Sheila's Books Read

Sheila's bookshelf: read

The Best Intentions
Scotland's Melody
The Secret Society of Salzburg
Secret of the Sonnets
20-40-60-Minute Dinners: Meals to Match the Time You Have
Through the Wilderness: My Journey of Redemption and Healing in the American Wild
Secret Santa Claus Club: A Tool to Help Parents Unwrap the Secret of Santa
Mr. Pudgins
Revenge Never Rests
The Best Mistake
Meriden Park
More Inspirational Stories for Young Women
The Great Tree: A Christmas Fable
To Capture His Heart
The Call of the Sea
Esperance
Livvy and the Enchanted Woodland
Come, Gentle Night
The Bad Boy Theory
Guide To Smart Wedding Planning: What You want to know and everything you haven't thought of yet.


Sheila's favorite books »

2024 Goodreads Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge

2024 Reading Challenge
Sheila has read 4 books toward her goal of 100 books.
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Sunday, November 24, 2024

Double Review for The End Begins & The Darkness Deepens {Book 1 & 2 from The Seven Trilogy Series} by Sara Davison

                  

 Book 1                                            
When your beliefs are at war, does love stand a chance?


Bookstore owner Meryn O’Reilly and Army Captain Jesse Christensen are on opposite sides of a battle. After a series of terrorist attacks in 2053, martial law has been declared in Canada and the military has taken over. When a radical Christian group claims responsibility, Jesse and his platoon are sent to Meryn’s city to keep an eye on the Christians and ensure they are not stepping outside the confines of the law.


Fiery and quick-tempered, Meryn chafes under the curfew and other restrictions to her freedom. Jesse is equally amused, intrigued, and terrified by her spirit. She could find herself in prison if she shows defiance to the wrong soldier, namely Lieutenant Gallagher.


Jesse watches out for Meryn when possible, although she wants nothing to do with him. His worst fears are realized when she commits a crime he cannot protect her from. Now they both face an uncertain future and the very real threat of losing everything, including their lives. With time running out, Jesse works feverishly to convince the authorities to show leniency to Meryn. And to convince her that love can overcome any barrier that lies between them.                                                                                                   



                                                                                              Book 2    

 Their Secrets Protect Them ...

But Secrets are Hard to Keep
No one in the army can find out that Captain Jesse Christensen has become a believer. He and bookstore owner Meryn O’Reilly are forced to meet in secret, facing imprisonment or worse if they are found together. Their relationship deepens, but so does Lieutenant Gallagher’s hatred for the Christians in their city. As Gallagher’s power grows, it becomes clear that his connections go much further up the chain of command than anyone realized, putting all believers, especially Jesse, in extreme danger.
Meryn wants to give her heart to Jesse fully, but her past holds her back. Although circumstances conspire to keep her silent, she needs to tell him her secret. When he finds out what she has been keeping from him, nothing will stand between them anymore.
Or nothing will ever be the same.
The year is 2054. As the world descends into chaos around them and Christians in Canada and around the world face tighter and tighter restrictions, Jesse and Meryn wage a battle against forces of darkness – both physical and spiritual. They face the threat of being ripped apart forever as Gallagher closes in on his favorite target. Jesse’s life hangs in the balance.
Jesse, Meryn, and all believers must decide if their faith is strong enough to carry them through these dark days, or if the cost of declaring allegiance to Jesus Christ is just too high.



My Review of: The End Begins

This novel reminded me of the Left Behind series, which also explores a world where people must choose between loyalty to God and loyalty to man, with being a Christian deemed illegal. It evokes memories of the persecution Jews faced during World War II. Set in a Dystopian Canada in 2053, the story shows a reality where Christians cannot own a Bible without facing charges of treason. This theme resonates deeply, especially when millions across the globe suffer for their faith in Christ. It's one of the most thought-provoking stories I’ve encountered in a long time.

The main character, Meryn O’Reilly, finds herself torn between following the law and God's guidance. Captain Jesse Christensen, who has been drawn to Meryn since they first met, wants to protect her. However, with constant surveillance on Christians and the threat of being reported for any wrongdoing, both Meryn and Jesse face intense challenges. I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow as they navigated their differences and deepened their faith.

This gripping story hooks you from the start and keeps you engaged. It’s a fantastic end-times romantic suspense that is thrilling and well-written. The plot has unexpected twists that I won’t spoil. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian romantic suspense. Please note, there is some violence depicted in the story.



My Review of: The Darkness Deepens

I was thrilled to have the second book in this series ready for me to read. Book Two continues right after The End Begins. Jesse has grown beyond just being a soldier; he has truly embraced his faith as a Christian. While being a soldier offers him many benefits, it also brings significant challenges. His relationship with Meryn develops further, and he tries to support and protect her, but they face a powerful army and numerous threats around them. Meryn understands that her future is at risk, and Jesse's safety is also uncertain. 

Both Meryn and Jesse are relatable characters. Their deep feelings for each other are clear, yet they struggle with their own fears and past experiences. The story kept me interested and often left me sitting on the edge of my seat. It’s a novel that not everyone may be able to handle because it’s raw and intense, and very unsettling with the possibility of it becoming reality someday.  There’s a shocking and emotional moment near the end that really broke my heart and I absolutely did not see it coming. Even with the tough situations, there’s a glimmer of hope and strength that comes from their strong relationships with family and friends and their faith in their beliefs. I look forward to discovering how this series wraps up and what awaits Meryn, Jesse, and those they care about. 

****Meet Author Sara Davison****
Sara Davison is the author of the romantic suspense series The Seven Trilogy, The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo Trilogy, In the Shadows, and two sparrows for a penny, as well as the standalone speculative, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, Davison is a Holt Medallion, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner. She currently resides in Ontario, Canada with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.


~*~*~*~*Purchase the Books~*~*~*~*
HERE:
The End Begins


The Darkness Deepens

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