Shadowed by Jerry Jenkins

This is the third book in the Zealot Underground trilogy. This was a fast-paced, action oriented ending to this series. It didn't end the way I expected it to, at least in the "smaller" details. I guess the bigger picture end result didn't surprise me. I was certainly bummed out that some newly converted Christians, who were deeply struggling with their recent personal loss(es) and seeking the comfort of Jesus, were brutally murdered. I guess they came to Christ just in time, but I really wanted them to live!

The truly evil character in this trilogy, who became more "unglued" in each book, was Ranold, Jae's father and Paul's father-in-law. He just kept implementing more and more despicable acts, killing all that got in his way. He actually acknowledged that he knew God must exist, but he simply didn't care. He thought he could battle God and win. The only person I wanted dead was Ranold! Ranold is a great example of how corrupt "power" can be. He didn't even care about the money. It was about being in control.

I thought this trilogy led up to the Left Behind series, but it really doesn't. This trilogy was more about the aftermath of World War III and the banning of religion. It took two devastating events (brought on by God) to open the minds of the masses. If was after great loss that people started to believe in God. At the end of this book, religion is no longer banned, but the world continues to be in disarray, just in a different way. The ending leaves a lot of unanswered questions about how the world will move on and what type of leadership/government will take control to provide some order.

Wendy's Rating: ****

Silenced by Jerry Jenkins

This is Book 2 in the Zealot Underground trilogy. This book reminded me more of the Left Behind series (than the first book). It was faster paced and there was more "cloak and dagger" events. It's difficult to know who to trust since Paul is certainly not the only "double agent" within the National Peace Organization (NPO) or the Zealot Underground. Paul is definitely good at his job, and he has the advantage of being able to take down people whom the NPO thinks are actually religious group leaders (but are not), but his father-in-law, Ranold, is suspicious of him.

The main enemy is this book is Styr Magnor. Magnor is a terrorist who has planted bombs in some European cities (like London & Paris). He claims to be religious, so the NPO want to get rid of him because they see him as a threat to their "no religion" law. Obviously, Magnor is a threat to everyone because he is a terrorist, but he is certainly not affiliated with the Zealot Underground. Paul takes advantage of the NPO's beliefs and flies to Europe to track down who Styr Magnor actually is and to put a stop to him.

Since Ranold and Chief Bia Balaam are incredibly suspicious of Paul's true alliance, they do everything possible to prove it. The place bugs on him so they can hear what he talks about; they try to entrap him to commit adultery; they tail him. Paul tries his very best to avoid being followed, but he doesn't know the extent of their distrust in him. Meanwhile, Jae (Paul's wife) has started listening to his New Testament tapes and tried to talk to Straight about it, but Straight (who doesn't trust her of course) pretty much stonewalls her. He doesn't want to fall into a trap set by Ranold - and he doesn't want to expose Paul. (I was disappointed that Straight really wasn't in this book too much, other than talking to Paul on the phone.) Jae is then told by her father (Ranold) that Paul continues to cheat on her and is a traitor. He encourages her to work for him so that she can prove Paul's treason against the NPO.

Things come to a head when the day arrives that each citizen, worldwide, is required by the Supreme Council of the International Government of Peace to pledge their support to the global ban on the practice of religion. The people that refuse to sign this pledge will suffer life imprisonment or death. Again, this book is a lot more "action packed" than the first in the series. I have already started reading the third book.

Wendy's Rating: ****

Soon by Jerry Jenkins

Jerry Jenkins is one of the co-authors of the Left Behind series, which I read many years ago and absolutely loved. I still have the entire series on one of my many book shelves. I have been meaning to read this trilogy (Soon, Silenced, Shadowed) for years. This story represents our country after World War III. Religion has been banned, the practicing of any religion punishable by death. The organization that is responsible for maintaining the "no religion" law and "keeping the peace" is called the NPO (National Peace Organization). Their stance is that historically, it's the opposing religious groups/beliefs around the world that causes war. So, no religion, no wars.

Paul Stepola is an agent for NPO. His father-in-law, Ranold, is also a well-respected leader in NPO. Paul is pretty much a jerk and the first 100 pages was a hard read for me since I didn't like Paul at all! He treats his wife, Jae, horribly, always thinking of other women and he had already cheated on her with at least one other woman. He is assigned to seek out underground religious groups and pretty much kill the people involved. Again, he was a difficult man to like, so it was a difficult read initially. Then he gets injured and ends up blind. So after that he is even more or a jerk and I dislike him intensely by this point.

