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Hidden in Harmony
HE NEEDED HELP. The Russell family came home one evening to find an uninvited visitor sleeping on their porch. Brock appeared to be quite harmless.
SO THEY TOOK HIM IN. Knowing the Bible says they are to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, the Russells take Brock into their own home and quickly befriend him, only to find out he has formerly been accused of a horrifying act.
AND TRIED TO BE LOYAL. The Russells do not believe in allowing rumors to tell them who to befriend or who to turn away. They decide to do some detective work and find out about a decade worth of unexplained disappearances in the town Brock was originally from.
BUT IT COST THEM BIG TIME! Threats, violence, death, and kidnappings haunt the Russells as someone desperately attempts to stop their investigative efforts.
SO THEY TOOK HIM IN. Knowing the Bible says they are to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, the Russells take Brock into their own home and quickly befriend him, only to find out he has formerly been accused of a horrifying act.
AND TRIED TO BE LOYAL. The Russells do not believe in allowing rumors to tell them who to befriend or who to turn away. They decide to do some detective work and find out about a decade worth of unexplained disappearances in the town Brock was originally from.
BUT IT COST THEM BIG TIME! Threats, violence, death, and kidnappings haunt the Russells as someone desperately attempts to stop their investigative efforts.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2017
100 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Thompson
17 books25 followersJR Thompson is a Christian novelist who is happily married to his lovely wife, Hannah. He pastors two churches in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. He loves hiking, and working his small MT ranch.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 14, 2017
I shall be nice as possible, and only provide constructive criticism. I shall also include some positive things, I promise- because there were.
I suppose I shall contribute it partially to the genre. Contemporary is not my favorite genre. But, I believe it's deeper than that.
First, the characters. Nikki's mannerisms (Her favorite phrase, in particular) turned me off of her, and although she was funny sometimes, and an important character, sometimes she annoyed me. Collin's intentions were good. But, although he asked for God's wisdom many times, (very important in his situation) he certainly didn't do it enough. I understand that he was distressed and even scared, but breaking the law, hiding the truth, and lying doesn't really make me sympathize with him. The other character that bugged me was Remington. One minute, he's acting like a mature Christian, (even more mature then Collin... which was weird) the other, may I put it bluntly, he's acting like a baby. Now I'm not saying that he wouldn't be scared in those situations. Those are scary, no doubt about it. But the descriptions... I don't know. His parents' nickname for him, and Alayna calling him 'my baby' didn't exactly help.
Now for the plot. It was mysterious, and I certainly couldn't figure it out. The plot was good. The resolution was also good; I was impressed that it tied everything together. Well, most everything. 1, we never heard Remington tell his parents Obviously we know, but it was kind of a loose end. Another unresolved non-problem was that Brock were leaving. But didn't Victoria just get a job at the library? I guess we don't care about that anymore. (Plus, is it just me, or did someone else envision Victoria and Scottie as black?) Anyway, the plot was great; I just wish it could have been resolved better. I did really like the court, though. I think it was an excellent way to reveal the plot, without someone like Collin explaining to the family.
I would have rated this three stars, two taken off for the characters, if the story had been wrapped up well. It didn't, though, so with regret I rate it only two.
I suppose I shall contribute it partially to the genre. Contemporary is not my favorite genre. But, I believe it's deeper than that.
First, the characters. Nikki's mannerisms (Her favorite phrase, in particular) turned me off of her, and although she was funny sometimes, and an important character, sometimes she annoyed me. Collin's intentions were good. But, although he asked for God's wisdom many times, (very important in his situation) he certainly didn't do it enough. I understand that he was distressed and even scared, but breaking the law, hiding the truth, and lying doesn't really make me sympathize with him. The other character that bugged me was Remington. One minute, he's acting like a mature Christian, (even more mature then Collin... which was weird) the other, may I put it bluntly, he's acting like a baby. Now I'm not saying that he wouldn't be scared in those situations. Those are scary, no doubt about it. But the descriptions... I don't know. His parents' nickname for him, and Alayna calling him 'my baby' didn't exactly help.
Now for the plot. It was mysterious, and I certainly couldn't figure it out. The plot was good. The resolution was also good; I was impressed that it tied everything together. Well, most everything. 1, we never heard Remington tell his parents Obviously we know, but it was kind of a loose end. Another unresolved non-problem was that Brock were leaving. But didn't Victoria just get a job at the library? I guess we don't care about that anymore. (Plus, is it just me, or did someone else envision Victoria and Scottie as black?) Anyway, the plot was great; I just wish it could have been resolved better. I did really like the court, though. I think it was an excellent way to reveal the plot, without someone like Collin explaining to the family.
