Dinah Harris Mysteries

For Christmas my dear daddy gave me two books that are the beginning of the Dinah Harris mysteries from Christian author Julie Cave. It sounds awful but often I don't read books I'm given as gifts mostly because I procrastinate and I'm not a huge reader. As my father said, this time he picked two books that I probably wouldn't have picked up on my own, but I really enjoyed reading these two novels! I procrastinated at getting the review of the first book up, but now I can review both together!


Deadly Disclosures by Julie Cave21 Chapters, 283 Pages, First printing March 2010
As the first book in this series we are introduced to Dinah Harris, a former FBI detective who, because of problems in her past, is now reduced to teaching new FBI recruits. But when she's asked by her former partner to help him on a high profile case she reluctantly accepts and is swept into the case of the disappearance of Thomas Whitfield, Secretary of the Smithsonian. As they investigate leads and interview Thomas Whitfield's family and associates they come face to face with the spiritual battle of Creation vs. Evolution.    
Author Julie Cave does a good job of revealing enough about Thomas and his captors that the reader is one step ahead of the detectives, while at the same time keeping enough back that I was surprised by the ending and the true identity of the criminals. There is a lot of grit and quite a few crime scenes are described. I could definitely see both books making for great TV crime drama. Julie Cave's attention to detail means that we get to follow the detectives as they enter crime scenes, hear the coroner's detailed reports, and histories of creation, evolution, and many other topics. 
Dinah Harris is a very human character, many flaws but some endearing qualities. She's impatient and brisk and struggles with a huge secret in her past that keeps her self esteem low. When we meet her she's not a Christian, she battles with alcohol addiction and suicidal thoughts. But this case will prove to be life threatening and life changing for Dinah. 
This is probably my favorite of the two books. There's a lot of debate dialog about creation vs. evolution. The gospel is clearly presented at least three times and the changing grace of God can be witnessed in the character's lives. 




The Shadowed Mind by Julie Cave:21 Chapters, 281 Pages, First printing October 2010
In this second book we see Dinah Harris coping with life after the Smithsonian case. Trying to stay on the right track and learning to trust in her newfound Savior for every problem in life. When Dinah is hired as a private consultant by police detective Samson Cage to investigate a string of similar homicides the pair quickly find themselves on the path of a ruthless serial killer who attacks the weak and helpless choosing who should live and who should die! 
In this book author Julie Cave does a great job at stringing four different story lines that weave in and out of each other and ultimately coming together to form one picture. The reader follows the nameless killer as he chooses his victims and leads them to their death; Dinah and Cage as they investigate the murders and the killer's motives and techniques; Ella Barnett as she struggles with caring for her father with Alzheimer's, wondering if euthanasia is the answer; and a crooked politician who is helping a eugenics group push their agenda forward.
I must say that I pretty much tagged the killer right away but I was still very surprised by every twist and turn. I enjoyed this book very much, I don't know why but the interest of catching a serial killer appeals to me. This book has a lot about the history of eugenics which I didn't always understand but it was interesting and a bit scary to learn about. The gospel is presented very clearly and the message of forgiving and loving others is the ending theme. 

My Recommendation:
I enjoyed both books very much! The mysteries kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Some of the themes were a bit more mature than I thought they would be but Julie Cave deals with these topics very gently and honestly. I'd definitely recommend these books for everyone ages 16+. Fiction is such a great entertaining way to learn about history and current events. I enjoyed the character of Dinah Harris even if I didn't identify with her all the time. Her character isn't that perfect all-knowing detective, she's smart but flawed, serious bit with a dry wit. I can't wait to find out what's going to happen to her next! The third book in this series, Pieces of Light, will be out June 2011. 
Both books and the author Julie Cave have been heavily influenced by Answers In Genesis ministries and are highly recommend by them. Creationist Ken Ham talks about Deadly Disclosures on his blog. Visit JulieCave.com for more information on the author and her books. 

"He giveth quietness."

"He giveth quietness." O Elder Brother,
Whose  homeless feet have pressed our path of pain,
Whose hands have borne the burden of our sorrow,
That in our losses we might find our gain.


Of all Your gifts and infinite consolings,
I ask but thise: in every troubled hour
To hear Your voice through all the tumults stealing,
And rest serene beneath its tranquil power.


Cares cannot fret me if my soul be dwelling
In the still air of faith's untroubled day;
Grief cannot shake me if I walk beside you,
My hand in Yours along the darkening way.


