The Healer

by: Dee Henderson

This is book six in a series of seven. I started reading the series a while back (along with many other books in between) recognizing it from years ago when a friend had recommended them. I had gotten into a few other series so I thought I would give it a try.

The series is about the O'Malley family. They are seven orphans that lived in the same children home and had become close. When they all grew up they changed their last name to O'Malley and became their own family.

The siblings all have some type of high profile type of job, U.S. Marshall, fireman, hostage negotiator, forensic pathologist and this book is about Rachel, who is a trama physiologist.

I have really enjoyed this series and enjoyed many of the books in this series but have to say that The Healer was not my favorite book in the series. The story line seems a little slower than in most of the books. I think I have gotten used to how this author writes and she uses the same type of wording quite a bit in her books. I could predict the direction she would take in different moments in the storyline.

With that said; this book does give the most background on how the O'Malley Family started, which I did like. About half way through the book is when it really starts to pick up. You know there was a homicide that occurred during a flood in the prologue of the book, so you are reading, waiting for the details to come out. She does add in twists you don't expect and at the end I was crying.

Even though it wasn't my favorite book in the series, it is part of the series, so an important book to read. You get to know one more sibling and add to the O'Malley history. I don't like reading books in a series out of order or by themselves. Missing one book is like missing part of the story line.

The Visitation

by: Frank Peretti

I read this book over 10 years ago, while I was in high school. As I said in my last post, Frank Peretti is one of my favorite authors. I had finished my last book, House, from the library and my new books had not come in so I thought I would re-read The Visitation, from my home collection, while I waited. I honestly did not remember anything about the book, so I went in as if it was the first time.

The book is about a town, Antioch, that has "a visitor". As you read you see the story from different perspectives but one main view point is of an ex-pastor from that town. It takes you through his past hurts from churches and "religion" while growing up. You see how people struggle in their walk with God and how some never truly discover a relationship with God. You also see how people can distort the word of God.

The story line is great. Being that the book 519 pages (at least my copy is) it's a huge undertaking to read. But the story keeps you interested and wanting to find out what happens. In the end you find out how this ex-pastor deals with his past hurts and you really see how important it is to really know the one and only true God. Man will fail, man is not who we follow but God is and He will guide us in our lives.

I also liked how the writing was. I am actually writing a book myself and I liked how he went from present to past in the storyline. Helped me with my story which does the same.

I am glad that decided to read the book again. It re-affirmed why I love Frank Peretti's books. I may try and re-read more of his that I own, it's been so long and they are so good. I would definitely recommend this book.

House

by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker

I read House a few years ago and at the time did not like it at all. I had read all of Frank Peretti's books and this was one I found I had not read. Yet, it was also the first book that I had ever read of Ted Dekker's.

If you have not read a book by either of these authors before House, I would recommend to not read House first. You should read books by each of the authors separately to get a feel for who they are as an individual writers. With that said these are two of my favorite authors. I went on to read all of Ted Dekkers books in the last year after reading House.

I would start with Ted Dekker's Circle Trilogy or Thr3e, which are a few of my favorites. For Frank Peretti, I would start with This Present Darkness or Piercing the Darkness.

Back to House...House is all about the house of our lives. Our sins. But it is written in a crazy, deadly twist. Two couples enter a house and are trying to escape with their lives. It takes until the last chapter to see the true meaning of the book.

Now reading it a second time through, years later, I am glad that I read it again. I understand it this time around. While reading you have to pay attention to details and descriptions given by the author or you have to look back to figure it out again (I did many times) but hang in there. It isn't my favorite book by either author but I will always read any books written by them.

This book is not for everyone but give it a try!

HADASSAH One Night With the King

by: Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen

I believe this may be the first book I have read by this author. I borrowed this book from a friend, not knowing anything about it. It's a book written on the accounts of Esther.

I have heard the story of Esther many times in church. Yet while reading this book, I realized that I have not read the actual story from the bible! I do like these types of books, as in Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, based on Hosea from the bible. Another book I have not read from the bible directly! These type of books, written based on books of the bible make it easier to read because you look at it from a character perspective.

I would say that they also make me want to check out the story myself. At the end of the book I was looking in the bible to find out what parts of her story may have been added or researched because I was not aware of some of the details of those times. I love history but don't know as much as I would like.

Reading the 2nd book; The HADASSAH COVENANT A Queen's Legacy, was a little more difficult in some ways. It talks quite a bit about the history. It goes back and forth between Esther's time and the present. Though I am not sure what "present day" they are actually in. If these accounts are actually historically accurate, I would love to know. But once you get into the story line the letters that are created in the story written between Esther and another "queen candidate" are interesting to read. Again I am curious to find out if any of this books details may be true and used to help make the story.

Over all I would say I liked the first book over the 2nd book but. If anything I would say to definitely read book one even if you don't want to continue onto the 2nd book. Book one stands alone and is a great book on Esther's life. It will make you want to read the book of Esther in the bible!!!