Wilderness Rising by A. L. Shields
From goodreads.com
A. L. Shields pseudonym for New York Times best-selling author Stephen
L. Carter comes the thrilling sequel to The Church Builder.
An age-old struggle between the enemies of God and the champions of faith.
A rumored relic that could prove Christ performed miracles or declare him a fraud.
A woman on the run from international authorities.
Bethany Barclay is fighting to outwit the Wilderness, an ancient and powerful cabal bent on destroying Christianity. Its members murdered her best friend, framed her for acts of terrorism, and captured the brilliant teen hacker she vowed to protect. To ransom the girl, Bethany must find the Pilate Stone a mysterious first-century artifact that might not even exist.
But she is not the only one looking for the stone. In an international landscape of double agents, Bethany finds it impossible to tell friend from foe. The Garden, a secret group of powerful intellectuals sworn to save the Church and help Bethany, is collapsing under the rising power of the Wilderness. And an ocean separates her from her only proven ally the lone wolf Ray Fuentes, who has battles of his own to fight.
A sparse trail of breadcrumbs takes Bethany across Europe into a labyrinth of academics, art historians, and followers of a reclusive monastic order. As her quest transforms into an ever more complex and dangerous game, unlikely actors in the drama emerge. Some are ruthlessly devoted to preserving a world where faith is possible. Others aim to brutally, and finally, undermine belief.
Including her own.
An age-old struggle between the enemies of God and the champions of faith.
A rumored relic that could prove Christ performed miracles or declare him a fraud.
A woman on the run from international authorities.
Bethany Barclay is fighting to outwit the Wilderness, an ancient and powerful cabal bent on destroying Christianity. Its members murdered her best friend, framed her for acts of terrorism, and captured the brilliant teen hacker she vowed to protect. To ransom the girl, Bethany must find the Pilate Stone a mysterious first-century artifact that might not even exist.
But she is not the only one looking for the stone. In an international landscape of double agents, Bethany finds it impossible to tell friend from foe. The Garden, a secret group of powerful intellectuals sworn to save the Church and help Bethany, is collapsing under the rising power of the Wilderness. And an ocean separates her from her only proven ally the lone wolf Ray Fuentes, who has battles of his own to fight.
A sparse trail of breadcrumbs takes Bethany across Europe into a labyrinth of academics, art historians, and followers of a reclusive monastic order. As her quest transforms into an ever more complex and dangerous game, unlikely actors in the drama emerge. Some are ruthlessly devoted to preserving a world where faith is possible. Others aim to brutally, and finally, undermine belief.
Including her own.
Leona's Review:
I have read The Church Builder by A. L. Shields so when I saw
this was a book available for review, I chose it. I do think it is best to read
The Church Builder first but not necessary.
Bethany Barclay is a lawyer and now is charged with
murder with the Federal Bureau of Investigation after her. She has used a fake
passport to go to London and knows she is being watched.
Bethany Barclay is searching for a relic, the Pilate Stone
that would prove Pontius Pilate wrote that Jesus was real. The Pilate Stone may
not even be exist but many are searching.
There are two main groups who are on opposite sides; the
Garden and the Wilderness.
The book takes you through many twists and turns and for
awhile, I was not really sure who was the bad guy or the good guy at times. It
takes the reader to International places with mystery, espionage and intrigue.
Lives are lost and some are in danger.
A. L. Shields has proven a great book can be written without
bad language.
The book is dedicated to: Once more, to my children
I received a complimentary copy of Wilderness Rising from
booklookbloggers to read and review. The opinion are my own. I give this a five
star rating.
The book is published by Zondervan. It si available on e-book
as well as audio.
A. L. Shields can be found on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/ALShieldsAuthor.
From goodreads.com:
Leona Olson
