Kathy Reviews: Confessions by Ryne Douglas Pearson

ISBN #: 978-0615458120

Page Count: 230

Copyright: 2011

Publisher: Schmuck & Underwood

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Three bullets. Two killers. A life taken.

Five years after his sister, Katie, was murdered, Father Michael Jerome has moved on with his life, but has never forgotten that terrible time. Has never stopped wondering who killed her.

And why.

When a dying criminal's confession points Michael toward answers to these questions, he embarks on a journey of discovery that leads him to Christine Wheeler, a friend of his sister's past who expresses doubts about the circumstances of Katie's murder. Doubts that force Michael down a path where revelations shatter a lifetime of illusions held about those closest to him, and uncover a web of deceit crafted to keep a dark truth from ever being known.

But every secret he uncovers, every lie he unravels, leads him to realize that someone is desperate for the past to stay buried.

Kathy's Review:

This is a fast-paced thriller that focuses on priest, Michael Jerome, who discovers a clue as to who killed his sister as he is attending the last rites of a criminal. The case had been dropped and had never been resolved, especially after Michael's father, a cop, retired from the force, mainly to care for his wife, who is suffering from Alzheimer's. Michael becomes obsessed with finding out the truth, and gets himself in over his head. Just when you think this story is headed down a cliche path, it completely changes course and delivers a twist you won't see coming - even though I'm telling you it's coming!

A short, 250-page read, this one will keep you guessing and turning the pages. The character of Michael is fairly deep and fleshed out nicely through his own memories and thoughts during the course of the story. The only thing I'm not sure I liked about this book is the many "sins" Michael commits as he is searching for his sister. Perhaps that's the point of the novel to have the priest slowly come unraveled, lie to his friends, family, etc. And then his relationship with his sister's friend, Chris(tine). Their relationship seems to be heading down a romantic path at the end of the novel. It just seems like his vows of priesthood are cast out of the window from the moment he hears the confession of the dying man, Erik.

Confessions could easily be turned into a movie and would probably be a blockbuster. The author, Pearson, does have a few other books that were adapted for the big screen, so this one could be next! If you are a fan of the thriller genre, I highly recommend you check this one out.

Charlene Reviews: From My Mother by Margreet Dietz

ISBN #: 978-1456471347

Page Count: 204

Copyright: 2011

Publisher: CreateSpace

Synopsis:

As experienced marathoner Nadia embarks on her biggest challenge yet, a 100-kilometre ultra run, her thoughts turn to her maternal grandmother, who emigrated to the Netherlands in the early 1950s as a young widow, escaping Czechoslovakia in the aftermath of a Communist coup d'etat. As Nadia struggles with unexpected obstacles in the longest race of her life, the parallels with her grandmother become clearer. However, Nadia also realizes that Oma, now 94, has been tested far more than her granddaughter likely ever will.

Charlene's Review:

From My Mother is a parallel story, focusing on the obstacles faced while running long distances, and the obstacles faced by the runner's grandmother as she faced emigration from her home in Czechoslovakia during Communist takeover. As she competes in her first ultra run, roughly 62 miles, Nadia thinks back on the stories her grandmother has shared, and reflects on how dogged determination may run in her family.

From My Mother is a very touching story of a matriarch that deeply ingrains survival into her family. Largely a book filled with a marathoner's mindset, all of the technical and running jargon do not detract from the story of a love between granddaughter and "Oma" that spans continents, and the hardships that molded the generations into persevering, strong women. The freedom Nadia feels as she runs also parallels the freedom her grandmother struggled so hard to find. This is a novel that successfully integrates heart and sport.

Mandy Reviews: Half-Inch by McCarty Griffin

ASIN #: B004YDM2I2

File Size: 85 KB

Copyright: 2011

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Pammy has had enough of Bobby, her abusive drunk of a husband. One lovely spring day, she decides to kill him, despite the fact that they will soon be divorced and he will, at least in the eyes of the law, be out of her life for good. Indulging in homicidal daydreams for years has led her to devise her own perfect and completely bizarre plan.

Mandy's Review:

Cover

The cover's okay. It gets the overall point of the story across, but it doesn't really draw your eye to it.

Plot

Pam was married to Bobby. He was the type to verbally and physically abuse women knowing he could get away with it. Eventually, he divorces Pam because he's found a new "love" online.

The story begins right before their divorce proceedings. Bobby has a habit of just coming over whenever he wants. Well, one day, Mr. Bobby goes just a little bit too far and pushes quiet, mousy, obedient Pam into revenge mode.

Characters

Pam - The old Pam got on my nerves, but when Bobby pushed her into revenge-mode she grew a backbone and became someone I could respect.

Bobby - This man thinks he's God's gift to women. Definitely no-good, he gets his personality from his mother.

Overall

For a short story, it packed a lot of punch. You could feel the various emotions throughout the story from Bobby's overbearingness (is that even a word?!) to Pam's final straw breaking the camel's back to the end where things don't quite end up as Pam had imagined them.

I would be interested to see what this author could do with a lengthier book and, perhaps, more funds and/or time for the cover art.

Mandy Reviews - Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship with Monday Work by Tom Nelson

ASIN #: B005UK87HI

File Size: 451 KB

Copyright: 2011

Publisher: Crossway

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

Work. For some this word represents drudgery and the mundane. For others work is an idol to be served. In either case, a biblical understanding of work as godly activity and a means of spiritual formation is lost.

Striking a balance between theological depth and practical counsel, Work Matters engages the theological basis of God's plan for everyday work. Tom Nelson explains how the fall has impacted vocation, how God's redemption touches every sphere of our lives including our work, and how what we do now is connected to what we will do forever. As Nelson connects Sunday worship to Monday morning, he gives readers practical tools for understanding their own gifts, so that they may better live in accord with God's design for work.

Mandy's Review:

Many people have work and church separated in their mind. I know I did. In this book, Tom takes the time to show us (through scriptures and personal interpretations) how we are made in God's image and, therefore, made to work.

Our work, as explained by Tom, is a gateway through which we contribute to God's ongoing creation and to the common good. When we slack in our profession, we are doing a disservice to the One who created us.

The heart of worship we have should not stop after we leave the Sunday service. We should carry that worshipful spirit with us when going to work. Tom encourages us to imagine we live before an Audience of One ... God. Maintaining this mindset will change how you perform your duties.

There is a lot of info in this book that I could talk about for awhile. Instead, I will tell you that if you are a Christian and you are looking for a book to help you change your mindset about work, then look no further. I began taking notes from the first chapter and it has reinforced many teachings I've been listening to lately.

Charlene Reviews: Say Not What If by Andrew Friedman

ISBN #: 978-1463627317

Page Count: 52

Copyright: 2011

Publisher: CreateSpace

Synopsis:

This short story, written in poem form is about a man on death row. His message is that our time on earth is a commodity not to be wasted. This theme is explored through the life of a man who sacrifices his marriage and everything else for his career. He realizes much too late the terrible consequences of this decision, and then desperately tried to regain those lost years by making a much worse choice. The resolution of this latter choice involves an additional examination of the concepts of accountability and responsibility, redemption, and the morality of the death penalty.

Charlene's Review:

Say Not What If is an unusually written story. Channeling Dr. Seuss, Mr. Friedman takes us on a rhyming journey through a man's life, and how easily bad choices can take away everything important. There is much to learn from this story, regardless of its format. The virtues of being a husband over workaholic, the price of a life, and the morality surrounding the death penalty are all examined. The paradox of a mans dying despair with the lyrical rhyming was intoxicating. Easy to read, and emotionally provocative, Mr. Friedman has written a truly unique short story. Look forward to seeing what he comes up with next!