It’s time to think about Christmas giving again, and as we did last year, we’ve put together a list of recommendations and personal favorites for gift giving. LDS novels are a major item on our Christmas shopping lists. Many readers have told us they, too, choose books to give at Christmas and have asked for suggestions for their gift giving. Every book we have reviewed this past year would make an excellent gift. (Check Meridian’s archives under Books.) In addition, most LDS publishers release the major portion of their lines between August and October, making this an ideal time to choose among numerous new titles for the readers on your lists.
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N.C. Allen’s One Nation Under God, Volume Four of her Faith of Our Fathers Series, Covenant Communications, 331 pages, $22.95 is the final book in a series I have enjoyed immensely and hate to see come to an end. This volume brings in a Utah connection more strongly than the previous three. Allen has written this series without romanticizing war or any part of this tragic era in our nation’s history, has made us care about a large number of individuals caught up in a nightmare, and has us applauding the courage of ordinary people and weeping for the pain those people suffer. She makes it clear no one escaped entirely the pain brought about by selfish greed, the enslavement of a race, or the careless bravado of those who sought to sever the Union. She also moves the reader toward an understanding that God had a part in forming the United States and that healing comes through turning toward Him for strength, understanding, and forgiveness. One Nation Under God is a powerful conclusion to this epic series and one those who started the series will want to receive. The complete set will be a favorite for history buffs. (Jennie Hansen)
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Another series I have followed avidly comes to a conclusion with A New Dawn, volume 3 in the “House of Israel“ series by Robert Marcum, Covenant Communications, 385 pages, $22.95. This series has taken us from the aftermath of World War II in Germany through the tumultuous formation of Israel. It establishes background information needed to understand the continuing conflict in the Middle East today. The book is satisfying as an adventure/romance, but it goes much deeper to explain the hate and factions that keep that part of the world in turmoil-and in today’s headlines. This is a great series for those attempting to understand world issues. (Jennie Hansen)
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A book that will be of interest to both the politically minded and those who see our present time as part of the final assault by Satan before he is bound will be fascinated by Where Angels Fall, the second book in Chris Stewart’s “The Great and Terrible,” Deseret Book, 367 pages, $18.95. Stewart shows a firm grasp of the political intrigue that exists today between countries, people, families, and religions. Where Angels Fall is a strong techno-thriller that will keep the reader glued to the pages of this novel – not just by the technical knowledge and political intrigue that Stewart handles admirably, but also by the deep sense of the battle between good and evil that permeates the story. Women play relatively minor roles in this volume, but a couple of female characters are moved into position to play much stronger roles in a future volume. Considering that most of the volume takes place in the Middle East, this isn’t surprising. This isn’t a “feel good” book and the violence goes beyond that usually found in LDS crime or suspense novels, but it will leave the reader examining news stories a little closer and clinging to their loved ones a little tighter.
