Died in the Wool by Elizabeth Ludwig and Janelle Mowery

There is money to be had from the city and librarian Monah wants it for much needed upgrades of the library computers. Wayne is trying to sell the community on a sports complex. Ken wants the money for the fire department. And Miss Tait thinks the school district is in dire need of the funds.

It has been a cold day in the library. The air conditioner won't quit and library patrons are shivering. And then comes in dour Miss Tait with teenagers. Trying to ease Miss Tait's complaining about the cold, Monah gives her the wool sweater on the back of her chair.

As Monah is ready to close the library for the day, she notices a light in the bathroom and finds the summer school teacher dead. It turns out she has been poisoned. Was it in the water Monah gave Miss Tait?

Monah and Detective Mike are sweet on each other but the situation becomes difficult when it appears Monah might be a suspect in the murder case. A few days later an outdoor street fair is held and Monah is there, selling extra books to make some money for the library. Wayne dies shortly after having been given a bottle of water by Monah.

It doesn't look good for Monah or the relationship she has with Detective Mike. She only way she can prove her innocence is the find the killer herself. Just when she thinks she has found the culprit, the situation becomes more complex and she finds she might be next on the killer's list.

This is one of the HomeTown Mysteries from Barbour Publishing and it was delightful. The authors have done a good job with plot and characters. Monah and Mike are Christians and their faith comes through well. There is a good combination of mystery and humor. For a light mystery, this fits the bill.

I received an egalley of this book from Barbour Publishing for the purpose of this review.

Barbour Publishing, 256 pages.

Publisher information.

The DMZ by Jeanette Windle

It's the end of the Cold War and most of the Marxists have faded into the woodwork. But there is still the issue of drugs and rebels in Columbia. It is a nation at war with itself.

The U. S. suspects other countries have influence in the country. The decision: “Whether we go into Columbia and end up with another Vietnam on our hands or stay back and watch the entire hemisphere south of our borders go up in flames, the mess is going to be ours to clean up.” (52)
The U. S. loses a surveillance plane and then a Black Hawk. Something serious is going on in the DMZ. The aircraft had been destroyed by weapons better than just surface to air missiles.
Julie Baker and other reporters fly into rebel territory to have a staged interview with rebel leaders. Canadian medical personnel are along to determine the cause of death of three western people, bodies held by the rebels. Julie had grown up in the area – her parents missionaries. She cannot resist an attempt to get out of the guarded area to see her childhood home and her parent's graves. She, along with a missionary who followed her, are “caught stupidly wandering out of bounds...” (210) They are captured by rebels and arrested as spies. (I found this a weak part of the plot, that one who grew up in the area would do something so dumb.)
Julie, with the help of a local who remembered her from childhood, manages to escape. She and an undercover U. S. soldier, Rick, manage to survive in the jungle and eventually come in contact with more of the I'paa from her childhood. They tell a tale of foreigners, “white ghosts,” and death. Rick and Julie investigate and find that Arab terrorists had chosen a site deep in the Columbian rain forest, nearly impenetrable. A deadly weapon is being readied for great destruction – and it is directed toward the U. S.
This is a long book (over 500 pages). The author is herself the daughter of missionary parents and grew up in the mountains of Columbia. She has much to say about the country. Because of this, there is fleeting action interwoven with pages of prose. There is lots of thinking by the characters, lots of Columbian history, and lots of philosophy.
Windle has several messages to convey. There is the defense of missionaries. There is the assurance that Americans would not achieve peace with any meaning or any length. (353) There is the dismay that the lure of discovered oil made the preservation of the rain forest secondary in the government's eyes. (105)
The beginning of the book is a little confusing. We do not meet the main character, Julie, until page 71. Windle has one of her characters saying, “...it'll be a whole lot easier if we can just brief you from the beginning.” (48) I wish she would have taken her character's advice. Jumping around at the beginning of the book, introducing characters we never see again or don't see for hundreds of pages – I found that a literary technique that detracted from the overall book.
This book was initially published in 2001 and was recently reissued. But much has changed on the world scene in a decade. Iraq is a major terrorist player in this novel and a viable power in the Middle East. That certainly dates the book.
This is definitely not a “page turner.” I found I had to plod through the book, so to speak. If one is interested in Columbia and what was going on there around a decade ago, this would be a fine book to read. But don't read it for riveting action – it's not there until about the last thirty pages.

Jeanette Windle: As the child of missionary parents, Windle, an award-winning author and journalist, grew up in the rural villages, jungles, and mountains of Colombia, now guerrilla hot zones. Currently based in Lancaster, PA, Windle has lived in six countries and traveled in more than thirty on five continents. She has fifteen books in print, including political/suspense best-seller CrossFire, The Parker Twins series and Tyndale House Publishers releases: Betrayed, Veiled Freedom, and Freedom's Stand.

I received a copy of this book from Kregel Publications for the purpose of this review.

Publisher information.

Fall to Grace by Jay Bakker

Bakker believes grace has the power to change lives. It is revolutionary in our understanding of God, ourselves, and our relationships with others.
Bakker is the son of Jim and Tammy Faye and gives s short account of his early life. He started partying at age thirteen and quit school while in the tenth grade. A friend stayed by him and he eventually became a grace convert. He is now the co-pastor of Revolution Church NYC.
One area where Bakker got me thinking was his section on “gossiping about God.” He says “we play fast and loose with God's reputation” when we say a disaster was God's response to sin (as some preachers did with Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, etc.). (68)
Bakker says we need to stand up for grace, as Paul did. If “works” is not a mean to salvation, it is not a means of losing salvation, either.

It was here that Bakker's book began to take a turn that was out of left field. If no deeds can determine our salvation (earn or lose) then we have freedom. “...[F]reedom to indulge our sinful side,” (131) and freedom to let the Holy Spirit control our lives. (132)
As I continued reading the book, I began to realize that rather than a book on grace in general, this is Bakker's defense of gay participation in church life.
Bakker does not like “church discipline.” He says that Jesus' command to the woman caught in adultery (go and sin no more), “has always given me trouble.” (140) Of Paul's instruction in 1 Cor. 5:5, to make the unrepentant sinner leave the church, Bakker says, “This Scripture is so easily abused that, frankly, I wish Paul had never said it.” “It shows that even Paul, the Apostle of Love, let his anger get the better of him from time to time.” (142)
He notes only “six or seven [verses] appear to condemn same-sex behavior in any way; meanwhile, there are literally thousands of references to love and compassion.” (168) He argues that, sure, the OT condemns homosexuality but condemns eating shellfish and women wearing pants. “You can't pick and choose the laws you want to enforce.” (170) Regarding OT laws, “...[I]t's all or nothing...” (170)
He explains NT prohibitions by exploring the Greek and saying the passages are actually condemning male prostitution, ritual sex, etc. Bakker says, “There is simply no biblical equivalent to the modern conception of consensual, same-sex, monogamous love between adults.” (170) He applauds the third edition of the NRSV that leaves out the term “homosexual” from the NT altogether.
Bakker says, “Just to be clear; I am not saying that homosexuality is a sin that should be accepted because of grace. I don't believe that being gay is a sin.” (163)
I am not exactly clear what Bakker does consider sin, or if it really matters to him. He says, “Because no man is innocent, no man is guilty. We're all pardoned. We're all saved.” (152) In the context it was a bit difficult to figure out if Bakker is a universalist or if he was talking about “believers.” He does not offer the “plan of salvation,” so to speak, so I am not sure.


In my estimation, Bakker has ignored some serious aspects of the question. He does not address Paul's lengthy passage in Romans one. Since he does not consider homosexuality a sin, he does not go into the concept of loving the sinner yet hating the sin. He also does not touch on the concept of accepting celibate gays into church life while not accepting practicing gays.

Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Group, 194 pages.

Nick of Time by Tim Downs

I really like Nick Polchack the Bug Man novels and I think this is the best one yet!
In a previous story Nick met Alena, Dog Woman. She trains dogs, including a cadaver dog that helped Nick solve a mystery. She is as odd as Nick is, living in an isolated area with all her dogs.
As this novel begins, Nick and Alena are getting married in a week. Except that Nick has received a letter from a good friend, asking Nick to attend the monthly meeting of forensic professionals who work on cold cases. He promises Alena he'll call her every evening.
He is to meet his friend at the meeting but he never shows. Nick goes to his friend's house but it is locked. Then he sees flies hitting the inside of the windows.
One thing leads to another and Nick is obsessed by a murder. His attempts to solve the mystery takes him to a small town where the deputy sheriff died in a hunting accident (or was it murder).
Nick continues to follow the evidence. Nick never calls Alena – one night he's in jail and another he is out in the woods, far from cell coverage.
Alena finally decides to take three of her dogs and find Nick! She gets mixed up in the mystery and instead of finding Nick, ends up with a murder's gun to her head.
Will Nick finally come to his senses and realize he loves Alena more than he does his bugs? Will he find Alena before the murderer kills her? And even is she is rescued, will she forgive Nick and go through with the wedding?
The characteristic humor is there. And Nick is as strange as ever. The story line is good with a great twist near the end.
This book can stand alone, if you have never read another Bug Man novel. But who would want to miss even one of them?

I received an egalley of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers for the purpose of this review.
 
Thomas Nelson product information.

Holy Guacamole by Dan & Denise Harmer

Bonnie Miller is the queen of Southwestern cuisine with a popular southern California restaurant and a very successful television show. She also has an attitude.
Trace Domingo is a washed up sports writer who manages to get invited to Miller's culinary boot camp. When the two are in the same room, sparks fly – as well as pots and pans.
Trace comes face to face with quirky characters in his dormitory. He meets Kelp, Bonnie's gardener/protector with a surfing goat.
When Trace investigates strange sounds coming from under his bed he discovers a hidden cave that opens to the beach. When Trace convinces Bonnie to check it out, they discover a chest with a Zorro costume, an old journal, and get chased by the high tide.
On what seems like a whim, Bonnie decides to go to Mexico. She asks Trace to drive her. Adopted, Bonnie is on a journey to find her mother. She and Trace find trouble instead. They are kidnapped by one of the meanest outlaws there is and are held for a multimillion dollar ransom.
They manage to escape and Bonnie is able to find the orphanage that housed her. Bonnie had been born with a large facial defect and had been left to die. Her rescue had been a miracle. Bonnie finds more of her history than she would like as she is told who her real father is. Just when she has the opportunity to adopt a couple of the children in the orphanage, her evil kidnapper shows up with a vengeance.
Through all of these adventures, Bonnie finally realizes, “I fed my ego, but my soul was famished.” (260) When she finally returns to her home, her staff is shocked. She is a new person. The “ice queen” is gone. Bonnie has found love, both God's and, well, Trace's.

Not a bad book from debut authors Dan & Denise Harmer. The only thing that's missing from this book is recipes!

I received a copy of this book from Glass Road Public Relations on behalf of the authors for the purpose of this review.

Lamp Post Inc., 284 pages.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book go to support the ministry of Outside the Bowl. http://www.outsidethebowl.org/

Amazon product page.

Fully Engaged by John Busacker

“We have a deep desire to live a life of significance and meaning – a life where we're fully engaged and satisfied.” (111)

Busacker wants you to be fully engaged in life. He wants you to do less and be more.
He invites you to ask yourself one question: “What should I do with my life?” (18) If your answer is what you are doing right now, great. You are part of the one percent of people who are fulfilled by what you are doing. You are fully engaged. But if you are in the other 99 percent, this book is for you. “God uses ordinary people like you and me to do astonishing things if, and only if, we are fully engaged.” (24)
His book is divided into three sections: awareness, alignment, and action.
Busacker wants you to be aware of your life worth: “the investment you make into and the return you receive from all life dimensions.” (31) Your life worth reflects your spiritual wealth and engagement. It is a realization that relationships, health, work, hobbies, learning and faith are all related to your life worth. (He has an assessment you can complete.) Busacker has a section of questions for the reader to answer to discover and articulate one's life story. That includes attitude, experience, important lessons, outlook and understanding.
He helps readers understand their values which, in turn, determine choices. Clarity of values empowers one to say “yes” to what matters and “no” to what is unimportant. He provides the process to discover values.
In the second section, Busaker wants the reader to align values to what you are doing with your life. A sense of calling is when you know you are doing with your life exactly what you should be doing. “Calling is the powerful intersection of passion and motivated abilities.” (73) He again provides an exercise to determine the intersection of your passion and your giftedness. He has an exercise to help you identify your life dreams.
Busacker is ruthless when it comes to our idolatrous attachment to technology (such as email). He reveals the detriment of excessive business. Again, he has an exercise to help you determine which activities to drop (pace, presence, promise).
“Adversity introduces us to ourselves.” (112) “...[T]he seeds of consistent full engagement are forged in the moments that test us to the depth of our being.” (113) Failure may be a defining moment setting you on the course to full engagement. He provides an exercise to determine your defining moments.
Busacker reminds us that we need to quiet our mind from the distraction of worry. We should start each day with the quiet conversation with ourselves and with God. We need “to seek out God's wisdom and counsel first before we step into the fray.” (124) He encourages us to seek out the wise counsel of others, a support team.
Busacker says we should be generous. We should look at generosity as a natural response to being richly blessed. He helps determine how and where to give generously and provides an exercise.
Busacker encourages us not to wait. Live boldly, “choosing to make good on all the talents and promise you were born with...[it] empowers you to enjoy the satisfaction, success, and excitement that comes with a fully engaged life.” (147)

I received an egalley of this book from The B&B Media Group on behalf of the publishers for the purpose of this review.

Summerside Press, ISBN: 978-1-609361150/Paperback/147 pages/$14.99

Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? by John Fea

Fea admits at the very beginning, this is a complex subject. Just what does “Christian nation” mean?
Those who oppose the concept frequently quote the beginning of Article II of the Treaty of Tripoli, a 1797 agreement between the U.S. And Tripoli: “The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” (3) The treat was signed by President John Adams and ratified unanimously be the senate.
On the other hand, “The idea that the United States was a 'Christian nation' was central to American identity in the years between the Revolution and the Civil War,” (4) Prior and during the Civil War, Fea says both the North and South considered themselves “Christian.” “The people of the Confederate States of America believed that they were citizens of a Christian nation precisely because they upheld the institution of slavery.” (20)
Fea notes that there are some who see the U.S. As God ordained, second in place only to Israel. As D. James Kennedy said, “God established this land of America, a nation in His providence, a nation unique in the history of the world.” (62) God has a purpose for America, Christian nationalists say.
Fea looks at the early colonists to explore the religious values they had. He investigates the events and comments around the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Fea also reviews the life and writings of John Adams. He “could not accept the historic belief that Jesus Christ was God or that his death atoned for the sins of the world...” (193) He also cast “aside the traditional Christian belief in the Trinity.” (193)
Jefferson was an avid follower of Jesus' moral teachings but “rejected any doctrines that could not be explained by reason...” (204) Yet, he thought “that it was rational to believe in a God who created the world.” (204) Franklin believed in God and viewed religion as useful in promoting virtuous behavior. Witherspoon was the only minister to sign the Declaration of Independence and “was indeed a man of deep Christian piety and orthodox Christian faith.” (228) John Jay “affirmed the idea that America was a Christian nation. He believed that the United States should privilege Christianity...” (235)
Fea's conclusion: “History in complex.” (244) He never offers a definitive answer. There is no simple yes or no. He hopes he has given his readers much to think and talk about.
He says, “it is my hope that this book might help Americans to think deeply about the role that Christianity played in the American founding. We owe it to ourselves to be informed citizens who can speak intelligently and thoughtfully about our nation's past.” (246)

Westminster John Knox Press, 246 pages.

Willful Blindness by Margaret Heffernan

We tend to watch the TV channel, read the books and newspapers we agree with. It feels comfortable and safe. Neurologically, “...in its endless search for matches, our brain rejects information that might broaden our outlook, widen our gaze, or make us just a little less certain.” (19) We just don't “see” what the brain doesn't like. (20) If we make daily decisions that affirm the brain actions, we take the first steps to willful blindness. Heffernan says, “And what's most frightening about this process is that as we see less and less, we feel more comfortable and greater security.” (21)
Our brain puts us on the path to willful blindness. Neurological studies show, “...when we find the things we agree with...we feel the same kind of euphoria and reassurance that an addict feels when reunited with his drug of choice...” (45) Studies have shown how hard it is for people to disbelieve a long and deeply held belief, even in the face of evidence to the contrary. She uses Greenspan as an example with his deep belief in free market blinding him to regulating derivatives.
Heffernan writes about the effects of lack of sleep, just how much simultaneous information our brains can receive, and ostrich behavior (not seeing because we don't want to see) – out of sight, out of mind.
Her section on structural blindness in government and the corporate world is enlightening. She also speaks to the influence of money on blindness and how hard it is for whistle blowers to change the minds of those in authority.
Heffernan notes that we do not have to be willfully blind. We can see better and she describes programs helping people broaden their view. Even speaking up at a meeting helps others be more objective. Studies have shown, “just knowing there is a dissenting voice is enough to induce different cognitive processes that yield better judgment.” (233)

“When we are willfully blind, it is in the presence of information that we could know, and should know, but don't know because it makes us feel better not to know.” (246) Heffernan concludes, “As all wisdom does, seeing starts with simple questions: What could I know, should I know, that I don't know? Just what am I missing here?” (247)
 
Walker & Company, 247 pages.