Grief-stricken over her mother’ s death and bruised by her failure on her most recent case, Special Agent Emmeline Helliwell with the National Park Service returns to her Utah hometown to heal and regroup. She’ s determined to turn in her badge and take over her mother’ s bakery for a much quieter life . . . until the body of a childhood friend turns up in The Narrows of Zion National Park.
The case is too personal for Emme to turn down, but the seemingly simple investigation turns treacherous as clues that connect to her previous case grow too glaring to ignore. When bodies start to pile up, Emme must track down the killer before they take more lives, venturing deep into Zion National Park to uncover the sordid secrets hiding beneath its stunning beauty.
My Review:
Two
aspects of this novel came to the forefront for me. First was the
setting. I have not been to Zion so I really appreciated the good
descriptive passages. I could almost feel my own feet being wet as
the characters hiked The Narrows. The descriptions of the walls and
other parts of the park, all of it was very good.
The
other aspect was the lead character, Emme. She is a complex person
with a great deal going on. She is under much emotional pressure,
some stemming from a previous deadly event involving her job. Much of
the novel centers around Emme and her inner struggles. I had a hard
time liking her, especially when it came to how she treated her
sister. I was glad to see there was finally character growth on her
part.
One
aspect of the novel I did not get excited about was the end times
militant religious cult. I think that particular villain plot point
has been way overworked in the last many years. I did like how the
FBI agent and Emme worked well together.
This
is an entertaining murder mystery set in a wonderful location and
centering on the heroine's inner struggles.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
About the Author:
Nicole Maggi is the author of A Murder in Zion,What They Don’t Know, and the Twin Willows Trilogy, as well as the nonfiction book Hidden Wonders and the ITW Thriller Award-nominated novel The Forgetting. Nicole holds a BFA from Emerson College and currently resides in Los Angeles, California, where she spends her free time planning her next national park adventure and volunteering with her daughter’s Girl Scout troop.
Oceanview Publishing, 336 pages.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
(My
star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it,
1-I hate it.)
Billy Tarwater thought he had left the troubled past behind, until a series of ominous incidents threaten to destroy everything he and his wife hold dear.
Someone is out to get them, and he is determined to uncover the truth before it’s too late. But as he delves deeper into the mystery, he realizes that the dark forces at play may be connected to the events of seventeen years ago.
And to the Atlanta Child Murders.
Join him on a heart-pounding journey of suspense and intrigue as he navigates the dangerous waters of his past and fights to protect the ones he loves.
In a race against an unknown enemy, Billy must confront his darkest fears. Will he be able to uncover the truth before it’s too late, or will he and his wife become victims of the sinister forces at play?
Praise for You Will Know Me by My Deeds:
"Mike Cobb’s You Will Know Me by My Deeds is a taut, propulsive tale set against the harrowing backdrop of the 1980’s Atlanta Child Murders. Entertainingly addictive and menacing." ~ Robert Gwaltney, award-winning author of The Cicada Tree and Georgia Author of the Year
"Mike Cobb's Atlanta-based historical fiction easily holds its place on the bookshelf next to Caleb Carr’s Alienist novels." ~ Joey Madia, author of Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of M and the Stanton Chronicles historical fiction series
"Mike Cobb’s enthralling and meticulously-researched mystery, You Will Know Me by My Deeds, sets a lofty standard for contemporary thrillers. Set in the heart of the ‘new’ south, Cobb’s vividly-wrought tale propels his readers through the tumult of an era and illuminates race relations at a difficult moment in Atlanta’s modern history. Grab this book for a satisfying and uplifting read." ~ Steve Klein, Civil Rights Activist
"I couldn’t put this book down and had to finish it in one sitting! Once again Mike Cobb has crafted a plausible story with strong characters, a sense of place, and rich historical detail regarding a tragic chapter of my beloved Atlanta’s history – the missing and murdered children from 1979 to 1981." ~ Lisa Land Cooper, Author and Historian
"Mike Cobb’s prose is powerful, and his plot is dark, complex and full of surprises. You will find a rich, earthy view of old Atlanta complete with all its beauty, weaknesses and the diverse attitudes of the Old South." ~ Jeff Shaw, author of Who I Am; The Man Behind the Badge and Lieutenant Trufant
"A bracing historical thriller that further enriches this top-notch series." ~ Kirkus Reviews
"This is an excellent book with an engaging mystery and an intriguing conclusion. It’s clear that research is paramount to Mike Cobb’s writing. I could really identify with how he wove true crimes into this fictional one. I look forward to reading more from him." ~ Ed Begley Jr., Award-winning actor, producer, environmental activist, and author of To the Temple of Tranquility…and Step On It!: A Memoir
You Will Know Me by My Deeds Trailer:
My Review:
This
is a sequel and much of what happens here is a result of action from
the previous novel. Billy is a capable hero, trying to balance his
work as a reporter while protecting his wife. He is willing to
jeopardize his future in journalism to solve a mystery. The plot
moves along well as information is discovered bit by bit. There is
some jumping around time wise, going back on occasion to fill in some necessary information. Billy's life is in danger as are other lives, such as
his wife and an informant. There is some suspense because of that. Cobb
has woven his fiction around actual historical events, adding a
Postscript giving factual details.
This
is a good historical mystery woven around a case that remains
unsolved. It can only be fully appreciated if the previous novel is
read first, I think.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
Book Details:
Genre: Historical Crime Fiction Published by: Waterside Production Publication Date: January 2025 Number of Pages: 444 ISBN: 978-1962984720 Series: Sequel to The Devil You Knew Book Links:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Read an excerpt:
Chapter One
Cynthia Tarwater
Monday, December 14th, 1981
Two blurred headlights, ragged halos in the rearview, broke the Stygian pitch.
Cynthia gripped the steering wheel so hard her knuckles blanched.
The rain cascaded down the windshield in gelid sheets. The wiper blades thwacked the edge of the Suburban’s cowl like a metronome.
For the past twenty-four hours, Atlanta had been beset by a heavy downfall and scant visibility.
She struggled to make out the road ahead.
For the first five minutes of the drive, Billy Jr. and Addie had jabbered away in the back seat like sugar-high Energizer Bunnies. Then they sank into oblivion. Just like that, she thought. Nothing like a weekend sleepover at Grandma Alice’s to wear the kids out.
She stopped at the intersection of Flat Shoals and Glenwood. The barbershop to her left was long gone, a victim of white flight, its plate glass windows boarded up with fly-posted plywood. She could almost hear the snip snip of Mr. Batson’s clippers beckoning from yore. The snap of Sam Jepperson’s shoeshine cloth beseeching a generous tip. The redolence of Bay Rum and Kiwi polish. Not that she ever got her hair cut—or her shoes shined—there. But her father Cecil dragged her along on more than one occasion with the promise that they’d go next door for a vanilla shake if only she’d sit like a “good girl” and watch him get trimmed. She had often wondered whether he did things like that just to piss her off. His way of controlling. Or did he really want her company?
The car that had been following her since she pulled out of Billy’s mother’s driveway lingered half a block behind. When the light changed, she turned left onto Glenwood. She looked in the mirror. The car turned left and kept its distance. Probably nothing.
At the Gresham Avenue intersection, she glanced over at what had been Harry’s Army Surplus. Now, like the barbershop, just another padlocked casualty.
A long-suppressed memory welled up. Saturday, September 28th, 1963. She was thirteen. So capricious and carefree, like most girls her age. She left the East Atlanta Pharmacy by the front door and headed west toward Moreland Avenue. Just past Harry’s, she looked back and saw a car following her. When she stopped, it stopped. When she went, it went.
That had been her last recollection from before the erasure—what she later came to know by its medical name. Localized psychogenic amnesia. For seventeen years, the next thing she had remembered was waking up at Grady Hospital with an officer standing guard outside her door. The nurse had said You’re not Cynthia now. You’re Patti. With an i. Or something to that effect. She would later learn that the police had contrived the alias to protect her from her abductor.
It wasn’t until October a year ago that everything began coming back to Cynthia in a torrent. What had been an eradication of five weeks of her past, leaving in its wake a deep, dark abyss, had begun to come back in a matter of days. This wouldn’t have happened without Billy’s help. And his dogged determination.
Did she welcome the recovered memory? There were times when she wondered whether knowing was better than incognizance. Closure would feel right. But knowledge alone doesn’t bring closure.
And could closure ever come for the families of the girls who didn’t survive? Why had she made it out alive, and the others hadn’t?
