Lizzie is about to marry Ryan and what should be the happiest time in a young woman's life is turning out to be the most terrifying. Lizzie is troubled with recurring dreams about the death of her father, some seventeen years ago. Could his death not have been an accident? To top it off someone it trying to kill her fiancé and Lizzie fears the events are related but she is unsure how.
Struggling to make sense of all that is happening in her life, Lizzie finally realizes that she must turn to a higher and stronger power. To the joy of her already saved fiancé, Lizzie gives her life to Jesus, and learns how to also give him her worries and fears. Believe me, for what she is about to face she truly needs the Lord to be with her.
Author Paula Blevins does an outstanding job in mixing romance, mystery, suspense and the saving grace of the Lord in her new novel " The Way Home."
She slowly builds the mystery surrounding the death of Lizzie's father drawing you into the story. Anxiously you read, hoping to get a few more tidbits of information, as you wait for Lizzie to have another dream or vision of her frightening past. Just what did happen that day her father died so many years ago? You had to know.
She also shows, through Lizzie, the apprehension many feel towards accepting Jesus as their Savior and gently introduces His saving grace and the positive aspects of accepting Him as Lord of your life.
Ms. Blevins used wisdom in her portrayal of Ryan in showing that although he is a believer, trying to follow the Lord the best way he could, he still had problems that he had to overcome. Many feel that Christians are self-righteous but the author allows her character to be humble and believable.
His inward struggles and his faith that Lizzie would accept the Lord made the read very believable and the characters quite approachable.
The Way Home is a well thought out mystery, full of who? what? and why?, that would satisfy the thirstiest mystery buff among us. It is also a tender love story that will touch your heart, and a moving witnessing tool that shows the human nature we all possess and the struggles and challenges we all must overcome. A very good read.
Well-done Ms. Blevins.
Shirley Johnson
Through God and faith, all questions will be answered.
Rating: Highly Recommended
Reviewed by Tyrone Vincent Banks
Elizabeth Perkins had a very troubled childhood. She lost her mother as she was born and her father died in an "accident" seventeen years ago. She has suffered recurrent dreams of this trauma for many years and the spirits of her parents cannot rest within her heart. She meets the man of her dreams. He is a very spiritual man with strong and unwavering faith in God and the scripture. He is the one destined to lead "Lizzie" back to God and she is on the brink of finding happiness.
Her fiancé's life is now threatened and Lizzie's world is about to delve back into a cycle of loss and sadness. She has already lost her mother and father; must she loose her fiancé Ryan Denlinger as well? She utilizes the images that trouble her as she sleeps to recreate the scene of her father's death and the days she spent by his lifeless body as a child. These painful memories and sleepless nights lead her to a startling realization. Is it possible that her father's death and the threats on Ryan's life are related? As she finds her way "home" she will find that God has been with her in many forms. She wants a closer relationship with God and her fiancé will take her there if he survives.
This book will serve a dual purpose. It will satisfy those looking for a good mystery with a surprising and unexpected ending. It will also serve to remind those that follow God or the ones who have lost "the way home" that God is alive and will guide you to your purpose and peace if you have faith. It is suitable for any audience, young or old and it is timeless.
Pick up a copy for yourself and for anyone trying to cope with loss. The therapy found within these pages is for anyone and everyone who may feel that their life is tumbling from their hands.
Sunday Times Sentinel Newspaper review by Diane Nader-Epling, December 7, 2003. |
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Why
is it that we seem to have little trouble bowing to our more spiritual sides
during the holidays, but then just as easily, tuck them away soon after the
year starts anew? I don't know about you, but I suspect, in part, it's because our culture allows us to acknowledge our faith more openly in the guise of holiday good cheer. Yet after the obvious symbols of the holidays are neatly stored away: the gold and silver greeting cards ripped from their archways (the remnants of scotch-tape clinging aggressively to the woodwork), every bit of Aunt Thelma's sickening-sweet fruitcake happily fed to the family dog, and for some, the yards of wired icicles detached from the gutters, we return to our place in this world with a business-as-usual spirit until we are summoned once again when late-autumn returns. Maybe what we yearn for, albeit secretly, is for some inspirational direction. The inspirational fiction genre is one of the fastest-growing segments of the book market and it is easy to understand why. One such author of this market is Paula F. Blevins. Paula who? While her name may not yet be well-known to the mass readership on the order of John Grisham or Mary Higgins Clark, her inspirational mystery series are uniquely her own. Blevins states, "I have always loved mysteries, so I took on the challenge of writing mysteries within the Christian framework." A mother of three, with a degree in Spanish and French secondary education, Paula is no stranger to the power of language and its effect on youth. In her book "The Way Home" (Book I in the 'For Hymn Mystery Series'), Blevins cleverly weaves the powerful lyrics of "Amazing Grace" throughout her storyline - a set of lyrics used to set the tone in each of the book's three parts. The central characters, Elizabeth and Ryan, are engaged, with the wedding fast approaching. Elizabeth's past has begun