Customer Reviews

Higher Hope: Tides of Truth, Book 2

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Higher Hope by Robert Whitlow is a legal thriller in the style of John Grisham, and his second book in the Tides Of Truth series.

Set in beautiful Savannah, Georgia, it tells the story of Tami Taylor, a summer law clerk for the Braddock, Appleby and Carpenter law firm.

Because of her strict religious upbringing, she is assigned to a case involving a caustic preacher-turned-prophet, who goes by the name of Sister Dabney. This poses a huge moral dilemma for Tami. Will her conscience allow her to take part in a case against one of God's anointed?

In addition to this quandary, she has not one, but two honorable Christian men vying for her attention--Zach Mays, an associate with the firm, and Vince Colbert, another summer intern. Several chapters near the beginning of the book cover the experience of Tami taking Zach to Powell Station, Georgia, a rural community where her parents, two sisters and two brothers live.

These chapters are tense and full of conflict since Tami's parents have raised her to respect their religious views concerning relationships with people outside their church. Even though Zach is a Christian, his own upbringing in a California communal-type church (and the length of his hair, which he wears in a ponytail) stand in sharp contrast to her parent's beliefs.

These opening chapters also serve to help us understand why Tami is the way she is, which helps us understand her behavior and reactions in later chapters of the book.

This was an enjoyable read by a gifted author. I found the story interesting and fascinating, especially the character of Sister Dabney in relationship to the main character, Tami Taylor. The connection between them can only the explained by God's Spirit indwelling each of them.

I wish I had known this was a series before I requested the book to review. I felt like I was walking into a movie halfway through. I did not enjoy this book because of that. This is one of the most frustrating things about series books, most authors (not all) assume you've read all their books and so they don't tell you what went on before. There was a reference to a Moses Jones repeatedly in this book and at first I kept flipping back the pages to see if I missed something and then I saw the fine print: Tides of Truth Series Book #2. Oh, well I thought...I'll see if it makes a difference to this story. It didn't, but it was annoying when the author kept bringing it up as an example.


Tami, the summer law clerk in this series was a very confusing character because again, the author assumed the reader knew who she was. He kept talking about her religious views, but never explained what they were. I'm still not sure if she is Mennonite, Amish, Pentecostal or somewhere in-between (is there an in-between?). Suffice it to say, she had a very strict upbringing that worked against her conscience in matters of Law.


The author did create a unique character in Sister Dabney, unfortunately he introduced and then forgot about her until so far along in the book that I had to re-read the first few chapters to find out who he was talking about. I would have preferred hearing about her than about Tami's troubled love life, which was - well...boring to say the least.

I want to mention something positive about this book, because I don't want everyone to think it was horrible. It wasn't - it had a good plot in regards to a young Christian woman struggling with what her job requires her to do and what God would expect. Something I'm sure we've all struggled with at some time or another in our jobs or daily lives. Robert Whitlow did an excellent job of taking us into Tami's struggles in this regard, eventually pointing his readers to God's mighty power.


If you have read the first book in this series then I'm sure you will have an entirely different opinion of this book than I did and I'd love to hear them. Maybe you can convince me to give the author Robert Whitlow another chance!

I really wanted to enjoy this book--I just didn't. I will admit I have not read the other novels that Robert Whitlow has written, so maybe I'm missing something. Many people seem to enjoy his novels, comparing them to John Grisham works; this one just never grabbed my attention. I found myself setting it aside after every few pages. It was like a movie that takes forever to really get started.

In "Higher Hope," a summer law clerk, Tami Taylor, is assigned to a libel case against a preacher with prophetic abilities. You really don't get into the case until Chapter 7, and then when you do, the legal side of it all just wasn't very engaging. The main character seemed quite cold in personality and I never could connect with her. Most of the book was overwhelmed with subplots that weren't descriptive enough to keep my attention. They seemed like aimless events that were just flat out boring. The main character struggles with her faith being challenged and ultimately stands up for her convictions, but it just wasn't interesting. I had really hoped this novel would be one I'd be soaked up into for many weeks to come, but I was disappointed.

This week I finished reading Higher Hope, the second novel in Robert Whitlow's Tides of Truth series. This book was an "OK" read, but not one of my favorites. As was the case in Deeper Water (the first book in the series) the story moves slowly and in some places gets bogged down for a while.

In a story that continues from the first novel, readers find that Tami Taylor works as a summer law clerk in a Savannah law firm and during her off-work hours serves as a live-in caretaker for elderly Mrs. Fairmont. She also struggles with mixed romantic feelings for two young men in the firm, one an associate and the other also a summer clerk, with romance being a totally new experience for Tami. Tami (or Tammy Lynn, as she is known back home) is from a very strong, fundamentalist church and family, and works to stay true to her beliefs and and the expectations of her parents. Those beliefs earn her both scorn and respect from those she works with and under at the firm.

