Borders of the Heart

by Chris Fabry

A Christy Award finalist from the best-selling author of War Room!Desperate to escape haunting memories, J. D. Jessup travels from Nashville to Tucson and volunteers on an organic farm. The hardened landowner has one prevailing If J. D. sees an “illegal,” call the border patrol. But when an early morning ride along the fence line leads him to a beautiful young woman named Maria, near death in the desert, his heart pulls him in another direction. Longing to atone for the choices that drove him to Tucson, J. D. hides her and unleashes a chain of deadly events he could never have imagined. Soon they are running from a killer and fighting for their lives. As secrets of their pasts emerge, J. D. realizes that saving Maria may be the only way to save himself.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Suspense, Contemporary, Romance, Adult

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2012

About the author

Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. He is also heard on Love Worth Finding, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and other radio programs. A 1982 graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University and native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, now live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children.

Chris' novels, which include Dogwood, June Bug, Almost Heaven, Not in the Heart, Borders of the Heart, Every Waking Moment, The Promise of Jesse Woods, Looking into You, Under a Cloudless Sky, and A Piece of the Moon, have won five Christy Awards, an ECPA Christian Book Award, and two Christianity Today Book Awards of Merit, but it's his lyrical prose and tales of redemption that keep readers returning for more.

Chris has also published more than 70 other books, ranging from nonfiction and film novelizations, including the Kendrick brothers' War Room and Overcomer, to novels for children and young adults. He coauthored the Left Behind: The Kids series with Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, as well as the Red Rock Mysteries and The Wormling series with Jerry B. Jenkins. RPM is his latest series for kids and explores the exciting world of NASCAR.

Visit Chris' website at www.chrisfabry.com.

Reviews

[Celestria]

Dnf about 55 pages in. I was bored and don't care what happens or how it ends.

[Staci · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of Chris Fabry's novels and General Fiction. I loved the faith of several characters and how they lived that out. While this isn't a favorite Fabry novel, it's still one I'd recommend.

[Heidi McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping story that opened my eyes and reached deep into my soul.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about a relevant topic for my life and I loved that it was set in the southern portion of Arizona in the general area where I live. I don't recall the weather being as hot as described in the story and I doubt they would hold a rally in that kind of temperature, but I'm acclimated to the weather here so I probably wouldn't notice the heat anyway. The monsoon rain was described well. The long list of bodies that were found because of Muerte made the story a bit gruesome, but situations like that are not unheard of near the border. The suspense in this story was excellent and kept me on the edge of my seat.

Many people don't realize just how active those Mexican cartels are, but living in a border state and knowing people who work for the Border Patrol gives credibility to the situations in this novel and brings them to the forefront. My husband is already paranoid about gun rights, so books like this will jerk his chain. But I digress.

I loved the spiritual depth of this story and the way the hero, JD, had to go through his grief to move forward in his life. I loved how Maria showed him that fear prevented love from taking hold, and at the same time the constant threat of death and protecting Maria kindled a fire in him that had burned out with his wife's death to cancer. Maria gave him permission to take risks and to experience love again.

I saw Muerte as being similar to the devil in that he was skilled at putting doubts in JD's mind and causing him to second guess what he believed to be true. Satan messes with our heads like that. So we simply have to trust God to lead us in the direction that He plans to take us and to let Him guide us.

There is always a bigger plan for us than we have for ourselves, and that was probably the most exciting message in this book. JD's tragic loss brought him across the country and to a place that would need him to prevent a tragedy that would affect the entire nation. God's plans are so much greater than ours, and more far-reaching.

The purpose for our lives is not about finding the best way to be comfortable. Our journey is about serving God for a greater purpose if we'll only trust Him to lead us. Great story! I highly recommend this novel. It's making my favorite fiction list for 2012 since I couldn't put it down and because of the depth of the message.

[Hallie (Hallie Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5


Reading Challenge Categories:
-Hope By the Book Reading Challenge: Features racial tensions
-May Bookish Bingo: Yellow cover
-#ReadingUSA: Arizona

[Stacy Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy a good love story that’s clean and also has a good plot. This one totally fit the bill.
I’m unfamiliar with Arizona and the terrain there so this was an educational read for me too. 😉

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. I enjoyed the contemporary setting of AZ with border issues with Mexico. Having lived in AZ for a couple of years, I can totally understand the heat Fabry talks about.
2. This book is so different from the other two I read from the author (The Promise of Jesse Woods and Dogwood). The suspense/thriller thread is new, which I liked, but the faith element is very heavy in my opinion.
3. Fabry makes an excellent narrator too.

[Doingitrightdj · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a good mystery, it may be for you.
It was too violent for me. However, the intrigue held my attention.

[Leroy Seat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greatly enjoyed this book, partly because it is set in and around Tucson where my daughter and her family live.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borders of the Heart is a gripping tale of how God has bigger plans for us if we just allow him to use us. The story is action packed with a little romance tossed in. The story could have easily been torn from actual headlines. It was true-to-life and expresses a good example of the REAL border problems between the U.S. and the Mexican drug cartels. While I don’t live in Arizona, here in Texas we get our share of the violence as well. Not to mention that the feelings toward illegal aliens is similar. Unfortunately, I know more than one person who believes the same way J.D.’s boss feels.

