God's Lions Series: The Secret Chapel, Book 1, House of Acerbi, Book 2,and The Dark Ruin, Book 3 by John Lyman

Three short reviews of the God's Lions Series by John Lyman As Read in 2011-2012
                 
     
 The Secret Chapel (Book 1, God's Lions)

Summoned to Rome by an old friend, a Jesuit scholar finds himself using a code discovered in the Bible to unearth an ancient, hidden chapel in the catacombs under the city. When a rogue force of Vatican security officials are alerted to his discovery, the priest flees to the Holy Land with a clue ... a clue that will lead him and a team of Israeli Christians to a much larger secret in the middle of the barren Negev Desert.

Meticulously researched and drawing on scientific fact, John Lyman's intriguing story takes readers into the world of scholars, archaeologists, code-breakers, and intelligence specialists who have discovered a prophetic code hidden within the Old Testament that authenticates the Bible as a book of supernatural origin and points to a divine plan. This gripping novel is truly a thought-provoking and action-packed thriller with implications for our future.

 The Secret Chapel is currently in development as a major motion picture.

Link to the movie company blog: http://www.kuysleis.com/blog/

Review: 

I enjoyed this novel. Lyman has developed the plot very well and has plenty of twists and turns.

Having being brought up Catholic and then converting to Pentecostalism, I found it difficult this plot being very Catholic orientated. I do understand that a main part of the plot is located in the tunnels and catacombs under the Vatican but does that mean that it has to be Catholic orientated? Maybe this is because the author is Catholic? From this I can understand his view.

My only criticism is that the characters needed to be fleshed out more, they seem to be a bit shallow and two dimensional.

I loved the spiritual warfare and the supernatural elements; not far from how this is in real life as far know. I hope Lyman includes this in the next installment. This is one reason for me buying this book.

I do look forward to his next novel. He does write well and I am sure he will be even better next time round.

Highly recommended.

 
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House of Arcerbi (Book 2, God's Lions)  

Returning to Rome from a forced sabbatical, a Jesuit cardinal discovers that a dark force born of vengeance from an ancient religion has been unleashed against the world. Thrust into an end-game scenario, the cardinal joins with a dedicated team of Israeli and Spanish scientists as they race across the globe to stop a unspeakable evil ... only to discover that they may already be too late.

Once again, the meticulous background research that has become the hallmark of author John Lyman's novels is evident in this bone-chilling sequel to his bestselling book, God's Lions - The Secret Chapel, as readers are transported into the cloistered world of scholars, archaeologists, code-breakers, and intelligence specialists who have discovered evidence of an evil force that has ruled a single family for over seven hundred years. Put on a pot of coffee. This page-turning thriller will keep you up until the wee hours of the morning.

Review: 

Will The Bible Code Team Be Able To Conquer Evil Again? This is the question readers are confronted with in this second instalment of the God's Lions trilogy. Here is the set up:

"Returning to Rome from a forced sabbatical, Jesuit cardinal, Leo Amodeo, discovers that a dark force born of vengeance from an ancient religion has been unleashed against the world. Thrust into an end-game scenario, the cardinal joins with a dedicated team of Israeli and Spanish scientists as they race across the globe to stop an unspeakable evil ... only to discover that they may already be too late." (Amazon Product Description).

After reading this description from Amazon, I knew I was in for a great ride, a cannot put down this book experience and to again be reunited with friends, well researched history and a great plot.

This time round Lyman has developed the characters further and the relationships between each of The Bible Code Team. More like minded characters are added to this team, and I hope they are part of the third and hopefully not last instalment.

Despite the plot and pace that keeps you reading and no wanting to put this down, it is the atmosphere that Lyman creates in his writing. It is simple yet descriptive. Even the segments that provide background information or history to plot do not make you frustrated or want to skim over. Again, in this novel I felt at home with the characters as if I am there with them but as a silent observer. This makes the story to feel as if it would not end. When I get like this, I am in another world and as happy as a pig in mud!

John Lyman is an author to keep an eye on. He is on a winner here with this trilogy. I highly recommend this novel and also the first book, The Secret Chapel (God's Lions).

 

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The Dark Ruin (Book 3, God's Lions) 

Forty years after a mysterious billionaire disappears, he suddenly resurfaces with a dark secret that shocks the world. In this enthralling third novel in the "God's Lions" series, Cardinal Leopold Amodeo is once again teamed with a group of scientists and archaeologists who are led to the inescapable conclusion that a very real evil has arrived in the world.

Based on recently de-classified documents and real-life technological breakthroughs that are already on the drawing board, John Lyman takes readers on a wild ride into a future that is already here, where technology takes flight in the hands of one who has vowed to destroy mankind. Make sure your coffee pot is in good working order, because you'll need it when you curl up with this book into the wee hours of the morning.

Review:
 
The Bible Code team are back in this third instalment of the God's Lions Trilogy. However, the way this book ends, it cannot be classed as a trilogy. There has to be a fourth book to continue this story. It has ended with the Antichrist beginning to wage his wrath and hatred towards the Team and the remaining Cathars.

The supernatural elements are there again in this story although in this instalment they are darker and more satanic, leading up to the possession of Adrian Acerbi with satan's spirit and then being the Antichrist.

Storylines from the previous book are developed further especially between Leo and Evita. Two characters are killed off which adds to the fast pace and depth of this plot.

The reader learns more about the Acerbi and Cathar history from started in the previous book. This also serves to imply that there will have to be a fourth book in this series.

Like the previous two books, the pace is fast, and you cannot put this one down. It is an easy read as the author writes well.

I am looking forward to seeing where a fourth book with take the reader, if indeed there is to be one, but as I have stated, there are two many obvious plot lines not finished at the end of this instalment. You are left hanging from the last page with the thought, there has to be a fourth book.
 
Highly recommended.
 

A Warrior's Journey (The Warrior Kind, Book 2) by Guy Stanton III

A Warrior's Journey (The Warrior Kind, Book 2)

It’s been over twenty years since the fateful day that the might of the Zoarinian Empire’s great army was destroyed within the Valley Lands. Since then it has been a time of peace and prosperity throughout the Valley Lands under the guidance of Roric Ta’lont, but is another war coming to the Valley Lands? A dark war not able to be won by the sword alone?

The past two years have been uneasy ones for Roric. Rumors of a dark cult and its increasing influence have been spreading throughout the Southern Settlements. Roric fears that it’s only a matter of time before it invades the Valley Lands with its darkness of belief. Will the people resist its dark influence? How can they? The people have already drifted from the faith of their fathers and are ripe for a takeover of their souls in a war of the spirit. Something has to be done, but what? A war has begun in which a sword might not even be raised to win the hearts of the people. How does one fight an idea that has the backing of a dark leader that endows his followers with powers that terrify the soul? The enemy has a complete work of dark import, while Roric’s people have but the tattered remnants of the word of God caused by a tragedy long ago in their past. How can Roric inspire faith in the people, when the people don’t have the instruction they need to resist darkness’s wiles and deceptions? A bold plan is called for, and Roric finds the means to accomplish it buried in a secret place far below the mountain that Thunder Ridge castle was built upon. A place of secrets as old as the time of Roric’s people on this world, watched over by a guardian that answers only to the house of Ta’lont.

Review: 

I was so excited to get into this second instalment in this series. I had many weeks interval from Book 1 to this instalment (reviewing other books I had committed to). It was so good to be back in this story; back in the world of the Valley Landers! I did not realise how much I had missed this world that Stanton has so very successfully created. It is very addictive and very escapist!

I must confess that I had some trepidation when I learned that a large part of this plot involved certain Valley Lander citizens having to travel into space to the modern world of their ancestors (Earth). I wondered how they would cope with advanced technology that is very different to the technology that they had just been subjected to in their own world that enabled them to reach Earth, albeit many centuries before. But most of my trepidation was how they would cope with the different way of life and a world more devoid of manners, decorum, and a much more sinful and decadent way of life that is further removed from their Creator's standards than they are used to in their own world. 

Stanton has created a world on Earth where religion is banned, outlawed and a criminal offence to have any connection with it. I wondered how the Valley Land crew would find a Bible as these were destroyed when religion was outlawed and banned. I knew it would not be as easy as them coming across one by chance. That would make a plot line too weak and predictable. But what Stanton developed was a very creative way to intertwine a few plot lines to introduce a new character, connect this to how they acquire a Bible, show more of God's character of mercy, forgiveness and love and to add action, suspense and the corruptness of the degenerative society of Earth. 

Speaking of this new character, Evette, this is one very intriguing addition to this plot. It is well done how Stanton portrays her as a ruthless agent but as the reader progresses further into the story, this tough exterior is exposed showing a deep vulnerability from the hurts of her abused childhood and she uses her ruthlessness to cover up this hurt and protect herself from further pain. Stanton uses her situation to reveal a deep need for resolution and healing and that her healing can only be found in the Creator. This is shown in the behaviour and attitude of Larc and through a supernatural visitation by the Creator Himself. This is one very tender account and Stanton again shines in portraying God as a loving, merciful and forgiving Being who loves His fallen creation unconditionally and will give His creation a second chance.  

This forms a great love story between Larc and Evette that has a really sweet culmination in their marriage when they return to the Valley Lands at the end of the story. I wonder if we will hear from Evette in future books in this series? Stanton describes himself as a romantic, and he shows this very well in this and in the previous book between Krista and Roric. 

One factor I enjoyed discovering in this plot was introducing someone from Earth (Evette) who is from the descendant's of Noah's time to the people before Noah's time (the whole premise of The Warrior Kind series is that Roric's ancestors, the Vallian, left Earth before the Flood to colonise another world, being disillusioned with the decadent society at that time and wanting a better life for themselves). The gene pool before the flood would have been more diverse compared to the post Flood gene pool as this latter population had its origins from the Noah and his sons and their wives only. So in the plot line where Evette and Larc have a child (at the end of the story), we see these two gene pools mixed. Yes, this is poetic license of course, but it is still an interesting factor to consider even though this will never happen in reality. 

