Author: cfwriter

A Night to Remember  – Danny and Wanda Pelfrey

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This story is the second installment featuring a brother – a former police officer and investigator – and a sister – who is a law school student – getting involved with investigating crimes and finding the culprits.

You will find the authors’ synopsis on Goodreads.

The “God” Element

The characters provide some advice, rely on God for their lives, pray often, and are open to being guided. They portray the epitome of the Christian life; be kind, do good, help others, make a positive difference, and guide and protect.

MY LIKES

A tertiary character`s redemption. Among all the tragedies occurring in this story, his storyline is the one that touched me the most. Buster is his name.

Another of my likes is seeing the main characters’ lives evolve and watching them seek guidance from God rather than hastily react to their circumstances. They reflect and seek ways to grow rather than make a mess and hurt others. They are unafraid to explore what does not feel right and wait on the Lord.

Many characters have positive arcs; they changed their ways for the better and now live better lives, extending the blessing they received to others in the community. Many of them are humble people, and that’s very noticeable.

MY DISLIKES

It is not a great dislike, but it is noticeable. The main characters don’t sin, barely make any mistakes, and have a word of wisdom ready for anyone who crosses their paths. Even their struggles, if any, are short-lived. I understand this is a mystery novel, and psychological arcs are not a primary focus, but they seem to live in a shallow way despite their reliance on God. I like characters with depth and arcs that are manifested, not “hinted at.” Only Riley does it more to my taste; other characters do not seem “this serious” about their lives. That’s just my personal preference.

If you want to read this novel for the mystery genre, you will be pretty happy. I did not find hints pointing me to the culprit; they were too subtle for me, and it was fine with me.

Takeaways

This novel is as good as the first novel I reviewed from these authors, and although the storyline is quite different, you can feel the similarity aside from the fact that the main characters are the same people.

The last chapter took me aback. It raised a question in my mind, and once I answered it, it left me with only a few words: “That was God‘s will.”

The Genesis 6 Project – Michael Ferguson

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This story belongs to the biblical and speculative fiction genre. Undoubtedly, The Genesis 6 Project differs from anything I have ever read.

The author presented his book to me with this synopsis:
Subject Alpha escapes from a top-secret US military genetics lab in Montana. As the deaths pile up, Special Agent Frank Ironhorse Whitman, a former Army Ranger and member of Indian Affairs, joins the pursuit near tribal lands. Little did Ironhorse know that Subject Alpha, captured in the Middle East, might be related to a long-ago tribal enemy, a descendent of the Watchers in the book of Genesis. Ironhorse and his men pursue their lethal opponent through the mountains as their enemy plans for man’s demise and the return of others of his kind. Complicating matters is a secret group manipulating the situation for their own nefarious reasons. Can Ironhorse stop Subject Alpha before it is too late?

I have to say; the story came with its load of surprises. The author links together situations and probabilities that make the reader think that, if this were true, mankind is about to face too many perils to count. Of course, it is only fiction, only speculation. These last few years have proven that, sometimes, life is stranger than fiction. Don’t dismiss speculation.

The “God” Element

As a descendant of the Watchers, Subject Alpha witnessed biblical events; he has lived through them. He also acknowledged the Hebrew God – of whom he claims he is the only God – and the Nazarene, his Son. It surprised me. He did not believe it by faith, he knew, and although he hates the Hebrews and despises mankind in general, he understands there is a higher power than himself that he dares not provoke since doing so proved fatal for his kind in ancient history.

My Likes

Stories from the Bible are recounted from a different perspective. Although Subject Alpha doesn’t have faith as we conceive it, there is a sense of respect, enough that he is not seeking the wrath of the Hebrew God.

Subject Alpha is full of hatred, arrogance, and violence and utterly devoid of compassion. Still, in a twisted, selfish, and interested way, he is capable of some decent gestures, and I did not think he would (or could). Why do I like this? It is human-like. Now it poses the question: evil is found in both the hybrid and men, but which is worse? I like that the story makes me inquire and perhaps question preconceived thoughts. Arrogance and hatred have multiple shapes and manifestations; let’s not discount the possibility of both being portrayed at their highest degree.

Let’s be honest. The Genesis 6 Project is a dark novel; there was no other way to write this story. It describes an evil world, the dark and evil workings of the human mind, the corrupted thinking, and the corruption and lies. Through all types of characters, the novel puts in print atrocities that no individual with any moral and ethical sense or belief in God would ever contemplate or consider. I usually read edifying stories, Christian fiction novels in which the characters follow a positive arc in their faith and relationship with God. This novel brought me on an entirely different journey, and I appreciated its unique depiction of the speculative world that is half based on our reality.

