Life Flight - A Review

 

Life Flight

by

Lynette Eason

A Review

Lynette Eason has created another suspense-filled, faith-based thriller. Beginning with an helicopter crash in the mountains outside Asheville NC and ending with the successful apprehension of two (or is it three) serial killers, the reader is kept on the edge of their seat throughout the story.

Penny Carlson is the Life Flight helicopter pilot that day as they are bringing the young hiker who had fallen down the side of the mountain to the hospital. But the storm had gotten worse and she had lost control of the copter. Though the tail was damaged, she was otherwise able to set the plane down safely. Penny had no way of knowing that there was an escaped serial killer on that same mountain - she not only was responsible for the life of the on-board patient along with the two medical members of her team, she also had to protect them from the murderer who had discovered their presence.

Penny and FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield would have their hands full as they both tried to evade and apprehend the men who roamed the mountain that day. My only disappointment with the book was the level of violence seen throughout the book. I felt I was watching a Hallmark Mystery churned together with a violence filled episode of Criminal Minds (CBS) - it did not quite work. I can only give the book 4-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Maid - A Review

The Maid

by

Nita Prose

A Review

I am your maid. I’m the one who cleans your hotel room, who enters like a phantom when you’re out gallivanting for the day, no care at all about what you’ve left behind, the mess, or what I might see when you’re gone.

I’m the one who empties your trash, tossing out the receipts you don’t want anyone to discover. I’m the one who changes your sheets, who can tell if you slept in them and if you were alone last night or not. I’m the one who straightens your shoes by the door, who puffs up your pillows and finds stray hairs on them. Yours? Not likely. I’m the one who cleans up after you drink too much and soil the toilet seat, or worse.

When I’m done with my work, I leave your room pristine. Your bed is made perfectly, with four plump pillows, as though no one had ever lain there. The dust and grime you left behind has been vacuumed into oblivion. Your polished mirror reflects your face of innocence back at you. It’s as though you were never here. It’s as though all of your filth, all of your lies and deceits, have been erased.

I am your maid. I know so much about you. But when it comes down to it: what is it that you know about me? (The Maid, “Prologue”)

Murder, drug dealing, revenge, and humor, combine to make a readable mystery that ends with a surprising twist. The first person narrator tells the story as she moves in and out of the rooms assigned to her. Cleaning, dusting, mopping, bringing the room once again to the perfection that Mr. Snow, the hotel manager, expects from all his employees. There is much that she knows but will not tell. The result is a story that will hold the reader’s attention from the “Prologue” to the “Epilogue”. The book gets 4-½ stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

C# Via the Happy Path - A Review

 

C# Via the Happy Path

by

T. Cloudhorn

A Review

The author claims this book is or the “busy undergrad”; but to this reader it is not clear to whom this book is addressed.

The author starts where most beginning programming texts begin, defining simple concepts such as bits and bytes. He then moves to explaining how transistor work and how they are used to build simple logic gates (i.e. AND, OR, NOR, and NAND gates). He then moves into defining the difference between compilers, interpreters, and hybrid language systems.

From there he begins discussing classes, claiming, “One caution – this book does not cover some very basic programming constructs (built-in language features) like strings, for loops, while loops, if-else statements etc. because these are assumed to be easy enough for the reader to quickly learn by themselves through other resources.” Yet these are the basic building blocks from which programming solutions are actually built. To be fair, the author makes it clear that his purpose is to introduce the reader to Object-Oriented Programming (aka OOP), though it appears he wants to do this without the foundation needed to write complete programs. Doing so, it appears that the book is aimed at those who learned to program before the development of OOP in the eighties and nineties. These programmers will know about the basic building blocks of programming but not how to use them in an OOP setting. Sadly, many of us who learned programming in this era are nearing retirement age. The book comes 20-30 years too late. I will only give the book 2-stars.

______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review as well as a Kindle book purchased on-line. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

A Gift Most Rare - A Revew

 

A Gift Most Rare

by

Tom Leihbacher

A Review

This book is a parable. But within the book, each chapter is almost a parable of it own.

The story takes place in a very real, small town just North of New York City, Briarcliff Manor NY. The town is the former home of The King’s College and features Dr. Robert Cook, its former President, as a minor character. The Fath-Based story features Charlie Riverton, a middle school student, who is used by God to transform his community and the people who reside there. Each chapter seems to focus on a theme that is important to the Christian life - grace, fellowship, forgiveness, love, etc. Yet, as a whole, the book shows how God can use one young man to touch the lives of so many.

Tears came to my eyes as I saw God touching the lives of Mr. Smythe, Parker Jones, Mr. Olson, and others. I was reminded over and over of how God touched my own life during some very broken times. The story and the memories require that I give the book five-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Christian Basics - A Review

 

Christian Basics

by

Robert M. West

A Review

The author has chosen 66 words which occur frequently when Christians discuss their faith. Beginning with “God”, “Jesus Christ”, “Holy Sprit”, and “Trinity”; and ending with “Judgement Day”, “Resurrection”, Glorification”, “Second Coming”, and “Kingdom”. The 66 topics are presented in roughly the same order on would find them in a typical systematic theology.

Though presented in the order one would find them in a systematic theology, this is not a theology book. It might better be termed a laymen’s dictionary or devotional. Each entry occupies one or two pages and divided into five parts:

• A brief, “In Ten Words or Less”, definition of the term.
• This brief definition is fleshed out with a longer layman’s description which incorporates scripture and the author’s personal insigh
• This is followed by two or three key scripture which further help the reader understand the key concept
• Each entry includes a quote from a pastor, theologian, or author.
• The entry ends with an inspirational or devotional thought based on the current word.

One could only hope that the author might have included a “To Learn More” entry for each concept studied which would allow the reader to dig a bit deeper than the relatively light devotional highlights included in the book. A good systematic theology would help with this but one could hope that these kinds of references would be placed at the reader’s finger tips either in the context of each entry or as part of a concluding bibliography.

The material included is well chosen and is a good jumping off point for the new believer or a adequate summary for the more mature church member. I give the book 4-½ -stars.
____________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Conspiracy - A Review

 

The Conspiracy

by

Laurence O’Bryan

A Review

The author has written the first book of a fictional trilogy examining the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. The story takes the reader from London to Beijing to Moscow and back to London. This first portion of what should be an attention-grabbing medical thriller falls short for this reader. The first segment of the trilogy never quite grabbed this reader’s attention.

It is hoped that the future volumes will better meet the expectations of a medical thriller. For now, I must give this book three-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Better Angels - A Review

 

Better Angels:
A Kate Warne Adventure

Written By Jeff Jensen
Illustrated By George Schall

A Review

This graphic novel follows the true story of Kate Warne, better known as America’s First Female Detective. To get her job she had to disguise herself as her deceased husband and convince the Pinkertons to hire her.

One of her first cases involved preventing an early attempt on the life of Abraham Lincoln - this book tells that story. It does the job well - though a little pre-reading of her history made the story even more enjoyable. The graphics were nicely done, though, like movies and TV shows depicting that era, the colors are somewhat muted in order to indicate the age of the story.

For the adult, teen, or pre-teen, reader looking for a powerful story depicting a female protagonist (a true story at that), this book should fill the bill. I would like to see more stories featuring Kate Warne and her team of sleuths. This book gets 4-1/2-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Crystal Crypt - A Review

 

The Crystal Crypt

by

Fiona Veitch Smith

A Review

The Crystal Crypt is an historical novel taking place in the years following the end of WWI in London and Oxford. The story is intriguing and twisting; it will hold most reader’s interest for several hours.

Though this is the sixth book in the series, it is the first that I have read. The focus of the book is the death of a young female scientist in Oxford, but the solution of that murder leads to the conclusion of another that occurred several years earlier. Poppy Denby is an entertainment reporter with a knack for tripping over murders. Her tabloid’s editor is willing to give her free reign as she follows the clues; he also made his own contributions to the case along with the tabloid’s lead reporter.

My only concern was that much of the last two chapters were summaries of the crime, rather than the protagonist and her crew of supporting actors actually discovering the clues and putting them together. The story also introduced the reader to WPC (Woman’s Police Constable) Rosie Winter. Only a supporting character in this book, it would seem that she could easily star in her own set of stories as she follows her dream of becoming a detective in her own right.

I give the book four-and-one-half-stars. It was a very enjoyable read.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

 

A Lie Don't Care - A Review

 A Lie Don't Care

by

J C Anderson

I have very mixed reactions to J C Anderson's novel looking at dysfunctional families and churches. Some of the book borders on pornography, other parts are illustrative of God's grace toward very hurting people. The two pictures do not mix well; I have a difficult time recommending this author's attempt to blend these images. There may be an audience for which this book would be a good match, I cannot think of one.  I give this book one-star.
________________________

This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher - the opinions are mine alone.