I knew that things would turn around eventually, but the waiting was painful! Paul is befriended by a man called Straight, who unbeknownst to Paul, is a believer. Straight is patient and bides his time with Paul. It takes a miracle (regaining his sight) for Paul to start seeing the obvious signs of the pending rapture. Then I started enjoying the book more. As Paul starts his reformation, with the help of Straight and others, he is asked to be a double-agent in the NPO. This is highly dangerous for himself and his family, but he agrees to do it. Unfortunately good people continue to be discovered and killed, despite Paul's efforts. Then Jae joins Paul on his assignment in Los Angeles. They are both nicer to each other, but both are suspicious of each other's motives. Paul is being closely watched by Ranold, so he doesn't know if Jae is helping her father keep an eye on him or if she is legitimately trying to save their marriage.

A traumatic event in Los Angeles (caused by God) signals the end of this book. On to Book #2, Silenced.

Wendy's Rating: ****

Silent No More by Aaron Fisher, Michael Gillum & Dawn Daniels

Stories like this break my heart. There is no lower life form than those that prey on the young and vulnerable. Jerry Sandusky is truly a despicable human being and it appalls me that so many people "turned a blind eye" to what he was doing with these young boys. And his wife! Where was she when he was sexually abusing young boys in the basement of their family home. Disgusting. Sandusky irreparably damaged so many boys, so many families.

Aaron, with the help of his psychologist, Mike, and his mother, Dawn, shares his traumatic story. Sandusky started "grooming" Aaron at 11 years old. He started sexually molesting Aaron at 12 years old. To make this tragedy even worse, by the time Aaron was brave enough to report the abuse when he was 14, it took another four years for a case to be brought to court against Sandusky. One significant roadblock of course was Sandusky's prominence in the community and his association with Penn State. Another significant roadblock was finding Sandusky's other victims and encouraging some of them to come forward. Fortunately, in the end, several men came forward to share their own abuse. I am sure there were many, many more victims that didn't come forward.

I do not understand why anyone at all, for any reason, would not take action to stop an obvious rape of a young boy in a shower. Yes, it was reported, but no action was ever taken by ANYONE. I don't care how prestigious a college is, go to the police!! Go to child protection!! Do SOMETHING.

It was super brave of Aaron to tell his story. He was able to take down Sandusky in the end, despite the hardships that befell him and his family. Thankfully, Mike and Dawn were persistent to the end. If it wasn't for them, I'm not sure Sandusky would have been stopped. What makes me super sad that at the end of the book, Aaron has plans to work in the criminal justice system, either as a police officer or with some other "protection agency". I wondered if he was able to follow through with his goals, so I googled him. All I could find is an article saying that he lived in relative isolation and worked on cars at a shop. Again, it's absolutely heartbreaking how much damage was done to so many at the hands of a monster.

Wendy's Rating: *****

The Stolen Hours by Allen Eskens

This was an engaging read. I liked it for so many reasons. First of all, the main characters were strong women. Lila Nash is training to work as a prosecutor for Hennepin County; her temporary boss, Andi Fitch, is a force to be reckoned with; and Niki Vang is the lead detective on the recent rape and attempted murder of a young woman, Sadie Vauk. Add to that, the rapist/murderer, Gavin Spenser, is extremely careful and intelligent, covering his tracks fully at every crime scene. It's wit against wit between Niki and Gavin as she tries to take him down.

The title of the book, "The Stolen Hours" refers to Lila's memory loss from years earlier when she was drugged and raped by two men and then left in her car in a field. She doesn't know her rapists, but she definitely suffers from PTSD from that event. She had previously self-harmed and attempted suicide. Lila has the external and internal scars to remind herself of her difficult life journey. Lila's first court appearance (under Andi) is dealing with Gavin's arrest. When she hears Gavin speak, she freezes. She is not able to speak in court, so Andi has to take over, which doesn't bode well for Lila's future career as a prosecutor.

Lila doesn't understand her reaction to Gavin, but since Gavin has a speech impediment, she starts to wonder whether one of her rapists had one as well. She tells Niki, the detective, about her history and her fears. Niki helps Lila face her own trauma history and starts doing research on Lila's "cold case". Lila's story is a perfect example of why people need to face their trauma and fears head-on. Ignoring trauma doesn't make it go away. Sooner or later, you have to deal with it, or suffer continually, never knowing when something will trigger a feeling that causes re-traumatization.

Wendy's Rating: ****