A.K. Frailey’s Book Review Monday

Welcome to A.K. Frailey’s Book Review Monday.  Here are my first picks.  Enjoy!

Treason – A Catholic Novel of Elizabethan England by Dena Hunt is definitely one of the best books I have read recently. This is a well written account not merely of a historical time period (Elizabethan England) but a reflection on the lives and souls of people who lived during a time of terrible persecution. This is a close look at how lives are intertwined and how one person’s lie can affect everyone, even in the most intimate manner. There are really three stories here, more if you count the individuals, but the story lines mix together to form a whole picture that demonstrates clearly the hardship of trying to choose between loyalty to God, to country, to family, and even loyalty to self. The writing is beautiful and the serious sensitivity Dena Hunt shows to everyone is enlightening. It helps to know that even villains have problems – even when they don’t see the connections between their choices and their lives. Perhaps, as readers, we can see the struggles of souls a little more honestly, and pray a little more ardently. There’s always hope.

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1m8wtAo

The Lion’s Heart, also by Dena Hunt is an equally exquisite story, though in a modern setting. There are many books I am hesitant to pick up simply because I don’t want to deal with another person’s hidden agenda. I had no idea what to expect from The Lion’s Heart though I was aware of the fact that it dealt with sensitive subjects. I was uncertain as to where Ms. Hunt stood on the issue of sexual attraction so I was curious about how she would present her version of the truth.

What I discovered what truth itself! The Lion’s Heart, is a story of love, passion, lies, truth, deception, revelation and grace. What I really enjoyed about Dena’s work was her incredibly sensitive, intuitively honest, look at the human soul. I never sensed, at any time, that she had an agenda to pedal or a point to make. Rather,she took me on a journey through the lives of these two men. And what a journey! I met their families, was introduced to their professional worlds, and experienced their lives as they experienced it. As a Catholic I have definite opinions about homosexuality, but I did not feel that my opinions were challenged so much as informed. Instead of meeting a topic, a conversation piece, an attitude, a moral dilemma, I found myself up close and personal with various faces of humanity.

I could not give this book a higher rating – it’s at the top of the charts. I thank Ms. Hunt for having the courage and the beauty of heart to see, feel, and love as she did – for this book is, above all, a work of love. May it be accepted as such.

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/1m8w40P

See you next week for more books by gifted authors…