Vic's Media Room

Book Review: “Falls Like Lightning” by Shawn Grady

Shawn Grady in his new book, “Falls Like Lightning” published by Bethany House once again takes us into the world of firefighting.

From the back cover:  Smokejumper Silas Kent never expected to see pilot Elle Westmore again.  In fact, reuniting makes him realize what a mistake he made all those years ago.  But before he has a chance to try to make amends, he’s called to lead a new crew into battle against a massive fire in the Sierra Nevadas.

And then things go very wrong, very quickly.

A suspicious engine explosion forces the crew to parachute early while Elle barely survives a crash landing.  Silas reaches the ground safely, but in beginning a desperate race to reach the downed plane, he soon realizes he has more to fear than just a raging forest fire.

For a story to be a thriller it has to have the hero in danger from the beginning and Shawn Grady made sure of that.  How do you describe paranoia?  From now on I will just say to people, “read “Falls Like Lightning”.  Silas Kent has his hands full; a raging forest fire, an untried team whose members, all or some, are trying to kill him.  The woman he loves needs to be rescued and he is all by himself.

“Falls Like Lightning” is more than a thriller it is a story of dealing with the past.  If the past is unresolved then the future is uncertain for there is nothing to build upon.  Silas has a broken past with Elle that needs to be worked out.  Elle has a broken past with the loss of her father and how he died.  Mr. Grady has a unique ability to make all his characters come to life and we fall in love with them and get emotionally involved with their relationships but also with their peril.  The last 100 pages are the most exciting that you will ever want to race through as they run to protect their lives and expose the bad guy.   I was very pleased with Mr. Grady’s first two books but this one is even better.  I look forward to the next book with enthusiasm.  I recommend it highly.

If you missed the interview for “Tomorrow We Die”, a previous book from Shawn Grady, and would like to listen to it and/or interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House.   I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: “Before the Scarlet Dawn” by Rita Gerlach

Rita Gerlach in her new book, “Before the Scarlet Dawn” Book One in The Daughters of the Potomac Series published by Abingdon Press takes us back to The Revolutionary War.

From the back cover:  In 1773, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father’s estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar’s daughter, Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life, even though her father has left her a sizable dowry for her.

Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward’s path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it’s a temporary reprieve. Hayward joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness.

I like history.  I like to know what was going on back then so that I understand what is going on now.  Rita Gerlach feeds my passion for history as her new book, “Before the Scarlet Dawn” is a book of history dealing with The Revolutionary War.  I commend Ms. Gerlach for all the research she had to do to before she could begin writing.  Thank you for all your efforts as they clearly shine through in your writing.  “Before the Scarlet Dawn” is the story of the romance between Eliza Bloome and Hayward Morgan. Ms. Gerlach always has wonderful themes and this book is no exception.  There is the theme of a woman’s place as Eliza comes from a poor family and Hayward is from the upper class.  When she tries to move outside of her social position others try to keep her in her place.  There is this them of finding a place to belong as they have to leave England and move to America and begin anew there.  Rita Gerlach does a wonderful job at bringing historical events to life while weaving in the fictional aspects of the story in a seamless flowing pattern. She makes you care for all the characters and their journey.   This is also just plain fun and exciting as well.  I look forward to the next book in the series.

If you missed the interview for “Surrender The Wind”, a different book from Rita Gerlach, and would like to listen to it and/or interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press.   I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”