Either-or-Both-or-Neither

Mashed Potatoes or Baked Potatoes

French Bread or Sourdough Bread

Peanut Butter and Jam or Peanut Butter and Honey

Bacon Cheeseburger or Plain Hamburger

Chocolate Frosted Brownies or Butter Cream Frosting on White Cake

Lord, you know us all well. There isn't anything you don't know about anything. And yet we so often conduct our lives independent of your presence and direction. Thank you for loving us anyway. Please help me to always hear and obey your instruction. Nothing tops what you have to say. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Ocean Shores. Sunset 01/30/09. A winter excursion to the ocean.

Father, you provide the beauty, the opportunities to gaze upon it and experience it. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I've been receiving some very positive feedback on this novel. I'm grateful for everyone who's read it and was touched by it. This one touched me as well to write it. Thank you to all of you who've left comments and reviews. Can't tell you how affirming they are. Thank you. 

Father, thank you for this story. You know apart from you, I've got nothing and can do nothing. Only you. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

"It's a girl, my lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin' down to take a look at me!" 

"The Eagles" were a premier band. So many hits. I saw them live at the Eagles Auditorium downtown Seattle when you paid a simple fee to get in and stand anywhere you wanted and watch the band. Never thoroughly crowded. Easy to see each member of the band and the music was good. So many great bands made it through that venue, and we saw a lot of them. 

The lyrics were typical of that era. It was a wild time . . . with amazing music and abundant talent.

Father, only you know hearts and save souls. Only you. Thank you for each one you rescued including me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Let's start with Mitch Rapp's college fiancée who we never meet. We know two things about her: Mitch loved her and planned to marry her; her death on the Lockerbie flight caused by the direct act of terrorists was the impetus that produced the best operator/assassin America had yet to see. 

Let's go next to Irene Kennedy, brilliant discoverer of Mitch Rapp who believed in him from the beginning, argued with Stan Hurley about him and always defended Rapp even when he became his "own" man and operator and chose to go off-script. For the longest time, Irene was the only person in the world (besides his mother) who he could trust. And although in his current life he no longer works for Irene and the CIA, their mutual respect and love for each other as longtime friends with the bonds that risking lives and saving lives form, Irene remains close to him even when he might wish to distance himself from what she knows only he can accomplish. 

We learn much later about an agent from another country with whom Rapp had a serious passionate affair. She was a wild thing, good at what she did, beautiful and sexy. A thrilling combination for the young Mitch Rapp.

Then came the woman he married. In many ways the opposite of Mitch politically, she was intelligent, opinionated and with that outspoken. Personally, I never liked her character. But apparently this is the kind of woman Rapp prefers, and their sad story broke him for a time, leaving a deep scar. He finally began the long healing process by the end of my favorite of all the Mitch Rapp stories, Consent to Kill.      

                                       (Old cover pictured here.) 

Now there is Claudia, a strong and outspoken French woman, who Mitch has been with for some time after the death of her criminal partner and father of her daughter, who is now 10 years old. Mitch first saw Claudia in a stunning scene in Consent to Kill. Claudia's intense skills have helped out with Mitch's missions and Irene's planning and she and Irene have become good friends. Claudia's connections with a criminal underworld from her past occasionally provide valuable information and asset availability – for the right price of course. Rapp is sliding in and out of seeing a real future with Claudia to the point of walking her daughter down the aisle one day. I think his attraction to Claudia was of course a passionate one but also a respect for her intelligence and abilities. He's become very protective of his "adopted" family, but he still wavers and waffles about ultimate commitment which is probably his way of justifying their protection. People attached to his kind tend to disappear. 

I have the perfect woman for Mitch Rapp designed in my mind, how they meet, her profession, his reaction, but, alas, it'll probably stay where it is: in my imagination. Sigh. 

Father, please continue to provide Mitch Rapp stories that minister. So far, they've been thrilling, poignant, and covered real characterizations of operators and politicians. It would be especially powerful to have the spiritual component included in a dynamic fashion. Only you, Lord. Thank you for Vince Flynn, Kyle Mills, and the entire staff who've brought this amazing series to readers. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.   

. . . Let us hold to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 (NIV) 

As you can see, this is an older banner of the original novels by Vince Flynn. His first one was Term Limits, now with a new cover, placed last here, and is the only one without Mitch Rapp. I came late to the Mitch Rapp party of books and would have probably missed him altogether if it hadn't been for the great Rush Limbaugh. 