I loved the warfare scenes describing how Zevin and his team return to the ship. Action packed, suspenseful and thrilling as a scene like this should be and needs to be. As mentioned in the second paragraph of this review, I wondered how Stanton was going to explain space travel to a people who had not known such technology before and who had been told that this technology was destroyed centuries ago. But I applaud Stanton for his unique concept of space travel that is not what I was expecting. My main concern with this explanation was how would a very technologically illiterate society cope with learning about space travel when you consider what happens in real life? But, not to give away spoilers, Stanton delivers the goods in a very unique way, and I do wonder if this technology is entirely his imagination or how much is based on existing technology or knowledge? Doesn't matter, it fits in the plot very well and serves its purpose. 

Again, one of the things that I love about Book 1 is the spiritual aspects and the supernatural visitation of angels and of God Himself. Stanton does this again in this instalment and again it is well done and shows the heart of God towards us. I would hope that any reader who may not be a believer and who is seeking God would be touched by this and ministered to by His Spirit. Christian fiction is a great avenue for the Gospel to be shown here and this series is one great example of this. 

This is a worthy second installment in this entralling and escapist series. 

Highly Recommended.  

God Inside The Fire: An Amazing True Story by Greg Stelley

Joni is no stranger to miracles. Her prayers and even her dreams have a habit of coming true. Her husband is regularly amazed by her strong faith and her premonitions: "I had a dream, Greg. There's going to be a fire. I saw Kathy and Frank in the middle of it." Frank Scalari is a physicist. Frank, Kathy, and their four children, along with their horses, goats, and chickens, have just moved onto their new five acre ranch high in the Cuyamaca Mountains, 60 miles northeast of San Diego. On October 25th, 2003, the ravenous Cedar Fire sweeps down into San Diego on strong Santa Ana winds. Two days later the monstrous thirty-mile-long firestorm reverses course and heads back to the Cuyamaca Mountains.

Joni assures Kathy, her ever-skeptical best friend, that she is praying for her property and that: "Nothing is too hard for God! Not even this terrible firestorm!" But neither Kathy nor Frank believes in the supernatural. GOD INSIDE THE FIRE is a true life page-turner of epic proportions. As the 427-square-mile Cedar Fire takes direct aim at the Scalari family's ranch, Joni, and Danielle, her 9-year-old daughter, each pray for a miracle. They're praying for more than just a horse ranch—they're praying to open their friends' hearts and minds to the reality of God. The impossibilities within this amazing true story will astound you. If you look, you just may find...GOD INSIDE THE FIRE.

Review: 

When a book, whether fiction of non fiction, impacts your life on one level or many levels, then you are blessed and made a better person. This is what the author, Greg Stelley has achieved in this true account of one of America's most devastating fires and the impact it had on the community, and the miracle that followed. 

This has impacted me greatly and challenged my attitude towards my relationship with God and my family.

As a first time writer, Stelley writes well and describes the fire, its pace, ferocity and devastation just as well. From this angle, this books reads like a novel. I love fiction so I was in my element here. He has done every reader, himself and his family and the family, Frank and Kathy, at the centre of this true account justice by portraying them as they are, real people and as true to how they are as real people and not as two dimensional as some characters are portrayed in fictional stories. This adds so much credibility to himself as an author but also to the main characters and the true account of this devastating fire and miracle that occurred as a result of the faith expressed by the Stelley family. 

I agree with the author that this story needed to be told. What happened to Frank and Kathy's property defies logical, scientific and rational explanation. Everything points to the supernatural. When you read the specifics of the prayer that Danielle, Juliette and Joni prayed and then to see that in reality, after the fire, this evidenced exactly as prayed, is truly wonderful. For Christians, this is not surprising as to the Author of this miracle. To those who do not know God in a personal way, it will be used by God as a great witness and example of who He is, what He is capable of in a wonderful and benevolent way and to lead those seeking purpose and meaning to why they exist, to Him. 

I applaud Greg Stelley in writing this to honour and give God the glory for what He has done for Frank and Kathy. I can say this also for any Christian to be challenged in their faith and to take God out of the boxes we enclose Him in due to our own failings, fallen and sinful nature and use what God has done in this account to challenge us to see Him in a deeper way with a deeper faith. 

I was very scared at reading the fire account and the experiences the victims went through. I got anxious, frustrated, angry and cried at those accounts. I also cried, but with tears of joy, at the miracle that unfolded after the fire. I was rejoicing in this wonderful God I love and follow! It is really hard being on a train commuting to work and trying to conceal the fact that you are crying!! I got some very strange looks for fellow commuters!! 

This is a wonderful blessing of a true story, a great message from a wonderful God. Faith, hope, redemption, supernatural power from a supernatural God who will do anything to show who He is, no matter where you are, even in the most devastating and horrible circumstance anyone could be in. 

Highly Recommended.

Burning At The Boss, (A Johnny Ravine Mystery, Book 3) by Martin Roth

Pastor Jim Reezall is renowned as the hellfire preacher always calling down fire and brimstone on the sinners of the world. So when he dies in a wild bushfire there are some who believe he got what he deserved. Enter private detective Johnny Ravine, asked by the pastor's daughter - with whom he is trying to develop a relationship - to solve the mystery of the death.

It quickly becomes apparent that it was murder. And very soon Johnny learns that huge sums of money are missing from charities administered by the pastor. Was the pastor really using the funds to pay off gunrunners? And, if so, why? The answers - along with the truth about Johnny's long-lost father - come in a thrilling climax amidst a raging conflagration in the most bushfire-prone region on earth.

Review: 

The third book in the Johnny Ravine mystery trilogy. I am sad to see it finish but glad that he has a good outcome to his quest that runs throughout this trilogy. I must confess that I did not see this coming, and it was a nice twist.  

As stated in my review of the previous novel, this has all the hallmarks of a Roth novel, and I am glad to see Roth's consistency here. In this novel, Roth introduces one very zany character in the radio disc jockey, Rad Blacken. He comes across as the comedy relief but still show a serious side when dealing with his mother. And she comes across as the typical mother who cannot see an end to his son living at home; she wants him out and married off, but he does not see it that way. You cannot do anything but love these two characters. 

I was pleased to see a love interest for Johnny as I had wondered about his singleness in the previous two novels. I wonder if Roth had subtly implied in his writing for Johnny wanting to settle down? It was a good plot development to have Johnny's love interest the reason he gets involved in this murder mystery. Good to see that after all he had been through as a rebel leader in East Timor, his epiphany to leave that life style, search for his father and sort out his life, he was willing to allow himself to experience love and learn to love in return. However, due to the twist in this plot that I mentioned above, this turns out not to eventuate but Johnny does gain from this twist and for him this was totally unexpected. I liked this to end the novel, but it seemed at a sacrifice for the ending to be not with Miriam the way I was expecting.

Roth introduces suspense really well here when Grapper and his cohort start to threaten Miriam and her sister, Sarah in demanding the money that their father is accused of embezzling. I must confess I have had more intense suspense from similar situations in other novels, but I feel Roth had the correct intensity here for the pace and style of this trilogy.This added some balance to the plot. Another layer of suspense was when Grapper was threatening Johnny and Johnny tries to counteract this with reason and negotiation. It was a nice ploy as it is here that Roth sets the stage for this twist mentioned before!! 

I must confess that one of my weaknesses in understanding a plot line is when an author introduces financial embezzlement and how this is played out in deception and fraud. I found this hard to understand but this is due to my wiring and not Roth's writing.  I don't believe that Roth has written this with poor or irresponsible writing or plot construction, on the contrary, I feel he has explained this very succinctly. It is balanced with just enough detail so as to not lose the reader in this part of the plot. 

Through the character of Jim, I can see that maybe Roth has a soft spot for the orphaned and neglected children of those countries with either a poor economy or those of corrupt ones. This provided a balance to Ron's character and commitment to Christ in standing up for what he believed in ranting and raving about the things of God, albeit in an over zealous way sometimes on his radio show. Setting up these orphanages showed the caring side of his nature and that of the transformation that only Christ can do through a relationship with Him. 

I live in Victoria where this novel is set, but I have never been to the Yarra Valley. I have heard alot about it from media, friends and the occasional person who lives there. Roth describes this are well and gives descriptive account to this location. It definitely sounds like a beautiful place to live. 

If there is one thing that I have enjoyed about this trilogy is having Pastor Ron and Rohan in all of the books. Together with Johnny, they make quite a team. By this third book, the reader has become quite fond of them. 

All in all a very enjoyable novel and a fine ending to the Johnny Ravine mystery trilogy. 

Strongly Recommended. 

Hot Rock Dreaming (A Johnny Ravine Mystery, Book 2) by Martin Roth

An old-fashioned murder mystery with a private detective and a beautiful femme fatale, set in an exotic location - the Australian outback - with potent under-currents of spiritual warfare.

Australia's most famous Aboriginal painter is dead, supposedly killed when a heavy object tumbled onto him in his studio during an earth tremor. But then doubts arise. For a start, the police now suspect murder. And how come the victim had been heard earlier predicting his own violent death? 

Enter private detective Johnny Ravine to solve the mystery, and suddenly he finds himself thrust into a byzantine world of art and artists where questions are far more numerous than answers. 

Where did the victim's art dealer obtain the incredibly rare artwork that he was secretly selling? Is the controversial green energy company Rokpower really going to harness power from hot rocks deep under the ground, and did it kill the artist's Dreaming spirit when it injected water onto the rocks? And who is the beautiful and mysterious Asian lady who seems to be able to converse with the dead, and who says she knows how the artist really died?

A killer is on the loose and even Johnny's own life is in danger. But first he needs to understand that the death of the artist has unleashed spiritual 
forces that threaten an entire community.

Review:

I remember reading the following when I first read the description on Amazon a few years ago: 

"Hot Rock Dreaming was one of seven finalists - and the only novel - for the 2011 Australian Christian Book of the Year award, chosen from sixty-seven 
entrants."

The judges wrote:

"Hired to investigate the death of an Aboriginal painter, private detective Johnny Ravine is drawn into a complex mystery as dangerous as it is intriguing. Environmental politics, land rights and Aboriginal spirituality are explored with subtlety. For the hero and reader alike there is a valuable lesson to be learned about the importance of discerning which voice is proclaiming life and love when all is not as it seems. A compelling novel." 

