{Book Review} "Deep Undercover" by Jack Barsky

Rating: 4/5

How did a German man growing up during the years of the Soviet Union wind up writing a memoir for a Christian publishing company? Jack Barsky has a fascinating life story that he tells skillfully in Deep Undercover. Barsky's story is one with thrilling elements, heartbreaking moments when he has to make tough choices, and incredible redemption when God changes his life completely.

Growing up in Germany, Barsky aspired to be a Chemistry professor. He achieved this goal, but then a knock on his dorm room door changed the course of his life forever. As a result of that knock, Barsky became a Soviet spy. Years later, he ended up undercover in the United States. When he finally wanted to leave the organization, he feared he wouldn't make it out unpunished. Having left behind a wife and son in Germany, Barsky felt immense guilt and shame for the way his life ended up. However, the most incredible part of Barsky's memoir is when he recounts his path from Atheism to Agnosticism to Christianity. It's truly amazing. 

God changed the life of a former KGB spy, and Barsky does a fantastic job recounting his life from childhood to the moment he becomes a Christian to the years afterward when he sought to make amends with all that he harmed. Deep Undercover is a remarkable book because the whole story exudes grace. This is an excellent, intriguing memoir. It's just a story about a man's life--but it's enthralling and exhilarating to get to read about the life of a Soviet spy! 

Deep Undercover comes out March 24th. It's currently available for preorder.

I received an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

{Book Review} "Maybe It's You" by Candace Calvert

Rating: 4/5

Maybe It's You is the third installment in Candace Calvert's Crisis Team series. This novel continues Sloane Wilder's story as she moves to a new city and tries to settle down despite her dangerous past. Barely healed from a serious car accident in San Diego, Sloane moves to LA, changes her name, finds a job as an ER nurse, and immediately gets to work hiding from the men that nearly killed her in San Diego. She diligently keeps herself isolated to maintain her safety.

Until Micah Prescott enters her life. Working to save LA Hope's image, Micah creates an ad campaign to find the "face of Hope" to represent that hospital's new image. When Sloane saves a would-be kidnapping victim in front of a crowd in the hospital parking lot, Micah receives a nomination for Sloane to be the "face of hope." But, the more Micah gets to know Sloane, the more curious he is about this kind woman.

Zoey Jones is caught up in a life she doesn't know how to escape. When she meets Sloane, she's shocked at her kindness. But, through a series of violent, Russian-connected crimes, Zoey finds herself in serious danger. When Cooper Vance, a thorough journalist, uncovers some of Sloane and Zoey's pasts, Sloane's life in LA is shaken. 

Maybe It's You is threaded together with the theme of second chances. Are they really available for everyone? Does grace really exist? Sloane questions these things often. With her past, is forgiveness really possible? My favorite thing about the Crisis Team series has been the themes that are present in each book. Even though the story line deals with terrible, difficult things, Calvert still manages to point her characters back to God.  

The characters are developed with complex depth that leaves readers wanting to know more about them. The plot, a continuation of the previous novels in this series, has many twists that ultimately lead to a satisfying conclusion. Overall, Maybe It's You has all the necessary elements for a great piece of Christian fiction: characters with depth, an exciting plot, and a wonderful theme of grace.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.

{Book Review} "The Missing Matisse" by Pierre Henri Matisse

Rating: 4/5

The Missing Matisse is a memoir by Pierre Henri Matisse--a man who has definitely lived a life worth writing about. Pierre is the grandson of Henri Matisse, a world renown artist, though Pierre didn't know his family was famous for a long time. Growing up in Paris, France during World War II, Pierre aided his father in working with the French Underground. The war time meant one major life change after another for Pierre, his brother, and his parents. They moved often, and Pierre was frequently shuffled from one boarding school to another. With a reputation as a trouble maker, Pierre was considered a nuisance by many. 

When Pierre was twelve, his mother took him aside and explained to him that he must no longer go by "Pierre Matisse." Rather, he would take on the last name "Leroy." This confused Pierre immensely. He writes that he felt like his identity had been taken from him. This theme of his lost identity continues on throughout his life story. Throughout his life, Pierre follows in his famous grandfather's footsteps by pursuing art, which helps him face his identity crisis. After the war ends, Pierre continues to face hardships. He pens the stories of these hardships with beautiful honesty. 

The Missing Matisse is a raw, honest portrayal of Pierre's life's failures and hardest moments, as well as his life's happiest times. Writing about his childhood, Pierre gives readers a glimpse of how  World War II affected the French people. It is interesting to read about World War II from the perspective of a Frenchmen. By writing about his life after the war, Pierre enlightens readers about the realities of recovering from the war and the difficulties of immigrating to North America. Pierre Matisse has lived a fascinating life worth reading about. 

You can learn more about Pierre by checking out his Q&A with Tyndale Publishers.

I also recommend that you visit the book's website and click on "tribute" to see some of Pierre's artwork.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.