Customer Reviews

Sanctuary

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Beverly Lewis fans and new readers alike will encounter a real treat with this novel. Beverly and her husband, David, create a suspenseful, but inspirational story line --- at times hard to believe --- but very engrossing.

From the first paragraph, readers are taken on an emotional roller coaster as Mellisa "Mellie" James runs for her life from a mysterious visitor from her past. Mellie's husband, Ryan James, is left baffled by his wife's sudden disappearance. While Ryan sets out to search for her, Mellie finds comfort right in the middle of Amish country (Pennsylvania). While hiding out, she befriends one of the residents in the land of simple life, Lela Denlinger. Lela's comforting presence and prayers for Mellie are an example of how Christian's are to be a light in a dark world.

As more is revealed about Mellie's past, the reason for her sudden flight becomes apparent. Even more shocking is how Mellie's husband fits into her past. The match between good and evil is played out very well in this novel!

--- reviewed by Ty for Christian Bookshelf

Teaming with her husband to write Sanctuary, Beverly Lewis's usual style of romance, intrigue and discovery is enhanced by adding mystery, making this a thriller. Melissa James, the main character, runs scared from her secret past, leaving her husband with no warning. She finds sanctuary with a Mennonite woman living in a plain community. Her husband, Ryan, is left in the dark. The plot revolves around Melissa and Ryan individually trying to discover what has happened. Individually they are also faced with their relationship (or rather non-relationship) with God. Their love story is revealed in flashbacks. The plot takes many complicated twists, weaving its way to a surprise ending. Just don't read the end first!

Melissa James has been looking over her shoulder for her entire life, and now her past is about to catch up with her. Running for her life, she suddenly spots a "Room For Rent" sign at a quaint little home. There, living with Lela Denlinger, an Old Order Mennonite, she begins to find a feeling of sanctuary. But, is she bringing danger with her to her new friend? If only she could have the peace that Lela has in such abundance.

And then there's Ryan James, a successful stockbroker. He's had it all - money, position, a beautiful wife - and then his wife ups and disappears, and his whole world begins to slide out from underneath him. His old friend, Dennis Franklin, always talked about God, but Ryan was always hazy on the concepts of good and evil. However, as Ryan begins to unravel the secret of his wife's disappearance, he begins to discover that evil exists, and quite close to home.

I have seen Beverly Lewis's books before, but this is the first one that I have actually picked up. I must admit that this book blew my socks off! I enjoyed the way that the authors intertwined the intrigue and suspense with views of faith. The story is gripping, while at the same time uplifting. Personally, I liked the characters and the story, and the authors' portrayal of faith in action. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Beverly and David team for an unusual mix, with dark mystery being the prevailing theme. Several times I found myself actually frightened to be alone while reading... I am not accustomed to such evil goings on within a Christian fiction book. Melissa is a young married woman with some serious secrets in her past. He husband Ryan has some skeletons as well. Their marriage was less than open from the start although neither of them knew much. Mellie has to flee on short notice and chooses a Mennonite home in which to take refuge. The story is told by several flashbacks in which the pain of her past threatens to engulf her while the ugliness of the present threatens Ryan. Probably the nicest part of the book centers in Lancaster, PA, an area not spoiled with crime and deceit.

Although this book held my intrigue and refused to let go of my interest, I deducted 2 stars for the often drawn-out scenarios and the unbelievable instances that "just happened" to occur at exact, precise moments. I also was not prepared nor particularly fond of the dark, dark side of this book. I found faith, trust and joy to be far from the characters and nearly out of reach.

I am not certain I would even read a sequel.

"Sanctuary" is a wonderfully and beautifully written novel that combines the talents of the celebrated Beverly Lewis and her husband, David. Although this novel did not have a very complex or lengthy plot, it still accomplished its goal of bring a lost person to the Lord.
More or less this novel was about Melissa, a young woman who lives a perfectly perfect life until her past and her present begin to clash. This clash begins to put in question her very future with her husband and her perfect life. Melissa begins to run and throughout the book, Melissa is running from something, sometimes it is people and sometimes it is God.
"Sancutary" is a very unpredictable and interesting novel that combines the values of forgiveness and hope in a very unusual and interesting story.

Wow...this book was excellant!!! Once you thought you figured out what was happening it turned around. I couldn't put it down. It had the feel of a Beverly Lewis book, but had a little extra, put in by her husband. They should write more books together!! It was great!

This book was easy reading, with a good plot and some "twists and turns." Couldn't wait to finish it. I am very much interested in the Amish culture, so enjoyed references to the lives of the Amish men and women. Have read several books by Beverly Lewis and enjoyed them all.

The overwhelming of the unknown had a way of worming it's way into me as I read this book. How well I know the pain of someone else's sin in my own life, and reading this book put into words much of what I have lived though since a very young age. The fear, the need to hide and the pain of knowing that someone you love might not only have put you in danger but also might be trying to kill you. Sometimes we just need to be reminded that God it there and waiting, we only have to open our eyes and our hearts to Him. A very good book, it has reminded me that although there is such evil and danger, there is also God and the SANCTUARY of Gods protective hand.

This book kept me fascinated every second! I did not expect any of the events as they unraveled throughout the novel. I would highly recommend this book and hope David and Beverly team up again.

I liked this.It was once of the first ones I read.I passed it on to my daughter immediately and we were hooked on her books.Nadia Rehmani