I would have rated this three stars, two taken off for the characters, if the story had been wrapped up well. It didn't, though, so with regret I rate it only two.
November 5, 2017
From the cover and the blurb, I mistakenly understood it to be more of a thriller than a mystery book. I was thinking it would be lots of suspense and killer-y kind of book. Oh boy was I ever so wrong!
When I started the book, as soon as I realised that it was not in the vein of what I was thinking, it fell a little bit flat. I believe I was disappointed and it leaked into my reading. But as I progressed in my reading, though I wasn't totally immersed in it, it felt interesting to follow the Russell family and see how it all plays out.
The author has written a story which was easy to read inspite of something feeling out of place in the beginning. It was fast paced in the view of incidents and they just kept piling on. There were few instances which had me laughing as with Collin's shoe fetish and Brock's high language and Nicky's overly cheery attitude.
The characters felt out of balance with their actions at times. The good part was their faith and I felt this story was a good one to experience the power of God. At the same time, it highlights the hypocrisy of people in general. There are a few lessons to be learnt inspite of the tale being a mystery fiction.
The ending felt unbelievable and I wasn't totally okay with it. Inspite of the shortcomings, I liked the book,its surprisingly easy flow and the whole mystery resolution to check out the other books by the author.
I received a copy for reviewing purposes. This doesn't impact my review in any way.
My rating : 3.5/5
My reread factor : 2.5/5
When I started the book, as soon as I realised that it was not in the vein of what I was thinking, it fell a little bit flat. I believe I was disappointed and it leaked into my reading. But as I progressed in my reading, though I wasn't totally immersed in it, it felt interesting to follow the Russell family and see how it all plays out.
The author has written a story which was easy to read inspite of something feeling out of place in the beginning. It was fast paced in the view of incidents and they just kept piling on. There were few instances which had me laughing as with Collin's shoe fetish and Brock's high language and Nicky's overly cheery attitude.
The characters felt out of balance with their actions at times. The good part was their faith and I felt this story was a good one to experience the power of God. At the same time, it highlights the hypocrisy of people in general. There are a few lessons to be learnt inspite of the tale being a mystery fiction.
The ending felt unbelievable and I wasn't totally okay with it. Inspite of the shortcomings, I liked the book,its surprisingly easy flow and the whole mystery resolution to check out the other books by the author.
I received a copy for reviewing purposes. This doesn't impact my review in any way.
My rating : 3.5/5
My reread factor : 2.5/5
October 16, 2017
I was on the ride of my life, and that's not necessarily a good thing. This book might have turned out well... I tried my best to be nice, but some things just had to be said.
First, I appreciated how often Collin went to the Lord for help.... but seriously? He must not have done it enough for making poor decisions . He was lucky the Lord has his back before his poor decisions went into effect. :P
Alayna was so dramatic, and although I understand where she was coming from, she made some awful decisions . Nikki was just plain annoying, and her favorite phrase certainly turned me off from her.
Brock probably would have been one of my favorite characters, except for one thing... I understand he did not come from a christian-home and didn't have that background, but it was wrong of him to lead Nikki on and go on a first date with her.... especially when he was still married. Cheating on your wife is shameful... I wish he had done something about Nikki after he became a christian.
Remmy was the worst character I've ever seen. He was supposedly a teenager, but acted like a five-year-old. Apparently, his parents expect him to be playing with building blocks and matchbox cars. Like, what? Also, he acted like he was wise and had knowledge of the Bible and then was acting immature. It caused his whole situation later in the book anyway.
The plot was excellent, and I certainly accused the wrong characters (including Brock's wife) of being the villain of the story, but it was a little too tricky to figure out. The ending was a little wacky, though... they just decided to leave and left. Interesting.
Human-trafficking was the crime in the story and it certainly raised awareness for me. It just might be scary for other readers. It would be interesting to see what happens in the next book though.
I think this book would be better for older teenagers.
Rated it three stars.
Content warnings:
Cannibalism, human-trafficking, death, some romance between husband and the wife (nothing explicit though, just kisses on check etc), character cheating on wife
I received a pdf e-copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. I was not obliged to give a positive review.
This review was written in my own words and opinions.
First, I appreciated how often Collin went to the Lord for help.... but seriously? He must not have done it enough for making poor decisions . He was lucky the Lord has his back before his poor decisions went into effect. :P
Alayna was so dramatic, and although I understand where she was coming from, she made some awful decisions . Nikki was just plain annoying, and her favorite phrase certainly turned me off from her.
Brock probably would have been one of my favorite characters, except for one thing... I understand he did not come from a christian-home and didn't have that background, but it was wrong of him to lead Nikki on and go on a first date with her.... especially when he was still married. Cheating on your wife is shameful... I wish he had done something about Nikki after he became a christian.
Remmy was the worst character I've ever seen. He was supposedly a teenager, but acted like a five-year-old. Apparently, his parents expect him to be playing with building blocks and matchbox cars. Like, what? Also, he acted like he was wise and had knowledge of the Bible and then was acting immature. It caused his whole situation later in the book anyway.
The plot was excellent, and I certainly accused the wrong characters (including Brock's wife) of being the villain of the story, but it was a little too tricky to figure out. The ending was a little wacky, though... they just decided to leave and left. Interesting.
Human-trafficking was the crime in the story and it certainly raised awareness for me. It just might be scary for other readers. It would be interesting to see what happens in the next book though.
I think this book would be better for older teenagers.
Rated it three stars.
Content warnings:
Cannibalism, human-trafficking, death, some romance between husband and the wife (nothing explicit though, just kisses on check etc), character cheating on wife
I received a pdf e-copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. I was not obliged to give a positive review.
This review was written in my own words and opinions.
November 28, 2017
‘We aren’t living in Bible times anymore. We can’t just bring a homeless man into our house; he could rob us blind, murder us.’
Montana author JR Thompson was born and raised in West Virginia and worked with at-risk youth. After marrying he moved to a small ghost town in Montana, became a preacher and now serves as an assistant pastor and also serves as the director of Canaan's Land Boys Ranch. JR has published six books to date and is now focusing on his Harmony Series of which HIDDEN IN HARMONY: DANGER IS IMMINENT is the initial volume.
JR’s background as a minister and a man who has worked with at risk youth prepares us for the mixture of mystery, suspense and overlay of Christian spirituality, and while he makes all these aspects come together well in this novel, it is his ability to create vivid impressions with his prose that makes this novel a very successful first installation in a series.
His ability to jumpstart the terror is evident in the opening pages – ‘’The dilapidated rags suddenly sprung to life, unveiling a helpless looking man who appeared to have been there for hours. Oh my, Alayna thought. What is going on here? Collin asked her to stay in the Jeep and not to wake Remington, while he stepped out and cautiously approached the stranger. “Can I help you with something, buddy?” he called out. A weak, exhausted voice barely managed to rasp, “Your assistance would be most beneficial. I’m drenched, cold, and ravenous.” Attempting to rise, the man tumbled back to his space atop the wooden stairs. Grasping the door handle, Alayna started to get out. Then, she came to her senses. Apprehensively, she watched as her husband sprinted to the shivering, obviously homeless, middle-aged fellow. Collin knelt down next to the man, spoke a few words, and then motioned for his wife to join him. Wasting no time, Alayna rushed to the porch. The stranger’s gentle, needy eyes demanded her attention. Looks can be deceiving, she cautioned herself. Stay strong. “Hon, this harmless guy is worn clean out. He’s going to have to stay here tonight. Why don’t you go inside and I’ll get Remington?” Alayna wasn’t keen on the idea of a drifter dozing on her porch, not even for one minute. We don’t know this man from Adolph Hitler or Jeffrey Dahmer. This is definitely not the way I planned on spending my Friday night. Without a telephone, the Internet, or even a close neighbor for that matter, if the transient wound up being a sociopath, the Russells were on their own. Alayna took comfort in knowing Collin was strong and courageous, but he didn’t even own a gun. Right or wrong, she feared for her family’s safety. She had married an enormous hearted, yet incredibly obstinate salesman. Collin had already made a decision and it was set in concrete. It would be a waste of her sweet-smelling breath to try to dissuade him. Without uttering a word, she ascended the stairs — being sure to step as far away from the beggar as possible.’
