Not This Time by Vicki Hinze

I have mixed feelings on Vicki Hinze's new book, Not This Time.  Vicki is a very good writer of Christian fiction, but I think this one has a problem with too much background information at the beginning.  The first few chapters were nearly impossible to follow even though I had read one of the previous books in this series. I wish I had read the second before this one.  Multiple new people were introduced on every page, and although the author tried very hard to explain each character, I was totally lost.  I actually stopped and started the book over.  It didn't help because I was still lost and rather frustrated by it.  I decided to just forget the first part and just plow through, and it turned out to be a good story.

Not This Time is a more of a thriller rather than a mystery with characters that are government agents chasing an international criminal ring.  The characters were varied and interesting.  The topics of faith, hope, and forgiveness were evident throughout the book.  One character struggles with her criminal behavior and seeks forgiveness.  This was a wonderful addition to this book to show God’s love and forgiveness for the worst of the worst. 

I don’t normally read romantic novels, but I have to say that I enjoyed the romance that developed between Beth and Joe.  Beth was hurt and humiliated by a previous love and trusting “ladies man” Joe was difficult.  Their relationship had to progress slowly.  Joe, too, had past issues, and he gradually opened up about his Cajun upbringing.

I enjoyed the book, but I would recommend reading the first two in the Crossroads Crisis Center series before this one or be prepared to make a flow-chart to keep track of characters!

I was provided a review copy of Not This Time by Vicki Hinze in return for an honest review.  

Amazon.com link to purchase Not This Time (I receive no compensation if the book is purchased through this link.)