The Wayward Spy - A Review

 

The Wayward Spy

by

Susan Quellette

A Review

Nicely done book by a new author.

Maggie Jenkns’, CIA Analyst, fiancee was stationed in Tbilisi Georgia, south of Russia and North of Turkey. He had died in the explosion in the restaurant that morning and now he was being accused of selling national secrets. Maggie made it her task to prove them wrong, whoever “them” was.

On a journey that will take the reader from the top of the US Capitol’s dome to the countryside of Tbilisi Georgia and back, Maggie is one step ahead of the CIA agents charged with discovering the truth behind Steve’s death.

The plot is well written and attention holding. And the conclusion leaves room for more story - as we the readers know the true story, but the protagonists are being charged with murder and espionage. And a major terrorist is still on the loose.

As this reviewer said earlier, “Nicely done book by a new author.” This reader will be looking for more to come.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

The Heart of Anger - A Review

 

The Heart of Anger

by

Christopher Ash and Steve Midgley

A Review

A well-written description of anger and its impact on the human condition. After reading this 200+ page book I don’t know whether to classify it as a theology of anger, a counseling textbook (an ancillary text), or a self-help book - and in fact it is all three. As a theology text, the book explores how anger is defined and expressed by both God and man. As a counseling textbook it will prepare the helping professional to address the causes and repercussions of unaddressed anger. As a self-help book, the book allows the reader to address their own concerns and to move forward in their life.

The book also includes a number of helpful appendices:

1. A Checklist for Our Anger - to help evaluate where and how we need help to understand the reader’s personal struggle with anger.
2. A Devotional Response to Our Anger - guiding the believer in his response before God as they address anger in their lives.
3. General Index
4. Scripture Index

These last two were not available for review in the Advanced Reader’s Copy I received.

The book is not difficult reading and is rooted in scripture. It has a place on both the pastor’s shelf and in the church library’s. I give the book 5-stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Manga Classics: Les Misérables - A Review

Manga Classics:
Les Misérables

by

Victor Hugo

Art by:
SunNeko Lee

Story Adaption by:
Crystal Silvermoon

A Review

I grew up with Superman and Batman comics. When I pick up a Manga Comic, I need to remind myself of two things. First, all writing is from right-to-left, This includes the paging which means reading from the “back” of the book to the “front”. It also means that each page must be read from right to left. Once the reader has made it through a couple of pages, this change is easy enough to handle. Second, Manga artwork rarely includes color - it is all black and white (and occasionally gray).

That being said, this adaption makes for a wonderful way to tell the classic Victor Hugo story of a redeemed convict (originally charged with stealing a loaf of bread) and the impact he had on the world and people around him. Even as read this graphical adaption, I was sometimes moved to tears as I saw God’s grace at work among broken people.

Whether the reader is a fan of Manga or new to the genre (as I am), this story comes with a strong recommendation. I give the book 5-stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

 

Treacherous Legacy - A Review

 

Treacherous Legacy

by

Kathi Oram Peterson

A Review

Ms. Peterson has created historical fiction at its best. With roots in the middle of WW II, Treacherous Legacy explores the life of two people who seek to discover the true story behind a man who had long been labeled a German spy. The story takes them from Iceland to Denmark and back to Iceland - including opportunities to meet the Queen of Denmark in her palace and to visit the relatively famous Hallgrimskirkja Church in Reykjavík, Iceland. The story is both tense and sad at times, but was well worth the time I spent reading it.

At times the writing seemed a bit awkward - as if written by an inexperienced writer writing in the first person. That was balanced by three characteristics that made the book stand out.

First was the inclusion of historical and geographical references that forced me to turn to Google for additional information - a feature that I appreciate when reading historical fiction.

The second characteristic that I appreciated was the use of brief Icelandic, German, and Danish, phrases by the story’s characters. These were easily translated using Kindle’s built-in translator. I discovered that the author had also included interpretations for many (all?) of these in the back of the book, though I did not discover this until I finished reading the book. It might have been more useful to include this “dictionary” near the front allowing the reader to use it as the book is being read.

Finally, the book includes a three-page essay in which she discusses the historicity of the book. She discusses a wide range of topics including the use of wireless technology by the Danish Resistance during WW II and the presence of eighty-nine-year-old women who are actively going to sea and traveling between Iceland and Denmark even today. Not only is each question clearly answered with a “yes” or “no”, but she also includes sources for her conclusions. This final essay is interesting in its own right.

I give the book 4-½ stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Philippians: A Biblical Study - A Review

Philippians

A Biblical Study  

by

Joyce Meyer

A Review

Joyce Meyer has prepared a nicely done devotional/Bible Study on the book of Philippians. 

