Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God
He [Jesus] said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:7-8 (NIV)
Hard Son by J. B. Turner is Book 15 of A Jon Reznick Thriller.
Jon Reznick is the Dexedrine popping former Delta, Black Ops, CIA, and FBI consultant. He’s that guy you really don’t want to come up against. Dedicated to whatever mission he’s assigned – rules excluded if they interfere with the mission – this one in Mallorca which he was talked into by CIA man Daniel Black feels all wrong from the moment he arrives. Even assisted by tech guru/hacker supreme and friend Trevelle Williams, nothing is pointing to his target.
Jon’s job is to retrieve a passel of documentation left by retired high-ranking intelligence guru and 80-year-old victim of a sniper assassination on a former naval base and to neutralize the shooter. Those records are critical for protection and exposure of all kinds of intelligence gathered over many years. The assassination is covered up by the Spanish authorities, but the people in Port de Sóller quickly realize who and where this hit took place.
The sniper has only left one tiny piece of evidence which is found by Jon’s second visit to the deserted property where the shooter took his shot.
Not until a second suspicious death and the results found by Trevelle regarding the evidence Jon provided by phone is discovered does the identity of this “ghost” become a reality.
Not only does Jon suffer a near-death experience, it isn’t until late in his search that he realizes who the ultimate target is. Trying to get to the killer before he’s successful provides intense suspense.
Hard Sun is a classic chase amidst sweltering, oppressive heat with virtually no trail to follow, brutal conflict, and second-guesses with some sad results before a final reckoning.
Highly recommend this series.
(Profanity present.)
Father, please continue to bless J.B. and provide the inspiration he needs to continue his writing. Watch over him and his family and encourage him all along the way. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Luke 2:41-52 (NIV)
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Luke 2:25-35 (NIV)
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 (NIV)
Because of Jesus, we live. Merry Christmas to All.
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
Luke 1:46-56 (NIV)
Faultline by L.T. Ryan and Brian Shea is Book 14 in A Rachel Hatch Novel Series.
Rachel Hatch goes by “Hatch.” She’s been on her own for a while now and because of what she experienced during a visit in a tiny Texas town, she’s on the hunt for David Kern, the bigshot psychopath who operates his company with highly paid scientists, analysts, IT experts, and a congressman who secures government/taxpayer money for Kern’s company for a cut of the profits.
One of Kern’s scientists figured out something significant about earthquakes but discovered that Kern wants to use his study’s findings in a way he (Carter) never intended. Afraid of what could happen, he plans to hand over all the information and Kern’s intentions to a true journalist who will expose it. The fear-factor of being a whistleblower is amplified when he realizes Kern knows what he plans to do.
Enter Hatch. She doesn’t know Carter personally, but she’s aware of part of the circumstances, and while talking to a trucker (Raff) in a diner where Carter thinks he’s meeting the reporter, she notes what’s happening and it’s now or never.
Hatch’s life is on the line along with Carter’s and his wife’s and young asthmatic son. There is a car diving off a cliff, a car in a house, a fire, an intentional use of Carter’s invention, and all of it should have accomplished killing them all.
You need to read this one to find out how it turns out, but the compelling factor to keep Hatch fighting through every event to get her killed is the promise she made to her niece in Colorado to make it for her birthday.
This one is a thriller, a nail-biter, and any other description you might choose for looking death in the face and saying, “Not this time.”
Father, please continue to supply LT with the stories you have for him to tell. Bless him and his co-authors as they plan these series novels. Encourage them as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)
Romeo’s Truth by James Scott Bell is Book 10 in the Mike Romeo Thrillers Series.
Mike Romeo is one of my all-time favorite characters. Outside of the other thriller genres, he and Atticus Priest are probably my Top Two. Unique, one-of-a-kinds – they rock originality.
You can always count on incredible wit and exceptional intelligence when you read a Mike Romeo novel.
And if you’ve read this series, you know Romeo can’t go anywhere without getting into or finding some kind of trouble. Try as he might, trouble stalks him like a heat-seeking missile. Inevitably, the former cage-fighter slash philosopher explodes into turning that trouble into a solved problem – but not without doing some damage to the source of the problem and sometimes himself.
Characters such as a slick and slimy politician, a genteel cattle rancher with a devoted right-hand-woman in charge, a town thug, a confused college student, the rancher’s rebellious daughter, and a kooky environmentalist billionaire who wants to be God, all comprise the tapestry of suspects in the poisoning of some cattle and the murder of a good man who knew too much.
Of course this isn’t why Romeo’s in town, but as his former Mossad/lawyer boss (Ira) knows, he can always count on major deviations from the scheduled plans where Romeo’s involved.
Romeo’s Truth does a wonderful job of incorporating Romeo’s wife into the story, showing the softer side of the tough guy whose finally found the love of his life.
5-stars for this one.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE MIKE ROMEO SERIES. HIGHLY!
Father, you know James from the inside out. Bless him in all ways and keep giving him stories to write. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
Hebrews 10:39 (NIV)
Into the Fire 