Feel Your Way Through - A Review

 

Feel Your Way Through

by

Kelsea Ballerina

A Review

like a dandelion can bloom

through a crack in granite

you can become something beautiful

wherever you’re planted

Kelsea Ballerina, country star, has published a set of 52 poems designed to be read and thought over. She touches on helpful subjects (as demonstrated by the example above) and some very difficult subjects (eating disorders, gun violence, and suicide). These obviously come from a heart that has experience brokenness and found relief from her pain.

I was touched by the authenticity the author brought to her work. Though each poem did not touch my pain points, they did touch me as I moved through the collection. Many were meaningful to this reader and forced him to re-examine his own walk through recovery.

I may have met Kelsea Ballerina through her music; but I will remember her because of her poetry. I give this collection five-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Deadly Target - A Review

 

Deadly Target

by

Elizabeth Goddard

A Review

Her life was threatened on Puget Sound in Washington by an almost tragic accident. Her life was threatened while visiting Cooper Hill Burying Ground in Boston while working with a Big Rapids, MT, police detective on a decade old cold case. Her life was again threatened while helping the same police detective follow-up on an attempt to kill his father near the Casper Creek Dam. She was tired of it.

Criminal Psychologist Erin Larson would spend the next few weeks running from trouble as she sought to discover who was doing the threatening and why. The plot is attention grabbing and movie worthy. Erin’s history is dramatic and will bring danger to her mother, sister, and community. The author presents a tale worth spending late nights reading - this reader wanted to finish as quickly as possible to see how the pieces of the puzzle went together.

For the reader looking for a Rocky Mountain thriller, Deadly Target will fill the bill. I easily give the book five-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Dead Fall - A Review

 

Dead Fall

by

Nancy Mehl

A Review

I reached out to the only Person 

who could show me who I was truly meant to be. 

I found God. Without Him, 

I have no idea where I’d be right now. 

You see, positions, success, praise from people

— none of that lasts. 

If you judge yourself by human standards, 

you’ll fail. The only way to truly know yourself 

is to know the One who created you. 

Without Him, we’ll never find our way. 

No matter what happens, 

nothing will ever rob me of my identity again.

                                                                       -- Nancy Mehl

They were retired FBI Special Agents - and somebody killed them. Now the same UNSUB was trying to kill active FBI Agents. Somebody will have to stop the murders or the BAU will be gone.

It would not be easy and the active members of the BAU would find their lives in danger. Following the themes and practices known to fans of Criminal Minds, the story kept this reader awake as the members of the BAU follow the evidence to identify and apprehend the UNSUB.

The characters are real, with strengths and weaknesses they each have to use and overcome. The ending was a surprise (almost), but worth waiting for. I give the book five-stars.
_____________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Lights Out - A Review

 

Lights Out

by

Natalie Waters

A Review

The President is traveling to Egypt, terrorists are on the lose throughout America, and private defense contractor SNAP is stymied in it search for those out to destroy the country before the President walks into his own assassination.

Brynn Taylor, CIA Analyst, finds herself unexpectedly assigned to work with SNAP. She would prefer to work the case in Egypt, but Director Frank Peterson has made his decision - now she will need to work alongside her ex-boyfriend or not work the case at all. The story will take the reader from Washington DC to Houston to California to Guam to Egypt. This well-written faith-based thriller will keep the reader’s attention from beginning to end.

Only two concerns prevent me from giving this a five-star review. First is that though promoted as a faith-based book, it is only moderately so. This might make it more saleable to a secular book market, but not as appealing to a Christian audience. Secondly, the conclusion of the book seemed to sneak up on this reader - it was stumbled on rather than discovered through the usual deductive techniques one would expect in an international thriller. I am giving this book four-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Crosshairs - A Review

Crosshairs

by

Patricia Bradley

A Review

After reading Patricia Bradley’s previous book in the “Natchez Trace Park Rangers” series, I had put the Natchez Trace on my bucket list. Given the number of murders and other events in the first five of 71 chapters of her most recent faith-based book, I am not so sure:

1. Assault of a 94-year-old woman in her home
2. Theft of a 150-year-old diary
3. Death of a 16-year-old out behind the old Methodist church
4. A tornado that swept through part of the county
5. Illegal marijuana sales

Nope, not sure I want to visit.

