Deadly Ties by Vicki Hinze

Reviewed by Dale Lewis

"...more than just captivating entertainment. It will make you think and feel!"

Lisa Harper’s idyllic childhood was shattered when her father Charles falls to his death doing humanitarian work in Haiti. Her distraught mother, Annie, quickly marries Dutch Hauk, a successful businessman in order to provide a father to her only daughter. He soon reveals himself as an abusive monster who declares his hatred for the seven year old brat. Annie wastes no time in defying her ruthless husband and releases Lisa to her trusted friend.

Although aware of Dutch’s evil intent and powerful allies, Lisa and her mother seize an opportunity to reunite as a family many years later. Dutch calls in his ties with NINA, a menacing nihilistic-anarchist organization who reek of darkness and evil to “fix” his problems. He is hell bent on teaching his women a lesson once and for all. Lisa too has formidable connections, including former Special Operations officer Mark Taylor and his tight band of brothers. These two are courage personified with a little righteous anger tossed into the blend.

You are quickly absorbed into this gripping storyline which is succinctly written, fast-paced and troubling on many different levels. The power of prayer is visualized within the women’s Bible study group frequented by Annie. The author doesn’t preach as she writes which adds creditability to both the characters and the storyline.

Lisa’s oft repeated phrase “fumes of faith” will hit home for many people whose life journeys are far from picture perfect. Holding unto a hope that hasn’t revealed itself is a reality for many Christ-followers today.

Themes of extended family support, closeness of a community, healing, redemption, and justice are touched upon throughout the pages of Deadly Ties.

I am not a huge romantic at heart but I do enjoy a sweet love story without the sappiness! Hinze delivers a heartwarming, light-hearted friendship that develops into something much bigger than the both of them. You’d have to be blind not to believe Lisa and Mark will get married one day. The acknowledgement on multiple occasions that they will need time to experience life as a couple outside this horrific experience is refreshing.

Hinze did not tip her hat per se. The open ending without all the pieces in place allows the real-life process of not always being able to resolve, capture or provide clean, cut finality. It is a story in process. I, like many others, anxiously await the next book in this series.

The deep richness of each character is superbly crafted within each Hinze storyline. Although Deadly Ties is the second in a series and continues characters from Forget Me Not, you can read this as a stand-alone novel.

The reader’s guide at the conclusion solidifies the faith-challenging message and makes Deadly Ties more than just captivating entertainment. It will make you think and feel!

Dale Lewis now mans the front desk at the EFCA (The Evangelical Free Church of America) National Office in Minneapolis, MN. He was the graphic designer/pre-press production artist for over twelve years before being asked to step into this new role. Prior to that, he was the publications manager at his alma mater, Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN in the public relations office as well as the adviser to the college’s yearbook. He's a director/actor/writer for the Hope Church (Oakdale, MN) adult drama worship team and was the senior editor of the church newsletter. He's also written two collections of poetry, “Whispers of Assurance” and “On Life: Constant Communion Without Ceasing” as well as a devotional entitled “Eternal Education.” He and his family live in Oakdale, Minnesota.