She inched her way down Glenwood past Moreland Avenue. At the Boulevard intersection, she glanced across the street at Fire Station No. 10. A half dozen firemen were huddled under the overhang in front of the station. For a moment, she thought she saw Billy’s brother Chester standing there smoking a cigarette and chatting up the others. But Chester hadn’t lasted a year as a fireman before bugging out for the merchant marines, thinking he could avoid the draft. He ended up on the SS Mayaguez ferrying supplies through combat zones in Vietnam. Came home intact but with a chip on his shoulder.
She turned right.
She drove up Boulevard past Memorial Drive, hugging the eastern edge of Oakland Cemetery before assuming a northwesterly course past the shuttered Fulton Cotton Mill and through the railroad underpass.
She looked back. The car continued to follow her. That’s when she realized that it wasn’t nothing.
Perhaps she should have taken the expressway. But she had chosen not to. Visibility was bad enough on the surface roads.
As she neared the intersection with Ponce de Leon, the light turned yellow. She accelerated and took a hard left, hoping the car would stop on red. It didn’t. When she turned right on Peachtree, then left on Fifth, the driver continued to dog her.
Cynthia eased into The Belmont courtyard. The other car stopped briefly at the turn-in then crept down Fifth. She craned her neck, trying to get a good look at it. At the driver. But she could see little through the relentless downpour and the fogged windshield.
She parked the Suburban at The Belmont entrance. She waited for the rain to abate enough for her to get the kids inside without a drenching. Then she hurried them into the lobby under her flimsy throwaway umbrella made for one.
She closed the umbrella and hooked it on her wrist. She held Billy Jr. and Addie’s hands tight, lest they slip on the marble floor.
They crossed the threshold into the elevator cab, leaving a trail of dripping water behind. She punched 4.
When the doors opened, Billy was standing in the fourth-floor vestibule. He was in his light beige mackintosh and floppy yellow rain hat.
“Clairvoyant, are we?” Cynthia said.
“I saw you out the window and was on my way down to help. But you beat me to it.” He placed his hand on her upper arm. “Cynthia, you’re trembling.”
“It’s just the biting cold. I’m fine. I need to get these rug rats out of their wet clothes and into their PJs. And then sit for a while. You can park the car if you don’t mind.”
“Of course I don’t mind. That’s the least I can do.”
She held out the umbrella. “Want this?”
“No thanks.” He knelt in front of Billy Jr. and Addie. “How’s Grandma?”
“Feisty as ever,” Cynthia answered. “She sure knows how to cut a look. But the kids adore her, and that’s what matters most. And compared to my mother…let’s just say you’re the lucky one and leave it at that.”
When Billy returned, Cynthia was already curled up in her favorite overstuffed chair with a glass of Merlot. Her socks and Clarks slip-ons lay pell-mell on the floor about her. The open umbrella stood atilt in the corner of the room.
“That was quick,” he said.
She took a sip. Notes of black cherry, of vanilla and sandalwood, teased her throat. “I’m sure the kids are deep into sugar-plum dreams by now. Grab a pour and join me. There’s something you need to know.”
Billy, glass in hand, plopped into the chair beside her. “What is it?”
“I need to tell you about a flashback I had. And about a car.”
He listened as Cynthia told him about the car that had followed her from his mother’s house. “Could you tell what kind it was?” he asked.
“I couldn’t tell a thing, Billy.” She ran her finger along the chair’s piping, tracing in her mind the path she had taken. “All I know is it looked big. Maybe a sedan.”
“I don’t think you should be out late at night by yourself, Cynthia. It seems like every day more shit happens. Carjackings. Murders.”
“At least Wayne Williams is locked up.” She searched her thoughts. “Those poor children. And their grieving families.”
Billy’s hesitation baffled her. He just sat there for a minute without saying a word. He finally spoke. “Tell me about the flashback.”
“The whole thing with the kidnapping came rushing back tonight. It hit me hard, just as I passed the old army surplus. I guess it was my being right there where my thirteen-year-old self had been lured away.” She held her glass in the air. “More, please.”
He refilled it and topped his off. He set the bottle on the side table, leaned over, and took her hand. “I’m so sorry, Cynthia.”
“It wasn’t what I expected. I thought I had finally put it all behind me, with Kilgallon…excuse me, the Reverend Kilgallon…dead and Sam Jepperson exonerated and freed. But now I’m not so certain. Maybe it’ll haunt me forever.”
“I hope not. I just wish there was something I could do to make things better.”
“I’ll be okay.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. Life goes on, doesn’t it? And I don’t believe I have a choice in the matter.”
***
Excerpt from You Will Know Me by My Deeds by Mike Cobb. Copyright 2025 by Mike Cobb. Reproduced with permission from Mike Cobb. All rights reserved.
Author Bio:
Mike’s body of literary work includes both fiction and nonfiction, short-form and long-form, as well as articles and blogs. He is the author of three published novels, Dead Beckoning,The Devil You Knew, and its sequel You Will Know Me by My Deeds. His fourth novel, Muzzle the Black Dog, a novella, is scheduled for release in May 2025. He is also working on Kathleen, a fictionalized account of a cold case murder from 1970.
While he is comfortable playing across a broad range of topics, much of his focus is on true crime, crime fiction, and historical fiction. Rigorous research is foundational to his writing. He gets that honestly, having spent much of his professional career as a scientist.
A native of Atlanta, Mike splits his time between Midtown Atlanta and Blue Ridge, Georgia.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Partners in Crime Book Tours.
(My
star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it,
1-I hate it.)
A powerful guide to self-reliance, for anyone ready to unlock their inner genius and start living their most exceptional life.
In a world riddled with conflict and doubt, trusting yourself can feel harder than ever – and self-trust is the foundation of happiness, self-confidence, and success.
If you have ever talked yourself out of anything, let others convince you that something is impossible, or doubted your feelings or instincts – then this book is for you.
Through her signature style of smart spitfire inspiration and candid personal stories, bestselling author, former Harvard lawyer, and leading-edge coach Tama Kieves teaches readers how to create their exceptional lives. Turn roadblocks into breakthroughs by learning how to trust your strength more than your doubt until it becomes the best habit of your lifetime.
My Review:
Kieves
takes us on a messy journey, sharing many of her own experiences. She
feels personal stories have a much larger impact than lecturing so
this is a personal account. She suggests considering this book as a
coaching session revealing obstacles to trusting self and then steps
to overcome them. Kieves is heavily influenced by A Course in Miracles
and relates some of that philosophy here. She also draws from a wide
range of faith traditions and practices.
I
appreciate the insights Kieves reveals in this book. She identifies
obstacles, such as one's inner critic, and provides practices to move
beyond the obstacle to listening and then trusting the inner self.
The structure of the book is such that each chapter can be read on
its own so the topics can be chosen as needed. There is also a good deal of
additional resources that can be downloaded upon reaching the book's
end.
This
is a good book for readers ready to start the ongoing journey of
cultivating a trust relationship with your inner self.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
About the Author:
TAMA KIEVES, an honors graduate of Harvard Law School, left her practice to write and help others create their most extraordinary lives. She is the bestselling author of four books. Featured in USA TODAY, ABC News, Oprah Radio and more, she is a sought-after speaker and visionary career/success coach, who has helped thousands worldwide discover and thrive in their life and work. She teaches regularly at premier holistic venues and has presented at TEDx. Photo credit: Jason Johnson
St. Martin's Essentials, 320 pages.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
(My
star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it,
1-I hate it.)
Book: Sabotage at Cedar Creek (The Little Red Truck Mysteries Book Two)
Author: Janice Thompson
Genre: Mystery/Christian Fiction
Release date: February, 2025
Who Would Sabotage the New B&B?
Breathe in the nostalgia of everything old red truck in book two of a new cozy mystery series.
It’s summertime in Mabank, Texas, and the Hadley family’s new antique business is open and running well with Tilly, the red antique truck, as its mascot. Raelynn Hadley enjoys driving Grandpa’s truck around as she seeks out antiques for her family’s store.
Raelynn is excited that her best friend, Tasha, will soon open a new vacation rental to accommodate the area’s growing tourism, but an unexpected act of sabotage threatens to spoil all that Tasha has worked for.
Raelynn immediately gets to work sleuthing out who could be behind the crime. Could it be the bitter neighbor, intent on spoiling Tasha’s plans? Perhaps it’s a nearby resort owner, worried about the potential loss of revenue. Maybe it’s the former owner’s daughter who was left out of the will and believes the home should be hers. Or maybe it’s the squatter who had taken up residence in the home before renovations. Raelynn is determined to solve the mystery for her friend in time for opening day.