My Dislikes

Not a dislike in a strict sense, but something about the story is troubling. Who likes to be troubled after reading a novel?

It sometimes felt too real, and I meant it as a fine compliment to the author. Elements of our own reality make it so that, even though this is speculative fiction, the plot does not seem too far-fetched if you put aside the existence of Subject Alpha. If I were to expand and compare the story and reality, I would be giving away spoilers.

So read it, and you will see what I mean when I say it feels too real.

Takeaways

I enjoyed the story; it surprised me in the best of ways considering. I wish the author a long career and encourage him to pursue his calling.

I encourage you to read the novel; it is worth reading. If anything, let it open your mind to the possibilities you will read about in the book.

Alexandra’s Appeal – Hallee Bridgeman

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This novel is the third installment of the Dixon Brothers Series.

I won’t hide it, I enjoy reading Hallee Brigdeman’s Christian fiction novels. Many Christian fiction books I read mentioned God but gave little insight on living with a relationship with God or next to no examples of what it is like to follow God, to live by faith, and to love God and one’s neighbors. Too many stories string words nicely while providing little food through its content; reading the story doesn’t feed the reader anything. I  read too many stories that left no impact on my heart or on my understanding of God or on my understanding of what is godly.

In this installment, Hallee tells the story of a young Jewish woman and a Christian guy who make poor choices in a momentary lapse of judgment yet with enough maturity to deal with the consequences of their choices, and then choose God’s ways for their lives.

My likes

Jonathan and Alexandra’s story struck a chord in me on more than one occasion. I felt what the characters felt and cried and smiled with them. In a way, I think the story and the characters strike a chord in everyone because hurts and wounds—whichever means created them—find everyone.

Hallee Bridgeman delivered, once again, a beautifully written and inspiring story. If it weren’t for worrying about giving away spoilers, I would have so much more to say. All I will say is, read it. It is that good!

The most exciting part of this story is that there are gems of wisdom in it about redemption, marriage, and the Christian life. The steps in their lives are a chain of events that makes it obvious God is involved in the characters’ lives. It thrilled me to find all of this in one story.

While reading Alexandra’s Appeal, I found myself saying out loud, “Wow!” She left me flabbergasted at the gems she weaved into the story; lessons and teachings that I don’t hear in sermons. Our mess is where God meets us simply because this is where we are when we cry out to Him for help.

This book does what every Christian fiction novels should do: touch the reader; teach about the love of God, repentance, and redemption; edify (propose the right behavior according to God); remind us there is a purpose for everything (our mess, our troubles, our experiences).

Hallee chose to redeem one of her villains, likely because he was still redeemable, and used him to remind people that this is ultimately God’s will. Some are destined for salvation; they are led to it by their life’s circumstances and “wake-up calls.” God is patient so that none would perish; many are called, but they still have free will.

My dislikes

I dislike nothing about this novel, except something that bothered me because the story required it.

All stories have villains, and their presence is necessary. Hallee’s choices of villains were spot-on; I am not arguing against her choices. What bothers me is that it was not fiction. These villains are legions in our fallen world; parents without love for their children and loveless relationships are found far too frequently where love should be. That’s what bothers me.

Solid Ground – Danny and Wanda Pelfrey

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I will start by saying the mystery genre is not one I read often; I have read more suspense novels than mysteries. However, I found myself quite taken by this novel. I have watched many television shows featuring investigations, and this book brought me back to that same frame of mind, looking for clues and determining the culprit’s identity.

You will find the authors’ synopsis on Goodreads.

The book focuses mainly on Kirby, a former baseball athlete, recently promoted from policeman to investigator. The book opens on a scene featuring two people getting rid of a body, which is the event that leads Kirby on his journey. He and his sister, Riley, inherit a sizable fortune and have to go to Adairsville to deal with the estate. However, nothing is quite simple, and some events throughout the book thicken the plot.

I have to say; I did not solve the mystery before Kirby did. The story blindsided both him and me.

The “God” Element

Little communities are often tightly knit, and the church is one of those community hubs. Kirby’s father was a pastor, his uncle had a strong faith and lived his life accordingly, so Kirby and Riley are no stranger to God, but hardship drove a wedge in his relationship with God. However, he finds himself with strong church-going Christians who bring God back to his mind and heart, and these reminders lead him on solid ground with God again. I almost wrote “spoiler alert” here, but I decided the authors had given it away way before I did.

