Friends in Need

Opening the door carefully, I peered in. Smoke came straight at me. It looked as if the whole kitchen was on fire….

From somewhere beyond, I heard a faint call.

I had to go in.

All I remembered about fire safety was to get a wet rag to cover your nose if you have to go through smoke. But where did you get water when the fire was in the kitchen? I couldn’t even see the sink for smoke.

I heard a loud crackle as flames leaped up the window curtains and shot to the ceiling. No way I could get into the house through the kitchen.

I heard someone call out, “Help me! Please help me!”

“God, I need you!” I yelled, as I shut the door and ran back to the front of the house.

Once on the porch, I pulled off my jacket and using it to cover my head, ran full speed toward the low front window, twisting sideways as I hit the glass.

As I had hoped, the glass shattered, and I went through. But I hit the floor hard, and for a few seconds, I lay there stunned. Then I remembered where I was and jumped up. Tongues of fire were licking at the doorway between the kitchen and the living room. Smoke was billowing out.

It was at this point I realized I should have run to a neighbour’s and called the fire department….

Summary

Glen has found his life getting increasingly difficult. Now it spins out of control. While trying to complete his senior year at school, he also has to figure out how to treat his ex-girlfriend, who is now dating a former friend; encourage his best friend, who has become paralyzed from the waist down; find a way to avoid an annoying girl who just won’t go away; survive an unexpected relationship with his ex-girlfriend’s best friend; and protect himself from a series of disturbing events, including a form of hate-mail. In the midst of this tangle of relationships and frustrations, Glen learns that a hero is just an ordinary person who does what has to be done to help a friend in need.

Back Cover

Glen Sauten
He's learned to expect the unexpected, but what's happening now is beyond his wildest nightmares. And he still doesn't know what to do about…

Charlie Thornton
He thinks his won the rivalry with Glen, but has he? And why is he so anxious to be Glen's friend after stealing…

Nicole Grant
Is Charile Thornton really her Prince Charming or will she realize, as Glen believes, that Charlie is a phony? And what will happen to her friendship with…

Joyce Burgess
A momentary impulse brings Glena nd Joyce into a new relationship which distracts Glen from his worries about…

Phil Trent
Lost in his own problems, Phil seems to have given up hope. And Glen has no more idea how to help him than he does…

Marta Billings
She seems to think she belongs in Glen's life, but all he wants is to see the last of her.

In the midst of a variety of difficult relationships, plus actual harassment by at least one unknown person, Glen Sauten learns that hero is just an ordinary person who does what has to be done to help a friend in need.

A 2007 Read for Life Pick

Reviews

"Friends In Need, third in the Circle of Friends book series, by N.J. Lindquist, contributes additional teenage conflict to Senior Glen Sauten's struggle to understand himself, his friends, and his growing relationship with God. Questioning his own and others' actions regarding friendships and relationships, he asks, "What is a real friend, anyway?"….  Lindquist paints characters and scenes that evoke tears and cheers. Her positive introduction of biblical fasting encourages readers to consider it. Coming to grips with your past, learning to forgive and growing in maturity and responsibility, all appear in the scriptural storyline. Although intended for a teenage audience (12-18) this book might well be enjoyed by adults of any age. Although part of a series, this book can be read as a stand-alone." Christian Library Journal

"In this teen/young adult novel, one such teenager helps his friends—and even a couple of his enemies—deal with their problems in a Christian manner and in the process learns a few valuable life lessons himself. The story moves well along a clearly defined plot…. Although the story is told from the perspective of a boy, most readers will still undoubtedly be girls because the book is basically relationship oriented rather than action oriented. The plot teems with interpersonal relationships and problems, especially those of the boy-girl variety.…The Christian message in the novel is overt, not hidden or subtly 'bootlegged.' Yet, the story isn’t 'preachy.' It also deals tastefully and inoffensively with a situation of hinted sexual abuse." Provident Book Finder, April 2001

"Friends in Need is based on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, which talks about our need to help each other in practical ways. The book continues the coming of age story of Glen Staunton, an ordinary high school senior who is experiencing his first break up, his first encounters with the challenges life can bring and his first attempts to follow what he believes to be God's will for his life. NJ Lindquist's novels for teens are ideally suited to be used as an outreach tool to introduce teens to Christ in a non-threatening way." clubs.yahoo.com/clubsweddingandromancewriters, shannond1965, 9/24/01

"Rating: Five Stars. Friends in Need is a young adult novel about a group of high school seniors who are faced with decisions concerning sex, absentee or overly demanding parents, peer pressures, betrayal, guilt, depression, love, loyalty and other problems of maturing to adulthood. The answers don't come any easier for these young friends than for the teens you know. What they learn is where to go to find the best solutions for today's tests and courage to face the uncertainties of the future….

But don't even start this page turner until you have the time because you won't be able to put it down until you've finished it. Friends in Need is so fast paced though, you'll probably be able to read the whole two hundred eight pages in a half day. When you're finished you'll be satisfied for now, but anxious to find out what happens next in the lives of your new friends." Evelyn Gale, author © April 2001

"This vivid novel for teens presents relationships, struggles, and the search for love and for God. Real issues are dealt with, and Christian solutions provided." Catholic Insight, 2001

"By now you will be hooked into the relationships in this teen fiction book series that is so like the real issues with teens. What I didn't mention in the first two reviews in this series is that it is written in first person POV. This gives it such a personal feel." Crystal E. Miller, 2006

"Friends In Need tackles real issues, issues that matter to teens and young people, issues that matter to God. The reader who identifies with Glen Sauten will appreciate the real struggles Glen faces and the real solutions Christ provides as he learns to trust God for the answers. It's a very engaging story and an easy read." Leslie Kallen, April 2001

Read Chapters 1-3 of Best of Friends