to catch up with her, wreaking havoc with her already strongly-held doubts about her religious faith and threatening the security of her future with Ryan - whose unwavering faith in God is refreshingly apparent. I must say, that early on, my doubts about this book were equally-matched in strength to Elizabeth's, but with each chapter, and these are short (3-4 pgs.), my doubts melted away. Blevins remarked, "I began writing these to the adult Christian woman, but found that people were telling me they were buying them for their teen and youth-aged girls." I'm not surprised. I think that is why I had some difficulty relating to the characters early-on. The language reads more for this age group than perhaps for an older, more experienced woman, but the story did manage to strike an emotional chord with my cynical side, and that was, perhaps, its mission. Teens and youth, however, will easily relate to the story's central characters and should have little trouble transferring the lessons of faith to their own life challenges. The story provides a positive Christian message that is sorely lacking in today's teen and youth market. "The Way Home" succeeds in reminding us that faith equals patience; and the ability to relinquish oneself from the false belief that we can control most everything in our lives, is central to one's commitment to it. This holiday season, check out "The Way Home" by Paula F. Blevins. Far less costly than an Onstar tracking device, it may just help you find your way home. Note: Paula will be signing this and her new book "Come to Me" (Book II in this series) at the Samuel L. Bossard Library on Dec. 13 from 2-4pm. Keep reading. (Diane Nader-Epling worked for 20 years as a speech-language pathologist. She is the mother of three and lives in Gallia County. You may write to her care of the Tribune, at news@mydailytribune.com)
The For Hymn Mystery SeriesCome to Me - Book II |
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Shirley Priscilla Johnson, Senior ReviewerIn the beginning of Ms. Blevins second novel, "Come To Me", we are reacquainted with Eryka Skidmore, the friend of the main character Lizzie in Book I, "The Way Home." It was nice to feel comfortable with a character you already are familiar with, and your interest is peaked as you begin to be part of her life. You start the read with anticipation as you find Eryka in the middle of a crisis at work. I'm sure Eryka wished she was on vacation, visiting her friend, Lizzie instead of going into work that fateful day. Her boss is missing, his secretary has resigned and the police are unwilling to see this as a problem, because the two were last seen together. This causes the false assumption that perhaps Mr. Brokamp and his secretary decided to leave together; Eryka knew better but couldn't seem to convince others of that fact. No, she would have to be the one to find out what was going on and this choice would plunge her into great danger and adventure. To my delight the author brings into play another character from book one of her series; none other than Lizzie's husbands brother, Bradley. Ah! Now we have some romance brewing within this mystery. Bradley becomes Eryka's "Knight In Shining Armor" as they team up to solve the puzzle before them. "Come To Me," is a novel that is packed full of intrigue, mystery, adventure and sweet tender romance. It is one that weaves in the message of the importance of one's faith in a God that watches over us, guides us and works all things together for our good. The author does a wonderful job of melting all the elements together making for a read that will keep you on the fast track of mystery, yet allow you to pause and taste of tender love and reachable faith. Good job! Shirley Johnson
The For Hymn Mystery SeriesThis I Know - Book III
Shirley Priscilla Johnson, Senior ReviewerBuckle your seat-belts because you are going for a ride with two very brave little girls in this third installment of author Paula Blevins, For Hymn Mystery Series, "This I Know."
Did you ever make a wrong decision in life and pay the consequences for such? Did you question the protection of God and wonder just where your faith level was as you sledged through the muddy waters that your actions had stirred. I'm sure you have.
Mom, Kathleen Gearhart, didn't want to wake-up her two sleeping daughters that rainy stormy day as they peacefully slept in the back of the van. After all, she was only making a quick stop at the cleaners, certainly they would be safe for just a moment, or would they? Our story begins as Kathleen's children have disappeared, taken unbeknown by a confused, abused carjacker and Kathleen's world begins to crumble.
As the search begins for her missing children Kathleen questions God's protection, her own faith and her husband's faithfulness as suspicion is thrown his way. Keith and Kathleen, along with their young girls find their trust in the Lord challenged in a way they never imagined. Will the children be returned safely and will this couple cling to each other and the God to whom they belong? Or will they lose each other and children they love?
The author does a good job in character development bringing them clearly into the minds eye. She centers the book around the disappearance of the children, but clearly brings into play different emotional aspects of the family, the kidnappers and a surprise player that definitely adds a twist you will not expect.
Ms Blevins carefully melts the concepts and truths of God into this compelling read. She allows her characters to be real with their emotions, their questions, their fears and doubts but gently brings together the realization that God must remain the focal point no matter what life drama is being lived.
Paula Blevins is true to form in this latest work, skillfully weaving God's precepts and life's challenges together and bringing the story to a conclusion with the awareness that no matter what life throws at us, we are not alone. Well done Ms. Blevins, keep up the good work.
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