The Crossing is not a pretty story with a fairytale ending where everyone lives happily ever after. Actually it is a gritty, down-to-earth, real life narrative centered around a ten-year-old unsolved school bus murder and the lasting effects it has had on several witnesses and the people in their lives.
Two of the students on board the bus on that fateful night experience symptoms of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Claudia Campbell experiences increasing bouts of anxiety attacks and her spending habits have gotten out of control. Police officer Casio Hightower struggles with out-of-control bursts of rage that physically harm the people he loves most. When Claudia’s husband Victor, an assistant DA reopens the case in hopes of helping his wife, Casio determines to help him solve the case. As new clues come to light, secrets of the past are revealed that change everything they believed to be true.
The Crossing was a new reading experience for me. Just when I thought I knew how everything would turn out, something totally unexpected and/or shocking would occur. Interspersed between present day narrative were the last thoughts of the murder victim as she lay dying. Although this did not contribute to the solving of the case, it did add extra insight to the story. The book is well written with evident thought given to the characters and their unique reactions to their shared experience with an emphasis on how faith made a difference in their circumstances.
Although The Crossing is very different than the books I usually choose, I would highly recommend it for its honest and insightful look at how one event can change a life forever.
This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group Blogging for Books program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Imprisoned by memories, Claudia Campbell lives each day in the shadow of a ten-year-old murder. Who can set her free?
On the way home from a football game, a decade earlier, a masked gunman opened fire on a Texas school bus. Cheerleading coach B.J. Remington was killed, but her murderer was never found. Claudia, who had a close friendship with the young, spirited teacher, constantly relives the anguish of that day, caught in one moment in time. When her husband, the assistant district attorney, becomes determined to uncover the mystery of that tragedy, the secrets buried over the years threaten to tear their family apart.
Officer Casio Hightower will never forget the day his dreams were destroyed. A star quarterback with a promising future, Casio was on top of the world—until one bullet changed everything. He is eager to help Victor Campbell find B.J.’s killer, the man who shot him. Maybe solving the case will help silence the demons driving Casio to hurt the woman he loves.
As the Campbells and Casio teeter on the brink of losing everything, will they be able to discover that what begins at the crossing ends at the cross?
“Serita Jakes has created a rich story about confronting the debilitating wounds of one’s past and standing at a crossroads of hope and healing—or ongoing suffering. Her characters take meaningful and relatable journeys, and they will serve as an inspiration for many to find the path toward wholeness.”
—Dr. Frank Lawlis, bestselling author, consultant to the Dr. Phil show, and the author of revolutionary program PTSD Breakthrough
“An amazing story of hope, loss, and the unconditional love that brings us back to God, Serita Jakes has created a meaningful novel that tears at your heart while mending your brokenness at the same time. The Crossing is powerful storytelling.”
—Pat Smith, founder and CEO of “Treasure You”, President of Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities
“The Crossing is captivating from page one. Serita chronicles a remarkable tale of betrayal, pain and spiritual anguish. Her writing uncovers an important core message: how to find freedom from past hurts and wounds, and move toward a life of forgiveness, healing and Divine wholeness.”
—Dr. Tim Clinton, president of the American Association of Christian Counselors
“Serita Jakes’ The Crossing is so much more than you expect. She’s a brilliant woman of God and this stirring novel will reach so many hearts and lives with its message of grace and healing.”
—Lisa Osteen Comes, associate pastor Lakewood Church in Houston Texas, and author of You Are Made For More
“First Lady Serita Jakes is a unique lady with a big heart. She has experienced hurt in her life, therefore The Crossing is a perfect novel for her to write. She is a woman who loves much and wants to help others. This book will impact, and may even, save your life. I salute Serita and consider her one of my children.”
—Dodie Osteen, co-founder Lakewood Church and author of Choosing Life.
I hope whoever reads this book never has had to go through loss and suffering. But should you be faced with one or the other or both, Mrs. Jakes’ powerful words will help you through it because it demonstrates God’s forgiveness, powerful healing and unconditional love for us all.
