Into the Fire

We all have our favorite novels. Those favorites can range from romance to thrillers. Sometimes the reasons defy explanation. We just love the book, okay? Most of the time, however, we know why we like a story and why someone else might like it too. Yes, some people think everyone will enjoy what they read, but those particular readers who recognize their own tastes and how they differ from friends and family usually have a bankable opinion on what specific people will like in a book—or at least can explain the story well enough with possible comparisons to other authors in order to present an accurate depiction of the book for a potential reader.

Back in my post “Reasons” I gave you several examples of novels upon which I placed the “Anointed” tag. Today I’m going to give you some novels I enjoyed, some more than others, for people on your “what to buy” lists. These will all be CBA (Christian) novels but not all of them present the gospel message up front, a few of them not at all.

For the men in your life who read:

Treason, Hostage, Defiance (a trilogy), Black Sea Affair by Don Brown (These are authentic military novels written by a former JAG attorney. They’re crisp and cool with plenty of conflict and in your face looks at terrorism.)

Mission Compromised, The Jericho Sanction, The Assassins (a trilogy) by Oliver North (These are older contemporary military novels, and they were ahead of their time. Incredible depiction of insider looks at the Middle East and Israel.)

Comes A Horseman, Germ, Deadfall by Robert Liparulo (Bona fide thrillers, Germ in particular is very fast paced. All contain unique characters and fascinating plots.)

Deep Blue, Dark Fathom, Yucatan Deep by Tom Morrisey (These novels take you on realistic adventures with plenty of mystery and exciting excursions to faraway places.)

Until the Last Dog Dies, When Skylarks Fall, To Skin a Cat (a trilogy) by John Robinson (These stories are short with plenty of wise-a** commentary from a 50-ish PI involved in interesting investigations. Told in the old style of gumshoe prose.)

Submerged, Beneath the Ice, A Treasure Deep, Zero-G by Alton Gansky (Highly imaginative adventures, short novels with daring and interesting concepts.)

Deadline, Dominion, Deception (a trilogy) by Randy Alcorn (These novels cover the friendship of three men who lose one of their group in the first novel. Each book is a great read.)

Shoofly Pie, Chop Shop, less than DEad by Tim Downs (Incredible character Nick Polchak, the “Bug Man”, is one of the most fascinating in all of literature. I left out the third novel in this series, First . . . the Dead, because it was my least favorite. Clever, sardonic, and determined, the Bug Man takes you on his murder-laced investigations from a forensic entomologist’s point of view. My personal favorite: less than DEad.)

We’ll do more suggested reading on Monday.

Father, thank you for all the authors you’ve gifted. Such wonderful imaginations and abilities you’ve given them. It’s a joy and treasure when they use their gifts to honor you. Please bless each one for the work done by your inspiration. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.