Started this, but just can't fall into the story. My mind is racing too much to settle into it, I guess. (We sold our house! We are house hunting! We are moving! Soon!) Plus, I feel snookered, because while the jacket blurb sounded interesting ('
What would you do if the dream you had last night came true today?
Legal secretary Amy Clarke is a budding romance novelist with an active imagination. However, unlike other writers, the inspiration for her books doesn’t come when she’s awake; it happens while she sleeps") I somehow missed it was one of those faith based novels. Now, I am a woman of faith, but some of those books just rub me the wrong way. (Just like I am a romantic, but most romances make me gag.)

Anyhow, I'm releasing all BookCrossing books that I stumble upon so we don't have to pack/move/unpack them in whatever we find. We're downsizing, so the book collection gets thinned again.

Award-winner Whitlow blends legal drama and spiritual thrills in an intensely good read. Amy Clarke, legal secretary by day and writer by night, gathers inspiration for her books from her vivid dreams, which she considers private. But as she begins writing her newest novel, the dreams begin to change. What was once just between Amy and God is now thrust dramatically into her everyday life. When she finds herself drawn into a major case at the firm, Amy struggles to balance her job, her writing, and her family.

Robert Whitlow is a huge favorite with my book club. Without reservation, I recommended his latest book, The Living Room, to both of my groups. Both are scheduled to discuss it in the coming days. I have already had mixed reviews. One person who had never read anything by Whitlow said it was great. Another said if this had been the first book she had read by him, she would never have picked up another. Hmm. This should prove to be a lively discussion!

The Living Room revolves around wife, mother, and inspirational romance novelist, Amy Clarke. She has always had dreams that led her into the divine, but has kept them secret from everyone except her immediate family. Her books were inspired by her time spent in her dream state. But the dreams take on a different meaning when things she glimpses start to come true. Compelled to share the warnings that accompany the images, she is met with both disbelief and gratitude. Never one to seek the limelight, Amy is uncomfortably thrust into the midst of some bewildering circumstances.

First off, I loved the premise of this story. The fact that God can speak to us in dreams and visions, while often dismissed, is true. Amy’s compulsion to share goes against her nature, and I found that to be a powerful image of God’s work through His people. However, the characters fell flat for me. Many of the characters had no real depth and seemed very one-dimensional. The Living Room was also a slow-moving novel. I kept waiting for some action. It finally occurred during the last pages and that seemed rushed. Members of my groups have said it was weird and not his best. My husband who always grabs Whitlow’s books as soon as they enter the house said that the actions of the characters were unbelievable. Red flags that would alert most parents were disregarded by Amy and her husband. Because of all this, will not be able to recommend The Living Room. ( )

Whitlow is a favorite author of mine, I've not been disappointed in any of his books! This one is a fascinating mystery with some of the best characters he's conceived so far. I read page after page and hated to stop.

Amy gets her inspiration for her novels from a visitor in her "living room". Whitlow describes these scenes beautifully. The living room is in her dreams and when it gets to the point where dreams and reality overlap problems arise.
If you're in the mood for a well written, entertaining, dramatic, story THE LIVING ROOM is it!

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ( )