ALL THINGS HIDDEN - Judy Candis
Warner/Walk Worthy Press
September 2004
SYNOPSIS: A female homicide detective confronts issues of racism, single-motherhood, and the challenges of faith in this spectacular new edge-of-your-seat thriller.
INSPIRATIONAL FICTION: (4) Tricia-Ann Blades
REVIEW:
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed. Deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily. Be my rock of refuge. A fortress of defense to save me.” { Psalm 31:5}
ALL THINGS HIDDEN is a suspenseful drama which grips the reader’s attention from it start. The writer sets out to outline the life of Jael, a detective who has faced many difficulties in her life and work but has chosen to overcome them by placing her trust in God.
This novel is fast paced and shows the reality of what Christians often goes through and the battles they often fight within the workplace and in their person life. Themes such as fear, racism, familial and romantic relationships and the power of prayer are also explored in this novel and Ms. Candis uses each theme to effectively produce a poignant, solidly written, suspense drama.
The main character of the story, Jael is a powerful woman of God. She depends upon God in every area of her life. In her line of duty this is essential as she has developed a discerning spirit and is able to use this to walk the path she has chosen. Jael is also a woman not ashamed of her love of God and is willing to share Him with her colleagues creating an environment that would foster godliness. The theme of the power of prayer is also seen in this character. Ms. Candis weaves a series of circumstances that would literally bring the reader to their knees with Jael to effect the change necessary.
A novel of this magnitude and underlining spiritual power would be surreal if the author neglected to have contrasting characters who oppose Jael’s line of faith. The spiritual battle begins on a small scale and as the novel develops, so does the battle. The writer is able to show the reader the spiritual and emotional battle that believers face when they walk a life committed to Christ. Opposition can come from all sides, even those closest to us but “greater is He who is with us that he who is in the world.”
Grant, a secondary character in ALL THINGS HIDDEN, serves a two fold purpose - he is protector and is used to address the theme of love within the novel. From his introduction, he awakens that which was dead or thought dead within Jael. He makes her aware of her femininity and this is used to build the relational theme within the novel. Her interaction with Grant, his with her, and the intense desire to protect at all cost brings to mind the adage “God don’t come but He sends”.
ALL THINGS HIDDEN encourages the reader to accept that God truly wants and desires to be involved in every area of our lives. It shows beyond a shadow of a doubt, though the storms of life may assault, as long as one submits themselves before God and trust Him explicitly, He directs our steps, Ms. Candis emphasizes, however, that there will be suffering, trials and tribulations along the way but these come to confirm our faith and believe in God.
This is an excellently written novel which goes to the core of the reader and encourages them in every area of life!
tricia@romanceincolor.com (10th September 2004)