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American
Midnight
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Title: American Midnight
Series: N/A
Author:
Brandon Barr &
Mike
Lynch
ISBN:
978-1-60975-019-0
Product Code: BK0038
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 312
Release Date: June 2010
Cover
Price: $19.95
Our
Price: $15.00
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Book
Reviews
Review by: KM
Wilsher, Blog Days of Summer
My Synopsis:
Pastor's daughter, Tania Peters, struggles through her last year at high
school after the loss of her mom. Tension between her father and brothers
runs hot as they all try to cope with the absence of their mother after
her death. Feeling alone, and abandoned by God, Tania separates herself
from those who love her.
Swept up in the
fast track to the top of a new political party it looks as if she is doing
fine by herself. Making her own decisions, shining in the limelight. But
this political movement, the Unity Party, isn't all it seems on the
surface. In fact, her father is imprisoned by them for his Faith in Jesus
Christ, along with other Christians. Tania is forced to choose between
those her love her and those who shower her with responsibility and
praise. She has to choose what and who she believes in, and her choice
just may cost Tania her life.
The Review:
American Midnight is a rapid read, zipping along in a crafty way. At first
I wondered if American Midnight was too young adult for me, but truly,
that didn't last long. Quickly the authors spun a web of complicated tales
of manipulation, betrayal, and conflict that kept the pages turning.
This book is full of golden nuggets: History. Religion. Politics. Faith.
Teenage conflicts. Suspense.
I was interested in the fact that each character, even the "bad guys",
truly believed what they were doing was right and right for everyone. Some
with a more humble spirit then others.
I really enjoyed the varying personalities belonging to those characters
who believed in Jesus Christ. Some believed, but had lost hope. Some had
turned their back on Him. Some believed to the point of fanaticism and
terrorism. Some believed but had no idea how to act out their faith in
love toward their families and friends. Though they could preach it,
life's pain and suffering had left them closed, and isolated.
I haven't read a suspense novel in a while. American Midnight refreshed my
appetite for them.
In the world of fiction, modern-day, Church persecution can come across
cheesy and sometimes insulting to those who have really been there.
American Midnight is far from it. The story was believable. It
reverberated truth provoking thoughts of how real and close we could
already be to the attempts to render the Christian Faith extinct, the
persecution that can go with that, and having to fight to keep
Christianity free -- in a free society where most every idea is accepted
but that of the Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
I say, pick up this book! Especially if you are a suspense fan!
Review by:
Angie Lofthouse, Notes from the Writing Chair
I've talked about
what books I've read, but this is my first official book review. (Ooo,
exciting!) American Midnight is a suspenseful Christian political thriller
from authors Brandon Barr and Mike Lynch, published by Silver Leaf Books.
From the website:
A family torn apart, a country under siege from within, terrorist plots
that will shake society to its core, and it’s all coming to a head in a
quiet little town in Iowa...
...At eighteen, Tania Peters still carries deep scars from her mother’s
tragic death, and when she’s betrayed by someone close, pain and confusion
threaten to swallow her whole. But underneath all the hurt, she senses the
hand of purpose on her life and finds hope in an exciting new political
movement.
But not everyone sees the movement as good. Tania’s own father fears that
this promised “unity” is a threat to Christian churches across the
country.
Pitted between the Party’s utopian promises and the Christian friends and
families who soon find themselves on the outside of this new American
dream, Tania must choose between her long dormant faith in God and her
future with the Party...
...But that one decision could cost her everything—even her life.
I think it was appropriate that I read this book just before the July 4
holiday. American Midnight grabbed my attention right from the start. The
well-paced action, with lots of suspense, danger and intrigue, along with
a little romance, kept me eager to find out what happens next.
In this sort of book it would be easy to rely on stereotypes: pure,
long-suffering Christians pitted against power-hungry, godless villains.
American Midnight, however, contains characters that are real people with
depth and complexity, characters that I could relate to, characters I
could root for or against, and sometimes wonder which I should be doing.
(I did find one character, General Aristides, to be a bit over the top,
but he was a relatively minor character and filled his role well.)
American Midnight poses some timely questions, and doesn't fall back on
quick and easy answers. I have found myself pondering the themes of the
book--family, faith, unity, freedom--and thinking about what I might do if
I were caught up in Tania's situation. It's the kind of book that makes
you wonder, "Could this happen to me?"
