Reader Friday – Your Son Is Alive

Patricia Bradley Reader Friday 30 Comments

Not sure how it is in your part of the world, but here in North Mississippi we’ve been in the low 90s. Not complaining. Not.At.All. Not after the way I complained about the winter. Even if we did go straight from winter to summer. 😉

Now to Friday’s novella. Your Son is Alive is written by James Scott Bell, one of my favorite authors for suspense reading. (I also buy every craft book he writes.) If you’ve never read his Mike Romeo novellas, stop right now and go order Romeo’s Rules. It’s the best .99 you’ll ever spend on a book. Now on to Your Son Is Missing. Here’s the back cover copy.

[tweet_dis_img inject=”Fifteen years ago their son was taken.  Now somebody says they can have him back. #giveaway”][/tweet_dis_img]

Fifteen years ago their son was taken. 
Now somebody says they can have him back.

Dylan and Erin Reeve have lived with a gaping emotional wound ever since their five-year-old son, Kyle, was kidnapped in broad daylight.

And never found.

Though the shadow of their loss hangs heavy, Dylan and Erin have managed to get on with their lives, even finding bits of happiness along the way.

Until one night when a crayon-scrawled note is slipped under Dylan Reeve’s door.

All it says is, Your son is alive. Could it be true? Or is it a sick game played by somebody out for money? Or something else?

But what? And why now?

As clues begin to emerge—both agonizing and expectant in their implications—Dylan and Erin Reeve know they have to play this out to the end. Because it’s their last chance—and their only hope—to find the son they lost all those years ago.

You’ll be blown away by this domestic thriller with twists and turns and the beating heart of parental love.

Buy Links:  Amazon  B&N

My Take:

Your Son Is Alive is masterfully written. Bell does such a good job of drawing readers in and making them care for his characters. And the twists and turns! Wow. Most of them I never saw coming. One of the neatest characters in the book made only one appearance, but the eighty-year-old woman’s words of wisdom were so on target. When Erin (the heroine) visited her in the hospital after accidentally knocking her down, the eighty-year-old asked if she’d prayed about her problem. Erin said she’d lit candles and the character’s reply was her favorite prayers were: help, help, help and thank you, thank you, thank you. And that’s going to be my mantra for now on. Thank you JSB for an awesome book.

I believe you will love this book. In my review, I talked about an eighty-year-old character. Her words of wisdom are words I’ll share with others. What words of wisdom have you found lately in a novel? Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in this month’s drawing!

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none” inject=”#giveaway”]Fifteen years ago their son was taken. Now somebody says they can have him back.[/tweet_box]

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Comments 30

  1. MJSH

    Just finished reading Where Hope Begins by Catherine West a few days ago and I’m still pondering the entire book, not just lines from the book…..letting go of fear is a tough lesson.

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  2. Priscilla Bettis

    I have about 10 pages left of Your Son Is Alive. I was afraid to read your whole review because I thought there might be a spoiler, but YES, it’s great. I am awed at how well Bell handles the pacing. It’s brilliant.

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      Patricia Bradley

      He is brilliant! I’ve learned so much from JSB, he should get royalties. lol. Him and Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck! Thanks for stopping by. AND how did you stop with only 10 pages left!!!!!!?????

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  4. Paula Shreckhise

    I hold on to the scripture that says God is not willing that any should perish but come to the knowledge of thectruth of Christ. Our 46 year old son is voluntarily not communicating with us. We have not seen him for three years. Last email was a year ago. He disappeared when he was in his 30’s for three years. He phoned me to say goodbye on Mother’s Day, near my birthday. He was raised a Christian. God is faithful. I keep praying. Thanks, Pat!

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      Patricia Bradley

      Oh, how heartbreaking that is. But God has him by the hand and he will pursue him and one day your son will realize it and wake up–I know–I was once a prodigal. Thanks for visiting.

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  5. Shelia Hall

    this sounds so interesting! My verse that gives me hope is the one that say We know all things work together for good to them that love God

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  6. Jackie Smith

    (hanging head in shame) I have NEVER read this guy’s books! I do plan to correct that and am headed to Amazon NOW!

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  7. Faith Creech

    In Ane Mulligan’s series about Chapel Spring she says family is so important and raising family to love God and serve Him!

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  8. Edward Arrington

    I’m still pondering the words of wisdom I read in a non-fiction book last week. “Filled Up, Poured Out” by Mark O. Wilson. It’s a powerful book that I heartily recommend. I have read so many novels over the last few years that I can’t think of anything specific from one of them right now.

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  9. Janet Estridge

    We have James Scott Bell’s books in the church library. Is this one of his newer books? Is it available in paperback?

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  10. Gloria

    Wow! Some thought provoking messages today. I read Where Hope Begins also and it is pretty amazing. Love the reference to Romans 8, my all time favorite chapter in the Bible. And children can break our heart sometimes-all I can say is prayer helps. We have one that we are praying hard for (and us). I will have to check out JSB’s books.

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      Patricia Bradley

      Yes, Gloria, prayer works. Do you ever feel overwhelmed because of all the hurting people? I’ve just heard the news about the Texas school shooter and my heart is breaking for those parents. I’ve heard people say we’ve had guns forever and until recent years, no one committed mass shootings. So what happened? I honestly believe it’s because we’ve taken God and prayer out of the schools.

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  12. Trixi

    I’m reading The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep (Daughters of the Mayflower #3) and there are many reminders of faith like this one on page 108 “My mother used to tell me there’s more love in Christ for us then there can ever be brokeness. Only in turning to Him can you be healed on the inside.” When I read that line I was like “wow” and the truth hit me between the eyes. I never thought of it that way or seen Christ’s love from that perspective before. I love it when an author reminds me of the truths of God and His word in their book. It’s pretty awesome 😉

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  13. Linda Horin

    I just finished reading No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert and in there one of the characters, during a discussion about forgiveness, says, “We’re supposed to just let them off the hook?” Her mother replies, “That hook don’t belong to you, baby. It never did; it never will. And forgiveness isn’t pardon for them. It’s freedom for you.” Very wise words.
    James Scott Bell is a new author to me. I’m going to Amazon right now to check out his books!

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  14. Caryl Kane

    This is a great review, Pat! James Bell sounds like an author I would enjoy. Thank you for introducing me!

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  15. Jennifer Hibdon

    I am always looking for books my husband will read. James Bell Scott sounds like a winner! Thanx for the introduction. Several of the quotes hit home.

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