BOOK REVIEW - "FINAL SHOWDOWN" (DAKOTA K-9 UNIT BOOK 8) BY VALERIE HANSEN

 

Who is the target of the drive-by shooting at a murder victim's house? ATF Special Agent Daniel Slater, who's looking for a lead in stopping a gun ring? Crime Scene Investigator Aurora Martin? Or Aurora's look-alike DA cousin? Is Slater's fortress of a home guaranteed to keep his grandmother, a young girl he's adopting, and Aurora safe, or are their enemies able to breach that sanctuary?

I am still catching my breath from the nail biting conclusion to Love Inspired Suspense's Dakota K-9 Unit series. This collection is full of surprises, twists, strong and courageous heroes, and adorable K-9s and kids, but the climax is the most exciting I've read of the 7 K-9 series I've completed, and maybe of any Love Inspired Suspense book.

Yes, it's the end of the series. (Technically, as always is the case, there are 9 books in these K-9 series, but the final book is a pair of novellas that take place after the major story arcs have been completed.) I usually address whether you'll feel lost if you haven't read the previous stories or spoil any of the action in the preceding novels, but this is the end! If you haven't read previous books, read them first! You won't regret it.

This is the seventh multi-author K-9 series I've read, but this one is my favorite, and definitely the best. I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series. Now if only I can catch my breath.

SAVING CASTAWAYS, BY FRANCISZEK KSAWERY LAMPI

 PART 3 OF A 16 PART SERIES ON FAVORITE ART AND ARTISTS

Saving Castaways by Franciszek Ksawery Lampi

Yes, I'll admit I'm a Romantic. It shows up in my tastes in music: my favorite classical music includes Beethoven's 7th symphony, Wagner's Flying Dutchman Overture, Bruckner's 4th symphony (Romantic), Brahms' 1st symphony, and Tchaikowsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture. Those who are familiar with these compositions will conclude I don't listen to much wimpy music. 

After doing a part in this series fitting for Independence Day, I have shared a couple posts dealing with perceptions of the direction this country is going. But I'm going a different direction, and I'm doing so with my all time favorite painting.

This is "Saving Castaways" by Polish painter Franciszek Ksawery Lampi (1782-1852), also known as Franz Xaver Lampi (don't ask me to pronounce either version). He is known for portraits of beautiful women and stirring landscapes such as the one above. His father and older brother also were painters, known respectively as Johanne Baptist von Lampi the Elder and the Younger. How cool is it to have "Baptist" as part of your name? Unfortunately, Franz was estranged and disinherited from his father, who stayed in Russia with the younger Baptist, while Franz settled in Warsaw.

Why is this painting my favorite? Simple. The title. For a person with a heart for refugees, it should be expected for me to adore a painting of such a rescue operation. Plus, having an evangelical background, it shouldn't surprise you for me to be moved by a painting that looks meant to be accompanied by the Fanny Crosby hymn "Rescue the Perishing." 

We may be concerned for this country, but the Church has a job, and it is to rescue the castaways. We are not here to be concerned about current trends - we're here to reach the lost.

What is your impression of this painting? Do you have a heart for rescuing those in need, physically or spiritually?