Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Sky Zone by Creston Mapes - REVIEWED

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Sky Zone
David C. Cook (June 1, 2014)
by
Creston Mapes


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Creston has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as "The Shop."

Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University, then began his writing career. During the past 30 years, he has worked as a reporter, corporate copywriter, creative director, freelance writer, and author.


ABOUT THE BOOK

A rally for a controversial presidential candidate.
A terrorist threat.
A nightmare of cataclysmic proportions. 


Jack and Pamela Crittendon have hit the breaking point. After months out of work as a reporter, Jack is playing Mr. Mom and working part-time at Festival Arena with his survivalist friend Brian Shakespeare. Meanwhile, Pamela has gone back to work full-time while eight months pregnant. Having her recently widowed mother on hand isn't making matters any easier. With financial pressures boiling, Jack reports for duty at a rally for controversial presidential candidate Martin Sterling where he expects a mindless night on the job. But when Homeland Security picks up intel about a potential terrorist threat, Jack and Shakespeare are thrust into a life-or-death battle to save their own lives--and the lives of thousands of innocent people.

My Thoughts:
Yet another trial by fire.”  (p.133)

Jack and Pam Crittendon have faced fierce trials in Creston Mapes’ in each of the Crittendon Files novels.  When Sky Zone begins, the reader is almost relieved to discover that Jack and Pam are facing some of the more usual trials like unemployment, debt and some overly zealous prepper friends.  However, it doesn’t take long before it becomes very apparent that they are facing much more serious obstacles!

Each of Mapes’ books seem to be ripped from the headlines in some way.  Yet he takes it a step beyond the headlines and looks behind the unspoken fears that lie within the hearts of people around the world.  We are living in an age where terrorism seems to pop up in random places and in unexpected ways.  Mapes lifts the veil and allows the reader to experience a public kind of terror that will make even the staunchest readers squirm.  Just when you think things are beginning to settle down for a bit, the ultimate reveal explodes right in your face, and you are left to wonder about the truth of every aspect of life.

The characters in this novel, those who are believers, and some who are not, come to realize that the only thing that holds lasting value is faith in God alone.  Not the created god of terrorism, but the Creator God of the Universe who sent His Son to redeem mankind.  The gospel message is skillfully woven into the story line in a way that will draw unbelievers to consider that there is, indeed, a better way than our world leads us to believe. The reader is able to witness the transformational change that comes through the fiery trials faced by the characters in this novel.


Creston Mapes writes a fast-paced believable plot-line that will keep the pages flying past well past bedtime!  So, settle in for a great ride, and know that God does indeed bring light out of the darkest of circumstances!  These characters are flawed and genuine, and you will enjoy every minute you spend together!  Bravo!! 

If you would like to read the first chapter of Sky Zone, go HERE.


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