Love2write
09-05-2002, 09:17 AM
I thought I would pass these two books on to you. I reviewed them and gave them both five stars. I just loved them. Both authors are new southern Christian writers....with a lot of heart by the way. Below are my reviews.
The Island of Refuge
by Abby Parks
As a child Tara Madison has been given her own island in Tampa Bay. Over the years the island is her refuge, a place to escape the tirades of her abusive father, and the sorrow of watching her invalid mother waist away.
One night when Tara is a young woman, she heads out for her island in hopes of finding solitude. Instead she faces the unimaginable. It is the eve of WWII and intrique is everywhere, and has now invaded her private world. She discovers Tommy Bentley, an escaped convict hiding in her island hut. Instead of reporting Tommy to the authorities, Tara insists on helping him prove his innocence.
While reading Island of Refuge, I was reminded of those 1940's Hemmingway novels made into movies such as Key Largo and To Have and Have Not that, to this day, glue you to your seat. Island of Refuge is a tightly woven suspense mystery. It keeps you questioning with every turn of the page. You suspect that the book is about uncovering Tommy's innocence, but it is much more than that. Tara discovers what the truth that sets her free. I enjoyed this novel very much and highly recommend it.
Where Hearts Live
by Sara DuBose
There is something special about the Southern Writer, a special bond with storytelling, a unique style in the weaving of the craft. Sara DuBose is as good a southern Christian writer as one would expect to find. Her unique and heartwarming book, Where Hearts Live, is a gem.
She paints a picture of Chantilly, Alabama in the early 1950's that changed my mental picture of the deep south being all swamp and heat. Instead her vivid writing style introduced me to houses with front porch swings, hospitality, and shady magnolia trees, as well to a plethora of characters.
Where Hearts Live is a book for young and old alike. The childhood stories of Mary Lynn take us back to our own childhood, for most of us more than likely experienced similar situations. Where Hearts Live is filled with characters that are real...much like Twain did in his books. There is the lovable Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Molly, and Grandma Lil. The book would not have been complete without Mary Lynn's dog Sir Prize. The dialogue is fresh and believable. I really loved reading this book. I highly recommend it for a relaxing read. Also it is a good book for young readers. Mom's try reading this one to your kids before betime.
Where Hearts Live is also a book that takes us back to a time when values were valued, when love was the cement that bound families together. Where Hearts Live would make a good movie or play. Do not hesitate to read Ms. DuBose's delightful book. You won't regret it!
The Island of Refuge
by Abby Parks
As a child Tara Madison has been given her own island in Tampa Bay. Over the years the island is her refuge, a place to escape the tirades of her abusive father, and the sorrow of watching her invalid mother waist away.
One night when Tara is a young woman, she heads out for her island in hopes of finding solitude. Instead she faces the unimaginable. It is the eve of WWII and intrique is everywhere, and has now invaded her private world. She discovers Tommy Bentley, an escaped convict hiding in her island hut. Instead of reporting Tommy to the authorities, Tara insists on helping him prove his innocence.
While reading Island of Refuge, I was reminded of those 1940's Hemmingway novels made into movies such as Key Largo and To Have and Have Not that, to this day, glue you to your seat. Island of Refuge is a tightly woven suspense mystery. It keeps you questioning with every turn of the page. You suspect that the book is about uncovering Tommy's innocence, but it is much more than that. Tara discovers what the truth that sets her free. I enjoyed this novel very much and highly recommend it.
Where Hearts Live
by Sara DuBose
There is something special about the Southern Writer, a special bond with storytelling, a unique style in the weaving of the craft. Sara DuBose is as good a southern Christian writer as one would expect to find. Her unique and heartwarming book, Where Hearts Live, is a gem.
She paints a picture of Chantilly, Alabama in the early 1950's that changed my mental picture of the deep south being all swamp and heat. Instead her vivid writing style introduced me to houses with front porch swings, hospitality, and shady magnolia trees, as well to a plethora of characters.
Where Hearts Live is a book for young and old alike. The childhood stories of Mary Lynn take us back to our own childhood, for most of us more than likely experienced similar situations. Where Hearts Live is filled with characters that are real...much like Twain did in his books. There is the lovable Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Molly, and Grandma Lil. The book would not have been complete without Mary Lynn's dog Sir Prize. The dialogue is fresh and believable. I really loved reading this book. I highly recommend it for a relaxing read. Also it is a good book for young readers. Mom's try reading this one to your kids before betime.
Where Hearts Live is also a book that takes us back to a time when values were valued, when love was the cement that bound families together. Where Hearts Live would make a good movie or play. Do not hesitate to read Ms. DuBose's delightful book. You won't regret it!