Showing posts with label christian fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christian fiction. Show all posts

Hero's Tribute: A Novel Review

Hero's Tribute: A Novel
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Hero's Tribute: A Novel ReviewThe genre of Christian literature has gone through change upon change over the years; some for the better, some for the worse. This offering by Graham Garrison more or less represents the latest wave of change and I must say that I approve of the direction that Garrison and others of his ilk are taking. From my perspective, the concept of the "flawed hero," the concept of a man or woman doing the right thing despite all of our inevitable human flaws, is a good message; a realistic message.
As has been noted in several reviews here, the plot has already been well covered by several of the effusions recorded here so I will not linger overly long on that subject. In brief, we have a local home town boy who is a hero. He was the star of stars on his high school football team, played for a major college, married the love of his life, served his country honorably receiving not only the Purple Heart, but also the Medal of Honor, came home and started an organization to help troubled and under privileged children. All who know him love him...perfect man, perfect wife and family and perfect community leader. As the book open, Michael, our hero, dies an early death by cancer. His last request is that a local reporter, Wes, give his eulogy. Wes does not know Michael and begins an odyssey of discovery....just who was this "perfect man?"
Now make no mistake. There are no deep dark disgusting secrets unveiled here that we have been subjected to in real life recently. No instances of blatant infidelity, playing games in public restrooms, no unhealthy fascination with children, and no mistresses stashed in South America...not of the usual sick stuff that screams at us via the talking heads each evening. No, this is not the story of twisted, sickening flaws, but ordinary flaws that we all possess at one level or another. But are they flaws? Is being less that perfect a bad thing? Can a man or woman lead a wonderful productive life despite the burdens laid upon us from birth; from our families, teachers, coaches, friends and community and indeed, human nature?

I felt the author captured his characters perfectly, both as individuals and as groups of people. As an example, I was extremely amused as the author's description of the group of town people meeting at the local café, something that they had done for years...these older men living and reliving their "glory days" of high school football. What small town does not contain this sort of group? To be frank, I listen to this stuff ever Saturday morning and I must admit to having been guilty of participating in the conversation myself from time to time. The author's description of the local and not so local coaches are gems. Anyone living in small town America will be able to identify many of these characters in their own community. I love this sort of thing.
The book is well written and holds a very strong message. The author's portrayal of small town life, while a bit exaggerated at times, is spot on. His profile of a man who possesses the flaws we all have, yet tries his best to always do the right thing is rather inspirational. Like another reviewer here, the only real flaw I found in the work was that it started quite strong in the first half, but then sort of fell short of expectations in the end. This is no big deal though. Keep in mind that this is the author's fist novel and if you consider his obvious skill in writing and ability to tell a good story, we can be assured that we will be hearing much more from him in the future and I for one am looking forward to it.
I am giving this one five stars rather than four simply because it was a wonderfully good first effort. I do recommend this on highly.
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
Hero's Tribute: A Novel OverviewWhat makes a man a legend?

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Sunset Beach: A Spirited Love Story Review

Sunset Beach: A Spirited Love Story
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Sunset Beach: A Spirited Love Story ReviewTHIS BOOK GRABS YOU ON PAGE ONE. IT IS EXCELLENT SUMMER READING. MAKES YOU WANT TO HEAD TO THE BEACH!! EXCELLENT BOOKSunset Beach: A Spirited Love Story OverviewFor Laura Babson, a seven-week vacation on Sunset Beach, North Carolinas southernmost beach, seemed a relaxing way to escape the routines of life as a doctors wife in a small town. For sports columnist Neal Nickelsen, an eight-week sabbatical on the pristine barrier island promised great things for his golf game. But after seeing each other for the first time in more than twenty years, they soon discover this summer would be about something entirely different.

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Dominion (Ollie Chandler, Book 2) Review

Dominion (Ollie Chandler, Book 2)
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Dominion (Ollie Chandler, Book 2) ReviewAs an awe-struck reader of Deadline, I felt I had to read Dominion, even though I knew that sequels are usually not near as good as the original. This book develops Clarence, who was an obscure character from the first novel, into someone everyone can know and love. While much ties in to the first book, we are spared syrupy coincidences so common to much "christian" fiction.
This book is spell-binding, exciting, and compelling. As one who reads much fiction from the "other side" as well, this stacks up with Grisham's best, and proves that you can have a good novel with professional technique, believable characters, and frank portrayals, without even using one of the puerile off-color words that even Grisham considers necessary for a sell. It would stand alone as a detective novel; it would stand alone as a social commentary; it would stand alone as an allegorical fantasy. The fact that it can do all three at once makes it a book that would be unique, had the first one not done so also.
The murder mystery was actually more intricate, more interesting than the first one. The glimpses of heaven bogged me down just slightly, though Alcorn has made me think like I never thought before. I still think I can wait at least a thousand years before I sit under a verbose C.S. Lewis explaining things to me.
For those who thought the first book was too "right wing," I challenge anyone to say that about this one. Alcorn camps in the liberals' back yard and shows them some truth they should have thought about before. This was the best book on race relations that any Christian has ever written, and I marvel that he could create such a believable Black character. Clarence's dad is a treasure, too, and I found that I wish I could have spent a morning fishing with him like Manny got to do.Dominion (Ollie Chandler, Book 2) OverviewSweet Revenge?When two senseless killings hit close to home, columnist Clarence Abernathy seeks revenge for the murders—and, ultimately, answers to his own struggles regarding race and faith. After being dragged into the world of inner-city gangs and racial conflict, Clarence is encouraged by fellow columnist Jake Woods to forge an unlikely partnership with a redneck homicide detective. Soon the two find themselves facing dark forces, while unseen eyes watch from above. This re-release of Randy Alcorn's powerful bestseller spins off from Deadline and offers a fascinating glimpse inside heaven. Can One Man's Search for Justice Stand Up to the Forces of Evil Threatening to Destroy Him? A shocking murder drags black newspaper columnist Clarence Abernathy into the disorienting world of inner-city gangs and racial conflict. In a desperate hunt for answers to the violence (and to his own struggles with race and faith), Clarence forges an unlikely partnership with redneck detective Ollie Chandler. Despite their differences, Clarence and Ollie soon find themselves sharing the same mission: victory over the forces of darkness vying for dominion.Filled with insight—and with characters so real you'll never forget them—Dominion is a dramatic story of spiritual searching, racial reconciliation, and hope.I don't know when I have read a novel that affected me so profoundly. Randy Alcorn has combined a superb mystery/detective story with a lesson in racial relations in America, gang dynamics and symbols, Christian values, and spiritual warfare. —Dave Kirby, Troy (Alabama) Broadcasting CorporationEven better than its predecessor…Alcorn's writing remains top-notch. —Sean Taylor, CBA MarketplaceREADER'S GUIDE INCLUDED Story Behind the BookRandy Alcorn thoroughly researched his characters, spending time in the inner city with homicide and gang detectives to better create the scenes for this bestselling novel. He set the story in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, and the main character, Clarence Abernathy, is a black journalist whose unforgettable father played baseball in the old Negro Leagues. Randy has received many letters from readers who assume he is African American due to his accurate portrayals of racial issues.

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