The Note II by Angela Hunt

I'm not usually interested in love stories, but I decided to read this because I read the first book The Note a few years ago and then I found the movie recently. I enjoyed the book more than the movie and will watch the movie for this book soon. I do prefer to read the book before watching the movie since I generally enjoy reading more than watching.

Back of the Book Says:

After covering the story of an ill-fated Pan World flight, newspaper columnist Peyton MacGruder returns to her job as the Heart Healer with two new loves in her life - Kingston Danville, a sports editor, and Christine Lugar, the daughter she surrendered to an adoption agency nineteen years before. When a reader challenges Peyton's advice to "let caution trump passion," Peyton determines to learn the reason behind the woman cynicism... and, in the process, discovers an answer to her own heartrending dilemma.

This book isn't typical of Angela Hunt's style. She generally isn't afraid to eliminate beloved characters or those that are on the verge of "getting it" which makes her books resemble real life. The first book, The Note ended in a way that left a measure of sadness although a lot of learning took place for the predominate character. The first movie ended with more of a happily ever after type feel which felt good, but isn't always the way life goes. Her books have more depth and offer suspense, but this book was pretty simple to figure out probably because the author wrote the book based on the first movie rather than the first book.

Discussion Questions
ISBN 978-1-4143-3295-6
Tyndale Fiction

She Always Wore Red by Angela Hunt

Fairlawn Funeral Home Series

Book 1 – Doesn’t She Look Natural
Book 2 – She Always Wore Red
Book 3 – She’s in a Better Place - coming Spring 2009

Once again Angela Hunt delivers an intriguing tale with interesting characters. Expect some twists and turns and enjoy the ride as read this book jammed full of life lessons and spiritual applications.

Back Cover of Book says:

Jennifer Graham – mother, student, and embalmer’s apprentice – could use a friend. She finds one in McLane Larson, a newcomer to Mt. Dora. While McLane’s soldier husband serves overseas, Jen promises to support McLane, then learns that her tie to this woman goes far deeper than friendship. When a difference of opinion threatens their relationship, Jennifer discovers weaknesses in her own character…and a faith far stronger than she had imagined.

If you haven’t read Doesn’t She Look Natural, start there, but read the whole series. You will chuckle, shed a tear or two, and learn more about life and death in the Fairlawn Funeral Home series.

Go here for She Always Wore Red discussion questions.

The Debt by Angela Hunt

Today I finished another book by Angela Hunt. Each of her books that I have read are unique, yet they all challenge me to look deeper at my walk with Jesus Christ and to examine my motives and to consider how I might live differently because of my love for Jesus.

The Debt is a beautiful story of one woman’s (Emma Rose) sorrows and losses and how they were redeemed for God’s glory. Her personal walk in the sin and the pain of the world was short lived compared to the time spent serving God in full-time ministry and her past was pushed into the back of her memory for the most part. After coming face to face with a person from her past, she realized that love sometimes takes us out of our comfort zone and into a place where love is needed and can grow through the nurturing, grace of God.

From the back cover:

But when Emma Rose receives a phone call from a living, breathing remnant of her troubled past, she finds herself wondering if something in her life is woefully out of balance. The presence of this unexpected intruder soon threatens everything Emma Rose has believed about her calling, her marriage, and her relationship with God.

The Debt not only invites readers to embrace the painful heartache and incomparable joy that accompany a soul’s redemption, but it challenges us to follow Christ to new and unexpected places.

Thought provoking quote from The Debt:

“The things that tempt me from following God daily aren’t sinful things,” he wrote. “They’re good things – duty to my family, to my father’s company, to the people at my church. But if I am going to devote myself to following God, I must be willing to leave the good things behind as I seek the best thing – total submission and obedience.”

If you want to enjoy a wonderful story and take away some gems of wisdom, find a copy of The Debt. Then follow Jesus to the place where you can share His love with a hurting world.

For the discussion questions go here.

Uncharted by Angela Hunt

This novel by Angela Hunt is something else. Six college students in search of money are brought together by John Weston, a man with a book (Happily Ever After) to sell. The students built long-lasting relationships because of their united purpose in selling this book. Join the college chums twenty years post graduation and find out how the book effected their lives - some read it and others didn't. Their unique responses to the book made a difference in the big picture. I hestitate to give too much away by sharing my thoughts, so I will share the back cover of the book:

"...A blend of the movies Castaway and The Big Chill, with a touch of the television series Lost, creatively thrown together with the biblical story fo the beggar Lazarus and C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce." ~ Publisher's Weekly

"It was supposed to be an adventure. A little time off to honor the memory of a friend and complete a service project in the tropics. Do good deeds while getting a tan."

"But when a storm rocks their plans, five long-time friends from college find themselves hurled onto a desolate island, and relief fades to fear. Here nature rules with a vengeance. The lone shelter from raw conditions is a sinister cave. Are they victims of a bizarre psychological experiement? Or could this godforsaken place have the power to maroon them forever?"

The author takes the first half of the book to develop the characters before the real story takes place, but the information is necessary to help the reader gain an understanding of each character and their personality quirks. I think, if we are honest, we will find that we identify on some level either in our past or the present time. You may not agree with all of the theology in this book, but it's definitely worth the read. If you have questions, look for the answers in a Bible or talk with a Bible-believing Pastor.

Uncharted Disgussion Guide Questions

If you are reading this and are unsure of your relationship with the Creator of the Universe who sent HIS Son, Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for your sins, take time right now to begin a relationship with HIM. You can start by reading The Four Spiritual Laws and by finding a living Bible-based church.

We have all been wounded on some level and only God can heal those wounds, but only if we give HIM permission to begin the oftentimes, painful work. This life is a brief ripple in time and then eternity begins. Let God's love rule your mind and actions here on earth as you prepare for eternity with HIM!