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The Reluctant Disciple
Posted on January 30th, 2019 No commentsTHE RELUCTANT DISCIPLE by Jim O’SheaIt was a risk writing a story about end times after the huge popularity of the Left Behind series. But Jim O’Shea gave the events an interesting twist with the paranormal activity.TV host Ryan Kates has a large following due to the increase in UFO sightings. The missing persons epidemic is also fueling the fire of interest and concern. Add to this the conflicts between countries, and the world feels like a powder keg about to explode.Meanwhile, Eleanor Mitchell has her hands full with her daughter, Meghan, who is living in a haunted apartment. Mother and daughter don’t agree on the source of the strange happenings, but Meghan is convinced it has nothing to do with the old building itself.Then there is Warren Boul, a private investigator who is looking into the missing person cases. His past profession as a priest proves helpful in judging the innocence of the people he interviews. But his past also gives him insight into the present events that other people lack.I really wish I could give this book a glowing review, because I found it to be very entertaining and interesting for the most part. I could even overlook the plethora of grammatical errors since the story was so good … until page 228. I lost interest at that point and never regained it. This was due, in part, to an offensive declaration by one of the characters. I suppose the author included it for shock value, but I just found it to be in poor taste. It is also inaccurate; it isn’t recorded in the Bible.If I could remove the last 96 pages, I would recommend this novel.The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of the book through BookCrash. -
Where You Lead
Posted on November 7th, 2018 No comments“Where You Lead” by Leslea WahlThis book was like “National Treasure,” only with teen leading characters. I couldn’t put it down!When Eve has a vision of a young man named Nick, she’s determined to find him. The problem is, she has no idea where he is. Once she discovers his location, she has another problem: he lives clear across the country! But when God is on your side, He can work miracles. Soon, Eve and her parents are moving to the same city where Nick lives … which brings a new problem: how is Eve going to find one person in this huge city? And what are they supposed to do once they finally meet?I found this novel to be entertaining and enjoyable. Problem after problem is thrown into Eve’s path, but she keeps pushing toward the goal. Romans 8:31 definitely came to mind as I was reading. And, boy, did Eve need God’s help!Both Eve and Nick are likable characters, which is so important. I can’t root for someone I don’t want to spend time with. Because I liked them, I was worried whenever danger touched them. That’s what happens when you knock over stones to uncover a mystery. There is always someone who wants to stop you. The fact that Eve and Nick were amateurs in the treasure-hunting business only added to my concern for their well-being.This book will give you fresh understanding of trusting God in all things. -
Brothers of the Blood
Posted on July 28th, 2018 No comments“Brothers of the Blood” by David GriffithThis book grabs you from the very first scene!Lonnie Bowers and his fellow agent and friend, Derek, are trapped in a ravine, pinned down by a drug cartel and his accomplished killers … and this is only the beginning!After narrowly escaping death, Lonnie returns home to discover the beloved Blackwater Ranch is up for sale. It’s unbearable thinking of some stranger owning that ranch, but can Lonnie and Clarissa afford it? There is a way, but Lonnie is afraid his best rodeo days are behind him. Add into the mix the disappearance of Derek in Mexico, and the stress level is at its breaking point!This novel is fueled by incredible fight scenes and difficult decisions. Lonnie is under a lot of pressure. He has a family to provide for, and one bad decision could prove disastrous. While he’s considering buying the ranch, the reader learns just how difficult it is to keep a ranch going. It’s not an endeavor one can jump into with little thought.David Griffith is excellent at giving us characters we care about, then placing them in danger. The insight into the drug world is truly frightening. These drug cartels remind me of the pirates of old — ruthless cutthroats who leave death and destruction in their wake. It’s a miracle anyone survives an encounter with them.I recommend this book for anyone who likes a thrilling and suspenseful novel. -
The Death Dealers
Posted on July 10th, 2018 No comments“The Death Dealers” by David GriffithDavid Griffith is a master at keeping his readers riveted to the page. The rest of the world seems to vanish every time I pick up one of his books.In “The Death Dealers,” Lonnie Bowers meets three relatives he never knew he had — a grandfather, a half-brother, and a sister strung out on crystal meth. His first impulse is to turn down Frederick Roseman when he’s offered another mission involving one of Mexico’s most dangerous drug cartels. But seeing the condition of his sister makes him angry. At least one cartel is going out of business if Lonnie has any say in the matter. But like with all missions, you can never guarantee things will go according to plan. It soon becomes apparent to Lonnie that it will take a miracle to get him out of this situation alive.I could understand Lonnie’s determination to bring down the drug cartel. If drugs were destroying someone in my family, I’d be screaming mad and would want to do my part in putting an end to the distributor’s business. I was rooting for Lonnie throughout his ordeal. I was also holding my breath and gripping the book when things got particularly hairy, which was often. If you want a novel loaded with non-stop action, this is the book for you! -
Blackwater Crossing
Posted on June 6th, 2018 No comments“Blackwater Crossing” by David GriffithThis excellent novel is overflowing with suspense and action.When Lonnie Bowers and his best friend, Brian Besser, head off for different rodeos, they have no idea their lives are about to take a bad turn. Brian is kidnapped by a dangerous drug cartel. The question is, does he only want Brian’s Cessna, or does he need Brian to fly it as well? Lonnie knows time is running out for his friend, so he agrees to work with Frederick Roseman to rescue Brian and cripple Manuel Lourdes’s drug business for as long as possible.At the same time, Lonnie’s wife, Clarissa, is attacked by a cougar while horseback riding. She becomes good friends with her rescuer and his wife. Can they help her learn to forgive her husband for a past mistake and save their marriage before it’s too late?I enjoyed this book very much. The interesting story line and wonderful characters made the novel hard to put down. And the constant danger kept me on edge. David Griffith did an excellent job of showing the violence of the cutthroat drug world. The story is not at all predictable, with a surprising ending I did not see coming. I strongly recommend this book. -
A Man Called Blessed
Posted on May 30th, 2018 No comments“A Man Called Blessed” by Ted Dekker and Bill Bright
I put off reading this book because I didn’t see how it could possibly be as great as “Blessed Child.” Surprisingly, it’s just as good.
When Rebecca Solomon and her father discover the Ark of the Covenant is hidden in Ethiopia, Rebecca and her team are dispatched immediately. Unbeknownst to her, an assassin with a grudge sets out after her with his own team. Not only are they supposed to stop Rebecca from bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, Ismael wants to make certain she doesn’t return at all. Then there is Caleb, the Blessed Child who has grown into a man. He doesn’t carry a gun like the people heading his way. How can he possibly stop them from tearing down his home in their pursuit of the Ark?
This magnificent novel is action-packed, with scenes that leave you breathless. I cared so much about Caleb and his parents, and I hated to think what was going to happen when these people reached their home. Amazingly, I cared about Rebecca as well. Her team was strictly forbidden to take lives. They were supposed to complete their mission without leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Too bad someone on her team had his own agenda…
I highly recommend this novel. It’s as good as books get.
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Operation Firebrand: Crusade
Posted on May 23rd, 2018 No comments“Operation Firebrand: Crusade” by Jeff GerkeGet ready for a harrowing read! Author Jeff Gerke does not sugarcoat the horrid situation in southern Sudan.When it comes to the attention of Eloise Webster that slavery is alive in Sudan, she deploys her team of six as soon as she can. Their mission is straightforward: rescue the villagers of Akwer Nhom, who were recently taken from their homes to become the slaves of evil men. The team soon discovers they can trust very few people. Although they pose as well diggers, the Sudanese people are suspicious of the Americans. And Jason and his team have a very short time to complete their mission. But it soon becomes apparent to them that rescuing the villagers isn’t enough. They need to put the slave trade out of business. This decision ups the danger even more, making it doubtful they will all survive.I understand why the author didn’t water down the horrendous conditions the villagers in southern Sudan live under. He needed to rock readers out of their complacency. Like the Firebrand team, I wanted to make a difference and bring hope to these people who live in fear every day. I cared about them immediately. And I was cheering on the team as they worked through their mission … and then some!I also enjoyed the love triangle of Jason, Trieu, and Rachel. That man definitely has a decision to make, which won’t be easy. They are both lovely young women.I guarantee this heart-pounding novel will keep you on the edge of your seat. -
Operation Firebrand: Origin
Posted on May 16th, 2018 No comments“Operation Firebrand: Origin” by Jeff GerkeThis book is a fun and thrilling adventure into danger.When Jason Kromer becomes a Christian, it becomes difficult doing his job as a Navy SEAL. He balks during a mission, unable to take the life of the intended target. Then the team he is on gets into trouble during the exfiltration, and Jason’s best friend gets blown into the air by a grenade.Mired in guilt, Jason leaves the Navy when his term is up. The job he finds is less than satisfying and well-deserved in Jason’s eyes. But then he gets a job offer of a different kind. It’s tempting, but how can he lead a team into enemy territory when he was such a failure in the last team he was on?This riveting novel has it all: memorable characters, suspenseful action, and plenty of humor to keep you smiling. The author was adept at drawing me into the scene and keeping me there. And there were plenty of moments where I was barely able to breathe. The danger crept too close to the characters I cared about. I didn’t see how they could possibly survive.I highly recommend this entertaining book.NOTE: This novel was originally published under the pen name Jefferson Scott. -
Without Redemption
Posted on May 3rd, 2018 No comments“Without Redemption” by David GriffithFilled with tension and suspense, this book is simply magnificent.Lonnie Bowers is not your ordinary cowboy. When riding broncs is no longer an option, Lonnie takes an assignment from Frederick Roseman to go to Costa Rica. Only this time, he brings along his wife and baby. It was supposed to be an easy assignment, but things go terribly wrong. Falsely accused for a set-up, Lonnie must race back to his family and get them out of the cabin before a drug lord and his hired assassins arrive to exact revenge.Every hour made the situation seem more bleak for the Bowers family, whom I liked very much. The jungle they fled through was unfamiliar to them, and the men chasing them weren’t interested in taking hostages. They also had an unfair advantage: a highly skilled tracker who couldn’t afford to fail. His life depended on him stopping the Bowers from escaping.This thrilling race is filled with action that hardly allows you — or the Bowers — to catch your breath. As the family journeys through unimaginable danger, you’re there every step of the way. The author was skilled at painting the jungle around me, making it alive and dreadful. Freedom felt very far away. But I couldn’t lose hope. I cared about Lonnie, Clarissa, and Conor too much. And so will you.I highly recommend this fast-paced and totally gripping novel. -
Judah’s Scepter and the Sacred Stone
Posted on April 10th, 2018 No comments“Judah’s Scepter and the Sacred Stone” by D.A. BrittainThis is an amazing book by a very talented author. There are a few novels that touch your heart, soul, and mind. This is one of those books.Princess Teia is surveying the destruction of the land surrounding her home when her life and the lives of her family are threatened in an instant. During the chaos, the royal family is separated. Teia’s tutor, Ebed, finds a hiding place for her, but it isn’t perfect. Teia nearly burns to death! Fortunately, she is rescued by the prophet Jeremiah. With Ebed and Baruch’s help, Jeremiah whisks Teia to the shores of Egypt, where she meets an attractive prince named Eochaid. But right after love takes root, they must go their separate ways. Both Teia and Eochaid’s journeys are fraught with danger, making it unlikely they will survive, let alone see each other again.This gripping novel lures the reader in and never lets go. The suspenseful plot and well-rounded characters had me rushing to pick up the book every chance I got. I was glad Teia and Eochaid didn’t meet right away, so I could anticipate that moment in the story. There were so many scenes that stood out for me, too many to list. It’s not easy for a writer to keep two story lines equally riveting, but D.A. Brittain does a masterful job. I never dreaded switching viewpoints because both Teia and Eochaid’s stories were filled with excitement and danger.I highly recommend this incredible novel.The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookCrash.