Blind Sight

by James H. Pence

Disillusioned by the tragic loss of his family, Thomas Kent just wants to die. But a mysterious message and a voice from the past stir him to fight for his life and the lives of a family he doesn't know. He is reluctantly drawn into the murderous plot of a dangerous cult that threatens to steal America's future. As he attempts to expose the cult, Thomas finds himself facing his past and the God he had denied.

Genres: Fiction, Suspense, Christian, Christian Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

404 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[C.J. Darlington · Rating 5 out of 5]

It isn't often I read a book and think about it months later, but I have never forgotten the characters and scenes in Unseen. Pence is a skilled suspense weaver, and I look forward to everything he writes.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reprint of a book from 2003, this book was featured in the book Terror by Night, which I reviewed also, this book is a suspenseful, mystery.

A exciting book about a cult, trying to move their leader into a high position in the government, they (the cult) are on a search for one of the leaders who defected and who is trying her best to bring them down.

Her husband, who was left behind in the cult, makes arrangements to send their children to an old college friend, convinced that he was in danger of being killed by the cult. Knowing that his friend Thomas Kent, would do the best he could for the kids, he was very careful, but was still spotted by the followers of the cult and killed.

Thomas Kent, who was facing his own demons and troubles from his past was not sure he could take care of the children. However after he saw how determined someone seemed to be to grab them, he put aside his fears, eventually making peace with his past, and helped the children find their mom.

An adventure from the first word to the last, you will not have a chance to be bored by this book. I as a mystery lover would love to see more books from this author. 402 pages $9.99 US 4 star rating.

This book was provided by Kathy Carlton Willis Communications for review purposes only, no payment or cash was received for this review.

[Nichole Padovano · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and I remember that while the plot was very interesting, the writing was okay at best. This holds true today. Honestly this reads like a Christian action fanfic. I love the plot - the effects of someone starting an organized religion and how that all comes together - but the writing was kinda silly. I do think was James Peace’s first book so not bad overall.

[Kees van Duyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Veelzijdig. Dat is wat er over James H. Pence gezegd kan worden. Hij is auteur, kunstenaar, zanger, spreker, krijtartiest en hij geeft karate en ook les in schrijven en kunst. Als auteur schrijft hij zowel fictie als non-fictie. Hij begon in 1988 met schrijven om de dood van zijn dochter te verwerken. Acht jaar later verscheen A road not chosen. In 2003 schreef hij zijn eerste thriller, Blind vertrouwen, dat een jaar later in Nederland uitkwam. Omdat hij een gelovig man is, speelt religie een belangrijke rol in zijn fictie.

Nadat zijn vrouw en twee kinderen dodelijk zijn verongelukt, heeft dominee Thomas Kent zich met zijn herdershond Gumbo afgezonderd van een sociaal leven. Op een decemberdag ontvangt hij een e-mailbericht om een pakketje op het vliegveld op te halen. Hij merkt het aan als spam en verwijdert het. Er zijn echter ook een paar woorden op zijn antwoordapparaat ingesproken: ‘red… mijn… kinderen…’. Thomas legt een link met het e-mailtje, dat hij dan wel serieus neemt. Hij gaat naar het vliegveld, krijgt vanaf dat moment te maken met een nietsontziende religieuze sekte en is zijn leven niet meer zeker.

Het eerste hoofdstuk van Blind vertrouwen belooft veel voor de rest van het verhaal. Het maakt nieuwsgierig, heeft spanning, snelheid en er komt ook al een verrassende plotwending in voor. Kortom, alle ingrediënten zijn aanwezig om dit thrillerdebuut een droomstart voor de auteur te laten zijn. Dat is ten dele gelukt. Na dat overweldigende begin zakt het verhaal wat in, niet erg dat dit gebeurt, want de personages moeten immers worden geïntroduceerd en de lezer heeft natuurlijk ook wel wat meer informatie nodig dan alleen maar een flitsend begin. Dit duurt echter iets te lang, waardoor het tempo, en daardoor ook de spanning, afneemt. Desondanks blijft het verhaal wel boeien, Pence weet prima hoe hij de lezer aan zich moet binden. Een andere voldoende die de auteur scoort, is dat de personages goed uitgewerkt zijn.

