I became an Erin Healy fan when I read her novel, The Baker’s Wife, a few months ago. This editor-turned-novelist knows fiction from the inside out. She spent many years as an award-winning fiction editor working with renowned novelists such as James Scott Bell, Brandilyn Collins, Frank Peretti…and so many, many more. In 2002, she began working with rock-star novelist of the supernatural, Ted Dekker, editing twelve (that’s right, twelve) of his books before co-authoring Kiss and Flame with him. Afloat marks her fifth novel in her own name.

About this book: Architect Vance Nolan has crafted a marvel—shining apartments floating in the peaceful cove of a winding river. The project is partially occupied and about to make investors rich when a sinkhole gives way.

Torrential rains quickly flood the cove, leaving a handful of builders, investors, and residents cut off from the rest of the world.

The motley group is bitterly divided over how to survive.

Vance insists they wait for rescue. Developer Tony Dean wants to strike out into the darkness. And single-mom Danielle Clement, obligated to each man and desperate to protect her young son, Simeon, isn’t sure which one is wiser.

Power failure, an unnatural daytime darkness, explosions, and a murder expose hidden intentions and dark histories. Then Simeon spots something strange underwater—beautiful, shifting lights in the dark depths.

In this watery world, everyone’s secrets will eventually come to light. And deliverance may mean more than just getting out alive.

Watch the trailer:

Genre: Fiction/Christian Suspense

Judge this book by its cover? To me, it telegraphs suspense, and darkness with a hint of light, so yes.

Reminds me of…Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, Melanie Wells’ The Dylan Foster series (which I also highly recommend)

Buy or borrow? Buy

Why did I read this book? Received it from Litfuse Publicity to review for Thomas Nelson.

Would I read another by this author? I’ll read anything this writer writes.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

My take: Erin Healy says this about her books: “The Irish girl in me is fascinated by the concept of thin places, a Celtic name for locations in the world where the veil between physical and spiritual realities is so delicate that a person can see through it. For me, thin places are revelations about what it means to be a spiritual creation in a physical world. I write supernatural suspense novels from a Christian worldview, with eyes open to God’s mysterious side.”

It’s this concept of thin places that draws me into Healy’s novels. Okay, that plus her spot-on ability to write superbly crafted thrillers featuring real, complex, believable characters and wonderfully original, twisty plots.

I find Healy to be particularly adept at crafting sympathetic main characters. I’ve yet to meet a Healy protagonist I haven’t liked–and each of them have been nothing like another. In addition, as with all of her other novels, Afloat provides satisfying turns in both plot and character development.

The only fault I found was that this story requires lots of setting description, which slows the pace at times. But that’s a very minor quibble (and the description is flawless, besides). On the whole, Afloat is a story for discerning suspense fans, packed with action and just the right touch of romance. Best of all, the supernatural elements are woven so believably into the story that they encourage readers to look for their own thin places, that inimitable touch of God’s hand in their own lives.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine.

Learn more about this gifted writer at erinhealy.com, and see what other reviewers are saying here. Plus–

Erin Healy is celebrating the release of her latest novel Afloat (Thomas Nelson) with an iPad Mini giveaway.

One winner will receive:

• An iPad Mini 
  
• iTunes gift card
• Afloat by Erin Healy 
  

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 15th. Winner will be announced on Erin’s blog on June 17th. Save the date and click HERE to see if YOU won the iPad Mini!

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; ENTER today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Visit Erin’s blog on the 17th!