Content to know there comes a radiant morning
When from all shadows I will find release;
Serene to wait the rapture of its dawning-
Who can make trouble when You send me peace?


-Devotional for January 31, from L.B. Cowman's 'Streams in the Desert'

I've really been enjoying reading Streams in the Desert each evening before I fall asleep. The devotionals are hitting right where I am in life now and mean so much. I read this poem last night and wanted to share it with you!

God Bless,

Books of 2010 & 2011

First of all, I changed the design and the header on my blog a bit. I feel that there's more room now to read and maneuver. I hope the design shows up as well for you as it does for me!

Now, a look back at the books I read in 2010:

• Heart's Desire by Patsy Oda (re-read)
• I Kissed Dating Good-Bye by Joshua Harris (re-read)
• Curtain by Agatha Christie
• Crooked House by Agatha Christie
• Faith of the First Lady by Jerry MacGregor & Marie Prys
• Let Me Be A Woman by Elisabeth Eliot
• Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
• Time Will Tell by Laralee Bliss
• A Bride By Christmas by Linda Goodnight, Kelly Eileen Hake, Vickie McDonough & Therese Stenzel
• The White Flower by Grace Livingston Hill
• Miss Lavinia's Call (and other stories) by Grace Livingston Hill
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
• The Bird's Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggins

Not bad all told but I hope to do even better in 2011! I've selected 30 books to read, most of which are books that have laid unread too long on the bookshelf. Here's my reading list for the new year:

-20 Fiction & Non-fiction Books:

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (re-read)
• Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
• Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
• North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (re-reading, I will have to buy my own copy)
• Deadly Disclosures by Julie Cave
• The Shadowed Mind by Julie Cave
• The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis (re-read)
• The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
• Villette or Shirley by Charlotte Bronte
• David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
• another by Charles Dickens such as The Old Curiosity Shop
• The Young Visiters by Daisy Ashford (re-read)
• The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliff
• Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (re-read, after reading Udolpho)
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Jane and the Wandering Eye by Stephanie Baron
• The Sonnets by William Shakespeare (poetry)
• Thomas Hardy by Claire Tomalin (biography)
• an Agatha Christie novel for fun, probably re-read Tuesday Club Murders

-10 Spiritual & Christian Books:

• Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris (re-reading)
• Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman
• Footprints of a Pilgrim by Ruth Bell Graham
• The Measure of a Woman by Gene & Elaine Getz
• Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (I hope to buy my own copy)
• Dating Mr. Darcy by Sarah Arthur
• God's Priceless Woman by Wanda Kennedy Sanseri (Bible study)
• For Such A Time As This by Lisa Ryan (re-read)
• Passion & Purity by Elisabeth Eliot (or another book by her, I'd have to buy my own copy)
• The Secret Keeper by Dannah Gresh (re-read)

Both of the Gaskell novels I'll be reading between January 1st - June 1st for the Gaskell Reading Challenge.

My goal is to read at least 3/4 of the books on this list. I'm not a great reader, sometimes it takes me a while to get through long books, so I'm going to stick to reading only the books on the list and try not to read other things. I'm really looking forward to getting some reading done and am enjoying Deadly Disclosures by Emily Cave which was a Christmas gift.

What are you reading this year?

Very Truly Your's,

Miss Laurie

Happy New Year!!!

To The Burdened Heart

I wrote this poem over two nights at work and it really didn't take long for the words to form together. This poem originates from word spoken by my dear friend Karis to my family on the death of my maternal grandmother.
This is really just a first draft so I haven't measured the meter and rhythm of the poem and no one else has read this yet so I'm not sure if the thoughts come across clearly or not.


Our hearts are often heavy
With burdens that we've met
But do not say you're sorry
For that sounds like regret

We don't want to be careless
We don't like to be bold
We're fearful of being rude
And certainly shan't scold

But if everything is part of
God's great and perfect plan
And His plan's been in effect
Before the wold began

Then why should we regret
The sadness, hurt and pain
If it's all part of something better
He has yet to make plain

The sadness may be real
The hurt may deeply sting
The healing may be long
But yet we still can sing

We fear a risen Lord
Who's been through death and pain
He's faithful and He's loving
His blood can cleanse sin's stain

He knows our every need
He knows each tender heart
He has said there will be trials
But our hearts won't come apart

We can trust Him fully
With our worries and our sorrow
He knows what is ahead
And He plans for each tomorrow

Will you simply trust Him?
Don't worry and don't fret
Don't say that you're sorry
For that sounds like regret

-To The Burdened Heart, 10-9-09