Title: The Collins Case
Series: Heartfelt Cases (Book 1)
Author: Julie C. Gilbert
Release Date: October 31, 2012
Genre: Christian Mystery
Presented by: As You Wish Tours
Banner Made by: Camelia Miron Skiba
BLURB
Working for the FBI certainly isn’t a “normal” job, but Special Agent Julie Ann Davidson has never encountered a case as personal as this one. Although not officially assigned to the case, Ann and her partner, Patrick Duncan, take up the cause of finding Rachel, Jason, and Emily Collins. As if that task wasn’t enough, Ann and Patrick also have a baffling case of internet thievery to investigate.
Who is Christopher Collins and what about his past is endangering his family? Where are Rachel and the kids being held? Where is God in the midst of chaos? Will Ann and Patrick arrive in time or will they find only pain?
EXCERPT
After work on Thursday, Rachel Collins stopped at the grocery store for basics and something special for dinner. Having heard many horrible stories, she didn’t dare leave the children alone in the car. Warnings about best behavior fell upon deaf ears. Somewhere, she found the patience to tolerate Jason and Emily’s childish antics.
“Why you frown, Mommy?” Jason asked.
“I’m just tired, Jay,” replied Rachel. Her mind took a trip back to the office where a thousand little things had gone wrong. The secretary’s morning car accident had added considerable stress to Rachel’s hectic life. Her trust in God’s sovereignty didn’t make lousy days any easier to live through.
For years she had believed Christ to be mere church rhetoric. Finally, during a particularly rough college year, she had accepted God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. It pained her that Chris avoided church. Come Sunday, Rachel forced a bright smile, sang in the choir, helped in the nursery, and coordinated other children’s ministries. In fact, she kept herself so busy with work, kids, and church that her spiritual walk floundered. Stress and bills were her biggest problems, but she understood that they allowed her family light, food, warmth, and a fine home in the great state of Pennsylvania. She knew the ‘could-haves’ and the ‘what-ifs’ could drive her mad so she decided not to worry about the future.
“When we get home, you need a nap,” Jason said.
Her son’s solemn suggestion drew Rachel back to the present. She chuckled softly. Children were a blessing, even if they did jump all over her nerves sometimes.
“Cookies!” Emily shouted, pointing with a tiny finger.
Annoyed at herself for wandering down the wrong aisle, Rachel winced at the volume, grabbed Emily’s wildly waving hand, and said, “Hush, sweets, I see them.”
That’s what you get for not paying attention. Oh well, the damage is done. The pantry’s nearly empty anyway.
She let them each pick a favorite and finished the hike to the back corner where the main selection of milk and eggs were located.
Ingenious to put milk in the back, Rachel admitted.
Next, they swung by the fish department where Jason made a face.
Emily covered her nose and announced, “Stinky!”
REVIEW
This is the first book by Julie C. Gilbert I have read and i was pulled into this story from page one. She has a way of taking an FBI story and intertwine her main characters views on Christianity in a way that makes it acceptable and not overbearing. We see so many different views on accepting the spiritual world from fulling accepting to not believing at all within these pages.
When Julie Anne an FBI agent learns of her HS friends kidnapping and house explosion she needs to find out more information for herself. Unofficially Anne as she likes to be called heads back to her home town to look into her friends disappearance, but what was to be known about her friends life and family may not be what it seems.
Christopher Collins is put in a situation he wanted out of and now his family is in danger for his past life's activities. Where is his family and can he save them while keeping his life? Anne and Patrick her partner discover the right info to get to where they need to be but do they get there in time? Who will survive and who will loose their life?
This was a great story, had me always wondering what was going to happen next. I can honestly say that I was excited to know I had the next book in the series to read after this one because the character development was on spot and the story line was captivating. This book didn't disappoint at all!
About the Author
Julie mainly confines her writing to three genres: Christian inspirational, YA real-world science fiction, and normal science fiction.
She likes teaching, writing, reading, sleeping, doing puzzles, and hanging out with friends. (Not necessarily in that order)
Writing has made her super picky about the things she reads but normally, her reading list includes something that fits under the thriller, mystery, science fiction, or fantasy.
Occasionally, she attempts short poetry. The poems turn into songs, which she sings with abandon when nobody's looking.
