Empire's End review

"Empire's End" or as it is sometimes called on sites "I, Paul"  by Jerry B Jenkins is the adult companion book to "I, Saul", a youth historical fiction about the Apostle Paul.  Though Paul wrote a huge chunk of the New Testament, little is known of his personal life.  In this fictional telling, Jenkins fills in the gaps starting with the horrors that Saul inflicted on the people of The Way and following him through his conversion and writings. 
The story starts off in an advanced writing style that might seem hard to follow for some, but the point is to catch up the reader with the politics of the times.  Following the Preamble, the writing takes a more readable fashion so that the reader can become more involved with the storyline.   Jenkins is one of the infamous duo who wrote "Left Behind" yet this is the first book of his I have read.  He is a brilliant writer, who writes with an intelligent fashion, yet can keep the reader interested without making it hard to understand. I  have always wondered how Christians found the 'turning a new leaf' of Paul to be authentic.  I don't think I would have believed him until he proved himself.  I don't think I would have forgiven him.  How many times have I lost something that could have been good because I wouldn't forgive?  He takes Paul's story and turns it into not only a thinker, but an adventure story.  I would recommend this to anyone, not just Christians as a good thriller. 

Losing Yourself

"The Art of Losing Yourself" by Katie Ganshert follows two sisters:  Carmen, a meteorologist who is having fertility issues, and Gracie, a rebellious, unhappy teenager.  They are the children of an alcoholic mother who spent the majority of their childhoods neglecting them.  Carmen takes her experiences and turns them into an overachieving perfectionist.  Gracie takes hers and rejects any kind of hope and affection.  When Gracie gets in trouble at school she runs away to live in the motel that she as her sister had visited as children.   It takes her mother 8 days to realize she is gone.  Carmen and Gracie begin to bond and start  life fresh with the cleaning and remodeling of the motel. They get to know each other, plan their future's, recover from their pasts, and get in touch with God. 
The novel starts a little slow and Gracie is kind of annoying at first.  But don't let that make you put the book down.   Within a couple of chapters the book starts to find itself (for lack of a better phrase) and really takes off.  The reader becomes invested in the sisters and starts to cheer them on.  I never did grow to like the mother though.  Ganshert brings the sisters to God without becoming too preachy.  I really liked this book.  I have read all of Ganshert's books and I will continue to do so.  She is only improving as a writer.  I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from www.bloggingforbooks.com. 

lethal beauty review

"Lethal Beauty" the latest installment in the Mia Quinn Mystery series by Lis Wiehl.  In this novel Mia is prosecuting a man who is accused of killing a Chinese immigrant working in a "massage parlor".  Following the hung jury verdict, Mia's not taking no for an answer.  She continues to try and find a way of bringing the murderer to justice.  She stumbles into an evil web the Chinese undocumented immigration, and the underground world of slavery, prostitution, and drugs. 
I found this book brought to mind many things that I know to be true, yet had not put together.  "Lethal" is probably the best book of the series.  Wiehl didn't include the football player in this one, so he was sorely missed; however, I liked that the series took a turn to focus more on Mia.  The reader became more involved with her children and work place.  The women in this book became more of the heroes as well.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review from www.booklookbloggers.com.