Reviewer: Debbie Nahom
Title: The Fourth of July
Author: Cami Checketts
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
ISBN: 1-60154-073-6
Release Date: June 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Romance/Thriller
Year/Setting: Present Day Washington DC
Overall Rating: 3.5
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Minimal/Moderate
Cami's Website:
www.camichecketts.com
Alexis and Chris have been colleagues for years, neither having a clue of the other’s attraction. Chris is an FBI agent and Alexis, the bureau’s psychologist. While Chris and Alexis have always shared a slightly flirtatious relationship over the years, it is the force of tragedies in their lives that finally bring them together. There is a problem, however. Alexis is a Christian and for reasons that are revealed midway through the story, Chris has completely lost his faith in God. As much as he cares for Alexis, he has no plans to covert, but Alexis cannot imagine spending her life without someone who does not share her beliefs.
Chris and Alexis’s relationship is one of two main plots in the Fourth of July. A group of terrorists, seeking revenge against Americans for killing one of their leaders, sets off a string of attacks across the country on the Fourth of July. Chris and his partner Dylan begin work immediately to track down the terrorists and bring them to justice, but Chris soon realizes that he’s more personally involved than he could have imagined. And, because of this personal connection, the lives of the people he cares for are threatened.
There were many things about this book that I really enjoyed. The relationship between Chris and Alexis was the highlight of the story. I loved watching it develop and found myself smiling every time they made a connection. Their scenes were fun, awkward, tender, and romantic. I rolled my eyes at Alexis’s deep insecurities sometimes wondering how she could let them become such a barrier to her relationship with Chris.
Chris’s partner, Dylan and his family played an important part in the story and we were given substantial insight in to Dylan and his wife, Rachel’s lives and marriage through both their eyes. Rachel struggled with Dylan’s commitment to his job and often felt as if he placed the safety of strangers over his family. I loved their family dynamic, and their kids were so much fun. I laughed out loud at many of the things they said and did.
Overall, I enjoyed The Fourth of July. I thought there were too many characters and points of view, though. There were at least seven characters that had substantial roles in the story, and I had a hard time keeping track. There was so much going on, and at times I found it hard to focus. I also had a tough time with the story involving the terrorist attacks. It was sad and hit too close to home. Every time I read something that sounded outrageous and far fetched, I had to remind myself that it wasn’t. It’s already happened and it can easily happen again.
The Fourth of July is an inspirational romance with a strong Christian theme. Much of the book focused on Alexis, Rachel, and Dylan’s strong faith and Chris’s lack of it. The message was that although a belief in God won’t stop the bad things in the world from happening, it will allow us to deal with them and try to understand them. Non Christians might have a problem with the intensity of it, but it’s still a beautiful story that will invoke many different emotions in the reader. Be prepared to laugh and cry throughout.
Debbie
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