This
is a fun southern cozy mystery. There are no murders, just the
mystery of who is trying to ruin a new vacation rental being
developed by Raelynn's best friend. Most of the novel is southern
life, people getting together to celebrate community activities or
family gatherings. There is much general talk between family and
friends. There are hints of romance included both for young people
and older ones young at heart. There is a strong family dynamic
including good meals with a few recipes provided. There is a
prominent Christian atmosphere throughout the novel.
This
is a good novel of family and faith, with a fun southern setting.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
You can read my review of the first book in this series, Tracking Lilly.
About the Author
Janice Thompson hails from south Texas. She is a Christian author and mother of four grown daughters. Janice has written over forty books.
More from Janice
Travel with me to East Texas to celebrate the 4th of July. Let’s meet at Cedar Creek Lake, a vast expanse of water tucked in and around some of the sweetest little Texas towns you’ve ever seen: Gun Barrel City, Mabank, Payne Springs, Eustace, and Seven Points, just to name a few.
Along the edge of the lake you’ll find 320 miles of idyllic shoreline, dotted with homes, campsites, and cabins for rent. And right there, on the prettiest patch of land imaginable, you’ll discover a newly renovated vacation home, recently purchased by a local gal named Tasha. Her quaint fixer-upper is just about ready for its first guests and she’s giddy with excitement.
Also thrilled is Tasha’s BFF, RaeLyn Hadley! RaeLyn has grown up near the lake and loves this place. She can hardly wait to see her bestie’s dream come true.
Of course, not everyone in the Cedar Creek area is happy to see Tasha’s new vacation rental open for business. Behind the scenes, evil lurks. Nefarious plans are already in motion, though RaeLyn and Tasha can’t yet see them.
Days before the house is listed, the beautiful home is vandalized! Clearly, someone wants to stop Tasha in her tracks. But, who would sabotage the inn. . .and why? RaeLyn won’t quit until she’s got answers, but she needs your help.
What role will you play in this tale? Visit the inn. Get to know the gals. Help them figure out the whodunit. Spend time in town with the locals, celebrating the 4th of July. I promise, you’ll have a blast. There are quilt shows, cupcake walks, and more Texas BBQ than you can eat in one visit.
Your belly will never be empty as you set out to help RaeLyn and Tasha solve this crime. Just don’t let all of those handsome Texas fellas distract you from the task at hand. They have a tendency to do that.
Hang on for the ride, folks, because an East Texas tale is one that’s always filled with twists and turns! So, what are you waiting for? Jump into that little red truck and let’s hit the road, headed to Cedar Creek Lake!
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.
(My
star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it,
1-I hate it.)
I’m an artist who can’t stand the limelight, and he’s a CEO who thrives on attention. We’re complete opposites forced to work together for a Valentine’s Day fundraiser, but the only way to achieve our goal is to be honest with each other.
Easier said than done.
Gabby Despite my name, I’m shy and prefer to use art to express myself. The only time I’ve ever opened up ended with a ruined friendship and a broken heart.
Now, I hide behind an easel because I don’t want the world to see me or know the secret I’ve been keeping. If word got out, my life would irrevocably change.
After volunteering at Cornhole for a Cause, I’m required to work side-by-side with the one person I’ve been pushing away. I let him in once, but if I let him in again, then he might discover who I really am.
Tim Gabby says I broke her heart, but I don’t know what I’ve done. Every time I try to get close, she pushes me away. It’s not until we’re both tasked with finding a world-renowned artist and find ourselves on a plane to Paris, that things begin to change.
Just when I finally think I have a shot at forgiveness, I learn that Gabby’s been keeping something from me all along. If we can’t learn to trust each other, then maybe it’s time for me to move on.
The only problem is she has my heart and won’t let go.
My Review:
This
novel is much more than a good old southern Christian romance. Oh,
there is a sweet romance, although it is a bit rocky. There is also
some good humor. But there is also the serious issue of forgiveness
for deep hurts in the past. The forgiveness concept gets even harder
when there is a current betrayal of trust. Love has included an
interesting exploration of anxiety too. All this happens with the
context of Christian belief.
Love's
writing style is great. She has wonderful characters, some quite quirky,
like the colorful wig wearing Biddies. The story is a feel good one,
full of people doing good for others in the small town. Love includes
a good Christian faith message. There is a huge secret along the way
but the reveal was not surprising. Although this is the second book
in the series, it reads well on its own.
