The Witnessess Book Review

SUMMARY:  Young lawyer Parker House is on the rise - until his grandfather's mysterious past puts both of their lives in danger.
     Parker House's secret inheritance is either his greatest blessing . . . or his deadliest curse.  The fresh-faced North Carolina attorney shares his German grandfather's uncanny ability to see future events in his mind's eye - a gift that has haunted 82-year-old Frank House through decades of trying to erase a murderous wartime past.
     While Parker navigates the intrigue and politics of small-town courtroom law, Frank is forced to face his darkest regrets.  Then, a big career break for Parker collides with a new love he longs to nurture and the nightmares his grandfather can no longer escape.  Sudden peril threatens to shatter not only Parker's legal prospects but also his life and the lives of those dearest to him.
      Two witnesses, two paths, an uncertain future.

REVIEW:  This book is different from any other I've read before in regards to the biblical gift of seeing visions.  This gift was passed on to Frank House by his grandfather and, in turn, inherited by Frank's grandson Parker.  I like how the book went back and forth between present day and the days during World War II.  Frank's "gift" was used by the Germans to help advance their cause.  I love how Frank faces his past abuses of these visions and helps Parker understand how to use them.  There were a few times I was confused about who the "bad guy(s)" were because the characters changed towards the end of the book, but I like how everything played out.  Some of my favorite parts are of Frank in church and savoring God's grace, mercy, peace and forgiveness.  I had a more difficult time recognizing Parker's gift occurring than Frank's.  All in all, this was a very enjoyable book that had enough excitement to keep me turning the pages and guessing what would happen until the very end.

This book was provided by Fiction Guild and Thomas Nelson Publishers

for review without any compensation.

Robert Whitlow is the bestselling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the Chirsty Award for Contemporary Ficiton.  He received his J.D. iwth honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review.  Visit him online at www.robertwhitlow.com; Twitter: @whitlowwriter; or Facebook: robertwhitlowbooks.

The Choice Book Review

SUMMARY:  One young woman.  Two very different roads.  The choice will change everything.
     Even as a pregant, unwed teen in 1974, Sandy Lincoln wanted to do the right thing.  But when an ageless woman approached her in a convenience store with a mysterious prophecy and a warning, doing the right thing became even more unclear.  She made the best choice she could . . . and has lived with the consequences.
     More than thirty years later, a pregnant teen has come into her life, and Sandy's long-ago decision has come back to haunt her.  The stakes rise quickly, leaving Sandy with split seconds to choose once more.  But will her choice bring life . . . or death?

REVIEW:  This is a hard review to write because I don't want to give anything away but it all seems important.  Sandy looked like she has it all:  perfect grades, head cheerleader, and dating the star of the football team. But after a one-night stand with her boyfriend, she now has to decide what to do with her unplanned pregnancy.  On her way to live with her aunt to finish school, finish her pregnancy and to give her baby up for adoption, Sandy is approached by an older lady who gives her a prophecy and warning about the future.  She makes some difficult choices and goes on with her life.
     About thirty years later, Sandy is approached by a student for some advice and finds out the young girl is pregnant.  As she give Maria advice and helps her in some difficult circumstances, Sandy is forced to make some difficult decisions and faces a lawsuit as she remembers what happened to her.
     This is a great book and was hard to put down.  Sandy had to make some grown-up decisions quickly that were hard and not acceptable to some but ones she knew she had to make.  It was interesting to watch her faith in God grow as her child grew, which helps her in her decision making and to stand firm when everything around her feels like it is crashing in.  Even though Sandy risks losing her job by helping Maria and faces a large lawsuit, she never waivers and is rewarded in ways she would have never imagined.  This story was very well written and brings the issue of abortion to the table without being overbearing and in-your-face.  This may be one all teenage girls (and their parents) need to read.

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

Robert Whitlow is the best-selling author of legal dramas set in South and winner of the prestigious Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction.  A Furman University graduate, Whitlow received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review.  A practicing attorney, Whitlow and his wife, Kathy, have four adult children.  They make their home in North Carolina.