BOOK REVIEW AND CRITIQUE - "THE THIRD CONVERSION" (A NOVELETTE) BY R. SCOTT RODIN

 

Were Fundraiser Walter  Rodgers' apprehensions about the new employee he was training relevant? Was the completely different approach Rodgers and the ministry Hands Of Love International promoted something Carl Burns could comprehend, let alone accept?

R. Scott Rodin poured out his heart and convictions in the  novella "The Third Conversion. He clearly had the aim to win the reader over to his conclusions, and he made a good case. Rodin wrote two other novelettes "The Million-Dollar Dime" and "The Seventh Key." He also has written and co-written non-fiction books dealing with the same subject.

The scenario is a worker nearing retirement is training a young man in the fund-rasing part of a Christian ministry, and is more concerned with the development of the lives of the donors to the ministry than on getting sizeable contributions.

This is a thought provoking book. It does have some preachy parts in this book: this novelette is clearly written for a Christian audience. The title "The Three Conversions" is from a quote by Martin Luther: "There are three conversions necessary for every man: the head, the heart, and the purse."

I recommend this book for those looking into fundraising and an overall one-kingdom theology (as opposed to a two kingdom view where an individual has one set of standards for Sunday and another for the rest of the week).

Allow me to also offer up a critique. When reviewing fiction, I usually award the author a five star review, because they have put in a lot of work developing characters, plot, and maybe going a little deeper. However, I struggled reading this book, and partly because there are certain practices usually done that Rodin didn't do. None of this takes away from his theme in this book, but it could be difficult for readers.

The first thing is point of view. I've learned through my studying in writing that the preferred approach is to have a single point of view character. It could be a first person or third person narration, but in the latter, the author would keep everything from the perspective of a character until either the end of a chapter or a line dividing up the chapter. Sometimes, we would see the perspective change from Walt's to Carl's without a dividing line.

A second thing are tagline when people are speaking. You may see tags like "said," "thought," "declared," "questioned," etc. Rodin used these and others. In writing classes, however, I've seen two basic views: 

1. The only acceptable tags are "said" or "asked." Anything else is an unnecessary elaboration.
2. The only acceptable tag is "said." If the sentence ends with a question mark, "asked" is redundant. 

With such a limited choice, writers often use non-verbal tags to help identify the speaker. So you have characters drinking coffee, rolling eyes, scratching their heads, and things like that to make things more interesting. 

One problem I see in Rodin's writing -  a common problem among authors - is telling instead of showing. For example, once Carl says something that suprised himself. What does that look like?

Again, none of these complaints take away from the value of the book. I highly recommend it.

BOOK REVIEW - "THE FEASTS OF REPENTANCE: FROM LUKE-ACTS TO SYSTEMATIC AND PASTORAL THEOLOGY" (NEW STUDIES IN BIBILICAL THEOLOGY BOOK 49) BY MICHAEL J. OVEY

Does Christianity require repentance, or can we have faith without turning from sin and forgiveness?? Biblically, is the root sin we need to repent of idolatry, and if so, is that a problem that is relevant today?

When I saw the main title of Michael J. Ovey's book "The Feasts of Repentance," my first thought was this concerned the feasts God commanded in the Law, such as Passover, Pentecost, and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). However, the subtitle mentions the Biblical focus is on Luke's contributions to the Canon: Luke and Acts.

One debate in Christianity is the role of repentance. Is repentance merely a change of mind, or does it involve turning to God and thus turning from evil? The first chapter of this book introduces the puzzle of how the call to repentance can be universalized, and deals with the Greek words associated with repentance and turning.

Chapter 2 focuses on the book of Luke, with particular attention to six feasts that take place in this Gospel. These feasts often include someone considered a sinner who is repentant, as well as the Pharisees who not only are unrepentant but aren't happy when someone does. In the next chapter, Acts carries these issues from the Jewish church founded on Pentecost to the Gospel's spread into the Gentile world.

 The final three chapters take the concepts learned through looking at Scripture and applies them to identity and idolatry (Chapter 4), faith and faith and salvation (Chapter 5), and forgiveness and its importance in the lives of God's people (Chapter 6). 

I found it very intriguing when Ovey mentioned that idolatry is the main thing we need to repent of. Additionally, the dialog about the views of Calvin, MacLaren, and Barth was invigorating.

This was the 49th book in the New Studies in Biblical Theology. These books are definitely intelectual, but some help your head knowledge while others offer a challenge into a deeper relationship with God. This is one of the latter. I highly recommend this book. 

BOOK REVIEW - "JUNGLE FIRE" BY DANA MENTINK

 Why did a soldier open fire on the bus that furlough-bound missionary Nina Truman was riding on? Who is the mysterious green eyed woman urging her to run instead of helping her fellow victims? And why is Shaw Wilder so reluctant to donate him and his bomb sniffing dog to help her get to safety?

I have read several of Dana Mentink's Love Inspired Suspense K-9 novels, but this is the first full length novel I've read by her. It is as action packed as I expected it to be, as well as several unexpected plot twists. 

Nina and Shaw are compelling leads in the story, as well as other interesting characters that you're not sure if you should trust or not.

I highly recommend this story.

BOOK REVIEW - "LETHAL REUNION (COLD CASE)" BY LACEY BAKER

 

How did the person who murdered Halle Jefferson's twin sister get her cell phone number? What is hidden in a 15 year old time capsule that someone would kill for? Can Sheriff Kyle Brisco - Halle's boyfriend in high school - keep her safe?

"Lethal Reunion: Cold Case", fittingly set in a snow covered Maryland small town, is the first story I read by Lacey Baker, and it's a good one. There are different mysteries, and some very interesting characters as well. 

If you want something to read when it's below 32 degrees - either Farenheit (0 degrees Celcius) or Celcius (90 degrees Farenheit), I would recommend this book.

BOOK REVIEW - "GHOST JACKET: COVENANT OF LIGHT AND SHADOW" BY JOHN DOWNING CROW

Is there a meaning to the terrifying nightmares 14 year old Asher is having? Is it a coincidence that his father has been in the hospital in a five year coma and Asher and his mom were in a car accident? Does this jacket he's been given have anything to do with it?

"Ghost Jacket" is a fascinating Young Adult fantasy by John Downing Crow. The subtitle is "Covenant of Light and Shadow;" I'm guessing that "Ghost Jacket is the first in a series. 

I enjoyed Asher's interactions with his buddies and the girl he has a crush on. It has a great theme of Spiritual Warfare in it. The plot is very engaging, with me wondering what will happen next.

I received a copy of this book for my unbiased opinion. 

 

BOOK REVIEW - "UNDERCOVER COLORADO CONSPIRACY" BY JODIE BAILEY

Who is bilking money from would-be adoptive parents? Military agents Thalia and Phillip Campbell are posing as a married couple to uncover who's doing the dastardly deed, but has their cover been blown ... on day one? And is the danger from someone they just met, or from one of the agent's past?

Am I the only one who finds the cover of "Undercover Colorado Conspiracy" by Jodie Bailey exciting? The covers for these Love Inspired Suspense novels sometimes focus on the characters (human or animal) posing in front of a picture of the setting, while others - like the above - are a "shot" of the action in the book. In this case, this is showing you what's happening on page one. Ready to strap yourself in for an exciting story?

This is the 16th book I've read by Jodie Bailey, and they are consistently filled with plenty of plot twists and characters that you care about. Add to that a strong Christian story-line for those who aren't bothered by that.

I highly recommend this book.
 

BOOK REVIEW - "ASK. SEEK. KNOCK.: A DEVOTIONAL OF REST AND MOVEMENT" BY JOSH STONE.

 The past several weeks, I've been blessed by reading "Ask. Seek, Knock," a Devotional by Josh Stone. This volume comprises of 48 devotionals and 4 poems, allowing you to either make it a weekly reading for the next year or be like me and spend seven weeks reading it.

I had the honor of meeting him at a music festival, where he performed as a spoken word artist, "Outward Conversations." The emotion he expressed in live performance also is evident in print in this book.

These devotionals vary from being inspirational, encouraging, and challenging. I will definitely be using this devotional again.

BOOK REVIEW - "CASE FILES VOL. 1: MURDER AND MEANING," BY J. WARNER WALLACE & JIMMY WALLACE

 

What connection is there between 25 year veteran detective Michael "Murph" Murphy and the serial killer who bashes his victims' heads in and then brands them? Is there a method to the murderer's madness, or is it better put "a message to his madness?" And since he does it the same day of the week, can Murph and his "A-Team" find out who it is and stop him before he strikes again?

"Case Files Vol. 1: Murder and Meaning" is a graphic novel written by Homicide Detective/Christian apologist/Author J. Warner Wallace and his son Jimmy Wallace (also in law enforcement), with great illustrations by Steve Crespo and Dario Formisani. The plot follows seasoned detective Murph, easy going Pete Leota, hard-working young mother Ashley Perez, and self-proclaimed hot shot Marco Russo as they try to catch a serial killer who keeps calling to talk to Murph. 

This story gives me a realistic view of what police-work is like. For example, Leota asked Murph if they used chalk like on TV in the old days, and the fact that the members of a team may have other cases to work on besides the main one. I'll admit that it wasn't the most joyful and enjoyable novel I've read, but the writers did a great job with the plotting and with the character development. And since this is Volume 1 and having read the ending, I'm sure there will at least be a volume 2. And I'm looking forward to it.

BOOK REVIEW - "HIDDEN IN THE CANYON" BY JODIE BAILEY

 The protestors aren't happy about Angie Garcia's living on what's considered public Grand Canyon property, but is that anger carrying over to vandalism, physical threats and murder? Or is the perpetrator responsible for several missing ladies a suspected serial killer? And why did her brother send his friend, Special Agent "Linc" Tucker, to help, aware of the tension between them?

"Hidden in the Canyon" by Jodie Bailey is a sequel to "Witness in Peril," which focuses on Angie Garcia's brother Jacob. The author's note gives the impression that was supposed to be a stand alone, but Bailey was intrigued by the history between Angie and Linc, so this is the result. 

Spending a large part of the first quarter century of my life in Arizona - not far from Coconino County, which is also the  home of the Grand Canyon - the setting grabs me. But I enjoyed Linc's appearance in "Witness in Peril," and was very pleased by this story. Bailey did a great job with the relationships between the characters, as well as having a story with plenty of twists and turns, not to mention a lot of action and suspense.

At the point of writing this in early July, I'd say at the moment this is my favorite novel I've read thus far in '25. 

BOOK REVIEW - "SEARCH AND DETECT" (MOUNTAIN COUNTRY K-9 UNIT BOOK 8) BY TERRI REED

 

Who is so wicked that they blew up Zoe Jenkins' house... while Zoe and her baby girl were still in it? Is there a connection between this crime and the Rocky Mountain Killer's reign of terror? If not, can K-9 Unit Director/FBI Special Agent Chase Rawlston and his team catch all the murderers? 

"Search and Detect" is the explosive (pun unintended) concluding 8th book of the Mountain Country K-9 Unit series. Author Terri Reed not only has the job of concluding the running stories (catching the above mentioned serial killer who also stole a therapy-dog-in-training from the K-9 Unit and finding out who is terrorizing their tech guru Isla Jimenez), but she also is telling a moving and exciting story with Chase Rawlston and Zoe Jenkins.

As mentioned, this book is the 8th in the series, and since it is the finale, of course you'll want to read the preceding seven novels so you know what's going on. (Technically, there is a ninth book involving characters featured in the previous books, such as Isla, but the main story ends with this one.) 

As typical, this multi-author series is exciting, and this one is one of the strongest in the group (as well as having one of the best covers, though I think the one for competing with book 5 - Montana Abduction Rescue - tops it. In other words, I highly recommend this series, and "Search and Detect" in particular.

BOOK REVIEW - "TRACING A KILLER" (MOUNTAIN COUNTRY K-9 UNIT BOOK 7) BY SHARON DUNN

Which is the biggest challenge K-9 officer Hannah Scott and her Newfoundland partner Captain faces? Outsmarting the murderer who drowned her best friend? Protecting Trevor Gage from the Rocky Mountain Killer's deadly intentions? Or convincing Gage he needs to be in a safe house instead of making himself vulnerable to his foe by protecting Hannah from her foe? Oh, did I mention they're on an island, where there is plenty of water nearby?

"Tracing a Killer" by Sharon Dunn is book 7 of the Mountain Country K-9 Unit. Dunn has done a wonderful job of keeping the tension going with not one but two villains who first struck a decade earlier but are alive and well (unlike their victims). She also does a good job in developing the protagonists as they deal with their assumed failures of the past.

The big story of this series is the Rocky Mountain Killer, who killed three young members of a rancher's society ten years ago, killed three more in the current time, and dognapped Cowgirl who was being trained to be a therapy dog, renaming her Killer. A second thread through the series is someone who sabotaged the K-9 unit's tech whiz Isla Jimenez' plans of adoption, followed by escalating threats. A lot of these multi-author K-9 Unit series are written where you don't need to read all the stories in order. Not so with this one. 

I have been enjoying the series. It isn't my favorite, but this set has great characters and nail-biting suspense. "Tracing a Killer" by Sharon Dunn is a good example of that, and I recommend this novel and the series.
 

BOOK REVIEW - "A DANGEROUS PAST" BY SUSAN GEE HEINO

 

Should Gabe Elliot respond like the hospital chaplain he is and keep a 50 year old secret shared by a patient? Or should he as the police officer he is investigate this possible murder in spite of the ghosts and skeletons he'll dig up? And should Brinna Jenson trust the man who promised to marry her but didn't to keep from stirring up accusations against her grandfather that were currently in the distant past?

"A Dangerous Past" is the first story I've had the honor of reading by Susan Gee Heino, and I have no intention of it being the last. She did an excellent job developing Gabe and Brinna, and the plot kept me guessing how it would turn out.

Would you permit me to pretend to be a literary critic here? Having read 85 Love Inspired Suspense prior to this, I'm used to having a car chase, an attempted abduction, or someone taking target practice at one of the main characters before the first chapter's halfway done. With those earned expectations, "A Dangerous Past" might seem slow-moving. My opinion? This book has more of a mystery story arc than a suspense one. If you seem to think this book might be dragging - as I did early on - don't give up on it! It is an inspiring read, and as I implied above, it's a first class mystery, with plenty of suspects and surprises.

BOOK REVIEW - "TRAIL OF THREATS" (MOUNTAIN COUNTRY K-9 UNIT BOOK 6) BY JESSICA PATCH

Is the Elk Lake Arsonist the same person as the Rocky Mountain Killer? Why did someone burn down Sadie Owens' house... while Sadie and her 3 year old diabetic son are inside? Are K-9 officer Rocco Manelli and his accelerant sniffing chocolate Lab partner Cocoa able to identify the killer before he (or she) strikes again?

Jessica Patch's "Trail of Threats," the 6th installment of the Mountain Country K-9 Unit series, is a thrilling, exciting story with great characters. But then if I made a list of the characters in the 86 Love Inspired Suspense stories I've read that made a big impression on me, the top 5 - maybe the top 10? - were from Jessica Patch novels, and Rocco and Sadie both are in that list. 

Yes, I said this is the sixth installment of a series. I would strongly suggest reading this series in order. For those unfamiliar with Love Inspired Suspense's annual K-9 series, there are 9 volumes by 10 different authors (the final volume contains 2 short stories, and take place after the main threads of the first 8 novels have been resolved. Often, you can read the stories out of order without feeling lost or spoiling stories from the previous books that may not have been ridden. Not so in this series.

Speaking of this series, I strongly recommend it, and I also strongly recommend this story.

 

BOOK REVIEW - "SHADY GROVE" (A KATY RUSSELL MYSTERY BOOK 3) BY JACKIE ZACK

Sure, she was the town hoarder, and sure she had anything but a pleasant disposition, but who would take the step to murder her? Should reporters Katy Russell and Nick Hinchman just accept the unanimous conclusion she just tripped over her "collections" and fatally cut herself with the paring knife she always carried?

"Shady Grove" is the excellent third novel in Jackie Zack's excellent Katy Russell Mysteries. As usual, it has two leads who you care more about in each installment, plus plenty of suspects and plot twists that keep you guessing who did it.

This is book 3. Do you need to read to read books 1 and 2 first? I would say that it's better to do so, but you can still enjoy this one out of order - you won't be lost, nor will reading a later book spoil the earlier book.

I recommend this book and this series.

One last bittersweet comment. Author Jackie Zack, who wrote this 4 part series, went home to be with the Lord a couple of days before I started reading this book. Please pray for her and her friends and family. She was an encouragement to me by weekly asking us what we're reading.

 

BOOK REVIEW - "CHASING JUSTICE" (MOUNTAIN COUNTRY K-9 UNIT BOOK 3) BY VALERIE HANSEN

 Is Finn Donovan guilty of murdering his recently discovered birth father, or has he been framed? Since he's been found guilty, why was the van transporting him attacked? And why choose his ex-girlfriend, Deputy Selena Smith, and her Belgian Malinois K-9 partner of all people (and dogs)?

"Chasing Justice" by Valerie Hansen is book 3 of the 9 volume, multi-author Mountain Country K-9 Unit series from Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense imprint. As you'd expect, you have plenty of action, starting from the beginning when a truck pushes the vehicle transporting Donavan off a cliff and continuing to the showdown between the bad person and the heroes of this story. There's also development and chemistry between the male and female leads of this story.

Considering this is the third book of a series, should you read parts one and two first? You can enjoy this story if you read this by itself, but I would recommend that you first read "Baby Protection Mission" by Laura Scott and "Her Duty Bound Defender" by Sharee Stover (respectively books 1 and 2 of this series). As usual, this series combines a unique romantic suspense novel (in this case, the story of Finn and Selena) with three sub-plots that span the whole series. In the Mountain Country K-9 Unit collection, these are trying to catch the Rocky Mountain Killer (aka RMK) who committed three murders ten years ago and has resumed with two - or is it three? - new victims; the dognapped therapy dog Cowgirl (is this connected to the RMK?), and the sabotage of their crime tech's chances to be a foster parent. 

BOOK REVIEW: "HER DUTY BOUND DEFENDER" (MOUNTAIN COUNTRY K-9 UNIT BOOK 2) BY SHAREE STOVER

 Is due-any-moment Naomi Carr-Cavanaugh a would-be victim of a pair of masked men, or is she a drug-dealing mass murderer? Can Detective/K-9 officer Bennett Ford determine whether she is the long sought after killer or not before some thugs silence her? 

"Her Duty Bound Defender" by Sharee Stover is the second installment of Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense annual multi-author series Mountain Country K-9 Unit. It has the action, plot twists, and interesting characters (especially the dog). 

Usually, the first story opens with a big crime to be solved (in this case, the Rocky Mountain Killer who murdered three members of a club ten years ago and two more just recently), and the first story has a case where the heroes question if it's connected to the big story (it never is, or it would be a short series). The difference with this series is the second book also follows that pattern; typically books from 2-6 have stories unrelated to the big  story. 

If you are a fan of Love Inspired Suspense and adorable K-9s, I recommend this book. 

BOOK REVIEW - "BABY PROTECTION MISSION" (MOUNTAIN COUNTRY K-9 UNIT BOOK 1) BY LAURA SCOTT

Who kidnapped Cade McNeal's sister, and why do they want her infant? Does K-9 officer Ashley Hanson and her lab have what it takes to keep them safe? And is there any connection between this case and the Rocky Mountain Killer, who murdered three young men a decade earlier and just recently added two of their friends to the list?

"Baby Protection Mission" by Laura Scott is the first of the Mountain Country K-9 Unit series. If you've read many Harlequin Love Inspired novels, this is what you'll expect in great characters and edge of the seat action.

Criticisms that have no effect on the five point rating of this book. One, I like the picture of the dog on the cover, but to me, the baby doesn't look real. Of course, you can't judge a book by it's cover. Two, a year ago the Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit series started with "Shielding The Baby," another story where a toddler is target of kidnapping, likewise written by Laura Scott.  Like I said, does this diminish the quality of the story? Nope.

I recommend this book, and hope you enjoy it as well.

 

BOOK REVIEW - THE COMPLETE DICK TRACY VOLUME 27 BY CHESTER GOULD (1972-1974)

 

For those regularly reading my blog, you'll notice I've reviewed volume 3, 4, and now 27 of the Complete Dick Tracy. I'll confess - the ones I read I get from the library, and these are the only three of the 29 part collection they have. Thus, no Flat Top, no Blow Top, no Pruneface, no Mumbles, no Mousy, no Influence, no Oodles, no Pearshape! (At least I got Lips Manlis/Bob Honor and the Blank.)

I will admit that this was not as enjoyable as the earlier books I read. I thought the Button story was silly, disappointing, and illogical (kidnapping a news reporter to post things about the villain giving to church? Really?) His sister Hope Lezz said she was tired of his abuse but we never saw that abuse (except asking to hide out at her house) and the story ending depressing. I found Peanutbutter (a smart but trouble making 10 year old) annoying, and Moon Maid (that is, Mrs. Dick Tracy Junior) was a stretch. Big Brass' story didn't fare much better. The only redeeming character was the kidnapped reporter Jack Grafic. 

Another admission - I became a Dick Tracy fan through Max Allan Collins' tenure with the strip and via the 1990 Warren Beatty movie. Would I have gotten hooked with the '60's and '70's Chester Gould strips?  Maybe as a silly teenager, and maybe not.

If you are a die-hard fan and want to see the entire collection, get this. If, like me, you want to get introduced to Dick Tracy at his best, get the older books, like 3, 4, maybe 8, 9, 10 and 13. 

BOOK REVIEW - "COLD VENGEANCE" (RYLAND & ST. CLAIR BOOK THREE)

Can River Ryland and Tony St. Clair find the missing podcast hostess, assuming she's still alive after being missing the greater part of a year? Is reuniting River's wayward father with her Alzheimer stricken mother a good idea or a potential disaster? And will River survive the well-planned vengeance by the accomplice of a serial killer who failed killing River once and has no place for failing again?

"Cold Vengeance" is the final part of the Ryland & St. Clair trilogy. If you haven't read the previous entries - "Cold Pursuit" and "Cold Threat" - I would highly advise you read them in order, to be able to follow the story (the previous two books had cliffhanger endings). While each novel had its own story and corresponding characters, there are two overarching threads that tie the three together.

This story is steady moving - it seems slow at parts, but the menace of the serial killer keeps the edge to it. The characters are also easy to like (I'll admit, I grew to like River better through the series). 

I do recommend this book and the series, which is not a surprise because I enjoy reading Nancy Mehl - this is the 20th book and 6th series of hers I've read.

REVIEW - "HERE WE STAND: 31 REFORMERS, 1 PER DAY" BY DESIRING GOD

 Okay, how do I classify this? Is it a book? If so, it would be a good one, But there is no indication of it being published. Desiring God, connected to John Piper, released this on-line. When I saw it promoted in September, I signed up to receive it each day throughout October in honor of Reformation Day. I'm glad I did - it was a blessing.

How many reformers can you think of? I'll give you my list, and see how you do with it:

• John Wycliffe
• William Tyndale
• Jan Huss
• Simon Menno
• Peter Waldo
• Mr. and Mrs. Martin Luther (the latter was the first person Warren Wiersbe introduced in "50 People Every Christian Should Know")
• Philip Melanchthon (my hero and personal favorite)
• Ulrich Zwingli
• John Knox
• John Calvin
• Theodore Beza
• Jacob Arminius

There are others I'd also think of, like Charles Simeon, Matthew Henry, John and Charles Wesley, George Whitfield, and Isaac Watts, but all these were too recent for this list. And I have a hunch my list of 13 is impressive, but short of what they had. By the way, only one I listed was not covered, meaning they had 18 or so (they had at least one pair included the same day) I hadn't heard of.

The list was full of variations. They had pre-reformers like Wycliffe and Hus, Anabaptists like Waldo and Menno, "Bride of the Reformation" Wibrandis Rosenblatt who married and was widowed by four reformers (three of which were also included in the list), and non-theologian Johannes Gutenberg whose printing press helped the Reformation have the effect it did.

I don't know how to find this collection - they didn't post it on Facebook, and as I mentioned above, it hasn't been published. But I recommend it. However, I was unsurprisingly disappointed they didn't have the guts to include Jacob Arminius! But then, they might have been disowned by their Calvinist brethren. And maybe, like the others I mentioned, Arminius may have been a little too late for this list. 

Allow me this brief post-script - I'm posting this on International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. It's appropriate - many of them like Luther and Calvin had to flee from one place to a safer one, while others like Tyndale and Zqingli paid the ultimate price.