Into the Fire

Granite & Gloss by LR Strong is Book 1 in the Rescuers Series. 

Before I review this story, let me say this: There is "Christian" Fiction and then there is Christian Fiction. Some Christian novels touch on what it means to be a Christian. The characters "offer up a prayer," attend church, and basically the story is conveniently labeled "clean" whatever-the-genre-is. L.R. Strong's story is equivalent to the evangelical gospel told in novel form. Some readers – Christian and non – would label it "preachy." But really it's a story of life and death circumstances which produce the necessary reliance on God Almighty to intervene in a miraculous way. 

Sculptor and painter, lovely Tarina "Gloss" is on her way to meet a California billionaire (Douglas McCavent) under the pretense of him commissioning her for a sculpture. She has no idea of his true intention. Jake Granite works for a private firm investigating elusive criminals of which this man is a major one. Tarina is an accomplished artist trying to build her name. Jake is a successful and tough investigator whose one mistake cost him too much. Inside he's raging and broken, damaged and hurting. On the outside: smooth and determined. When he sees what's going down on an assignment to finally get McCavent, he interferes to find a confused and scared Tarina in the back of a car driven by one of McCavent's muscle. 

Thus begins the story of Jake and Tarina, Jake quickly adopting the role of bodyguard and Tarina catching on that she's going to need one. They're spirited away to a private plane where they're not told anything other than they're headed to a party. When a very young girl is called to bring McCavent a drink, Jake sizes up the ugly picture. 

From the moment of first trauma to the last, Tarina's faith and spirituality is brought to the forefront while Jake's jaded view of God challenges her repeatedly. He assumes the typical argument among unbelievers that if this God is good, why is there so much evil and cruelty in the world? That IS the question, isn't it? Tarina persists in her prayers for him and their encountered situations where God's obvious answers are clearly demonstrated. 

The Gospel is laid out in this book as Jake relents on his hard-hearted approach and begins to question Tarina. They've confided their darkest secrets to each other over the days they've spent together. As much as Jake fights it, her faith is beginning to impact him. She's confessed a couple of her visions to him without his disputing them. He's added significant knowledge to her condition of synesthesia, something only he now knows about her. Although so many things are unclear to both of them regarding their situation, they've managed many triumphs and witnessed some real miracles.    

If you're a reader who longs to hear the beautiful (and true) account of The Gospel detailed in story form, Granite & Gloss is the book for you.  

Pay close attention to the "Author's Notes" before the story begins. 

Father, you give gifts and talents in abundance. Thank you for giving LR so many! Please continue to bless her in every way and particularly in the stories you have given just for her to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.