This book crossed my path just as I was preparing for a group study of Philippians in my local church. I expect it will contribute to my thoughts as I prepare for each weeks study.

After a brief study of the setting and recipients of Paul’s letter, she offers 14 studies on the entire book of Philippians. Most of the studies are 4-6 pages in length though a few are much shorter. Studies include sections for reading and one or two questions requiring personal reflection. My only concern is the lack of a Scripture Index as the author often draws from verses in Philippians outside the current context as well as from the entire Bible at times.

The devotions are practical - often giving explicit instructions to follow when applying the scripture. The book could easily be used for individual study. However, because a few (very few) are shorter, the reader might want to consider combining some studies for group use. I give the book 3-1/2 stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Her Every Move - A Review

Her Every Move

by

Kelly Irwin

A Review

 Reading is a gift. I read when I can’t sleep
I read when I’m sad. I read when I’m happy.
Reading gives me joy,
takes me places I’ve never been,
and I learn things.
What person wouldn’t want that gift?”

(Her Every Move, p. 343)

Though it opens a bit slowly, Her Every Move becomes a heart stopper as Jackie Santora, San Antonio Public Library librarian, and SAPD Detective Avery Wick stumble among the various suspects who may be placing bombs around the city. They have identified three or four, but could it be somebody who has not yet been named.

The book builds believable characters within a real-life setting (downtown San Antonio and the Alamo) to create a thrilling story that this reader could not put down. I now want to add San Antonio to my bucket list of places to visit.

Kelly Irwin has given us a faith-based thriller that explores the doubt that many live with when life gets tough without being preachy. It does not resolve those questions, but in a well-written story she allows the reader to explore those themes along with the book’s characters. I give the book four-stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

The Comfort of Distance - A Review

 

The Comfort
of Distance:
A Sebastien Grey
Novel

by

Ryburn Dobbs

A Review

If one could take the three television dramas “Bones”, “Coroner”, and “Blue Sky”; put them into a blender; and pour the result out onto a page, one might get something resembling The Comfort of Distance. Ryburn Dobbs was that blender.

Dobbs has written an easy-to-read mystery using the detective skills of Hank LeGris (LeGris is “the grey” in French) and his colleague Tiffany Reese, both detectives associated with the Custer SD Sheriff’s Department, and the forensic anthropological skills of Hank’s brother, Dr. Sebastien Grey. Together they would explore the identities and the causes of death of the individuals belonging to the jawbone found under a tree and a skull found in the creek behind an RV park. Mix in enough science along with a layman’s description of that science, not only is the book easy-to-read, but also extremely interesting.

Though The Comfort of Distance is the first book from a new author in a new series, the book held this reader’s attention from the first page. The story was at times a bit graphic; however, it was not overly gruesome. It was the perfect blend of police work, science, and relationships, to create a believable story taking place in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This reviewer will look forward to the additional books promised for the Sebastien Grey series. The book gets five-stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

A Plot for Murder - A Review

 

A Plot for Murder

by

James R. Callan A Review

James R. Callan has written a faith-based cozy mystery featuring Father Frank and his sister Maggie. Maggie is an author or she wants to be. Three years earlier she attended The Piney Woods Writer’s Conference and had shared her newly written novel with a conference speaker. Three years later she has discovered that the author had copied her book (changing only the names and places) and published it under his own name. Now, Maggie is attending the newest version of the conference where the same speaker was invited back as a speaker. Her plan was to confront him - except he ends up murdered and Maggie is accused of the crime.

Father Frank is not so much an amateur sleuth as he is a man with a lot of contacts both in Lakota Lake TX (the site of his parish) and beyond. He is able to use the contacts to assist Texas Ranger Dick Richards, providing leads to follow based on information gained from his contacts.

The book is lighter and gentler than many cozy mysteries. Father Frank brings a bit of grace to a world of broken people while also maintaining the confidences shared with him as a pastor. The author weaves in the need for both Justice and Compassion within the criminal justice system.

I enjoyed this easy to read book originating from rural Eastern Texas and expect others will as well. I give the book 5-stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Imago Dei: Little Seminary’s Guide to The Image of God - A Review

 

Imago Dei:
Little Seminary’s Guide to
The Image of God

by

Ryan McKenzie

A Review

Imago Dei is a board book designed for infants to 4-year-old children, according to the publisher.

The book is colorful and will be attractive to children. On the other hand, this reviewer would question whether the text would be understandable to the intended audience.

What child is going to understand what “Latin” means. As another example, one page reads, “We all have the same dignity and worth.” These are terms that would not be understood by most infants to four-year-olds. The text may be more appropriate to those learning English as a Second Language (ESL). For these reasons, I can only give the book three stars.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.