Having said that, the crimes and writing did hold this readers attention. When the local sheriff, the Investigative Services Bureau of the National Park Service, and the FBI, are all involved in the mess that defined the Trace that week, things do get interesting. The mix of crimes, law enforcement agencies, and characters, easily make for a 5-star book.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Her Daily Bread - A Review

 

Her Daily Bread

by

Kate Wood

Reviewing this book requires me to ask two questions First, would I purchase this book for myself?  Second, would I purchase this book for my wife or daughter-in-law?

This is a devotional book with one recipe substituted per week in lieu of the devotional. The devotionals are personal reflections on the author’s life. They each conclude with a Biblical reference or two, related to though not directly addressed in the daily devotionals.  The individual entries are not scholarly, but they are well-written thoughts offered for six days a week for a year. 

The recipes offered each week come from seven distinct categories: Snacks, Soups, “Sides, Salads, and Sauces”, Entrees, Breakfast, Beverages, and Desserts. The recipes, themselves, are a bit more high-end than I would expect at my daily family’s meals - perhaps at a special meal when entertaining guests.

 

Back to my two questions. Would I buy this book for myself: NO! Would I buy this book for my wife or daughter-in-law: maybe, as a birthday or Christmas present? They would find refreshment in the devotionals. I do not know how much use they would make of the recipes.  I will give the book 3-½ stars.

______________ This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Family Bible Devotional Volume 2 - A Review

 

The Family Bible Devotional

Volume 2

by

Sarah M, Wells

The subtitle describes this book well: “Stories from the Gospels to help Kids and Parents Love God and Love Others”. What the author has done is to compile a set of 50+ devotionals for parents to share with their children.

After briefly giving some brief suggestions on using the material found in the book, each of the 52 devotions follows a similar pattern:

1. A one-paragraph description of the setting for the chosen text.
2. The week’s scripture is quoted using The Message
3. Some suggested Bible study questions and provide an opportunity for each member of the family to ask their own questions
4. “A Closing Thought” summarizing the lessons that may have come from the passage
5. A “Prayer Prompt” based on the lesson is provided
6. A couple of activities are suggested to help all participants cement the lesson
7. Each lesson concludes with a brief bit of trivia taken from scripture, history, culture, etc.

Though my kids are long gone from home, this year’s collection of studies is among the best I have seen for use in family worship. It would make a great gift for a church to make to families with middle school or junior high school students. With a bit of work and patience, it might even be used with a younger family. Though not designed for a church setting, it might also be used as the basis for the weekly study with a small youth group. I can easily give this book five-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Your Words Your Worlds - A Review

 

Your Word Your World

by

Louise Bélanger

A Review 

Jesus wins

Against Satan

We know the outcome

We know the end

It is written in the Bible

“And they lived happily ever after”

Will happen

I’d rather have

That certainty

Than one wish granted

By a story book genie

Even three

Poetry is not often something I would jump at reading, but this book caught my eye - I was not disappointed. The author has composed a set of 28 pieces of Free Verse poetry speaking to the author’s and the reader’s relationship to God and the world. They are thoughtful and meaningful - often addressing real questions that are not simply answered. 

Each poem is two to four pages in length (the snippet above is a fraction of the entire poem), including colorful photographs that draw the reader in. Each poem has its own theme: creation, the Trinity, Fairytale Endings, etc. This thoughtful collection of poems is worth 5-stars.

______________

This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are mine alone.  

Dark Intercept - A Review

 

Dark Intercept

Attributed To

Andrews & Wilson

A Review

The authors present a four-star plot with a two-star theme. The story is good and would make a great faith-based book except it attempts to embody spiritual warfare into real armies, both good and bad. The plot would work very well without the addition of the fictionalized creation of spiritual beings that can read people’s minds while also attempting to coerce them to act in ways that are against their best interest and the best interest of humanity. I felt like these “spiritual” elements were sometimes added because the authors did not know how to make the necessary transitions without their additions to the story.

The underlying plot - a young girl being kidnapped, and a former Navy Seal being asked to find and rescue her, would make a great thriller. But with addition of spiritual warfare, the story lost its thrill. Spiritual warfare is real, but not as personified in this book.

If written as a fantasy, rather than a faith-based story, it may have been more acceptable. I will look forward to reading more of these "fantasies"; however, as it is, I have to give the book three-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.