After reading this novel, I can see why it became a finalist and totally agree

with the judges findings. 

If the reader of this novel does not know anything about Aboriginal spirituality, they definitely will after reading this. Roth has embedded this
seamlessly in the plot and in portraying the religious and cultural life of the
Aboriginals of the Australian Outback.

I knew a little about their spirituality from growing up here in Australia but was definitely given an in depth education and appreciation in this novel. Roth has shown great respect for Australia's original residents, and it is this that enhances the entire novel. Once I had finished I came to the conclusion that it is a great injustice to the Aborigines and all Australians born and educated in this country that we do not have the history of this fascinating and very spiritual people in our history curriculum in our education system. Instead, we insist that we learn about other countries cultures and history only. I think we have it wrong to not include as well Aboriginal history.

Even from a spiritual point of view, Roth has portrayed their beliefs very realistically  even though I say this from the little I know of them. The incident of pointing the bone and its associated curse leading to death I have read and seen portrayed in movies and in a TV series in my adolescence. Roth includes a biblical solution to this situation when this has been placed on Johnny, and it is a very descriptive and enthralling account.

I would consider the spirituality of the Aboriginal people as one that governs their thinking, behaviour, culture, and one that has a great connection and respect to and of the land. Roth portrays and shows this in the plot concerning the green power company Rokpower who has shown that when water is pumped through the earth onto the hot rocks beneath the resulting steam can be harnassed as a renewable power source, but in aboriginal spirituality, this act has released Kurtal, the rain spirit, of whom Albert Wallaby Walker, Australia's most famous painter is believed to be a descendant. So strong is this belief and connection to the land, that Mi Young Cho, the femme fatale,
described in the book description, describes it almost as spiritual folk lore,

".. Kurtal is a rain spirit. He can make rain. He traveled through the desert in the form of a serpent.... he looked for a warm place to live. So he went deep under the ground where all the hot rocks are. Old Albert told me that his ancestors have always known about those hot rocks. For thousands of years. And he told me that pouring water onto the rocks would force Kurtal to escape. And (this) would kill him.... (Albert) always knew he was going to die. He told people he faced a violent death, from the water being poured onto Kurtal" and later, "...once Kurtal was forced from his home he would pour out 
his fury...torrents of rain after his (Albert's) death...".

Prophets and Loss (A Johnny Ravine Mystery, Book 1) by Martin Roth

Forgiveness is the most attractive of the virtues. Until you actually have someone to forgive.

When Melissa Stonelea’s born-again Christian husband Grant is found strangled in the bondage room of the city’s classiest brothel, a page of the Bible stuffed in his mouth, she doesn’t need to hear more of her pastor’s sermons on the healing powers of forgiveness. She needs revenge.

Enter private detective Johnny Ravine, seeking the quiet life in Australia after more than twenty years as a freedom fighter in East Timor. The murdered man was his best friend. But, as he starts to investigate the slaying, a mysterious phone call and then a bullet through his window plunge him into the heart of a deadly terrorist conspiracy.

Suddenly he finds himself locked inside a shady world of stock market manipulators, sex workers and underground militia, while desperately hunting the killers. But Johnny is concealing a violent past and demons of his own. Can he crack the mystery before he himself cracks?

In Johnny Ravine we have a brilliant, but flawed hero who is plunged into the far reaches of the human psyche - forced to confront a cycle of evil that could destroy him and all he loves. But also forced to confront the evil that lurks in his own heart.

Review: 

This is the first in a new series by Martin Roth. Told in the first person narrative by the main character, Johnny Ravine, a half Timorese (mother), half Australian (father) ex freedom fighter (during the fight for East Timor becoming an independent country from Indonesia).

This has all the hallmarks of a Roth novel. Well researched, fast paced, strong spiritual themes (in this case forgiveness and learning to cope with loss and the letting go of the past), characters you can relate to and Roth's unique style of showing the Gospel message and related tenets without being preachy. 

Using the first person narrative by the main character, really does allow the reader to understand Johnny's point of view in searching for the killer of his best friend, Grant Stonelea and in accepting and dealing with the demons of his past. I have not been a fan of first person narrative in the past but there has been a few of these over the past year that have converted me to this. I am now looking forward to this style in the remaining two novels in this series.  

I love the character of Johnny's Pastor, Ron Thomas, an elderly but wise man who has a great insight into human nature and applies this to Johnny, showing him that he understands where Johnny is coming from and seems to know what makes Johnny tick, better than he does himself. It is through this character that Roth shines in showing more of the nature of God, about why we need to forgive, to let go, to leave our past behind us and leave it with God. Ron provides a great role model for Johnny to aspire to in being a Christian and learning to live his life God's way. From my perspective, it is through this character that the reader gets a glimpse of the depth of relationship Roth has with his God and from my POV, I like what I see.  

One advantage I have that endeared me further to this novel is the setting: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, where I live. All the locations I have either been to, or know where they are, or have heard of them (the only exception being La Rue, the brothel! I have no idea if that is a real brothel or a fake name for this novel). This really did enable me to picture all the events as they unfolded much better than if I had not had this local knowledge. 

