Afloat Paperback – May 6, 2013

Erin Healy’s AFLOAT bounced in and out of multiple genres: suspense, romance, apocalyptic, supernatural, literary… The novel couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. But this is certainly not a negative in this case. The genre weaving is masterfully written and increased my enjoyment of the story. AFLOAT is a multi-layered, story with a large cast of characters.If you want a story that’s about Cardboard Bob, in which readers follow Bob in his shallow activities day in and day out with no message and then it’s over, this is not the novel for you. If you want a rich, multi-layered story with come-to-life, multidimensional characters, in which empathy and dislike can be easy for both the “good guys” and “bad guys,” AFLOAT is for you.It is inspiring and encouraging. It makes you think about the ramifications of making good life decisions and the consequences for making immoral life decisions. Yet it is also a story that shows no one can be easily labeled good or evil. There is some of both in all of us.This is a Thinker’s novel. It’s an engaging novel. It’s my kind of novel.

There is a complex of unique floating apartments in a cove that provides housing for a group of residents that include single mom Danielle Clement and her son Simeon. The project is partially complete of architect Vance Nolan, who seeks to move beyond his past tragedies by bringing to life a vision of people living on the water. Then, a sinkhole gives way. Death and destruction follow as rains flood the cove, an unnatural darkness comes, and a man is murdered. No one knows what is real or who can be trusted.This has a lot of suspense and supernatural wonder. Vance is a person of light and tries to overcome his past to follow God. Afloat has an intriguing plot, suspense, and spirituality. And yet as my mind mulls over its message. It is written with much depth. Healy's message in this book reminds that God intervenes, reaches out his hand, and offers salvation. If you enjoyed the Supernatural Christian Suspense in Afloat, you will also enjoy my Immortal Memory trilogy, which is a Christian Supernatural Romance series. It is available at: [...]

I love a novel that stays in my mind long after finishing it. This is one of those novels.Healy powerfully blends natural disaster, murder and the supernatural to compose a fascinating multi-layered story. Her mastery of the writing craft and ability to create intriguing multi-dimensional characters make Afloat a compelling read.Even though the action commenced immediately, it took me a while to absorb the complexity surrounding the disaster and the introduction of many characters. I enjoyed this detail even though there were times when I found it challenging to visualize the full extent of the scene unfolding.But once the survivors are thrown together the novel really takes off. Vance Nolan is a marvelous hero. He's flawed with a troubled past, but selflessly courageous. Zeke, the blind man of faith, and a father figure, has invested years of love and wisdom in Vance and their relationship is a beautiful illustration of the power of committed friendship.Most of the characters are complex. We see their foibles, inhibitions, hopes and fears. Developer Tony Dean is an excellent antagonist. Greed, power, lust, we see it everyday, but perhaps not so well portrayed in a fictional character like Tony Dean.The reason this novel still lingers in my mind and why it is so special is there is so much to take away from it. Every reader will be grabbed by something different to ponder. And that is its' magic. Whether it's redemption, bad things do happen to good people, or sometimes faith involves staying put and waiting it out, there is so much in this novel. And I haven't even mentioned the angelic intruders.Highly recommended: 4.5 out of 5.

Easily the weakest of Erin Healy's growing opera, I wasn't able to connect with her protagonists as well this go-'round. Apart from a few twists near the end, this was a somewhat predictable disaster story. (Not a big fan of the disaster genre.) I recommend all considering reading it to proceed with tempered expectations.

Not sure 100% how I felt about this book. Kind of strange in some places, I did finish it, this author has kept me guessing, some things I have read I have loved, some, not so much. This one was in the middle. Very different. Hard to explain. Not sure as far as Chrisitan Novel, where she was going with it... completely.

SPOILER ALERT BELOW!First off, if you are thinking of reading this book because you are a fan of the disaster/survival genre, here's a little advice: DON'T!Although marketed as a sort of disaster novel, the concept never gels. Disasters Are "represented" ... sinkholes, corporate greed, flood, rainstorms, possible volcanoes and maybe the rapture... but none are given any real time. This is a Christian Novel that uses a skeleton of a bare bones "plot" to push its message down your throat in big heaping double handfuls. Nothing Wrong with Christian Novels, but don't bait and switch me.The plot (if you call it that) is all over the place and has no real form. The Characters... I won't say they are cardboard because that would be giving to much credit. They are arch-types, at best. The good guy hero with a pure heart and a deep dark past, the executive who is so slimy you are praying for his death two pages after meeting him, the sexy woman who's a plaything of our bad guy and her insipid young son who is just so cute you want to hold his head underwater for a few chapters. That pretty much covers it except for a handful of paper cutouts who are introduced to be bumped off, add nausea.If you want book that will give you maybe a spiritual uplift, this might do...though that end of things is as grey scale as the rest... otherwise, pass.