Today's Blessing Ministry

From Dell's Desk

My book reviews can be found at the following website:

www.athomewithchristianfiction.com

Dell

By the way,  if you have a prayer request, or a comment, you can leave it at the "Contacts" page, too.

(c) 2012 Dell Smith Klein

Title of Book: DARK LIAISON

Author: D.I. Telbat

ASIN: B005V257FK

© 2011 Telbat’s Tablet. All Rights Reserved

ABOUT THE BOOK

It is an age of prophetic strife when spiritual darkness collides with servants of the Cross. Christians worldwide are persecuted on a heightened level, and while no safety seems to exist, one man steps forward to lend a hand to the defenseless laborers.

Corban Dowler is an old-school spy. Six years ago, he accepted Christ's gift of salvation and then resigned from the morally compromising C.I.A. As Corban desires to fulfill God's Great Commission, he builds an organization called the Commission of International Laborers, (COIL), where he devotes his skills and resources to assist persecuted or kidnapped Christian servants in the most dangerous environments worldwide.

These covert multiethnic teams are ex-military or ex-CIA, and all believers in Christ.

Satan is every bit the adversary as he operates through his demonic workers of iniquity. They are set on claiming the lives of the righteous that stand for Truth. While COIL is working tirelessly to rescue Christians in need, Satan's followers are placing roadblocks, destroying, and kidnapping believers in Christ to thwart the efforts of COIL. The operatives find themselves prey to the very wickedness that they are committed to fight, and a battle between good and evil emerges.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

According to information included with the book, D.I. Telbat has short stories that can be read in Words Magazine, The Storyteller, Breath and Shadow, and other print and online publications. One short story collection, Deadly Ink 2010 Short Story Collection, is available on Amazon.  D.I. Telbat lives in California, but he keeps his home-base in Montana, where his assistant, Dee, lives.  You can read more about D.I. Telbat and his work at http://ditebat.com.

REVIEWER’S COMMENTS

I’ve always enjoyed a good suspense and D.I. Telbat’s DARK LIAISON was a good read.  I found myself pulling my Kindle I stood in lines at Wal-Mart and at the grocery store, and read while having breakfast a couple of time.

 On the surface, Commission of International Laborers (COIL),the organization Corban Dowler heads provides Bibles, hymnals, and medical supplies to missionaries around the world. Below the surface, however, the organization led rescues of persecuted Christians.

Most of the time, Telbat gave us believable characters. There was one character I kept my eye on. I hoped he would end up being on the side of right, but couldn’t be positive.  I liked Memphis Nelson and hope he shows up in other  books of the series. And there was Chloe – not only beautiful, but genuinely capable.  And, of course, Corban Dowler stood so strong because he followed God’s plan, not his own.

T.I. Telbat’s assistant, Dee, asked me to review this book.  I’m glad she did. I enjoyed reading it.

The author did a good job of bringing to light religious persecution that is going on.  Did I like DARK LIAISON?  Yes.  If you like mystery and suspense peopled by interesting characters, you’ll like DARK LIAISON.

Here are a couple of websites you might find interesting:  www.persecution.com  and www.samaritanspurse.org. 

One more thing:  Book 2 of the COIL series will be out in 2012.  If you’d like to sign up to receive notification when it comes out, go to http://ditelbat.com.

Reviewer:  Dell Smith Klein



Book Review

Title of Book: River’s Song
Author: Melody Carlson
ISBN 978-1-4267-1226-1
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Publication Date: 2011
Reviewer: Dell Smith Klein

ABOUT THE BOOK
Following her mother’s funeral, and on the verge of her own midlife crisis, Widow Anna Larson returns to the home of her youth to sort out her parent’s belongings, as well as her own turbulent life. For the first time since childhood, Anna embraces her native heritage despite the disdain of her vicious mother-in-law. By transforming her old family home on the banks of Oregon’s Siuslaw River into The Inn at Shining Waters, Anna hopes to create a place of healing—a place where guests experience peace, grace, and new beginning. Starting with her own family….

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Melody Carlson, an award-winning author of more than 200 books, is the author of River’s Song.  Melody Carlson is also the author of the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. Melody Carlson has three books worth mentioning here: Double Take, Homeward, and Christmas Shopp.  Check your hometown book store, or Amazon. By the way, River’s Song is available for e-readers.  Melody Carlson and her husband live in Oregon. For more about Melody Carlson, go to her website: www.melodycarlson.com

REVIEWER’S COMMENTS
River’s Song by Melody Carlson, is set in Oregon following “The War.”  Widow Anna Larson changes from a fearful, troubled servant of her mother-in-law, into a self-assured business woman.  Her journey to freedom and healing began when she returned to her childhood home on the banks of the Siuslaw River, following her mother’s death. In town, she leaves behind an angry mother-in-law and a spoiled daughter, though she longs to have her daughter with her. Through the help of Hazel, who is working on her college thesis, Babette, her mother’s friend, and Clark, Anna begins to recognize the potential of turning her family home into an inn, The Inn at Shining Waters, that could help her make a living there on the river, so she would never have to go back to the home of her vicious mother-in-law.

I was uncomfortable with the hateful words spewing from the mother-in-law.  Her use of “squaw” and “Indian,” in such a contemptuous way almost made me put the book down. Native Americans, and those who still call themselves Indian, would be terribly offended by the repeated use of those words in that manner. 

This book is not overly religious. However the reader will see prayer, a Christian lifestyle, and wholesomeness. And they’ll see Anna work through forgiveness of someone who certainly doesn’t deserve forgiveness.

 I won’t have any trouble recommending River’s Song.  If you’re looking for a book to while-away a few hours, this is the book.  River’s Song - by Melody Carlson.

 * * *

Title of Book: Under a Desert Sky    

 Author: DiAnn Mills                                                

ISBN 978-1-60936-138-9           

Publisher: Summerside

Publication Date: 2011

Reviewer: Dell Smith Klein

ABOUT THE BOOK

In 1935, socialite Eva Fortier witnesses her grandfather's murder and must flee New York to ensure her safety. Leaving behind a life of wealth, she seeks refuge in the secluded high desert area of Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.

Navajo doctor Tahoma Benally has his hands full caring for his people's medical needs. He certainly doesn't have time to fall in love. But when Tahoma's father asks him to help fulfill a vow he'd made to Eva's father, Tahoma has no choice but to oblige his father's request. In the process he finds himself drawn to the woman he's promised to protect.

With an elusive killer stalking Eva, and barriers of race and culture standing between her and Tahoma, does love stand a chance of blooming in the desert?         

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DiAnn Mills, author of Under a Desert Sky, has more than 50 books that have sold more than 1.5 million copies. Her books have won five ACFW Carol Awards, one Christy Award, and three Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards.  Two other books worth mentioning are: A Woman Named Sage and In Persuit of Justice. Mills and her husband live in Texas.   

REVIEWER’S COMMENTS

DiAnn Mills has a way of combining adventure with characters so real you feel you might like to sit down and chat with them.

Under a Desert Sky is set in Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Mill's has captured the character and thought of the Dine -- Navajo people. 

This was my first look at Mill's books, but after reading Under a Desert Sky, I went in search of other books by this author. I haven't been disappointed.  I recommend it.

-all- 

Amish Books

 Right now books about the Amish are riding the crest of the popularity wave.

Here are a few you might enjoy reading:

Plain Jayne by Hillary Manton Lodge

Plain Perfect by Beth Wiseman

A Widow's Hope by Mary Ellis

Rebecca's Promise by Jerry S. Eicher

Where Grace Abides by B.J. Hoff

You won't be disappointed reading any of these. 

Here are a few more:

Rebecca's Return by Jerry S. Eicher

Rebecca's Choice by Jerry S. Eicher

 A Stranger's Wish by Gayle Roper

The Preacher's Daughter,  Beverly Lewis

If you are interested in Amish books, you might be interested in the following website:

http://www.amishliving.com 

You'll find new books, recipes, and interesting people who enjoy talking about the Amish and their lifestyle.

Once again, if you have questions, or want to contact the Klein's to invite them to speak at your church or writer's conference, please go to our Contact Page and send the message. 

We look forward to hearing from you.

___________________________________________

 Not an Amish Book!  But one you'll enjoy reading.

Title: TSI: The Influenza Bomb

Author: Paul McClusker and Walt Larimore MD

ISBN: 978-1-4165-6975-6

Publisher: Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Publication Date: June 2010

Reviewer: Dell Smith Klein

REVIEWER'S COMMENTS:  TSI: The Influenza Bomb takes us to places in Siberia, Austria, the Netherlands, England and Germany with descriptions that both warm and chill us. 

In this day, as we ponder the H1N1 virus and how it even came into existence, McCusker and Larimore take us on a ride into the past, weaving historical fact with believable fiction.  I was familiar with McCusker's work on Focus on the Family, and expected good writing. I didn't expect a book I couldn't easily put down.

While  TSI: The Influenza Bomb is a work of fiction, it has such a ring of truth that the reader will want to do internet searches to check out what might be happening today.  The Time Scene Investigators come to live as they probe past medical disasters to prepare for future outbreaks.  I found I was riding along right with them the whole distance.

If you like mystery and intrigue, you're bound to like this book.  It is due to hit book stores in June of 2010.  Meanwhile, this reviewer looks forward to the next book by McCusker and Larimore. 

By the way, I should warn you that when you buy this book, you are in danger of becoming a McCusker/Larimore fan.

 Reviewer: Dell Smith Klein