Baby Gerald looked at another of the Underground Railroad statues (and apologizes for the streaky picture ... It wouldn't pull in properly,)
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“Peter had the slightest feeling, like the itch of a loose thread, that God knew him deeply and, what’s more, that he himself had once known God the same way. There had been a relationship between him and the Almighty, but somewhere along the line, Peter had forgotten. Strangely, he had the sense that it had been taken from him, that he had been ripped from God’s presence. Or at least been blinded to it.” Once again Mike Dellosso delivers an action-packed, heart-thumping, amazing tale with his latest novel, “Centralia,” one that leaves the reader guessing right until the very end. Peter Ryan can’t shake two things — a recurring dream where he finds himself in a house with a locked door that he cannot access, and the fact that he truly believes his wife and daughter, who were killed in a car accident, are not really dead. When several trained assassins show up at his house and, even more shockingly he knows how to combat them, Peter knows something is not quite right. Meanwhile a girl and her mother are being held captive in a secret location. Even though tests are being conducted on the girl, she has a deep faith in God, knowing that Jesus is right beside her keeping her safe. What follows is an incredible story full of twists and turns. Peter must learn the truth about his past and his true identity — including why he can’t remember most of his life — and learn in whom he can trust. Disclaimer, “Centralia” is at times quite bloody and violent, but it is jam-packed with action as Peter finds himself again and again trying to find out the truth of his life — who is he? which memories are real and which are contrived? are his wife and daughter still alive, and if so where are they? whom can he trust? which truths are the real truths? and how can he get through the locked door of his dreams? Peter finds himself on a quest for not only these truths but also for God. Dellosso’s novel makes the reader evaluate their own identities — where do we find our truth, safety, comfort, peace, hope and trust. On a lighter note, one of my favorite scenes takes place at a dumpy nowhere-near-the-ocean Oceanview Motel — with Peter making a bit of a “Psycho” reference. Dellosso always provides a great, stunning read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and I guarantee you “Centralia” will keep you guessing until the very end. Tyndale House Publishers provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review. Five stars out of five. Baby Gerald would like to wish you a very Happy Memorial Day, and offer thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms.
“No one can change another person. That’s up to the individual and God.” Amanda Cabot brings a lovely romantic tale with great life lessons in her second installment of the Texas Crossroads series, “In Firefly Valley.” Marisa St. George has returned home to Dupree, Texas, to work as the business manager at the Rainbow’s End resort. She has a bigger problem than giving up her big city dreams though. Marisa has still not learned how to get past the anger and resentment toward her father. You see, Eric St. George was an alcoholic (“the town drunk”) who missed out on much of Marisa’s childhood, and then abandoned her and her mother eight years ago. They don’t even know if Eric is still alive. And for that, Marisa cannot forgive him. Blake Kendall, who is secretly a bestselling author, comes to Rainbow’s End to escape his writer’s block and move past the issues of anger and disappointment from his life. As the two quickly fall in love, and several trying circumstances come into their lives, Marisa especially must learn that she is feeling bitter and angry at both her earthly father, Eric, and her heavenly father, and that she must rely on God to get past it. “In Firefly Valley” deals with deep emotions and topics like betrayal, abandonment, anger, trust, forgiveness, and having false hope versus believing that God can work a miracle in every situation. Cabot portrays her characters as very real and very flawed. It’s incredible how long Marisa holds on to her anger toward both her father and Blake, but if we’re all honest, wouldn’t we be exactly the same? We all like to hold a grudge for as long as possible. Readers will also fall in love with other characters, like her mother, Carmen, cook extraordinaire; Greg and Kate, owners of Rainbow’s End; and Marisa’s best friend, Lauren, who is a widow and mom to 7-year-old feisty, mismatched-sock-wearing Fiona. “In Firefly Valley” does an excellent job of making us think about the hold anger and betrayal can have in our lives and reminds us of that old expression: “Let go, and let God.” Even though this is the second book, you can definitely read it as a standalone. I look forward to reading the story of Gillian, Kate’s pianist friend who suffers a crushing accident, in the next installment out Spring 2016. Five stars out of five. Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review. “In Firefly Valley” (Texas Crossroads series, #2) by Amanda Cabot |
AuthorWife of Barkley. "Mom" of 2 cats - Bronte & Tiki. Mom to three beautiful African children I sponsor through Compassion International. Christian. Lover of books and all travel Disney! Archives
March 2020
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