Book Review - 'Almost Heaven' by Chris Fabry

Chris Fabry brings a flair for description to his writings. Some might call it luck that he has such a talent. Perhaps this skill results from his experience as a radio personality and the necessity to create word pictures for his listeners. I prefer to think of it as a God-given gift that he has nurtured. Whatever the source, he employs it well in “Almost Heaven,” the third volume in the Dogwood series.

 

Like the previous books, “Dogwood” and “June Bug,” the stories revolve around life in the small town of Dogwood, West Virginia. Fabry’s protagonist, Billy Allman, has suffered loss and pain, while surviving through the bounty of the hills and kindness of neighbors. He works toward his dream of a building and operating a local Christian radio station. Unknown to Billy, his efforts come under the scrutiny of Malachi, a messenger from Heaven and chronicler of events.

Between Billy’s reminiscences and Malachi’s observations, the reader sees a life rich in spiritual meaning even as it seems impoverished by worldly standards. Familiar characters from the earlier books weave through the fabric of the story, although a first-time visitor to Dogwood won’t suffer. (It may, however, make you want to go back and read the first two books – you won’t regret acting on the impulse.)

An elegance of language adorns the book. Billy opens his story by noting “My life has been filled with my share of dirges and plainsongs.” Billy describes a period of turmoil as “…my soul hydroplaning on the back roads of memory…” (p. 299) and the glories of autumn as like an explosion in a paint factory “…and all of that paint fell on the trees…” (p. 33). The beautiful words are delightfully appropriate for a character who lives so close to nature and music. 

Malachi notes “I serve this God of details. This God of commas and exclamation points. A God of questions…” (p. 364). We see the hand of this God throughout “Almost Heaven,” from the deep faith of Billy Allman to the way God uses him to touch the people around him. 

“Almost Heaven” offers a deceptively easy reading experience. Although it delivers a well-told story, it also carries deep truth within its pages. Fabry has written another winner.

Almost Heaven by Chris Fabry

Published 2010 by Tyndale Fiction (www.tyndalefiction.com)

ISBN 978-1-4143-1957-5

Book Review-"Pursuit of Justice" by DiAnn Mills

The first chapter of DiAnn Mills’ latest release, “Pursuit of Justice,” disappointed me. I usually find myself liking her heroes or heroines from the start. Not so in this case. I found Bella Jordan a bit snippy and brittle, harsh and self-centered. I simply didn’t like her as a person.

Fortunately, Mills’ easy-to-read adventure style made it worth continuing and I came to like Bella as I learned more about her. The very qualities I found so distasteful at first turned out to be legitimate parts of a complex woman.

Jordan, an FBI agent, returns to her past physically and emotionally as she seeks to bring a murderer to justice. People from Bella’s past and some new acquaintances cross paths in a mix of mystery, detection and archaeology. A treasure reputed to exist in rural Texas leads to murder and misunderstanding. Bella has to determine who she can trust and find a way to protect those for whom she cares.

Is the villain Carr Sullivan, former bad boy businessman turned semi-recluse? Perhaps the sheriff, Darren Adams, has decided to improve his finances. Jasper and Lydia, Sullivan’s employees, could be behind the murders. Or is there someone else behind the evil in the area? Can Bella solve the murders before anyone else dies?

Mills writes about Texas with the insight of someone who knows it well. Her descriptions of the terrain bring it to life. She uses the countryside to stage her novel with the authenticity so critical to the success of a story. Her attention to detail pulls the reader into the scene.

As the third volume in Mills’ “Call of Duty” series, “Pursuit of Justice” continues a great tradition but stands alone. The earlier volumes, “Breach of Trust” and “Sworn to Protect,” looked at other branches of government and the women working in them. All three are well worth reading.

If you enjoy solving mysteries, you’ll love “Pursuit of Justice.” It provides a wild ride through tough country and a heroine full of human failings.

Book Review - 'Two Brides Too Many' by Mona Hodgson

Mona Hodgson made her mark in the realm of children’s books, delightful stories geared toward sharing uplifting messages with youngsters. With “Two Brides Too Many,” she moves into the world of adult romantic fiction. Hodgson uses all of the lessons learned on more than twenty juvenile books to bring Cripple Creek, Colorado to vibrant life.

The four Sinclair sisters live in the structured civility of Portland, Maine in the late 1800s. When their widowed father is transferred by his employer to Paris, the girls find life turned inside-out. They must leave the company-owned house in which they live. Unable to accompany their father to Paris due to the constraints the company set, they must make alternative plans.

Father has a plan. Kat and Nell will find husbands-in Colorado! They begin correspondences with their respective intended husbands and make the long trip west, only to find no one to meet them at the end of the journey. Far from home and with only each other for comfort, the girls must cope with the strange new world to which they have come.

Hodgson builds a carefully researched stage for the action of her book. History and nature provide spectacular settings for a switch on the classic “fish out of water” tale. Cripple Creek in 1896 was an untamed mining town, prone to fires and danger. 

She takes no simplistic routes as she crafts a moving and exciting story of faith, family and romance, seasoned with a strong dose of adventure. We watch two city girls grow into capable women as they face challenges and disappointments on the road to romance. The story is satisfying, with a few surprises along the way. 

One mark of a good book is that it leaves you looking forward to the author’s next work. “Too Brides Too Many” definitely hits the mark. Hodgson’s next adult book, “Too Rich for a Bride,” is scheduled for limited release in October 2010, with general release to follow in May 2011. I’ll

“Two Brides Too Many” by Mona Hodgson

Published by Waterbrook Press

ISBN 978-0-307-45890-2

Sources:

Mona Hodgson: http://www.monahodgson.com/