I
recommend this heartwarming romance. It is a very enjoyable novel to
read.
Madison Love is an Amazon Best-selling, clean, and Christian romance writer who loves to intertwine humor and suspense while adding a touch of sweetness. She has spent most of her life traveling abroad, discovering new places, and meeting wonderful people. She spent twenty years in the military before settling in a rural town outside of Buffalo, New York, where she now lives on a forty-acre farm with her husband, son, and two dogs. Having been afforded the time and opportunity to bring her ideas and stories to life, she seeks to give her readers the ‘happy ever after’ they seek, but with a dash of intrigue.
Independently published, 318 pages.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through BookSirens. My comments are an independent and honest review.
(My
star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it,
1-I hate it.)
Chiamaka is a Nigerian travel writer living in America. Alone in the midst of the pandemic, she recalls her past lovers and grapples with her choices and regrets. Zikora, her best friend, is a lawyer who has been successful at everything until—betrayed and brokenhearted—she must turn to the person she thought she needed least. Omelogor, Chiamaka’s bold, outspoken cousin, is a financial powerhouse in Nigeria who begins to question how well she knows herself. And Kadiatou, Chiamaka’s housekeeper, is proudly raising her daughter in America—but faces an unthinkable hardship that threatens all she has worked to achieve.
In Dream Count, Adichie trains her fierce eye on these women in a sparkling, transcendent novel that takes up the very nature of love itself. Is true happiness ever attainable or is it just a fleeting state? And how honest must we be with ourselves in order to love, and to be loved? A trenchant reflection on the choices we make and those made for us, on daughters and mothers, on our interconnected world, Dream Count pulses with emotional urgency and poignant, unflinching observations of the human heart, in language that soars with beauty and power. It confirms Adichie’s status as one of the most exciting and dynamic writers on the literary landscape.
My Review:
I
did not find this book engaging. I tired quickly of the many romantic
attempts Chiamaka made at meaningful human interaction. I persevered
to Zikora but did not find her story any more inspiring. I was not
interested in continuing to read the stories of the other girls. I
did not find Adichie's writing engaging. It was like she was just
telling stories without passion. Others may love her works but this
one was just not for me.
My
rating:3/5 stars.
About the Author:
CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE grew up in Nigeria. Her work has been translated into more than fifty-five languages. She is the author of the novels Purple Hibiscus, which won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize; Half of a Yellow Sun, which was the recipient of the Women’s Prize for Fiction “Best of the Best” award; Americanah, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award; the story collection The Thing Around Your Neck and the essays We Should All Be Feminists and Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions. Her most recent work is an essay about losing her father, Notes on Grief, and Mama’s Sleeping Scarf, a children’s book written as Nwa Grace-James. A recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, she divides her time between the United States and Nigeria.
Knopf, 416 pages.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
(My
star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it,
1-I hate it.)
Find an Ancient Faith that will Transform Your Life.
Beyond the noise of a busy western world lies the need to worship God for Himself alone. So many different denominational ideologies and techniques of Church growth exist but what did the early Apostles and believers do? There is a need for “An Ancient Worship Movement” where we rediscover and implement older Biblical Church practices that were pre-denominational.
This book will help you: - Rediscover Ancient practices lost to many evangelicals - Renew your intimate personal walk with God - Renew A passion for lost souls - Experience personal spiritual revival - Be equipped to start an [Mission] House Church
My Review:
This
movement calls believers back to their roots of the early church.
Gordon does a good job of reviewing early heresies and suggests
heresies abound today. Some of the particular features include
encouraging readers to have a heart for the lost and to hold to the
centrality of Jesus in worship. Some surprises for me were
encouragement to observe the liturgical year, make the sign of the
cross, understand the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and
infant baptism. There are good lessons on prayer with several
historical prayers included.
This
is a good book for Christians who are interested in how the early
church worshiped or are looking to evaluate their own worship.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
About the Author:
St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement that embodies older Christian practices and beliefs with modern expressions of worship. Our desire is to spread the Good News of Jesus everywhere, making disciples in the faith. Be involved with a move of God in community with others.
Greg Gordon is the founder of SermonIndex.net, which was established in 2002. Millions of audio sermons have been distributed through this world-wide ministry. He has also been involved in organizing over 12 international historic revival conference events where thousands of lives were impacted.