Final Hour (“Seventh Seal Epic”) by Jessica Draper and Richard D. Draper, Covenant Communications, 534 pages, $17.95 is the final and best book in the trilogy. The first book in the series, Seventh Seal, didn’t appeal to me and I felt a little hesitant to read the second book, Rising Storm, but I found it a great improvement and began looking forward to the third book. I wasn’t disappointed. I’ll admit to a bias concerning “last days” fiction. I don’t generally like these speculative stories because all of the focus is on the “signs” and the evil of the last days with little attention given to the faith and miracles promised or to the role the Church is to play in those winding up scenes. Perhaps that is why I found Final Hour more rewarding than the others I have read. The reader sees the final tumultuous events through the eyes of many members of the Church at varying levels of conversion and faith. We also see it from a wide variety of geographical locations including a manned space station, Salt Lake City, Missouri, the Philippines, a South American jungle, a Navajo reservation near the Mexican border, Jerusalem, China, and many other places which serve to remind the reader of the worldwide significance of this long-foretold event. Perhaps the most important difference I found is the way I felt at the conclusion of the story – enlightened, joyful, and with a renewed sense of commitment instead of gloomy and fearful as other forays into “last days” books have left me. Though I began it as a reluctant reader, this series earned a place on my “keeper” shelf and I heartily recommend it for not only “”last days” fans, but for any serious readers and thinkers on your lists. (Jennie Hansen)
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Social issues and matters of conscience play a strong role in LDS fiction. A Question of Consequence by Gordon Ryan, published by Mapletree Publishing Company, 336 pages, $13.95 is a bold look at a familiar concept: When we choose a path, we choose where that path leads. Matthew Sterling is assistant city manager of a small Utah city with a strong testimony of the gospel. Most of his co-workers are also LDS, but with varying degrees of activity and commitment. When a new mayor is elected who isn’t a member, Sterling discovers just how shallow the roots of faith are for many of his faith who stand to lose their stranglehold on power in the community. He learns via some painful lessons that choosing right has its consequences and they’re not always pleasant just because they’re right. Though there are similarities between Matt’s experience and that of a Revolutionary War ancestor, the ancestor’s story would be better as a stand alone story rather than being used as a vague tie-in since the conclusions are quite different. A thought-provoking must for those fascinated by the study of ethics, politics, or social issues.
(Jennie Hansen)
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Escaping the Shadows by Lisa J. Peck , Published by Bonneville Books, 214 pages, $14.95 is another examination of a popular social issue. Escaping the Shadows is written especially for those members of the Church who are divorced or who have self-esteem issues stemming from abuse. Written entirely as e-mails sent by Charlene to a close friend, a few people she wishes to help, to her husband (ex), and to various male friends she becomes drawn to over the course of two years, the story is a journey. During the course of the journey, she moves away from an abusive pattern in her life to self-awareness, increased faith in God, and a future filled with love, hope, self-worth, greater understanding of her children’s needs, and a closer relationship with God and the Church. Some of the e-mails are too preachy and some are far more clinical than the average reader may desire, but overall, the book will answer questions and lend encouragement to those facing similar challenges. Action-oriented readers and those looking for a lovely romance will be disappointed because the action is growth and the romance is low key. An excellent gift for the person seeking help and consolation at a trying time in life. (Jennie Hansen)
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Stolen Identity by Viann Prestwich, published by Covenant Communications, 278 pages, $14.95 is another social issues book. It also looks at conversion to the Gospel. This one deals more with emotional abuse than physical and the victim is a child who grows up so ostracized from other children by his parents, particularly his father, that when he reaches eighteen and runs away it as though he has arrived in a foreign country. Coping on his own, more than a little manipulation of the system, and the discovery of people more needy than himself go a long way toward changing his life. Curiosity about the Church and community responsible for the missionaries who affected his life at a young age drive him to learn more. As he escapes the nightmare of his childhood, the younger sister he leaves behind becomes more enmeshed in that dark world. This book doesn’t paint a lot of rosy pictures about dysfunctional families being converted and living happily ever after, but it does show a determined individual can escape but not without some residual baggage. (Jennie Hansen)
