Christian Fiction Devourers discussion
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Fear Has a Name
Archived Group Reads 2014
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August Book of the Month - Fear Has a Name by Creston Mapes
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I read this last month and i loved it.Cant wait to discuss!!
Hope you guys enjoy this book as much as i did!
Happy reading :)
I plan on reading this book. Thanks.
Have this on my Kindle and look forward to reading it.
I have this on kindle so I'll join in when I can.
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Staci, i hope you plan to read the rest in the series in the future! Glad u enjoyed it! :D in my opinion, the last book was the best and there's absolutely no doubt that the series does get better as it continues!
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I'm reading this right now and oh my goodness. Had to force myself to put it down last night and go to sleep.
I read this book last year and had several issues with it. Because of the issues I didn't read the second book. I'm looking forward to the discussion to see what others think though.
I've finished the book. Thought it was slow initially but did enjoy it. There are some outstanding issues but hopefully there are resolved in the next book of the series. I definitely would read the next book.
@ Melissa, I'm intrigued to know what issues you had.
June wrote: "@ Melissa, I'm intrigued to know what issues you had."I don't want to include spoilers right now, but will add my 2 cents once people have had time to finish and the discussion starts.
Ladies, feel free to discuss! It's over halfway through August, and while I will leave it open into September, it's okay to start discussing now.
I thought the story was great. It was truly a page turner. I thought the characters were well developed. I went on to read Poison Town, and am now reading Sky Zone. Would love to hear people's "issues". My issue is going to be that there will be no more Jack Crittendon in my life unless Creston Mapes adds to this series.
Pam wrote: "I thought the story was great. It was truly a page turner. I thought the characters were well developed. I went on to read Poison Town, and am now reading Sky Zone. Would love to hear people's "iss..."Pam! i so agree! I felt so sad at the end of sky zone- i wanted more!
P.S. Is there going to be a 4th book???
With a double plot line that converged at the end, this was a very different and interesting read. It was a little grittier than my usual reads, and I wasn't sure at times whether I liked it or not as the author took you to some disturbing places. Definitely fits in the Christian thriller genre along with authors like Brandilyn Collins. But I found that the ending definitely spoke of eternal truths and a God of second chances. A page-turner that kept me wondering what will happen next. This is definitely NOT a comfort read. I look forward to reading more from this author. Glad to hear that others liked the next 2 books.
Spoiler's coming.I read this book over a year ago, but this is what I remember that bothered me.
First off, I'm not a huge fan of this type of novel. I prefer story to sermon and this book seemed to put the message above the story. In other words, the story seemed like little more than a framework for the author’s sermon. I know many people like this style, but it’s not my preference.
I wasn’t impressed with the writing either. Outside of the first chapter there was very little suspense. There was an uneven balance between internal thoughts and action. The characters were uninteresting and there were several plausibility issues. See my review (second one): http://thechristianmanifesto.com/arch...
However, my biggest issue was with the spiritual content. Not only was there too much, I didn’t agree with one of the author’s major points. I agree that God is in control. But I do not believe that it’s God’s will for someone to be kidnapped. He can work good from a situation, but allowing something to happen (like a parent allowing a child to learn a lesson) and causing it too are different issues. Not only does it eliminate free will, it implies that God is a source of evil. The author also states, “[Pamela] knew if it [her kids died] ever happened, it would be God’s plan.” Again, God can make use of a bad situation, but that does not imply that it was his plan to begin with. There were a couple of other spiritual themes that I didn’t particularly agree with, but my major point of contention was the idea that God orchestrated bad events.
I am reading this now.. and have been for month.. i just can't get into it lol i keep putting it down.. but want to at least finish it .. but i don't think i can its just not holding my attention
I know the reading period is over for this one, but I just want to pipe up and say how much I loved it! **Spoiler, spoiler...**
I found the unsettling idea that the kindness Pam had shown in the past made her a target for stalking and kidnapping made this book very powerful. Bad things happen to good people, sometimes as a direct result of doing the right thing. I thought this was a fresh take on that idea.
As far as the spiritual content--wow. I usually prefer a subtle theme that comes together slowly. However, I thought the strong spiritual thread in Fear Has A Name was excellent. Maybe because there's nothing "subtle" about seeking God's face in a crisis. I never felt preached-at while reading this book because the characters are struggling to live their faith. They disagree at times. They never come across as if they have all the answers. It all felt very true. (I feel like I should clarify--I love good preaching, but it's not what I'm looking for when I'm reading fiction.)
So, those are my thoughts. I'll have to run right out and get the next one! :)
Goodreads Summary:
How Far Would He Go To Keep Them Safe?
It was more than a break-in. More than a stalking. It was personal. When a stalker targets his family, journalist Jack Crittendon must uncover who the person is and what his motives are—if he is to protect the ones he loves. It will lead Crittendon into a world of behind-closed-door secrets and faith gone awry, as does his investigation of a missing pastor, whose apparent suicide is more than it appears. Each move Crittendon makes weaves him tighter and tighter into a web of lies, greed, hypocrisy, sin, and danger. He believed he’d never give in to fear. But that was before. And holding on to his faith won’t be easy. Nor will keeping his family safe, and ending the terror. Because that might require him to step over lines he never dared to cross.
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Let us know if you'll join in!