Book Review: Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

   Since I love anything vintage and am interested in world war 2 biographies, movies, and more I was delighted when I discovered author Sarah Sundin's books a little while ago. Since, I have quickly ''devoured'' every single book she has published and eagerly look forward to reading more of her works!
Through Waters Deep is the first book in a new series by the author! Exciting, isn't it? Plus, this series features the Navy- a new and fascinating venture for the author I'm sure! 
On a side note: I read this book this July 2015 and it was a perfect book for that month and season. :) 

First, I just want to say that Sarah Sundin does an absolutely amazing job in researching her settings. One would think that she knew every detail of what she wrote about it. Of course I am not a world war 2 veteran, yet I have read enough historical accounts to be alert to any mistakes an author of fiction might make. A fascinating touch in Through Waters Deep is that the author delved into a new realm for her...mystery! Throughout the book, the main character Mary along with the reader struggles to discover who the local saboteur could be! I found this an interesting twist. 
As always, Sarah Sundin writes with heart and vigour, making the reader both enjoy and benefit from reading each chapter. 
This book is set right before world war 2 actually! The end of the book features the bombing of pearl harbour which makes for an unusual and not as well-known setting. 

On a critical note....
1. I do not appreciate how descriptive this author is of the romantic attraction the couples have for each other. To be sure there are no sexual scenes in her books and the feelings of attraction are often true enough. But I prefer  when authors only hint at the physical attraction one might have for another. And I wish she would mostly concentrate on the heart of the individuals rather than the looks (this she did accomplish in one of her first novels).  
2. One thing that must go: the kisses. Why do Christian novels concentrate so very much on the passionate kisses experienced between the main couple? I beg the author to consider taking these descriptive kisses out future books! They are not good for young unmarried girls to ponder! We have strong enough imaginations already. And in books there are kisses and extremely descriptive kisses.... 
(the reader doesn't need to know all the passionate feelings and thoughts each kisser experiences!)
3. This is a minor note since the author doesn't claim to be a mystery author. Yet, I will mention that the reader cannot expect a Sherlock Holmes-quality mystery from this book. ;) Although the mystery itself wasn't too telltale, it likewise was too broad in that the reader couldn't do any sleuthing for herself and really was left not caring who was the culprit! Sort of. 
4. I did not like the beautiful blond friend who shows up. I know what kind of fun, loving girl she was supposed to be but somehow they way she threw herself on poor Jim was too much. Oh well. She wasn't far off from many 1940's actresses I suppose.

I was sent a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

About the author:

Sarah Sundin is the author of With Every Letter, On Distant Shores, In Perfect Time, and the Wings of Glory series. In 2014, On Distant Shores was a finalist for the Golden Scroll Awards from both AWSA and the Christian Authors Network. In 2011, Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England. Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.

Find Sarah online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Review of War Room novelization of the movie

    Although the idea behind the screenplay is incredibly important, I had a hard time judging from the novelizationhow impactful it would be in the movie. However, I have high hopes because of the powerful films the Kendricks's have previously produced.

   Having read a couple other books by Chris Fabry, including the novelization of the film The Song, I really am surprised that he is considered a good author. His writing style is basic and predicable. Considering his novelization of screenplays, it sounds as if a young writer was simply relating the film, conversation by conversation, scene by scene. I really felt that I needed to watch War Room to understand the book! 

   Nevertheless, the power of prayer was emphasized strongly in the book; that I was able to take to heart. Also, there was a scene of repentance which brought tears to my eyes; always a wonderful thing in a book. 


   Lastly, in criticism of both the screenplay and the book; I wish it was more obvious whether or not the main characters, specifically Tony were saved at the start of the book or whether they were saved later? I have the idea that the wife Elizabeth was a Christian lacking in prayer.... but Tony...? He had no fruit of the spirit at the start of the book for sure.

  I didn't feel like the author was good at describing the characters either; I strongly believe he expects you, the reader to have the film as your guideline, your accompaniment to the book! Just so you know where I am coming from, I felt the same way about the novelization for Courageous. The book was such a waste of time while the movie is wonderful! 

   To conclude, concerning the screenplay of War Room which I obviously have not yet viewed (review to come when I do!), I am a little concerned about the content. I understand, judging by the novelization of Courageous that novelizations aren't precisely what is shown in a film. The Courageous novel had several scenes which were not in the movie itself. If the War Room film includes everything contained in the novelization than it won't be appropriate for younger viewers. At the same time, it will be excellent for adults and especially couples! I guess I will just have to be patient and wait for the film to be released!

