‘My Foolish Heart: A Deep Haven Novel’ by Susan May Warren – Book Review

One of my favorite authors since I have been reviewing books is Susan May Warren. I have never been disappointed in any of the many novels of hers that I have read. Her latest, ‘My Foolish Heart’ can be added to that satisfaction pile!

Here is the synopsis of this novel:

When it comes to love, sometimes you have to be a little foolish. Unknown to her quaint town of Deep Haven, Isadora Presley spends her nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the star host of a syndicated talk radio show. Millions tune in to hear her advice on dating and falling in love, unaware that she’s never really done either. Issy’s ratings soar when it seems she’s falling in love on-air with a caller. A caller she doesn’t realize lives right next door.

Caleb Knight served a tour of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity, so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from My Foolish Heart, the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast. 

Before he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host—and more confused than ever. Is his perfect love the woman on the radio . . . or the one next door?

Here is the biography of this author:

Susan May Warren is the RITA Award-winning, best-selling author of more than thirty novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and four books have been Christy finalists. Her novels have compelling plots and unforgettable characters that have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. Susan holds a BA in mass communications from the University of Minnesota. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia with her family, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church. She now writes full-time and cheers on her two sons in football and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!) as her husband runs a lodge on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, where many of her books are set. She and her family enjoy hiking and canoeing.

Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook From the Inside-Out: Discover, Create and Publish the Novel in You! She is also the founder of the My Book Therapy website, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.

One of my favorite aspects of Susan’s writing is the deep faith exhibited by most of her characters. Even if they have questions about their faith, they usually come back to the Lord. Many of the books that are considered to be ‘Christian’ don’t get around to bringing up the subject until deep into the storyline, and then it is very thin or peripheral. That is not what I have found in Ms. Warren’s work. And I appreciate that! They are not overly preachy; but they all exalt and lift up the Lord!

Being a fellow Midwesterner who is closer to the Canadian border than the Mexican border, I could really relate to the lifestyle of these characters, which are in Northern Minnesota. I am also familiar with the intense rivalry that is prevalent up there. Here is a fun exchange between newcomer Caleb Knight and Pastor Dan:

        ….”I grew up in the church.”

        “Where was that, Caleb?”…

“Little town on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin called Preston. It’s a farming community. My father ran a hardware store.”

“So were you a Packers or Vikings fan?” Dan asked.

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up,” Caleb said, quoting Vince Lombardi, the Green Bay Packers’ legendary coach.

Dan shook his head. “Well, we’re going to have to keep it friendly when the Packers play the Vikings.” (p. 81)

Football plays a really important role in this novel, needless to say! Fortunately, I am a football fan, so that enhanced my enjoyment of this book. I loved the comparison Caleb makes between football and life:

         

“I’m serious. Life is football. It’s pushing ahead, and maybe you make yardage or maybe you don’t, but you get knocked down all the same. And right then, you have the choice to get back up. If you have enough people cheering for you, and enough heart, you push to your feet and get back in the huddle and go another round. Life is football.”

“Sometimes, though, players get hit so hard they’re slow to get up. And then they’re afraid of getting hit again. Afraid of really throwing themselves into the game.”

….”What do you tell these players, coach?”…

“I tell them to shake it off. And then I tell them to get out there and give it back. Don’t let them beat you. You’ll never feel good if you don’t play with all your heart.” (p. 200)  

Being a big strong football player, Caleb dealt with an issue that all of us can struggle with – pride. Pastor Dan imparts some Godly wisdom to his friend:

        “I have accepted grace--”

“But have you let Jesus wash your feet here? Or is your pride saying, ‘God, You’ve done enough. Don’t wash me’?”

Caleb drew in a breath. “It just seems weak. I can’t go through life constantly needing God.”

“Why not? That’s the point, I think. God says, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Dan turned the heat down. “God is glorified not in your strengths and not in your gratefulness, but in your weaknesses and in your trust in His future grace. In your faith that God didn’t let you down in the past…and He’s not going to let you down in the future.” (p. 236)

I was touched by the heart of the author that was shared at the back of the book in ‘A Note from the Author’:

         

In every book I look for that profound moment from the Lord to show me how He wants to change me through the writing of it. That moment came when I wrote, God loved most foolishly. He came into the dark world to rescue people who might never love Him back. I stared at that line for so long I almost deleted it. It felt blasphemous. God is not foolish. But He is love. Big, overwhelming, incongruous love that looks foolish. A love that, even now, doesn’t seem wise. I mean, really, has He taken a look at the people He loves recently? What a mess they are! (And I’m not looking at anyone but myself when I say that!)

But see, that’s the amazing part. His love is perfect. Not messy. Not uneven. Consistent. Overwhelming. Freeing.

