Intervention by Terri Blackstock

This book though completely fiction was written after Terri Blackstock dealt with her own daughter's addiction to prescription drugs. Find a copy of this novel and journey inside the desperate world of one addicted to drugs. As an added bonus, Terri shares resources for families of addicts at the end of her book and on her web page. Terri's books always pack a punch and encourages readers to consider their individual relationship with the Lord.

Inside Jacket says:

It was her last hope—and the beginning of a new NIGHTMARE.

Barbara Covington has one more chance to save her daughter from a devastating addiction, by staging an intervention. But when eighteen-year-old Emily disappears on the way to drug treatment—and her interventionist is found dead at the airport—Barbara enters her darkest nightmare of all.

Barbara and her son set out to find Emily before Detective Kent Harlan arrests her for a crime he is sure she committed. Fearing for Emily’s life, Barbara maintains her daughter’s innocence. But does she really know her anymore? Meanwhile, Kent has questions of his own. His gut tells him that this is a case of an addict killing for drugs, but as he gets to know Barbara, he begins to hope he’s wrong about Emily.

The mysteries intensify as everyone’s panic grows: Did Emily’s obsession with drugs lead her to commit murder—or is she another victim of a cold-blooded killer?

In this gripping novel of intrigue and suspense, inspired by her own experiences with a drug-addicted family member, Terri Blackstock delivers the page-turning drama that readers around the world have come to expect from her.

Terri Blackstock
Hope for Families of Addicts


ISBN: 978-0-310-32198-9
http://www.zondervan.com/

Website: http://www.terriblackstock.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Terri-Blackstock/655045822

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/terriblackstock

Contact: http://us.mc840.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=tblkstk@yahoo.com

Leaving Yesterday by Kathryn Cushman

Another great piece of fiction by Katie Cushman. Leaving Yesterday deals with several tough issues - marital separation, murder, family problems, drug addiction, etc. In my mind's eye I made some different decisions for characters in the book, but I liked the ending. I'm not going to tell you what happened because that would ruin the experience for you - so find a copy of this book at your local bookstore or library and enjoy a good read that will encourage you in your faith as you consider what you might have done if you were one of the characters in this story.

There is room for growth in all of the characters and it would be neat to see a sequel. (hint, hint Katie).

Back of Book Says:

Her prodigal son has returned!
But has he truly left the past behind?

The police car outside triggers Alisa Stewart's worst fear--her son, Kurt, is dead, his life lost forever to addiction. Instead, the officer is just following a lead on a crime. And when Kurt calls to say he's checked himself into rehab and found a healing faith, Alisa feels a hope she'd given up on.

It's like her son has been brought back from the dead.

But then the cop returns, asking dark questions about the murder of someone Kurt once knew. Alisa is terrified. Her boy is different now. He's changed and deserves a second chance. But as his old life refuses to stay buried, Alisa finds herself facing an impossible choice:

keep silent and keep her son
or risk everything in a quest for the truth.

Discussion Questions - Spoiler Alert

ISBN: 978-0-7642-0382-4
Bethany House or call 800-877-2665
Kathryn Cushman

Boneman’s Daughters by Ted Dekker

This book is something else. I never like to share too much when it comes to books especially when the author does such a good job keeping the reader guessing. Oftentimes when I read books, I have everything figured out well before the end. With this book there were so many possibilities to consider and I missed one major possibility. There are some graphic details, but mainly left to the readers imagination. You would hear worse listening to the evening news, unfortunately. If you like suspense and mystery this may be a book you will want to read.

Front Jacket says:

Would you kill an innocent man to save your daughter?

They call him BoneMan, a serial killer who’s abducted six young women. He’s the perfect father looking for the perfect daughter, and when his victims fail to meet his lofty expectations, he kills them by breaking their bones and leaving them to die.

Intelligence officer Ryan Evans, on the other hand, has lost all hope of ever being the perfect father. His daughter and wife have written him out of their lives.

Everything changes when BoneMan takes Ryan’s estranged daughter, Bethany, as his seventh victim. Ryan goes after BoneMan on his own.

But the FBI sees it differently. New evidence points to the suspicion that Ryan is BoneMan. Now the hunter is the hunted, and in the end, only one father will stand.

For the story behind the story check out Ted's website.

ISBN: 978-1-59995-195-9

Kiss by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy

I picked up my copy of Kiss a couple days ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I appreciate the softer style that Erin Healy brings to Ted Dekker's works. This novel has everything mystery, conspiracy theory, campaign contributions, presidential election, murder, amnesia, a car accident, counseling, spiritual insight and more. If you are a mystery fan, you should enjoy this book.

Back of Book Says:

Let me tell you all I know for sure.
My name.
Shauna

I woke up in a hospital bed missing six months of my memory. In the room was my loving boyfriend- how could I have forgotten him? - my uncle and my abusive stepmother. Everyone blames me for the tragic car accident that left me near death and my dear brother brain damaged. But what they say can't be true- can it?

I believe the medicine is doing strange things to my memory. I'm unsure who I can trust and who I should run from. And I'm starting to remember things I've never known. Things not about me. I think I'm going crazy.

And even worse, I think they want to kill me.

But who? And for what? Is dying for the truth really better than living with a lie?

More on Erin - Website; blog
More on Ted - Website

Try Dying by James Scott Bell

This book was the first that I read by James Scott Bell. I don't remember how I found this particular novel, but decided to give it a try since the back of the book piqued my interest even though I wasn't particularly thrilled by the title. Once I began reading I was hooked. Each of the main characters has some intriguing detail in their lives that begs to be developed and Mr. Bell does just that throughout the story. The book is filled with mystery and keeps the reader wanting more - fortunately it's a series.

For a description of the book go here.

Chapter 1 Excerpt

Buchanan Series

Book 1 - Try Dying
Book 2 - Try Darkness
Book 3 - Try Fear (coming July 2009)

James Scott Bell