—Jamie Foster Brown, publisher, Sister 2 Sister Magazine
“Serita Jakes has captured the true meaning of what it means to “wear the mask”. And the phrase ‘cover your sins and keep up appearances’ penned in The Crossing—says it all. The depiction of the novel’s main character Claudia reveals the devastating and irreversible effects of untreated trauma and the dire consequences if left undiagnosed and untreated—as it does all too often. The Crossing hits home on these important issues in a down-to-earth and entertaining way. The Crossing is an important novel and I highly recommended.”
—Terrie M. Williams, author of Black Pain
“A meaningful novel about loss, forgiveness, suffering, and God’s healing, unconditional love. A perfect read for women who have seen hard times. I highly recommend it.”
—Paula White, Paula White Ministries/Senior Pastor, Without Walls International Church
SERITA ANN JAKES has been involved in Christian ministry all of her adult life and has served alongside her husband, Bishop T. D. Jakes, throughout their entire marriage of nearly 30 years. In addition to raising three sons and two daughters, Mrs. Jakes is Executive Director of the WoMan To Woman Ministries of The Potter’s House of Dallas where her husband is Senior Pastor.
Although Deadly Pursuit is the second book in the Guardians of Justice series it is quite able to stand on its own. This installment features Alison Taylor whose older brother Jake was featured in the first novel, Fatal Judgment. Jake and their other brother Cole make frequent appearances in Deadly Pursuit but their history is not essential to the story. I am looking forward to the next installment that I expect to feature Cole. Can’t wait to see what happens!
Deadly Pursuit is a page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat. The plot began slowly with Alison’s receipt of strange phone calls and but the suspense gradually escalated to a dramatic conclusion. One particularly gruesome incident totally upped the danger level for Alison. The action and suspense is tempered by the growing romance between Alison and Cole’s friend and associate, police detective Mitch Morgan, a former Navy Seal who dedicates himself to Alison’s protection and finding her tormentor before it’s too late.
A skillfully crafted plot, three dimensional characters, and plenty of action and suspense laced with unexpected twists and surprises makes Deadly Pursuit a book that should please most suspense fans. A spiritual theme is also interwoven unobtrusively throughout the narrative. There are a few very intense scenes so the very squeamish should be warned.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Available September 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Bestselling author Irene Hannon returns with the second novel in her “Guardians of Justice” series, Deadly Pursuit (ISBN: 978-0-8007-3457-2, $14.99, 352 pages, September). Hannon is the recipient of several high honors in her literary genre. As Library Journal has stated, “RITA Award winner Hannon is a master at character development.”
Alison Taylor is a young, single social worker recovering from a serious accident and a broken relationship, kept busy by her demanding job and her faithful canine companion, Bert. But when her police-detective brother pushes her into a blind date with his new colleague, ex-Navy SEAL Mitch Morgan, she’s not sorry—and neither is Mitch. When she begins to receive anonymous calls and threatening gifts, however, their relationship shifts into professional mode as well. And as Mitch works to protect the woman who is fast stealing his heart, he can only pray they’ll find her tormentor before the man’s game turns deadly.
Once again, Hannon delivers an accelerating thrill ride that will keep readers up late into the night.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Irene Hannon is the author of more than 35 novels, including the CBA bestsellers Against All Odds, An Eye for an Eye, In Harm’s Way and Fatal Judgment. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America (she’s a five-time finalist), the HOLT Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier award, and two Reviewer’s Choice Awards from Romantic Times Book Reviews magazine. She lives in Missouri. For more information about Irene and her books, visit her website at www.irenehannon.com.
DON BROWN, a former U.S. Navy JAG Officer, is the author of Zondervan’s riveting NAVY JUSTICE SERIES, a dynamic storyline chronicling the life and adventures of JAG officer ZACK BREWER. After TREASON, his first novel in the NAVY JUSTICE SERIES, was published to rave reviews in 2005, drawing comparisons to the writing style of John Grisham, Don Brown was named as co-chairman of national I LOVE TO WRITE DAY, an event recognized by the governors of nine states to promote writing throughout the nation, and especially among the nation’s schools.