JR provides a terse synopsis that opens the window to the story to come – ‘Would you be willing to break the law in order to protect your family? Blinded by compassion, Collin Russell thrusts his entire family into jeopardy while dealing with a homeless man who collapses on his doorstep. Having no idea Brock has formerly been accused of cannibalism, he gives the stranger a sweet taste of northern hospitality – inadvertently enlisting his family in more intense spiritual warfare than he’s ever known. When Brock’s questionable past comes to light, Collin and his family plunge themselves into a bout of private detective work where they are forced to deal with physical assaults, threats, kidnappings, and murder. Unmasking the truth behind a decade worth of missing persons proves to be a more daunting task than the Russells bargained for with unexpected twists and turns around every corner. Devoted to discovering the truth, the Russell family refuses to be crippled by fear. Quitting is not an option.’
Strong writing and a biting concept of human trafficking, the ability of a family to overcome odds, and the solid introduction of Christian beliefs make this a novel that should appeal to a wide audience who dote on attempting to solve mysteries before book’s end! This one is a challenge – in a very good way.
Montana author JR Thompson was born and raised in West Virginia and worked with at-risk youth. After marrying he moved to a small ghost town in Montana, became a preacher and now serves as an assistant pastor and also serves as the director of Canaan's Land Boys Ranch. JR has published six books to date and is now focusing on his Harmony Series of which HIDDEN IN HARMONY: DANGER IS IMMINENT is the initial volume.
JR’s background as a minister and a man who has worked with at risk youth prepares us for the mixture of mystery, suspense and overlay of Christian spirituality, and while he makes all these aspects come together well in this novel, it is his ability to create vivid impressions with his prose that makes this novel a very successful first installation in a series.
His ability to jumpstart the terror is evident in the opening pages – ‘’The dilapidated rags suddenly sprung to life, unveiling a helpless looking man who appeared to have been there for hours. Oh my, Alayna thought. What is going on here? Collin asked her to stay in the Jeep and not to wake Remington, while he stepped out and cautiously approached the stranger. “Can I help you with something, buddy?” he called out. A weak, exhausted voice barely managed to rasp, “Your assistance would be most beneficial. I’m drenched, cold, and ravenous.” Attempting to rise, the man tumbled back to his space atop the wooden stairs. Grasping the door handle, Alayna started to get out. Then, she came to her senses. Apprehensively, she watched as her husband sprinted to the shivering, obviously homeless, middle-aged fellow. Collin knelt down next to the man, spoke a few words, and then motioned for his wife to join him. Wasting no time, Alayna rushed to the porch. The stranger’s gentle, needy eyes demanded her attention. Looks can be deceiving, she cautioned herself. Stay strong. “Hon, this harmless guy is worn clean out. He’s going to have to stay here tonight. Why don’t you go inside and I’ll get Remington?” Alayna wasn’t keen on the idea of a drifter dozing on her porch, not even for one minute. We don’t know this man from Adolph Hitler or Jeffrey Dahmer. This is definitely not the way I planned on spending my Friday night. Without a telephone, the Internet, or even a close neighbor for that matter, if the transient wound up being a sociopath, the Russells were on their own. Alayna took comfort in knowing Collin was strong and courageous, but he didn’t even own a gun. Right or wrong, she feared for her family’s safety. She had married an enormous hearted, yet incredibly obstinate salesman. Collin had already made a decision and it was set in concrete. It would be a waste of her sweet-smelling breath to try to dissuade him. Without uttering a word, she ascended the stairs — being sure to step as far away from the beggar as possible.’
JR provides a terse synopsis that opens the window to the story to come – ‘Would you be willing to break the law in order to protect your family? Blinded by compassion, Collin Russell thrusts his entire family into jeopardy while dealing with a homeless man who collapses on his doorstep. Having no idea Brock has formerly been accused of cannibalism, he gives the stranger a sweet taste of northern hospitality – inadvertently enlisting his family in more intense spiritual warfare than he’s ever known. When Brock’s questionable past comes to light, Collin and his family plunge themselves into a bout of private detective work where they are forced to deal with physical assaults, threats, kidnappings, and murder. Unmasking the truth behind a decade worth of missing persons proves to be a more daunting task than the Russells bargained for with unexpected twists and turns around every corner. Devoted to discovering the truth, the Russell family refuses to be crippled by fear. Quitting is not an option.’
Strong writing and a biting concept of human trafficking, the ability of a family to overcome odds, and the solid introduction of Christian beliefs make this a novel that should appeal to a wide audience who dote on attempting to solve mysteries before book’s end! This one is a challenge – in a very good way.
