My review of One Step Away by Eric Wilson

About the book:

A Modern Twist on One of the World's Oldest Tales

Bret and Sara Vreeland have been targeted. Someone has plans for them, a plot that reaches into their past and threatens their future.

When one of Sara's patients dies, a mysterious old man, he leaves his fortune to her and her family. They have no idea they are part of an experiment. Satan once tested Job through trials, but failed to break him. Now Satan has sought God's permission to test the Vreelands with a $6,000,000 blessing.

As their lives take turn for the better, will their souls take a turn for the worse?


My review:

Wow. This book had all the makings of a thriller, but at the same time it was an allegory of sorts. I found the writing compelling and heartfelt. The author did a great job showing how hard it is to live from paycheck to paycheck and how sudden riches can cause a whole new load of troubles. But through everything God was working as the family made once choice after another. They were sifted, but fought for what was right, which I couldn't help admiring.

There were some really intense scenes in this book. The author did a great job of showing the mind of a twisted individual with no conscience. The insight was very convincing and well done. I loved the way the author showed the spiritual struggles of the characters and the way their family dealt with things. Those kids were precious, too. The last third of the book was one thrill after another and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I can't remember the last time I was so afraid for fictional people.

One of my favorite parts of the book were the unexpected twists at the end that made sense, but I didn't see coming. I loved how God healed so many things in the characters lives and how He also showed that what we want can so easily turn to gravel in our mouths, especially when it's covetousness toward another person. That was incredibly well done. I can't say anything more without posting a spoiler, but I can assure if you like books with intense themes, profound insight into the human condition, spiritual depth, and pulse-pounding action, you'll love this novel!

One Step Away was published by Bay Forest Books and released in August 2011.