Driving in my car one day listening to Rush, he started hyping Vince's new novel at the time Pursuit of Honor. As you can see this was Book 12 in the series, so I was way behind in finding Mitch Rapp. I bought it immediately and my pursuit of "all novels Vince Flynn" began, starting with Term Limits and quickly progressing until I waited for The Last Man to be released. 

There has never been a more appealing or stronger character than the uniquely crafted Mitch Rapp. The amazing creations of Stan Hurley and Irene Kennedy proved equally fascinating although no one has been more compelling than Rapp. Hated by some politicians because they couldn't "own" him, perfect in his pursuit of evil, physically made with the skills required to do the most difficult of assignments while having the innate and acquired intelligence to adapt in crisis situations, Mitch Rapp is one in a million.

I recall Vince visiting Rush's show once and being interviewed by the Great One and heard Rush's enthusiasm and admiration while speaking with Vince. I also remember Rush commenting at a later date that he'd once asked Vince how many real operators there were like Mitch Rapp in the world. I believe his answer back then was around 66. Vince's sources were impeccable and his stories often proved to be prophetic – much like has happened with the continued saga by Kyle Mills. 

This Mitch Rapp Ambassador assignment has been a privilege and an honor. I've thoroughly enjoyed promoting the unequaled saga of novels by Vince Flynn and honorably carried on by Kyle Mills. 

Father, only you save souls. Thank you for caring enough to reach out to each one of us. Please continue to bless all those associated with these incredible novels and for carrying on this amazing series in Vince's absence. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

If you've never had the pleasure of "meeting" Mitch Rapp, there's no time like now. The supreme man's man, the ultimate operator/assassin, the perfect divider of good and evil, and just enough hardcore determination to do what's right in the most dire of circumstances even if he pays for it with his life. And he doesn't take you-know-what from anybody. That's who Mitch Rapp is. 

His career began when his college fiancée was on the Lockerbie flight that was brought down by terrorists. Rapp pursued a way to make them pay for not only ruining his life but all of those who lost loved ones, friends, and relatives by a senseless vicious attack. The result of his desire to fight the evil was his eventual meet-up with Irene Kennedy who would later become his handler and finally the Director of the CIA. With Stan Hurley as his reluctant instructor Mitch Rapp became the premier operator and the American Assassin in spite of untold hurdles, a few of which he didn't see coming. 

The Mitch Rapp Saga

The Mitch Rapp story in chronological order is: American Assassin, Kill Shot, Transfer of Power, The Third Option, Separation of Power, Executive Power, Memorial Day, Consent To Kill, Act of Treason, Protect and Defend, Extreme Measures, Pursuit of Honor, The Last Man, The Survivor, Order To Kill, Enemy Of The State, Red War, Lethal Agent, Total Power and Enemy At The Gates. Mitch Rapp does not appear in Term Limits.

Father, you know how much we miss Vince in spite of many of us fans never having had the pleasure of meeting him. Nice to know we'll get that opportunity one day. Thank you for Kyle Mills who's taken on the Herculean task of keeping the Rapp Saga going. Please continue to bless him with the stories that make this character come alive to his fans. Thank you is never enough, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Keeping the Vince Flynn legacy alive, Kyle Mills has written Enemy at the Gates, the big Number 20 in the Mitch Rapp Novels. 

There's a new formidable president in the White House (Anthony Cook) and between him and his brainy, conniving wife, they epitomize what members of a cabal would look like. Their lust for power and the accompanying wealth that power engineers drive them. In the wake of the major electrical grid failure depicted in Total Power, the Cooks have been selected as the young and ambitious couple to lead the recovering United States of America. What voters couldn't have – or didn't – anticipate would be their desires to overhaul the Republic and fill it with devotees to their renovations. 

That objective would see to the need of acquiring those who would adhere to their "associations" and arrangements with certain other countries to accomplish their dirty deeds. And eliminate those who they know would be unwilling to comply – like CIA Director Irene Kennedy and her top operative who no longer works for her, the indomitable Mitch Rapp.

Irene's closest assistant Mike Nash, longtime friend of Mitch Rapp, seems to have embraced the energy of the Cook's while Irene continues to wage her quiet, austere judgment.

A compound in Uganda built by the world's first trillionaire (Nicholas Ward) for the research done by a genius doctor (David Chism) is attacked and overrun by the minions of a cult leader, a self-identified demi-god (Gideon Auma) who is known for his vicious practices and captures of young girls for sex-slaves and young boys he can drug to be adoring soldiers to his cause.

