Saturday, October 31, 2009

Double Cross by James David Jordan

Former Secret Service agent, Taylor Pasbury has lost her father and the man she was tasked to protect. Now, in Double Cross she discovers someone has been stealing and blackmailing.

This is James Jordan's second book about Taylor and he doesn't let her off the hook.

Someone tries to kill a reporter Taylor meets with at a Starbucks, an accountant for her dead client is found dead - supposed suicide, and to top it all off, Taylor's eccentric mother is back in her life and married to her third husband.

I haven't read the first Taylor Pasbury novel so I was a little lost coming in to this book. It feels like your typical Law & Order episode: with twists and turns and "double crosses".

It's fun to read books by people who do it on the side, Jordan is a business attorney in Dallas - of course he would do well with this genre.


This book was provided for review by BH Publishing Group.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven But Nobody Wants To Die by David Crowder & Mike Hogan

The title of this book is a little misleading. David Crowder and Mike Hogan have written a book (revised and updated) about the human soul ... and how it connects with bluegrass.

Reading Everybody Wants to go to Heaven but Nobody wants to Die will leave you nearly blind.

I say that because this updated version has print so small, you need those grandma reading glasses to comprehend the size of the print.

Once you get past that "little" annoyance, this book reads like someone on ADD.

The book is divided into 7 parts: one on the history of the soul and how the greatest minds defined "soul"; and the other part on the history of bluegrass.

Between the parts is an IM conversation between the authors. And somehow - somehow it all adds up in the end.

This book is along the same lines as Donald Miller's writing style.

It's a fun read, just be careful of the tiny print.

This book was provided for review by Zondervan Publishing

Thursday, October 29, 2009

The Jesus You Can't Ignore by John MacArther

John MacArthur takes on the postmodern evangelicals in his latest book, The Jesus You can't Ignore.

MacArthur takes issue with the latest blend of "friendly conversation" when it comes to speaking with those who disagree with you spiritually.

Jesus wasn't a wimp, he actually began most of the verbal conflicts with the religious leaders of his day, MacArthur writes.

Jesus doesn't try to find the common ground as 21st Century evangelicals do today.

Taking a summary look at Jesus' messages, sermons and dealings with experts of the Law, MacArthur attempts to show how most Christians of today are not preaching the Word as they should.

He thinks we're wimps.

One thing I noticed was that Jesus saved the harshest words for people who should have known better: the teachers and experts of the Law. Jesus did not, typically, speak harshly to someone who was not a Jewish religious leader.

The problem here is a missing the point. I think the postmodern evangelicals speak calmly and in a friendly manner to those outside the Christian faith. I don't see the need to speak harshly to them.

Now I do agree with MacArthur that churchgoers sometimes need a kick in the pants. And he does explain that we're to speak truth in grace and love.

The last thing that I didn't like was how he calls on us to speak out against the false teachers; those who are twisting the Christian message, yet he fails to name names. Why didn't he practice what he preached?

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The Blue Umbrella by Mike Mason

After watching Paranormal Activity, I needed a rest from the dark and scary.

Say hello to The Blue Umbrella. This young adult book by Mike Mason was just what I needed to remind myself of all that is good in the world.

Feeling similar to the Harry Potter books, young Zac Sparks is tossed into a house with his Aunties after his mother is struck by lightning and killed.

As you may have guessed, the aunties are far from nice. They never say his name, choosing to call him "Boy" and enjoy beating him with a cane.

From his window, Zac watches the man who runs the Porter's store. The man always carries a blue umbrella with him.

As Zac learns more about the history of his aunties and the town, he discovers that things may not be as they seem.

Is there a ghost in the store's attic? Why do his aunties love to beat people with their cane? Where does this beautiful singing voice come from?

An adventure teeming with a positive outlook on life, this first book in the series is a winner for all ages.


This book was provided for review by David C. Cook publishers.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Paranormal Activity

I get talked into watching these scary movies. I don't know why.

Paranormal Activity was an independent film that Paramount Pictures decided to distribute.

Because Paramount got involved, some of the original film was altered (the ending and placement of certain shots in the film's timeline)

Steven Spielberg himself suggested the ending you see in theaters.

Micah Sloat decides to videotape some of the nightly activity in his house. His girlfriend, Katie Featherston, isn't as excited. She claims that ever since she was 8, there's been some sort of presence following her.

The video you see is the tape authorities found inside the house.

The stuff during the daytime is great. It's funny and entertaining; just like watching anyone's home movie.

Then they get into bed. In fact, this plays to your psyche. Whenever you see them in bed, with the night vision turned on, your stomach turns over because you know something is about to happen.

You get a heavy dose of thuds and screams, add in some powdered footprints and a psychic who is too afraid to stay in the house.

This movie plays to your basic fear. If it was some alien monster, this wouldn't have been as scary. But because there's always a sliver of question concerning the existence of demons, what you don't see frightens the scream out of you.

I came home with my ears perked for any little sound. Paranormal Activity is a solid "homevideo" scare.

The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book by Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris found 101 of his favorite Chuck Norris facts added an anecdote for each fact and came up with this excellent inspirational book.

The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book gives you an insider's look at the mind behind these outrageous facts.

You'll find some of your favorites including:

Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird.
Chuck Norris doesn't need a weapon. He is one.
When Chuck Norris does a push-up, he isn't pushing himself up. He's pushing the earth down.

The stories Norris writes about, from his past experiences with movie stars and film making to his opinion on political issues, are built around humor and encouragement.

Who can ever picture Steve McQueen in pink tights?

This fact book makes a great gift for the kung-fu fan.

This book was provided for review by Tyndale Publishing.

Shadow Government by Grant R. Jeffrey

Shadow Government explains how governments and corporations are using technology to invade your privacy and even setting up a precurser to the Anti-Christ's one-world government.

Grant Jeffrey uses his extensive support database to explain how every e-mail you write & send is viewed by spy agencies and corporations; how your phone conversations are being monitored; how the Obama Administration is moving us toward a cashless society in hopes of creating what many Left Behindites believe to be the One World government/economy/religion of the Anti-Christ.

This is a great conspiracy book. The information on technology used, alone, is worth the read. You'll find yourself worrying about the video surveilance cameras looking in on your house, what you search on Google, and what information you're giving companies via Facebook.

However, his End Times implications will cause many readers to have careless fears.

This book was provided for review by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur

Wisdom Hunter is a book written along the same lines as The Shack. The biggest difference is Randall Arthur tells a much longer, drawn out story.

Pastor Jason Faircloth is a legalistic pastor. He has driven his daugher away. Because of his rigidness, both women in his life die.

The rest of the book deals with Faircloth's search of his granddaughter he's never met. He travels around the world, getting arrested and meeting interesting people while God works on his heart to break down his rigid religiousness.

The ending is one for the movies, but the rest of the book is so long and boring, you'd wish you could just pick up The Shack again.

I guess everything that happens to Jason Faircloth is for a purpose but, while reading it, you find yourself wishing he'd find this girl.

I suppose it's built around real life: you wish you didn't have to go through the process to get to the end result.

This book was provided for review by Watermouth Multnomah Publishing Group.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Deadly Loyalty Collection by Bill Myers

Volume 3 of the Forbidden Door series, the Deadly Loyalty Collection brings the Williams' kids away from their new home.

In The Curse, they travel to Louisiana and battle forces of a voodoo cult. A girl who is always getting picked on in school decides to fight back with her new voodoo powers. Kids get seriously injured before Becka and Scott and save the day.

In The Undead, Becka and her friend Ryan travel to Transylvania to help a young actress who seems to come under attack by a vampire. This book is due for this time seeing as the world seems to be sucked (get it?) in by this vampire fad. Is there such thing as real vampires?

In The Scream, the Williams' travel to California to help out the drummer of the world famous band, The Scream. Their lead singer is dealing with devil worship and looks to deal with their Pastor-kid drummer.

I'm afraid to say this volume of 3 books is lacking. If I remember correctly this is when Myers hands the writing to others. First the kids travel all over the world at the request of some mysterious Internet character and their mother approves of it all. I suppose you'd need to get this family out of their hometown just for the sake of changing the stories a bit and making them fresh. But the spiritual battles all sound the same.

I guess the fact that he sends them money and plane tickets is enough.

Secondly, the stories get downright silly. Going to another country for vampires?

But remember, this is a fun series built for kids/teens. It's not to be taking too seriously outside of the spiritual warfare stuff.

One more volume to go!


This book was provided for review by Zondervan Publishing.

Friday, October 16, 2009

A Novel Idea

A Novel Idea is a compilation of essays by a number of best-selling Christian authors.

If you are interested in how to write Christian Fiction, this book will be a great resource.

It is broken down to 4 parts:

The Fundamentals of Fiction - including plot, characters, dialogue, point of view, pacing, setting and descriptions.

Developing Your Craft - including preparation, discipline of writing, finding your voice, writing with expression and handling rejection.

Writing Christian Fiction - including discerning your call and the distinctive of Christian fiction.

Networking and Marketing - feedback, breaking into publishing and marketing.

Contributions come from Jerry Jenkins, Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury, Randy Alcorn, Terri Blackstock, Robin Jones Gunn, Angela Hunt and many others.

This book won't give you tips for what stories to write, but it will give you the basics to get your foot in the door of writing fiction.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Invisible Terror Collection by Bill Myers

Volume 2 in the Forbidden Doors series contains the books:

The Haunting, The Guardian, and The Encounter. These stories make up the Invisible Terror Collection.

The Haunting is about ghosts; are they real or demonic forces? Becka Williams is approached by the mysterious Ascension Lady to help with releasing the spirit of a murdered girl.

When they arrive at the haunted house, the task becomes terrifying.

In The Guardian, one of Becka's friends, Julia, is recovering from the events of the previous night and the ghosts. She has this vision of what she believes to be heaven and her guardian angel to protect her.

Questions and doubts begin to surface for Becka and her friends regarding her beliefs. Is this guardian truly an agent of God?

Meanwhile, another friend begins to be used by an extra terrestrial to lead the world into a new age.

This leads us to The Encounter. Aliens my friends. Do they exist and are they preparing Becka's friends to lead the world into a new level of consciousness?

As they experience abductions and encounters, Scott Williams begins to play a Dungeons and Dragons RPG game. He gets so involved, that it begins to take over his life.

These books continue the idea of spiritual warfare and the Occult while implementing truths for teenagers. After a while, the battles become repetitive with characters saying the same thing and you realizing how things will end.

That's when the stories in the next volume up the ante!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Twilight

I know, right? It took me forever to see this film. I waited because I wanted it free from the library.

Now my wife thought it was better than she expected it to be, but, for me, it pretty much met expectations.

Twilight stars Kristen Stewart as Bella, Robert Pattinson as Edward, and Peter Facinelli as Dr. Carlisle Cullen (Edward's "father").

I mention Facinelli because I remember watching him in Can't Hardly Wait. Seeing him as a father figure makes me feel quite old.

Things follow closely to the book. They do combine a couple characters from the book into one for the movie to keep things running smoothly.

The acting is horrific. This is the single biggest strike against this film. I began laughing every time Stewart opened her mouth to speak. Let's hope things get better as the sequels are made.

Strike 2 comes with the special effects. (i.e. cutting frames to make the vampires appear to move quicker)

When all is said and done, this film would have done better as a made-for-tv movie. However, because there are more tween girls in the world than there are me, this film was a hit.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Everyday Justice by Julie Clawson

I was excited to open the package and see that IVP Press had sent me Everyday Justice, by Julie Clawson, to review.

There are two ways to look at this book.

1) Clawson will spend 189 pages complaining about our wastes and how we don't care about "the little man". She's just promoting her foolish liberal ideals.

2) Clawson is revealing some awful truths about our consumption, liberal or conservative, that we need to take special note of.

I found myself in the middle. Maybe 1.5 where I found it a little bit like reading a Michael Moore documentary-to-book while at the same time, my eyes were opened to the harsh realities of my choices.

