SISTERCHICKS IN SOMBREROS: A Sisterchicks Novel
Robin Jones Gunn. Multnomah, $12.99 paper (325p) ISBN 1-59052-229-X
Gunn’s third Sisterchicks novel offers the expected chick-lit emphasis on female friendship, enhanced by this series’ usual formula of a girlfriends’ getaway. In this case, the "sisterchicks" are actual sisters-two 40-something Canadian women who inherit what they are told is prime real estate on the coast of Mexico, and run for the border to check it out. Melanie, the book’s narrator, is a born organizer and worrywart who, rather predictably, discovers joy in Christ and in her free-spirit sister Joanne, a saintly idealist with a character-saving dash of fun. Although the novel is preachy at times, many Christian women will identify with these sisters and their entertaining exploits, from their highs (a chocolate-laden luxury cruise, a hint of romance) to their lows (being ripped off at a rental car firm, battling las cucarachas during an unexpected detour). Gunn writes with humor and a deep understanding of the power of women’s intimacy. (Oct.)
LIFE EVERLASTING: The Santee Series Book Two
Robert Whitlow. W Publishing, $14.99 paper (400p) ISBN 0-7852-6228-8
Fans who missed Whitlow’s Life Support will want to read that novel before attempting this sequel, which has strong moments but may be confusing to the uninitiated. Divorce lawyer Alexia "Alex" Lindale finds herself doubling as a criminal defense attorney for Rena Richardson, a perfidious client who keeps changing her story about how her wealthy husband came to fall from a cliff. Meanwhile, the husband begins to emerge from his coma due to the healing power of prayer and music-a recovery that terrifies Rena, who fears that he will soon be able to tell the truth about his accident. The novel offers a well-honed subplot about Alex’s growing Christian faith and her attraction to the pianist who first introduced her to God, as well as interesting courtroom drama and lovely ruminations on music and nature. However, the plot threads aren’t as tight or the twists as surprising as readers have come to expect from the Christy-winning Whitlow, and the ending fizzles. (Oct. 7)
TAKE ME HOME: Hearts of the Children Volume 4
Dean Hughes. Deseret/Bookcraft, $23.95 (440p) ISBN 1-59038-332-X
The Thomas family saga continues with this solid penultimate volume, set in the early 1970s. Readers who have followed the story will cheer as Diane finally stands on her own two feet; Hans finds a modest amount of freedom and happiness in socialist East Germany; and Kathy discovers that it is faith, not politics, that will change people’s lives in the Philippines and elsewhere. But while his cousins come into their own, Gene feels lost amid the chaos and anguish of the Vietnam War, which inflicts deep emotional and physical wounds. As always, Hughes offers a balanced perspective on one of American history’s most turbulent eras, and weaves in his characters’ Mormon beliefs without excessive moralizing. Although the writing occasionally tells-rather than shows-the action, the characters ring true and the story is engrossing. (Sept.)
RIVER’S EDGE: Book Three
Terri Blackstock. Zondervan, $12.99 paper (368p) ISBN 0-310-23594-4
This well-crafted suspense novel picks up immediately following the second installment in the Cape Refuge series: Blair has just become a Christian and a newspaper owner; Morgan struggles with infertility; and Jonathan faces two opponents in his quest to become the mayor of Cape Refuge, their small Georgia island town. When the wife of one of Jonathan’s opponents goes missing, among those the chief of police suspects are the third mayoral candidate (who is, unsurprisingly, an atheist), a prosperous fertility doctor and a local psychic who appears to have uncanny knowledge about the case. Despite some didactic moments (a biblical exposition of the dangers of divination, for example), the novel manages to be more plot-driven than message-driven, a step forward for evangelical Christian suspense. Numerous red herrings in the meticulously plotted story will keep readers guessing, and they will be delighted by the skillful surprise ending. (Sept.)
DEAREST DOROTHY, HELP! I’VE LOST MYSELF!
Charlene Ann Baumbich. Penguin, $10.95 paper (284p) ISBN 0-14-303428-6
Fans of Jan Karon’s Mitford or Philip Gulley’s Harmony will revel in the antics of the residents of Partonville, Baumbich’s imaginary village in "the northern part of southern Illinois." Alongside various familiar faces (the prickly mayor, the garrulous salon owner and the city slickers who’ve recently moved in from Chicago), the town boasts an individual who is anything but a stock character: Dorothy Jean Wetstra, an 87-year-old spitfire with a heart of gold. As the town gears up to celebrate its 130th anniversary, Dorothy helps new resident Katie Durbin come to terms with an unsettling revelation about her family, while Katie’s son Josh winningly navigates the turbulent waters of adolescent dating. The novel has some mechanical problems, with sudden and inexplicable shifts in point of view, but the characters are quirky and charming; there are several laugh-out-loud moments; and Baumbich offers gentle inspiration without hammering readers over the head with God, whom Dorothy delightfully calls "The Big Guy." (Sept.)
