Under a Maui Moon Reviewed by Susan E. Richardson     Within a few days Carissa Lathrop’s comfortable life collapses around her. Tensions with her husband escalate after a frightening experience with a stranger at their home, and her employer announces his retirement, forcing her out of a job. Stunned, she accepts his final gesture: the offer of a cottage on Maui for a getaway.   Leaving her husband behind, Carissa flies to Hawaii and settles in. Surrounded by new people and natural beauty, she has time to consider both past and future while enjoying new experiences. Her thoughts take her down an unexpected pathway and into life changing decisions.   In Under a Maui Moon author Robin Jones Gunn tackles more serious subject matter than in her popular SisterchicksTM series but brings her signature warmth and insight to the story as a counterbalance. The author does not offer simple solutions to difficult questions. She allows her characters to wrestle with their issues and their faith. Resolution comes through struggle. The result is a hopeful and believable look at challenges many people face.   Readers interested in a vicarious visit to Maui will not be disappointed. Gunn uses the setting well, blending in Hawaiian history and customs for extra richness. Long time followers of her work will be delighted to discover cameo appearances by two characters from previous novels.   Women who like thoughtful, character driven fiction will enjoy this title. As summer comes to an end, take one last vacation with Under a Maui Moon.   Susan E. Richardson is a writer, critique reader, and former Christian retailer with a passion for meeting people’s needs through the written word. You can reach her through her website www.nextlevelcritiques.com.

Selah in Concert By Ashley Cirilli     Christian music group, Selah, debuted their soulful sound with the album Be Still My Soul in 1999. Since then, the group has hit its high and low notes. Selah founders Todd Smith, Allan Hall were struggling with the loss of their third founding member, Todd’s sister, Nicole Sponberg, who left the group to pursue work with her husband’s ministry and a solo career. There were times when Smith and Hall felt as though the group was done.   But everything turned around the day that Amy Perry, northern California native, stepped up to the microphone to audition for the group’s opening. Not only did Perry’s voice complete the group’s harmony, but she clicked with the group on a spiritual level. Selah’s new sound was introduced in 2006 on the album Bless the Broken Road: The Duets Album. Perry’s voice helped Selah win another Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year.   The group has continued to reach out to fans all over the country, not only with their songs, but with their lives. "Each night when [Amy] speaks from stage, God uses her to minister to broken, hurting people in unique way," Hall says. Perry approaches audience members as friends, sharing honest and relatable stories. “God has really allowed me to have this platform with Selah where I can say, 'I'm a real girl, I have real problems—look at me,” Amy says. "I believe the best ministry is when you're just being yourself and telling your story of what God's done for you."   The trio has a passion for old-school hymns such as “I Surrender All” and ‘My Jesus I Love Thee.” "Hymns are so strong, so well written," says Hall. "They have lasted for hundreds of years for a reason. A lot of them were written out of places of pain and sorrow, yet there's so much Truth and hope in them, and that resonates with people."   The group has received numerous honors over the years, including a nomination for Gospel Music Association’s (GMA) 2008 Group of the Year and won GMA’s Inspiration Album of the Year in 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2007.