Immanuel's Veins

I have always been a big fan of Tedd Dekker.  I've read just about every book he's published, and his imagination and ability to throw in a twist you just don't see coming never ceases to amaze me.  Immanuel's Veins is no different.  This book grabs your attention right off the bat.  The story is set in Moldavia in a time of turmoil.  The main character, Toma, is sent by the Catherine, Empress of Russia, to protect a woman and her twin daughters from any threat that may come their way.  The story unfolds in a way I never could have predicted.  I found myself so heavily involved in the character's lives that I could not put it down.  As a mom of two small kiddos and a middle school teacher to boot, I was shocked that I read it cover to cover in only three days.  By the end of the book I was crying and begging my husband to immediately start reading the story.  My only word of caution:  I would strongly recommend this book to any adult in the world, but it might be a little too much for younger audiences.  If your preteen is interested in reading the book, I'd suggest reading it first, just so you know the story so you can answer any questions they might have afterwards.  It is a story of the struggle between good and evil, told as only Ted Dekker can.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review blogger's program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

P.S.  Thomas Nelson (publisher) has already sent me a free t-shirt as a "thank you" for reviewing the book, and they will send one to ONE lucky commenter! I know there are lots of Ted Dekker fans out there, so make yourself known!!  Good luck!

The Falling Away

As an avid reader, I love picking up new and interesting titles and passing along recommendations when I find a good one.  This book is no exception.  When I first picked it up, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but I was immediately hooked.  T.L. Hines does a fabulous job of taking these characters and turning them into old friends you miss when their story is done.
The Falling Away is about very real, very imperfect people.  Dylan Runs Ahead is a Native American who is running from his past.  After his sister disappears he joins the army and gets shipped off to Iraq as part of the EOD - a team that destroys explosive devices.  After his good friend is killed, and he is injured, in an explosion,  Dylan becomes addicted to painkillers and ends up so desperate for his next fix that he gets mixed up in being a drug mule.  When things go wrong, he runs away again.  Little does he know that he is Chosen.  There are people watching him, following him, trying to protect him from the evil that pursues him as a Chosen.
Quinn, a young girl who spent four years homeless and living day to day on the streets, is an "embedder."  She started dealing with the stress of her situation by cutting herself.  Eventually that wasn't enough, and she began to embed objects in her flesh. Though she certainly has her own demons to deal with, she also knows the love of God and is among the people watching Dylan.
The circumstances that bring these two people, both of whom have psychological and spiritual demons to overcome, together is dramatic and suspenseful.  I was hooked the minute I picked up the book, and couldn't bear to put it down until I finally reached the last page.  This is a story of spiritual warfare, guilt and hopelessness, that eventually turns into a story of redemption.  The message of God's love is present, but not overbearing.  If you are looking for a good work of Christian fiction, I highly recommend this author and especially this book.

Discolsure of Material Connection:  I received this book free from the publisher through the Booksneeze book review bloggers program.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."