2014 Book Review #5: Finding Marie

 

I have finally read a book in less than a week...it was THAT good!

My dad loaned me this book because he knows I like mysteries/thrillers.  It's a Christian fiction one and I wasn't sure I'd like it, since I'm not always a fan of Christian fiction.  But this was great!  It was a real page-turner.  And as I kept reading it, I was thinking of what a great movie it would make......it's fast-paced, suspenseful, a little romantic, and a thriller with some mystery thrown in.  It even has the NCIS in there!!

STORY SUMMARY

Marie Belanger is married to a Navy man, Pierre Belanger.  They have been stationed in Japan for the last 2 years, and Marie is heading back home to Maine, where Pierre will join her in a few weeks.

Marie has no idea what Pierre actually does for the US government but she does know that her lieutenant husband often has secretive assignments. However, it looks like they will finally get to go back to the states and they are hoping to begin trying for a baby!

Marie gets on the plane for San Francisco from Narito and finds that her seatmate is Jenna Tarrington whose husband is a commander in the same Navy unit as Pierre.  Marie and Jenna make small talk even though Jenna has never really shown an interest in the younger Marie.

Once in San Francisco, Jenna heads for the bathroom while Marie goes to get some coffees.  Upon returning to the area where they had been waiting for their connecting flight to Detroit, Marie sees Jenna get shot!  And then life turns completely upside down for Marie. She is now on the run from a Chinese man and an American man because Marie discovers a computer flash drive in her luggage and has no idea what is on it or how it got there! She is guessing this is why the men are chasing her.

Pierre, meanwhile, hasn't heard from Marie so contacts his friend Lt. Commander George Hudson who is stationed in Hawaii with his wife Rachel.  Together they set out to find Marie.

Meanwhile, Marie gets to Detroit and then begins praying her way east towards Maine.  She is being hotly pursued by these men and narrowly escapes them all across Ohio and into Pennyslvania. She meets new people and learns about trusting God to keep her safe...she learns that God can use non believers to help us!  Pierre and George, along with the FBI, NCIS, and the CIA are one step behind the enemy and the enemy is one step behind Marie!!

Will Marie arrive in Maine safely?? How does Marie's sister Lisa and Pierre's brother Andre enter into the picture?  Will they really learn to trust in the Living God as their protector?

MY THOUGHTS

This book was one I really enjoyed.  I didn't know it was a series of books (American Heroes Series, Book 2) otherwise I would have tried to find Book 1. 

However, this book can stand alone...it is that well developed.  And I didn't feel like I had have read Book 1 to know the characters.  The author does a fantastic job with character development.  I felt like I wanted to reach out and help Marie get home to her family in Maine.

I loved the French chef in this book!!!  That was a delight.

What I liked more than anything, though, was the power of the gospel that is clear through out the book with out being preachy or pushy to a non-believer.  And the book doesn't read like a sappy romance!  I loved that there was just enough romance in the book to keep it sweet as there were many spots that were downright scary.....like when the enemies actually grabbed Marie and blindfolded her.  She wakes up on Long Island and you begin to wonder if she really is going to make it home to Maine. 

The only thing that I was irritated by was that Marie just wouldn't go to any local authorities.  I get why the author wrote it that way but it bugged me.  I don't really think any young woman in her early 20s would continue, in this day and age, to hitchhike with truckers and not reach out to some police officer.  But then again, it did give the character the reliance on the Lord which I'm guessing was the author's intent.  

The author did a great job in showing the mercy of God on our lives and that He knows the plans and purposes for us if we just trust Him.

I highly recommend this novel.  And I am planning on asking our towne library if they have Book 3 or others books this author has written.  According to her website, she has written MANY books. Several of them look like ones I would enjoy.

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 14 and older.

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10.