Many characters play out sinful behaviors, like gossiping, judging (without knowing or based on prejudice), or even idols (money, power, and such), allowing the characters to speak of the godly behaviors.

Overall, “Solid Ground” is an excellent reminder that faith in God is displayed by doing good to others, by forgiving, and by helping those in need.

My likes:

Solid Ground leads the reader to self-examine at times. Reading some passages brings to mind that “Oh, I do that too” conviction, not as condemnation but as awareness.

Kirby goes through some events that bring him growth and bring him closer to God.

This book is for detail lovers; they will be well served and satiated with background details. It is also a feast for the reader’s inner Sherlock Holmes. I felt I was investigating alongside Kirby.

My dislikes:

Many characters live in this novel: a roster of prominent community people and another roster of possible villains. Personally, when there are too many people to keep track of, I stick to the main character and the people close to him or her unless secondary characters stand out. I understand it was necessary; it is difficult to write a mystery novel with only five characters. I am only saying I did not pay attention to everyone.

Kirby’s character arc is well developed, but I keep wondering about Riley. I would have liked a greater arc for her character.

At times, dialogues are used to give the readers background information that would not be given in an ordinary (natural) conversation.

TAKEAWAYS

I enjoyed the story, I enjoyed the investigation it got me on, and I appreciate that godly behaviors – and reminders – are at works throughout the story. Heeding God’s words protects us from the lies we live in because Christ is king.

Well worth the read!

A Warrior’s Redemption – Guy Stanton III

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This indie and self-published author has been busy with his craft from 2013 to 2019 while he wrote and published 26 speculative fiction novels. I cannot help but wonder how many drafts of stories have been set aside and are waiting to be picked up when the time comes for them to be brought to completion. I have read most of his works, nearly 80% of them. Of them all, one story – the first one I read – stands out because it had the most effect on me.

My likes

For a first novel, I was impressed. Guy is a skilled storyteller. This review of his book (Goodreads) tells you why. I don’t think I need to say more, the reviewer nails what makes this first book give a long-lasting impression.

My dislikes

The books could use professional proofreading, but if you don’t mind typos, you will thoroughly enjoy the stories Guy tells.  This is a professional bias on my part; I have done a lot of proofreading in my daily job and grammar and typos fling themselves at me. Regardless of this, his strength is the story, without a doubt.

Blizzard in the Bluegrass – Hallee Bridgeman

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This novella is part of a Crossroad Collection and it is not Hallee’s first contribution to it. Out of six different collections, she has published stories in four of them.

In Blizzard in the Bluegrass, Gloria is a veterinarian and mother of Noah, a wonderful child with autism. Abandoned by her husband on the day the diagnosis came in and later divorced, she raises her son as a single mother with the support of her dad.

Jeff is a doctor of medicine who just moved to Charula, Kentucky to move on and heal from the loss of his wife and child a few years ago.

They meet and start seeing each other, talk about God’s work in both their lives. In a night of blizzard, God will manifest himself in their lives in a stronger way than usual.

There is much more to the story but I do not want to give it away. You will have to read it to see what happens.

The “God” Element

Both main characters speak of their faith to each other, how their difficult times strengthened their faith in God, but the story evolves mostly around Noah. He triggers the plot twists and the spurts of growth of faith. Noah is not, however, the story, and neither is autism.

Overall, Blizzard in the Bluegrass surprised me, and thrilled me. I will get to it in a minute.

My likes:

Hallee usually does not venture into the paranormal zone, but this time she brushes with it. I was utterly thrilled. I read about 10 stories from her and only once in another novel – that I recall – does she mention the Holy Spirit and a manifestation of it. This time, she succeeds in sticking to “reality” and brushing with divine manifestation.

I like hearing stories where God’s might is on display, not just someone the characters pray to and it is what Hallee does.

My dislikes:

I have a fondness for stories with depth, for what is beneath the surface, for the type of quandaries Christians go through, and there is not a lot that in this novella. It is a steady positive arc for the characters, no serious doubts, no existential questions, and no “blow-up-in-your-face” moments.

There is nothing wrong with Blizzard in the Bluegrass; it is a good story, well told, playing out the way it should. I understand the limited word count does not allow much space for depth. It is a novella, not a philosophical essay… light, entertaining, speaking of God, portraying Christ and Christian values, and morally sound and righteous.

A New Adventure: Book Reviews

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In every group I am part of, just about every author I follow on different social media channels claim reviews, word of mouth (or sharing), is what helps them spread the word about their newly released books. Not everyone can benefit from a marketing department composed of three different teams adeptly cooking up the best marketing campaign plan in contemporary history (social media campaign, a trailer, a release party or a similar event, air time (radio, television), etc.) supported by a six-figure budget.