   

according to regulations introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, I must mention that Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Beautiful Reflection by Sarah O Maddox review

 A Beautiful Reflection

by Sarah O. Maddox

 

 

I was primarily intrigued by this book's exceptionally beautiful cover. It is uncommon for a Christian publication from a relatively small company to have such a well-designed cover, and I was delighted with this one. The woman pictured corresponded perfectly with the heroine of the novel.

Secondly, I felt great interest in the book since the distribution company recommended it for singles. I- unfortunately- qualify.

So it was with excitement that I received this book and began reading it.

It is with mixed emotions that I carefully perform the task of rating and reviewing it.

 

First, I will say that I think highly of the author's desire and vision in completing such a novel. It is biblically-sound in many ways and thought-provoking. The latter is especially helped by discussion questions which are found at the conclusion of the book.

The author is Sarah O Maddox, who has also written Five Things I Did Right & Five Things I Did Wrong in Raising Our Children, and A Woman's Garden of Prayer/A Woman's Garden of Prayer Journal: Cultivating Intimacy with God Through Prayer. She is a Christian who is actively involved with women's ministry in her church.

In A Beautiful Reflection, her first (Christian) novel, Sarah Maddox deals with a topic which is obviously important to her as it should be to all believers: that of the marriage union of a believer with an unbeliever. She tackles this weighty and sometimes controversial subject in this fictional work of hers.

The story opens with a scene in which the heroine, Susan, realizes she cannot marry her childhood sweetheart unless it is God's will for them both. The story then fast forwards at least 8 years or so and still single Susan is the successful manager of  a store in her hometown. Having won an award for top manager of her state, North Carolina, she is invited to a convention hosted by the President of the company she works for. She attends this event with a careful state of mind, fully cloaked in the word of God. While there, however, she meets the young, handsome President Jim Hitchenson and in response to his instant and obvious ardent dmiration, finds herself falling in love despite herself.

I do not wish to give away the story, but the tale follows the journey this couple takes as they speedily develop their friendship and relationship.

Susan finds herself head over heels in love with this man she hardly knows despite the frequent cautions she tries to give herself as she reads God's word. The relationship progresses so quickly, and Jim is such a typically fun American as well as showing rare gentlemanly traits that Susan can't help living in the moment and simply enjoy herself. This mindset is entirely understandable; we've all pushed important thoughts to the back of our minds until ''later''.

Only the time coninues to pass and Susan becomes almost afraid to address issues which may disrupt her relationship with Jim.

Will Susan be able to face reality and ask Jim the questions which may bring a halt to their plans for marriage forever? Will she stay true to her convictions as a Christian to not become unequally yoked?

On a personal note, I wasn't as impressed with this book as I expected to be.

I don't read novels consistantly, but I have finished several Christian romance novels, some of which I really loved because the faith message and the story line were wonderful.

In A Beautiful Reflection, the author doesn't go very far with the storyline. The whole book consists of detailed descriptions of what Susan and Jim did together.

As for the romance contained within, I really really appreciated the author's stance and therefore the heroine's strong views on saving sex for after the wedding! That was evidently a very strong point. As was modesty somewhat, faithful marriage and close family, etc.

However, the book has far too many (although not incredibly sensual) descriptions of the words of endearment and the kisses this couple share during their time together!

I also found it hard to relate to Susan since she assumed that Jim was a Christian because he attended church...yet he mentions a few times in the book that he would love to spend the night with her.

A girl of Susan's semi-conservative upbringing might not necessarily restrain from kissing her love, but would have more sense to see red lights in a relationship with a man so far removed from her Christian world. But again, love can be so strong that one is blinded. I don't know...

What I do know is the that the description of kisses was overdone.

The style of writing was better than many childishly-simple Christian novels. However, A Beautiful Reflection does have a variety of grammatical mistakes, and the dialogue tends to have an awkwardness to it.
Those of you who are looking into reading this book might be pleased to hear that this book contains no sexual scenes whatsoever and not a single word of profanity. One can tell that the author was careful when she wrote this book. Even Jim's past sins, although alluded to, are not described in detail.

I appreciated the goal and motive behind the writing of this book, for sure and agree with the stance the author takes for sexual purity, and oneness in marriage!

 

I received this book from the publisher through BookCrash.com in exchange for my honest review. Thank you.