I loved how Fabry worked in the Spiritual message of the story. It wasn’t heavy handed, but fit into the storyline seamlessly. I think J.D.’s stuggle with faith was realistic and honest. It added some real depth to what could have been a simple suspense novel.

The story is fast paced. I had a hard time putting it down. On several evenings, I ended up staying up later than I planned just to read an extra chapter or two. I could have easily read this book in one sitting if I would have let myself (yay! I had some self-control for a change!). Fabry’s writing is fantastic and is really engaging. While this is the first by Fabry I’ve read, it won’t be the last. If you like suspense novels with lots of twists and turns and just a little romance, Borders of the Heart is a good bet!

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Fabry knows what readers want to read about and never fails. Each book as a matter of fact, gets better and better.


JD is a farmhand running from something, you won't know until the end what he was running from. JD finds Maria, near death. He feels compelled to help her instead of turning her into immigration. However, when the bad people are tracking her and start shooting, will JD still want to help her out?

This book ended way too early for me. I loved each minute of it, especially when JD was contemplating his life. I soaked up each word.


I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book! This was a great read! This was my 3rd book by Chris Fabry. I gave the other 2 both 5 stars. But for some reason, I didn't like this one quite as much as, "The Promise of Jesse Woods" and "Not in the Heart" which were both incredibly good books! This story is still amazing though and I listened to the audiobook, which Chris Fabry himself narrates. He is a master storyteller and I love that he narrates it himself. I give him 5 stars for narration!

[Aeishi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being faced in a life-threatening situation, will you still choose to help someone you barely know?

JD left his previous life behind and chose to live in a ranch owned by the Slocum family located at La Pena, Tucson in Arizona. He works in the farm in exchange of housing and food. His main work is to make rounds in the perimeter of the farm and report any illegals that are crossing the border. One time, as he was doing his rounds, he spotted an unconscious lady, named Maria, laying on the desert.

Maria is Mexican and is connected to a group involved in illegal practices. There was supposed to have a “transaction” between them and a Border Patrol. However, along the way, the transaction failed.

In this thrilling story, JD finds himself trying to save Maria’s life despite knowing the dangers tied with it.

I may not like the character in this book, but the story tackles a lot of good topics, sometimes debatable. There are themes of race and “illegals” crossing the border. There are also scenes where it discusses the concept of love and fear, of hope, and of whether evil can be changed by love. My personal favorite, a scene that I was able to relate the most, is when JD and Maria is talking about the concept of love and fear. I really liked it especially what Maria said.

“For love to be real, for it to grow deep inside, it must not give into fear. It is not afraid to give, to risk, to chance, even if it hurts. Love believes. It is faith moving forward. Fear hold us back. It makes us stop or turn and run. It blocks us from doing what would bring life and health. Fear keeps us overwhelmed. It makes us look at the problem rather than the answers that lie asleep inside.”

I think what Maria is trying to say is that we have to take a risk in order to feel and give real love. The perfect love is by taking a risk despite the consequences. You like someone? Take the risk to confess your feelings for them. Someone confessed they like you? Give them a chance to show their love for you. Today, the concept of situationship is can be seen in a lot of people. Why is this happening? I think it is because some people are afraid of commitment. They fear that is why it’s holding them back to love. Why not take the chance? I know love can hurt, but you like the person. Maybe it’s time right now to give chance for love to foster.

For full review, you can visit http://bit.ly/3ALFXAl

[Barbara Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the novel Borders of the Heart by Chris Fabry, J. D. Jessup has moved from Nashville to Tuscon and works on an organic farm. Tuscon is close enough to the border of Mexico that a lot of illegal aliens come through the area. J. D. has been instructed to call Border Patrol if he sees any illegals.

While on his rounds one morning, J. D. Comes across a beautiful Mexican woman in the desert. She is dehydrated and injured, with a handcuff on one wrist. Instead of calling border patrol, however, he takes her back to his place and then to a doctor. Before long he learns that a killer is after the girl, a killer who has no qualms about killing anyone who has had contact with her.

Several times J. D. thinks perhaps he should leave well enough alone, and the girl, Maria, urges him to for his own safety. But he just can’t let go. For various reasons he feels compelled to help her, and in doing so, the walls around his own heart begin to come down.

Both J. D. and Maria are close-mouthed about their pasts at first, and their stories come out piecemeal as they get to know each other. Maybe for this reason, it was a little hard for me to connect with the characters at first. And, though I know the lead characters in a story have to go through all kinds of trials and setbacks before they reach the end, they usually face both ups and downs. In this story, however, there seemed to be unrelenting and worsening downs for most of the book before things finally turned around.

