On page 63 of The Justice Game the question is asked: “What makes our criminal justice system work?” On that same page, the answer is given: “The adversarial nature of it…when two equally matched and well prepared advocates zealously represent their clients in front of an unbiased decision maker, the truth generally wins out.”
The legal system operating within the United States is supposed to represent justice. Innocent until proven guilty.Fairness.Randy Singer’s latest release, The Justice Game, sheds some uncomfortable light on this legal process, and does so based upon a case that flies in the face of Second Amendment Rights. In all of my life I don’t know when a work of fiction has raised more questions, brilliantly displayed my own ignorance of the legal process and taught me more about making quick and unfair judgment of others. This is a spectacular piece of work!
The story begins with the loss of life at the hands of a rather insane man in a public place. When a lawsuit is filed to hold a gun manufacturer responsible for the death, the reader begins to get cozy not only with the prosecuting attorney, Kelly Starling, but also with the defense attorney Jason Noble. As each side builds their case, more layers of the plot are revealed, and the reader learns about painful secrets that motivate both of the very talented and capable lawyers in this case.Truth, justice and taking responsibility for ones choices are issues that fall beneath close scrutiny on both legal and personal levels, and power, greed and the personal desire for success at any cost are also carefully examined.
From the office of the gun manufacturer’s CEO to the board room of a powerful legal research broker, the reader explores every possible angle of this law suit. With each passing chapter, the characters’ stakes in the outcome of this trial are raised higher and higher until even life itself is left to hang in the balance between justice and mercy.
Ahhh….mercy. Now there is a piece of the puzzle that allows for things to turn out a bit unexpectedly! Surviving until the verdict is reached depends on this and so much more!
Randy Singer has truly reached a zenith performance in The Justice Game! Suspense, intrigue, moral issues, political fairness…no stone is left unturned or unexamined. The outcome, as always, is more and different than the reader expects. However, in this instance, the readers were allowed to vote on the ending of this book months ago…so some of us are well satisfied while others are probably groaning in disappointment.
The Justice Game..amazing! Satisfying! HIGHLY recommended!This book just released from Tyndale. Order your copy TODAY!
I have an autographed copy of this terrific book to GIVE AWAY!! So, leave me your name, contact information and your opinion of our second amendment rights(optional)....and you will be entered to win a FREE copy of this book!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Randy Singer is a critically acclaimed author and veteran trial attorney. He has penned eight legal thrillers, including the award-winning debut novel Directed Verdict. In addition to his law practice and writing, Randy serves as a teaching pastor for Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He calls it his "Jekyll and Hyde thing"—part lawyer, part pastor. He also serves on the board of legal advisors for the American Center for Law and Justice. He and his wife, Rhonda, live in Virginia Beach. They have two grown children.
Please come back on Friday the 31st for an interview with this incredible author!
Offworld is unlike any book I’ve read since I began my book reviewing journey. I think in today’s vernacular this would be called speculative fiction, but in my mind…well, it’s plain old fashioned science fiction. It is a wild ride that you will not soon forget either! Robin Parrish’s book explores several ideas in this very complex story. He presses around the thoughts of whether or not the events of our lives are random coincidences or whether or not they are organized with purpose by a God who loves us. He prods about the idea that people view one another through the concept of their value as a human being, and then randomly assign value based upon their knowledge or experience, or simply what they contribute to mankind. Robin Parrish explores the depths of the human soul and reveals a profound truth in a very exciting, unusual and mind-boggling way!
This journey begins among the crew of the Ares as they are attempting to return to Earth from a two and a half year mission on Mars. Commander Christopher Burke and his crew, Terry, Trisha and Owen survive a catastrophic re-entry to the Earth’s surface only to discover that the Earth is no longer inhabited. Immediately, this brave group of astronauts become soldiers on a mission to discover what has happened to the Earth’s population. They are able to determine a basic direction for their journey, but never, in their wildest dreams, could anything have prepared them for what they would face along the way.