October 22, 2017
Title: Hidden In Harmony
Era (if applicable): 21st Century
Author: JR Thompson
Genre/s: Christian fiction, mystery
Content:
I would say the content rating is about 3. There is human trafficking, a little romance which is not a big part of the book, just kissing on the cheek and hugging between husband and wife, character cheating on wife, cannibalism, death.
Age-range: For older teenagers, about 14+
Overall rating: 3.8 stars
Source: I received an e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
HE NEEDED HELP. The Russell family came home one evening to find an uninvited visitor sleeping on their porch. Brock appeared to be quite harmless.
SO THEY TOOK HIM IN. Knowing the Bible says they are to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, the Russells take Brock into their own home and quickly befriend him, only to find out he has formerly been accused of a horrifying act.
AND TRIED TO BE LOYAL. The Russells do not believe in allowing rumors to tell them who to befriend or who to turn away. They decide to do some detective work and find out about a decade worth of unexplained disappearances in the town Brock was originally from.
BUT IT COST THEM BIG TIME! Threats, violence, death, and kidnappings haunt the Russells as someone desperately attempts to stop their investigative efforts.
My review:
When I started reading this book, I was thinking, 'boy, I'm not gonna like this'. But as I read on... I liked it.
At the beginning, the dialogue was a little unrealistic, and it took me a while to actually like the characters.
And what is up with Remington? He is supposed to be 13 years old, but instead, he acts like a 5 year old, and supposedly knows a lot about the bible. He is the worst character I've ever seen. He didn't know how people sometimes become homeless and his Dad had a hard time explaining it to him because Remmy was acting plain like a 5 year old. And when he fell over? What? It says, "he didn't cry. Didn't even say 'ouch'." What, is he supposed to?
Alayna, at the beginning, I didn't like at all, but then I read on, she was an okay typical mother. Nikki certainly brought some life to the characters. I did like her, most of the time.
I liked Brock, he was probably my favorite character, but I didn't like how he brought Nikki on a first date when he was still married. I actually had no idea he was still married. I thought he was divorced, and his wife had left him after he was accused of wrong doings. Is that just me, or did the author fail to mention this? Apparently he was still married. Cheating on your wife is horrible.
I appreciated how much Collin turned to God for help, but sometimes it was just too much. I especially didn't like how he made some poor decisions when trying to get his son back, such as betraying the lives of 13 boys into human trafficking. What's up with that? I think he certainly could have come up with something else. In the end, what happened to those boys??
But, on the good side, I did warm up to some of these characters (not naming anyone *coughs* Remmy), and the plot was absolutely wonderful. The ending was put together nicely.
I did accuse the wrong characters of being the villian, including Victoria and Nikki, (HAHA). Soooo, terrific plot and great mystery. ;)
The writing, well, I don't usually pay attention to writing unless it's terrific, or if it's absolutely terrible. Well, the writing in this book was pretty good. This is a book worth reading...you'll enjoy the mystery.
Era (if applicable): 21st Century
Author: JR Thompson
Genre/s: Christian fiction, mystery
Content:
I would say the content rating is about 3. There is human trafficking, a little romance which is not a big part of the book, just kissing on the cheek and hugging between husband and wife, character cheating on wife, cannibalism, death.
Age-range: For older teenagers, about 14+
Overall rating: 3.8 stars
Source: I received an e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
HE NEEDED HELP. The Russell family came home one evening to find an uninvited visitor sleeping on their porch. Brock appeared to be quite harmless.
SO THEY TOOK HIM IN. Knowing the Bible says they are to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, the Russells take Brock into their own home and quickly befriend him, only to find out he has formerly been accused of a horrifying act.
AND TRIED TO BE LOYAL. The Russells do not believe in allowing rumors to tell them who to befriend or who to turn away. They decide to do some detective work and find out about a decade worth of unexplained disappearances in the town Brock was originally from.
BUT IT COST THEM BIG TIME! Threats, violence, death, and kidnappings haunt the Russells as someone desperately attempts to stop their investigative efforts.
My review:
When I started reading this book, I was thinking, 'boy, I'm not gonna like this'. But as I read on... I liked it.
At the beginning, the dialogue was a little unrealistic, and it took me a while to actually like the characters.
And what is up with Remington? He is supposed to be 13 years old, but instead, he acts like a 5 year old, and supposedly knows a lot about the bible. He is the worst character I've ever seen. He didn't know how people sometimes become homeless and his Dad had a hard time explaining it to him because Remmy was acting plain like a 5 year old. And when he fell over? What? It says, "he didn't cry. Didn't even say 'ouch'." What, is he supposed to?
