Riptide (Mccourtney, Lorena. Julesburg Mysteries, Bk. 2.)

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: I enjoyed this book immensely and had to read it straight through. Set in the same town as the previous novel in the serious, McCourtney revisits some of the characters she's already introduced. The mystery keeps you guessing until the end leaving hints here and there for you to pick up. It's about two twins that decide to buy the old Nevermore (the theater in town). This building is surrounded by horrible "coincidences" where any person that becomes involved with it ends up dead, badly burned, or some other horrible tragedy. As you may have guessed it, that's what the two twins encounter as well. Filled with struggles towards Christianity and a well-written love story, Whirlpool is a great novel for mystery lovers, Christians, and romantics alike.

I've been collecting this author's works for some time now and this novel reaches the usual McCourtney standard. I'd even stretch this comment as far as being on a caliber up there with Dee Henderson (who I've read avidly). I recommend this novel as a good, quick read that keeps you on your toes.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful romantic suspense
Review: Sisters Sarah McIntosh and Julie Armstrong only recently found one another before being tragically separated again by a catastrophic act of fate. They share a dream of renovating an abandoned theater called The Nevermore, hoping to create a mini-mall where they can display their artistic creations. They invite contractor Nick Nordahl to make a bid for the renovations. Their new found friendship leads to unexpected consequences, however, when a moment in time brings tragedy.

Julie falls asleep in the backseat of the car and Sarah gently covers her, leaving the car running while she runs into a convenience store for milk. Meanwhile, a masked man robs the store, killing the owner, before using Sarah's running car for his get away. He does not see the sleeping woman in the backseat, which profoundly escalates his situation. Subsequently, Sarah struggles with profound issues of grief, guilt and terror. While she believes in God, Sarah lacks the assurance of faith that sustains Nick, creating a terrible wall between them.

Once again author Lorena McCourtney pens a powerful romantic suspense. Profound questions of a spiritual nature lend the novel an emotional and psychological intensity, landing both Sarah and Nick in a riptide of feeling. Unfortunately, the nature of the Christian genre precludes the edgy suspense readers expect when the characters are analyzed from a perspective of good verses evil on a scale of spirituality. Nevertheless, the Nick's determination to save Sarah's life, even if he cannot save her soul, makes him a marvelous hero readers will treasure. With a skillful blend of romantic suspense and realistic spiritual challenges, RIPTIDE comes recommended.