Roth has knitted a plot together with some good twists and turns as Johnny gets closer and closer to solving the mystery of who killed Grant. All the pieces come together very nicely and so does all the pieces of Johnny's past that is connected with this murder and the terrorist attempt on Australian soil. Roth has implemented very well his research of the political environment of East Timor to the plot and the main characters. We also discover a link to who his father is but we are left hanging as to what Johnny does next to locate him. I guess that is the further background to the remaining novels. 

After all has been resolved, Johnny has come through this rather badly scathed physically but with less baggage towards his past and towards the leader of the terrorists and this is where he shows his spiritual and personal growth. It reminds me of the bible verse that says that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called to His purpose. (Romans 8: 28). I like this spiritual undertone and that of the forgiveness tenet that lies in the background of this novel and forms an important message to all. 

This is one very good read and one that will hold you to the end and leads very well into the next novel, having just started that yesterday. 

Highly Recommended. 

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, GUY STANTION III

Guy Stanton III is the author of many novels, The Warrior Kind series (comprising 5 books) and The Agents For Good series (comprising 4 books). All can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble in both printed and e-book formats or from your local Christian book store. 

I recently read his first book, A Warrior's Redemption (The Warrior Kind, Book 1) and was so impressed I decided to interview him. 

Please read on to get a glimpse of what makes this author tick! 

Okay Guy, how about we start this interview with you telling us a little about yourself?

- Well I’m the third guy in my family to be called Guy. People have been known to address both my father and I in public as “Hey you guys” and not even knowing that they’ve named us. I was born on a beautiful family farm and taught the meaning and the rewards of hard work at an early age. I grew up somewhat sheltered from the world outside of the farm, until I started branching out when I attended college. I really branched out when I got it in my head to join the online dating site eHarmony, where I met my beautiful wife Beth. We now have three children, who are our greatest blessings other than the gift of Beth and I being matched together to share the rest of our lives with each other. I belong to the Creator and His hand on my life shapes everything that I do and am. 

What inspired you to become an author and has it always been a desire of yours to write? 

- I was an avid reader growing up, but I lacked the confidence to think that I could ever be capable of enthralling people with my words. It wasn’t until I started dating my wife that I started dabbling with writing. I wrote her a short romantic story themed of all things in the World War I era, which I gave to her the first Christmas we celebrated together. She loved it. So I started another story, A Warrior’s Redemption. Three years later I finished it, and I haven’t stopped writing ever since. I love writing! I’ve always been able to express myself better in written form than by verbal communication alone and for me the action of becoming an author has been life affirming in so many ways.

Do you think there is anything significantly different about Christian Fiction, as opposed to non-Christian Fiction?

- Well to answer the question let me first talk about music. I used to be a big secular music fan before I met my wife. In the car she kept changing the radio station to Christian music, namely the radio network called Klove. It rubbed off on me. I didn’t even care to listen to secular music anymore. Whether you're listening or reading something that has the life fulfilling gospel of Jesus in it or a song of praise and worship to the Creator of us all, it has the power to change you and build you up in those moments when a worldly bandaid just isn’t enough to get through the hurdle of the moment. They say you become what you eat, but I think what you read and listen to has a bigger impact in terms of the actions that determine your eternal destination.

What kind of reaction are you hoping to receive from readers?

- In a word I hope it is a “positive” experience for them. My goal as a Christian author isn’t to be either preachy or beyond the reality that we all live and struggle in. Beyond being a positive experience I also hope that it will be an enthralling experience for them that helps to provide the entertainment that we crave as humans. I want to provide with my writing a safe place for others to enjoy letting go from the reality that we all face each day in our lives. Hopefully my writing will also inspire them to live life with a renewed perspective and not just be a distraction from it.

What has surprised you the most about becoming a self-published author?

- How hard it is. As a self-published author with a thin wallet starting out you pretty much have to do everything. In addition to writing my books I’ve had to learn how to properly format and edit them. I’m my own publicist scouring the internet and whatever other means that are available in search of a way to better promote myself and my literary work. I had to learn how to social network, commission artists, and build a website, all things I had absolutely no experience at before. While it is hard to be self-published, it is also extremely rewarding, as in a way I remain the captain of the ship and not just a spectator to my own literary success.

How has writing and being an author impacted your relationship with Jesus Christ? 

- My success as an author has come as a direct result of obedience to God. There have been things I’ve wanted to write that I heard a “no” to. There have been topics and situations that I didn’t want to touch with a ten foot pole that I heard “write it”. I’ve been obedient and as a result I know that my ability and God given gift to write has been taken deeper, as I have been led to write about deeply personal topics in ways that illustrate my own spiritual progression as much as it may chronicle a potential reader’s experiences. When you read my stories you are very much reading the story of me steadily finding my way into a deeper and more personal relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God has given me the gift of being a great writer and now I seek to bless Him with the gifts He’s given me, as I want to be faithful with what I have been so generously given. Not only a faithful servant, but also one that bears fruit and helps to sow the seeds of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the lives of others.

Obviously becoming an author has been a huge accomplishment for you, but can you tell us what a major goal of yours is outside of the world of writing?

