Latter-Day Cipher by Latayne C. Scott
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Moody Publishers (April 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802456790
ASIN: B002SB8NQC

When rebellious Utah socialite Kirsten Young is found murdered in Provo Canyon with strange markings carved into her flesh and a note written in a 19th Century code, questions arise about the old laws of the Mormon Church. Journalist Selonnah Zee is assigned the story—which quickly takes on a life of its own. Even before the first murder is solved several more victims appear, each one more mysterious than the last.

Adding to a slew of other distractions, Selonnah’s cousin, Roger, has recently converted and is now a public spokesperson for the Mormon faith. But paradoxically, Roger’s wife Eliza is struggling to hold onto the Mormon beliefs of her childhood. If something is really from God, she wonders, why does it need to be constantly revised? And could the murderer be asking the same questions?

I thought this book did a great job of showing the truth behind the Mormon church. I was compelled to purchase the novel more for the subject matter than for the storyline. Since I was raised in a religion that’s considered a cult, I was interested in finding out more about the weird teaching of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

There’s a murderer on the loose and after he/she kills, there’s always a message left behind, showing that the murderer is affiliated with the Mormon church. Selonnah Zee, a writer, is given the assignment to cover the murders and to find out more about the Latter-Day Saints church. While bunking with her male cousin and his wife, Selonnah finds herself taken on a journey where she questions the Mormon church and tries to find the answers behind the questions about her own faith.

This book will blow your mind, especially if you know little about the Mormon church and long to know more. I read it in a few days over the Christmas break.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Raising Rain by Debbie Fuller Thomas
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Moody Publishers (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802487343
ISBN-13: 978-0802487346

From Amazon.com:
Product Description

When her terminally ill mother demands a Celebration of Life before she dies; they all confront ghosts from the past on a ‘stormy’ weekend in Monterey. Bebe, the roommate closest to Rain’s heart, revisits choices that have impacted Rain the most, raising doubts about God’s—and her own—willingness to forgive and to be forgiven.

This novel touched upon an edgy subject for Christian fiction, abortion. However, the subject was dealt with in a realistic manner, and I could imagine someone who is saved, who’s been through an abortion in the past, to use this book as a ministerial tool.

Rainbow Star has been raised by her single mother, Jude, as well as Jude’s three roommates. The four roommates, from back in the late sixties/early seventies, share a fragile bond and they have many issues brimming beneath the surface of their friendship.

Rain doesn’t even know who her father is, and her headstrong mother, Jude, is vocal about not needing a man in her life. Unbeknownst to Rain, Jude’s headstrong manner has rubbed off onto Rain’s personality, causing a huge breakup with her live-in boyfriend.

Rain is now single and determined to have a baby, no matter what it takes. Should she get pregnant and raise a baby alone, following in her mother’s footsteps?

When Rain finds out the real reason why her boyfriend has left her, she’s stunned, and she’s forced to step back and take a look at her own life.

The four roommates and Rain share a celebration weekend during the last days of Jude’s life. During this time, they discover long-held secrets about one another.

This novel will show you how we can seek the Lord’s forgiveness for past mistakes.

~Cecelia Dowdy~