Julie pulls the curtain back on 7 items:
1 - Coffee. While we spend almost $4 for our "special" coffee from Starbucks, the farmers are making close to cents. NAFTA and greed are at fault, Clawson says.

2 - Chocolate. The farming of this delicacy is typically done by child slaves.

3 - Cars. Do I really need to explain how this chapter was in the book?

4 - Food. With an obsession with tomatoes, Clawson explains how we can better choose what we eat. And what to eat less of (meat)

5 - Clothes. Again, we've all heard of the sweatshops.

6 - Waste. Did we really need to read what happens to our stuff? Why yes, it seems we did.

7 - Debt. One final no-brainer.

We don't need the Red-State Christians bemoaning how the leftist elites are destroying our way of life with their Liberal policies. This stuff is happening and God directed, we should do better at our jobs.

Burn by Ted Dekker & Erin Healy

Burn is the second book by Ted Dekker and Erin Healy. Kiss being their first venture.

She Escaped the Fire—But Not the Effects of the Burn

Janeal feels trapped in her father’s Gypsy culture. But everything changes one night when a brutal and powerful man named Salazar Sanso promises her the life she longs for if she will help recover a vast sum of money tied to her father.

When the plan implodes, Sanso and his men attack the gypsy settlement and burn it to the ground. During the blaze, Janeal is faced with a staggering choice.

The impact of that choice changes her forever.

Years later, the wonderful and terrible truth of what really happened that night begins to sear Janeal’s soul. In a horrifying revelation, Janeal learns that nothing about her life since has been exactly what it seems. As truth rises from the ashes of her past, Janeal finds she must make a new life-or-death choice. But this time, escape is not an option.



The above is quoted from Erin Healy's website.

The first section of Burn takes us to the gypsy culture, full of their language and nuance. This becomes tiresome where you end up wishing for just plain English.

The second section reveals some information that you knew would happen (can't give spoilers) but builds the desire to figure out the twist-to-come because you know there has to be one.

I found this book to be one of the most boring of Dekker's plus the most confusing.

It took me a while, putting the book down, to chew on the twist and try to figure it out from what I already knew.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Kabul 24 by Henry O. Arnold & Ben Pearson

Kabul 24 tells the story of 8 workers with the Shelter Now International humanitarian effort in Afghanistan.

Before the 9/11 attacks they were working, building relationships, buildings and connections when "the betrayal" happend, they were arrested, inprisoned and feared for their lives.

What's amazing is I don't remember hearing one single newsbite about this story or these people.

This books sheds light on what it was like for these Christians who spent 105 days as prisoners of the Taliban.

Pearson and Arnold are making a documentary film by the same name and you can find more info at http://www.kabul24movie.com/


The way this book is written, they portray the 8 people as almost saintly - I can't really put my finger on it but I was disturbed by how skewed the writing was.

I know that sounds bad because they were kidnapped and held by the Taliban. But I can't help but think, the way the authors use their words, you'd think Christians were called to hate their enemies.



I review for Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers

Deadly Viper: Character Assassins by Mike Foster & Jud Wilhite

A kung fu survival guide for life and leadership. This is the book Foster and Wilhite have bestowed upon us.

Their love of kung fu movies led them to write a small, yet thick, book combining leadership tips with kung fu titles.

Chapter 0 is Nunchucks, Warriors & Master Po

Chapter 1 is The Assassin of Character Creep (steals integrity)

Chapter 2 is The Assassin of Zi Qi Qi Ren (deception)

Chapter 3 is The Assassin of Amped Emotions

Chapter 4 is The Assassin of The Headless Sprinting Chicken (hiding destructive patterns of your life)

Chapter 5 is The Assassin of Boom Chicka Wah Wah (honor)

Chapter 6 is The Bling Bling Assassin

Chapter 7 is The High and Mighty Assassin

Chapter 8 is People of the Second Chance

Deadly Viper is an entertaining book for those who enjoy a little off-center learning.

The Church of Facebook by Jesse Rice

This is not what I was expecting when I picked up this book. I thought it was going to be about how to run a church via Facebook.

The Church of Facebook deals with how that program is changing our culture - community.

Author Jesse Rice leads you through a number of examples where inventions brought about great culture change: The Millennium Bridge, The World island of Dubai, and air conditioning to name a few.

Rice explains how Facebook is allowing us to feel connected, control, and at home in a setting that is anything but.

It's not until the last chapter when he brings Jesus into the mix and how we should adapt our online experience to that of Jesus' style with the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob.

If nothing else, it's incredible to read about how Facebook was created, how Dubai is creating new islands to purchase and all the other stories included in this book.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The Lost World of Genesis One by John H. Walton

The Lost World of Genesis One is most definitely a scholarly book. Which makes sense seeing as it was published by IVP.

Author John Walton gives 18 propositions concerning the origins of the world according to Genesis 1. And these propositions are heavy on the "classroom" side.

As you read this book, you will feel your brain getting larger.

Walton proposes that the Creation Account in Genesis 1 does not speak on how God made everything. Walton calls this material. He says Genesis 1 explains how God created the function of everything.

Walton follows the examples of other ancient origin writings and explains that the ancient Israelites were of the same mind when it came to explaining how things came about.

This brings a new light on everything relating to Creation, science, evolution and even The Sabbath.

If you're ready to spend a few weeks chewing on this deep issue, find this book - plop down in a comfy chair with your sweats and prepare to open your mind!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Mosaic Holy Bible

Here's what's new about this Bible edition:

They give you art and meditations revolving around the Church year. Beginning with Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Passion Week, Easter, and finishing with Pentecost.

This is a mosaic because it pulls from traditions all over the world.

The translation itself is the New Living Translation. This is by no means a study Bible. Do not expect that with this edition. It does have margin notes for you to cross reference.

In the end, you're paying for the art and the weekly meditations.

As far as who won the Free Bible Certificate, I'll let you know just as soon as Tyndale sends it to me.

Extraordinary by John Bevere

With a tag of, "The Life You're Meant to Live" you'd think Extraordinary would be something special.

Alas, it is not. John Bevere is a best-selling author and sometimes that doesn't translate into later books.

Bevere explains that followers of Christ already have the ability to live the life you were meant to live. Because of the grace and mercy of God, you have access to your full potential.

The thing that's holding you back is the poor teachings of modern day preachers. They don't want to come across as judgmental or harsh - no one wants to offend anyone, Bevere says, so there are thousands of church-goers who have no idea what they are free to do.

With chapters like, The Power to Please, Newness of Life, The Kingdom Within and The Access, you'd think this was going to be some New Age filth, but this is actually a solid Christian read.

One area of confusion comes when Bevere talks about faith and healing. I may have read him wrong but it seemed as if he was saying that if we were truly believed that God is LORD, then we wouldn't have to go to doctors when we get sick.

Essentially saying if we go to the doctor's for medicine, we lack truth faith.

I'm not too sure on that.

In the end, Extraordinary is a fine book with some excellent points.

You can find it by clicking here.

 Extraordinary: The Life You're Meant to Live

 This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

The Dark Powers Collection by Bill Myers

I read The Forbidden Door series as a teen and now Bill Myers has collected them into 3-book volumes.

The first volume is titled, Dark Power Collection and it includes the books, The Society, The Deceived, and The Spell.

Scott and Rebecca Williams and their mother have just moved into the neighborhood. Their father was killed in the mission field and it's tough getting their lives back together.

In The Society, Scott is introduced to a group of students who meet in a bookstore to mess with Ouija boards and "speak" with the spirits. He is challenged to confront them with his "Jesus" power to see which is stronger.

In The Deceived, Becka is hypnotized and begins to believe she is a French king reincarnated. This leads to a dramatic game of chicken with a train.

In The Spell, the Society has had enough of Becka and her family. They begin harassing her with menacing letters and finally kidnapping her puppy.

Throughout these adventures, the Williams kids chat with a mysterious online character named "Z". He somehow knows things about the kids and about their everyday situations.

Each book has one or both kids participating in some kind of spiritual warfare - however Myers adds situations that make this applicable to any teenager in America.

These books are fantastic!