More Christian Book Reviews!

Four Stars: Dana Pratola’s “The Covering”

“Praying for the Leader of the Pack”

This is a formula romance that defies the formulas. Good girl attracted to bad boy — Check. Bad boy tortures himself over what is and isn’t his fault about his past — Check. But then there’s that prayer thing, unleashing the Power of God. That power doesn’t take a back seat to anything in this story. It’s not tacked on, it’s not preachy, it’s persistent, flowing into all the cracks in everybody’s armor, especially Gunnar’s, but even Tessa’s got some armor God needs to seep through. I almost thought it was really going formula when tragedy struck, but hey, even that was a surprise. Way to shake up the “Leader of the Pack” stereotype, Dana Pratola. Thanks for a great ride!

Four Stars: Laura J. Marshall’s Faith, Love, and Fried Chicken

“When Things Don’t Go Like You Planned … ”

Warning! This is a serial, which means the story’s not finished with this short episode. And it seems like a pretty predictable, old-fashioned romance at first. But the Jock from high school and the quiet girl dreaming of adventure away from tiny town USA have some surprises for us. Dash’s secret recipe for romance will make you smile, even when he’s not the one who makes the fried chicken part of the story a reality. Pretend you live back in the days where magazines had serial stories and you couldn’t wait for the next installment.

**** Dave King’s “The Curse”

“A Stranger Changes Everything”

I saw some parallels with biblical story of Elijah in this short story. A three-year famine, a stranger in town, and a family in need of hope. This short story is still full of good lessons, about the dangers of gossip and the difference between a sin and a curse. it’s a great allegory about what people think they know about right and wrong, and how wrong they can be.

**** Cynthia P. Willow’s “Land of Flames”

“A Misfit and a Magical Destiny”

This is a story an adult can read all in one night, but I can imagine it becoming a great bedtime story that will reward your kids for hitting the hay on time. Lamek doesn’t know who he should be loyal to when the only life he knows is mockery and slavery, and the only friend he has is a warped and selfish dragon. Karini’s a timid pink fairy who’s promised to help the cause of freedom, but how do you get free from thirteen dragons? There’s an army you won’t expect, a separation and a sacrifice you won’t soon forget, and, best of all, there are two more books in the series to look forward to!