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ADULTFICTIONATender Reed, a contemporary fiction book,unfolds quickly from the discovery of Emmaand Jonah to the changes that they make inMichelle’s life. Michelle’s character gentles asshe opens herself to the children and as sherealizes how much others love her. She evenbegins to recognize some of her personal faultsand begins to correct them. As Michelle dealswith overwhelming emotions, the mood is tense.However, the kids and Michelle’s aunt and unclesplatter humor throughout. The dialogue furtherdevelops the characters and moves quickly.Teresa Slack develops Emma, Jonah, Michelle,and Nicole with great care, sensitive to thethoughts, feelings, and potential actions of thosewho have been abandoned. A thread of graceweaves its way through this story as a tenderreed of love grows in Michelle’s heart.Kristi Wolcott*Unforgotten : a novel / KristenHeitzmann. (Sequel to: Secrets.) LCCN2005009757. Minneapolis : BethanyHouse, 2005.PAP, 0764228285, list price: $12.99.Fic. Triangles (Interpersonal relations)--Fiction;Christian fiction; Romantic suspense fiction. 414 p. ;22 cm.Adult. Rating : *5.Unforgotten, Kristen Heitzmann’s sequel toSecrets, continues the story of the solitary, selfcontrolledRese, and her volatile relationshipwith the passionately emotional Lance, whobrings her into his world of a close-knit BronxItalian family where there are no secrets—except one: the one Lance is compelled touncover for his fragile grandmother.The story flashes back and forth, describingNonna Antonia’s story as a young woman, thedeath of her father, and then her husband,forging ties to Lance’s present family—ties tothe mob—a vendetta, a curse that wasunavenged for the blood of his family memberswhich “cries out from the ground to God.”What the Lord demands of Lance is uncertain,but he knows that he must forsake all—even hisfamily, and Rese—to take up his cross andfollow where God leads him in dealing with thisvendetta. As Lance wrestles with God, as helooks at the sacrifice of Abraham who wascalled upon to offer his only son’s life to God,Lance learns obedience to the Lord, regardlessof the cost.The relationships, circumstances, and emotionalpsychology of Unforgotten are so intricatelycrafted based on previous events that the novelcannot be understood without first having readSecrets. But the story carries within it the sameintense depth of character development andmystery, the same substantive spiritual struggleand growth, illustrating in a very powerful waythe concept of spiritual warfare. Subplotsdealing indirectly with schizophrenia andchildhood abuse show how God reaches out toflawed, imperfect people with healing love,strength, and hope—but not necessarily withquick, easy answers. This is a “meaty” book,well worth reading.Sherri Beeler*Unspoken / Angela Hunt. LCCN 2004020483.Nashville : WestBow, 2005.PAP, 0849944821, list price: $14.99.Fic. Gorilla--Fiction; Animal welfare--Fiction;Human-animal communication--Fiction; Christianfiction. 320 p. ; 22 cm.Adult (Grades 10-12). Rating : *5.For the past eight years, Glee Granger has raiseda gorilla named Sema. With the blessing of thezoo where Sema was born, Glee has taught andcared for Sema at her own home almost as if shewere Glee’s own child. Glee and Semacommunicate through sign language, and Glee’sresearch into animal communication behavior isprogressing in exciting directions.When the zoo sues Glee for custody of Sema,Glee is ready to put up a fight. However, whenshe considers the best situation for Sema, she isforced to surrender her beloved gorilla to thecaptive environment or risk losing all contactwith Sema forever. But no one could imaginewhat would happen next.Unspoken is a truly unique, emotion-packednovel. At first, it’s difficult to sympathize withGlee and her efforts to keep Sema from the zoo,the gorilla’s rightful owners. Yet watching thestory unfold allows the reader to get a richersense of Glee’s emotional state and parent-childrelationship with Sema, who can communicateand understand people. Giving Sema up wouldbe like giving up a beloved eight year old child.The spiritual aspect of Unspoken is what takesthis novel past enjoyable and makes it trulyspectacular. Glee begins as a non-believer witha believing grandmother. Through thatrelationship and Sema’s testimony, both Gleeand the reader can clearly see the glory of God.Animal lovers will delight in the wellresearchedand detailed storyline of Unspoken.However, some issues discussed, as well as theultimate climax of the novel, may be too intensefor younger and more sensitive readers. This isa superb, not-to-be-missed book.Melissa Parcel*Wounded healer / Donna Fleisher.(Homeland heroes ; 1.) LCCN2005002987. Grand Rapids : Zondervan,2005.PAP, 0310263948, list price: $12.99.Fic. Iraq War, 2003--Fiction. 310 p. ; 22 cm.Adult. Rating : *5.Warrior's heart / Donna Fleisher.(Homeland heroes ; 2.) LCCN2005013227. Grand Rapids : Zondervan,2005.PAP, 0310263956, list price: $12.99.Fic. Iraq War, 2003--Fiction; Portland (Ore.)--Fiction;Christian life--Fiction; Floods--Fiction. 302 p. ; 21cm.Adult. Rating : 4.From its heart-stopping opening to its heartstoppingconclusion, Wounded Healer, byDonna Fleisher is a book that runs with breakneckintensity from the opening page, to the last.Traumatized and scarred from childhood abuseand from the loss of a fellow team member inDesert Storm, Christina refuses to let anyone getclose to her—she can’t even stand to hearsomeone say to her, “I love you.” But Erin, whoserved with Christina on a medical trauma teamin Desert Storm, is impelled by her love forChrist to love Christina, no matter how great thecost to herself, and no matter how muchChristina resists. When a traumatic incidentturns Christina onto a path of self-destruction,Erin fights the spiritual battle necessary to offerChristina the hope and healing that only Christcan bring.In book two of the series, Warrior’s Heart,Christina and Erin’s husband must resolve theirdifferences and learn to trust each other, asChristina must decide whether she will stay inPortland to become part of an inner city ministryteam with Erin and other Desert Storm friends.Readers who enjoy books by Dee Hendersonand Terri Blackstock will certainly enjoy the“edge of your seat” action and suspense inDonna Fleischer’s Wounded Healer, as well asthe substantive, psychological characterdevelopment. The gospel message is clearlypresented in such a way that it avoids the timewornclichés and illustrates the intense strugglein the soul over dying to self to live new and freein Christ. Warrior’s Heart runs a little slower;the conflict seems more contrived—less “real”than in Wounded Healer—but the climax in thelast few chapters reveals once again just howeager God is for even the worst of sinners to turnto Him. The Homeland Heroes books are notstand-alones—they must be read consecutivelyin order to fully understand the events, characterhistories, and relational dynamics.Sherri BeelerC H R I S T I A N L I B R A R Y J O U R N A L 2 9 D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 5