Alayna, at the beginning, I didn't like at all, but then I read on, she was an okay typical mother. Nikki certainly brought some life to the characters. I did like her, most of the time.
I liked Brock, he was probably my favorite character, but I didn't like how he brought Nikki on a first date when he was still married. I actually had no idea he was still married. I thought he was divorced, and his wife had left him after he was accused of wrong doings. Is that just me, or did the author fail to mention this? Apparently he was still married. Cheating on your wife is horrible.
I appreciated how much Collin turned to God for help, but sometimes it was just too much. I especially didn't like how he made some poor decisions when trying to get his son back, such as betraying the lives of 13 boys into human trafficking. What's up with that? I think he certainly could have come up with something else. In the end, what happened to those boys??
But, on the good side, I did warm up to some of these characters (not naming anyone *coughs* Remmy), and the plot was absolutely wonderful. The ending was put together nicely.
I did accuse the wrong characters of being the villian, including Victoria and Nikki, (HAHA). Soooo, terrific plot and great mystery. ;)
The writing, well, I don't usually pay attention to writing unless it's terrific, or if it's absolutely terrible. Well, the writing in this book was pretty good. This is a book worth reading...you'll enjoy the mystery.
December 1, 2017
Hidden in Harmony is a Christian moral based detective come adventure story. It starts with a highly Christian family discovering a homeless man at their doorstep and giving him refuge only to find out that he has been accused of cannibalism and that his wife also left him to keep their son safe from him. Things take an ugly turn when the host family meets with a number of aggressive incidents where their precious only son gets kidnapped. However, the family does not loses hope and their belief in the God.
What I liked about the book was the absolute belief of the family in the God. Whenever anyone had any doubt or a decision to make, they looked up scriptures or passages from Bible and got the answers to their queries. However, not everyone was angelic in the household. The father was bossy and authoritative. The son disobeyed his father's orders on a number of occasions by staying up past his bed time and by sneaking out of the house when everyone was asleep. The mother too had a temper and often would question her husband's authority. However, the family was very loving and close and their deep belief in God showed them the right path all the times. The book has many surprise elements and it is sweet and sentimental with often being hilarious with Collin being obsessed about the shoes and his partner Nikki being attracted to lively living. My favorite scene was the one where Brock and Nikki go on their first date in ugly clothing. Hidden in Harmony is very interesting book seeped in Christian spirit.
What I liked about the book was the absolute belief of the family in the God. Whenever anyone had any doubt or a decision to make, they looked up scriptures or passages from Bible and got the answers to their queries. However, not everyone was angelic in the household. The father was bossy and authoritative. The son disobeyed his father's orders on a number of occasions by staying up past his bed time and by sneaking out of the house when everyone was asleep. The mother too had a temper and often would question her husband's authority. However, the family was very loving and close and their deep belief in God showed them the right path all the times. The book has many surprise elements and it is sweet and sentimental with often being hilarious with Collin being obsessed about the shoes and his partner Nikki being attracted to lively living. My favorite scene was the one where Brock and Nikki go on their first date in ugly clothing. Hidden in Harmony is very interesting book seeped in Christian spirit.
December 10, 2017
In the synopsis the author poses an intriguing question: Would you break the law to protect your family? When a homeless man appears on their front porch a Husband and wife are cautious, but wanting to help bring hi inside their home where they try to nurture him into better health. The wife, who at first is very hesitant gets overruled by her husband and eventually just goes along. What at first seems like an open an shut case of helping a stranger, takes a sinister turn for the worse when “bad” things start to happen and the family start to investigate the past of this “hapless” stranger.
I know some reviewers have said that this book is too predictable; I like to follow along predictable lines some times. I was not able to immediately lose myself in the characters and so I read this book as if it was a story told to me by one of the family members. There is a strong undercurrent of Christian beliefs and a “we shall overcome” attitude among the family members and it shows in their behavior and reactions to events.
This is the first in a series, and I am curious to see how the author will continue the storyline.
I know some reviewers have said that this book is too predictable; I like to follow along predictable lines some times. I was not able to immediately lose myself in the characters and so I read this book as if it was a story told to me by one of the family members. There is a strong undercurrent of Christian beliefs and a “we shall overcome” attitude among the family members and it shows in their behavior and reactions to events.
This is the first in a series, and I am curious to see how the author will continue the storyline.