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Suspense is a favorite form of reading entertainment in today’s LDS market. High on this year’s list of top novels is Clair M. Poulson’s Cover Up, Covenant Communications, 291 pages, $14.95. With a style and legal expertise I find similar to John Grisham, Poulson takes on a nail-biting story of white-collar theft in the pharmaceutical world. Not only the crime is high tech, the drugs “legal,” and the villains hard to detect, but questions of ethics and loyalty play major roles. Any suspense fan would be delighted to find this book beneath his/her Christmas tree. (Jennie Hansen)
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Betsy Brannon Green‘s two recent books are both excellent. Foul Play, 277 pages and Silenced, 303 pages, Covenant Communications, $14.95, are both high-action, suspenseful mysteries with a touch of romance and a heaping helping of Southern flavor. In Foul Play a new football league is formed and the organizers see it as a way to scam the public and investors. Millions are at stake and there are those who place little value on the lives of those who get in their way. Silenced brings a female police officer into conflict with her superiors when intuition and her knowledge of LDS homes tells her the children weren’t abandoned voluntarily by their parents. When the children’s Uncle Quin shows up, the action becomes heated in more ways than one. Either or both of these books would be great gifts for the mystery/suspense reader. (Jennie Hansen)
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Two other mystery/suspense novels caught my attention in recent months and are great additions to the shopping list. Both are published by Covenant Communications and are priced at $14.95. Deception, written by Sian Ann Bessey, proves the author’s versatility. Already known for her children’s books, a successful mid-reader, and a couple of light romances set in Wales, Bessey’s new book is filled with intrigue and danger far from home. Centered around an unusual engineering assignment on a New Zealand campus, the setting provides an exotic flavor to an exciting mystery. Wrongly Accused by J. Michael Hunter begins half a world away from New Zealand on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City. This action-packed story explores the premise that when circumstantial evidence points strongly toward an individual as the guilty party in the commission of a heinous crime there is still plenty of reason to investigate further, but little inclination to do so – unless you are the accused. (Jennie Hansen)
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Both teenage and adult women who enjoy romance will be pleased to find an LDS romance, wrapped with love, in their stockings. Among the many satisfying romances to be released this year are two personal favorites; Finding Paradise by Michele Ashman Bell, Covenant Communications, 249 pages, $14.95 and Through Love’s Trials by Julie Coulter Bellon, Spring Creek Book Company, 192 pages, $13.95. Bell, a seasoned and much-loved writer, has a reputation for delivering sensitive romantic stories. His books show keen insight into enduring relationships between men and women, and this story is no exception as it delves into first impressions, assumptions, and the discovery of a love that stands the test of time. Finding Paradise has the added bonus of a sunny Cancun wedding setting to brighten the winter blahs and begin a romantic relationship that seems too perfect to last. Bellon is a first time author, and Through Love’s Trials is one of two first novels published by Spring Creek, a new LDS-oriented publishing company. An unexpected request to deliver a computer disk to a co-worker’s ex-wife leads Kenneth King from Arizona to Utah with a quick side trip to Alberta, Canada. Mixed in with a pair of cautious lovers is plenty of unexpected danger. The involvement of the Canadian Secret Service adds a different twist, though the trip to Canada accomplishes little to advance the story. (Jennie Hansen)
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Choosing Mr.
Right by Jennifer Stewart Griffith, Spring Creek Book Company, 228 pages, $14.95 is the first book by author Jennifer Stewart Griffith, but hopefully not her last. It’s the story of 28 year?old Kate, who works as executive assistant to the governor of Wyoming. Kate is certain she’s dated every available man in the area and is never going to find her “Mr. Right.” Accepting an invitation to reunite with the roommates she had one summer, she returns to the “Baby Bear Bungalow,” where the five women catch up on the past and begin, one by one, to share how they each met their own “Mr. Right.” Kate suffers through each woman’s account of her discovery of true love. After the reunion, Kate returns to her job, only to receive an unexpected surprise by her boss. She receives an even bigger surprise at the end of the book that makes Choosing Mr. Right a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying book. My favorite thing about this story is the author’s writing style. I loved the sassy, crisp way she represented Kate and the wonderful inner dialogue of the main character. The political element was full of interesting details and provided a great background for Kate’s story. Griffith has a knack for creating interesting well-developed characters. I enjoyed getting to know each of the roommates and reading their personal stories of finding love. This is an intelligent, funny and well?written story that I highly recommend and a perfect gift for any romance reader on your Christmas list. Watch for more to come from Jennifer Stewart Griffith. (Michele Ashman Bell)