Trying to figure out the hows and whys of the attack on the compound requires astute examination by Irene Kennedy. David Chism is assumed to have died in the attack, but his body hasn't been found. Nicholas Ward wants to make sure and assumes he's alive. The only way Irene can figure to do this is to get Rapp involved, knowing he will use Scott Coleman and the crew and all will be paid handsomely by the mega-money man. Rapp is unconvinced the doctor survived but will gather the team to concoct a plan. 

When crazy plans prove beneficial, there's another hitch to be reckoned with, and this time it's far too close to home for Irene to ignore. It requires every measure of her clandestine abilities to discover what exactly is happening and to clue Rapp in without anyone being aware of it. 

As everything becomes far more complex than could be imagined, Rapp's "retirement" plans in South Africa seem once again distant.

There's a fair amount of philosophizing in this novel. Rapp's is internal, some things he's been seriously contemplating for a while, plus he's had to listen to the naïveté of a man who's acquired untold wealth because of personal genius, and his intent to "save the world" make him believe there's no other way to think "rightly" than his. The Cook's aims are simple and as old as evil, but their enthusiasm and acquired connections present certain others with a desire to buy into their thinking and actions. 

Enemy at the Gates is powerfully written with plenty of vintage Mitch Rapp and Irene Kennedy. I've never been particularly fond of Mike Nash from the beginning although he's had his good points. Scott Coleman and his team are steady as always, and Claudia is who she is. Both David Chism and Nicholas Ward are interesting, although I admit that I found Ward to be a bit sanctimonious in a couple of his discussions with Rapp. This book doesn't give us that "easy" ending nor allow us to feel comfortable about what either Mitch or Irene will face next. 

(Plenty of profanity present.)

Father, I pray you would continue to bless Kyle as he creates these powerful stories with this legendary character. Thank you for his expertise and may you give him all he needs to write those stories you have just for him to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.       

James Scott Bell has written Book 5 in A Mike Romeo Thriller Series: Romeo's Town. 

I've said it before and I'll repeat it here: James Scott Bell is one of the wittiest, more intelligent, and definitely entertaining authors in the world of literature today. This series has produced Mike Romeo (aka Michael Chamberlain), investigator for former Mossad Ira Rosen who is an attorney. Mike was that kid in school who was quiet, pudgy, incredibly nerdy-smart, and attended Yale University at the age of 15. With his new name and persona, he can be a walking killer without half-trying if necessary, and his incredible "smarts" is both a blessing and a curse because it won't allow him to quit until his insatiable desire to put order to chaos, while contributing to the chaos, has to be satisfied. In other words the "case" has to be resolved and in the process the people and procedures must either be made to take responsibility or perhaps die trying. 

Sixteen year old Clint is busted for dealing drugs at an elite school. His single mother hires Ira Rosen and by default Mike Romeo to help her son. However, Clint won't accept any help and has shut down. Street smart Mike Romeo goes on the hunt for the supplier, the head of this snake that has a young kid willing to take the fall lying down. The highly unlikely trail surprises even Mike, but he's taking no prisoners when a sniper misses his shot for Mike and hits a good cop.

The sliding under the radar plot thickens for Mike when he faces a former love interest Sophie in a bookstore after an altercation of course where Mike has had to subdue a man with evil intent. Personal relationships haven't penetrated the "ice ring" around Mike's heart for eons, perhaps because with Sophie he reverted back to that self-conscious pudgy kid while having to be that former cage-fighter that has been who he is for many years now. He wants that "touch" but can't work himself up to it easily which leads him to take detours away from melting any ice. When an additional female appears and boldly displays her intentions, Mike notes it with interest but holds back. 

Romeo's Town gives the reader a sad picture of many major cities, but Los Angeles is particularly ugly in his accurate portrayal of what it's become today. It's where he lives and works for his Rabbi/lawyer friend Ira, a friendship that causes Ira great consternation but unwavering devotion for Mike's soul. Mike knows Ira is his best friend and a formidable force even having to spend most of his time in his wheel chair due to an injury as a Mossad agent. 

Mike Romeo is a brilliant character – one of the best and most interesting in the fiction market today. I'm very stingy with 5-star reviews as those of you who read my reviews know. I definitely gave Romeo's Town those 5-stars because of this truly unique character and his unabridged approach to the struggles in his life.  

Father, you know everything there is to know about James, and I pray you would continue to meet his every need. Keep those inspirations for great stories available to him. And bless him in your abundance. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.