STANDING STRONG

Title: STANDING STRONG
Author: Donna Fleisher
Publisher: Zondervan
November 2007
ISBN: 978-0-310-27256-4
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction

Chris McIntyre loves her new home on Kimberley Street in Portland, Oregon. Now that they’ve reclaimed the streets from the gang that roamed this neighborhood, it is a peaceful place to live, to work, to play…

Until Chris is outside working in the yard behind the community center and is caught in the middle of two rival gangs. One of which is one of the most dangerous gangs in Portland. Chris isn’t sure whether the one gang member did something to anger the Eastsiders, or if the Eastsiders were looking to expand their territory. Either way, Chris is not going to let her neighborhood go without a fight.

The Eastsiders get increasingly violent, threatening everything and everyone Chris holds dear. Chris somehow manages to be in the middle of every conflict. Can God protect the ones Chris loves even in a world where a child kills with no mercy?

STANDING STRONG is the fourth book in the Homeland Heroes series. I had the privilege of reading the first book in the series, but didn’t read books two or three. Even so, I had no trouble reading STANDING STRONG and I really don’t think I missed anything vital. The story easily stands alone.

Chris is a realistic heroine, strong in the face of danger, and really admirable. The faith message is strong, but not preachy, and the setting in an important part in the story. Out of the two books in this series I’ve read, Wounded Healer and STANDING STRONG, STANDING STRONG is definitely my favorite. There is action, outstanding characterization, and wonderful story-telling here. Even if you haven’t read the other books in this series, you can’t miss STANDING STRONG. $14.99. 315 pages.