Deadly Decision
Regina Smeltzer
Harbourlight Books, a division of Pelican Ventures LLC
c. 2014
Christian Supernatural
Contemporary Ghost stories
Paranormal Romance
$4.99 eBook
$16.99 Print
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About the Book
Bill Iver didn't expect anything
more than hard work when he offered to help his daughter and son-in-law restore
their rented historic South Carolina home, but then he sees two boys in the
attic--and his hand passes through one of them. Bill has always believed that
being absent from the body meant being present with the Lord, but if that is
true, what did he see? And why does the boy dressed in 19th century clothing
look familiar while the second boy, dressed in jeans and sweatshirt, look like
the missing grandson of the house's owner? What is the connection between the
two boys--and Bill? Hesitant to share his experience with his pastor, but
consumed with the need to understand, Bill seeks a worldly explanation which
leads him down a trail of decisions that are deadly to body and soul. Through
the mire, he must undo the consequences of his choices, discover what his
visions mean, and uncover an age-old mystery that will bring closure and
reconciliation.
My Review
I confess I like scary stories, though the occult and
demonology, not so much. While Smeltzer’s story contains elements of the above,
those elements did not overwhelm the story. The driving force was supernatural.
There is a difference. I also like being surprised, and while Smeltzer had me
wondering which side of truth I might end up on, I enjoyed turning pages to
follow the adventure.
I also confess Bill, the narrator and main character of this
adventure, was not my favorite person. However, the author made him so real
that I forgave him his foibles, even if I don’t want him for a close friend. It
takes skill to weave a backstory into the present in a way that doesn’t feel
like a report, and this Smeltzer did with aplomb. There is a reason for every
character’s need to accept the challenge of a quest, and a familial,
generational dream was an excellent prompt. On the other hand, using obvious
secrets between characters to drive tension was uncomfortable. Other readers
may certainly feel different and get a kick out of watching the interplay among
family and friends, especially as Bill blunders along, trying to figure out how
to be a heroic superdad, yet allow his heart to open.
This tale of misconceptions, age-old family history and a
spooky house was fun. Told in first person through the main character’s eyes,
readers who enjoy highly inspirational reading that explores some difficult
truths behind Satan being alive and well on planet Earth will appreciate a good
shiver from Deadly Decision.
Regina Smeltzer writes Christian fiction that reflects God's
love for us, his creations. A member of the SCWW and ACFW, she has won the
Writer's Digest short story award and was named a semi-finalist in the Genesis
Competition. She has served as a public health nurse and college professor for
more40 years. She and her husband have four children, who have given her five
grandchildren. www.ReginaSmeltzer.com