Although this is a very modest effort in helping these authors spread the word about their literary works or new release, it is still another drop in the ocean, and the more drops there are, the bigger the impact. I leave this part of the job to God; he is far more capable than I am when it comes to carrying this drop to those who need it.

Let’s start this new adventure with one of my favorite authors, Hallee Bridgeman. She has a story coming out in an upcoming Crossroad Collection scheduled to be released in November). If not this story, I will choose another novel of hers I read in the past.

I will start with one of Hallee’s stories in November and I will publish one review a month after that.

Stay tuned.

For a sneak peek of the list of author you will be reading about, see this page: Christian Fiction Authors

Here’s Hallee’s gift (Yes! A free ebook!) to those who subscribe to her newsletter.

Let the Light Shine

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I have a few dozens of Christian fiction novels on my [virtual] shelf and I acquire new books regularly, but there are many Christian fiction authors in this world.

If you know of authors whose work inspired you in some way to get closer to God – or are an author yourself – I want to hear from you!

Romance, mystery, thriller, suspense, historical, fantasy, paranormal, speculative fiction… All genres will be considered.

Email me your suggestions! Click here.

Christian fiction book reviews. Welcome to all book suggestions, all genres included. #bookreview #Christianfiction #spreadthelight #penforchristianfiction https://bit.ly/2NrF5Vg

grape cluster before reaping

Sowing and Reaping ; Repent and Seek God

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12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy, break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness upon you.
13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity, ye have eaten the fruit of lies, because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.
14 Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be despoiled, as Shalman despoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.
15 So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness; in a morning shall the king of Israel be utterly cut off.

Hosea 10:12-15

We reap what we sow is an immutable law. In a psalm, David sings his gratefulness to God for never punishing us to the extent that we deserve. Our God is  merciful. 


How to Break Free From the Pain of Your Past

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Most of us have quite a trail of heart-wrenching moments, hardship, rough spots, downright painful experiences in our wake. Inviting Christ has our Lord and Savior does not erase our past. His blood covers our sins and we are forgiven, but the chains of our lives before Him usually tie us until we do something about it.

We carry our (emotional) baggage (our wounds, our guilt, our pain) around and doing so slows down our walk with Christ.

So can we leave behind the unnecessary baggage we haul around? YES

How?

Confess out loud what happened to you.

This is about voicing the truth. You cannot get rid of something you don’t know you have or something you deny. You need to face the truth and say it aloud. Words have power and hearing yourself speaking the truth of your past is like standing up to your enemy

You have been abused? Say it.

You have been cursed, mistreated, belittled, ignored, neglected, and/or degraded? Say it.

Confess out loud where the blame belongs

You are not to blame for what they did to you. You did not ask or beg for it, you did not deserve to suffer contrarily to what they want you to believe.

Lay the responsibility of each party where it belongs:

  • They are responsible for what they did to you. Hurting you has been their choice. Their behaviors, their hatred,  the injustice you suffered at their hands belong to them.
  • You are responsible for believing their lies, for letting it linger long enough to damage you. The lies you believe (you are not enough, you are good for nothing, you are stupid, you are worthless, you deserved it, you are faulty, you are evil, etc.) come between God and you and there is no room for lies in your relationship with God.

Confess the truth of who you are in Christ.

You are God Almighty’s beloved child. You are precious. You are chosen; He chose you. You are holy. You are made in his image and his Spirit is in you. He made you the way He wanted you for His plan. He loves you, He wants to give you the best and He wants you to receive it as the gift it is … something for good, something for his glory, something perfect in design.

God is love. There is no darkness in God; He is all light and all love and all truth: 100%.

Pray  God:

  • for the forgiveness of your sins. You have hauled around your pain perhaps because you have known nothing else, because suffering is familiar, because you believed “them” rather than God. Choosing anything else but God is a sin in His eyes. Ask him to forgive you.
    [God’s compassion is great, He wants you in a right standing with Him and the way to do it is to repent and ask for His forgiveness.]
  • for his help to forgive those who hurt you and for the forgiveness of their sins. Bless them. By refusing to forgive them, you only tighten the chains of your suffering. God commanded you to love your enemy. Forgiving them releases the hold they have on you and the hold your pain has on your life.
  • so He sets  you free from the chains you are in,  be it your pain, the lies, the curses, the soul ties or anything else.

When you stand in the truth in front of God, when you choose to trust His words to you and to obey Him (behave according to His will), miracles happen.