- I want my last day alive to have been, but the end result of a steady progression of being faithful in all the things that my Savior has set down for me to accomplish in this life. Above all I do not want to model the early fire of Solomon’s reign only to drift into pitiful spiritual obscurity in my latter years. My goal is to be as King David, always in awareness of my Lord and seeking to do His will, even as I rely on His mercy to recover from the mistakes that I’ve made along the way.

So we know you like to write, but can you divulge to your fans out there what’s something that you like to do in your downtime, when you're not writing?

- It may sound strange, but I love to build stone walls. Call it a heavyweight alternate form of jigsaw puzzle mania, but I love looking at a pile of mismatched and oddly shaped rocks and somehow forming them together into a cohesive pattern that has both strength and visual appeal of form. Flower garden arrangement holds many of the same challenges and rewards as well. The two often go well together and fulfill the need within me to be creative. 

Can you give us a personal perspective of your own novels?

- There meant to be picked up and devoured by people with minds, who have not yet lost a youthful quality of imagination. My books are meant to transport the reader to the scene of action and catch them up in suspense for what comes next. Their addictive in a good and wholesome way that often ensnares me the author into re-exploring the realms of past imagination. My books will always contain a Christian influence of thought, which I pray never leads any astray from the straight and narrow path set before all Christians to walk down in life’s journey to eternity. 

For a Christian author you address some rather adult situations such as sexual temptation, demon possession, and violence. Do you think you’ve gone too far for Christian fiction?

- No I don’t. I think to much of what’s available in the realm of Christian Fiction is bound up in a false utopia of thought. The reality that we all face each day deserves to be addressed, especially from a Christian perspective. Being tempted into committing sexual sin, confronting demons and even the power of satan in our lives, as well as the violent aspects of life often needed to preserve liberty and the right as Christians to worship our God are all concepts that need to be discussed within the confines of the Christian world. I’ve termed my fiction as “Reality Fiction” and to that end I’m going to use my writing to minister to not only Christians, but to those who are lost and have suffered damage at the hands of worldly forces and the lies of demons. God meets each of us in the ruin of our own life calamities, in turn I want my writing to be pertinent to the people, who are going through those calamities, as yet one more tool at God’s disposal to reach another life with the saving knowledge of Jesus. 

Your fans, I’m sure, want to know if there is more to come. Would you mind giving an exclusive glimpse for us of what is to come?

- I have lots of ideas, with more coming every day. I’ve got my Water Wars series set for release Summer 2014. I think I’ll open a lot of eyes in terms of a Biblical point of view in terms of the lost city of Atlantis and other ancient mysteries. Further out I’ve got a Science Fiction space trilogy that I’ve loosely named Guardians of the Truth. It’s early, but that series may perhaps have a tie in with my series, The Warrior Kind. I have several standalone books planned. One will take place in a Biblical setting around the time of The Tower of Babel another will be more of a Contemporary Thriller with lots of suspenseful action and conspiracies. I have two epic novels that’ll have plenty of sword and battle action. One will center on a fictitious rendering of the Apostle Phillip’s later ministry in India, and the other will illustrate in allegorical detail the seven New Testament churches transposed over into a Lord of the Rings type setting. At some point I intend to write some westerns, as I grew up and was inspired by that genre. I find inspiration from many sources, but by all means if fans of my work would like to suggest book themes for the future be my guest.

Wow! You’ve got a lot planned for the future. Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans? 

- God-willingly the journey that you have begun with my words has yet many exciting twists and turns for you to experience. I have no intentions of becoming a less prolific author. The time to work to affect positive change in the world for Christ is now, and it is my hope that my words will help promote that change within the hearts and minds of many, while still being an entertaining and encouraging pastime pursuit for those already saved.

Do you have any words that you’d like to leave us with?

- I’ve had two repeating words that God has used to educate me for quite some time. They are, “patience and trust”. These are hard concepts for me to seemingly come to grips with, but I continue to endeavor to learn and master them. Patience for the things needed and the desires that I’ve asked for. Trust that in God’s good timing all will be accomplished as it should be, as patience is born out into experience, which leads to a deeper faith in God able to move mountains.

You can keep in touch with Guy Stanton III at http://www.words-of-action.com/

A Warrior's Redemption (The Warrior Kind, Book 1) by Guy Stanton III

When Roric was born little did he know that his family would die violently as he watched and that his world would crumble only to later find himself chained into the life of a slave forced to survive in the world of the arena where every match meant death for someone, but he survived and one day he escaped.

A Warrior’s Redemption is the beginning of a family saga that starts with a boy named Roric. He lives on a distant world that is full of unrest, where disputes are settled by the sword. Little is known of how they came to this world, only that they came from a place known as Earth, in the distant past. How they came is a mystery that some want to discover again while others would gladly die to keep those secrets from ever seeing the light of day. Roric’s father tired of keeping the secrets of his ancestors, from the people of his nation, forsakes his family’s oath, and leaves to find peace in another land. Little did he know that the wickedness of the land that he settles in would kill him and all his family, except for his oldest son, Roric. Roric, embittered by seeing the death of his family, finds himself sold into slavery. He becomes a survivor in the arena, where man is matched to the death against man and beast alike. He escapes only to pursue a life of vengeance against those who afflicted him and killed his family. 