November 27, 2017
The Russell family is in a race for their lives as a random act of kindness throws them under the eye of a suspected murderer. The plotline is quite good and has some very good twists here and there that certainly help to keep the interest in the story alive. I had lots of suspects for what was happening to the family and only close to the end I chose the right one.
The characters are not easy to love. They are well-built, with multiple layers, but make lots of poor decisions. The kind that just makes us want to scream at them for being so stupid. I understand what the author tried to do there but – at times – it felt a little too much. Too exaggerated to create a climax. The Christian tone throughout the book is undeniable but it’s kept in the right tone without focusing on it a lot. It was a great start for The Harmony series.
The characters are not easy to love. They are well-built, with multiple layers, but make lots of poor decisions. The kind that just makes us want to scream at them for being so stupid. I understand what the author tried to do there but – at times – it felt a little too much. Too exaggerated to create a climax. The Christian tone throughout the book is undeniable but it’s kept in the right tone without focusing on it a lot. It was a great start for The Harmony series.
January 17, 2018
Oh Boy, I’m a sucker for a good Mystery. There is something so fun about being challenged during reading a novel.
Thompson has created a novel that really takes the reader into the lives of the Russells and engross them in the story. This novel shows how much a writer can understand his genre and target audience to make sure every in and out is authentic.
The mystery elements in these novels are always very well done as well. JR Thompson creates scenarios that are not easy to unravel and keep you invested throughout the entirety of the novel. I don’t want to be able to figure everything out too early in a novel, I want to be surprised.
I enjoyed this mystery immensely. It was very well done.
Thompson has created a novel that really takes the reader into the lives of the Russells and engross them in the story. This novel shows how much a writer can understand his genre and target audience to make sure every in and out is authentic.
The mystery elements in these novels are always very well done as well. JR Thompson creates scenarios that are not easy to unravel and keep you invested throughout the entirety of the novel. I don’t want to be able to figure everything out too early in a novel, I want to be surprised.
I enjoyed this mystery immensely. It was very well done.
January 24, 2018
You will definitely want to have plenty of allotted reading time before starting this one. It was hard to put down. I was so engrossed in the story and mystery that I put off many of my important things to do. JR Thompson does a great job of creating a Mystery and Suspense that keeps the reader invested and guessing.
I think the Mystery was believable and unfolded smoothly which is always important. I don't like when the Mystery seems too far fetched or too easy to solve. It needs to have a happy medium and Hidden in Harmony has that!
I think the Mystery was believable and unfolded smoothly which is always important. I don't like when the Mystery seems too far fetched or too easy to solve. It needs to have a happy medium and Hidden in Harmony has that!
December 1, 2017
HIDDEN IN HARMONY : DANGER IS IMMINENT. by J R Thompson
To find a homeless man on your porch, and no means of communication, is scary. Then to bring him, as a Christain would do when you have a wife and family. Mixed feelings of how this should play out, especially when things bad, start to happen. Interesting, but didn't ring true. Common logic wasn't applied, as poor decisions were mad. Readers will find it as a thriller with a family caught up in it.
To find a homeless man on your porch, and no means of communication, is scary. Then to bring him, as a Christain would do when you have a wife and family. Mixed feelings of how this should play out, especially when things bad, start to happen. Interesting, but didn't ring true. Common logic wasn't applied, as poor decisions were mad. Readers will find it as a thriller with a family caught up in it.
December 5, 2017
A religiously oriented, ordinary family, the Russells, welcome a beggar into their home. The wife has doubts about this man but the father and son remind her that God says to help the less fortunate. And there the thriller takes off. Although I enjoyed the general idea of the story, I felt that the rolling out of the story was too predictable. The story has lots of potential, but I found the writing style at times flat and some of the dialogues too corny.
December 11, 2017
Populated by well-drawn, quirky characters, this book is an entertaining read that espouses Christian values without being "preachy". Christians will no be offended, but non-Christians will also enjoy the twists and humor. As I read I thought it would be most interesting for early teen boys. You can hand this book to them without having to worry that there might be offensive language or situations.
January 31, 2018
There were parts that moved very fast and then other parts that slowed down, just enough to let us catch our breaths. A Great Mystery that is light and not too bogged down with gruesome detail!
The setting was very clear and I liked that JR Thompson was able to transport us to where the characters were experiencing the story and the time as well.
I was very impressed with Thompson's way with words and how he was able to keep the characters fresh and compelling.