Raw courage and sheer determination are the only things that keep this crew going throughout this fantastical journey. Early in the journey they encounter a grey-eyed street urchin that proves to be a most unexpected teacher of the human heart. Each member of the crew must face their darkest fears and their ugliest secrets along the way. Whether or not they survive is tentative at best.
Offworld stretched my mind way outside the box of reality, but it was a really great ride! I would highly recommend this to anyone who needs a break from reality! (pun intended! You’ll have to read the book to understand!)
Please visit Robin's website to read the first chapter, download wallpaper and all kinds of cool stuff! Have Fun!!
Jamie Carie is a native of Indiana. Last Fall as she attended a Books-A-Million conference in Birmingham, Alabama, the idea of a Southeastern book tour was conceived. So, some nine months later, with her latest book, Love’s First Light newly released, Jamie and her husband Tony launched into a literal whirlwind tour! Beginning in Louisiana, trekking through Mississippi and Alabama, I caught up with Jamie at a Lifeway Christian bookstore in Columbus, Georgia.
Seated at the store entrance, Jamie’s bright smile greeted store visitors as she introduced herself and her work. Young and old alike were drawn to her warm personality, and some fans came with their own copies in hand ready to ask for an autograph. It was interesting to observe Jamie’s hard work and perseverance as she promoted her work, all the while being obedient to God’s leading in her life. She remains sensitive to the Spirit’s nudges as she greets customers and fans alike, and it’s not unusual for her to stop and pray with those whom God directs her way.
Husband Tony Masopust is working right alongside Jamie all the while – snapping photos, answering questions, straightening books and offering his total support in every possible sense. It’s obvious just looking at these two that the Lord is using them together in this ministry of writing, and that Tony is very proud of Jamie and the hard work that she has poured into this endeavour. Both of them are very gracious and generous with their time, and I came away blessed, encouraged and more enthusiastic than ever about supporting great Christian fiction!
So, it is with great excitement that I share with you some of my conversation with Jamie about her whirlwind tour of the Southeast. As you read, you may want to pop over to her blog as well and get a visual on some of the things we talked about.
After nine cities and multiple radio and television interviews, what’s the most memorable moment on the tour so far?
My interview with Suzie Wiley, for cable television station WYAM-TV51 was a blast! Suzie was a lot of fun, and even though she hadn’t read any of my books, she was able to take our time together and turn it into something fun and meaningful. We talked about writing, where I was from, her run for public office and all kinds of things. We laughed a lot! She was a real hoot!
What has been your favorite food so far?
Tony and I ate at a place called the Fisherman’s Cove in New Orleans. Tony ordered something called the swamp platter that had fried alligator, crawfish tails and turtle soup among the many samplings. I couldn’t bring myself to try the alligator even though Tony said it tasted like chicken, and I thought the turtle soup was awful! But I had a really great platter of seafood that I was able to enjoy – a great variety!
Who has been your most ardent fan so far?
There was this 15-year-old girl who had read a couple of my novels. She was so excited and nervous she was trembling! She was so amazed to get to meet me, and I just couldn’t get over the fact that my writing had blessed another person so deeply. It was a really neat moment.
Have you recruited any new fans along the way?
I’m not so sure about that. Besides the scheduled stores on the tour, we’ve done some “drive-by” signings at other stores in the area. I know there have been some people along the way who have never read my books that have purchased copies, but I guess we’ll know something more by the end of the tour.
Have you received any unusual questions or unexpected comments about your work?
I had this one radio interview, and the lady was very intellectual. She had read my book and discovered things about my story that I had never looked at in quite the same way. For instance, she commented about the relationship between Suzanne and Stacia and how they worked together as a tightly knit unit to care for each other and help make a way for the family.
I’d never really considered that angle of their relationship, but looking back at the characters from a distance, I could see the truth of her observation. I’m always amazed at how God works in the lives of readers and how they are drawn to different aspects of my work – how they see things from such a different perspective.
What has been your favorite city so far? Why?
I’m a big city girl, so I think I’ve enjoyed Huntsville the most. It was a clean, beautiful city with lots to see and do. We really enjoyed the NASA space center, and I hope to come back again for a vacation and a visit some time in the future.
What is the ultimate goal of this southeastern tour?
Demographically, I have the largest readership in this part of the country. As an author only published for two years, this tour gave me the opportunity to connect with people who enjoy my books and to get my name and face before my readers. It has also been an opportunity to build a solid fan base. I consider this a ministry, so it is my hope to also point others toward Christ.
There has been a lot of great pre-planning and smart strategizing in order for this tour to happen, and B&H has worked closely with Amanda at PR by the book to make this a successful tour!
Have you been inspired by any new story ideas during this long road trip?
When we met with my agent in Fayetteville, Tennessee it was like we had stepped back in time, like to the 30’s or something. No one was out and about even though it was early evening. The sidewalks had already been rolled up. We found this little place to get a bite to eat, and we had a lot of fun peeking into store fronts. We saw a lot of neat old-timey stuff. Experiences like this may show up later in a book. You just never know what God will use in a story later on.
Jamie and I continued to talk about her work, and I asked her about a few particular passages that were particularly moving to me.
On page 37, Christophe talks about the prisms that so fascinate him and draw him to research. He says to Sarlett: “What if God was like light? Pure and white. And what if man was the splitting into a myriad of colors? And then in the realignment with God, they became pure again?”
I asked where the inspiration for that passage came from.
With tears in her eyes, she said it was a gift from the Holy Ghost. As the daughter of a pastor, she was often on the road with her dad between services and meetings, and as they would sit together over a meal, often late in the evening, they would discuss the things of God from many different perspectives. Her dad is also a gifted poet, so he enjoys looking at things from different angles. She credits her gifting of word-pictures as something passed down from her dad.
On page 60 there is a scene in the graveyard where Christophe is taking the sacrament. When Scarlett asks him why he does this he replies: “It helps me remember…All that I’ve lost, I suppose and all that He lost. I like to think God felt alone for a time, until His Son rose again and then went back to heaven to sit at His right hand.” Sadness weighed his smile. “I like to think He has a plan for me too.”
Again, tears pooled in her eyes. Jamie said that she has always felt things very deeply. She connects strongly on both a physical and emotional level with the people in her life, and she has had to learn to control what she allows in lest she become overwhelmed. However, while writing, this allows her to connect with her characters on a visceral level, and it’s not uncommon for her to be either laughing or weeping as she writes. “Sometimes it’s hard,” she said to me, “but I have to set boundaries.”
Self-described introvert, Jamie is comfortable being alone with the characters of her stories. “Getting out of her writing cave” to come on this tour is both physically and emotionally exhausting. Yet, even then, Jamie is listening to the Spirit – praying with fans and readers that come her way and connect with her and the stories she writes. This is a ministry first and foremost, and more than anything her heart’s desire is to point others to Christ and His amazing love.
This hopeless romantic and her husband are off to Macon, Georgia next, and will eventually wind up in South Carolina. Jamie and Tony truly give meaning to the term whirlwind tour! But I know I’ve made a friend in this beautiful sister in Christ, and I will eagerly be waiting to read her next novel, Angel’s Den. I hope to be reading her stories for years to come!
Jamie generously offered TWO autographed books! I have autographed copies of Wind Dancer and Love's First Light to GIVE AWAY!! Please leave your name and contact information to be entered to win! I will draw a winner for each book, so sign up now!!
I've gone to MEET Jamie Carie and talk about Love's First Light!!! Back soon with lots of great information! In the meanwhile, look here for my review, here for my interview, and here for Jamie's tour information!
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Originally from
Hawaii, she worked as a biologist for 9 years, but now she writes full time. She is a staff worker for her San Jose church youth group and leads a worship team for Sunday service. She also runs the Story Sensei fiction critique service, which specializes in book doctoring.
On her blog, she gives away Christian novels, and she ponders
frivolous things like dumb dogs (namely, hers), coffee-geek husbands (no resemblance to her own...), the writing journey, Asiana, and anything else that comes to mind.
List Price: $5.50
Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Steeple Hill (July 14, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373443471
ISBN-13: 978-0373443475
MY THOUGHTS:
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.” – Zephaniah 3:17
Who could have ever imagined that one verse of Scripture could prove so vital to a murder mystery? Well, Camy Tang not only imagined it, she wrote an entire novel that is laced with one of the most tenuous and often difficult aspects of the faith journey; where is God when life becomes a chaotic mess? Deadly Intent is what I would term a cozy mystery…suspenseful, but with enough romance to sort of soften the intensity. This is the first time I’ve read Camy Tang in this genre, and I was very well pleased!
Dadly Intent is the kind of mystery that will have you making all kinds of suspect lists!What starts out with a dead body in an exclusive spa morphs into raided offices, stolen cars, planted evidence, more murder and attempted murder, with all sorts of other twists and turns amid the story line!All along the way, there are moments of insight into the main character’s lives, and through the faithful lives of some of the minor characters, the Lord is able to reach out and prove Himself mighty to save indeed.
If you enjoy a good mystery with a little bit of romance blended in, and just a dash of faith to add richness and depth to the characters, well you need to pick up a copy of Deadly Intent! Camy Tang is certainly a multi-talented writer!
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Chapter One
The man who walked into Naomi's father's day spa was striking enough to start a female riot.
Dark eyes swept the room, which happened to be filled with the Sonoma spa's staff at that moment. She felt his gaze glance over her like a tingling breeze. Naomi recognized him instantly. Dr. Devon Knightley.
For a wild moment, she thought, He's come to see me. And her heart twirled in a riotous dance.
But only for a moment. Sure, they'd talked amiably— actually, more than amiably—at the last Zoe International fund-raising dinner, but after an entire evening sitting next to her, he hadn't asked for her phone number, hadn't asked for any contact information at all. Wasn't that a clear sign he wasn't interested?
She quashed the memory and stepped forward in her official capacity as the spa owner's daughter and acting manager. "Dr. Knightley. Welcome."
He clasped her hand with one tanned so brown that it seemed to bring the heat of the July sun into the airy, air-conditioned entranceway. "Miss Naomi Grant." His voice had more than a shot of surprise, as did his looks as he took in her pale blue linen top and capris, the same uniform as the gaggle of spa staff members gathered behind her. "It's been a few months since I've seen you."
He still held her hand. She loved the feel of his palm— cool and warm at the same time, strong the way a surgeon's should be.
No, she had to stop this. Devon and his family were hard-core atheists, and nothing good would come out of giving in to her attraction. "What brings you here?"
"I need to speak to Jessica Ortiz."
An involuntary spasm seized her throat. Of course. Glamorous client Jessica Ortiz or plain massage therapist Naomi Grant—no comparison, really.
But something in his tone didn't quite have the velvety sheen of a lover. He sounded almost… dangerous. And danger didn't belong in the spa. Their first priority was to protect the privacy of the guests.
"Er… Ms. Ortiz?" Naomi glanced at Sarah, one of the receptionists, whose brow wrinkled as she studied her computer monitor behind the receptionists' desk. Naomi knew she was stalling—she didn't need to look because she'd checked Ms. Ortiz into the elite Tamarind Lounge almost two hours before.
Naomi's aunt Becca also stood at the receptionists' desk, stepping aside from her spa hostess duties to allow Naomi to handle Dr. Knightley, but Aunt Becca's eyes had a sharp look that conveyed her message clearly to Naomi: the clients' privacy and wishes come first.
Naomi cleared her throat. "Are you her physician?"
Dr. Knightley frowned down at her, but she kept her air of calm friendliness. He grimaced and looked away. "Er… no."
Naomi blinked. He could have lied, but he hadn't. "If you'll wait here, I can see if Ms. Ortiz is available to come out here to see you." If Jessica declined to come out, Naomi didn't want to think what Devon's reaction would be.
His eyes grew stormier. "Couldn't you just let me walk in back to see her?"
"I'm sorry, but we can't allow nonfamily members into the back rooms. And men are not allowed in the women's lounges." Especially the secluded Tamarind Lounge, reserved only for Tamarind members who paid the exorbitant membership fee.
"Naomi, surely you can make an exception for me?" He suddenly flashed a smile more blinding than her receptionist's new engagement ring.
His switching tactics—from threatening to charming— annoyed her more than his argumentative attitude. She crossed her arms. "I'm afraid not." She had to glance away to harden herself against the power of that smile.
"You don't understand. It's important that I see her, and it won't take long." He leaned closer, using his height to intimidate.
He had picked the wrong woman to irritate. Maybe her frustrated attraction made her exceptionally determined to thwart him. Her jaw clenched and she couldn't help narrowing her eyes. "Joy Luck Life Spa has many high-profile clients. If we let anyone into our elite lounges, we'd lose our sterling reputation for privacy and discretion."
"You don't understand how important this is—"
"Dr. Knightley, so nice to see you again." Aunt Becca stepped forward and inserted herself between the good doctor and Naomi's line of vision. She held out a thin hand, which Devon automatically took. "Why don't I set you up in the Chervil Lounge while Naomi looks for Ms. Ortiz?"
Aunt Becca whirled around faster than a tornado. Her eyes promised trouble if Naomi didn't comply. "Naomi."
Aunt Becca's taking charge of the conversation seemed to drive home the point that although Dad had left Naomi in charge of the spa while he recovered from his stroke, she still had a long way to go toward learning good customer relations. Part of her wanted to be belligerent toward Devon just to prove she was in the right, but the other part of her wilted at her failure as a good manager.
She walked into the back rooms and paused outside the door to the Tamarind Lounge, consciously relaxing her face. Deep breath in. Gently open the door.
Softly pitched conversation drifted into silence. Two pairs of eyes flickered over her from the crimson silk chaise lounges in the far corner of the luxuriant room, but neither of them belonged to Jessica Ortiz. Vanilla spice wafted around her as she headed toward the two women, trying to glide calmly, as the daughter of the spa owner should.
"Good morning, ladies. I apologize for the intrusion."
"Is it already time for my facial?" The elderly woman gathered her Egyptian cotton robe around her and prepared to stand.
"No, not yet, Ms. Cormorand. I've come to ask if either of you have seen Ms. Ortiz."
An inscrutable look passed between them. What had Jessica done to offend these clients in only the couple of hours she'd been at the spa? Jessica seemed to be causing the spa more and more trouble recently.
The other woman finally answered, "No, she left about a half hour ago for her massage. I thought she was with you."
Naomi cleared her throat to hide her start. Jessica's appointment was at eleven, in fifteen minutes, not now.
"Yes, doesn't she always ask for you when she comes?" Ms. Cormorand blinked faded blue eyes at her.
Naomi shoved aside a brief frisson of unease. Jessica should be easy to find. "Which massage therapist called for her?"
"Oh, I don't know." Ms. Cormorand waved a pudgy hand beringed with rubies and diamonds. "Someone in a blue uniform."
Only one of almost a hundred staff workers at the spa.
"Thank you, ladies. Ms. Cormorand, Haley will call you for your facial in fifteen minutes." Naomi inclined her head and left the room, trying to let the sounds of running water from the fountain in the corner calm her growing sense of unease.
Where could Jessica have gone? And an even juicier question: Why did Devon Knightley need to speak to her?
She peeked into the larger Rosemary lounge, which was for the use of spa clients who were not Tamarind members. Several women chatted in small groups, but no Jessica Ortiz. Naomi hadn't really expected Jessica to forgo the more comfortable elite lounge, but the only other option was checking each of the treatment rooms individually.
She headed into the back area where the therapy rooms were located, navigating the hallway scattered with teak and bamboo furniture, each sporting East Asian cushions and throws, artfully arranged by Aunt Becca. Had Jessica switched to a different massage therapist? And had someone forgotten to tell Naomi in the excitement of Sarah's new engagement?
As she moved down the hallway, she started noticing a strange, harsh scent suffusing the mingled smells of san-dalwood and vanilla. Not quite as harsh as chemicals, but not a familiar aromatherapy fragrance, a slightly discordant counterpoint to the spa's relaxing perfume.
She knew that smell, but couldn't place it. And it didn't conjure up pleasant associations. She started to hurry.
She first looked into the women's restroom, her steps echoing against the Italian tile. No sound of running water, but she peeked into the shower area. A few women were in the rooms with the claw-foot bathtubs, and a couple more in the whirlpool room, but no Jessica. No one using the toilets.
The mirrored makeup area had a handful of women, but again no Jessica. Naomi smiled at the clients to hide her disappointment and growing anxiety as she entered. She noticed some towels on the floor, a vase of orchids a little askew, and some lotions out of place on the marble counter running the length of the room, so she tidied up as if she had intended to do so, although the staff assigned to restroom duty typically kept things spic and span.
She peeked into the sauna. A rather loud ring of laughing women, but no Jessica.
Back out in the central fountain area, the harsh smell seemed stronger, but she couldn't pinpoint where it came from. Had a sewage pipe burst? No, it wasn't that sort of smell. It didn't smell rotten, just… had an edge to it.
She entered the locker area, although the Joy Luck Life Spa "lockers" were all carved teakwood cabinets, individually locked with keys. The smell jumped tenfold. Naomi scoured the room. Maybe it came from a client's locker? No. Maybe the dirty laundry hamper?
Bingo.
She flipped open the basketweave lid.
And screamed.
***
Chapter Two
The scream pierced Devon's eardrums. Beside him, Becca Itoh started. The heavy wooden double doors she'd just opened, leading to the men's lounge, clunked closed again as she turned and headed back down the corridor they'd walked.
"Where—?" He kept up with her, but not easily—for a woman in her fifties, she could book it.
"The women's lounge area." She pointed ahead as she hustled closer. "Those mahogany double doors at the end."
Devon sprinted ahead and yanked open the doors. "Stay behind me."
Becca ignored him, thrusting ahead and shouting, "Naomi!" as they entered a large circular entry area with more corridors leading from it. "Naomi!"
A door to their right burst open and Naomi Grant spilled into the entry room. "Aunt Becca!" Her face was the same shade as the cream-colored walls. "There's blood in the women's locker room.”
“Blood?” Becca reached for her as Devon pushed past her into the room she’d just exited.
Despite the urgency, he couldn’t help but be awed by the fountain in the center of a vast chamber with a veined-tile floor. Scrollwork signs on the walls pointed to “sauna” and “whirlpool” and “locker room.” Luckily, no women appeared. He veered right.
He almost wasn’t sure he’d actually arrived in the right place, but the carpeted room lined with teakwood locking cabinets was in line with the luxurious entry hall of what he realized was the women’s bathroom.
The metallic smell of blood reached him. He followed his nose to the basket hamper in the corner, filled with bloody towels. It reminded him of the discarded gauzes from his orthopedic surgeries, bright red and a lot more than the average person saw.
This was not good.
He returned to the two women. Naomi’s hands were visibly shaking, although her voice remained low and calm. “And I couldn’t find Ms. Ortiz.”
Jessica’s name still caused the reflexive crunching of his jaw. But he’d never wanted any harm to come to her—she wasn’t a bad person, they had just clashed too much on personal matters. And now she was missing, and there was an immense amount of blood in the bathroom. Devon’s heart beat in a light staccato against his throat. She had to be okay.
“Where else have you looked?” He scanned the other corridors leading from the fountain entryway. He’d need guidance or he’d get lost in this labyrinth.
“I haven’t checked the therapy rooms yet.” Naomi nodded toward the larger central corridor, which ended at another set of double doors.
He headed toward them when Becca reached out to grab his arm in a bony but strong grip. “You can’t just barge into private sessions.”
“Why not?” He turned to face the two women. “There’s blood in your bathroom and Jessica Ortiz is missing.”
Naomi’s light brown eyes skewered him. “Do you really think it’s wise to cause a panic?”
“And I suppose you have another option?”
“Sessions don’t last more than an hour or ninety minutes. We’ll wait for those to finish—if Jessica’s just in one of those, there’s nothing to worry about. In the meantime, we’ll check all the empty session rooms,” Naomi said.
Becca turned to leave and said over her shoulder, “I’ll check on the schedule at the receptionists’ desk to find out which rooms have clients and when the sessions end. I’ll call you on your cell.”
Naomi turned down a corridor in the opposite direction, this one lined with bamboo tables draped with shimmery, lavender-colored fabric so light that it swayed as they moved past.
It reminded Devon of the papery silks he’d seen in Thailand, giving the spa a soothing and very Asian atmosphere. His heartbeat slowed. Jessica was probably fine and had accidentally taken someone else’s session in her artless, friendly way. She’d emerge from a facial or a manicure in a few minutes and wonder what all the fuss was about.
A group of three therapists turned a corner. They spied Naomi and immediately stopped chatting amongst themselves, although not fearfully—more out of respect that the boss was suddenly in front of them.
“Girls, have you seen Ms. Ortiz?” Naomi’s smile seemed perfectly natural and warm—inviting a rapport with her staff, yet not too cozy. If Devon hadn’t noticed her fingers plucking at the linen fabric of her pants, he wouldn’t have known how anxious she was.
Two of them shook their heads, but the tall blond woman to his left nodded and pointed directly across the corridor. “I saw her talking to Ms. Fischer about an hour ago before Ms. Fischer went in for her manicure.”
His heartbeat picked up. “An hour ago?”
The blonde eyed him with a hard look, but a quick glance at Naomi seemed to allay her suspicions. He had the impression that if her boss hadn’t been by his side, he’d have been thrown out, even if it took all three women to do it.
Naomi was shaking her head. “Ms. Cormorand saw her leave the Tamarind lounge only thirty minutes ago.”
His hopes popped and fizzled.
The blonde jerked her head at the nearby door. “Ms. Fischer is almost done in room thirty-five if you want to talk to her anyway.”
“That’s a good idea. Thanks, Betsy.”
Betsy nodded, and the silent trio headed down the corridor and around the corner.
I’d certainly love to be able to sit down over a cup of coffee and talk with Lisa Harper! Her latest book, A Perfect Mess Why You Don’t Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God, assures me that she and the Savior are well acquainted! As I read her conversational, frank discussion of the Psalms and how it relates to our every day situations, I am also assured that she and the Lord talk frequently, and she is comfortable in his presence even amid the messiness of her daily life. Readers, I have discovered a real treasure in my reading stacks, and I am so pleased to share it with you!
A Perfect Mess takes a look at the life of David and several of the Psalms in a way that is easy to relate to and sheds great light on the intimate relationship we can share with our Savior.Lisa Harper looks honestly at the reality of our daily struggle to “get it right” in our walk with Christ, but reminds us that it is through repentance and faith that we are able to stay close to God. Lisa lovingly shows the reader, using Scripture, that God loves us even though we continue to sin, and when we cry out to Him for forgiveness, He answers us with great grace and mercy and turns our messes into testimony that glorifies Him.
On page 47, there is a particularly precious word-picture that illustrates this truth: “On our worst days, when we’re trying to hide our misery or conceal our failures, our perfect God doesn’t stand at a distance, waiting for us to pull ourselves together. He crawls right in beside us, amid the dust bunnies of our lives, to show that we’re never alone in our messes.” What a blessing we miss when, after becoming a child of God, we continue to try to impress Him with our good works or hide our sinful attitudes and doubt-filled uncertainties! And what a blessing we receive when we realize that He loves us just as we are, and when we come to Him in repentance, seeking forgiveness, he turns our messes into messages of triumph!
Each chapter of this beautiful book ends with a brief section entitled Enough About Me, What About You, and contains 5-7 questions that ask the reader to either read and ponder a particular passage of Scripture, or asks open-ended opinion questions about things discussed within the chapter. I think this would be an excellent Bible study guide for both individual and small-group use. It would be particularly healing, I think, for people struggling with who they are in Christ and what it means to be forgiven. Yes, I’m thinking that the Lord has once again provided a powerful tool for me to use with my group of ladies in the rehab center! What a blessing!
No matter who you are, or where you are in your relationship with Christ, I think there are treasures of truth to be found in Lisa Harper’s book, A Perfect Mess. I think God will use this book to bring healing to many hurting hearts and that through the message she shares, many Christians will discover the joy of serving the Savior despite the messiness of their daily lives.
Please visit the Publisher's Website to read an excerpt and order your own copy of this book! Don't forget to purchase an extra copy to share with a friend!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Harper is a master storyteller whose lively approach connects the dots between the Bible era and modern life. She is a sought-after Bible teacher and speaker whose upcoming appearances include the national Women of Faith Conferences. A veteran of numerous radio and television programs and the author of several books, she also is a regular columnist for Today’s Christian Woman magazine. Lisa recently completed a master’s of theological studies from Covenant Theological Seminary. She makes her home outside Nashville.
To learn more about Lisa, please visit her website.
I have an extra copy of this book to give away, so please leave your name and contact information to be entered to win your FREE copy!!
Okay….okay….okay already! There is a conspiracy among men to totally aggravate the dickens out of their wives! Oh, we are loved beyond measure. – the fact being that the poor men couldn’t get out the door every day without us – but there is a conspiracy nonetheless!
What am I ranting about? Rick & Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage of course! If you’ve been feeling frustrated, isolated, aggravated and just plain nuts trying to figure out how to have a better marriage, read this book. What you will learn is that a lot of the absolutely insane things that take place in your every day life are actually not as insane or uncommon as you believe them to be. Men and women share some very universal communication dysfunctions, and Rick and Bubba open their hearts and lives and share them with their readers.
In a nutshell, none of us are perfect, and when our not-so-perfect selves come together in marriage with another not-so-perfect self…well, the possibility exists that there may not be a happily ever after. However, with Christ as the center of our marriage and a healthy sense of humor, a lot of forgiveness and a ton of humble crow-eating, it’s possible to celebrate many satisfying, gratifying, adventuresome years together in marriage!
So, grab your sense of humor and come gain a little perspective! Rick & Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage is really great! And there is an added bonus! In the back cover of the book is a CD filled with vignettes from their very popular radio show! FUNNY stuff! Check out Thomas Nelson's website to learn more and purchase your own copy today!
I just wanted to state clearly here on my blog that the books I review are provided to me in exchange for my opinion and thoughts. I am a member of two blog alliances and I work directly with publicists and publishers at their request to review a variety of Christian fiction and non-fiction books. I receive no compensation other than free copies of the books to read, and when a give away is offered, that copy of the book is also provided by the publisher for that exact purpose.
I give my opinions both positively and negatively and will continue to do so as time permits and as I am able. I do this because I love to read and I love to share my thoughts with others who love good books and Christian stories.
