The Defilers by Deborah Gyapong

If you pick up The Defilers by Deborah Gyapong expecting a light read, you’ve chosen the wrong book. This novel is gritty, fast-paced, and dripping with suspense. The main character, Linda Donner, a policewoman, investigates a murder where the main suspect is a local pastor.

Several scenes might cause uneasiness as you read - the flashbacks when Linda recalls her childhood molestation by a priest, or scenes of intense spiritual warfare. But Deborah Gyapong writes of the physical world and the spiritual world with maturity and extensive attention to detail. It’s obvious Gyapong took great pains to portray spiritual warfare with realism and theological accuracy, and the police investigation rings authentic as well.

When Linda Donner thinks she must be having a breakdown of some kind, help seems to come from a highly unlikely source, the pastor. How can she trust a clergyman who’s at the center of her investigation, or any clergyman after all she’s overcome battling her own past and the horrible memories associated with ‘men of the cloth’?

As I read the final chapters of The Defilers, I realized I held my breath, turning each page with trepidation. Pick this book up and expect a gripping, mature story you won’t soon forget.

Product Details:
Paperback: 335 pages
Publisher: Castle Quay (March 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 1897186029

Note: This book was given to me by Castle Quay Books for review.

America's Choice - The Worship Songs All America Is Singing!

America’s Choice 30

The producers at Cool Springs Records surveyed 150,000 churches and 100 top worship leaders to find the most frequently sung, best-loved songs of worship in America. I can tell you they found mine!

The result is a wonderful mix of old choruses along with songs made popular by contemporary artists on two CD's. Selections with a variety of tempos are arranged so that a fast, upbeat song follows slow selections. Many make smooth transitions using key changes for emphasis.

The arrangements have a solid percussion beat accompanied by a strong horn section, piano, flute, and more, with no one instrument being overbearing – a delightful listening experience. As with the instruments, no one voice sticks out in the vocals making it easy to feel like you’re a part of the praise team as you sing along. This collection of songs is also available in split track, if you desire the music only with which to sing either at church or for your own enjoyment.

On a scale of five, I'd give it a 5!

MP3 samples of each song can be found HERE.

Product Details:
Audio CD (March 15, 2005)
Original Release Date: March 8, 2005
Label: Word Entertainment
ASIN: B0007US80M

Cool Springs Records
Franklin, TN
Cool Springs Records

NOTE: This CD was given to me by Active Christian Media for the purpose of receiving reviews.