Sanctuary

Sanctuary, by Beverly and David Lewis; Bethany House Publishers, 2007

Reviewed by Stephanie Boyles

Sanctuary is an exciting mystery/romance about the problem of keeping secrets, and how they can catch up to you. The Lewis' heroine, Melissa James, seeks sanctuary (rest and safety) in Amish country, dreading the secret that defines her life. Author Beverly Lewis (co-writing with her husband David) has tweaked her trademark style with a refreshing edge of suspense, plot twists, and has carefully sidestepped the 'fairy tale ending'. I recommend the book. Nicholas Sparks' True Believer, and his sequel At First Sight--are quite interesting, and in my opinion--should be read together. The story and main character reminded me of the lead character (Patrick Jane) on the TV show The Mentalist, using science and logic to disprove amazing claims. It tells of the journey of New York Jeremy, discovering love and what to believe in a small North Carolina town. Here's another recommendation in the "Sparks Mode"--Dear John is the story revolving around the young love between a girl and a soldier. Will their love survive (or not) the separation caused by 9/11, and his deployment during the Iraq War? Will she wait for him?

House As A Mirror of Self

House As A Mirror of Self, by Clare Cooper Marcus; Nicolas-Hays, Inc. Publishing, 2006

Reviewed by Jim Buckham

I recommend this enlightening examination of self through insights of our housing choices. Author Marcus presents an eye-opening study of peoples emotional ties to their houses, apartments, cottages, trailers and other types of dwellings. What, exactly, makes a house a home? House As A Mirror of Self includes many interviews of people in their domestic settings over a 10 year period. They show how their dwellings generally reflects their emotional ties with other people, and may even be substitutes for close or strained relationships--even unresolved issues from childhood. I will never look at a house in the same way! On the other hand, I found Anita Amirrezyani's Blood of Flowers was unfortunately disappointing. The time frame of the story was fascinating, but the story itself was otherwise lacking. If you are looking for fascinating insights to the past, present and future, try Wisdomkeepters: Meeting with Native Spritual Elders, by Steve Wall and Harvey Arden. It demonstrates how we mourn lost opportunities while retaining hope as we move forward.