Life-changing.

And he offers it to us, no strings attached.

May you have a foolish heart for Christ, just as He has for you. (p. 357)

         

I have reviewed several of Ms. Warren’s novels on my blog: Double Trouble (you can read my review here), Licensed for Trouble (you can read my review here) Sons of Thunder (you can read my review here), and Nightingale (you can read my review here). Ms. Warren is a prolific and talented writer. She can write expertly and well in many different genres – historical fiction, comical suspense, etc… This book falls into the category of Romance, and she handles this genre very well also. She is one of the most talented writers that I have read, and I know that whenever a book from her computer crosses my path, I will be entertained and enlightened. It has happened again with ‘My Foolish Heart’!

You can read an excerpt from this novel here.

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Tyndale Fiction. I am pleased to be part of the LitFuse book tour with these other bloggers.

‘Pursuit of Justice’ by DiAnn Mills – Book Review

One of my favorite book genres is Christian Suspense. An offshoot of that genre is Christian Romantic Suspense. The latest book I’ve read, ‘Pursuit of Justice’ by DiAnn Mills falls into that category.

Here is the synopsis of this novel:

For centuries, the legend of the Spider Rock Treasure has lured people to West Texas with promises of unimaginable wealth. And it just claimed three more victims.

Did they fall prey to the legend’s curse or just get too close to someone else’s discovery? To investigate the murders, the FBI calls in one of its most promising up-and-comers-Special Agent Bella Jordan. What they don’t know is that one of their prime suspects is deeply connected to the past she’s been running from for fourteen years.

As Bella begins to sift through evidence, another murder and threats on her own life convince her she’s hunting an experienced killer…and he’s not working alone. To catch the suspect before he catches her, Bella must draw on all her skills and instincts and gather the courage to face the memories she’s managed so hard to forget.

Here is the biography of this author:

Award-winning author DiAnn Mills is a fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable characters to create action-packed novels. DiAnn’s first book was published in 1998. She currently has more than fifty books in print, including three books in the ‘Call of Duty’ series, Sworn to Protect, Breach of Trust and Pursuit of Justice. There are more than one and a half million copies of her books in print.

Six of her books have appeared on the CBA best-seller list. Six of her books have either won or placed in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year contest, and she is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005 and 2007. She was a Christy Award finalist for Lightning and Lace in 2008 and for Breach of Trust in 2010.

DiAnn is a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive; Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love chapter; and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also the Craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild.

Her latest releases are A Woman Called Sage and Sworn to Protect.  

DiAnn lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband.

Here is the trailer for this interesting novel:

I was impressed with how far Bella Jordan made it in life considering the many obstacles she had to overcome from her early years. I was even more impressed when she made one of the most important decisions one can make in life (you will have to read the book to find out which decision she made!). I was encouraged to see how much she’d grown as a person from the beginning of the book to the end. And I was highly satisfied with the ending.

It was interesting to read a book set in West Texas (near Ballinger, Texas in Runnels County), a locale that is so different from southeastern Michigan/Metro Detroit, where I live. Ms. Mills certainly painted a beautiful portrait of the scenery. Here is Bella describing a sunrise:

Bella gasped, and he [Carr] followed her gaze to the eastern sky. “If I did see a sunrise this beautiful, I don’t remember it. It’s as if a huge bonfire has ignited the sky.” (p. 194)

The Spider Rock Treasure angle of the book was interesting; I had never heard of that legend. I love reading novels that incorporate truths into them; it is nice to learn somewhere when reading non-fiction, and not just being entertained! Here is Ms. Mills explaining how she learned of it:

A few years ago, while visiting a friend in West Texas, I was told about the legend of the Spider Rock treasure. My friend even knew people who continued to look for the lost Spanish gold. Immediately I became interested, not to embark upon a digging expedition but to write a contemporary story about this legend. I snatched up every article and book I could find about Spider Rock, and I began interviewing treasure hunters and dreaming about a romantic suspense novel that used this information.

I made a second trip to West Texas for the sole purpose of setting the stage for my story and visiting sites mentioned in the Spider Rock research. What fun! I lived Belle’s life vicariously while my mind spun with possibilities. (p. 369)

I liked this book. It kept me turning the pages to discover who was wreaking havoc in so many lives. There were some twists and turns, but not so many that I lost interest or track of the plot. It would make a great book to take with on vacation or a day trip to the beach.

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Tyndale Fiction and provided by them for review purposes.

‘Almost Heaven’ by Chris Fabry – Book Review

I had my first encounter with Chris Fabry by reading his latest book, ‘Almost Heaven.’ Based on my enjoyment of this wonderful book, I will be seeking out his other books as well as his radio program!

