Healing Sands by Nancy Rue & Stephen Arterburn

Close your eyes and recall the sand of a beach or desert. You run your fingers through the sand. What’s it feel like? Gritty? Scratchy? Because Nancy and Stephen’s books are so real, you may find some of the story elements a bit abrasive, but only because it’s sand paper that smoothes away imperfections.

That’s one of the reasons I love their Sullivan Crisp stories—these are life-changing books.

Okay, first things first. Here’s the back cover copy:

Her life was spinning out of control. A mix of anger and emptiness defined her. Desperate for true peace, she headed to a place of rest - the healing sands.

Ryan Coe feels lost - her marriage is over, her kids are living with their dad, her God-life is silent, and her patience is practically non-existent. To top it off, her once exciting job as a photojournalist has been reduced to taking pictures of enchilada festivals and B-level actors. But when she arrives at the scene of a crime and sees her son's face through her zoom lens, her world crashes. Her only mission - to find out who really did this and why they framed her.

But before she can help anyone. Ryan's got to get her anger in check. She turns to Sullivan Crisp's Healing Choices clinic, but even that doesn't go according to plan. Quirky and unusual don't even begin to describe Sully and she soon realizes that he isn't the quick-fix therapist she was hoping for. Between his unorthodox counseling and a group of women who are the first real friends she's had in a long time, Ryan begins to realize it's not control she's for, but something much more powerful.

And now, my review:

At first, I wondered about the naming of a female lead as “Ryan.” Sure, a lot of names can go both ways, but not this one. Not for me. Until I read on and discovered the very poignant characterization element the authors were trying to get to here. You’ll have to read the book to find out. :-)

When I read a book, it’s impossible to not dissect it. I study novels. So, as a writer, I have to say Nancy’s skills are amazing. Plotting move swiftly along. Characterization makes you care for her characters. There were mystery elements in this novel, and I loved gathering clues to solve the crimes. The use of two different POVs is great—first person for Ryan and third whenever we’re with Sully. That takes skill to carry off. Nancy excels.

I related with Ryan in some areas, though not all. The main theme in this book is anger. And though I couldn’t relate entirely to Ryan’s rage, I found myself in the pages anyway.

If you’ve read any of this series before, I have a question for you: What’s not to love about Sullivan Crisp?? All the scenes of therapy, or even Sullivan’s own life thrown into the books, are rich with helpful meanings. And I never felt preached to, though the final summation scene did seem a touch forced. Generally, though, because I have an interest in psychology, I just ate up the scenes between Sully and Ryan. They're so well crafted and chock full of insights.

The authors included themes on parenting and marriage, legal issues, and other mental health concerns besides rage. Their spiritual theme of surrender to God will speak to believers as well. Readers will find something of interest to them; they’ll learn something and be challenged, all in the context of a fantastic story well penned.

Highly recommended.

Healing Waters by Nancy Rue & Stephen Arterburn

This writing team has done it again.

They hold up a mirror for you to see yourself reflected, making the characters relatable and then show you how to get free from similar patterns in your own life. This isn't like reading fiction, it's like hearing a parable. Their Sullivan Crisp novels are life changing.

Here's the back cover copy:

Overweight, introverted Lucia Coffey has always stood outside the spotlight of her Christian celebrity sister Sonia Cabot, but when Sonia is involved in a devastating accident, Lucia is thrust into that limelight – where she makes some shocking, life-changing discoveries about her sister, her marriage, and herself. Dr. Sullivan Crisp is her guide as he, too, continues his journey of discovery. Their soul-wrenching examination of faith and suffering exacts a great sacrifice from Lucia and a no-turning-back decision for Sully.

Okay, so I didn't relate with every one of Lucia's troubles, but I saw myself in enough of them to feel her pain. I also did something I rarely do, I underlined. And not just for the sake of good prose, but for the content. This "relating with the heroine" was true of me reading their first book, too. (Healing Stones)

Dr. Sullivan Crisp, the psychologist who will walk the heroine down her healing path, is a well-painted character. His warmth, intelligence and vulnerability are striking because this book (more than the first) delves deeply into his own personal pain and the search for answers that is his quest. Readers of the first book will view the follow-up to issues touched on in book one. This quirky, God-loving character will make you chuckle even as the poignancy of his insights moves you toward understanding.

Just like Book One, this fiction transcends fictional entertainment and moves into ministry. And readers will be not only blessed, but changed as they read. That's a rarely achieved goal, but Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn excel. Bring on book three!

Healing Stones by Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn

Every now and then I get to read a book that simply comes across my path. This one caught my attention when someone quoted its first line in an e-loop. Check this out:

I sneaked down to the boat that night to say this couldn't happen anymore.

See? Riveting. Just like the rest of the novel. Layers so profound and well-scribed you'll wonder how you'll wait for book two in the Sullivan Crisp series. (Healing Waters is due out December 9, 2008, by Thomas Nelson.)

But you'll also savor the prose and tear up at the dilemmas these very real characters trudge through. Phenomenal. For so many reasons. Relatable. Beautiful. A true keeper.

Here's the back cover copy:

With one flash of a camera, Demi's private life becomes public news. She doesn't know it yet, but her healing has just begun.

Christian college professor Demitria Costanas had vowed to end her affair with a colleague. But she gives into temptation one last time...and a lurking photographer captures her weakness for all to see. Quite literally, she's the woman caught in adultery. And almost everyone--herself included--has a stone to throw.

Enter Sullivan Crisp, a decidedly unorthodox psychologist with his own baggage. He's well-known for his quirky sense of humor and incorporation of "game show" theology into his counseling sessions. And yet there's something more he offers...hope for a fresh start.

Reluctantly the two of them begin an uplifting, uneven journey filled with healing and grace. By turns funny and touching, this story explores the ways humans hurt each other and deceive themselves. And it shows the endlessly creative means God uses to turn stones of accusation and shame into works of beauty that lead us onto the path of healing.

An auspicious debut for a candid yet tender series about pain, healing, and God's invitation for second chances.

The ministerial value of this story is what sets it apart. It's life-changing. And that's what good fiction should be. I highly recommend this novel.