Author: Kathy Herman
Publisher: David C Cook (March 1, 2010)
ISBN: 978-1-4347-6784-4
Genre: fiction, Christian, mystery
Kathy Herman’s The Right Call, the third book in the Sophie Trace trilogy, has made the April ECPA Fiction bestseller list. All three titles in this trilogy are now bestselling books. Additionally in the Amazon Kindle store, The Real Enemy was listed the #1 bestseller in fiction, #1 in Literature and Fiction, #1 in Mystery, #1 in Genre Fiction, and #5 bestseller in all Kindle books.
In The Right Call, Herman looks at the topic of addictions and obsessions. Based on 2 Peter 2:19b: “For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him,” The Right Call demonstrates how we’re all slaves to something—either to God and righteousness or to the flesh and its pitfalls. Filled with heart-pounding suspense that delivers heart-changing truth, The Right Call uses the perilous story of a young college student to reinforce the importance of walking closely with God, to be armed with wisdom and strength in order to face the toughest of circumstances.
The Right Call, by Kathy Herman from David C. Cook on Vimeo.
My Thoughts:
When I received "The Right Call", I knew that it was the last book in the series. I wasn't sure how it would do for a stand-alone book, but it fared very well. The story and the characters didn't rely on the previous books and were easy to get to know. There was references to past happenings, but nothing that would make you feel like you needed to read the others in the series or you were really missing something.
I really enjoyed "The Right Call". It was a fast paced mystery packed with murder and excitement. It was full of twists and turns and along with the mystery, was a side story of romance. I found myself on the edge of my seat more than once. I found Kathy's writing style captivating and her characters likable and quite realistic, especially Ethan. I found that after I finished the book, I wanted to know more about these people and their lives! I now have put the first two books " The Real Enemy" and "The Last Word" down on my TBR list.
An interview with best-selling author Kathy Herman
That all human beings are born slaves to sin, and until we lay claim to the power of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we’ll never be set free from of our fleshly nature.
The Right Call is based on 2 Peter 2:19b. What truth in this passage drove you to write this book?
The fact that we’re all slaves to something—either to God and righteousness or to the flesh and its pitfalls. This is especially relevant in today’s world with so many addictions now being fed by the Internet. As long as we’re confined to these mortal bodies, the Enemy will fight to control us—body, mind, and spirit. Obviously, the vast majority of us will never experience the devastating effects of a gambling, drug, alcohol, or sex addiction, but how many of us fall victim to the more acceptable vices, such as overeating? Overspending? Overworking? Overindulging? It’s the flesh that gets us into trouble, and our only hope to overcome it is Jesus. But most of the time, we deny we have a problem until it already has a foothold. Then, rather than letting God’s Holy Spirit have the reins, we struggle to tame it in our own strength and realize we can’t—and that we’ve become slaves rather than masters, overdoers rather than overcomers. It doesn't have to be that way.
Why were addictions/obsessions a topic you decided to write about?
All generations have struggled with addictions. That's not new. But something this generation faces that others didn’t is EASY ACCESS. With the Internet, all it takes is a click of the mouse and kids can be exposed to every manner of evil, which makes them vulnerable at a much younger age—Often young people think they can have a foot in both worlds, but Satan plays for keeps. It’s easier to get sucked into the darkness than to walk in the light. Our best defense is to stay grounded in the Word so our conscience is tender. And to be in fellowship with trusted believers who will hold us accountable.
Why do you think humans tend to do things in excess? What are some ways we can fill our emptiness with God rather than other excesses?
We're born slaves to sin. Our fallen nature has a propensity to do things in excess because we have an emptiness that resulted from the fall of humankind. So much of our overdoing is an effort to fill that emptiness, which ultimately can only be satisfied by God and a relationship with Him. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. The more we seek God, the closer our relationship with Him, the more that emptiness is filled with His love and the fruit of that love. But so often we don't recognize the emptiness for what it is. Problems that come our way seem exaggerated when we're dissatisfied with life. And we do whatever it takes to feel better. For example, how many of us tend to eat when we're upset? We use "comfort food" as a temporary fix for a larger problem, which is an emptiness—a longing for home (paradise). This fallen world is not our home. As long as we're here, there will be times when that emptiness cries to be filled. What we decide to fill it with is our choice. Many addictions and excesses start out small. But trying to satisfy that void inside us with anything other than God, His Word, and things that draw us closer to him can end up being a temporary fix that leaves us sorely wanting and vulnerable.
Interview and synopsis were provided by B&B Media Group. Book was provided by BB Media Group for me to honestly review.
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