Involving to the last page

Ted Dekker is a new author to me, but I picked this because of an enthusiastic quote by Frank Peretti, whose own writing I always enjoy - two favourites by him are 'The Oath' and 'The Visitation'.
Though 'When Heaven Weeps' is written from a Christian world-view it doesn't thrust the author's beliefs in your face. The characters are well-drawn and totally believable, and although two of the main characters are Christians, others are not.
The story is described as a romantic thriller - don't choose it expecting 'Mills & Boon', but if you are looking for 'thrilling', 'breathtaking' and 'passionate', this is the one. I started and finished it within half a day, unable to leave the characters without knowing what was going to happen to them.
The roots of the story lie in an ugly and shocking incident in Bosnia during WW2. The effects of this on some of those present continue to resonate twenty years later, when the bulk of the novel is set. The story is primarily about people and choices and is so well written that I, for one, found myself caring passionately about the people and was mentally urging one of them in particular not to make a particular disastrous choice. Right to the end, you can't be sure what is going to happen.
I will certainly be reading other novels by this author. ( )

Janjic Jovic's life changes due to his witnessing an act of selfless love in a Balkan village. Twenty years later, as an evangelist, America, his life changes again when he encounters Helen, a beautiful young woman whose life is in a desperate state with her being controlled by evil chracters. Really good stuff ( )

This entire trilogy by Dekker is both an enthralling read, and one of the most beautiful depictions of God's love. Although it is only a fiction novel, it can read almost like a devotional. Deeply touching. ( )

This was the first Ted Dekker book that I read, and still remains one of my favourites. It is a parable based on the Biblical story of Hosea, and is a story of unconditional love.
The book is written in a few 'parts', the biggest difference being between the first and second part. The first part introduces the reader to two main characters, and is set in war-torn Bosnia. The rest of the book is set a few years down the line...
The book is fairly violent and pretty graphic, so don't read it if you are of a sensitve nature. The story however is enthralling. ( )