Overigens geldt dat voor het hele verhaal. Op een enkele onvolkomenheid na, is het goed opgebouwd en heeft het diepgang. Dat komt waarschijnlijk ook door de spiritualiteit die Pence door het hele verhaal heen heeft verweven. Daaruit is duidelijk op de maken dat hij een religieuze achtergrond heeft. Aanvankelijk lijkt de rol die het geloof heeft wel mee te vallen, maar in de tweede helft van het verhaal neemt die rol zienderogen toe. Soms is het wat te veel van het goede en laat de auteur doorschemeren dat achter alles wat er gebeurt een bedoeling zit. Een bedoeling van God en dat daarop vertrouwd moet worden. Alsof de mens, in dit geval de personages, geen eigen wil hebben en zelf geen beslissing hoeven te nemen. Dat is allemaal wat onwerkelijk, want is de mens niet zelf verantwoordelijk voor zijn eigen beslissingen?

Een ander detail dat niet helemaal met de werkelijkheid overeenkomt, is het gedrag van de twee in het verhaal voorkomende kinderen. Ze zijn tien jaar, maar gedragen zich, zowel in woord als handelwijze, als een volwassene of jongvolwassene. Ze zijn te wijs voor hun leeftijd. In ieder geval hebben ze een sleutelrol in de ontknoping van het verhaal. Dat verhaal, dat afsluit met een ontknoping in een vrij hoog tempo en met meer dan voldoende spanning, toont aan dat een sekte over het algemeen gevaarlijk is, vooral zij die de leiding daarover hebben.

Blind vertrouwen mag dan het thrillerdebuut van James Pence zijn, het is zonder meer een bijzonder leesbaar boek dat boeiend is, bij tijd en wijle tempo en spanning heeft, maar waarin gedurende de plot helaas wel wat te veel nadruk op het religieuze aspect wordt gelegd.

[history49 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, wow...this is seriously one of the very best books that I have ever read! I was engaged from the very first, on through all 370 pages of storyline! Author James Pence's book is suspense at its best, weaving a story of the tragedy of the loss of loved ones along with the evil that cult religions bring with them. There were parts that I didn't like...I mean, things happened that were heartbreaking...but the story moved so quickly that the sadness disappeared. Lol, I found myself either clenching my teeth or clutching my Kindle tightly more often than not! Thank you for a great book, Mr. Pence, and Mountainview Books!

[jowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently struggling and facing challenges in my life. I praise Him if life gets better and blame if worse. The reality just slapped me through this book. I am able to say that ‘I am guilty to that.’ It is just hard to explain that God just wrote me a letter and I was able to receive it through this book. Thank you so much, God. You really have everything under control and your timing is always perfect. To James H. Pence, I can say you are so honored. Thank you for being a messenger of God. What a beautiful life!

[Madison C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come!

[Kirsten Kroeker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read - he does a good job with tension and intensity. A number of characters were fairly one-dimensional, but there was depth (and a few twists) with a couple of them.

[Beverly J. Corl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful

This story has a strong storyline and strong characters. It has many twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The book was difficult to put down.

[Jennifer DeBord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, great author

[Daniela Baya · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a great book. Good ending

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced and over all good read

[Seasielle ... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of my favorite books.

I knew it took me so long to write a review for this one. I've been very busy last year with all those endless school stuff. Honestly speaking, I need to re-read some parts to be able to remember those details.

Together with my other Christian fiction book, I bought this one at Logos Hope. Both the cover photo and the title captured my attention since I don't know any Christian-fiction author. Good thing, I didn't regret my decision. Amazing storyline. Wait! I wrote it the wrong way. It should be: Amazing Book. Happy that I added this with my growing collection. :)

I'm not sure if I'm just soft-hearted, or I'm just open to everything. Meaning I appreciate every little things/details a story has to offer.

My thoughts: Blind Sight opened lots of doors about religion, faith, and letting go of the past. It's really worth reading, for every page will speak right truly in your own mind, heart, and soul. (Okay, I think that's overreacting already, but that's how I feel about this book.)

Characters: Peter Bishop - symbolizes all the father who will do everything for their children. Justine Bishop - a strong woman who's not afraid to expose all the "cancer" of her organization. She's the symbol of all the mothers out there who will standout for what's right to have a better future for their children. Michelle and Micah - symbolizes all siblings who show their undying love, care, understanding, and hope to each other and to their family. Thomas Kent - a person who can't let go of the past and continues to hurt himself by blaming him for what happened. Later on, opened up his heart and mind to leave the past and continue living his life for he knew his purpose already. He symbolizes all those people who at first always replay the past in their mind, and think all the things they should have done, say, etc. As a result, they'll blame themselves for that nightmare. But after realizing their purpose or seeing the bigger picture of their lives, they finally walk into the light with a positive spirit. Dana - a symbol of every people who give their full trust to a friend which will only result either in betrayal or long-lasting friendship. MacAsland and Wynne - both symbol of those people who are greedy with power, popularity, money, and followers. People who wants idolatry of themselves for they believe they are their own gods. (Poor People). They are what I love to call Attention Seekers.

Lessons learned from Blind Sight: First,desire of powers, fame, money and followers will only lead us to walk in the wrong path. I know it's not bad to have those things, but too much is not good. It will swallow our whole being, and soon we will find ourselves drowning in the pool of blackness unable to escape. Second, family is the most important in this world. Let us show our love, care and understanding for them because at the end of the day, being with them is the happiest feeling in this world. Third, false idolatry will lead us to be a servant of fake "gods" who will blind us to restore our faith to God. Warning: Watch out for fake "gods" and be careful with false prophets. [Now I'm becoming so holy]. Fourth, holding on the bad memories of the past will restrain our growth, and we can't see our purpose. Sometimes some things should remain in the past, for they are where they belong: in the past. No need to bring them forever in our life because it will only be a burden for the fulfillment of our future. Fifth, Faith with God is the only thing in this world that is meant to last forever. Let us open our eyes, heart, mind and soul to see the bigger picture or the reality of God's plan. Remember: God is always in control. Be patience. Desired things are the hardest to get for once handed with us, they were precious. There's always a blessing. Sixth, fight for the right and never stops until it is finished. Lastly, share love to everyone for it is the most priceless and genuine we can give to each other. :)

Friends, grab your copies now and be inspired to live in God's hands.
Thank you for reading. Hope you got something :)

God bless.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6

[Haley Mathiot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas lost his family in a terrible accident two years ago. He’s been living as a hermit, rejecting God, ever since. When he starts getting mysterious e-mails and phone messages from some nut saying that he needs him to save his children, Thomas at first doesn’t believe it. But on a whim he goes to the air port. And there are two children there, waiting for him, calling him “uncle Thomas.”

Thomas is dragged (by the hand of God no less) into this insane mission to save these children from a cult, bring them to their mother who has been living undercover for three years, and expose the lies that the cult has been feeding to the world. But how is he going to keep his sanity when every time he sees the kids, he thinks about his own children and his wife who died at what he sees as his own hand? And what about his forsaken relationship with God?

I’m having a very hard time trying to think of words that describe Blind Sight. It is an incredible story about a terrible loss, but more than a loss of family—a loss of a relationship with Christ, but one that is rekindled to an absolute trust in His sovereignty. Blind Sight had my adrenalin racing through all 400-pages, yet parts of it were so peaceful and uplifting that I went back and read them again.

My favorite character was Micah, the little boy. He and Michelle were twins. He was so trusting, so brave, and so fragile. He couldn’t see, so he learned to rely completely on Michelle’s guidance, and had to learn to trust a man he’d never met before (Thomas). My heart ached for him through the story.

On that note, all the characters had some sort of major flaw that made them definite real people. My heart ached (almost physically) for each of them in a different way.

The writing was contemporary prose, easy to read, fluid, but simple. It wasn’t what made the book a 5-star book, but it didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment.

The narration alternated between several different view points, and left you hanging, making it a compelling page-turner. The viewpoints were not confusing, however, because it was all from third-person perspective. Also because each character was so real, so distinct, it was easy to get inside their heads.

Because of the different view points, there were some sections where I was reading what was going on during the cult’s worship service. It was amazing in a repulsive, nerve-wracking way that sent shivers of disgust down my spine. I hated the cult with a passion, and because of that I related to Justine, the mother, very well.

The ending was peculiar. Most books leave you with a satisfied smile on your face. This one, not so much. That satisfied smile comes after you’ve set it down and thought about it for a while—and it does stick with you. Pence doesn’t really “finish” the story in the sense that everything is wrapped up completely. You know what will happen in the future, and because of that he doesn’t have to spell it out for you. Once I sat back and thought about what God had in store for these characters and watched it play out in my head, I grinned. It’s wonderful!

Content: 100% Clean!

Recommendation: Anyone ages 10+ would enjoy this! It would be a wonderful read for a family to share, or for an adult looking for a good clean Christian-thriller, or a teenager with the weekend off of homework.

[LuAnn Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Christian thriller which is hard to find.

[Julie D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly suspenseful! So much so that I had to set it down several times because my heart couldn't take it. lol It is a very well written book full of twists and turns and you just aren't sure what's going to happen next.

Thomas is a man with things that haunt him. He's living a life in one room with his German Shepherd, Gumbo (don't you love that name?). He get's a cryptic message saying, "Save...My...Children". He has no idea what this means until he gets the secret code that he and his fellow believers set up in college. It was a code to let the others know that they need help and they all promise to be there for one another.

Thomas really doesn't want to get involved, but when he sees the danger that these two children are in, he does the right thing. I really enjoyed the children - twins, one a boy who is blind and his sister. The boy especially was really a great character as he truly "saw" more than his sister, who is sighted.

The evilness of this cult is so horrible that it just took my breath away. The things people were willing to do for Father Antoine was just stunning. Murder was nothing if it was done in his name. It just chilled me to the bone - it was horrible.

This action packed book will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time as Thomas and the children try to dodge these evil people. They are threatened because what they have can blow the lid off the whole sorted, horrible cult. You'll be cheering Thomas and his friends as they try to bring light on this very dark cult.

If you love an action packed thriller, this is the book for you! The story line is amazing and the characters are ones you won't soon forget! I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by Mountain View Books, LLC

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not read Blind Sight before you go to bed if you have a specific bed time. You will NOT want to put it down. At least that is how I felt. That was refreshing. The story had characters I liked and characters I hated. Each one was realistically drawn out and all seemed to fully react and act the way one might expect. The story starts off with a bang and keeps you curious through out. It is definitely an easy read, because it does not lose steam!

The story was told through several of the characters although the main plot is centered around Thomas Kent's efforts in helping this family. I was enthralled by the workings of the cult. It was pretty creepy how things operated, and although I know this was a book, I am also aware that there are specific ways to make a person fold under pressure and totally weaken them. It is also an amazing story of how power can corrupt, and how a painful past if not faced and resolved can be so very damaging.

Obviously there is a religious element and struggle in the novel. It lent the message clear for me that God has a plan and we are probably not always going to know what it is. The important thing is to know He is there.

Blind Sight is a book that is not only entertaining, but it reminded me that God doesn't guarantee an easy life, but He will always be there.

I don't have a star rating, but I would give this a 4.25 star rating if I did. The main thing for me is whether I would recommend this book to others, and the answer is YES. Definitely!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blind Sight has been re-published this year along with the release of Terror By Night, a non-fiction book that is based on event and the aftermath and how one man was affected by a page from Blind Sight.

I'm glad it's been republished because that landed it on my doorstep to be reviewed and participate in a blog tour.

This is a story of one man and how he is affected by events in his past and events occurring in the present. When he is contacted by kids of a friend from college, he is drug into a life on the run to find the children's mother and to stop a cult that is slowly infiltrating the country.

