This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Fallen
(Kregel Publications February 29, 2008)
by
Matthew Raley

About the book:
Jim was at work when his eyes drifted to the coffee shop visible from his office window. An attractive woman driving a Mercedes pulled up to the curb . . . and Jim’s married pastor emerged from the car. When Jim delves deeper into his pastor’s world, will he be able to handle what he discovers? Is he right to suspect that Dave is having an affair? In the behind-the-scenes church battle that ensues, Jim is torn between duty to his church and a desire to show grace. A ripped-from-the-headlines drama of suspense that keeps you engaged to the last page.

Fallen is the story about Jim’s relationship with Dave—how Jim tries to do the right thing to keep Dave accountable, but finds the situation getting worse and worse. It’s also about Jim’s other relationships. Just as he discovers hypocrisy in Dave, Jim discovers his own sins against his wife and daughter.

About the author:
Matthew Raley is senior pastor of the Orland Evangelical Free Church in northern California, where he lives with his wife and two young children. For fun, he enjoys playing chamber music with friends, giving occasional solo recitals, and playing first violin in the North State Symphony. This is his first book.

My thoughts: Fallen is not typically the type of book that I would pick up and buy for myself.  But when I read the description, it sounded interesting, so I decided to check it out.  I was not disappointed.  Though it wasn't really what I expected, I found myself really getting into this book~ I could hardly put it down!  My husband is NOT a reader, so I rarely find myself talking to him about books.  Because we serve as a deacon couple at our church, and because we consider our pastor a close personal friend (that we just love, by the way!), I was constantly telling Brian about this  book and encouraging him to read it.  (I hope he does.)  I also found myself discussing this book with my friends over the phone.  I'm sure some of them must have been thinking "it's a book, for pete's sake, get over it!"

Fallen has so many different levels of struggle going on within its pages.  First, we find the main character, Jim, seeing his pastor in a compromising situation.  Should he, or shouldn't he, confront his pastor?  He decides that, as the chairman of the church board, it is his Christian responsibility (both to the pastor and to the church) to confront him.  That sets so many new twists and turns into motion that Jim's head is left spinning, and you will be left wondering what will happen right up until the last page.

I'm impressed that this is a first novel for the author.  I'll be watching and waiting for more books by Matthew Raley.  In the meantime, I would highly recommend Fallen.  It will be sure to give you something to think about, long after you've turned the last page.

Share Your Thoughts

Jan. 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Matt

What an encouragement! Thanks for posting your thoughts,

Matt Raley

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Jan. 24, 2008 - Sounds wonderful...

Posted by FaithfulGrace

It reminds me a little of Francine River's "And the Shofar Blew". This book sounds like one I would enjoy. I'm not into much Christian romance fiction, to predictable and unrealistic for me. I've read every Francine River book, some twice. I liked Dee Henderson O'Malley's series for a little bit, then they became predictable. I'm hoping that reading Gilbert Morris will get me back into the Christian fiction reading groove.

My husband doesn't read much and when I really get into a book I drive him a little nuts by talking about it continually. I've gotton the "geesh it's not real, it's a book!" thing before to!

*smile*
Have a great day Heidi!
Blessings,
Linda

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