PDF - Christian Library Journal

ADULT
FICTION
determined to reach his wife, ask for forgiveness
and convince her of his continued love.
Even though it is a novel rather than a dry
treatise on a mental disorder, this book pictures
potentially real behaviors and experiences
related to depression. Characters as revealed
through dialogue and description of their
emotions and actions are realistic. Motivations
as people struggle with their circumstances,
stretching their faith are believable. Although
there is graphic description of the abuse suffered
by the child in the story, the ending is a hoped
for and predictable, if idealized one. Both
husband and wife learn about the cost of
deception, the healing of truth and forgiveness,
the power of God’s kind of love, and the reality
of intercessory prayer as a source of spiritual
strength. The reader is drawn repeatedly to trust
in God over personal understanding. The
faithfulness of God sustains the characters and
the reader to a joyful resolution.
Carol B. Taylor, Freelance Writer, Certified Social Worker, Poulsbo,
Washington
When shadows fall, by Patricia H.
Rushford. (Helen Bradley mysteries.)
LCCN 00008487. Minneapolis: Bethany
House, 2000. ISBN 155661733X, PAP,
$9.99.
F. Christian fiction; Mystery and detective stories;
Policewomen--Fiction; Bradley, Helen (Fictitious
character)--Fiction. 238 p. Adult (High school).
Helen Bradley, retired police officer, once again
proves her agility when she survives being
locked in a storage closet, pushed onto rocks,
shot at, banged on the nose by a fleeing culprit,
and being in a car accident. All this happens
because Helen, a retired policewoman, cannot
resist the temptation to help investigate two
murders at Bay Village on the Oregon coast.
Before Helen and the police find answers for all
the questions facing them, they must solve a
third murder.
Rosie, Helen’s best friend, acts irresponsibly,
and evidence of her involvement in the crimes
goes against her. Additional complications arise
when a newcomer claims his father was one of
the murder victims.
Helen plunges headlong into the situation in
spite of her own personal crisis. Why did J.B.,
her husband of only a short while, suddenly
leave one morning without an explanation?
Helen wants to believe he had to return to
another undercover job, even though retired. On
the other hand, dubious thoughts make her
wonder, “Is he seeing another woman?”
Patricia H. Rushford takes readers on a busy
spin from first to last in When Shadows Fall. At
the end, everything becomes clear, and Helen
discovers her worst fears have melted away.
This Helen Bradley #4 will not disappoint
anyone who has met her before. Once again
Rushford brings her to life with everyday
details—the kind of tea Helen prefers, color and
style of clothes, feelings and emotions. The
conversational writing style helps readers feel as
if they participate in Helen’s life. She’s a good
friend to take along on vacation or to invite in
for a lazy day of reading.
Betty M. Hockett, Freelance Writer, Teacher, Speaker, Newberg,
Oregon
Whispering stones, by Sally Hawthorne.
LCCN 98040562. San Antonio: Langmarc
Publishing, 1998. ISBN 1880292602, PAP,
$12.95.
F. Grandmothers--Arizona--Fiction; Castles--Arizona-
-Fiction. 192 p. Adult (High school).
Sari Wyatt resents being ordered to Arizona by a
grandmother she has never met. Raised in India
by her missionary parents, Sari blames her
grandmother for much of the hardship in her life
and harbors bitter feelings toward her. On
arriving in Arizona, Sari discovers her
grandmother lives in a castle and is a real
Duchess. Although Monty, her grandmother’s
adopted son, tries to reassure her, Sari wonders
if the Whispering Stones in her bedroom are
warning her to leave.
Surprised to hear her grandmother has
disappeared before she arrived, Sari is more
surprised when no one seems to care. The
whispering Sari heard is explained when she
finds a secret passage in the wall. Oscar
Drayton, her grandmother’s lawyer, is found
stabbed. Jessica, Monty’s wife, becomes
increasingly resentful of Sari. Ron, Jessica’s
cousin, wants to know Sari better. Although
Sari broke her engagement to Michael before
leaving New York, she still loves him and can’t
understand her attraction to Ron.
While searching her grandmother’s room for
clues to where she may be, Marianne, the maid,
interrupts and challenges Sari to forgive her
grandmother. Realizing she needs God’s help to
resolve her problems, Sari asks Him to forgive
her. Although there are still questions to be
answered and problems to be resolved, Sari is
now able to face them.
Sally Hawthorne spins a tale of love and
forgiveness. Her love and knowledge of castles
is evident. Each chapter ends with a situation
that urges you to read on.
Barbara Bryden, Freelance Writer, Olympia, Washington
Woman of means, by Thom Lemmons.
(Daughters of faith; 2.) LCCN 99088654.
Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah, 2000. ISBN
1576736121, PAP, $10.99.
F. Lydia (Biblical character)--Fiction; Bible. N.T.--
History of Biblical events--Fiction; Women in the
Bible--Fiction; Biographical fiction; Christian fiction.
346 p. Adult (High school).
Woman of Means is a story of Lydia, the woman
mentioned in Acts 16:14 as a dealer in purple
cloth. From Lydia’s deathbed the story is told in
a series of flashbacks that are at times, confusing
and disruptive to the smooth flow of the
storyline. The reader learns of Lydia’s young
love for Menander in a flashback, also of her
fascination with the apostle Paul at a later date.
Lydia, as a young girl, is a headstrong tomboy.
Her mother is absorbed in arts, drama, and
music. Her father spends most of his time on his
business, which leaves Lydia to her own
devices. At sixteen she falls in love with
Menander, and against her father’s better
judgement he agrees to their marriage. After
their first child is born, Menander decides to join
the army. Shortly after he leaves, Lydia
discovers she is pregnant again. When
Menander is killed, Lydia is left to fend for
herself and her children.
In a time when women did not normally deal in
the world of commerce, Lydia makes her mark
in Philippi. Even when she becomes a Christian
late in life, her faith doesn’t seem to do much for
her irascible character.
Author, Thom Lemmons has done his research.
Careful attention to details puts the reader into
the Roman colony of Philippi of 28 A.D. The
characters drink wine, a normal part of that
culture and does not depict drunkenness.
Myrtlemay Pittman Crane, Freelance Writer, Editor, Alderwood
Manor, Washington
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