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.