St. Thomas Church, 183 pages.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through NetGalley. My Comments are an independent and honest review.
(My
star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it,
1-I hate it.)
A fast-paced thriller by Emmy Award-nominated screenwriter, producer, and director Gy Waldron
Detective Sgt. Kate Flynn of the Santa Barbara Police Department is called in to investigate a gruesome decapitation and homicide. Her first clue comes from a most unlikely source: an Anglican monk and Celtic studies expert.
Brother Thomas has been expecting the hand-delivery of a priceless diary of a fourteenth-century Templar Knight, but instead he finds the messenger has been murdered.
Kate and Thomas are pulled deep into a centuries-old mystery with roots in medieval Europe and branches that lead to government intelligence, the Vatican, and a top-secret private lab where untold powers were being alchemized that could alter the face of humanity forever.
It's a race against evil to uncover a plot that could lead them to centuries-old treasure-or to their own demise at the hands of a deranged tech billionaire who has nothing to lose.
With parallel quests for the truth taking place centuries apart, and a touch of mysticism, readers will be taken on a suspenseful journey with one twist after another in Twist of Time, an electrifying novel of intrigue and history.
Readers of thrillers and novels of suspense by Dan Brown, Ken Follett, David Baldacci will savor every surprise in screenwriter Gy Waldron's fiction debut.
My Review:
This
is an interesting mystery that relates current situations to
historical events. The current narrative breaks for historical
action, giving the background for the current suspense. The plot
involves people who have special mental powers, such as seeing future
events. It is supposed the Knights Templar had knowledge as to how to
develop those powers, hence the desperate search for the historical
documents.
I
am always delighted to learn something new when I read fiction and
here it was about the Knights Templar. Waldron has added a “Nuggets
for the Curious” section where he identifies what parts of the
novel were based on fact. There is also a good bit of venturing into
the present and future work on establishing computer and human brain
interface near the end. I do hope that part was more science fiction
than fact.
I
generally liked how the plot developed. I did think finally nailing
the villain might have been a bit beyond belief. Nevertheless, this
is a mystery that can be enjoyed by those who like historical
influence as well as those anticipating cutting edge technology. I
get the impression there may be more adventures for these characters
and I will be watching for it.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
Book Details:
Genre: Thriller Published by: First Fruits Publishing Publication Date: August 20, 2024 Number of Pages: 336 ISBN: 9798869378163 Book Links:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads
Author Bio:
Gy Waldron is an Emmy Award-nominated screenwriter, producer, and director who has written chart-topping television sitcoms, dramas, miniseries, and movies. He has created three network series, including The Dukes of Hazzard, and is known for the action-comedy film Moonrunners, which he wrote and directed.He started his writing career in Hollywood working as a staff writer for legendary producer Norman Lear on hit shows such as One Day at a Time. After an eight-year run with The Dukes of Hazzard, he segued into true crime limited series. He received an Emmy Award nomination for the six-hour limited series Billionaire Boys Club, and wrote other projects, including The Menendez Brothers, Brotherhood of the Rose, Innocent Victims, and The Unabomber.His creative work for theater received an American National Theater and Academy (ANTA) Award.In 2024, Gy Waldron received a Grady Fellowship from his alma mater, the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Georgia. Whether writing for screen, for the stage, or for readers around the world, Waldron is widely known for his unique blend of action, comedy, and suspense, always leaving audiences highly entertained.With a background of serving in U.S. counterintelligence in Europe, Gy (a.k.a. Gyneth) has written about the fields of intelligence and crime. Stationed in Germany in the late 1950s, he was on the KGB desk working with captured Gestapo files and monitoring CIC (Counter Intelligence Corps) operations against various Communist intelligence services during the Cold War. Additionally, he worked with American operatives in executing orders from U.S. Command.He draws heavily on his experiences when writing fiction. Prior to his career in Hollywood, Gy worked in broadcast television at WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. There, he was a director of specials, sports, and documentaries. Gy worked on many civil rights documentaries and directed feeds to NBC's Huntley-Brinkley Report that focused on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his associates.A native Southerner, he now lives in Malibu, California, in a canyon between the mountains and the ocean where he is writing his next novel, Fugue.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Partners in Crime Book Tours.
(My
star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it,
1-I hate it.)
About the Author:
