66 Love Letters, Dr. Larry Crabb

"From God To You, 66 Love Letters" by Dr. Larry Crabb, is truly just that, a collection of Love Letters from God to you. Dr. Larry Crabb has taken each of the 66 Books of the Bible, and broken them down into easily understandable text, so that the lay person can fully understand exactly what God is saying to us through His story. Starting with Genesis and continuing on through Revelation, each book in broken down into a Love Letter as though God is speaking directly to you as you read it. In fact, I'm sure God is right there with you and me, as we read and realize what is meant in each and every letter. If you have ever taken on the right to read the Bible, as I have and do, this wonderful collection is a great study tool that will enhance and should be in every Christen library. I am currently re-reading the Bible in chronological order, and when I find something I haven't or don't understand, "66 Love Letters", makes it clear. An excerpt from the book states "Learn To Hate Sin More Than Suffering." This comes from Love Letter Six: Joshua. In this letter God is explaining the battles we must fight within ourselves so that we conquer everything that opposes God within us. The entire book gives the reader the opportunity to get things right with God. The previous statement is just one example of what you'll find when reading "66 Love Letter." Are you someone who has accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior? By reading these Love Letters you can gain the understanding of each of the 66 Books of the Bible, and that can only mean that each of us can get closer to God. This collection could also be a tool for helping to bring someone else closer to God and possibly allow them to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Now wouldn't that be wonderful? Dr. Larry Crabb has done a spectacular job of breaking things down and I for one applaud his efforts. Bravo Dr. Crabb, and thank you.

Seized, Max Hardberger

A dangerous profession is what I call that of Max Hardberger. He has allowed us into his world of retaking of seized ships of all types and sizes from the not so friendly waters of some seemingly brutal countries in the world. Mr. Hardberger also interjects some humor into what could be called one of the most dangerous professions known, and maybe not so well known. The taking of a ship with no power and allowing it to drift into international waters without being detected is something this reader did not expect to read in the story of his life. Thank you so much Max, for a story that is worth telling.

The Poacher's Son

The Poacher's Son is an epic tail of mystery and intrigue. Doiron is a wonderful author who knows how to capture the attention of the reader while weaving a storyline with lots of twists and turns, not to forget to mention the mystery following the murder of a Deputy Sheriff and that of a land grabbing official, bent on taking the forest for development. The story begins with Mike Bowditch a Maine Warden dealing with the theft of a pig by a bear in the Maine Forest. Mike Bowditch is relatively new to the Warden Service, so he depends on his immediate supervisor Kathy Frost to assist him in tracking the bear. When Mike's father is blamed for the murders, Mike is caught in a cross fire of his duty to the law enforcement community and his wanting to believe that his father had nothing to do with the murders. Doiron has quite a cast of characters in his first novel. There's Jack Bowditch, Russ Pelletier, owner of a Sporting Camp, Truman Dellis, a strange man, known for poaching and being on the shady side of the law. Then there's Brenda Dellis, the daughter of Truman Dellis and the girlfriend of Jack Bowditch. There''s also a retired Warden by the name of Charlie. Each of these characters has a motive for the murders, and you don't know which way this story is going to lead. The story is set in the Maine forests and Doiron has painted a wonderful picture which allows the reader to feel as though they are right there in the midst of the story. This story is a must read for anyone interested in a good mystery from an author with great potential as a first rate and best selling author. Bravo to Paul Doiron on his first works. This novel should be in everyone's permanent library.

The Poacher's Son

Apocalypse Burning

“Apocalypse Burning”, by Mel Odom, is the third in a series of three of the military actions at the time of the Rapture and the beginning of the Tribulation. This purely fictional account follows one military family as they continue to deal with the disappearance of the youngest son, Chris, as well as the deployment of Goose, a First Sergeant, with the 75th Army Rangers. Megan, Goose’s wife is a counselor back in the United States and is dealing with not only the disappearance of her youngest son, but she deals with teens on the base who have either had family Raptured or their family members are in Turkey.
Joey, the oldest son of Megan and Goose is feeling neglected and despondent because he blames himself for not being there when Chris disappears. He is feeling left out and runs away when Megan, his mother brings so many teens into their house for both counseling and protection. Megan also has to deal with the military accusations of dereliction of duty as a counselor.
As you can see there is much going on during this episode, so to speak, and Odom has done a wonderful job of bringing his series together in a tight cohesive story of loss, questions and faith.
There are also other characters we follow is this book, such as Chaplin Harte, U.S. Navy Chaplin who is trying to deal with his own failings as a man of the cloth, and there’s also other’s, too many to mention that have great influence in the story as it is being told.
Bravo to Mr. Odom, for his depiction of the events following the Rapture, leading into the Tribulation. This purely fictional story is only one way of looking at the End Times, but who knows, it may be just the way Odom writes it. This military series fits well with the original Left Behind series and there is also a political series which may be of interest to anyone who is interested in learning more about the Rapture and Tribulation

Buried Alive, Roy Hallums

“Buried Alive”, by Roy Hallums is an extremely thought provoking true story of being kidnapped and held by extremists in Iraq. The story is told through and by the author, Roy Hallums as he takes the reader from the being to the end of a very painful and secluded imprisonment. Most of the time, he is held underground and literally buried alive by his captors.
As you pick up this book, you see the shadow of a man who appears to be in a seated position, with his hands behind his back, probably tied and his eyes are blindfolded. It appears that he is in a dark place and very uncomfortable. Reading the introduction gives you just a brief look into what this man went through for so many days and months. I can only imagine the courage and fortitude he had to endure such treatment and conditions.
Hallums tells his story in a matter of fact and simple way which brings the reader right into the scenes as well as giving the reader such vivid detail that no one can miss the terror he must have felt, with the beatings and degradation. Once can only guess how he felt, not knowing whether he was going to come out this terror alive or would he be beheaded like so many in the past had been.
It seems strange to point out here that this story was told in vivid and chilling detail, and this reader could not put the book down. You will become completely absorbed into the story, waiting to find out what is going to happen next. !!!
What can be learned from the story, is that with the right mind set and courage, even the most brutal of conditions can be overcome. Hallums appears to be a man of faith and he spent a lot of time praying and thinking about his family. He endured the conditions and initial movements from one site to the next, with a hope of survival and eventual rescue.
Another segment of his story deals with how his family dealt with his kidnapping. First the family is kept completely out of the loop of information, even to the point where officials were telling them not to speak to the media for fear that Hallums captors would find out more about the man they help captive. This could have been dangerous for Hallums as he is a retired U. S. Naval Commander, who was a civilian contractor in Iraq, at the time of his kidnapping.
The eventual rescue is also something to wait for.
This story is in deed a must read for anyone who wants to know exactly what happens to kidnap victims, however, as Hallums notes, he was lucky. Not all kidnap victims get out alive, and very seldom is there a successful escape. This story is rated 5 stars. A very compelling story, not to be missed.

Eternal of the Water, by Joseph Monninger

"Eternal on the Water", by Joseph Monninger, is destined to become a classic in it's own rite. It is a beautiful story of love and desire to live life to the fullest. Monninger takes the New England rustic area and gives us a look through the eyes of Mary and Cobb, as they find each other fall in love and live life to it's fullest. There's no looking back as these two show that life can be great, if only we allow it to be. The story initially takes place on the Allagash River in Maine, where Mary is set to visit some old and new friends, the Chungamunga Girls, while Cobb is living the life of Thoreau. The two meet and are forever tied to each other. If you don't believe in Love at first sight, this story may just change your mind. This story also has a wonderful cast of supporting roles, and as you read, you may find yourself falling in love with each of them. Mary and Cobb are meant be be together, and you see that right from the start. Once you start reading the story, you won't want to put the book down. It is that good. Bravo Joseph, you have a great eye and way of telling a story. Thank you so much