Indiana Jones meets Dan Brown in Christian suspense

Blood and Bone by Don Hoesel

Jack and Espy Hawthorne have put their archaeological adventures aside for a decade after having 2 boys, until they are given 5 minutes warning by Jack’s friend and ex-CIA operative, Ducky.  He warns them to take their boys and leave their home immediately.  A rogue CIA agent is after the bones of Elisha, which Jack and Espy buried in the desert in Australia ten years ago.  The CIA agent’s wife is dying and he is desperate to cure her and only Jack and Espy can help him retrieve the bones.  In order to convince Jack and Espy to help him, he kidnaps their 2 sons.  Thus begins the wild chase across several continents, battling powerful ancient organizations and the Mossad to procure the bones in order to free their sons from the grip of the rogue CIA agent. 

Hoesel writes an adventure tale that keeps the reading continually guessing. Although this is the second book about Elisha’s bones, it stands alone as well.  His work is meticulously researched and he creates an interesting storyline complete with many twists and turns.  His main character, Jack, is incredibly resourceful and reminds the reader of Indiana Jones.  The ancient powerful organizations and their intricate history sound something like Dan Brown would create.  If you enjoy suspense written from a Christian world view, this book should be on your list to read.  I received a free copy from the publisher and this is my honest review.

Dollar Store Serendipity

The Mighty Queens of Freeville

Amy Dickinson, or “Ask Amy,” as her syndicated column is known has written a memoir about her life in a small town and the extended family that raised her and her daughter.  She starts from the dissolution of her marriage and chronicles the circumstances that kept returning her and her daughter to Freeville.  She includes some of her life’s stellar moments, as well as some of the not-so-stellar ones also.  The reoccurring theme in her book is the importance of her family and her daughter.

Amy writes with understated humor and empathy.  She speaks as an ordinary mother, sister, daughter, niece and aunt.  Her transparency easily allowed me to identify with her.  Anyone who respects the importance of family will enjoy this book.  Anyone who is a mother or a daughter will give an inaudible sigh of relief seeing that despite our foibles and failures, family buoys us up and give us hope to go on.  I discovered this book at our local dollar store and certainly got more than one dollar of enjoyment from it and I think you will, too.

   

Fast-Paced Suspense

Fear Has a Name by Creston Mapes

Jack and Pamela Crittendon’s idyllic life is shattered when an intruder breaks in and then begins to stalk them.  He takes their wedding picture and cuts out Jack’s picture.   He plants pornography on Jack’s computer and tries to have Jack put in prison.  Finally Pamela realizes who the stalker is and what he wants.  Meanwhile, Jack, a newspaper reporter is covering a story of a missing pastor.  As he continues to investigate this story, he uncovers facts that point to something sinister happening at the church.  While he investigates his story, Pamela disappears.  Jack will stop at nothing to find her, but can he find her in time?

Creston Mapes’ book is aptly named.  His story plays on fears common to many of us.  I found myself identifying with Pamela, Jack, Evan and Wendy and their problems.  Their Christian faith is a stronghold for them in times of trouble, but they struggle with life’s trials like the rest of us.  Because the story had 3 or even 4 story lines running concurrently, the book kept my attention.  The writing flows and carries the reader along.  I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy suspense.  I received a free copy of this digital book from the publisher and this is my honest review. 

Walsh and Smalley Marriage Metaphor

The Dance by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley

Marilyn Anderson has had enough.  She packs a few belongings, leaves a note where her husband  Jim will find it and leaves him after 25 years.  He has hurt her deeply, beginning at their wedding reception when he refused to dance with her.  And the hurts have continued for years as he has ignored her and treated her more like property than a person.  She doesn’t know what the future holds for her and Jim—or whether they will have a future together.  But she knows that she can’t continue to live with her harsh and selfish husband.  Jim is shocked and clueless as to why she would leave him.  Slowly he comes to understand what she has felt for years.  As he begins to change, including learning to dance, he can only hope and pray that Marilyn may change her mind and return to him.

Walsh and Smalley write a true-to-life tale of the problems many married couples face.  They use dancing as a metaphor for a couple’s relationship.  Along the way, they sprinkle to storyline with wise bits of advice and sage pieces of healthy relationship principles.  Although I had a general feel for where the story was going, the twists and turns kept me reading it.  This story should give hope to those in a stale or difficult marriage relationship, as was the authors’ purpose in writing it.  Some readers may find it easier to read and more enjoyable than a “marriage manual.” Either way, it is a book worth reading.  I received a free copy from the publisher and this is my honest review.

Lazarus' story

When Jesus Wept by Brock and Bodie Thoene

This is the first book in the Jerusalem Chronicles.  The Thoenes are prolific and accomplished writers and researchers.  In this book they cover Jesus’ relationship to Lazarus.  Lazarus was a vineyard owner in Bethany.  He was quite successful and was well-known in his hometown and Jerusalem.  The Thoenes create a scenario where Lazarus nurses the homeless boys in Jerusalem through a deadly plague.  He is exposed to the illness and becomes very ill.  Jesus delays in coming to him and Lazarus dies.   When  Jesus does arrive , he brings Lazarus back to life.  The interesting part of the story is that it is told from Lazarus’ view point in heaven.

Of course, the storyline is no surprise because it follows the Biblical narrative.  However, the Thoenes enrich it with many probable details to make it flow.  I found the details to enhance the story, rather than detract from it.  I was captivated by their portrayal of Lazarus and found myself disappointed when the book seemed to end rather abruptly.  This is a very enjoyable book and it moves quickly through the plot due to the Thoenes ‘clear prose.  I found myself wanting to read the next book.  I appreciate receiving a free copy from Booksneeze and this is my honest opinion.