American Midnight is a great read, and does not contain offensive content.
I can highly recommend it. Learn more about American Midnight on Brandon
Barr's
website and
blog.
*I guess I have to put the disclaimer that yes, I did receive a free copy
of the book from the authors to review. Lucky me! I was asked to give my
honest opinion, and that is what I have done.*
Review by:
Melissa Meeks, Bibliophile's Retreat
For those that
enjoy a riveting political thriller you just may find a wonderful new
novel to ad to your TBR come February. Mike Lynch and Brandon Barr have
collaborated on American Midnight and proven themselves to be a dynamic
duo based on the manuscript I had the pleasure of being thoroughly buried
in this past several days.
Thankfully the only literal burial was when one of the characters in the
story experienced flashbacks of events she had witnessed prior to the
book’s time frame. Truth and Peace collide in this action / adventure tale
with a dash of romance. The Unity Party platform is paving the way for one
world religion and an elected government hoping to delude Americans into
craving the reign of a Biblical Antichrist for the reputed lack of
conflict being promised. Regardless of their intentions many Christians
and the true Church as a body soon see through the smoke-screen and
concoct their own variety of projects to eliminate the Party. Will the
Believers who’ve been roped into this elaborate fraud see True Light
before it’s too late? Can the ones already fingered as enemies of this
disquieting masquerade be saved by those still under the radar?
Tania along with her friends and family will discover if God is Truth as
His word declares or if the human order wrought by this new political
entity taking over a once free country will prosper despite their evil
intentions. Loss in many forms has plagued Tania throughout her past and
present yet as people continue to inform her along the way, she has been
spared not as a horrid joke to see her continue suffering but because the
One who spared her despite all the close calls has a purpose for her on
this earth. If we walk or even run from ultimate Truth, when God has His
hand on us we will find the enemy’s efforts to coerce us towards “escape”
foiled in order for that purpose to be realized. Barr and Lynch have
crafted a convicting and timely tale that will entrance readers of various
genres with a dose of Truth not overtly presented even by contemporary
churches in many instances. Be sure to pick up a copy of this page-turner
at your earliest opportunity and don’t – I repeat don’t bury it in the TBR
lest time run out all too soon.
Miscellaneous
Review Quotes:
“From Page
One to The End, novelists Brandon Barr and Mike Lynch capture the
readers’ attention and holds them spellbound! American Midnight is a
gripping, beautifully-written story that will sometimes (literally!)
leave you breathless. I’m adding this one to my ‘Keepers’ shelf!”
—Loree Lough, author of 74 award-winning novels
“This
latest work from Brandon Barr and Mike Lynch fulfills their promise as
authors. American Midnight is a big, panoramic novel rich with right
questions for our era and with characters we can both cheer for and
learn from.”
—Bruce McAllister, author of Dream Baby
“American
Midnight is a non-stop, compelling read. Several times I was running in
the wake of the main character’s footsteps, crying with her and cheering
her on.”
—Paulette Harris, member of the Lost Genre Guild
“A modern
mix of 1984 and The Hiding Place, American Midnight is thought-provoking
and chilling, a clarion call for today's culture.”
—Chawna Schroeder, Imagination Investigation
“A riveting
political thriller. Barr and Lynch have crafted a convicting and timely
tale that will entrance readers of various genres. Be sure to pick up
this page-turner at your earliest opportunity – lest time run out all
too soon.”
—Melissa Meeks, Bibliophile's Retreat
“Barr &
Lynch are the new dynamic duo of Christian Suspense! American Midnight
is a must read ripped out of today's headlines and masterfully blended
with prophetic overtones. Each chapter takes us ever deeper into a web
of intrigue...complex and artistically written. Bible scholar or not
Barr & Lynch provide us with not only a great read but also a story that
will provoke you to move beyond what you thought was possible.”
—Lisa Collins, lcollinsauthor.blogspot.com
“Torn from
tomorrow's headlines, American Midnight is a fast-paced ride with a
touch of romance that is sure to hold you enthralled!”
—Amy Deardon, author of A Lever Long Enough
“With
conspiracies on every side, suspense, romance and more, American
Midnight is a cautionary tale examining family and what it means to take
a stand for God. It handles some difficult questions, but the answers
aren't always as neat and pat as we would like.”
—Cathi
Hassan, Cathi's Chatter
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