In Time of Trouble

by N.J. Lindquist

After losing his girlfriend and his part-time job, eighteen-year-old tough guy Shane Donahue wonders if being alive is worth it. A classmate suggests God could turn his life around, and Shane figures he might as well give it a try-he's got nothing to lose. Until he's arrested for a serious crime and has to decide whether to fight or pray The author of this book was presented with a plaque and a "Deeds Speak" certificate from then York Region Police Chief Armand P. LaBarge for the "contribution to facilitating positive change within the community" and "assisting youth in dealing with issues like anger, fear, and peer pressure" through the book. "The plot flows like a mountain stream and I found it hard to stop between chapters." -a sixteen-year-old male reader "Complex issues such as personal salvation, racism, doubt, fear, bullying, and failure are all tackled in a simple but profound way, with characters of different ethnic backgrounds." -Read for Life

Genres: Contemporary

280 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 1999

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In Time of Trouble: A Novel About Second Chances,” written by N. J. Lindquist is a powerful modern day novel. In it we see friend turning against friend, brother against brother. Often, the lonely really need someone to love and care about them, and that is clearly shown in Lindquist’s book.
Main character, Shane feels lonely and worthless. He is failing at school, friends, and life. His family says he has changed a lot this past year, and not for the better. He is hanging out with kids that are drinking and using drugs. He admits to cheating on tests and being behind in all his classes. When Shane’s friends start turning their backs on him he is devastated. He is making poor choices and wonders if everyone would be better off if he were dead, or if he were to run away. When Ethen invites Shane to church he figures it will just be yet another bad decision, but Shane decides to try it. He is astonished when he realizes that God really is real. You will have to read this book to discover if Shane can, with God’s help, become the young man he was created to be, or if he continues down his path of trouble. His family is giving up on him. Will you?
I don’t know if I have ever read a novel where the Gospel message is so clearly presented. It is straight-forward, clear, and concise. Shane is told that his life will not suddenly be perfect, but that it takes time to learn to obey God, and that Christians grow stronger in their trials. And trials, well Shane knows all about those! This story does contain a bit of violence (mostly fist fights), drug and alcohol use, a little bit of kissing/making out, nothing graphic.
I think this would be a great book for older teenagers. So many of them feel worthless and unimportant and I think many of them would be able to relate to Shane. Thank you for writing a great book N. J. Lindquist! I received this book from The Book Club Network and the author in exchange for my honest review.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Times of Trouble by N.J. Lindquist is a book to be enjoyed by all ages, not just teens. This book addresses the very real issues of teens—from lack of understanding between them and their parents, to poor relationships and support of siblings, to peer pressure and lack of good choices and decisions. In Time of Trouble a young man, a twin, faces a myriad of problems and issues at home and at school—some his fault, some not. Until his acceptance of a friend’s invitation brings him face-to-face with the one Person who can change his life, his attitude, and his future direction. Not only does this story entertain, but also it can lead the reader to reflection and ways to look at life’s problems. This story line has value in that it can reveal to parents and siblings how to approach situations and a better way to resolve problems that arise. This is an engaging, entertaining plot, but it also presents realistic personal and social conflicts and answers. I received this book through TBCN in exchange for an honest review.

[Anne Rightler · Rating 4 out of 5]

N. J. Lindquist brings young adult readers (and older ones too!) a compelling story of a troubled teen--a twin who doesn't quite measure up to his brother. Shane is flunking classes in school, fired from his job and his girl dumps him. Can it get any worse? Oh yes it can! His friends and family have pretty much given up on him, all but one and he introduces him to God. He's never even really thought about God--is He real? Can he help fix things that are going wrong? Is there some kind of magic to it all?
The author tells a realistic story with characters who struggle with challenges that will resonate with many readers. In Time of Trouble is infused with drama, suspense, emotional tension and a reminder there is hope despite desperate circumstances and there is Someone who has promised to be right there with us through whatever is happening.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Book Club network. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable teen book about allowing God to save you from yourself.

[Vickie Jameson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever experienced a time in your life when nothing was going right?  Were you so unhappy that you thought it might be better if you ceased to exist?  I mean, if nobody cared what you did and thought you were a loser, what would be the point of living?  In Time of Trouble - A Novel About Second Chances by N.J. Lindquist explores this very subject.  Shane, the main character, is a teenager trying to find his way in life.  He's doing poorly in school, has been fired from his job and his driving privileges are gone because he's had too many speeding tickets.  He hangs around with people that drink, use drugs and party.  His dad is angry with him , his mom is worried all the time and his relationship with his twin brother is not going well.  His options?  Either run away or kill himself because this is not a life worth living.

Shane's friend, Ethan, sees that he's struggling and tries to help.  He invites Shane to a church meeting that changes his life forever.  Shane assumes that things will be better now because of his new relationship with God.  Instead of things getting better, they go from bad to worse.  He even finds himself accused of a crime he didn't commit.  Will his new-found faith stand strong or will Shane crumble in the face of adversity?

I liked this book very much.  The author has written a book that is relevant for today.  Peer pressure, doubt, fear, bullying, failure, friendship, family relationships and faith are prevalent themes throughout the book.  It is geared toward teenagers, but can be enjoyed by adults and is appropriate for family reading time, too.  There are questions at the end of the book that are great conversation starters.  I look forward to reading more books by this author. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book  from the author through The Book Club Network, Inc. in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review. 

[Janet Sketchley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shane Donahue is 18 years old and he hates his life. And his super-perfect twin brother, Sandy. They're identical twins, but they've turned into polar opposites. Sandy excels at everything, while Shane... well he's ordinary at best.

