Book Review and Giveaway: Deeper Water by Robert Whitlow

I highly recommend this book!

Deeper Water (Tides of Truth Series, Book 1)

by Robert Whitlow

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595541322
• ISBN-13: 978-1595541321

 Genre:  Christian Fiction
My Rating:  4.75 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: June 3, 2008

The Tides of Truth novels follow one lawyer's passionate pursuit of truth in matters of life and the law.

In the murky waters of Savannah's shoreline, a young law student is under fire as she tries her first case at a prominent and established law firm. A complex mix of betrayal and deception quickly weaves its way through the case and her life, as she uncovers dark and confusing secrets about the man she's defending--and the senior partners of the firm.

How deep will the conspiracy run? Will she have to abandon her true self to fulfill a higher calling? And how far will she have to go to discover the truth behind a tragic cold case?

Review:
My notes on completing this book: Wow! Slow start but picks up; easy reading, awesome and unique plotline; engaging warmth and deep faith.

The book opens upon the scene of an elderly black man poling his aluminum johnboat in the deep marshy waters of a Savannah river. Moses is fishing in the dark of night and he is distressed by the faces he sees in the water that apparently bring old memories he would rather hide from.  The reader won’t know for a bit how Moses ties in to the story of the main protagonist, a young law student, but all will become clear soon enough.

Tammy Lynn is a second year law student who is able to secure a summer internship with a prestigious law firm in Savannah. This is a wonderful but scary opportunity. Tammy Lynn  has been raised in a close knit, deeply religious and conservative family. She has been home schooled and her first real experiences outside of her small home community have been as a student at the University of Georgia.  She has not made lots of friends at school because she is rather clearly different:  she never wears pants, she doesn’t date, drink or party. 

Tammy Lynn secretly sent her resumes out under the name of “Tami”. Although she doesn’t
mean any disrespect to her parents it appears to be a step into another phase of life. She will not be going to Savannah without the approval of her parents and without a clear answer from God to their, and her own, prayers.  That is how the family operates in life. God is their guide in all decisions and they do not rush, but wait until they have an answer.

There is so much that goes on in this story as Tami is challenged at work and in social and personal situations. She meets many people who are clearly different from her upbringing.  Her convictions are constantly bombarded.  The other female intern is Jewish and although not orthodox, she has cousins who are.  Julie challenges Tami’s boundaries but she also respects her convictions.

The third intern is a young man, Vince, from Yale.  He is serious, brilliant and a Christian, albeit a more mainstream Christian.  Then there is the law associate who is to mentor her, Zach. She discovers that he was raised in a Christian communal group in California.

Both Zach and Vince show interest in Tami so in addition to being given new challenges at work she also faces the new situation of ‘dating’ or for her it is more like old fashioned ‘stepping out’ to get to know each other better. But first she must seek her parent’s approval.

Meanwhile, one of her work assignments is developing into a mystery that may involve senior members of her own firm. Who can she trust to help her? Is she willing to risk her future career chances if she stands firm to protect a client against what she views as a conflict with the firm?

Of course I like that this book and series are about a law student and include scenes in law firms and court - I felt pretty much at home.  I liked the easy writing style and the plot flow that makes it clear there can be other stories with these characters. I particularly like that this story is steeped in faith.  It is not religious dressing or preachy but it is full of relational depth where Tami and her family rely upon God for direction in all things. This story concludes the criminal mystery but the relational issues are open to move on to the next story!

Our ladies book group all loved this book and one friend had already started the second in the series before we met. There is a study guide at the back to help deepen group discussions.

This book is set in Georgia  for my Where Are You Reading challenge; it will also go on my New Author challenge list.

I have two new books from our group reading - a couple of us end up reading on Kindle or Nook.
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the print book - Two Winners:

1. Visit the author site and tell me something of interest you found there.  This is required for entry.

2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3.  For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on February 3, 2012.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on February 4. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.