Tandem

by Tracey Bateman
A Book Review

The small town of Abbey Hills, Missouri is revisited by brutal, ritualistic killings just months after a similar killer was presumably killed in a house fire. Lauryn McBride, whose auction house is handling the sale of the estate of the deceased victim Markus Chisom, finds herself entangled in centuries of secrets surrounding the mysterious family, as well as in her own personal struggles caring for her ailing father and reconnecting with a past love. Inevitably, anyone involved in either the murders or the Chisom estate has to face his own person demons, literal and figurative, to find closure and redemption.

A lot of people might think a Christian vampire novel is an oxymoron. But not only is this not JUST a vampire novel, it is also very clear that the vampire characters who feel no remorse for their lifestyle suffer an endless, empty, Godless existence. In contrast, those who realize their behavior separates them from God are able to seek redemption and find peace. There are a lot of characters, flashbacks, and plenty going on in this story, which makes it difficult to follow at times. However, the supernatural elements are intriguing, and the emotional struggles of the characters tug at the heart. (Although I didn't personally endorse the relationship between Lauryn and the missionary love-interest character, Billy -2 Corinthians 6:14) Overall, I found it a fascinating read.

Check out the first two chapters for free. After that, you'll want to buy the book for sure.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Permanently Disabled

Photo taken from the gun deck at Castillo de San Marcos, by my sweet husband so that I could see it too!

I guess I look like a healthy person. People can't usually tell just at a glance that I struggle with many chronic illnesses. But whenever I want to do an activity where there's a lot of standing or walking, I have to use a power wheelchair to get around. Then I'm suddenly categorized as a "disabled person." But until last Friday, I had never had anyone ask if I am "permanently disabled." The question really threw me.

We were spending the afternoon together in St. Augustine, enjoying the beautiful weather and browsing the little shops. We decided to ask if I would be able to go into the fort with my wheelchair. That's when I got The Question. (Apparently people with permanent disabilities get to go in for free. And if you get a Permanent Disability Pass, you can get into any National Park for free also). I guess it just kind of hit me hard because I had to literally stop and let the fact wash over me that my illness is most likely a permanent condition. I've been trying everything under the sun to change that, and I've definitely been able to improve my condition and my quality of life to some degree. But I'll probably never be able to climb the steps to the St. Augustine lighthouse or go up to the gun deck of the fort ever again. I was feeling a little sorry for myself as I watched from below as my husband took the stairs up to the gun deck.

I've been procrastinating for almost two years on filing for my Social Security disability, and I wasn't quite sure why. But I now realize it's just been a matter of denial. I really hoped that I would never need to claim the status of Disabled. I think I saw it as admitting defeat to my illness. And I'm not a quitter. Never mind the fact that our health expenses and food budget have both DOUBLED over the past two years due to my illnesses and that we could really use that money to offset some of those extra bills. Not to mention that I don't want to be dependent on society, my husband, or anyone else to care for me. But that's just part of my reality. I guess it's time to accept it.

Someone to Blame by C.S. Lakin

A Book Review

Having been through the tragic deaths of both their sons, the Moore family decides on a fresh start in a small coastal town. But they soon find they cannot escape the bitterness, unforgiveness, and blame still weighing heavily on each of them. But when a young, disagreeable stranger shows up in town around the same time as a spree of petty crimes and becomes persona non grata, the Moore family has a chance to learn about grace and forgiveness.

A gripping story with strongly sympathetic characters, this seems to be a compelling lesson about compassion, forgiveness, and wrongly judging others. However, I couldn't help but notice the author's perceived liberal ideology seeping through to the subtext. She seems to strongly imply that America is to blame for most of the world's inequality, that our country looks for opportunities to exploit the disenfranchised, and that those who prefer country living and also treasure our Constitutional rights to protect our lives and property are actually trigger-happy vigilantes. This kind of "blame America" mentality and stereotyping seems to directly contradict with the larger moral of the story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Miracle of Mercy Land by River Jordan

A Book Review

Mercy Land was "born in a bolt of lightning on the banks of Bittersweet Creek" in 1930's Alabama. In a time when young women were expected to aspire to marriage and motherhood at a young age, Mercy instead heads to Bay City to find her place in the world. Soon, she becomes the assistant to the town's esteemed newspaper man and finds herself the keeper of secrets concerning the disappearance of a childhood friend and the mystery of a supernatural book that could change the past. Faced with tough decisions, Mercy discovers that everyone's lives are connected by the choices they make. And she also discovers herself in the process.

Most of the story is narrated by the main character Mercy Land, and I found myself reading it in a thick, Southern accent in my head; you just can't help it! As beautiful as the language is, I felt the story line dragged on and was also quite reminiscent of Ted Dekker's Showdown in the Books of History Chronicles. I did find the name Mercy Land to be a clever allusion to the author's name and I also enjoyed the development of the characters very much. However, I must say I was a bit relieved when the story finally came to a close.

If you'd like to give this book a try, get your copy here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”