Darkness Before Dawn Book Review

SUMMARY:  Will Grief Push Meg Over The Edge?
     On the same night she discovers she is pregnant, twenty-eight-year-old nurse Meg Richards' husband is killed in an auto accident caused by a drunken teen.  James Thomas comes from one of the most influential families in the community.  He's a star athlete and glamour boy at the local high school.  But the accident he caused will change his life - and Meg's future - forever.
     Angered by her senseless loss and facing life as a single mother, Meg blames God for what has happened and considers a decision that could change her life even further.  Enraged by the brutal trial and court's decision, Meg starts down a frightening path of retribution.  When the opportunity for revenge comes unexpectedly, will Meg follow through?  Or will the remnants of her faith lead her in a different direction?

REVIEW:  Let me start off by saying this book is not light reading.  Seeing the dangerous paths Meg chooses to take, the hardening of her heart and completely pulling away from her long-held faith in God and those around her that want to help her was really hard.  The author did an excellent job showing the slippery path of anger and grief a person can take; how one bad choice can lead you down wrong paths and have you considering things you never would have thought about before.  Meg's decisions not only affect her but her friends when she gives advice flippantly on a serious subject.  Even though the subject matter and watching Meg slowly disintegrate was very hard, seeing Meg come through the other side a better person is worth it. 
      A problem I had with part the story was after the trial when Meg started stalking Jim.  She abused the privilege of being a nurse to gain access to his school and just how she was dogging his every move.  She would show up everywhere he went, calling his cell phone so much that he stopped answer and, basically, ruining his life.  I understand WHY she did it but Jim, his friends or his family never reported her harassment to the police department (Jim knew she was stalking him because she did it openly and let him see her).  The author does explain why Jim did not call the police on her but it still just doesn't seem right.
     This is an eye-opening book well worth reading.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

Ace Collins is a bestselling author that has written more than fifty books including novels The Christmas Star and Swope's Ridge, as well as the nonfiction Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas and Lassie: A Dog's Life.  His books have become movies and network television specials.  Ace Collins has sold more than 1.5 million books during his career and makes his home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. 

Jefferson Burke and the Secret of the Lost Scroll Book Review

SUMMARY:  Can a 2,000-year-old manuscript change the course of the world?
     Does a scroll written by Joseph - the earthly father of Jesus - reveal evidence that Christ's birth was not divine?
     History professor Jefferson Burke is skeptical, but his intellectual curiosity and a murder charge force him into a dramatic chase that tests his body, mind, and heart.  The former-college-athlete-turned-college-professor is dogged every step of the way by billionaire Bruno Krueger, whose ultimate desire is to destroy the nation of Israel.  And Krueger is sure the scroll is the key.
     In this battle of good versus evil, Burke finds a remarkable ally in FBI agent Lisa Marie Cho.  Their life-or-death trek takes them from an Illinois prairie to an ancient monastery in war-torn Afghanistan.  As Burke and Cho dodge bullets, they unravel a myriad of clues that date back to the beginning of Christianity, linking a long-dead monk, King Henry VIII, Thomas Jefferson, and Adolph Hitler to the words written by a first-century carpenter - words the Vatican feels might transform the Christian faith from a religion to a philosophy.
     Will these words that the ancient church tried to destroy, Thomas Jefferson once hid, and Hitler wanted to reveal change your view of the Christian faith?  You won't know until you've turned the final page!

REVIEW:  This book is like Indiana Jones meets Robert Langdon (from The Da Vinci Code) meets Jonathan Weber (from The Constantine Codex).  Action, suspense, mystery, and history (plus a little romance) - this book has it all.  The chapters are short but they are packed full.  The story moves quickly but not too fast so the reader doesn't get lost.  The author keeps the reader in suspense until the very last page about the contents of the mysterious scroll (and it is SO worth it!).  This is a great book.  I would recommend this for anyone and everyone!!

This book was provided by Zondervan for review without compensation.

Ace Collins is the author of more than sixty books, including several best-sellers:  Stories behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, Stories behind the Great Traditions of Christmas, The Cathedrals, and Lassie: A Dog's Life.  Based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, he continues to publish several new titles each year, including a series of novels, the first book of which is Farraday Road.  Ace has appeared on scores of television shows and networks, including CBS This Morning, NBC Nightly News, CNN, Good Morning America, The History Channel, A&E, and Entertainment Tonight.