This book was slow to start for me, but once I got into it, I didn't want to stop reading. The title can have several meanings: the main character is a heart surgeon who performs open heart surgery; a person's heart must be open before he can accept Jesus as his savior; a Christian's heart should be open to God's calling--just to name a few.

Most of the novel is set in Kenya. It's interesting to see the contrast between what we have here in the US and what a missionary in Kenya experiences. ( )

Interesting All the Way Around

This book is interesting on so many levels. The descriptions of life in Africa for missionaries and their families, as well as the lives of the Kenyans creates a rich, unusual, unexplored setting. The openness of the Kenyans to the spiritual world provides the necessary spiritual depth to the story. The detailed descriptions of the medical aspects lend an aspect of realism to the story that allows the reader to feel that they are actually following a surgeon in all his activities. The evil officials on both sides of the ocean build the suspense, as Dr. Rawlings struggles to find both him and the truth. This book has interesting characters that make the story come off the page. This is a book for any reader that enjoys a book with enough depth to the story to make you think while keeping you entertained and learning. ( )

Title: An Open Heart
Author: Harry Kraus
Pages: 442
Year: 2013
Publisher: David C. Cook
I am a big fan of Harry Kraus’ books and this latest one, An Open Heart, doesn’t disappoint! The majority of the book takes place in Africa. The author uses flashback to fill in the main character’s background and history in order to flesh-out his personality. This is a riveting story and definitely will go on my “keeper” bookshelf.
Jace Rawlings is a successful heart surgeon in Virginia. However, once he successfully saves the governor of Virginia by operating on him, his life changes. The governor’s young wife develops an attachment to Jace and he begins spending more time with her in the guise of “checking on his patient, the governor”. Jace’s wife, Heather, refuses to put up with this behavior any longer and asks him to move out. Then, Jace has a car accident, ending up in the hospital. He thinks his dead twin sister has spoken him and called him to return to Africa where they both grew up as the children of missionaries. Also, the governor’s wife is killed while phoning 911 to report Jace’s car accident. Her autopsy report has some interesting findings. Is there a plot to frame Jace for her killing?
Jace heads to Africa after recovering from his car accident, thinking if he does enough good deeds he will rid himself of the guilt he feels over his sister’s death and the death of others he has experienced in his life. His good deed will be opening a heart surgery facility in African and operating on the poor, who have no way to pay and can’t get surgery elsewhere. After his first heart surgery, his patient wakes up with a message for him from the “other side”. Is this just postoperative paranoia? Jace hasn’t been a believer for a long time. He wants to believe, but just feels empty inside when others talk about their faith. Jace will encounter strange happenings in Africa that can’t be explained by his scientific mind. He also will experience the frustration and fear that is part of African politics. Is there really a supernatural battle being fought? Is there really a target on his back, making him a threat to differing African factions so that they are trying to kill him? Can Jace discover the faith his twin sister so adamantly wished for him to believe in? Will he be able to repair his marriage?
The writing is stellar and the plot keeps moving along at a brisk pace. I read this book in a day because I couldn’t put it down. The chapters are brief so as to keep the reader flipping page after page in excitement to see what will be revealed next. This is another outstanding medical suspense story that shouldn’t be missed! I highly recommend it to one and all! You will not regret the time spent reading this novel. It will whet your appetite for more of this author’s fantastic books.
My rating is 5 stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )