The Soul Stealers - A Review

The Soul Stealers

by

Shane Logan

David Rodemerk

A Review

I was in the barbershop for my bi-weekly haircut.  On the side table was a copy of a new comic featuring the unveiling of Hal Jordan as the new Green Lantern. It was the first and only time I remember seeing the initial issue of a brand new comic character. That was at least until I met Shane Logan the co-creator, artist, and letterer, of this new line of super heroes featured in The Soul Stealers.

Shane was our waiter at lunch one afternoon. As we chatted, he discovered I was a book-reviewer; and I discovered that he was the author of a brand new comic book. We traded contact information and I walked away with the first issue of his new endeavor.

I was with some fear and trepidation that I opened the cover – left bare except for a title so the  author could personalize the issue for the purchaser. My free copy did not warrant personalization. For the most part, I was pleasantly surprised. The comic’s artwork was entirely black and white; a choice made for both artistic reasons (it is a nice touch) and for economic reasons – the cost of printing colored comic is almost twice the cost of printing a black and white one.

The storyline has the feel of a super hero story – four heroes to be exact. Their predecessors had lost their lives to “The Shepard” and his “Flock.” Through the use of  genetics and technology, the new generation of heroes were able to reclaim the lost powers and then some. Working

together, the new “Freedom Four” had hopes of defeating The Shepard and his minions.  But first … (sorry, but that would be giving away the story). That story does draw the reader in and as he or she begins to empathize with the plight of our new heroes.  


This first issue is not yet a graphic novel, but it is a great first chapter.  This reader wants more and the author has promised more – including color if there is interest. More details and a copy of the first issue can be had from the author by contacting him at spl.ink.artwork@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/splink.artwork.

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

Paint The Town Dead - A Review

Paint The Town Dead

by

Sybil Johnson

A Review

Life in Southern California can be deadly, especially when Rory Anderson (independent IT specialist, artist, and sleuth) and her cadre of friends get involved. Rory’s first shock came when a rock came flying through the front window of her home. The second shock came when her friend Jasmine died on the Ocean Painting Society’s Convention floor.

The convention was being held at the newly opened Akaw, a multi-story resort facility with multiple ballrooms and restaurants. It was sufficiently large, that murderers, saboteurs, and pranksters could move about, undetected by cameras, staff, or law enforcement. And that would make finding the guilty party or parties all the more difficult.

The story was one that kept this reader up at night - the book had to be finished, I could not sleep without discovering who did it. The plot included enough plausible suspects and enough crimes that one felt like he or she might be playing BINGO with the possible combinations. The result is a fun read which will hold the interest of any cozy mystery fan, providing a wonderful winter’s night read.

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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 expressed are my own.

The Bones Will Speak - A Review

The Bones Will Speak

by

Carrie Stuart Parks

A Review

Gwen Marcey could have any number of titles on her business card:

Talented Painter

Successful Forensic Artist

Wanna Be Criminal Profiler

Amatuer Consulting Detective

Rookie Sleuth

But unless she, her best friend Beth Noble, and Sheriff Dave Moore can catch the “sociopath”, “slimebag”, “scumbag”, “tweeker”, “meth-maggot” ... “perpetrator” who was trying to destroy her life, she would not need a business card tomorrow or at all.

It started with the dog finding a skull.  That was followed by the almost dead body of Mattie and the other bodies found on the rural Montana county’s farms. The crimes had roots in Waco, Idaho, Seattle, and Portland.  And the first hard piece of evidence pointed to a possibly guilty sheriff. It was going to be a long week.

Given the author and her husband’s backgrounds, it makes sense that the plot reads more like Criminal Minds than the lighter Bones.  With a hint of faith, the book has value as it pictures the need for forgiveness - in a variety of circumstances. Given the author’s background as a practicing forensic artist, the story seemed somewhat credible - even given that it is fiction. I particularly enjoyed the author’s use of color throughout the book.

Though there were times I found it hard to pick up the book, the last six or seven chapters were difficult to put down this sophomore look at Gwen Marcey’s life after I prepared for bed - I had to get it finished; and it was well worth it. I have ordered the first book in the series (at my own expense) - this second book was that good.

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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 expressed are my own.

Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible - A Review

The Berenstain Bears

Storybook Bible

for Little Ones

by

Jan and Mike Berenstain

The Berenstains have created a cute Bible for two and three year-olds just beginning to grasp God's presence in our world.  Though a bit smaller than the image displayed in advertising, this board book could easily serve as the first Bible for pre-readers to share with their parents at the beginning and end of each day.  

The book holds eight short stories evenly chosen from the Old Testament and the New Testament scriptures.  The delightful artwork, staring the Berenstain Bears in all the key roles, will hold the preschoolers attention. Though the book would best fit the needs of the two or three year-old child, it would still be useful as they grow into early readers beginning 1st or 2nd grade.

I hope to share my copy  with my one to two year-old grandkids this coming holiday season.  I would recommend other parents and grandparents doing the same.

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

The Picture

Today I was sitting in the church and looked up.  A picture caught my eye, a picture that I must have seen numerous times in the past.  The first thing that caught my eye was the smiling children walking along a spring path with what looked like cherry blossoms in the background.  I suppose it is okay for children to smile, but it looked like all the children had the same smile.  Their mouths were open, a bit of teeth were showing and they were all looking up.  The picture got stranger and stranger when I realized it made no difference whether a child looked from the right or the left.  It made no difference whether the child was a boy or a girl.  It really bothered me that these children could all be smiling - that just is not the life know for myself or for my children.  But then something happened ...

I looked up - not way up, just the three inches from where the children stood smiling to what they were smiling at.  There in the focal point of the picture was Jesus.  He was carrying another smiling child, holding the hand of another young girl, also smiling.

The minute I saw Jesus I relaxed and I felt a smile on my own face.  It was as if it was okay for children to smile in His presence.  I am not so naïve as to think that Jesus makes everything okay, but it was also a relief to know that the artist was not merely painting smiles to paint smiles.  Rather, he was reminding us all that Jesus did love the children.  It is also a reminder that Jesus loves us.  One day we each, as believers, will be at home with Jesus.  And I am reminded that is okay to smile when I think of Jesus.

Blessings,

Pastor Patrick