Here is the synopsis of this book:

“I suppose you can sum up a man’s life with a few words, but I need to put this story down to fill in the missing pieces. Or perhaps I can convince the people who know me as a hermit that there was some reason for it all. But this is not really for those outside looking in. This is for me.”

Some people say Billy Allman has a heart of gold. Others say he’s a bit odd. The truth is, they’re all right. He’s a hillbilly genius – a collector, a radio whiz – and he can make a mandolin sing. Though he dreams of making an impact on the world beyond the hills and hollers of Dogwood, West Virginia, things just always seem to go wrong.

But however insignificant Billy’s life seems, it has not gone unnoticed. Malachi is an angel sent to observe and protect Billy. Though it’s not his dream assignment, Malachi always follows orders. And as Billy’s story unfolds, Malachi slowly begins to see the bigger picture – that each step Billy takes is a note added to a beautiful song that will forever change the lives of those who hear it.

Here is the biography of this author:

Chris Fabry is a Christy Award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live! on Moody Radio; he is also heard on Love Worth Finding and Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman. He is a 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and a native of West Virginia (where Almost Heaven is based). He is the author of 70 books for children and young adults, including Dogwood and June Bug. Chris and his wife, Andrea, are the parents of nine children and live in Arizona.

Here is the trailer for this wonderful book, featuring Mr. Fabry:

I was amazed and captivated by Mr. Fabry’s writing style. Here is a great example. The book is written from Billy Allman’s point of view. It is not only a perfect example of great writing, but also a wonderful glimpse into the mindset of this wonderful character:

I believe every life has hidden songs that hang by twin threads of music and memory. I believe in the songs that have never been played for another soul. I believe they run between the rocks and along the bedcreeks of our lives. These are songs that cannot be heard by anything but the soul. They sometimes run dry or spill over the banks until we find ourselves wading through them.

My life has been filled with my share of dirges and plainsongs. I would sing jaunty melodies of cotton candy and ice cream if I could, a top-40 three-minute-and-twenty-second tune, but the songs that have been given to me are played in A minor and are plagued with pauses and riffs that have no clear resolution. I ache for some major chord, a tonal shift that brings musical contentment. I do not know if I will find that.

Throughout my life I have dedicated myself to God. I told him early on that I would go anywhere and do anything he wanted. No holding back. But as time slipped and the conversation has become more one-sided, that plan has appeared haphazard at best. God has been massively indifferent to my devotion, if he has even heard my cries. (pp. 3-4)

I also loved the guardian angel aspect of this book. Malachi was assigned the task of caring for Billy. It was interesting to see his perspective of the human condition:

Time hinders the humans because their lives are lived on two slopes. Their early lives consist of the upward climb to what they are trying to attain. They press on through education and strive to reach the point where they feel satisfied, where they have “enough,” always just beyond their grasp. They neglect what they say is important and strive for sand that so easily slips through their fingers. (p. 51)

It was interesting to see Malachi’s view of Billy’s life, as his perspective was interspersed throughout the book.

Amazingly, Malachi was assigned to another strong man of God centuries before (one of my favorite people in history):

“Yes! Saul of Tarsus, who later became Paul. Being sent to him meant that I missed much of the earthy life and ministry of our Lord. I longed to observe the life of Christ, but there I was, watching this young Jewish boy at his lessons day after day, protecting him from an errant horse-drawn cart while the whole world was turned upside down. I could see no rhyme or reason in this assignment.

“And then, after the Death and Resurrection – I only heard of these things: I didn’t see them firsthand as you probably did – my charge became vehement in his opposition to those who followed the Way. I had been protecting someone who was actually against the very One I had sworn myself to serve. It made less than no sense but I was stuck.” (p. 79)

I loved Billy’s description of music:

Music has a way of filling in the missing places. It is a gift from God, who didn’t have to provide it, but he did it anyway and I half think he decided life just wouldn’t be as good without it. Even if you’re penniless and on the street and have nothing at all, or if you’re shut-in and on a sickbed, or if you’re in prison, if you have music, there is something to feed your soul. I guess that’s the reason I started the station in the first place. I could stop playing my music, but there was a need deep down for something real I didn’t even understand. So in a way, I started the station to feed myself, for selfish reasons, and it’s blessed others along the way. (p. 326)

I loved the advice he gave his young charge, Natalie, to whom he gave a weekly radio program on his radio station:

…”If you lean on your own strength and understanding, you’ll spin your wheels. If you let God use the things he’s given you, and also use the things you feel weak in, your life will be an amazing song sung to him every day.” (p. 329)

Those are some strong words of wisdom – and the earlier you grasp that truth, the better your life will be!

This was one of my favorite books! Billy Allman, was stellar in his character; his integrity was impeccable and beyond reproach. I kept rooting for him throughout the novel. Billy reminded me a lot of a friend of mine who has chosen to live a life of solitude. I was glad to see that Billy decided not to live that type of life as the story unfolded.

This book kept me up far too late into the wee hours of the morning! I was so captivated by Billy and his story that I wanted to keep reading to see where the Lord was going to take him. And it was very clear that the Lord was guiding him; He was in constant communication with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I highly recommend this sweet and uplifting novel! Although Billy had his ups and downs in life, he was always strong and courageous in his life, which was a powerful witness to the Lord.

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Tyndale Fiction and was provided by them for review purposes.

‘Bound by Guilt’ by C.J. Darlington – Book Review

One of the joys of reviewing books is being able to follow the journey of a new author. C.J. Darlington’s second novel, ‘Bound by Guilt,’ has just been released; I also had the pleasure to read her first novel, ‘Thicker Than Blood.’

Here is the synopsis of ‘Bound by Guilt’:

Roxi Gold is a throwaway, shuttled from one foster home to another for most of her life. She longs for a family and will do anything to fit in – even if it’s against the law. Soon she’s traveling the country stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores, until a first edition of The Great Gatsby catches up with her.

Police officer Abby Dawson has seen the worst of society, and not just at work. The job she once loved has become a chore, the world isn’t any safer, and there’s no joy in her life. One fateful night a man’s innocent blood changed both Roxi’s and Abby’s lives forever. One searches for justice; the other finds herself on the run. Will the power of forgiveness set them free, or will they both remain bound by guilt?

Here is the biography of this talented young author:

C.J. Darlington began writing the story that would become her first novel, Thicker Than Blood, when she was a fifteen-year-old homeschool student. Later it won the 2008 Jerry B. Jenkins Christians Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over twelve years, scouting for stores similar to the ones described in the Thicker Than Blood series before cofounding her own online bookstore. In 2006, C.J. started the Christian entertainment Web site www.TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. A home school graduate, she maker her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats.

And here is the book trailer for this wonderfully well-written sophomore novel; it is a very compelling trailer!:

As was the case with ‘Thicker Than Blood,’ Miss Darlington writes with the skills of a veteran author. Her characters are fully fleshed out, and she interweaves multiple storylines with flourish! I had a great deal of empathy for many of the characters (although not all; the character of Irene requires a lot of grace…).

It was interesting to learn about the antiquarian book business in this novel (as is also covered in ‘Thicker Than Blood’). The reader learns a lot about the first edition of ‘The Great Gatsby,’ the classic from F. Scott Fitzgerald:

“I had to do a little research, but first editions of The Great Gatsby are extremely rare. And with the dust jacket….” He leaned forward. “We’re talking at least twenty-five grand, possibly thirty or forty.” (p. 294)

The subject of faith – and the lack thereof, as well – is discussed throughout the pages of this book. Here is Abby reflecting on her own beliefs:

Stopping for a moment, Abby lifted her eyes to the starry sky. Someone who created all this…why would He care what went on down here? She took a deep breath, turned in a complete circle, and took in the whole sky. Faith in God was something she’d abandoned a long time ago. God had probably given up on her by now too. (p. 253)

In contrast, there are many characters in this book that have deep faith in Christ, and they share His love and grace with everyone in their path.

In ‘A Note from the Author,’ CJ. shares her heart for lost teens:

Something else I didn’t make up is Roxi’s broken heart and her search for love. It saddens me that so many teens today find themselves in her situation. If you take away one thing from Bound by Guilt, may it be the challenge to look past outward appearances and reach out to a hurting teen in your life. Teenagers, even those with tattoos and nose rings, need people like you and me to love them for who they are. I hope we can be Jesus’ hands and feet and love this generation unconditionally. (p. 384)

I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing C.J.’s first novel, ‘Thicker Than Blood’ last year on my blog; it was one of the first book I reviewed (you can read the review here).  As I mentioned in that review, I loved that book, and I was looking forward to ‘Bound by Guilt’ to see where the relationship between Christie and her younger sister, May. Although May and Christie are both in this novel, their relationship is not fully explored. It is clear they have gotten to spend more time with each other and know each other better since the events of ‘Thicker Than Blood;’ their relationship was more peripheral to the main storylines in ‘Bound by Guilt.’

C.J. writes with so much skill. There is some suspense involved in these storylines, and she keeps me turning the pages to learn what happens next. I am not sure what the next book will be in the series, but I look forward to learning more about all of these characters. Ok – maybe not Irene (unless the Lord grabs her and regenerates her life, as He is very experience in doing!).

You can order this book here.

This book was published by Tyndale Fiction. The author generously provided a copy of this book for review purposes; I am pleased to be part of the ‘Bound by Guilt’ blog tour with these other bloggers.