But things did turn around near the end, and by that time the characters had grown on me. Along the way, the book tackles some tough issues, like racism, false assumptions, and wondering where God is during tragedies. The only quote I marked touches on the latter:

But think of it this way. A lot of people don’t believe in God because bad things happen. A follower of Jesus can hope in spite of the bad things. Look at the crucifixion. That didn’t look like a good outcome for his followers. But God gained his most glorious victory on that cross.

While this is not my favorite of Fabry’s books, it’s still a very good read.

[Deb Brammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well written and personal. Fabry works masterfully with settings and descriptions and gives an intimate view of what the character is feeling. This is called suspense, but is really about relationships more than anything else. I would give it 5 stars but the violence is fairly graphic. Fabry doesn't exactly play it up but he talks about beheading and blood flowing freely from various wounds.

I like how Fabry deals with the romance. The characters take time to heal and get life straightened out before starting a romantic relationship. Then they take it slow. It doesn't seem to have a clear cut time of salvation for the characters or a clear salvation message, however. It seems like a man's book, written by a man about men.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desperate to escape haunting memories, J. D. Jessup travels from Nashville to Tucson and volunteers on an organic farm. The hardened landowner has one prevailing rule: If J. D. sees an “illegal,” call the border patrol. But when an early morning ride along the fence line leads him to a beautiful young woman named Maria, near death in the desert, his heart pulls him in another direction. Longing to atone for the choices that drove him to Tucson, J. D. hides her and unleashes a chain of deadly events he could never have imagined. Soon they are running from a killer and fighting for their lives. As secrets of their pasts emerge, J. D. realizes that saving Maria may be the only way to save himself.

[Ashley Nikole · Rating 1 out of 5]

First book I've read by Fabry, and in an unfortunate turn of events, this book was not my cup of tea.
From the MC's name, to his rather simplistic cowboy persona, to the villain and the sub-characters...writing style and, mostly, the serious load of preaching that takes place...it just wasn't working for me. I finished it, somewhat painfully, but wouldn't do it again.
This book will be someone's jam, but it wasn't mine. The characters didn't draw me in 99% of the time, I lost my interest in the plot shortly after the lady MC was found in the desert, and I did not thrive on the preach-preach-preach drive in this book.

[Sa Pa · Rating 1 out of 5]

The transitions are rough and the characters feel one dimensional. The dialogue is slow moving and there is also an obvious political agenda in this book- “Illegals are humans too” and “Illegals are breaking the law” and “Tell that to Republicans” and “building a border wall won’t fix it”- they also use a derogatory slang term for people crossing the border from Mexico through water -which was rather surprising. Reading fiction is often an escape from ALL of the political and polarizing agendas from both sides that permeates the radio, the news, social media, etc… Can we let fiction retain some fiction - or at least flag the cover with a warning. 😒

[Christine L. Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm familiar with Chris Fabry's newer works and wanted to try this one. The book has a lot of action and suspense which keeps you turning the pages, but I would not classify it in that genre. It is a book about redemption and learning to work through your problems and how they don't always go the way you wanted or expected.

It is well written with many fantastic descriptive lines that bring you into the scene. The characters are developed and you want to cheer them on. If you haven't read a Chris Fabry book before, this is a good place to start and you'll want to read more!

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really did not intend to read this book in 2 days. This book grips you. We know J.D. has suffered, and has ended up in Arizona working at an organic farm. When he comes across an almost dead "illegal" woman, he remembers the instruction to call the border patrol. (Timely political subject here.) When he chooses to help her, and discovers her identity and mission, it changes his life.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the writing style of Chris Fabry. It reminds me of the style of Charles Martin ( though Mr Martin’s is a bit more polished) but they are heartfelt stories though not mushy. Deals with the loss of a spouse. I’d highly recommend this author and this book.

[Marlo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve become quite proficient at skimming books that just aren’t drawing me in. This is one of those. I liked it well enough not to give up on it, but I wasn’t riveted by it. I’ve read several of Fabry’s books and loved them, but this one just fell a little flat for me.

[Steven P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed with spiritual theme

Seemed like a very believable plot with good guys and bad guys. Some twists and turns along the way make it a page turner. Chris Fabry is one of my favorite authors.

[Julie Havener · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, well developed characters, clean, romantic but not too, explores respectable sins like bigotry and prejudice,
dishonesty and relational issues. The Gospel is well displayed in real characters and difficult life situations.

[Victoria Laubach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high expectations for this book, but it was not for me. I had loved “Under a Coudless Sky”, but I did not like this one as much. The end was nice, but I felt feeling like there should have been something more.

[Robi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've decided that I really love Chris Fabry's writing!

[Janet Merrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. I preferred the first half and felt the story got a little tedious as it approached the climax.

[Kendra J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, a bit long in parts, but good none the less. Deep feelings portrayed. My view of illegals crossing the southern boarded has been updated. Glad I read this relavant novel.

[Kris Lodwig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t great. Wasn’t awful.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a page turner

I’ve loved every chris fabry book I’ve read, this one I found hard to follow, and definitely not as intriguing as all the others. It was too far fetched for me.