Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels

Here is another entry into the Christian suspense genre. It concerns good and evil in the world told as a murder story. The mystery genre is a good vehicle to talk about good and evil as there can be bad people and good people portrayed in standard garb.

The elements are here. A couple of victims, a sleuth, a detective, and a criminal.  This being in the suspense motif we early on know who did it and just are waiting for the revealing to others of the perpetrator. There is a twist in this story handled artfully. It is a satisfying and unexpected.

 What I will say is Bartels uses one of Agatha Christie’s plot twists  and handles it well. I will not give a spoiler.

Sometimes evil uses good to achieve its goal. Under the surface things are different than appearances.

The main character is a pastor. He is a popular preacher but not firm in his theology. He is called in to help locate the killer who is leaving satanic signs on his victims. His adventure leads him to the pit of evil and challenges his application of his training.

Before the end comes he will confront evil in a way that is life threatening.

I understand this is Bartels’ first novel and I can see many more in the future should he choose to continue as an author.

This book was sent to me free from Booklookbloggers.com for the purpose of reviewing and placement on my book blog. The views expressed are those of the reviewer and not the publisher.

How To Kill a Unicorn by Mark Payne

It is a completely different world—that of an innovator. But someone has to do it. And it is easy to get stuck and not forward moving. 

 A whole new set of thoughts and perceptions have to be considered to move ahead. To be inventive one must see more than what is visible. One must also consider future needs and ways to address them while at the same time not losing perspective.

A whole company has grown up to meet the need of casting vision. One must deal in reality while moving the idea made product to market. There are questions to ask and solutions to be implemented.

 Payne presents in this book the idea innovation carries risk. It is possible to create impossible solutions. These are what the book refers to as unicorns. He starts with the innovation Samsung underwent and moves into how innovation turned plan water into the Vitamin Water craze we are in today.

But not every idea takes off. This is where the risk is.

Payne introduces us to a group called Fahrenheit 212 – 212 degrees Fahrenheit being the temperature at which water boils. That may be the inference of the company title.This book should be read by everyone interested in innovation.
 This book was sent free from Blogging for Books.com for the purpose of reviewing. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions expressed are those of the reviewer and not of the publisher or the Blogging for Books site.

Worthy of Her Trust by Stephen Arterburn and Jason B. Martinkus

    

    Trust is very foundational to any relationship. It is especially foundational to a marriage. It is a basic building block that should be in place. If it is shaky or missing the foundation is broken.

        Trust must then be regained.

        For men the issue often is in the sexual area, is the thesis of this helpful book. Unknown to her is that schoolyard view of that pornographic magazine. Or that computer picture you came across “by accident”. You know which one. The one that made you eager to explore more until you view females in a way they are not meant to be viewed.

        Martinkus along with Arterburn bravely open themselves to scrutiny, and we. a reader, are better for it, especially we men who are married.

        Our wives need to feel a part of our lives. When we don’t hold ourselves accountable to them we miss so many blessings.

        Although this book is geared toward marriage I feel each young man should read it. Maybe it should be handed out as a discussion area in a premarital class. It has the subtitle what you need to do to rebuild sexual integrity and win her back.       

      If it isn’t too late this will help you walk the walk. If you have gone across the line this book will help you establish and reinstate boundaries.

       I received this book free from the Bloggingforbooks.com for this review. All opinions expressed are that of the reviewer and not the publishers. I was not required to give a positive review.

The Sacred Year by Michael Yankoski

       If we could take a year off and seek to know an existential moment would we take it? And what would we find? Existential is defined as something affecting one’s existence.

        Since we are, according to the author, both body and spirit, we need to take time to develop our spiritual body, the unseen part of us. Action and contemplation need to be balanced.

        Yankoski asks us to go in depth in three areas: with self, with God and with others. As presented here it takes time. In this age of instant gratification it is a discipline learned.

        This subject is not for the person who likes easy, no sacrifice answers. But it is needed for those who want a rich mystic experience.

        I was sent this book free from Booklookbloggers.com for review. I wasn’t sure what I was getting. I was not required to give an interview gushing with praise. I found this book to grow on you. There are things to think about, if you are honest with yourself.

Being well written and progressively stimulating it becomes hard to put down. It is worth the time spent in digesting it. It is not written in a scholarly manner so anyone can interact with it.