White Soul by Brandt Dodson

Ron Ortega has gone deep undercover trying to bring down one of Miami’s most notorious drug lords. Just a few years into his career with the DEA, Ortega has worked hard to make it this far. A stroke of luck has landed him inside Ricardo Estevez’s circle, and he will stop at nothing to bring him down. Along the way he is faced with impossible choices and insurmountable odds as he strives to prove his allegiance to Estevez, all the while trying to hold onto his struggling faith.

White Soul is Brandt Dodson’s first novel since his groundbreaking Colton Parker series. This is indeed a worthy addition to what is already a stellar body of work. Dodson writes at a frenetic pace, always holding the reader’s attention through short, concise chapters that continually pack a punch. The action and suspense never let up, and the explosive conclusion is both thrilling and satisfying.

As with Colton Parker, Dodson has created a great new character worth pulling for in Ron Ortega. He is anything but perfect, but his flaws and shortcomings will pull readers in effectively. The tension filled glimpses we get into Ron’s undercover life are handled especially well, and at no time do these elements come across as phony or forced. Dodson’s hardcore fans will love this latest offering, and new readers will have a blast discovering this great new talent who continues to shine.

The Woods by Harlan Coben

Paul Copeland is the county prosecutor for Essex County, New Jersey. Doling out justice is the only way he can deal with the tragedy that forever changed his family 20 years ago. That summer, Paul’s sister vanished in the woods with her boyfriend on the same night two other counselors were found murdered at summer camp. The two were never seen again and many assumed they were also murdered and their bodies buried deep in the woods. Paul’s mother left him and his father soon after, leaving a gaping hole in his heart. Now a widower and a single Dad, Paul fights every day to try and put his dark past behind him. Everything changes when a murder victim is suddenly found with a surprising connection to the camp murders.

Meanwhile, Paul’s latest case is wreaking havoc on his life. Opposing council is backed by major higher-ups who will go to any length to muddy Paul’s name and reputation in order to get the verdict they want. Nothing is off limits, including the events of that fateful night. As the questions pile up and new clues come to light, Paul is forced to re-enter the nightmare he experienced in the woods all those years ago.

This was my first Harlan Coben novel and you can be certain it will not be my last. I have heard good things about Coben, but I was simply blown away by the level of storytelling I found in The Woods. Part mystery, part family drama, part chilling suspense…this one grabs on tight and never lets go. Coben shows of his writing prowess with his effortless shifting from first to third person narrative throughout, giving us the story from different angles that are equally riveting. Often when I am immersed in a story I find myself constantly trying to figure out the end before I get there. However, Coben’s strong characters and engaging dialogue kept me so preoccupied that I was consistently surprised and even shocked by each new plot twist or revelation. This is one heck of a story and I can’t recommend it enough.

Oh no…I’ve done it again. I went out and found myself another favorite author.

The Restorer’s Son (The Sword of Lyric Book 2) by Sharon Hinck

When we last left Mark and Susan Mitchell they had just left the world of the People of the Verses to return home via the portal in their attic. They are shocked when they discover that their son, Jake, has found the portal and journeyed back to the world they have left behind. Now they are forced to return to try and find Jake before their enemies discover him.

Meanwhile, the new restorer, Kieran, struggles with the new role that has been thrust upon him. He knows that the One always sends a Restorer for His people during times of great need, but never did he think it would be him. Reluctantly embracing his new calling, Kieran sets out on his own journey and soon crosses paths with Jake and vows to safely return him to his parents. Along the way the One leads Kieran on a different path; one that will challenge his faith and bring him face to face with his deepest struggles.

Sharon Hinck continues to surprise me with this delightful series. Just when I think I have it all figured out, the story moves in a whole new direction that is much more enjoyable than anything I have anticipated. When I first heard about this series I have to admit that I mistakenly wrote it off as re-packaged Christian chick lit. Nothing wrong with chick lit…just not my thing. Boy was I wrong! So far both volumes have been action-packed and full of intrigue and suspense. The spiritual themes are strong throughout and are never presented in a forceful or preachy manner. Never fear…there is also just the right amount of romance that actually adds to the richness of the plot.

This story actually outshines the first and is incredibly addictive. This time around we get the story from the alternating first person perspectives of Kieran and Susan. This makes the story that much more fun and really shows off what a talented writer Hinck is. Kieran’s struggle in particular is fascinating and relevant and it will resonate with anyone that has ever gone through a faith crisis. In the end we are satisfactorily left with some sense of closure plus a perfect little cliffhanger to set up the next installment.

If you are looking for some great speculative fiction with Christian themes then look no further. My only hope is that Sharon Hinck will continue to write more fantasy. I can’t wait for number three!

You can read my interview with Sharon here and see my review of The Restorer here.

Eric Wilson Article

A new article about Eric Wilson was recently published in the Tennessean. Eric is one of my favorite authors and it’s exciting to see him finally getting some long overdue recognition. His upcoming Field of Blood series promises to be eye-opening and potentially controversial as he mixes in elements of vampire lore with Christian themes. Man, I cannot wait for that!

Also, his novel, Expiration Date, is being made into a film. Check out the article here and Eric’s website here. If you love suspense and supernatural thrillers then you owe it to yourself to check him out.

You can also read my interview with Eric here.

Killer Instinct by Joseph Finder

Jason Steadman is a hard-working sales executive for Entronics. He’s worked hard to get to where he is and while his wife wants to see him climb the corporate ladder, Jason doesn’t share her ambition. He is content with his mid-level management position and has no desire to dive into the foxhole of corporate world advancement.

One evening Jason runs his car off the road and befriends the tow truck driver, Kurt Semko. The two quickly hit it off as Jason is mesmerized by Kurt’s stories of his days in the Special Forces in Iraq. Soon Kurt is joining the Entronics softball team and hanging out with all the guys. When a corporate security job opens up at work, Jason pulls some strings to get the job for Kurt. Almost immediately good things start to happen for Jason. New contracts are being landed, competition is falling flat on their faces, and suddenly upper management wants to promote him. All is well until Jason begins to suspect foul play behind his sudden rise to the top. It seems someone is going to great lengths to see him succeed, even if it means that lives are being destroyed in the process. Jason must now find a way to stop this deadly game before his own life is at stake.

Joseph Finder has crafted a tantalizing thriller set amidst the intriguing backdrop of corporate sabotage. Written in the first person from Jason Steadman’s point of view, we see the story unfold at a methodical pace as Finder cleverly strings us along with a steady mounting tension. Finder treats readers with a revealing look inside major electronics companies and the competitive sales environment within. While there is an abundance of information regarding corporate structuring, never are these details boring or overbearing. Instead they add to the credibility of the plot, thus making the story more enjoyable and relevant. This is top-notch suspense that is absolutely impossible to put down.

The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker (Graphic Novels)

Thomas Hunter is running through the streets of Denver for his life, and he’s not quite sure why. After being clipped by a stray bullet he loses consciousness only to immediately awaken in a new fantasy world. In the new world Thomas finds himself on the run again, this time from the evil Teeleh and his bat-like minions. Thomas soon befriends two unique creatures who reveal to Thomas that this new world is the future. A quick history lesson reveals how a deadly virus will wipe out the earth’s population back in the present. Realizing he is the only one who can stop the virus, Thomas discovers that he can instantly travel back to the present by simply falling asleep, and vice-versa. In order to stop the virus in his world, Thomas Hunter will also have to fight evil in the future. Both worlds are connected, and whether he likes it or not, Thomas is the link.

It’s been fifteen years since Thomas Hunter, general of the Forest Guard, has dreamed. He eats the rambutan fruit every day to keep from dreaming, thus keeping him from traveling back to his world. He is now a leader of Elyon’s people, a husband, and a father. He leads the Forest Guard in an ongoing war against the Horde, a diseased and tormented people that refuse to follow Elyon. As the Horde army closes in on his people, Thomas must finally travel back to his world to gather information he needs to defeat the enemy.

Back in Thomas’ world time has practically stood still since he left. The deadly Raison Strain has been released into the population, and it’s only a matter of days before the world is infected. Thomas is the only one who can find the one person capable of creating an antidote. Every choice Thomas makes in one world effects the destiny of himself and his loved ones in the other. The fate of both worlds is in his hands.

Thomas Hunter has the weight of two worlds on his shoulders. In his reality a deadly virus is running rampant while efforts to find a cure keep coming up short. His loved ones are in danger and the enemy always seems to be one step ahead. In the other world his beloved people are in danger of being destroyed by the Horde. Thomas has already suffered great loss and his outlook is bleak at best. Qurong, the evil leader of the Horde, wants nothing more to see Thomas and the last remnants of Elyon’s follower’s destroyed. When all seems lost, Thomas desperately searches for one last ray of hope.

Ted Dekker’s Circle Trilogy novels were groundbreaking to say the least when they were released in 2004. I still consider this trilogy to be one of the most inspirational and entertaining fictional works I’ve ever read. Naturally, I was thrilled when I heard the news that Circle Media was publishing the trilogy in graphic novel form. I must say the result is everything I was hoping for.

That being said, I would never suggest that someone should read the graphic novels instead of the novels to get the whole story. There is simply too much packed into these stories and you can only get the full experience through the actual books. But are the graphic novels worth reading? Absolutely!

Hats off to the writers who have cleverly adapted Dekker’s complex plot lines into a story that flows well in the graphic novel format. Readers who are unfamiliar with the story will have no trouble following the story threads flowing through the alternating realities. The artwork is superb on every level. Seeing this story brought to life in such vivid detail was such a thrill, and I especially loved the way the artists effectively portrayed the other reality.

This is indeed a fun way to experience or re-experience Ted Dekker’s most popular work. Circle Media has plans to adapt more of Dekker’s works into graphic novels, with Showdown next on the list. If nothing else I hope these graphic novel adaptations will introduce more readers to Dekker and his arsenal of quality storytelling.

Find out more about The Circle Trilogy Graphic Novels at:  http://thecircletrilogy.com/