FALCON: BOOK THREE OF THE QUIET PROFESSIONALS BY RONIE KENDIG

Now . . . it’s personal.         

As if it weren’t before.

The operators in Team Raptor have had their head cut off.  But they are not dead, neither are they any less deadly.  When you set out to yank the tail of the tiger – you’d better have a plan for dealing with his teeth.

Newly-minted Warrant Officer 1^st Class Salvatore “FALCON” Russo is totally ready to sink his teeth into the Osiris hacker.  But that means putting the team in the hands of Cassandra Walker.  In his eyes, the cliché “Anything is better than nothing” fails the test when it comes to Cassie.  The last time he trusted her, two of the most important people in his life died.  Never again.

Cassandra Walker knows exactly three things:  she has never loved any man besides Salvatore Russo, he hates her more than life itself, and her mission may destroy any chance of reconciliation.

In the third installment of The Quiet Professionals, “FALCON” must reassemble the team and send them into danger – yet again.  Yet he can’t escape the frustration of having his hands tied, the Raptor team unable to do what they do best:  operate.  With swift, unerring precision.  Ridding the world of a cancer that should never have existed in the first place.

Riding the razor’s edge has never been more crucial than now .  . . nor has it ever been more painful.  What will “FALCON” find waiting for him at the end of the ride?  Is that light at the end of the tunnel?  Or is it another freight train?  Ronie Kendig will keep you guessing to the very last page.

One thing that does need mentioning.  The Quiet Professionals series, by its very nature, is more interwoven than a lot of series might be.  Because this is an “on-going operation,” FALCON  is not as easily read “on-its-own.”  If this is the first book of the series you’ve come across, you might consider checking out the previous two, just to get the “lay of the land.”

5 stars for Special Ops action, suspense and a passion for others by Ronie Kendig!

FALCON:  The Quiet Professionals Book 3

RONIE KENDIG

ISBN 978-1-62416-319-7

Fiction/Christian/suspense

Shiloh Run Press

350 pages

$13.99 U.S.

BURIED SECRETS by Irene Hannon

Lisa Grant, former Chicago Homicide Detective, and Mac McGregor, former-Navy-SEAL-turned-detective, have quite a bit in common.  Both are used to defusing stressful situations, both are fearless in the face of danger . . . and both are professionally offended when lives are in danger.

And right now . . . lives are in danger.  Theirs.

A human skeleton, recently unearthed by construction workers at the edge of town, taxes the resources of the small town of Carson.  Mac McGregor is assigned to assist Lisa in what they hope will be an open-and-shut case.  But there are some secrets better off left buried.

Don’t open this book.  Unless you have plenty of coffee or tea, plenty of time, and a well-lit reading area.  Irene Hannon has done it again.

Weaving fully developed characters that one is immediately drawn to, attention to detail that doesn’t bog the story down, and edge-of the seat suspense that will keep you guessing until the last beat of the climax, Irene Hannon, “The Queen Of Inspirational Romantic Suspense,” lives up to her legend.

5 stars for sizzling inspirational romantic suspense

BURIED SECRETS:  MEN OF VALOR SERIES BOOK ONE

IRENE HANNON

ISBN  978-0-8007-2126-8

Fiction / Romantic Suspense

Revell Books

$14.99 paperback

A.D. THE BIBLE CONTINUES: THE BOOK OF ACTS

* * * I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for my fair and honest review. * * *

 

“A man was crucified for all the wrong reasons.”

But where would we be without the cross?  Taking the crucifixion as a starting point, Dr. David Jeremiah provides a keepsake commentary on the 2-Volume history of the Christian Church, as compiled by Dr. Luke, a follower of Jesus Christ and frequent companion of the Apostle Paul.

Dr. Luke was not an eyewitness to the events of Jesus’ life, as far as we know.  He used his intelligence and credentials as a physician to gather, sift through, and organize the vast amounts of material that was already being circulated amongst the early church by the followers of Jesus to compile his work.  His education and training eminently prepared him for this monumental task.  Seriously . . . how DOES one pick and choose the most appropriate, the most important, the most crucial remembrances of the Greatest Life that was ever lived, to preserve for posterity?

Dr. David Jeremiah has always been one of my favorite authors, because of  his gracious demeanor coupled with a refreshing refusal to compromise.  He speaks the truth in love . . . but by all means, he speaks the truth.  This slender volume (it’s only 177, 7.5 X 4.25 inch pages) contains one of the most comprehensive and cohesive outlines of the book of Acts that I’ve come across.  Dr. Jeremiah’s scholarship, coupled with his story-telling ability, make reading this volume a welcome experience.  And the reader is going to learn, without even realizing it!

The advantages already expounded, by themselves, would make this a welcome addition to one’s library at any cost.  Add to this twenty articles by Dr. Jeremiah, highlighting the key players and themes in the Book of Acts, stunning full-color photographs from the exotic locations where A.D.  The Bible Continues was filmed, and spectacular moments created by Emmy Award-winning executive producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, and you have a volume that cannot be measured in terms of monetary consideration.

One criticism that  I might offer would be the typeset.  The font is rather small, and the brown type set against the cream-colored pages does not provide enough contrast for my taste.  However, I’m not going to take points off for that one technical aspect of this otherwise excellent work by Dr. David Jeremiah and Tyndale Publishers.

5 stars for one of the best one-volume commentaries on the Book of Acts I’ve come across!

A.D.   THE BIBLE CONTINUES:  THE BOOK OF ACTS

With Notes and Insights From Dr. David Jeremiah

ISBN  978-1-4964-0718-4

Religious / General

Tyndale

$15.99 hardback w/ jacket

EASTER STORIES: CLASSIC TALES FOR THE HOLY SEASON!

Don’t tell me that the publishing houses cannot produce a quality softcover book . . . I’m holding one in my hand!

Seriously, the first thing that impressed me about this book was the quality of the binding, even before I started reading.  The craftsmanship that went into this book is just another bonus to an already superb literary work.

This collection of stories from the masters is a thought-provoking, challenging, and uplifting adventure in prose and poetry, all with one aim in mind:  to lift Him up! 

They’ve succeeded.

This is a short review, because to cover every contribution to this anthology would make for a rather lengthy one.  Which would keep you from diving in and relishing the offerings from some of the world’s finest literary minds.

So please, don’t let me stop you.  Get in there!  The crown jewels have nothing on this book!

5 stars for a collection of timeless treasures!

EASTER STORIES:  Classic Tales For The Holy Season

C.S. Lewis, Leo Tolstoy, et. al.

978-0-87486-598-1

Easter / Literary Collections

Plough Publishing House

373 pages

$18.00 U.S. Softcover

THE IMPOSSIBLE RACE . . . THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME, IN A LIFETIME OF CHANCE!

Every year the futuristic school, Cragbridge Hall, holds its most popular tournament: The Impossible Race, a series of challenges that require the use of the school's amazing inventions, like its holographic time machine. But this year is different. Rather than a monetary or academic award, this year's winner will be the recipient of a carefully guarded school secret, a secret that could prove both powerful and dangerous.

Afraid that the secret may be one of their Grandfather's inventions, Abby and Derick gather their friends and enroll in the contest. But when Derick gets a mysterious message from the future, the team of friends must figure out how to succeed even when they know they are destined to fail. The stakes have never been higher in this page-turning, time-travel adventure that teaches powerful lessons about choice and consequence, believing in yourself, and valuing the lessons of history.

This is Book Three of the Cragbridge Hall series by author Chad Morris.  To celebrate the release, Shadow Mountain Press is offering Book One, The Inventor’s Secret, for $1.99 through March 17^th.  Click on the link below to take advantage of this special offer!  
http://www.amazon.com/Cragbridge-Hall-Book-One-Inventors-ebook/dp/B00BPFM1VA/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-2&qid=1425501198

Author CHAD MORRIS would love to be able to control animal avatars, see history in 3D, and show everyone how he imagines stories. Since the inventions that would make that possible currently exist only in his imagination, he settles for reading, writing, playing basketball, rappelling down an occasional slot canyon, dating his wife, and hanging out with his five awesome kids in his home state of Utah.

RIVER'S EDGE: Cape Refuge Series Book 3 by Terri Blackstock

Where do YOU go for YOUR information?

Cape Refuge is experiencing another storm, and it isn’t caused by natural phenomena.  As the political race for mayor between Ben Jackson and Pastor Jonathan Cleary heats up, more lives stand to be impacted by the outcome of the election.  Police Chief Matthew Cade knows that if Jonathan doesn’t prevail, his job is on the line as well.

When Ben Jackson’s wife goes missing, the rumor mill begins.  And when a local psychic leads authorities to the river’s edge – directly to the location of Lisa Jackson’s body – it’s only adds fuel to the fire. 

Amidst swirling accusations, suspicious minds, and chaotic lives spinning out of control – there is still The Truth.

The Truth will set you free.  Free indeed.

Exploring a variety of real-life issues, and written with Terri Blackstock’s trademark for deep characters, realistic relationships, and suspense that holds you to the very last page, RIVER’S EDGE will impact your life long after you’ve put the book down.

5 Stars for Christian Suspense at its finest!

RIVER’S EDGE:  CAPE REFUGE SERIES BOOK 4

Terri Blackstock

ISBN  978-0-310-34279-3

Fiction / Christian / Suspense

Zondervan

360 pages

$ 10.99 (U.S.)

FINDING FAVOR WITH THE KING: Preparing for YOUR Moment In HIS Presence by Tommy Tenney

Every now and then, a book comes along that forces you to slow down and really pay attention to what you are reading.  Pay attention to what you are experiencing as you are reading.  Pay attention to what you are learning from what you are experiencing as you are reading.

Every now and then, a book comes along that transforms your life.

FINDING FAVOR WITH THE KING:  PREPARING for YOUR MOMENT in HIS PRESENCE is just such a book, in my own humble opinion.

Author Tommy Tenney, an international speaker and author has always been a challenging read for me, for a number of reasons.  One, he doesn’t pull any punches.  He speaks from the heart, and his heart is tuned to listening to his Father.  If you don’t want to hear the truth, don’t open this book.

Two, Tommy Tenney can COMMUNICATE!!!  He uses illustrations, analogies, personal anecdotes, Scripture, commentary . . . whatever it takes to get his point deep into the heart of the reader.  He uses every tool in the shed to make sure that you get the point. 

Three, Tommy Tenney doesn’t waste time.  He gets right to the point.  But he does so in a way that completely covers the point, without losing your train of thought.  He shows you where he’s coming from, lets you know when he’s got there, tells you where he’s going . . . and he also shares with you the importance of the point that is currently under discussion.  He tells you how to put that particular point into action in your life, as well.  You learn from Tommy Tenney – and it doesn’t even feel like “learning” at all.

In this latest book by Tommy Tenney, the author places the book – and the life – of a young Jewish girl by the name of Haddassah.  We know her better by the Bible book that bears her name – Esther.  FINDING FAVOR WITH THE KING has become my favorite commentary on the book of Esther.  Tommy Tenney covers the historical / cultural background of Esther with the skill of a seasoned scholar, and shares the significance of those historical / cultural issues with the passion of a pastor (sorry, my Baptist roots are showing!)  For instance, were you aware that the other participants in the “beauty contest” didn’t get to go back home?  They remained in the king’s harem . . . for life.

Were you aware that the “gallows” that Mordecai prepared for Haman was not intended for hanging – but for impalement?

But the importance of the book is found in the “application.”  Tommy Tenney looks at Esther with fresh eyes, and shows us how important it is for every one of us to prepare for our own “moment” in His presence.  FINDING FAVOR WITH THE KING is not a task for an hour, or a day . . . it is a task for a lifetime.  And oh, what a day that will be when we finally get “our moment with the King!!!”

Thank you, Tommy!  I wish they had an option for 6 stars!

5 stars

FINDING FAVOR WITH THE KING:  Preparing for YOUR Moment In HIS Presence

Tommy Tenney

ISBN 978-0-7642-1172-0

Christian Living

Bethany House

238 pages

$15.99 U.S.