The setting was very clear and I liked that JR Thompson was able to transport us to where the characters were experiencing the story and the time as well.
I was very impressed with Thompson's way with words and how he was able to keep the characters fresh and compelling.
December 23, 2018
I listened to the audiobook version and enjoyed the story. There were various twists and turns that keep the reader's interest up and as a side note I loved Brock's use of words that stretched my vocabulary :) This story shows how the Lord asks us to do things that may seem contrary to what the world would do, but there is much blessing in being obedient. It was a good book that will keep you guessing.
November 2, 2017
First of all, that blurb completely drew me in. I was pleasantly surprised by the way JR Thompson was able to keep me on my toes.
I love reading mysteries and trying to figure out what could possibly come next.
I'll have to admit, I was surprised in a couple of places throughout the novel. A Great Mystery novel with Christian undertones that will also appeal to Christian Fiction Fans.
I love reading mysteries and trying to figure out what could possibly come next.
I'll have to admit, I was surprised in a couple of places throughout the novel. A Great Mystery novel with Christian undertones that will also appeal to Christian Fiction Fans.
December 14, 2017
There were parts that moved very fast and then other parts that slowed down, just enough to let us catch our breaths. A Great Crime/ Mystery!
The setting was very clear and I liked that JR Thompson was able to transport us to where the characters were experiencing the story and the time as well.
The setting was very clear and I liked that JR Thompson was able to transport us to where the characters were experiencing the story and the time as well.
December 17, 2017
This isn’t necessarily an action packed Mystery, but it does keep your mind working all of the way through. You will need to think and you will be surprised multiple times.
The Russell’s are a compassionate family. I found myself feeling for them.
The actual mystery was very well done, I found myself taken a back many times. It was not predictable and definitely had me flipping pages.
The Russell’s are a compassionate family. I found myself feeling for them.
The actual mystery was very well done, I found myself taken a back many times. It was not predictable and definitely had me flipping pages.
June 20, 2018
This was a strange book. it did have some suspense to it and the ending was a surprise. It got me to the point where I plan on staying away from shoe salesmen. I'd go nuts worrying about the condition of my shoes all the time.
February 2, 2020
It's Hard To Believe But This Type Of Terror Does Exist!
This is an amazing story of a family who has their faith tested when a stranger is found in their porch. Then they learn about the strange history of the stranger and the town. History has a way of repeating itself!
This is an amazing story of a family who has their faith tested when a stranger is found in their porch. Then they learn about the strange history of the stranger and the town. History has a way of repeating itself!
February 20, 2018
20% through this and I just couldn’t take any more. Terrible dialogue, boring, unbelievable characters, and a prayer to God every other page.
January 5, 2018
This is one of the most unusual books I've ever read!
Intriguing, yes, lots of suspense, twists, & turns.
I liked the story line. It is completely different than any story I've read yet.
The characters I wasn't quite sure about. They almost felt a bit unrealistic. This story is written from different points of view, giving you a peek into each of the main character's minds.
It feels like they are not quite consistent in action with who they are supposed to be.
This story was very compelling, and I had to listen to the end, just to get to some answers on what exactly was going on!
I received a complimentary, audio copy, all opinions expressed here are my own.
Intriguing, yes, lots of suspense, twists, & turns.
I liked the story line. It is completely different than any story I've read yet.
The characters I wasn't quite sure about. They almost felt a bit unrealistic. This story is written from different points of view, giving you a peek into each of the main character's minds.
It feels like they are not quite consistent in action with who they are supposed to be.
This story was very compelling, and I had to listen to the end, just to get to some answers on what exactly was going on!
I received a complimentary, audio copy, all opinions expressed here are my own.
January 15, 2019
Hidden in Harmony. I really like the name of the book - and along with the cover - it makes for an eye-catching, intriguing novel.
The story shows how much faith you can place in God! And when you ask, He is always there to provide you with the answers you seek.
The Russel family had this type of unquestionable faith. The submissive wife is so importantly interwoven in this story and the young boys' knowledge of the Bible is inspiring.
I think this is a good book which shows how God should be the centre of our lives and how is alwasy there even in times of trouble and danger.
The story shows how much faith you can place in God! And when you ask, He is always there to provide you with the answers you seek.
The Russel family had this type of unquestionable faith. The submissive wife is so importantly interwoven in this story and the young boys' knowledge of the Bible is inspiring.
I think this is a good book which shows how God should be the centre of our lives and how is alwasy there even in times of trouble and danger.
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