It began with every wife and mother’s worst nightmare. I thought, Lord, I don’t know where this is going, but it had better be good. I was teary by page five and wondering how this woman was going to be redeemed. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that started out this intense. Talk about a page turner! Right from the first chapter I was launched forward through the twists and turns that would make tragedy morph into triumph.
The back of the book is so well written that I’ll just let it draw you in too:
CHAINED TO YESTERDAY.
When tragedy struck and Gracie Lang lost everything, her faith crumbled, and nothing but the drive for justice propelled her forward. But after two years of dead-end searching, the truth Gracie seeks is the very thing her stalker will stop at nothing to hide.
FORGIVENESS UNLOCKS THE FUTURE.
An FBI agent in the Crimes Against Children Unit, Steven Kessler spends his days rescuing other people’s children and nights caring for his son. He’s through with God, embittered by his ex-wife who abandoned them both, and definitely doesn’t expect what’s coming next.
THE PAST IS THE KEY.
A plot to kidnap a British ambassador’s daughter dangerously intersects Steven and Gracie’s worlds – a collision that demands a decision. But are they willing to pay the high price required to redeem dreams and reignite hope?
I had a hard time putting this book down. I’m new to the Romantic Suspense genre, so I didn’t know what to expect when I agreed to join Amy’s blog tour. What a way to be broken into this particular area of Christian Fiction! Amy’s characters are rich and believable and there’s nothing cheesy about this story. I found myself cheering them on and as they took steps on their journeys of Faith, I saw my own steps towards understanding how and why God works the way He does. As they learned the hard lessons, sometimes very painful ones, I cringed and sunk down lower in my chair feeling the weight of their hearts. As the beautiful gestures of family and love were displayed for the reader (me) I was drawn into the importance of the roles our families play in our lives, both the challenging and uplifting. Sometimes we’re the giver and sometimes we’re the receiver of such gestures.
The well-crafted mystery the characters are intimately woven into keeps you guessing. I didn’t have everything figured out by the end of the third chapter, and the little surprises along the way were entertaining and sometimes shocking. Amy is amazing at pulling you into experiencing the emotions and life dramas the characters are working through.
I loved that Amy included a reader’s guide to encourage further exploration into the Truths (Capital T) God has for each of us. Gracie and Steven had the same struggles I’ve had – and I know you’ve had them as well. Things like feeling helpless and trying to prove we’re not powerless, and believing the lie that we’re not good enough. But the most common question and struggle – one that is asked every day by many believers and unbelievers alike – is WHY? Why does God allow bad things to happen even when people pray? While she readily admits sometimes we won’t find or understand the answers to our “why” questions, Amy does an incredible job of weaving a tale of hope and forgiveness that will send you to your knees to talk to the only One who knows and can answer ALL of your deepest questions.
I’m excited to announce that this is book 1 of the Defenders of Hope series and yet sad to tell you that Amy’s second book is not due in stores until April of 2008! If you’re interested in reading more about Amy and her passion for writing and sharing hope with others, I encourage you to check out her website at http://www.amywallace.com/
Every day these FBI agents work cases that constitute a mother’s nightmare. The hardest cases evoke haunting questions. What is justice? What part does faith play? And the hardest question of all… why? Dig deeper into these FBI agents’ adventures and learn the story behind their stories at www.defendersofhope.com
Niki,
This was a beautiful review! Thank you so much for sharing your first foray into romantic suspense with me. I’m honored and very encouraged by your kind words.
This awesome statement is my prayer for every reader. Thank you for wording it so well: “…weaving a tale of hope and forgiveness that will send you to your knees to talk to the only One who knows and can answer ALL of your deepest questions.”
Thank you, Niki, for a wonderful stop on the RD blog tour. I’m SO glad you were a part!
LikeLike
Wow! Sounds very intriguing. I personally love romantic suspence, especially by Christian authors, so I’m glad I now have another name to look up. And you know how fast I read, so maybe I’ll finish the first one by the time the second one comes out!
LikeLike
Wow! You did a great review. I too look up christian authors. I’ll have to look up Amy Wallace. Did she write other books as well, or is this her first? I am definately interested!
LikeLike
What a well written review, Niki. I’m so impressed with you AND Amy’s debut novel. :o)
Love you!
LikeLike
Tawnya and Vickie ~ Thanks for looking up this new author! It’s my prayer Ransomed Dreams will be a wonderful read that draws you both even closer to Christ.
Ransomed Dreams is my first full length novel. I’ve also been blessed to be a part of a Chicken Soup anthology as well as A Cup of Comfort and two God Allows U-Turns books.
Thanks so much for your interest!
Paula~ Much love, my friend! Thank you again.
LikeLike