
Holman, 2000. ISBN 0805421610, PAP,
$12.99.
F. Attorneys--Fiction; Alcoholics--Fiction; Christian
fiction. 374 p. Adult.
Howie Patino has been arrested for murder. A
harmless man, his greatest love is his wife, Rae.
When she is found dead in her home, with an
incoherent Howie and the murder weapon close
by, it seems to be an open and shut case. But his
family can’t believe he is guilty. Howie himself
claims, “the devil did it.” Howie’s sister
Lindsey, a devout Christian, believes his story.
Desperate to clear him, Lindsey and Howie’s
parents turn to a childhood friend of Howie’s,
who is also a defense lawyer.
Jack Denney is a divorced alcoholic who hasn’t
had a case in months. He goes to Howie’s small
hometown of Hinton to work on the case with a
private investigator named Trip who has helped
him in the past. He and Trip, along with
Lindsey, soon discover that the town of Hinton
has some sinister secrets—secrets that could
clear Howie’s name. The involvement of Satan
worshipers confirms to Lindsey that Howie is
telling about “the devil.” Trip, who is also a
Christian, believes her, but Jack, a confirmed
atheist, finds the whole idea ludicrous. But
somehow he must legally use what he has
learned to convince jurors of Howie’s
innocence.
Blind Justice is a compelling mystery novel that
will keep the reader interested from beginning to
end. Although this is definitely a Christian
novel, the author, James Scott Bell, uniquely
tells the story from Jack Denney’s point of view.
Denney drinks heavily throughout the story to
cover the pain of his divorce. He often voices
contempt for God and for Christians. This is
balanced, however, by the presence of Trip,
Lindsey, and other Christians. They disapprove
of his drinking and try to lead him to peace in
Christ. The story of his spiritual journey is a
touching sub-plot. The resolution of the murder
is predictable in one sense, but with a surprising
twist. This book is well worth the time invested
in reading it.
Robyn Wyatt, Freelance Writer, Port Orchard, Washington
★
By the light of a thousand stars, by Jamie
Langston Turner. LCCN 99006527.
Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1999. ISBN
0764221531, PAP, $10.99.
F. Family life--Fiction. 414 p. Adult.
Catherine Biddle, from the outside, looks like a
woman who “has it all.” Her husband Blake is
successful and her children are healthy. She
wears the right clothes, drives the right car, and
has the latest hairstyle. Inside, Catherine feels
isolated and angry. She lets no one in, including
her family. The unexpected interrupts
Catherine’s life, and changes it forever. Blake’s
older sister shows up on the doorstep with a
suitcase, saying she has no where to go. It does
not take Catherine long to reinforce her idea that
Dottie is “one brick shy of a load.” Catherine
resents Dottie’s intrusion into their lives. Her
presence uncovers the ugliness and deception in
their household. Her cheerfulness and
eagerness to help makes Catherine feel
inadequate and unlovely. Then new neighbors
move in next door, and through their testimony,
Catherine’s son Hardy turns his life around,
causing Catherine to face the emptiness in her
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