Book Review Of: Compelled By Love
January 8, 2019 by Donald James Parker
Filed under Book and Movie Reviews
Written By Heidi Baker
Review By Donald James Parker
Normally I review one book at a time. In this situation, I’m going to lump three books together since they are written by the same author(s) and there is an overlap in the content. All three are delightful and dovetail together, so I decided to include all of them. The other two titles are Always Enough and Expecting Miracles and are authored by Heidi and her husband, Rolland. I can guarantee that if you desire to be a lukewarm Christian, you won’t want to read these books.
There are two main components to a book – the contents and the presentation. After hearing stories about Heidi and Rolland Baker’s exploits in the financially challenged areas of the world, I expected to encounter some wonderful content in their books. I definitely was not disappointed. My expectations for the presentation of those inspiring stories was not high (I was unaware that Heidi and her husband both possess PhD’s) and my tolerance level was set accordingly. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that their writing was invisible most of the time and became conspicuous only when the author decided to wax poetic. The prose in those situations usually provided a diversionary side trip which lasted for a moment and then gave way to the harsh and sometimes jubilant realities of their life of service to God and the human race. I strongly believe that in delivering a message via the printed word, invisible writing is the most efficient style. If no flaws in syntax or phraseology exist, and the author does not put on an extravagant display of multisyllabic vocabulary which causes even educated people to scramble for a dictionary, the reader can focus on the significance of the author’s content. And when Christians encounter the full thrust of the message delivered by the Bakers, their life will be impacted to some degree. I know that mine was touched deeply. I used to sing that song “Please, Don’t Send Me to Africa,” but after reading these books, I’ve been pondering a missionary trip to Mozambique.
Final Warning
January 6, 2019 by Nike Chillemi
Filed under Book and Movie Reviews
Written By Sandra Robbins
Review By Nike Chillemi
Publisher: Steeple Hill (August 11, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-0373443529
Chilling emails in rhyme taunting “let’s play a game” and a serial killer is on a roll. What more could you ask for in a thriller?
In this fast-paced, action packed romantic suspense, local radio talk show host, C.J. Tanner’s skin crawls. She’s received the first email riddle in a demented killer’s deadly game. In round one, Fala, the killer, demands C.J. solve the riddle in order to stop the first murder.
No matter how hard she tries, she’s unable to do that and is horrified when the first victim of this sick game is her elderly next-door neighbor. Without getting graphic, author Robbins lets the reader know the murder scene is gruesome through the reactions of the officers who congregate at the crime scene. C.J.’s heart breaks, recalling the cups of tea she shared with the gregarious older woman. Then the killer phones in as a caller on C.J’s radio show, his high-pitched, screeching voice taunting her and blaming her for the old woman’s death. By this time, I was hooked.
Blood Bayou
January 3, 2019 by Lena Dooley
Filed under Book and Movie Reviews
Written By Karen Young
Reviewed By Lena Nelson Dooley
ISBN 978-1-4165-8750-0
Howard Books
Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Back Cover Copy:
To Save a Victim, Camille St. James May Have to Become One Herself.
Seven years ago, tragedy ended the troubled marriage of Camille and Jack Vermillion. Now, as head of the Truth Project, her life safe and orderly, she focuses her lawyerly skills on freeing wrongly incarcerated individuals on death row.
Jack paid a bitter price for his mistakes. No longer a high-powered corporate attorney, he’s now pastor of a small church in Blood Bayou. Unsure of her own beliefs, Camille is highly skeptical of the conversion of this man she hasn’t seen in seven years.
Artist Spotlight: Ian McIntosh
January 2, 2019 by Mark Bowyer
Filed under Music Spotlight
By Mark Bowyer
With the New Year, comes a new generation of artists. Ian McIntosh, in his early 20s, is setting the bar high for futuristic worship music. A keyboardist, Ian uses all the modern conveniences available to experiment with the newest sounds emerging from the current band trends. Head and mastermind over a team of musicians using a variety of instruments, he is a refreshing break from the traditional. Ian McIntosh challenges all the standards and erupts in a sea of impassioned patterns and magical melodies. He is a believer that true Christians in creativity will be the catalyst for bringing morality back to the industry.
On “Alive,” the recent groundbreaking release, Ian manages to mix the effortlessness of the vocals with the complexity and beauty of his own keyboard skills. Definitely ethereal, and thought provoking, Ian never ceases to amaze from track to track. The song “Faithful,” especially warrants multiple listens–having multiple band-influences, and heavy drumming, yet rewarding the listener with a clear heart-warming God-honoring chorus to replay in their mind all day. The first album, “Awakened” is more of the same, but shows Ian’s roots and original blueprints for his current enigmatic style.
Reclaiming Nick
January 1, 2019 by J. Renee Archer
Filed under Book and Movie Reviews
Written By Susan May Warren
Reviewed By J Renee Archer
Tyndale House
ISBN-13: 978-1-4143-1017-6
Reclaiming Nick is the story of Nick Noble and his return to the family cattle ranch. His father’s death and the threat of losing the ranch cause Nick to return home after a 10-year absence. Once at home, Nick realizes he needs to claim his mistakes and make amends. Being back on the ranch, he has to face the people that he hurt and that hurt him. As relationships heal, family secrets are revealed.
A rugged, yet charming, cowboy is someone most girls have dreamt of falling in love with, making them excellent romance novel characters. Most readers have never met a cowboy or experienced life on a ranch which means we like to read and dream about that lifestyle. We enjoy reading about a way of life that differs from our own. These elements alone are enough to capture the reader.