Paying no homage to political correctness, Don’s writing style is described as “gripping,” casting an entertaining and educational spin on a wide-range of current issues, from radical Islamic infiltration of the military, to the explosive issue of gays in the military, to the modern day issues of presidential politics in the early 21st Century.
Don graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1982, and after finishing law school, continued his post-graduate studies through the Naval War College, earning the Navy’s nonresident certificate in International Law.
During his five years on active duty in the Navy, Don served in the Pentagon, was published in the Naval Law Review, and was also a recipient of the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Lieutenant Commander ‘Gunner’ McCormick is assigned as an intelligence officer to Carrier Strike Force 10, being deployed to the Yellow Sea at the invitation of South Korea for joint exercises with the US Navy. During his pre-deployment briefing, he discovers a TOP-SECRET MEMO revealing rumors that the North Koreans may still be holding a handful of elderly Americans from the Korean War in secret prison camps.
As it happens, Gunner’s grandfather, who was a young marine officer in the Korean War, disappeared at Chosin Reservoir over 60 years ago and is still listed as MIA in North Korea. Sworn to silence about what he has read, the top-secret memo eats at him. Gunner decides to spend all his inheritance and break every military regulation in the book to finance his own three-man commando squad on a suicide mission north of the DMZ to search for clues about the fate of his grandfather.
Risking his career, his fortune, and his life, Gunner will get his answers, or he will die trying.
Don Brown is building a loyal fan base by writing what he knows best: thrillers with heart. A former Navy JAG officer and action officer in the Pentagon, Brown pens action-packed plots and finely-drawn characters that are credible and compelling. Thunder in the Morning Calm is a novel of bravery, duty, and family love that will keep readers of all ages reading straight through to the last page.
Thunder in the Morning Calm is probably not a book I’d usually pick up in the bookstore since it has a very manly appearance and military books (with the exception of those by Ronie Kendig) are not my favorites. I persisted in reading it since I had committed to review it and found to my surprise that I enjoyed it.
One area sadly lacking in my historical knowledge is the Korean war. We never seemed to get to that part of the textbook before the end of the school year. For that reason, I found all the historical details included in Thunder in the Morning Calm to be very informative and it greatly increased my understanding of that era of our history.
In addition to being informative, this book is a page turner about three men who attempt a nearly impossible and unauthorized rescue mission deep across enemy lines in North Korea. I won’t go into details about the plot because I don’t want to give anything away but believe me when I say that there is sufficient action and suspense to keep your attention all the way to the end. Sorry ladies but there is no romance in this one.
I have to say that one of my favorite parts of the book is the impassioned speech by the president after learning that a U.S. ship had been hit by a North Korean missile. I only regret that this man is fictional. We NEED a president like him.
It’s always nice to find that I was wrong about a book I thought I wouldn’t like. I recommend Thunder in the Morning Calm , especially to the men readers among us.
Although I enjoyed A Sound Among the Trees, I find it a bit difficult to review. It is not really a love story because the story begins with the wedding of Carson and Marielle. Once the wedding is over, Carson is not a prominent character. At first the story seems to be about a haunted house and/or a ghost but there are no supernatural events that particularly point in that direction either.
Marielle has agreed to live with Carson in the antebellum home of his dead wife’s grandmother Mimi for the sake of his children. She soon learns that Mimi has suffered tremendous loss during her lifetime, much like earlier women who lived at Holly Oak. Marielle also begins to hear rumors about the curse on the women of Holly Oak that is blamed on actions during the Civil War of former resident Susannah Page. Although skeptical at first, she finds herself beginning to believe the rumors after awhile. It is only when she has the opportunity to read long lost letters from Susannah herself that she learns the true story.
