camvan89 reviews

The Crossing by Serita Jakes

2012-01-27T12:22:00.001-08:00

Ten years ago, teacher BJ Remington was killed on a school bus on the way home from a football game. Her best friend, Claudia, stuck by her side as BJ slowly died. Now Claudia is married to the assistant district attorney and does all she can to forget that night. But the killer was never caught and now her husband is reopening the case. Helping him is Casio Hightower, a town cop who has a vested interest in the case. Casio was a star football player whose career was ended on that bus when he was also shot by BJ’s murderer. Now Claudia has to try to keep it together as her husband and Casio try to find the killer.

This is the first novel by Serita Jakes, and I was really impressed. There were times where the dialogue seemed forced and some of the characters actions seemed unrealistic. But still, the book took me in right away and kept me intrigued throughout the whole story. The plot kept me guessing as I was unable to figure out who the killer was until the very end. As a lover of suspense and thrillers, this book met my high expectations. But even more powerful than the plot of the story was the underlying theme of God’s grace and love. I look forward to more stories by Serita Jakes. Highly recommended.

The Canary List by Sigmund Brouwer

2011-12-26T14:26:00.001-08:00

Jaimie Piper has the same problems that most foster kids have. But she has another problem as well; she can sense evil. One night she runs to one of her teachers for help. The teacher, Crockett Gray, does what he can to help the girl, but gets caught up in something that neither of them understand. Crockett gets accused of abusing the girl and realizes that he has gotten himself in a mess. He has to get himself out as well as try to save the girl from whatever is hunting her. As Crockett encounters a psychiatrist, an exorcist, and a Cardinal from the Catholic Church, he thinks that he may have gotten caught up in a conspiracy within the Vatican itself.

This is the second book I have read from Sigmund Brouwer and I did enjoy it. The story is interesting all the way through and kept me wondering what was going on. Few authors want to tackle the notion of demons, but he does a good job staying consistent with research and theology. Jumping from character to character kept me from getting too attached to any of the people in the story. Also it was also a tad disjointed which made the story somewhat confusing. Still, the book was very well written and I look forward to reading more stories from Sigmund Brouwer in the future. Recommended.

For Men Only by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn

2011-12-05T12:57:00.000-08:00

For Men Only is a nonfiction book which tackles a huge issue for most men: Why do women do the things they do? Most men have a tough time understanding women and this leads to some major issues in their relationships. Jeff and Shaunti have talked to hundreds of women and taken several surveys to try to understand the thoughts and beliefs of women. Topics in this book include listening, security, and of course, sex. Each chapter talks about a problem, women’s thoughts, and practical ideas for men.

For Men Only is the follow-up to Shaunti’s book, For Women Only. Jeff is the main author of this book while Shaunti adds a few thoughts and ideas. I’ve been in a committed relationship for over 5 years now and am engaged to the love of my life. Over the years, we have had many disagreements, and I think many of these conflicts stem from just misunderstanding the opposite sex. The authors do a great job of outlining the problems and what to do to fix them. I am going to take each of the chapters in this book to heart and apply it to my relationship. I think this book will really help me as I give my life to my wonderful fiancé. Highly recommended

The Corruptible by Mark Mynheir

2011-11-17T10:17:00.000-08:00

Ray Quinn is working on keeping his new private investigator business alive, but he’s finding that paying the bills can be tough. When he meets a new rich client, Ray thinks he may have caught the break he’s needed. But Ray soon finds that the client may be holding some important information back from him. With a murdered ex-cop, a biker gang, and a flirtatious receptionist, Ray thinks he may be in over his head.

The Corruptible is the second book in the Ray Quinn series by Mark Mynheir. I enjoyed the first book the series and I enjoyed this one a great deal too. I can tell that Mynheir (a former cop) knows what he is talking about in the books. The biggest issue I had with this book was that most of the “twists” were pretty predictable. Most of the time I knew what was coming. Still, it has been good getting to know Ray Quinn and the other characters. I’m looking forward to the next installment in this series. Recommended.

The Final Hour by Andrew Klavan

2011-07-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

In The Final Hour, Charlie West is in prison for murder and escape. While he is innocent, Charlie can’t prove it and being locked up is maddening. It becomes worse as Charlie learns that Prince, the leader of the Homelanders, has avoided capture and is still on the loose. Charlie continues to regain memories and realizes that Prince is planning one more major attack in America. Charlie realizes that he has to get out and stop this attack.

The Final Hour is the last book in the Homelander Series by Andrew Klavan. Each book has been action packed and this one is no different. Charlie starts off in prison, but the book picks up quickly. You must read the previous books in the series before this one, and if you enjoyed those books, you will enjoy The Final Hour. This was a very enjoyable series and I look forward to what Klavan writes next. Recommended.

The Alarmists by Don Hoesel

2011-06-06T11:33:00.001-07:00

The end of the world according to the Mayan calendar is drawing near and several events around the world seem to indicate this might be correct. An American military unit which specializes in investigating strange occurrences is trying to discover what is causing these events. They add sociologist Brent Michaels to the team for a different point of view. What Michaels finds is that these events might not be natural, but manmade.

This is the second book I have read by Don Hoesel, and I really enjoyed it. After Harold Camping’s end of the world proclamation, this book does have some special meaning. Hoesel does a great job of keeping the story moving which makes it a fun and fast read. The characters are all interesting and you really want to know what will happen. I look forward to the books that Hoesel writes in the future. Recommended.

Vigilante by Robin Parrish

2011-05-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

It is many years in the future and the United States is a place of crime and unrest. Nolan Gray, former Special Forces and prisoner of war, has decided to do something about it. He fakes his death and becomes a masked vigilante. With the help of two friends, he sets out to help people and show that there is a better way to live. But the bad guys aren’t going to give up without a fight, so Nolan has quite the task ahead of him.

I loved the Dominion Trilogy and the two stand-alone novels that Robin Parrish has written. I loved this book even more. Parrish’s writing is suburb, and the story is very easy to get into. I have always enjoyed superhero stories, and this book is no exception. It is a fun, fast-paced novel that will be a great summer read. I really hope that Robin is able to find a much larger audience because this story needs to be read. Highly recommended

The God Hater by Bill Myers

2011-05-07T09:05:00.001-07:00

Nicholas Mackenzie is a staunch atheist, who will do whatever he can to criticize religion. When his brother, Travis, creates an artificial intelligence program to imitate society, he asks Nicholas for help. It seems that no matter what kind of society Travis creates, the members end up killing themselves. It is Nicholas’ job to find the philosophical ideas to create the perfect society. As Nicholas begins to help out, he doesn’t like what he finds.

This is the first book I have read by Bill Myers, and I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t sure about the book when I started it, but I was quickly captivated. This story is a great illustration of God’s love and the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. I would compare this allegory to the Circle Series by Ted Dekker. Myers is able to show the power of the Gospel through a more modern tale. While a novel cannot come close to reading Scripture, this is a powerful book that I highly recommend.

Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann

2011-04-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

Jonah Westfall is the police chief in the town of Redford, Colorado. While he works to keep people safe, he has his own issues to deal with. There is a dark family history as well as a 9-year conflict with former friend Tia Manning. When Jonah discovers a pair of mutilated raccoons, he takes the case head on. Jonah will do whatever it takes to keep Redford safe. He finds that he cannot ignore his personal issues either, so he has a lot on his plate.

This is the second book I’ve read by Kristen Heitzmann and I’m really starting to enjoy her writing. The story is interesting all the way through and there is a message of hope within the story. A couple problems I found are that she tends to rush events which makes the story a bit confusing at times. Also some of the dialogue seems rushed, but these issues don’t take away from the story. There is the theme of unity throughout this book which adds to the enjoyment of the story. I did have the story mostly figured out by the end, but it was a fun read. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books in the future. Recommended.

The Resurrection by Mike Duran

2011-04-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

Ruby Case is a quiet, church-going mother whose world is turned upside down when she raises a young boy from the dead. People start coming from all over to see Ruby and she isn’t sure what to do about it. Reverend Ian Clark, Ruby’s pastor, is about to turn in his resignation when he hears about the resurrection. He now has a decision to make about what to do with this situation. The quiet town of Stonetree will never be the same… And this may be for the better.

While I did enjoy this debut novel by Mike Duran, I had a tough time getting into it. The characters are hard to relate to, and the dialogue often seems forced. It is a good story of redemption and hope, but it just wasn’t that great. Mike Duran is a good storyteller who just needs to work more on his novel writing.

The Strange Man by Greg Mitchell

2011-03-28T09:38:00.001-07:00

The Strange Man is book one in The Coming Evil Trilogy by Greg Mitchell. The story takes place in a small quiet town where evil is approaching. Dras Weldon is a young man with no direction in his life. He is living life one day at a time. His brother Jeff is a pastor and cannot get Dras to find any meaning in life. After a storm, strange things start happening, and Dras comes face to face with evil. If he wants to survive, Dras will have to realize that the only way to defeat evil is with God.

I’ve read several Christian horror novels, and I have enjoyed them all. Unfortunately, they get many negative reviews from Christians who complain that there is not enough talk about Jesus. Well this is the book for them. This is a horror novel, but there is a great deal about Jesus and Scripture. I don’t feel that every book by a Christian author has to have someone convert to Christianity, but Greg Mitchell must know how the market works. I did enjoy this book and look forward to the next book to see what happens. I hope that Mitchell can work on his dialogue a bit, but overall it was an enjoyable read that most Christians will love. Recommended.

Pujols: More than the Game by Scott Lamb and Tim Ellsworth

2011-03-01T18:55:00.000-08:00

This book chronicles the first half of Albert Pujols amazing career. Albert has been considered one of the all-time great baseball players and this book shows how great he has been year in and year out. But what this book does is show that Albert is more than just a baseball player. He is an ardent follower of Jesus Christ. In our society faith is mostly ignored, but it is hard to ignore a man of such great faith. Albert puts God first in his life with everything he does. He knows that there is much more to life than baseball.

As a Cardinals fan, I really enjoyed reading about Albert’s career, but I enjoyed reading about his life even more. He is not just another shallow celebrity; he is a man who gives back to society. He works with those with Down syndrome and makes trips to help in his native Dominican Republic. I can only hope that people read this book and follow in Albert’s footsteps. One problem with this book was the emphasis on stats which can be tough for non-baseball fans. Still, this is a very enjoyable read about one of the most remarkable men in our country.

A Rush of Wings by Kristen Heitzmann

2011-01-15T21:00:00.001-08:00

Noelle St. Claire is running away from her life, and she ends up in small town in Colorado. Nested deep in the Rockies, Noelle feels like this is the place for her to be. The owner of the ranch she is staying at, Rick Morgan, likes Noelle, but isn’t sure about getting in a relationship. His brother Morgan tries to start a relationship with Noelle right away. Noelle doesn’t know what to think about these two brothers, but she is perfectly happy in her new environment. Unfortunately the past that Noelle is running away from catches up to her. She is going to need help to overcome these issues and have a happy future.

I don’t read many books by female authors, but I enjoyed this book a great deal. While I would consider this a romance novel, it is filled with suspense and action. I was unable to put the book down for the last 150 pages as I could feel the emotion of the main characters surge through my body. This is a story of pain, love, and hope for the future. This book also motivated me to look at my life, and see if I was living the way I should with God being my number one priority.

The Truth of the Matter by Andrew Klavan

2011-01-15T20:45:00.001-08:00

In The Truth of the Matter, Charlie West is continuing his quest to figure out what happened in the past year of his life. He is seeking Waterman, hoping to find some answers. Luckily for Charlie, he does get answers, but he also is faced with many more dangers. Charlie has to once again fight for his freedom and regain the life he lost a year ago. Charlie faces familiar foes, but also makes some new friends. Through all this, Charlie keeps one phrase in mind: Never, never give up.

This is the third book in the young adult Homelander Series by Andrew Klavan. It picks up quite quickly from the previous book, and takes your interest right away. Charlie and the reader are both wondering one thing: What happened to Charlie in the past year? It’s nice to finally get some answers and figure out what exactly is going on. This is a quick, fast-paced book that left me eagerly waiting for the last installment in this fun series.

The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews

2010-09-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

Does your life matter? Many people feel that they don't matter and the world would be fine without them. In this short book, Andrews shows that this is not true. He uses several different stories to show how individuals can affect millions of people by their actions. This book really motivated me to take my actions seriously because I could really help people. Very good book

The Falling Away by T.L. Hines

2010-09-24T08:32:00.001-07:00

A member of the Crow tribe, Dylan Runs Ahead is running… away from his problems. He left the reservation after the disappearance of his sister and left the army after the death of a friend. Now he has nowhere to go. He has been called chosen but feels that he is only chosen for pain. A young woman named Quinn who is a member in a secret group hopes to guide Dylan to see what he is chosen for.

This is the fifth book by T.L. Hines and it is my favorite. He is known for supernatural stories with some bizarre aspects and has crafted another really enjoyable story. You know with Hines that his books will be different than any other author you will read. Dylan is a very interesting character who can’t see his purpose in life while Quinn has a very specific goal in life. This is a powerful story that really shows that we are all chosen by God.

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

2010-07-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

Wild at Heart is a nonfiction book that looks deep into the souls of men. Many men are searching for something in life and can’t seem to find it. One thing they seek is excitement in life and to find their masculinity. Too often masculinity is buried deep within. God is a passionate God and He created men to be strong and explore the world.

The Wild at Heart Revised and Expanded Edition comes out ten years after the original Wild at Heart. Eldredge has looked back over the last decade and added a few things, but for the most part the idea is the same. I enjoyed the book as it made me think about who I am and my relationship with God. I know that the only way for me to survive this world is with the help of God. My only issue is that there should have been more emphasis on the Gospel, but overall an interesting read for men. Recommended.

Broken by Travis Thrasher

2010-05-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

Laila Torres is a beautiful young women who is trying to settle down in Greenville, South Carolina. What others don't know is that Laila killed a man in self-defense as an escort in Chicago. When Laila is approached by a man claiming to be the brother of the man she killed, Laila feels like she has no choice but to run and hide somewhere else. No matter what Laila does, she feels like her past is coming back to haunt her. With her brother and a coworker trying to help Laila out, she tries to overcome the issues of her past and find peace.

Travis Thrasher has really grown in his recent books and this one is no different. He really does a great job in his characterization, especially with Laila. Like all of us, Laila is broken and wants to find love and acceptance. She has made mistakes but the thing she needs the most is forgiveness. This story is quite dark at times, but there is a strong message of hope for us all. Highly recommended.

Wonders Never Cease by Tim Downs

2010-04-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

Kemp McAvoy is a nurse who believes he is much too smart for his position. After being kicked out of his last year of residency, Kemp had to change his name and move to Los Angeles. An movie star is in a car accident and Kemp is her primary nurse. When Kemp’s girlfriend’s daughter claims to have seen an angel, Kemp gets a brilliant idea that will make him rich. Kemp finally believes that he will get the money he deserves.
Wonders Never Cease is the third standalone novel by Tim Downs and is a departure from his previous works. His other books have been more action-oriented while this book is more focused on the characters and plot. This book was very enjoyable as some of the characters were very likeable and some others were very easy to dislike. The story itself is easy to follow and makes me look forward to what Downs writes in the future. Recommended

Never Let You Go by Erin Healy

2010-04-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

Lexi Solomon faced tragedy seven years ago but was able to hold on. Now her husband is back after leaving her, and her sister’s murderer is up for parole. All Lexi wants to do is move on with her life, but the past is coming back into the present. Lexi has to figure out how to deal with these issues in her life.
Erin Healy got her name out by co-authoring two books with Ted Dekker and this is her first book by herself. I was very impressed with the characters in this book as well as how the plot progressed through the story. It’s a dark book, but there is hope that we can all reach out for. While I can tell this is Erin’s first solo novel, I really look forward to where she goes from here. Highly recommended.

The Clouds Roll Away by Sibella Giorello

2010-04-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

The Clouds Roll Away is the third book in the Raleigh Harmon Series. In this installment, Raleigh is headed back to Richmond Virginia from her stint in Seattle. She has to investigate a cross burning and begins to look deeper into the situation. More issues with the FBI emerge as well as issues in her personal life. Raleigh keeps working to solve the case and hope that her other problems can be fixed too.
This is another very enjoyable read in the Raleigh Harmon series as Giorello continues to improve the main character and play into different situations that Raleigh faces in her life. While the law enforcement aspect is very good, the characterization and deeper issues really make this story great. Raleigh uses her faith to keep going and she has a hope that really can inspire us all. Highly recommended.

Hunter’s Moon by Don Hoesel

2010-03-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

CJ Baxter is a bestselling novelist who is able to take experiences from his life and bring them into his books. He hasn’t been back to his hometown in over fifteen years, but his grandfather has passed away so CJ heads back home. He finds that there are things he has missed, and things he hasn’t. As CJ fights for the truth within his family, it soon becomes clear that there are things that are more important than blood.

This is Don Hoesel’s second novel, and he does a great job exploring the dynamics of a small town as well as the damage that secrets can make. CJ is able to really make some changes in his own life as he searches for the truth. The book can be a bit slow at times, but it really held my attention as I wondered what would happen next. While there are some parts that aren’t relevant to the story line, the overall plot is excellent and the story progresses well. I look forward to what Hoesel writes in the future. Highly recommended.

Review copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers

The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker

2010-03-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

FBI agent Brad Raines is attempting to track down a serial killer who is murdering young women. The killer leaves a veil on the victim’s head before leaving the body. He has been dubbed The Bride Collector and Raines is working against the clock to catch the killer before he strikes again. On a lead, Raines goes to a mental institution for the gifted and meets a young woman named Paradise. Paradise has a unique ability and Raines hopes that she can help him stop the Bride Collector. This is Dekker’s second mainstream novel and I believe that the book is much better than his last, Boneman’s Daughters. This book really touched my heart as Dekker was able to use much different characters who had experienced great hurt to work together to catch a killer. This is a book that is very enjoyable from the crime aspect as well as having a much deeper meaning. I look forward to seeing where Ted Dekker goes from here. Highly recommended.

(Review copy provided by Hachette Book Group)

Face of Betrayal by Lis Wiehl with April Henry

2010-02-09T15:28:00.000-08:00

A 17 year old girl takes her dog out for a walk one morning and never comes home. A unique trio consisting of an FBI Special Agent, a Federal Prosecuter, and news reporter take the case. These three are good friends who use their resources to help find the girl. A U.S. senator becomes a main suspect, but no one can figure out what happened to this girl. These three women try to put everything together to solve the case. The plot of the story was intriging, but the book just seemed unrealistic, especially the ending. The idea that these three former high school classmates would be able to work together on such a high profile case seems a little far fetched. I did enjoy the book for most part, but the end left me wondering if the author really knows what she is talking about. Mildly recommended

The Long Way Home by Andrew Klavan

2010-01-12T10:43:00.000-08:00

The second book in the Homelanders series continues with the main character, Charlie West. Charlie woke up one day as a wanted man and he doesn't know why. Both terrorists and the police are trying to catch Charlie and all he wants are some answers. He goes home to try to find the reason behind the situation he has found himself in. His friends from home join Charlie and his quest for what has happened. The first book in this series was great and this book is a great continuation. It's a fast paced book leaving you wanting for more. Highly recommended.

The White Horse King By Benjamin Merkle

2010-01-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

King Alfred is one of the most storied kings in Britian's history. He is most known for leading his people over the Vikings, but he did many other things for his kingdom. He changed the roadways and legal codes. He also restarted Christian worship and learning about God. History isn't one of my favorite subjects, but reading about this great king was very interesting. This is a man who we can look at as a great leader and a man of God. Recommended.

The Sweet By and By by y Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck

2010-01-03T20:04:00.000-08:00

All Jade Fitzgerald wants to do is get married and live happily ever after. But as her wedding approaches, she is faced with demons of the past. She has done everything to forget about her past and now she has to deal with these issues before she can get married. This was the first book I've read in this genre, but I really enjoyed it. It is a love story, but the plot makes it interesting for both men and women. One cool thing for me was that I live about twenty miles away from the location where Jade grew up. This is a story about dealing with the past and hope for the future. Highly recommended.

Take Your Best Shot by Austin Gutwein with Todd Hillard

2009-11-13T11:22:00.000-08:00

Austin Gutwein was a 9 year old who wanted to make a change in someone's life. He created Hoops of Hope and has changed the lives of thousands of people in Africa. Jesus told us to help those in need and Austin has been doing that for many people. This was a great book that told an amazing story about a kid who wants to make a difference. It has inspired me to want to do some sort of mission and help those who are less fortunate. The book did a great job of using God's Word and showing how we need to take our best shot to help others. Highly recommended.

Review of "Green" by Ted Dekker

2009-10-09T12:20:00.000-07:00

The Beginning and The End. This is the main concept for book four of the Circle "Trilogy. " In this book Ted Dekker attempts to bring the conclusion of the story after "White" and bring it back to the beginning of "Black." It's been ten years since Elyon has been with the Circle and many of the members are growing restless. Thomas Hunter is trying to maintain everything the Gathering has stood for. The book does show how the story ends... and begins. I was very impressed with how Dekker was able to finish the Circle Series as well as tie in the other Books of History Chronicles. While there are still some lingering questions, this book should leave readers feeling fulfilled. One of my favorite things about this book was how it really reminded me about how much I'm looking forward to Heaven. Highly recommended.

I am a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program.
http://brb.thomasnelson.com/

Introduction

2009-09-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

Hey this a blog where I will review fiction novels. Any requests for reviews can be submitted. I love reading and want to share my opinion.

Cameron