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Sacred Voyage by Gregg R. Luke, Aspen Books, 291 pages, $16.95 caught my attention because I’ve always been intrigued by the Book of Mormon references to people who set out from the Nephite and Lamanite settlements to explore further north and to seek islands in the Pacific. Sacred Voyage is the story of a fictional couple who flee the chaos and intrigue of a society being overtaken by the Gadianton Robbers. They meet others who also must disappear to protect their lives and their right to worship God as they have been taught by generations of prophets. After several daring rescues of imprisoned loved ones, the group is broken up as they sail on different vessels for unknown lands. This is a satisfying read, giving the reader plenty to think about. (Jennie Hansen)
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High on my list of this year’s favorites is This Just In by Kerry Blair, Covenant Communications, 272 pages, $14.95. Humor in LDS fiction has developed slowly and this year has seen more growth than in any previous year. Robert Smith is a perennial favorite, but sometimes his pokes at our culture are a little sillier than I care for. Robison Wells and Dean Hughes both come much closer to my tastes because they both manage to follow the dictates of true humor by taking situations which are in a sense tragic and making us see the comic side. What is more, they manage to do it without making our culture appear to be comprised of a bunch of kooks. Blair not only picks up on this tragic/comedy connection, but she creates a character who is the best and the worst of most of us. Along the way, she takes some gentle pokes at several stereotypes, not just Mormon ones but at the clich, lightening quick romance with a rugged, half-breed hero, the ditsy, dumb blonde, crooked politicians, and the anything-for-a-story media. And she does it so well, the reader falls in love with her characters. Another thing I loved about This Just In was the series of chapter notes directed primarily at women. They are funny, but at the same time provide legitimate health and beauty tips. They also provide an opportunity to laugh at ourselves. What woman hasn’t worried about the correct way to apply lipstick or what she should do if she’s stranded in the desert without shampoo or conditioner? (Jennie Hansen)
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Sierra St. James provides LDS readers with a genre they don’t often see – science fiction. In Time Riders by Sierra St. James, Bonneville Books, 283 pages, $19.95, two college students, Sheridan and Taylor, are zapped into the twenty-fourth century by a group of power-hungry scientists whose experiment goes awry. The young women are not only confused by their sudden jump forward in time, but as members of the Church they have a difficult time aligning their belief that they were living in the last days with the evil society they have found themselves in. It is certainly no Zion community. St. James keeps the pace fast, the action exciting, danger front and center, and the reader guessing. St. James is known for her youth books and teenagers will enjoy this adventure, but so will their parents. I’m not usually a science fiction fan, but I enjoyed this one and recommend it highly. (Jennie Hansen)
The Raging Sea by Sonia O’Brien, published by Covenant Communications, 229 pages, $14.95 is a hard book to categorize. It begins pretty much as a run-of-the-mill young adult romance but it evolves into a tremendously well-written survival story when the cruise ship carrying Kaitlyn Winters and a couple of her close friends who recently graduated from college with her goes down in a storm. The fluff disappears as lives are on the line in an unrelenting sea. Almost as though the writer takes on a different level of talent the reader becomes aware of every nuance and fear the ocean can throw at a small lifeboat. Coupled with the realistic threats carried by the storm, then a relentless sun, are the unraveling strengths and weaknesses of the occupants of the raft. The romance is okay, but the ocean ordeal is unforgettable. Pick this one for the adventurers on your list. (Jennie Hansen)
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Cold Train Coming by Larry Barkdull, Deseret Book/Shadow Mountain, 202 pages, $16.95 is one of those stories that haunts the heart for years to come. In some ways it is a coming-of-age book that could be construed as young adult in nature, but it more than that. This is a story about keeping faith and loyalty. It begins and ends with a sheepdog whose master dies and is transported east by train for burial. Left behind is his dog, who never loses hope that his master will return. Each day he meets all four trains to check the passengers. It’s also a “first love” story, rich in the details of small town life during the dark days of World War II, when men and boys went off to war and women turned to the jobs left behind by their men. It’s a book of discovery as Ben Colby meets the hard realities of love, family imperfections, racial bigotry, and never enough food or money.