The reader is treated to a story within as story for approximately one hundred pages of Susannah’s letters. The details of life during the Civil War are interesting and seem to be well researched. The book itself is filled with a few surprises and at least one scenario was treated in a manner other than some authors would have written it. Personally, I preferred Meissner’s version – every novel doesn’t have to have a villain. I will restrain from other details in order to avoid spoilers.
This story is not filled with action, suspense, or romance but examines relationships and how a person’s life can be controlled by the lies they believe. I liked that it ended with the revelation of the lies and the restoration that took place as a result.
This book was provided for review by the Amazon Vine Program.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A house shrouded in time. A line of women with a heritage of loss.
As a young bride, Susannah Page was rumored to be a Civil War spy for the North, a traitor to her Virginian roots. Her great-granddaughter Adelaide, the current matriarch of Holly Oak, doesn’t believe that Susannah’s ghost haunts the antebellum mansion looking for a pardon, but rather the house itself bears a grudge toward its tragic past.
When Marielle Bishop marries into the family and is transplanted from the arid west to her husband’s home, it isn’t long before she is led to believe that the house she just settled into brings misfortune to the women who live there.
With Adelaide’s richly peppered superstitions and deep family roots at stake, Marielle must sort out the truth about Susannah Page and Holly Oak— and make peace with the sacrifices she has made for love.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Award-winning writer Susan Meissner is a multi-published author, speaker and workshop leader with a background in community journalism. Her novels include The Shape of Mercy, named by Publishers Weekly as one of the Best Books of 2008. She is a pastor’s wife and a mother of four. When she’s not writing, Susan directs the Small Groups and Connection Ministries program at her San Diego church.
Although she has made sure her Alzheimer’s stricken mother has been well taken care of, Krista has spent years with no contact with her. Upon receiving word that her mother was near death, Krista felt compelled to see her one last time. While spending hours at her mother’s bedside, Krista read through a recently discovered journal of her mother’s and learned that her own perceptions about her mother had not always been entirely correct. With the gentle help of her old flame Dane and family friend Dona Elena, Krista is able to overcome wounds from the past that have held her prisoner and is finally ready to move on with her life. And with her own healing, Krista makes peace with her mother that in turn sets her free.
Mercy Come Morning is a highly emotional and introspective story that requires a box of tissues near at hand. While not exactly what I would consider entertaining, this book is well worth reading. The author’s style is very readable and her insight into her characters is superb. First published in 2002 with the title Christmas Every Morning, the message of Mercy Come Morning is timeless. It is a story about love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and second chances. I would definitely recommend it.
This book was provided for review by Blogging For Books and the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
There are no second chances. Or are there?
Krista Mueller is in a good place. She’s got a successful career as a professor of history; she’s respected and well-liked; and she lives hundreds of miles from her hometown and the distant mother she could never please. It’s been more than a decade since Alzheimer’s disease first claimed Charlotte Mueller’s mind, but Krista has dutifully kept her mother in a first-class nursing home.
Now Charlotte is dying of heart failure and, surprised by her own emotions, Krista rushes to Taos, New Mexico, to sit at her estranged mother’s side as she slips away. Battling feelings of loss, abandonment, and relief, Krista is also unsettled by her proximity to Dane McConnell, director of the nursing home—and, once upon a time, her first love. Dane’s kind and gentle spirit—and a surprising discovery about her mother—make Krista wonder if she can at last close the distance between her and her mother … and open the part of her heart she thought was lost forever.
What Others Are Saying About Mercy Come Morning:
“A timeless tale, to be kept every day in the heart as a reminder
that forgiveness is a gift to self.” —PATRICIA HICKMAN, author of The Pirate Queen
Previously released as Christmas Every Morning
Praise for MERCY COME MORNING
“Mercy Come Morning is Lisa Bergren’s best yet! Strong characters dealing with passionate life-and-death issues in a Southwest setting so authentic I could taste the chilies and smell the sage. A compelling story of longing, love, and the search for life.… It’s a story to meet the need in every woman’s heart.” —JANE KIRKPATRICK , author of A Name of Her Own and the Kinship and Courage series
“Bergren just keeps getting better. Mercy Come Morning is a deeply moving story of love lost and found. It is also a gentle but compelling invitation to remember the things we should know by heart but often forget along the way.” —CAROLYN ARENDS, recording artist and author of We’ve Been Waiting for You
“Lisa Bergren writes like a dream, softly calling us to familiar places, walking us through our memories in grandma’s kitchen, past the disappointments of growing up, and through the complexities of imperfect families. Mercy Come Morning is a timeless tale, to be kept every day in the heart as a reminder that forgiveness is a gift to self and joy the glittering residue left upon our doorpost when Christmas is kept every day of the year.” —PATRICIA HICKMAN, author of Sandpebbles and Katrina’s Wings
Lisa Tawn Bergren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 30 books, with more than 1.5 million copies sold. She just finished writing a Colorado historical trilogy (the first book, Breathe, Sing and Claim), and has begun a teen series called River of Time (Waterfall, book 1, comes out in February 2011).
Lisa’s time is split between managing home base, writing (including a fair amount of travel writing), consulting and freelance editing (with a little speaking here and there). She’s married to Tim, a liturgical sculptor, graphic designer and musician. They have three kids–Olivia (15), Emma (12) and Jack (7).
All five of the Bergrens make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
It seems as though I have read and reviewed quite a few novels by Melody Carlson recently so when I was offered yet another one to review, I assumed it was a new one and wondered just how she is able to turn out so many quality books so quickly. In searching for a bit more information about the book, I learned that Homeward was first published in July of 1997 (14 years ago) and has just been released for Kindle. In my opinion, its story and message is just as relevant today as it was when Melody first wrote it.
I have always heard that “You can’t go home again.” Homeward not only proves that you can but that sometimes that is exactly where you need to be – both for yourself and for others.
When Meg Lancaster’s engagement falls apart, she is prompted to return to Briar Hedge, her grandparent’s home. Although she has had very little contact with her family in many years after a particularly hurtful incident, she feels that she needs to see her grandmother one more time. What she discovers when she reconnects with members of her family surprise Meg and may just change her life forever.
Homeward is a story about second chances, forgiveness, and restoration. There is one scene near the end that could have easily been written with a more negative outcome that would have been justified, but the scene was so perfect the way it was written.
The more I read of Melody Carlson’s books, the more I am touched by her wisdom and grasp of human emotions, whether it is an adult novel or one of her teen books. This author will always occupy a space near the top of my recommended list.
Homeward was a RITA award winner and is now available as an e-book for $2.99.
A digital copy of this book was provided for review by Glass Road Public Relations.
ABOUT THE BOOK: From bestselling author Melody Carlson comes this award-winning story of three generations of Lancaster women. For twenty years Meg Lancaster has avoided Briar Hedge, the Lancaster family estate. Now she has been drawn back to her grandmother’s home to uncover secrets that have been hidden for decades and to try to regain the family she long ago abandoned.
Winner of Romance Writers of America Rita Award.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melody Carlson has published over 200 books, making her one of the top 20 most prolific authors of all time. With total sales of over 1.4 million her award- winning books include: Homeward, Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon; Limelight; the Diary of a Teenage Girl series; the True Colors series; and the Charter House Girls series.
Melody has worn many hats: from pre-school teacher to political activist to senior editor. Currently, she writes full-time, and freelances from her home. She has two grown sons and lives in Sisters, Oregon with her husband, Chris, and Bailey, her chocolate lab.
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Imprisoned by memories, Claudia Campbell lives each day in the shadow of a ten-year-old murder. Who can set her free?
SERITA ANN JAKES has been involved in Christian ministry all of her adult life and has served alongside her husband, Bishop T. D. Jakes, throughout their entire marriage of nearly 30 years. In addition to raising three sons and two daughters, Mrs. Jakes is Executive Director of the WoMan To Woman Ministries of The Potter’s House of Dallas where her husband is Senior Pastor.