He's been dumped from the basketball team, fired from his job, he's failing at school, and even in the party crowd he can't rise to the top. Oh, and his dad took his car away after the latest speeding ticket.

The characters are real, complex, and Shane will capture your heart in the opening pages even while you'll be shaking your head at his attitude. His frustration, his sense of hopelessness to be good at anything, are feelings we know too well. He doesn't really know who he is—just who he's trying to project himself to be.

As Shane's world falls apart and his family life gets more turbulent, he figures he's far enough gone that he might as well check out this God stuff Ernie's been spouting. It's either that or kill himself and get it over with.

Shane doesn't expect what he hears to make so much sense, or to realize he wants God in his life. He also doesn't expect life to then get harder! His father is more angry about God-talk than he was about Shane's plummeting grades, and the party crowd is downright hostile about the change in him.

You don't have to be an 18-year-old boy to appreciate In Time of Trouble. It's for everyone who's ever felt like a loser, ever felt too far gone to change, or ever felt too ordinary to be any use to God.

N.J. Lindquist is a Canadian author and speaker who has played key roles in The Word Guild and in the Hot Apple Cider anthologies. As well as writing YA fiction under her own name, she writes cozy mysteries as J.A. Menzies. For more about the author and her writing, visit her website: njlindquist.com.

[Review copy from my personal library.]

[Mary Hosmar · Rating 3 out of 5]

TROUBLE
Shane Donahue’s life is a mess and he knows it. Whether it’s from trying to keep up with his twin brother, Sandy, or some other reason, he can’t quite figure out. But whatever the cause, he’s just about had enough and is ready to either run away with his so-called friend, Ted, or totally call it quits. After all, who would care? Not his brother and definitely not his dad. His mother might shed a few tears but then she would be able to get on with her life. And his girlfriends? They were part of the cause, not the solution.
Boredom causes Shane to go with Ernie to a ‘religious do’. What’s he got to lose? It’s Friday and the alternative is sitting at home – alone. He might as well tag along and find out what Ernie is talking about.
Lindquist has created believable characters and situations in both Shane and Sandy and the growing rift between them. Anyone who has ever dealt with high school seniors knows how frequently the stories of their lives and the out-of-control spirals which threaten to engulf them, mirror those of Shane and his friends.
Since the story is sub-titled “A novel about second chances” I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that Shane does get a second chance at life. What I will not say here is what that second chance all entails: that would be the spoiler. Suffice it to say, this is a good read.
While I have never personally experienced any of the type of incidents Linquist creates, I do know people who have, so I have to believe they are possible. I do wonder, however, if all of these events could happen to one person. This gave me the sense that some of the story was somewhat unrealistic.
In spite of this, I did enjoy the story.
Although I have briefly met the author at a writers’ conference, this review was not requested by her and is independently done.

[Mary Hosmar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shane Donahue’s life is a mess and he knows it. Whether it’s from trying to keep up with his twin brother, Scott, or some other reason, he can’t quite figure out. But whatever the cause, he’s just about had enough and is ready to either run away with his so-called friend Cole, or totally call it quits. After all, who would care? Not his brother and definitely not his dad. His mother might shed a few tears but then she would be able to get on with her life. And his girlfriends? They were part of the cause, not the solution.
Boredom causes Shane to go with Ethan to a ‘religious do’. What’s he got to lose? It’s Friday and the alternative is sitting at home – alone. He might as well tag along and find out what Ethan is talking about.
Lindquist has created believable characters and situations in both Shane and Scott and the growing rift between them. Anyone who has ever dealt with highschool seniors knows how frequently the stories of their lives and the out-of-control spirals which threaten to engulf them, mirror those of Shane and his friends.
I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that Shane gets a second chance at life. What I will not say here is what that second chance all entails: that would be the spoiler. Suffice it to say, this is a good read.
While I have never personally experienced any of the type of incidents Linquist creates, I do know people who have, so I have to believe they are possible. I do wonder, however, if all of these events could happen to one person. This gave me the sense that some of the story was somewhat unrealistic.
In spite of this, I did enjoy the story.
Although I have briefly met the author at a writers’ conference, this review was not requested by her and is independently done.

[Janet Sketchley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters in this novel are real. Shane will capture your heart in the opening pages even while you'll be shaking your head at his attitude. His frustration, his sense of hopelessness to be good at anything, are feelings we know too well. He doesn't really know who he is—just who he's trying to project himself to be.

As Shane's world falls apart and his family life gets more turbulent, he figures he's far enough gone that he might as well check out this God stuff Ethan's been spouting. It's either that or kill himself and get it over with.

Shane doesn't expect what he hears to make so much sense, or to realize he wants God in his life. He also doesn't expect life to then get harder! His father is more angry about God-talk than he was about Shane's plummeting grades, and the party crowd is downright hostile.

You don't have to be an 18-year-old boy to appreciate My Brother's Keeper. It's for everyone who's ever felt like a loser, ever felt too far gone to change, or ever felt too ordinary to be any use to God.

[This book was previously released as In Time of Trouble]

[Kathleen Friesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shane Donahue is a poster boy for teen angst. He can’t seem to get along with anyone, but he doesn’t really blame them. He can hardly stand himself. As his life spirals downward, Shane becomes more and more unhappy, to the point of considering suicide.
N.J. Lindquist’s portrayal of Shane made me care about this troubled young man. I had to keep reading as I hoped he could somehow find his way out of the mess he’d made.
The crux of this story is grace, the grace of God that transforms lives. I appreciated that Shane’s world was not immediately bright and sunny, but that he had to grow through trials and face them with the courage that comes from faith in a mighty God.
This book earns four and a half stars.

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for teens.