I loved reading this from the different point of views. Thomas Kent, the main character, Dana, the girl who is being initiated in the cult, Sawyer Wynne, who created the cult, Michelle and Micah, the twins on the run from the cult and Justine the mother who escaped the cult. All point of views are great and contribute well to the story.

I like getting the story of the cult the most and how it was given in little pieces here and there, it was fascinating and well-plotted. The action story line with Thomas and the children was also well-done and I enjoyed watching how the various storylines intersected.

Not too contrived and full of action - this is a story to enjoy. Christianity is a part of it, but it's not preachy. It's just a man who was a Christian trying to make sense of things. It adds to the story and does not take away from it.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a page turner and was hard to put down. When a college friend contacts Thomas and asks him to deliver his children to his wife, who had defected from the cult, Thomas has doubts that he can follow through. These doubts are because of tragedy in his past that he has not been able to deal with. When he sees how desperate these people (cult) are to get to the kids though, he makes the decision to try and help them.

The story is told from many different points of view ranging from Thomas' to the kids he is helping, Michelle and Micah, to their mother Justine. This really added to the story and made it feel complete.

If anyone read my review on Terror By Night, I think it is amazing that the one page that Terry Caffey found from this book was so applicable to his life. Where this book is fiction, and Terror By Night is non-fiction, I felt they both centered around the fact that God is sovereign and He is in control - even though we may not understand why events are happening. I believe that when James Pence wrote this book in 2003 that God knew that one page would be influencing a man in 2008. Both books are must reads!

[Catherine Leggitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever have a nightmare about running away from someone, but no matter where you hide, you cannot escape? Unseen is like that--an unrelenting race against time and evil villains. It's also a journey of forgiveness and redemption that catapults the reader into the story, desperate to know what happens next.

From the moment Peter Bishop sends his two children to a college friend he hasn't seen in years until the spellbinding conclusion, James Pence keeps the action revved to high gear. Sometimes I couldn't differentiate the good guys from the bad guys. Who could be trusted? This is a complex and exciting plot. I definitely recommend it. Just don't try to read it at night. You won't be able to put it down.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise started from several what if questions- what if a cult wanted to put people in a place of power, what if children were on the run from the cult; what if the cult would stop at nothing for...."
Based on those what if questions, James Pence wrote Unseen which could be ripped from the news today. The story is a good page turner with a strong plot that carries throughout the novel. Secret are revealed- what is Project Osmosis why is Justine in hiding, what do the children really know? Will Thomas turn tail and run or stand and help?

Save my children- 9/20/42

[Alfredia Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!!

I so very much enjoyed this book. It was infinitely intriguing. The deep characters are what really made this book. I felt totally connected to the people, so much that I could completely understand why they did certain things. This book proves that "Christian Fiction" can be just as exciting and fast paced as the foul language and sex filled fiction that floods the market. My thanks to the author for such wonderful clean entertainment.

[Jobe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I really liked this book, but it's been awhile and it's time to revisit it. I actually purchased a copy back in the day after hearing about it in a homeschool writing class. The author came and spoke to us about his work but I never got a chance to read it until a few years later. I'll give an updated review once I've had a chance to read it again.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books I think I've ever read. Really. It is chilling but also touching. The cult conspiracy is very believable, and the danger is very real. And the innocence and vulnerability of the two children, especially the blind boy, keeps you on the edge of your seat.

James Pence is a great author. So well-written!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

3&1/2 stars. I enjoyed this story of conspiracy/cult/suspense for the most part. There was constant action and intriguing scenarios. I wasn't able to engage with the characters though, other than the blind boy - he was the star of the story, even though he didn't really engage until the second half.

[Carolyn Dewalt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit unsettling.

This book makes you think about the inner workings of cults and makes you wonder how possible such a scenario might be. It was a quick read with plenty of action. Kept my interest.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very good!

[Maisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good!

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Running from a cult can mean running for your life. How many people will have to die? Good Christian fiction. Easy read.

[Kathy Chung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at : Blind Sight by James H. Pence

I find that this is an easy book to read. Interesting and captivating