Oh, What a Wicked Web They Weave!

Wilderness Rising is an action packed unpredictable thriller.  It picks up where the first book, The Church Builder, stopped with the main character, Bethany Barclay, finding herself in England.  She is attempting to piece together the mystery that has resulted in the death of her best friend, Annabelle.  It also catapulted her from her small town law practice to a worldwide run for her life–while she tries to solve this mystery before she becomes the next victim.

Along her journey she met a brilliant teenage girl, Janice, who insisted on coming with her.  That decision resulted in Janice being kidnapped.  Her kidnappers are demanding that Bethany find an ancient artifact called the Pilate Stone, and turn it over to them in order to save Janice’s life.

It all comes down to good versus evil.

As Bethany works to solve Annabelle’s murder and save Janice, she discovers that the people behind all this is a powerful, centuries-old, secret group known as The Wilderness.  Their main focus has been to discredit Christianity, and to ultimately get rid of it entirely. Members of The Wilderness includes some of the most powerful people in the world.  They have been able to control the media, dictate the moves of important politicians and get laws passed to further their cause.   Many of their evil deeds have been thwarted through the centuries by another equally secret group called The Garden.

Catch her if you can!

But all Bethany knows is that she is running for her life.  Her character has been completely destroyed, and she has been falsely accused of things she has had nothing to do with.  Bethany has had to take on a new identity, and does not know who to trust.  Just when she seems to find one answer, she uncovers something else that reveals she is involved in a web of evil that has far reaching consequences.  In the mean time, The Garden and The Wilderness both seem to be losing control and experiencing members who are selling them out, or secretly working for the other side.

How will this ancient battle end?

This is a fascinating story that will draw you in immediately.   Will Bethany be able to clear her name, as well as, free Janice?  Will The Wilderness succeed this time, and destroy Christianity?  Or will The Garden be strong enough to stop The Wilderness?  This is a real page turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  I never knew where this tale was going to go next, and liked that I couldn’t easily figure out how it would end.

Wilderness Rising is the second book in a series, and I feel the first book, The Church Builder, really needs to be read first to enjoy this one.  In fact, I stopped reading Wilderness Rising, got The Church Builder, read it, and then read this one afterward.  I enjoyed this 5-star book very much, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers and mysteries, or well-written Christian fiction.   You can find more books written by this author under the name Stephen Carter.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of Wilderness Rising through The Thomas Nelson Publishing BookLook Bloggers Program for the purpose of review.   I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Author’s Website:  http://www.stephencarterbooks.com/

Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ALShieldsAuthor