Healing Waters

October 13, 2008
Evangelical Christian writing duo Rue and Arterburn collaborate again in this follow-up to Healing Stones
, the first of many (one hopes) Sullivan Crisp novels. Therapist Crisp re-emerges in this second outing after a stint of therapy he himself undergoes as he grapples with his faith following his wife's suicide and their baby girl's death. Enter the less-than-doted-on obstetrics nurse Lucia Coffey, who is battling her weight, her drug abuser husband and her famous televangelist, miracle-healing sister, Sophia. When Sophia's private plane bursts into flames and her face is burned beyond recognition, Lucia, with all her acumen and saucy wit, takes on the task of tending to her injured sister. What happens during the healing process is both tender and tragic, and psychologist Crisp is dead center in the middle of all the action. This well-written tale will move and engage readers in its volatile mix of questionable religious healing claims and the real deal—inner restoration of the soul.

November 1, 2008
Lucia Coffey lacks self-esteem because she is overweight. To make matters worse, her sister Sophia has a successful ministry and is beloved by everyone. Lucia thinks she is hopeless until she meets a quirky psychologist named Sullivan Crisp (introduced in "Healing Stones") whose unconventional approach helps Lucia to see the beauty in herself and the hope she can have in life. The authors use a mix of humor and grace to tell a meaningful story that many readers will be able to relate to in their own struggles with size and image. Tackling the issues of body image and self-worth from a biblical perspective, this is recommended for CF and women's fiction collections and for those readers who appreciate humor along with a dose of spirituality and social relevance. Rue is author of the "Christian Heritage" and "Lily" series, while Arterburn is host of the "New Life Live!" national radio program.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.