It is because of those very beliefs that one of the firm's partners finds Tami to be just the person to work on a case involving Sister Dabney, "an abrasive, outspoken preacher who is either a prophet or a lunatic." As the case progresses, Tami struggles with the challenge of balancing her career choice with her belief and even questions whether the two are compatible.

As I said, this series is slow-moving and reading it is at times drudgery. With that said, though, I am interested enough in Tami's story that I do plan to read the final book in the series.

I really enjoyed this book. I love reading and have enjoyed several Robert Whitlow books. The story is so compelling that it makes me want to be a better christian.

Higher Hope

by Robert Whitlow

RELEASED!

Robert Whitlow's second book in the series is one that you can read and easily follow without having read the first book of the series. One may not think you can easily find humor in a religious based book, but Robert Whitlow succeeds in doing just that, this book is not in any way humorous, but yet leads one to chuckle from time to time. Tami Taylor has strong religious beliefs and does not let living in a big city keep her from following her beliefs. To some, Tami's strengths may be seen as weakness, but in the case of Ramona Dabney vs. Jason Paulding Tami is seen as one who can shed light on the beliefs of strongly if not strangely religious Ramona. Tami struggles with moving away from her family, caring for an elderly woman and facing the love of two charming men, but through it all she keeps her head on straight and in the end leaves you waiting excitedly for the next book to appear on the shelves of the corner bookstore!

I would recommend this book, but not for those who are 'squeamish' over religion or find religion somewhat of a difficult subject. This book is truly a Christian story written for those who believe. When I first began the book I was a bit unsure, but after reading a chapter or two I was entirely wrapped up in the lives of the characters. Can't wait to read the next in the series, and I will also go back and read the first book!

I must say, I've met Mr. Whitlow and he is one of the most practical and spiritual gentleman that I've ever met. It is no suprize that these traits are found in his writing. Each book that I read by him is a joy to finish, and he never disappoints with great plots. Since the tide of truth series is his most recent project it is inspiring to appreciate his growth as a novelist. Truly, he is one of the best out there. Please read this series; you won't be disappointed.

This book is fabulous. I waited to start the first one in the series until this one came out because I didn't want to get to the end and have to wait for this one to come out. The characters are very real and lifelike. I feel like I am in the room with these people and can see the events unfolding in front on me. The only disappointment I had was when I got to the end of the book and realized there was a third book in the series and it wasn't coming out until Spring of 2010.

I read my first Robert Whitlow book by accident and have purchased every book he has written since that time. I love the lawyer, christian and romance aspect of the book. I recommend these books to my friends and share them whenever I can. I never considered myself a "reader" but find it is so hard to put these books down.

Higher Hope, by Robert Whitlow, is a book I received for review from Thomas Nelson. It's book 2 in the A Tides of Truth series, which is, admittedly, a series I'd never heard of. Honestly, I'm glad I branched out and decided to try out a new author. I really enjoyed this book!

From the back cover:
Competition is tough at the Savannah law firm where Tami Taylor serves as a law clerk. But Tami's work sets her apart - and the firm's partners see something special in her. So they assign her to a libel case against an abrasive, outspoken preacher who is either a prophet or a lunatic.

On the surface it appears to be an open and shut case; the preacher seems fully outside the bounds of law. And Tami's strict religious upbringing could be the firm's ace-in-the-hole. But as the investigation continues, Tami is troubled by the preacher's uncanny prophetic abilities. And their client seems to be hiding something.

Tami returns to her hometown, struggling with several critical choices -- as two very different men from the firm vie for her heart. Just when the challenges seem insurmountable, hope for Tami arrives from a surprising place. And it's a higher hope than she's ever imagined.

Robert Whitlow could be compared to John Grisham ... but clean and Christian. I'm definitely going to keep my eye out for book 3 Spring 2010 and I hope to pick up book 1 very soon. He has several other books out as well that I might check into.

When Whitlow presented "Deeper Water," I think a few people were skeptical. And I personally didn't know if I'd be into it. But I was pleasantly surprised, and couldn't wait to dig into "Higher Hope." And although I thought the first chapter was a little choppy, Whitlow has me craving his next offering. I can't wait!

Welcome back to the world of Tami Lynn Taylor! Just when things appear under control...yeah right! She is assigned to a case that she wants to steer clear of. That's because her and Sister Dabney are on the same side, and they both worship the same God. And Sister Dabney is accused of slander against an outstanding and outspoken member of the community. And if that weren't enough, she has Zach and Vinny looking for her affection. This is where the going gets rough, and Tami gets going! And don't forget dear old Mrs. Fairmont. Tami Lynn just loves that old woman, along with the rat dog, Flip! What exactly does it feel like to walk through the fire? Well, you might experience the pain of a Catfish sting!

Whitlow offered me a pleasant surprise, full of issues that tug at the heart. And I really enjoyed it the whole way through. The first offering was good, this one was great. And here's hoping that it gets a lot better! I'm looking forward to "Greater Love," book #3, once next Spring emerges.