Tormented by a life without peace, he remembers the guiding words of his mother, which open up a path of redemption that becomes the guiding influence of his life. Through acts of intrigue and deception he is lead to the awareness of the darker menace within a spiritual world that is unseen, but that he is no less involved in. He travels to the land of his ancestors, a place of majestic mountains and the valleys that lie between them that are settled by a people that exist in peace only because of the warriors that have fought and died to keep them so. It is in protecting these people that Roric finds a reason worth fighting for. He grapples with the long held secrets of his family and unlike his father before him, decides to fight so that his people can remain free. He rises above his humble past to become a leader that inspires a nation in its fight for survival and becomes a legend.

Review: 

An author friend of mine contacted me informing me that Guy Stanton had asked him if he knew of anyone who would be willing to review his books. My friend mentioned my name, and my friend contact me and gave me Guy's details. I checked out his books. As soon as I read the blurb for A Warrior's Redemption, I knew this was a series I had to read. I have not been disappointed. 

When I started reading, I was instantly impressed with Stanton's writing style. It is not overly descriptive (as some author's are), but it is well constructed yet simple in its execution. His descriptive style lends well to this book, and I presume this series. I remember stopping reading, being stunned as how beautiful his writing style is. 

It is addictive and forms a great backbone to the plot and character development. This novel would lose the richness Stanton's description of the environment, numerous scenes, plot twists and especially to the well developed characters. Without this, it would one very weak and mediocre novel. 

Stanton is a master at adding depth to his characters. It is a hallmark of a talented writer who provokes emotions in you where you relate to those in distress and want to protect them such as Krista, respect, admire the strength of character and humility of Roric and want to aspire to be like him, admire the loyalty of Roric fellow slaves, Rolf being one of many, who he set free and who became brothers in arms and fellow warriors. You hate and despise the demon possessed Marfoul, Esmeralda, the sex slave mistress who exploits Krista, the many men who treat the slaves including Krista and Roric so badly, and in humanely. These are just a few of the many and varied characters where the reader finds themselves experiencing a wide variety of emotions. 

Stanton is also a master of describing the richness and complexity of the different environments of this novel, such as The Valley Lands, the Plains of Zoar and The Attorgron Forests. But on the whole, Stanton succeeds in transporting the reader to this world, and it is this as well as what I have outlined above that is all absorbing and enthralling. So many times, I was not aware of my surroundings and nearly missed my train station! You can definitely become part of this world and not want to return to reality.

If there is one thing that Stanton really shines in is the spiritual elements. This book and I presume the entire series is very God and bible focused, and that is one of the strengths of this series. Stanton has depicted God as not only as he has experienced Him in his life but also as the God of the Bible. There does not appear to be any difference between the two. I have said before in other reviews that one thing that impresses me about a Christian author's writing is that it reflects the depth of their relationship with God. Many of my favourite authors have this characteristic in their novels and for me that is an assurance that their writing will have depth, be biblically sound, honour God, strengthen a Christian's faith and not lead a reader who does not have a relationship with God astray. Stanton ticks all those boxes in this novel. 

Joseph (Sketches of Glory) by Clifton Voshen

This is a short story about Joseph - husband, father, carpenter.

Review: This intrigued me reading of Joseph's perspective being the father of Jesus while on earth. This was so beautiful and it really touched my heart. It was good to have my new found friend, Thor, the warrior angel back in this novella too.

This is a really beautiful story and I can imagine Joseph being like this! We don't have much to go on in the Bible about what Joseph was like; he is quite the background character.

I read this in 30 minutes; I would have loved this to have gone on for much more than this.

I gave this four stars for this reason. I respect Clifton's reason for having it as a novella, but for me this would have been great in a longer story.

Highly Recommended.

My Rating:  

Egypt (Sketches of Glory) by Clifton Voshen

Laden with gifts from the mysterious men from the East, Joseph and Mary travel to Egypt with orders from on High.

Review:

This one was very tender. Mary's perspective looking back on her encounter with Gabriel, being told she would bear the Son of God, falling pregnant supernaturally, bearing Jesus and being His mother. I can just imagine these thoughts, feelings she would have had, more than fond, more than love, more than tender.

It is good to have an author to write from this perspective. I wrote in my review of Joseph, that we don't have much to go on in the Bible concerning Joseph, well the same can be said for Mary. I have often wondered what they would have experienced and thought about being Jesus' parents. I have not read or know of any other author who has written from this perspective. Not saying they have not or that another novel does not exist.

I loved the way Voshen has portrayed the interaction of the lionness and bull with baby Jesus. That was beautiful and I do believe that animals would recognise their creator and know nothing else but love and submission to Him. Similar to the relationship our dogs and cats and other pets have with us, but on a grander scale.

I gave this novella 4 stars, from a very subjective POV, just because it was a novella!! I wanted this story to go on for longer! Voshen writes well and weaves a rich and powerful story in all its simplicity and you want it to not end so soon!

Highly Recommend
My Rating: