Book Review: The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell by Kelly Flanagan

About the Book:

Recipient of the Illumination Book Award.

Recipient of the Nautilus Book Award.

Elijah Campbell is on the verge of losing his writing career, his faith, and his marriage when a recurring childhood nightmare drives him back to his hometown, Bradford's Ferry. There, his encounters with loved ones both past and present shed light on the reason his wife left him—and the meaning of his nightmare. However, beyond the light he begins to glimpse something even more terrifying—a decision he must make either to continue hiding the secrets of his past or unhide the only thing that can save his marriage: himself.

In psychologist Kelly Flanagan's non-fiction works (Loveable, True Companions), he drew from clinical insight to explore the spiritual depths of identity and relationships. Now, in this debut novel, he weaves a page-turning and plot-twisting tale that brings new life to those insights, along with fresh revelations about personal growth, spiritual transformation, and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships.

This visit to Bradford's Ferry will linger long after the final page has been turned, and a guide for group discussion invites further conversation about the story's themes of healing, grace, faith, forgiveness, and freedom.

Read an excerpt from The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell on the publisher's website.

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My Thoughts:

The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell stands as psychologist Kelly Flanagan’s debut novel. Flanagan’s expertise was fully on display as Elijah, the protagonist, struggled with his mental health and the buried trauma haunting his dreams. I marked many quotes while reading because I felt the truth of them. Then again, when I prepared to write this review I reread all I had marked and found the statements still worth further pondering.

The theme of “The past is behind us, but it is also, always, within us” repeated throughout The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell. As Eljah processed his trauma, he came close to suicide twice which might be a trigger for some readers. I admit, the book unsettled me with its depictions of emotional pain and a child carrying a family secret. Hard situations, complex feelings, and disturbing memories surfaced along the plot. A few mild cuss words appeared in times of frustration. The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell by Kelly Flanagan was not a pleasure read, but it held a lot of truth for survivors of childhood trauma. The book mixed self-help with fiction, and it would make a good therapy resource. Four stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: Stay With Me by Becky Wade

About the Book:

Loving her is a risk he can't afford . . . and can't resist.

When acclaimed Bible study author Genevieve Woodward receives an anonymous letter referencing her parents' past, she returns to her hometown in the Blue Ridge Mountains to chase down her family's secret. However, it's Genevieve's own secret that catches up to her when Sam Turner, owner of a historic farm, uncovers the source of shame she's worked so hard to hide.

Sam has embraced his sorrow, his isolation, and his identity as an outsider. He's spent years carving out both career success and peace of mind. The last thing he wants is to rent the cottage on his property to a woman whose struggles stir his worst failure back to life. Yet can he bear to turn her away right when she needs him most?

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My Thoughts:

Stay with Me stands as a prime example of why Becky Wade rates as one of my favorite contemporary romance writers. So many elements worked together to form this beautiful story. It had Pride and Prejudice quotes, laugh-out-loud humor, emotional drama, family secrets, and an unfolding romance. The story held my attention as the characters dealt with tough issues such as prescription drug addiction, trauma, and following God’s leading. To me, the story didn’t feel dark or heavy, but I recognize that it could be more difficult for those who know someone struggling with prescription drug addiction or have fought that battle themselves. Thankfully, there is so much hope and truth in Stay with Me.

As I reviewed my notes on Stay with Me, I found seventeen topics or issues that the novel touched on. There are probably some that I missed. Though the story taps so many issues, it focuses in on only a few and wraps up beautifully in the end. I recommend Stay with Me to readers who enjoy contemporary romances with plenty of character development and spiritual truths.

Stay with Me by Becky Wade debuts as the first full-length novel in the Misty River Romance series. There is a prequel, Take a Chance on Me, in which Sam appears as a minor character; however, it is not necessary to read the prequel.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this ebook by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: The Moon is Always Round by Jonathan Gibson

About the Book:

Even young children want answers to the hard questions about God and suffering. In The Moon Is Always Round, seminary professor and author Jonathan Gibson uses the vivid imagery of the moon to explain to children how God's goodness is always present, even when it might appear to be obscured by upsetting or difficult circumstances.

In this beautiful, full-color illustrated book, he allows readers to eavesdrop on the conversations he had with his young son in response to his sister's death. Father and son share a simple liturgy together that reminds them that, just as the moon is always round despite its different phases, so also the goodness of God is always present throughout the different phases of life.

A section in the back of the book offers further biblical help for parents and caregivers in explaining God's goodness to children. Jonathan Gibson reminds children of all ages that God's goodness is present in the most difficult of times, even if we can't always see it.

My Thoughts:

The Moon is Always Round, written by Jonathan Gibson and illustrated by Joe Hox, aims to remind children that God is always good, just like the moon is always round. Though we can’t always see the full shape of the moon, we know it is always round. Though we can’t always see God’s goodness, we know He is good all the time.

The Moon is Always Round makes me cry every time I read it. The boy’s baby sister is stillborn and he struggles to understand. It’s based on the real-life experience of the author and his son. The illustrations in The Moon is Always Round are lovely and the story captured both of my daughters’ interest. However, both agreed that they don’t want to read it again because it is so sad.

The Moon is Always Round by Jonathan Gibson is a good resource for a family dealing with grief over the loss of a loved one, but it is not a book that my children want to return to for entertainment.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers

Grace Moore is a single mother, desperate to be independent again. When she takes a temp job as Roman Velasco's personal assistant, she almost quits on the first day. But the desire to support herself financially and care for her young son keeps her coming back daily to work for the temperamental artist. Grace quickly learns how alone Roman is, despite his career successes. As their working relationship improves, Grace and Roman are drawn to each other, but their beliefs and traumas of the past keep them far apart. Will they ever be more to each other than boss and assistant? Can God create a beautful masterpiece from two broken lives? Read more in The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers.

I read The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers twice before writing this review and I thoroughly enjoyed it both times. Francine Rivers is a master storyteller and has been my favorite author since I first read her Mark of the Lion series about ten years ago. Rivers uses romantic tension, mysterious histories, and authentic characters with questions and issues to weave a story that captivates the reader's attention.

Throughout The Masterpiece, Grace and Roman's pasts are slowly revealed and circumstances force them to deal with the separate traumas they experienced in childhood. Rivers' characters are throroughly developed, with the reader seeing exactly what makes these characters the way they are. Even as temperamental and rude as Roman was, I had no problem liking him as well as every other primary character in the book.

I recommend The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers to everyone – man, woman, adult, or teenager. It's gripping, gritty, and full of God's grace.

Read an excerpt from The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers on the publisher's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."