Positive Grace by Deb Haggerty

Deb’s Dozen: Ambition, a strong work ethic, and a sense of right versus expediency.

A Perfect Ambition by Dr. Kevin Leman and Jeff Nesbit shows the conflict between those who are born to wealth and power and who choose to use both wisely and those who seek more wealth and power to the exclusion of everything else.

William Jennings Worthington VI is the eldest son born to a family used to both wealth and power. Will feels the constant pressure from his father to do more and rise farther than he already is. He heads Worthington Shares Equity, but William Worthington the Fifth is urging him to seize the chairmanship of American Frontier Oil Company, the largest in the world.

Sean Worthington, the youngest son and definitely in Will’s shadow, is tasking with finding and running new ventures. He’s also an environmental activist of sorts with an international network of friends and contacts. Will’s sister, Sarah, is a deputy assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. Soon, all three will be embroiled in an international crisis that will challenge who they are and who they will become.

Will is on his way to the American Frontier board meeting—intent on ousting the current chair. Seth is on a research ship in the Arctic Ocean studying the effects of global warming by monitoring ice melt and other environmental issues. While on the ship, Seth can observe AF’s oil rig anchored nearby. While he and two of the scientists are watching, they hear a muffled boom coming from the derrick. To their horror, Beluga whales covered with oil surface as does the oil slick.

The derrick is in one of the most inhospitable areas of the Arctic. They know immediately AF will not contain nor repair this spill quickly. Meanwhile, in New York, the CEO of AF, Eric Sandstrom, abruptly leaves the meeting after being summoned to meet immediately with the President of the US, Spencer Rich. As word of the spill spreads, Sarah’s department gets involved as her boss wants her to handle a criminal negligence suit against American Frontier.

The story is interesting as the contrasts between wealth and power for good and wealth and power for evil are played out. The character development of the siblings is effective and the villains, Eric Sandstrom, along with his crony, Frank Stapleton, are also realistic. President Rich is, unfortunately, a typical politician—always on the side of what will do him the most good—regardless of the truth.

Very relevant to today’s issues, and timely because of the political season we are in, I found A Perfect Ambition (The Worthington Destiny Book #1): A Novel an interesting and provocative read. Four stars. Look for A Powerful Secret, the second book in The Worthington Destiny Series, later in 2016.

Dr. Kevin Leman is the author of more than fifty books and a frequent guest on such shows as Fox & Friends, The 700 Club, CNN, and Good Morning America. His co-author, Jeff Nesbit, is a former senior communications official at the White House and the author of twenty novels.

Revell Books gave me a copy of A Perfect Ambition in exchange for my unbiased review.

Deb’s Dozen: Quest for the True Cross—A Reliquary Lost in Shadows of Time

The Fragment opens in the year 1923. The world is recovering from the privations of the Great War. Muriel Ross, a researcher at the Smithsonian, has had a dream come true. She is to accompany Sen. Thomas Bryan to Paris! Once in Paris, Muriel falls in love with the people. A photographer of some great skill, she photographs people in all walks of life—struck by the joy she sees in their faces, despite the ordeals of the war.

Sen. Bryan, however, is there on another task—and he hopes Muriel will be the key person he needs to realize his dream. Wearing a gown designed and fitted by none other than Coco Chanel herself, Muriel meets the Prime Minister of France. She impresses him with her knowledge and demeanor, so she (and the senator) are taken to the Cathedral of Notre Dame where she is allowed to photograph a reliquary holding, tradition states, a piece of the True Cross.

So begins their adventure—from Paris via Orient Express to Constantinople. Muriel finds herself stretched and intrigued and overwhelmed by her experiences. Will they attain their quest? Atatürk is besieging Constantinople … battles rage … alliances shift. The result …?

Muriel Ross is a well-written, very likable character. Beset by doubts and wonderings about her destiny, she nonetheless retains her strong faith. The romantic interest (every story has to have one, correct?) is less believable. Charles Fouchet, an aide to a French official, accompanies them on their quest. Charles has lost a wife and child to the influenza epidemic and, apparently, has lost his faith as well. Given the descriptions, I had a hard time believing Muriel would find him attractive.

The history of the area—of Paris after the war, of the legends of the Cross, of Constantinople prior to Atatürk—is very detailed, but, I’m afraid, most readers will skip the history to get to the story. Unfortunately, the story without the history is quite slim. I, personally, was enthralled by the history but found the presentation of the historical facts contrived, especially toward the denouement. Four stars—not for The Fragment, but for the historical education and the heroine.

Davis Bunn is a prolific and much-awarded author. In 2014, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Christy Award board of judges. He is also the Writer-in-Residence at Regent’s Park College at Oxford, England.

Franciscan Media gave me a copy of The Fragment in exchange for my unbiased review.