This is a book to be shared. It will invoke memories for older readers and draw families closer. It just may bring a few chuckles and more than one tear.
Jud’s Journey by Fay Waldemar McCracken, Bedside Books, 212 pages, $18.00 is a pioneer story, rich in details and fullof adventure. Older children and even adults will enjoy reading about Jud and his experiences on the Mormon Trail. Life on the Mormon Trail is difficult, dangerous, and filled with heartache and tragedy, but Jud’s experience crossing the plains becomes even more harrowing as he gets lost during a hunting trip with his father and is left alone in the mountains during a horrible storm. The wagon train leaves him behind, convinced that Jud died in the storm, but Jud’s strong will to survive and faith in God doesn’t allow him to give up. As he struggles to find his family he takes on the added responsibility of two orphaned Indian children he finds along the way. Jud rises to the challenge and gives the reader a sense of triumph and satisfaction as he succeeds on his journey. Jud’s Journey will provide hours of enjoyment and give the reader a taste of what life was like on the Mormon Trail. A true tale of courage and faith. (Michele Ashman Bell)
Moroni’s Treasure, Volume I, By Tina Monson, Sounds of Zion, 324 pages, $9.95 is the first book in the “Liahona Legacies Series,” a Book of Mormon adventure story filled with fun. The story begins with two men, Eddie and Earl, who escape from prison during a horrible rainstorm and hide out in the small town of Timber Creek. Because of the rain, the Skarpal Championship Baseball Tournament is canceled and the disappointed team members of the Timber Creek Titans go to Mr. Jensen’s to help clean out the old man’s attic. While cleaning the attic they discover a treasure map labeled “Moroni’s Treasure.” The excitement begins as they decide to begin the search for Moroni’s treasure, using clues that cleverly involve Book of Mormon scriptures. With the help of Cheri, a librarian, they figure out each clue and scurry about the town and the surrounding area in search of the treasure. Not far behind them are Earl and Eddie, who were hiding in Mr. Jensen’s attic and overheard their plans to find the treasure. With danger coming at them from every direction, the children never give up on their search. When they finally find the treasure, they encounter a whole new adventure that will become Volume II in the series. Because of the long length and somewhat drawn out pacing of the book, Moroni’s Treasure would probably be best suited to older children with a high reading level. Because the cast of characters work as a team throughout the entire book, we don’t really get to know the characters on a personal level. I found it interesting that the parents of these kids, who only go by their nicknames, didn’t seem overly excited that their children were in possession of an honest?to?goodness Book of Mormon treasure map, nor did they seem overly concerned that their children were running around town while two dangerous escaped prisoners were at large. Not to mention the fact that the children even met Lehonti, a warrior from the Book of Mormon, which the parents took completely in stride. Still, the story is fun and will let the reader see scriptures being used to help the children find a treasure. (Michele Ashman Bell)
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For those who like sentimental “miracle” Christmas stories, Jason E. Wright’s The James Miracle is one of the best to come out in recent years. Published by Millennial Press, 98 pages, $12.95, Wright tells a story in first person of a young intern, Sam, who falls in love in busy Washington D.C. with a student, Holly, at Georgetown University. The young couple become the parents of a baby they name James. He’s bright, precocious, and undemanding. While Sam and Holly are busy finishing school and launching careers, James spends most of his time with a series of sitters. Grabbing whatever time they can for family activities, their love for their child grows, but their love for each other stagnates as they spend little time together as a couple and less and less time as a family. One memorable activity when James is ten is building a small boat named the James Miracle which the child sails on ponds and streams and comes to value above all of his other toys, even risking his life for it when he sails it in deep water and it breaks the string and drifts away. An accident, followed by a long coma, tries the family’s faith in each other, in God, and in the future. The tiny boat becomes a symbol of hope. (Jennie Hansen)
