The Corruptible

The Corruptible by Mark Mynheir is the second Ray Quinn Mystery, following the publication of the Night Watchman. In this second novel, Ray Quinn is struggling to make ends meet as a private investigator. He never expected he would be cornered in a bathroom stall by the very angry, unfaithful husband of a client. As a retired policeman and still recovering from a debilitating injury, Ray does not have a lot of career choices.

When a new client comes offering huge sums of money for Ray's investigative talent, Ray finds himself with a easy looking job and a lot of needed cash. He is supposed to find Logan Ramsey, an ex bad cop turned security officer who has disappeared with confidential corporate information. However, the job quickly turns south when Logan is found murdered in a seedy motel room. Ray finds himself without the information he needs, and a client who is hiding something. Suddenly it is hard to tell the difference between the bad guys and the good guys. Who will Ray choose?

The Corruptible was a very enjoyable mystery filled with suspense and intrigue. Ray Quinn is not a Christian throughout most of the book, but he has a very close friend who is constantly sharing the love of God and being there for Ray. His friend Pam is a very good witness, and their struggles to talk about God really reveal a lot about witnessing and about some issues non believers have toward God. The mystery of the book was well done, and the characters were interesting and realistic. I enjoyed this novel immensely, and I look forward to reading some of Ray Mynheir's other books.

Forbidden

Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee was a wild ride, steered by surprising twists, heartwrenching pain, breathtaking love, and beautiful allegories.

Four Hundred and Eighty Years have passed since humanity was almost wiped off the earth. Since then, the Perfect Order has been established. There is no more war, no more hate, no more disease...no more emotion, no more Love. All that is left is fear and the world wide peace that universal fear brings. Until the day when one man, Rom, finds out the truth from an old man and an old vial. The entire world is dead. Walking corpses that feel no emotion, cannot experience life. Now Rom is temporarily alive, and he has the information which can awaken the human heart once again. But the way is narrow and treacherous and the cost unbelievable. For in that day, life itself is Forbidden.

Forbidden is an allegory, not unlike the Circle Trilogy. Humanity is dead, without feeling, similar to those who are dead in sin. There are a few who are awakened temporarily, like God's chosen people, the Isrealites. There is a Christ figure, there are sacrifices, and there is war. Forbidden is a marvelous tale of love and sorrow, sacrifice and selfishness, forgiveness and hate, the peace brought about by fear and peace brought about by true love. The characters are masterfully created by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee, and the emotion and suspense expressed in the story are stunning. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and I will definitely be buying this book when it comes out in September!

Cherished

Cherished by Kim Cash Tate was a delightful book that penetrates the layers of forgiveness and filling loved by God. In this novel, the main character, Kelli London, has always dreamed of being a songwriter. She always felt that God would use the lyrics that came to her to touch people's lives. She thought often of Brian and their love as well. However, a few choices later and all her dreams are upended and in ashes. Will Kelli have the strength to dream again when the opportunity arises so many years later?

Heather Anderson has made a lot of bad choices as well. An affair with a married man and a short tryst with a Christian drummer have left her alone and broken. In desperation she called out to God - and he saved her. Now He is calling her to a new life, to leave everything behind. Will she have the strength to obey?

These two broken women form a unlikely friendship. What does God's forgiveness look like for them? And will they be able to forgive themselves?

Cherished was a wonderful book that I really enjoyed. The characters were very believable, and they struggled with realistic and identifiable problems. The emotions in this book were raw and real, and I was drawn into their depths and into the lives of the characters. The themes of love, forgiveness, and God's grace and mercy were well blended into the novel, and I was truly touched by the how God's love was shown and how His forgiveness was accepted and shared. The characters were willing to finally open up about their issues, and it was really inspiring to see how one person's mess can change the lives of countless others. Cherished was a delightful and inspiring novel, and I highly recommend it. I will definitely be checking out more of Kim Cash Tate's works.

Canary List

The Canary List by Sigmund Brouwer is a wonderful thriller pitting good vs. evil. In this novel Jaimie Piper is always running. Always fleeing. Jaimie is a twelve year old orphan, shuttled from foster home to foster home, from school to school. She is labeled a challenged child with serious issues. But all Jaimie Piper has is a gift. She has the ability to sense evil and darkness, and she feels that the darkness is getting closer and closer to her. In desperation she turns to her teacher, Crockett Gray, who only wants to mourn his daughter's death on his own. However, when Jaimie turns to him, he cannot stand and watch. And together they spiral nearer and nearer to destruction.

The Canary List is a thriller written masterfully by Sigmund Brouwer, one of my alltime favorite authors. The book flows well, and it leaves the reader bound up in suspense.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for this review.