Deadly Devotion by Sandra Orchard

You think you can solve thrillers before they're over? You won't guess this one.

Orchard has created a twist-and-turn masterpiece. I felt like I was reading a Dan Brown novel as each chapter ends with a cliff hanger. You will feel compelled to keep reading.

When someone dies on the cusp of treating depression, Kate must unravel the seemingly unending mystery.

When I read most twisties, I find the climax less than satisfying. Typically the reveal is a letdown from the journey to finding out. But with Deadly Devotion, the "answer" fits perfectly and it sets up the rest of the series.

While the plot speeds along, Orchard does a great job at fleshing out the characters. This is an all around, solid book and great for a first in a series.

I can't wait to see what's next in Orchard's mix.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Revell Publishing.

Man of Steel

The first thirty minutes reminded me of so many other movies. The creature Jor El mounted in the skies of Krypton reminded me of Avatar. The hatchery reminded me of The Matrix. The way Jor El fits into his battle armor reminded me of Iron Man.

It was a bizarre case of deja-vu.

Even with this issue, I thought Man of Steel was a fantastic superhero movie. Henry Cavill is a perfect fit for the Last Son of Krypton. His Superman was one of the best performances in a film that had plenty of talented actors. Russell Crowe does a fine job as Jor El, Kevin Costner is the "every man" in Jonathan Kent. I am one of the viewers who would have been happier with more scenes with Jonathan and Clark growing up. He's worth some flashbacks in the sequels.

The movie is worth it just for those three performances.

Amy Adams is a good Lois Lane. My only complaint is she's in almost every scene: she's the press allowed on the ice where the military found an alien spacecraft. Then she's the one human allowed to go on General Zod's craft. When the military plans a dangerous mission on a C-130, somehow it's Lois who joins the group. It got to the point where I began wondering if they should have called the movie, "Man of Steel: featuring Lois Lane".

The final (LONG and loud) battle reminded me of Transformers meets Avengers. With the tag-battle having a Matrix Revolutions flavor. How long can you watch two people pummel each other, knowing they can keep going for a long time...

These feelings of replication are unfortunate because the film actually serves the performers very well. The emotion fits perfectly with the action which gives credence to the characters.

I'll look forward to the Blu-ray release.

Zach Snyder did a good job. I just hope the sequel doesn't copy from as many other films.

What Every Pastor Should Know by Gary McIntosh & Charles Arn

Are you a pastor? Would you like a book that gives answers and practical ideas for almost every area of church leadership?

Gary McIntosh and Charles Arn cover so many bases in this book it was difficult for me not to skip over many sections. (In fact, I did skip some parts)

How should you advertise your church and ministries? Covered
How to get ideas that resonate with your congregation? Covered
Best ways to make guests feel welcomed? Covered
How to handle staff? Covered

There is so much more to this. This is a one-stop Q&A for anyone in leadership.

If nothing else, this book will give you a jolt in the ideas department. The ideas are practical and easy. Some authors write hundreds of pages in what these two can do in a few paragraphs.

Excellent resource.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Baker Books.

Fortress of Mist by Sigmund Brouwer

It's difficult to start a series at book 2. But seeing as this was a free copy, we'll give it a go.

You'll get caught up in the detail of this Brouwer tale. He knows how to weave a world together and get readers to invest early. Stick with the story and you will not be disappointed.

This is the second book in the Merlin's Immortal series. And if that title gives you any indication as to what kind of a world you'll be jumping into, have no fear.

You'll love the twists and unexpected turns throughout the story. Even with an overarching title with the name Merlin involved, this is an original tale.

If you have not read book one, you will be spoiled by reading this book first.

This is a book aimed at young adults (think even tweeners) but anyone can enjoy this fantastic world.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing.

Insourcing by Randy Pope

Discipleship has been a buzz word around church circles for a long time. How can church attendees grow in discipleship? What format works best? These questions and others have permeated the scene for years.

Randy Pope has an idea on what it looks like for the local church to build disciples.

It has to be more than great worship music, top-notch preaching, and popular programs. This books explains how Pope's church made discipleship successful by, what they call, life on life experiences. It's not about outsourcing things to programs, but insourcing them to individuals.

Have you heard this before? Chances are you probably have. But Pope has created an acronym:

TEAMS

disciples will spend time learning the truth in Scripture
disciples will be equipped with practical plans
disciples must be held accountable
disciples must make their life a mission
disciples will fill their life with supplication (prayer)

Come on, who doesn't enjoy an acronym when in church???

I really enjoyed the practical aspects to this book. Pope knows what modern Christians need to hear when it comes to the "So What" aspects of their faith. This book will be helpful for any Christian leader and small group facilitator.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Zondervan Publishing.

The Day of Yahweh by Albert James Dager

One more book in the "End Times" shelf to cause anyone distress.

Dager takes pretty much every viewpoint to task in their errors. Preterists aren't safe and Left Behinders are most definitely in for a rude read. He takes a very literal interpretation of Scripture. His basic premise is: God used those words to describe something and that's exactly what's going to happen. He laughs off ideas of metaphor and apocalyptic literature as nonsense.

Right off the bat, people may be ill-at-ease with this book as Dager accuses all types of science as the downfall of man. He claims we should have left our intellect in Eden and never tried to reason things out. The Tower of Babel is simply the first of many scientific and technological events that have caused us to drive further from God: while advances in the medical field have cured many diseases, just think of all the new, more potent viruses that are the result of science...This is his argument.

There is a lot of information to glean from this book. It could be easy to have your eyes gloss over unless you considered yourself a student of Eschatology. But then, why else would your read this?

The second half of this book is a verse-by-verse explanation of the Book of Revelation. If you were upset with Dager up to this section, he'll get your blood boiling by the end of this part.

When everything is said and done, Dager drops the big bombshell: Christians should leave their church. He believes the local church is heavily influenced by Satan and is apostate. Just as the disciples used the synagogue to promote their faith in Jesus and then left, Dager pushes the idea of getting out of the church.

I'm sure this book would be a big hit for those Christians who love to dump on the church. They will read this last section and scream in victory. Sadly, I don't agree whatsoever.

I found myself shaking my head in disbelief through most of this book. If nothing else, perhaps you will be driven to read Scripture as a result of this book.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Sword Publishers