Lion of Babylon

Product Description:

Marc Royce works for the State Department on special assignments, most of them rather routine, until two CIA operatives go missing in Iraq--kidnapped by Taliban forces bent on generating chaos in the region. Two others also drop out of sight--a high-placed Iraqi civilian and an American woman providing humanitarian aid. Are the disappearances linked? Rumors circulate in a whirl of misinformation.

Marc must unravel the truth in a covert operation requiring utmost secrecy--from both the Americans and the insurgents. But even more secret than the undercover operation is the underground dialogue taking place between sworn enemies. Will the ultimate Reconciler between ancient enemies, current foes, and fanatical religious factions be heard?

*Source

My Review:

This fast-paced novel is full of suspense from the very beginning. It moves along quickly with an intensity that draws the reader along without being overwhelming.

The main character, Mark Royce, is believable and likable.

What really makes this book, though, is the authors deep understanding of the complexities of life in the Middle East, and in particular, Iraq. He gives the reader a  much better understanding of what day-to-day life is really like there, and why they believe the way they do.

The only thing I didn't like was the very ecumenical representation of Christianity.

Overall, it was a very good book.

*I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers.

Harvest of Grace

Source: http://www.amazon.com/

Product Description:

Reeling from an unexpected betrayal, can Sylvia find relief from the echoes of her past…or will they shape her future forever?

Although Sylvia Fisher recognizes that most Old Order Amish women her age spend their hours managing a household and raising babies, she has just one focus—tending and nurturing the herd on her family’s dairy farm. But when a dangerous connection with an old beau forces her to move far from home, she decides to concentrate on a new start and pour her energy into reviving another family’s debt-ridden farm.

After months in rehab, Aaron Blank returns home to sell his Daed’s failing farm and move his parents into an easier lifestyle. Two things stand in his way: the father who stubbornly refuses to recognize that Aaron has changed and the determined new farmhand his parents love like a daughter. Her influence on Aaron’s parents could ruin his plans to escape the burdens of farming and build a new life.

Can Aaron and Sylvia find common ground? Or will their unflinching efforts toward opposite goals blur the bigger picture— a path to forgiveness, glimpses of grace, and the promise of love.

My Review:

I found this book to be very aptly titled. God's grace in forgiveness and restoring relationships is modeled all throughout this book. I found it to be very refreshing and encouraging to read.

I just adored some of the characters and could really relate to their struggles. The characters were deep and rich, and it was evident that they were growing in grace and faith.

Also, I really appreciate that before the story begins the reader is given a brief overview of what happened in the previous Ada's House novels and there is a list of main characters and important details about them. This makes it much easier for readers who have not read the previous books to keep track of who is who and whats already happened.

Overall, this was a great book book for any Amish fiction lover.

*I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah.