Customer Reviews

All the Stillness of the Wind

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"All the Stillness of the Wind" will capture your attention and engage your mind from the very beginning. You'll feel compelled to read on, as you venture into some of life's most asked questions when it comes to faith in God. I'll say this, I set aside Robert Whitlow's latest novel after reading the first chapter of this book because it was incredibly engaging.

Author, Donald James Parker draws you into the characters' lives from the very beginning and you feel as though you know them personally. You'll find yourself discovering answers to questions that have threatened Christianity from its inception. No matter where you are in your "faith walk" this book will cause you to go deeper, to believe more, and to step out in faith and live out your Christian beliefs in order to bring the Good News to others. I truly wish I would have had this book MANY years ago, specifically as a teenager. For that reason, I would HIGHLY recommend this book to young teenagers, new graduates, and it would also make a fantastic gift for church youth groups. Not only does it answer some of the deepest questions that threaten the faith of every believer, but the abundant resources that are mentioned within it would cause anyone to walk away seeking more of God. The author writes in an easy to understand fashion, enabling the message to be communicated in a way that is not difficult to comprehend. He takes the theology of Christianity and breaks it down in such a way that even young readers are able to grasp its depth. The author brilliantly weaves a message of faith into a wonderful story that will draw you nearer to God.

All the Stillness of the Wind

"I have to admit, Maria, that Jesus is a compelling figure. His story is extraordinary. I've heard it said that he was either the Son of God, a liar, or a lunatic." So states Jeremy Dillon - son, boyfriend, high school basketball star, and seeker.

In his novel, "All the Stillness of the Wind," author Donald James Parker engages his audience with relevant questions allowing the reader to draw conclusions. Although his protagonists probe the tenets of Christianity, they are far more than dogmatic seekers. Each character is a loving, intelligent soul who questions the foundations of a predominant, if disintegrating, world-wide belief structure.

Christianity is examined in Mr. Parker's fourth novel of his Masterson Family series. Scripture, logic, philosophy, emotion and consequence are attractively braided into this tale of two families: Maria and Lisa Masterson - Jeremy and Paul Dillon. At the heart of Don Parker's story is love and it's manifestations, running the gamut from teen-aged infatuation to the puzzling sacrifice of Christ's passion.

Jeremy and Maria attempt to unravel love's secrets within the boundaries of Christian morality while investigating the truth of God's concern for mankind, examining and discussing all that they encounter in an epic-sized inquiry. Their combined efforts are brought to a halt when Maria's voice is silenced, leaving Jeremy to interpret the mysteries of hope, faith, and his desire for revenge.

I find the issues addressed in this story representative of post-modern America's most fascinating debates: Does God exist? If so, how does that impact me?

If you're looking for direction; if you don't mind hard-hitting arguments for and against Christianity, I suggest you choose quiet time to read "All the Stillness of the Wind." Typical of Don Parker's writing, this book provokes as it entertains. Rich with references, "All the Stillness of the Wind" is communicated with humor and warmth. I recommend this book to all cogent thinkers.

D. Longo II
Denver, Colorado

Having been introduced to Christianity by his girlfriend, Maria, Jeremy Dillon begins the process of exploring the faith further, analyzing it within the combined realm of his mind, body, and spirit. He reads numerous books, watches various movies and television programs, and engages in countless discussions regarding the history and contemporary context of the religion. As his spirituality matures, so does his bond with Maria, and the two soon become inseparable, their collective fate enmeshed within their mutual affection and devotion to one another.

As a result of his diligence, Jeremy ultimately develops a strong allegiance to all things Christian, including a firm belief in the precepts of Creationism. The more his faith grows, the stronger a person he becomes - and, little does he know, his faith will soon be put to the test when he's confronted with one of the greatest challenges he's faced in his young life: the prospect of losing Maria. After the two of them suffer a horrendous car accident, Maria is left in a coma, and Jeremy must rely on the relationship that he's established with God to provide him with the strength, courage, and tenacity to hold on. The ultimate question, of course, is whether or not he has the true faith to do just that...

All The Stillness Of The Wind is a welcome addition to the ever-growing world of Christian fiction. Donald James Parker continues his Masterson Family Series with this latest installment, an eye-opening, first-hand account of faith in action. The measure of true strength is witnessed in just how well we hold up when confronted with situations for which we haven't prepared - and not many of us tend to pass such surprise tests the first go-round. However, the ultimate goal is to learn from the very shortcomings that lead us to fail, in essence, bolstering us against such failure in the future. In All The Stillness Of The Wind, Parker masterfully displays Jeremy's internal metamorphosis in the pursuit of that very goal, thereby reflecting for the reader the importance of maintaining the same perseverance in his/her own life - no matter the circumstances.

Amusing, enlightening, and extremely well-written, All The Stillness Of The Wind is a treat for the mind and spirit that does not disappoint. Highly recommended.


Latonya Franklin
Apex Reviews

Eighteen-year-old Jeremy is on a journey but it's not a road trip. He's been attending church lately with his girlfriend, Maria, and wonders about the different religions in this world. He also questions which one is the true religion. Thus begins Jeremy and Maria's quest.

Through reading both the internet, the many books on different religions and Maria's help, Jeremy discovers that Christianity is the one true religion. Now, Jeremy is faced with another question. Which denomination is true to Christianity? After all, there are so many!

Jeremy turns again to the internet and more books for answers. Confusion sets in when Jeremy finds that there are ministers who have turned their backs on Christianity and who are now atheists.

Jeremy and Maria spend New Years Eve at church with their youth group so they can ring in the New Year with their friends. After midnight, the youth group decides to attend a New Years' after-party. Little do Jeremy and Maria know, their New Year will start out with a bang! They're in a terrible car crash that leaves Maria in a coma.

Why did God let this happen? Jeremy's question is answered when, just a few days later, Maria has a miraculous recovery that the doctors can't explain. They say that because of the shape Maria was in, she should have emerged from the coma with some damage.

At first I was a little put off by the links to Christian websites throughout the book. After wondering "why", the answer slowly dawned on me. It's for any reader who has the same questions that Jeremy does. These links give the reader a starting point for his journey.

I loved this book and highly recommend it! `All The Stillness of The Wind' should be not only in every church library but in every personal library as well.

1. The dialog was too adult for the age group and the slang was out of the 70s.
2. The doctrine in this book is hyper-fundamentalism which makes the audience for the book is very narrow.