THE BIGGEST WIN Is Not What You Think It Is . . . Just Ask THESE Guys!

THE BIGGEST WIN: PRO FOOTBALL PLAYERS TACKLE FAITH

Joshua Cooley

ISBN:978-1-948130-02-8

Religion / Christian Life / Inspirational

New Growth Press

160 pages

Atheletes . . . especially professional atheletes . . . and uniquely, professional football players. . . they live in a world all their own.  If you aren’t one . . . there’s no way that you can even begin to comprehend the lifestyle, the persona, the unbelievable highs – and the inconceivable lows – that are part and parcel of their everyday lives. 

Joshua Cooley interviewed professional football players Carson Wentz, Nick Foles, Zach Ertz, Trey Burton, Jordan Hicks, and Chris Maragos for this book.  In a combined foreword to the book, these men declared, “The pinnacle of life is not winning, it’s living for God through all of the big and small moments of life.  We hope that as you read this book, you too will get to know Jesus and his love for you that stays the same through all the seasons of life.  That would be the biggest win for you . . .”

Dealing with such issues as fame, glory, courage, commitment, pride and humility, THE BIGGEST WIN lifts the curtain and allows those of us who are not professional football players a glimpse of what it’s all about . . . and what it’s not all about, as well.  Underneath the image, the flash, the cash, and the uniform, these men want you to know that there beats a heart that is just as prone to wander as every other one.  Sin gives no quarter, and Satan is no respecter of persons, either.  And the words of Christ are never more appropos:

“For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”

Luke 12:48 (NKJV)

Carson Wentz is currently working under a 4-year contract worth over $26 million dollars.  Nick Foles, 2 years at $11 million.  Zach Ertz, 4 years and $42.5 million.  Jordan Hicks, 2 years at $2.9 million.  Chris Maragos, 3 years and $6 million.  Trey Burton, 4 years at $32 million.

A combined salary package (excluding all the perks, endorsements, etc) of over $117 million dollars . . . and these guys just want you to come to Christ.  That, for them, is The Biggest Win.

I received this book free in exchange for my honest review.

5 stars for a transparent revelation of faith inside the NFL

STRATAGEM Is Missing A Key Component . . . Strategy

Robin Caroll is a bestselling author of Christian suspense, and has been a favorite author of mine for some time.  Which makes this review very difficult, because I’m still struggling to get into the book . . . and I’m writing the review.

The premise is set around a psychologist, Grayson Thibodeaux, who creates adventure games for businesses as team-building exercises.  In the middle of one such game, his ex-wife, Anna Belle, dies from a severe allergic reaction, even though her allergies were well-known and she had purchased a small arsenal of Epi-pens to ward off such a possibility.

Grayson, being the ex-husband, is naturally the chief suspect.  Especially since the divorce settlement was still being contested by Anna Belle, who felt that Grayson was holding out on her in terms of settlement. 

While it’s an interesting scenario, the book moves at an incredibly slow pace, shifts between past and present times, and the number of red herrings being thrown at the reader resemble a red tide.  Combine that with the fact that the on-again, off-again relationship between the two investigating detectives receives as much attention as the investigation itself, and it’s no surprise that this reader is still hopelessly confused.

3 stars for a book that doesn’t quite live up to its potential

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my open and honest review.

STRATAGEM

Robin Caroll

ISBN: 978-1-68322-730-4

Fiction / Christian / Suspense

Shiloh Press

317 pages

$14.99 U.S. paperback

GOD'S DESIGN (NOT MAN'S) FOR SEXUALITY IN A CHANGING CULTURE

GOD’S DESIGN FOR SEXUALITY IN A CHANGING CULTURE

HARVEST USA

ISBN: 978-1-945270-95-6

RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Counselling

New Growth Press

DVD Video Series

$124.99 U.S.

“Let me tell ya 'bout the birds and the bees

And the flowers and the trees

And the moon up above

And a thing called 'Love'”

                                           Dean Martin - 

                                   The Birds And The Bees 

                                          Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Ok, so maybe that’s not all that’s in this video series.  Maybe, just maybe, you won’t find any of the above in HARVEST, USA’s video series, GOD’S DESIGN FOR HUMAN SEXUALITY IN A CHANGING CULTURE. 

That’s because God’s design for sexuality, and man’s design for sexuality, are diametrically opposed one to the other.  And this series is about God’s design.

A 15-session conference on human sexuality is something that is unusual in today’s society.

A 15-session conference on human sexuality – from a Biblical perspective – well, that’s just plain nuts.

Or is it?

There’s an old proverb, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”  The problem is . . . the world don’t realize that it’s broke! (pardon my grammar.)

And while this may appear to be a (gasp!) BIBLE conference of sorts, who better to sort out one of the most tangled messes than a preacher speaking the truth of Scripture. 

After all . . . sexuality really was God’s idea in the first place, right?  And as with every other aspect of His creation . . . He wrote the manual. 

Covering a veritable potpourri of topics, each one vital to the whole picture, HARVEST, USA has produced a video series that manages to encapsulate in 15 sessions the entire landscape of human sexuality from a biblical perspective.  And they do so in a clear, concise, comprehensive manner which communicates truth and commands respect.

The order of the videos is somewhat puzzling.  Sessions 7 and 8 address what God says about human sexuality in the Old and New Testaments, respectively.  That, to me, seems to be foundational and should be viewed first.  In fact, the first 8 sessions are all “foundational,” so to speak.  The next 7 sessions are more topical in nature, although no series ever goes forward without a biblical foundation, which I find important and refreshing.

Another strength that I find in this video series is the open-endedness.  You can take this series and organize a full-blown conference . . . or you can address the specific issues individually, as time and concerns allow.  Either way, you will be getting the truth . . . and the truth will set you free.

5 stars for an outstanding production on a sensitive subject

I received this video series free of charge in exchange for my open and honest review.

You Shall Know The Truth . . . And The Truth Shall Set You Free!

Awkward.  Embarrassing.  Fearful.  Shameful.  Intimidating.

Any – or all – of these adjectives are inextricably tied to the discussion of sexuality in Christian circles.  Primarily because the Christian perspective and the current postmodern worldview have been, are, and will continue to be – more than any other subject – at the very extreme opposite ends of the spectrum.

HARVEST, USA is leading the charge for change.  They are calling everyone’s attention to the elephant in the room.  With a balanced approach – combining both wisdom and understanding – and firmly based on Scriptural principles, the leaders in this movement carefully, creatively, and confidently address the issue of sexuality and the subjects of pornography, masturbation, transgenderism, abortion, and others head on, recognizing that “All truth is God’s truth . . . wherever it be found.”1

Jesus himself promised, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  (John 8:32 (NKJV).

That is all that HARVEST, USA is really trying to do.  They are not bashing people, they are not trying to make sexuality the next subject for a “witch hunt,” nor are they trying to “ruin everyone’s fun.”  And they are most certainly not trying to turn the evangelical community into a 21^st century cloister, where men are men . . . women are women . . . and nary the twain shall meet.

Taking a BIBLICAL perspective (emphasis mine), HARVEST, USA is promoting and teaching a BIBLICAL theology (again, emphasis mine) of human sexuality, with the goal of setting people free to enjoy one of the most intimate, and most pleasurable, activities under God’s green earth.

The volume I received for review contained both the Student Guide and the Leader’s Guide.  The first three sessions should be covered in order, as they are foundational to the program.  From that point on, the leader(s) is/are free to cover the material in any order they see fit.  This allows the opportunity to address pressing issues, while setting some issues “on the back burner,” so to speak.  This also allows the “guide” to be put in the pastor’s / counselor’s library as a concise “go-to” resource for future reference.

Another attractive feature to this guide is that scenarios are carefully written to address the topic at hand with regard to differences between genders, and difficult or potentially embarrassing terms are carefully and candidly defined and explained. 

HARVEST, USA isn’t promoting “taking the bull by the horns,” so much as they are “taking the child by the hand.”

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my open and honest review.

5 stars for a refreshingly realistic, Biblical approach to human sexuality.

ALIVE: Gospel Sexuality For Students

HARVEST USA

ISBN: 978-1-945270-91-8

RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Youth

New Growth Press

167 pages

$15.99  U.S. paperback

1  THE IDEA OF A CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, Arthur F. Holmes, Wm. B. Eerdman's, 1987

HEALING THE SCARS OF ADDICTION . . . IT'S POSSIBLE!

This is a self-help book.  However, it’s not just another self-help book.  Throughout the book, Dr. Gregory L. Jantz, PhD, and co-author Ann McMurray, keep playing the one string that they want you to remember:  hope.

Dealing with real-life issues, sharing (in a transparent yet respectful manner) real-life stories, celebrating real-life victories . . . and commisserating with real-life set-backs . . . the authors of this book just keep reminding me of that favorite Americanism:  “Where there’s life . . . there’s hope.”

Regardless of your particular addiction, the authors reveal that there is a “commonality” to the addiction cycle.  And they aren’t shy about the truth . . . and they don’t pull any punches.  If you are looking for a “feel – good, let’s all sing Kum – Ba – Yah!" scenario . . . you’ve selected the wrong book.

However, if you are serious about dealing with your addiction, or helping someone with theirs . . . and you are willing to put in the work necessary . . . this book can be a great “first step” in that process.  The author’s are quick to point out that there is no “quick fix,” and that this book is intended to be a “conversation starter.”

But you know . . . that’s where it all begins.

This isn't Dr. Jantz's first rodeo; he's a popular speaker and award-winning author of such books as Healing The Scars Of Emotional Abuse, Healing The Scars Of Childhood Abuse, and Overcoming Anxiety, Worry, and Fear.  He is the founder of THE CENTER:  A PLACE OF HOPE. in Washington State.  Check his website at drgregoryjantz.com.

I received this book free in exchange for my honest review.

5 stars for a refreshing voice dealing with a difficult subject!

HEALING THE SCARS OF ADDICTION

Gregory L. Jantz, with Ann McMurray

ISBN 978-0-8007-2773-4

Self-Help / Addiction and Recovery

Revell Books

196 pages

$13.99 softcover

Don't Resist . . . She's CALLED TO PROTECT!

I didn't get a chance to buckle my seatbelt.  So not fair.

Lynette Eason writes the way machine guns shoot . . . incredibly fast, and in a way that overloads your senses.  But that's a good thing, when you are writing a story.

With incredible ease, the reader is introduced to the characters, and forms an immediate bond with them.  At the same time, Eason ratchets up the tension to the point where you aren't putting this book down until the final page.

You've been warned.  Now, please open your book, CALLED TO PROTECT, to the prologue.  But first . . . buckle up!

Chloe St. John has BLUE running through her veins.  The daughter of the Chief of Police, she has two brothers, a sister, and a brother-in-law all dedicated to fighting crime.  You might say it's a family affair.  And one at which they all excel.

Chloe's partner, Hank, has two left feet.  He also has two right feet.  They are kind of a prerequisite for Dutch Shepherds.  And Hank excels in his job, as well.  While trained mainly for sniffing out narcotics, Hank's nose is versatile.  If he can smell it . . . he can track it.  A neat trick, that.

Chloe's recovering from a broken relationship, and the crime she's currently investigating is guaranteed to take her mind off of her personal issues.  It seems that a certain judge has a vendetta against human trafficking, and the criminals just want him to back off.  To the point where two innocent teenage girls have been kidnapped in an effort to get the judge eliminated by one of his own bodyguards.

U.S. Marshall Blake MacCallum's daughter has been kidnapped, and the ransom note has been delivered:  one dead judge, or else.  The Marshall's daughter is a Type 1 diabetic, so her health issues  further exacerbate the situation. 

As the task force closes in on the human trafficking ring, Chloe and Blake are drawn closer and closer together.  Is it just business, or could things actually be getting personal?

Touching on one of the most polarizing issues of this century - human trafficking - Lynette Eason exposes the crime in sufficient detail while still maintaining the dignity of its victims, conveying concern and compassion in equal measures.

CALLED TO PROTECT is the second book in the BLUE JUSTICE series by Lynette Eason.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars for riveting action and memorable characters

CALLED TO PROTECT

Lynette Eason

ISBN 9780800727031 (E-Book)

Criminal Investigation / Christian suspense

Revell

181 pages

$15.99

How Can A 12-year Old Boy Survive Overwhelming Odds? ONLY BY DEATH!

I’ve found a new favorite author.  Her name is Kathy Herman, she has authored twenty novels, and her writing will grab you from page one, and will not turn you loose until you arrive at the last page, emotionally wrung out, wondering “What just happened?”

It’s not just the fully-developed, complex characters.  It’s more than scenes so detailed you feel as if you were actually there.  There’s a theme of God’s grace, forgiveness, and mercy, as well as his righteousness, holiness and justice.  And Kathy doesn’t preach, so much as she speaks the truth . . . a truth that she has experienced for herself, and so she can faithfully express it through the pages of her novels.

12-year old Jesse Cummings has just witnessed a murder.  He just doesn’t know it yet.

50-something year old Liam Berne has just committed a murder.  He just doesn’t see it that way.

To Liam’s way of thinking, his mother – diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease – would never have wanted to live as she is living.  And she certainly wouldn’t have wanted her children to spend every last dime of the investment’s she and her husband had so carefully built up over the years.  So Liam is simply killing two birds with one stone . . . in a manner of speaking.

Colleen, Liam’s sister, isn’t convinced that her mother, Dixie, simply wandered off, fell into the river, and subsequently drowned.  She’s got questions, and she’s determined to find answers – even if it means spending her share of the inheritance in order to do so.

As details emerge, Jesse finds himself having to grow up a lot sooner than he anticipated.  His faith will be tested almost to the breaking point, and this fictional character will learn a lot more about trusting God and the nature of forgiveness than many of us will in a lifetime.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

5 stars for a work of fiction that unashamedly tells the truth.

EVERY WICKED MAN by Steven James - Just When You Think You've Got It Figured Out . . . You're wrong.

My wife is a writer, and she helped me to understand why my favorite writers are my favorite writers.  That is, what it is about their writing that seems to grab me from page one and keep me turning pages until I fall asleep or finish the book.

It’s called “layered,” or “textured” writing.  One book, two or three separate, distinct plot lines that are woven throughout the book, so that there are three separate rising actions, three “black moments,” and three resolutions.  And yet it is all one story.

And Steven James is a master craftsman.

His latest work, EVERY WICKED MAN, is coming out in September.  I received an uncorrected proof for review.  Funny . . . that didn’t seem to make any difference with regards to the emotional roller coaster that I experienced when I opened the book.

This is a Patrick Bower’s mystery, so fans of this fictional hero will know what to expect.  For the uninitiated, here’s what you can expect:  strong, fully developed characters, impossible situations, complex villains, some romance . . . and tears.  Let’s not forget the tears.  Have a box of tissues readily available.  There is also a strong, authentic, unapologetic faith message woven throughout.

In EVERY WICKED MAN, Agent Bowers is struggling.  He’s struggling to convince his colleagues of the positive aspects of geospatial forensics.  Forget motive.  Why? is not the question that needs answering.  The two questions that Agent Bowers considers are  Where?  and What time?  By focusing on the crime scene, one can more readily apprehend the perpetrator, and eliminate any red herrings.

He’s also struggling with a teenage stepdaughter who is wise beyond her years, and has the sarcasm to prove it. 

And then there’s this little side issue of a drug pusher whose best product delivers the goods and renders the user susceptible to suggestion.  Extremely susceptible.

There.  I’ve given you all the details that I’m going to give you.  Save the date:  September 2018.  EVERY WICKED MAN by Steven James becomes available.  You won’t want to miss this one.

5 stars for a story that will hold you until the very last page.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

EVERY WICKED MAN

Steven James

ISBN 978-1-101-99159-6

Suspense / Thriller

Berkley Press

544 pages

$9.99 paperback

GUARDED PROGNOSIS by Dr. Richard Mabry . . . TROUBLE ALWAYS COMES IN THREES!

Always the teacher.  That's how I would introduce one of my favorite authors, were I given the privileged opportunity to do so.  Dr. Richard Mabry has the ability to identify the issues in our humanity that cause us the most anxiety, the ones that keep us awake nights.  He also possesses the skill, the wisdom, and most importantly - the courage - to face those issues straight on, and cut to the heart of the matter. 

Always the surgeon, Dr. Mabry realizes that just hoping these things will "go away" isn't going to make them do so.  It requires surgical intervention.  And whether Dr. Mabry is wielding the scalpel . . . or the pen . . .  this retired surgeon-turned-author is equally skilled, and more than up to the task.

The world of Dr. Caden Taggart has rapidly become unmanageable.  The two men sitting in his waiting room didn't appear to be patients. That they were not became abundantly clear when they introduced themselves as agents of the Drug Enforcement Agency.  This was just the tip of Dr. Taggart's personal iceberg.

A phone call from his father prompted a visit where his father revealed a serious medical condition . . . and requested his son's assistance in his suicide.  When his mother, the victim of a stroke, suddenly passed, Dr. Taggart was without a doubt on the ropes.  What else could possibly go wrong?

Well . . . that was a rather obtuse question.

While there may be legal battles looming on the horizon and emotional issues closer to home, Dr. Caden Taggart must ultimately conclude that the most immediate concern was his heart condition.  He needed a new heart; a heart of flesh, and not of stone.  And only the Great Physician is capable of that kind of surgery.

Written in Dr. Richard Mabry's award-winning style, GUARDED PROGNOSIS will touch the reader at every level.

5 stars for another page-turning medical suspense by Dr. Richard Mabry

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

GUARDED PROGNOSIS

Dr. Richard Mabry

ISBN: 978-1-9877-6367-6

medical mystery / Christian fiction

CreateSpace / Independently Published

249 pages

$ 6.99  U.S. paperback

Is There Anything Too Hard For God? Ask These Seven People Who Have Experienced THE RESCUE!

“Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

Genesis 18:14 (KJV)

We read stories like that in the Bible and say to ourselves (and to one another), “Yes, but things were DIFFERENT         back then.  When was the last time YOU saw something like that?”

Well, Jim Cymbala and Ann Spangler may not have witnessed a miraculous pregnancy, but they have seen God work miraculously in the lives of seven people.  They saw God working so powerfully, that they just had to write a book about it.  They called this book . . .

The Rescue.

Short.  Sweet.  And definitely to the point.  There is no other word for it . . . these individuals were rescued from circumstances that defy the imagination.  And they share their stories to remind you that God is still in the life-saving business . . . and that there really is nothing too hard for God.

The stories are written in the first person, and the “writers” don’t pull any punches.  They are brutally – sometimes graphically – honest with their experiences, so you might want to keep that in mind when considering younger readers.  And for those who have been technologically blessed (which is about everyone these days!) you can watch 5 of the stories contained in the book online at www.TheRescue.nyc/watch.

Think you’ve strayed too far from God to be rescued?  These seven testimonies just might change your mind.

5 stars for a testimonial to the rescuing power of the one true God

THE RESCUE   

Jim Cymbala, with Ann Spangler

Religion / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth

ISBN 978-0-310-35117-7

177 pages

$16.99 (Hardback with dustjacket)

THE VINE'S EXPOSITORY BIBLE - The Emphasis Is On "EXPOSITORY!"

I read a story one time, about a minister who was engaged in conversation with a good friend.  His friend was asking him about his sermons, and the minister replied,

          “Well, I study all week for my sermon.  And when I get into the pulpit, the sermon I prepared is a good sermon.  Then I start preaching, and it doesn’t sound anything like what I prepared . . . but it’s a better sermon.  Now, if you want to hear a really good sermon, walk home with me of a Sunday evening, and I’ll tell you what I should have said.”

That . . . in a nutshell . . . is what you have in your hands when you open THE VINE’S EXPOSITORY BIBLE.  You have over 60 years of blood, sweat and tears in the service of the Lord, distilled and distributed throughout the text of the Old and New Testaments.  The New King James Version enables the reader to engage the Biblical text without the sometimes confusing language of the KJV, while still remaining faithful to the Authorized Version. 

To this text Pastor Dr. Jerry Vines brings his magnum opus;  24 years worth of expository messages, from every book of the Bible, delivered from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida.  Pastor Vines introduces each book, providing an explanation of the authorship, date, outline, and major themes of the book.  Then as the reader progresses through the Bible, Paster Vines provides numerous helps (I consider them “gems,” personally!):  Expository Messages (“PRESENTING THE MESSAGE”), word studies (“DISCERNING THE MEANING,”) application (“APPLYING THE MESSAGE”), and personal application and growth (“LIVING THE MESSAGE.”) 

This may seem “complicated” in this review, but in actuality it is practically seamless.  These “gems” are strategically placed throughout the text, so that God’s Word remains central.  The helps are actually in the right place; no flipping back and forth, no myriad cross references to distract you.  It’s the closest thing to “total immersion” in Scripture reading that I’ve come across in a study Bible. 

The maps are full-color, and the one on Jesus’ Ministry is especially interesting, with “text ballons” showing where various incidents in Jesus’ ministry took place, geographically.  Also included is a very nice (not exhaustive, but nice) concordance, and the Expository Bible Index, which will help the reader find all of the “gems” that are scattered throughout the VINE’S EXPOSITORY BIBLE.

If I don’t meet Pastor Dr. Jerry Vines in this life, I’ll certainly be looking him up in the next.  I mean, after over 60 years in the ministry, the man is working on his PhD at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  For fun.  I want to meet this man!

5 golden stars for a true expository Bible

THE VINE’S EXPOSITORY BIBLE

Thomas Nelson

Bibles / New King James Version / Reference

ISBN 9760-718-09851-3

1965 pages

$44.99 (Hardback with dust jacket)

The KJV Minister's Bible by Thomas Nelson

As a minister, there is no such thing as too many Bibles.  “Specialty” Bibles are a real treat, and The KJV Minister’s Bible is no exception.  The LeatherSoft cover is soft and supple to the touch, and yet feels very secure in the hand.  I would feel very comfortable holding this Bible open in one hand, while preaching.  For the most part the KJV Minister’s Bible lives up to the claim of “lay-flat” binding . . . when one gets to Revelation, some “pressing” is required, which is to be expected.  I also enjoyed the “clean” text of the Scripture passages.  While I have a Thompson Chain Reference, and love it for the copious cross references and margin notes, sometimes it’s refreshing just to get alone with God’s Word, minus the distractions.  This is a three-ribbon Bible, which means you can easily mark your place for different portions of Scripture, depending on the service.

A convenient thumb-tab allows you to open the Bible easily to a real treasure:  the complete Nelson’s Ministers Manual has been inserted between the Old and New Testaments, making this one of the most “minister-ready” Bibles I’ve ever come across.  Two study guides are included:  30 Days With Jesus, and a One-Year Reading plan.  The eight pages of full-color maps are helpful, as well.

I’ve only noted two issues with this KJV Minister’s Bible.  I like to mark up my Bible . . . a lot.  The highlighters I use seem to bleed through more than I would like.  And the one feature that I sorely miss:  a concordance.  For the serious student of the Bible, a concordance is indispensible. 

All those positives – and only two drawbacks – make this a Bible that I feel is well worth the purchase price.

5 golden stars for a minister-friendly Bible

THE KJV MINISTER’S BIBLE

Thomas Nelson

Bibles / King James Version / Reference

1166 pages

$44.99 (brown LeatherSoft)

Aren't You Ready to MOVE INTO MORE? Choco De Jesus Shows How That Is Possible!

So .. . I've been invited to be a part of the "launch team" for the book by Choco De Jesus, MOVE INTO MORE.  If you are tired (as I am) of the same ol' same ol', if you go to sleep at night wondering "is this all there is?" then this book is for you.  It's becoming available April 24th, but you can pre-order it right now.  It is available on Kindle, in paper back . . . and as an audio book!

God's "more" has no ceiling, no baggage, no guilt, no shame, no ulterior motives, no strings attached.  God gives his "more" shamelessly, hilariously, in good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.  God's more is given as a loving father gives to his beloved child - only the best, and only with his best interests in mind.

Ephesians 4 tells us that God gave certain "gifts" to his beloved bride, The Church:  He gave them apostles, and prophets, and evangelists, and pastors, and teachers . . . and he gave them for a specific purpose:  the edification of the Body of Christ.

And He gave those gifts for a specific time frame; "till we ALL come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

Until His "more" becomes OUR "more."  After all . . . we WERE created in His image, and called to work His works after Him.

Interested?  Intrigued?  I hope so!  Pre-order MOVE INTO MORE today!  Here is a link to help you do so.   Pre-order MOVE INTO MORE

Here is a short "video introduction" link setting the stage for the book, MOVE INTO MORE.   YouTube Introduction to MOVE INTO MORE

A MARVELOUS OPPORTUNITY TO WIN NOT ONE . .. NOT TWO . . . BUT THREE BOOKS BY THOMAS LOCKE . . . AND MORE!

                     LEGENDS OF THE REALM GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY!

THE GOLDEN VIAL: Book Three In LEGENDS OF THE REALM by Thomas Locke

THE GOLDEN VIAL

Thomas Locke

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2387-3

Fantasy

Revell

293 pages

$ 14.20  U.S. paperback

"What's in a name?  A rose
By any other name would smell as sweet" 
William Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet

Perhaps that’s a question that one should ask of Dally . . . orphaned by a fire that had robbed her of father, mother, and three brothers; serving in the kitchen of the Mayor of Honor under the cruel ministrations of Krim, his wife; and yet possessed of gifts far beyond the scope of normal humans.  Magic came naturally to Dally, and her abilities in far-seeing were kept to herself, for fear of superstitious reprisal.  Until the fate of the realm was suddenly laid upon her small soldiers.

Hyam, The Emissary, lay in the elven realm, stricken by a strange malady that threatens to claim his life.  In an effort to bring healing to Hyam – and to the realm – Queen Shona risks both life and crown and travels to Honor, Hyam’s hometown.  Here, plans will be made that, if successful, will bring hope and healing to The Realm.

If they fail . . . The Realm will be no more.

This is book three in Thomas Locke’s THE LEGENDS OF THE REALM series . . . and one that I felt in my bones must be “just around the corner,” I’ve been waiting for it so long.  In fact, 2 days before I received the invitation to review The Golden Vial, I had just finished re-reading both  Emissary and The Merchant Of Alyss, so I was more than prepared to “jump in” and finish this series.

But . . . it’s not finished, is it, Mr. Locke?

Rich in stunning visual images, full of complex, well-rounded characters that grow before your very eyes . . .and so full of suspense, intrigue, heart-stopping action and heart-breaking emotion that you will feel as if you are just one more traveller on a journey of a lifetime.  You will find yourself  

“Rejoicing with them that do rejoice, and weeping with them that weep.” 

Romans 12:15 (KJV)

5 stars for epic fantasy that captures heart, body and mind

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

HOW MANY LIVES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY A SURGEONS CHOICE?

Dr. Ben Merrick has been having a rough day.  In fact, he's been having a rough few weeks.  And for the life of him, he can't figure out why.  Although he does have his suspicions.  It could all be filed under the letter “K,” for Dr. Kasner.  Ben’s ethics had compelled him to question Dr. Kasner’s treatment of a patient who had subsequently died.  Could Dr. Kasner be making this personal?

Ben’s fiancé, Rachel Gardner, has her own packet of troubles.  Desperately hoping for a temporary truce between her mom and dad . . . at least until after the wedding . . .the 2^nd Floor nurse received the rather cryptic news that her father had approached Ben for a large sum of money.  And he wouldn’t say why.  The wheels started spinning in Racehl’s mind, and the places it took her were not pleasant.

Are these simply a series of unfortunate events, or could there be some method to the madness, after all.  And will Ben and Rachel live long enough to uncover the truth?

Dr. Mabry writes medical mysteries that will keep you on the edge of your seat, while at the same time opening the reader’s eyes with a clear, unashamed faith message.  Dr. Mabry is a retired physician, yet this latest work clearly demonstrates that “retired” does no necessarily equal “dead.”  He kept me Googling subjects and terms that I have never come across in my life.  And while I took extensive notes throughout the book – I was STILL unable to discern “whodunnit” until the closing pages! 

5 stars for a page-turning medical thriller

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

SURGEONS CHOICE

Dr. Richard Mabry

ISBN: 978-1-9795-3428-4

medical mystery / Christian fiction

CreateSpace / Independently Published

143 pages

$ 6.99  U.S. paperback

THE HOUSE ON FOSTER HILL Will Wake You Up!

Kaine Prescott needed a break.  The stress of her job counselling (rescuing?) abused women was taking its toll, and creating interesting life experiences with the men from whom they were rescued.  Including threats, intimidation, psychological warfare and physical confrontations.

Buying a house, sight unseen, based on the recommendation of a friend of a friend, probably wasn’t a good way to begin.  And when she finds out that her family has a “history” with the dark mansion, she begins to question her sanity. 

And yet Kaine finds herself waking up.  Waking up to friendship . . . to romance . . . to love?  Waking up to faith.  Waking up to hope.  Waking up to the realization that God is more than just a name in a book that she hasn’t opened in a long time.  And by the time the last chapter has been written, the reader is going to come to the same realization.

Travelling through time is possible.  It’s also exhausting, and emotionally draining.  And it’s one of the most effective means of ensuring that you have a totally captive audience.  Brava, Jaime Jo Wright!  You’ve succeeded.

While I’ve read books that have employed this formula before, I’ve never seen it articulated so effectively, or so seamlessly.  This is a large book, close to 400 pages.  However, every page, every paragraph, contributes to the flow of the story.  Soon, you will ask yourself, “Am I reading . . . or am I experiencing events along with the other characters?”

One other detail worth mentioning . . . the house is a character, as well.  And the house grows and develops much as the other characters in the story.  I’ve always found such details to be the trademark of some of the most excellent literature.  This is Jaime Jo Wright’s debut novel . . . and I’m looking forward to many more stories from this gifted author.

5 stars for a story that will hold you until the very last page.

THE HOUSE ON FOSTER HILL

Jaime Jo Wright

ISBN 978-0-7642-3028-8

Romantic Suspense

Bethany House

359 pages

$14.99 paperback

IS THIS THE END? Dr. David Jeremiah Provides Insight For Tomorrow

You will want to take some time with this book.  You will want to have an open door to your favorite walking trail, driveway, backyard, or wherever it is that you go to “cool off.”  Because Dr. David Jeremiah is all about the truth . . . and sometimes, the truth is really hard to handle.

And when the author of IS THIS THE END? starts telling it like it is . . . and citing example after example of the stereotyping, marginalization, threats and intimidation, and litigation being forced upon believers . . . here, in America . . . simply because of their faith . . . well, you just have to go somewhere.

But please . . . don’t forget to come back.  Take a deep breath . . . turn the page, and keep reading.  Because the worst is over, and the best is yet to come.

With a masterful grasp of human history, a clear understanding of current events, and an almost encyclopedic knowledge of scripture, Dr. David Jeremiah will leave you firmly established on solid ground . . . recognizing what in the world is going on, and how in the world you are supposed to respond to it from a biblical perspective.

Five stars for a challenging wake-up call that is long overdue!

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my open and honest review.

IS THIS THE END?

Dr. David Jeremiah

ISBN: 978-0-7852-1628-5

RELIGION / Christian Life / Spiritual Growth

Thomas Nelson

321 pages

$16.99  U.S. paperback

Few Things Are As Sacred As An OATH OF HONOR

This time . . . it’s personal.

When her rookie partner is killed in the line of duty, Police Officer Isabelle “Izzy” St. James is determined to get to the bottom of the matter, regardless of how many skeletons she may unearth in the process.  She just never believed that the secrets could lie so close to home . . . or how much pain and suffering she would have to inflict on herself, and the lives of those nearest and dearest to her.

Nevertheless, Isabelle St. James took an oath, before God and country . . . an Oath of Honor.  And she is determined to uphold that oath, no matter the cost.

Lynette Eason writes with an engaging style, and introduces the reader to deep, rich, complex characters that immediately “connect” with her audience.  She also brings a wealth of research to the game, without burdening the reader with confusing techno-babble that often accompanies books of this nature.  And through a masterful application of suspense, danger, intrigue, and just the right touch of romance, Lynette Eason will keep you guessing as she delivers yet another powerful work of fiction to her many loyal readers.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my open and honest review.

OATH OF HONOR

Lynette Eason

ISBN: 978-0-8007-2721-5

Romantic Suspense

Revell

359 pages

$15.99  U.S. paperback