Every Crooked Path by Steven James

Wasn't the Patrick Bowers's files series supposed to end with Checkmate?


Steven James returns to his famous character with this new prequel-sequel. It's a prequel to The Pawn but a sequel to Opening Moves. At first, I wondered why we're going back? The story's been told. Is Steven James simply turning into Lee Child? Is Patrick Bowers his version of Jack Reacher?

Then there's the plot: this time we're dealing with child abduction and abuse. Not the typical thing anyone enjoys reading. James even puts a disclaimer at the beginning of the book explaining why he wrote this story and pointing readers in the direction of an organization that works to stop abduction and abuse.

But this was a BIG warning flag for me. I almost didn't want to read this book. I have been uneasy with the number of times James includes harm to children in his latest books. It's almost a theme recently.

In the Jevin Banks books, it starts with a scene of child-drowning. In the Blur Trilogy's second book, something horrific happens to a child in a barn and some machinery. (It all happens out of sight) And now we have this entire book about it. I was extremely uneasy with this trajectory.

Having said that, there is nothing graphic in these books. The details are spared. But even with the details left out, the reader has already formed the horror in their imaginations.

I understand a wanting to illuminate the realities to people. But, I have to say, if the next Steven James book includes harm to a child, I will never read another James book.

Now like every other Patrick Bowers story, James is phenomenal. The character development and plot run seamless throughout. You will never get bogged down with exposition or feel the characters are just cliched plugins.

I was surprised with the ending as I typically am in a Steven James book. The identity of the villainous Pied Piper was safely tucked away until the reveal.

It's another well thought-out and paced book. It's typical James. But it was also almost too much for me to continue.

Until the next book...

How to Have a Good Day by Caroline Webb

Using behavioral science and neurology, Caroline Webb lays out her plan to help people have a good day.


This is a good book to read a bit and put down, read a bit more and put down. Read it bits at a time and highlight!

First up are the science essentials. Here you will read about the two-system brain, the discover-defend axis, and the mind-body loop. Don't worry if you don't know what these terms mean; Webb does a fantastic job describing them. She basically retools or rephrases ideas already out there. But these help set the stage for the seven parts to come.

Part one talks with your priorities - intentional direction. Three chapters unpacking the way to do that.
Part two is about your productivity - how to make the most of your day. Three chapters unpacking that idea.
Part three is about your relationships and making the most of every single one. Even those you aren't on best of terms with.
Part four is about your thinking and making the wise decisions - boosting your brain power essentially.
Part five is about your influence - how you can make things happen.
Part six is about your resilience - fighting through setbacks while keeping your temper calm.
And part seven is about your energy - playing to your strengths.

This may sound like a typical leadership/motivational book but the science Webb includes raises it head and shoulders above anything like it. It is so practical and easy to read.

There are three practical guides afterwards giving you pointers at being good in meetings, good at e-mail and pumping up your routine.

This is a great book for anyone in the work force.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Crown Business Publishing.

The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership by Jenni Catron

This book includes a personal leadership assessment.
 

But don't get too excited, I didn't find the assessment to be terribly comprehensive. It will give you a little dip into your leadership leanings.

Let's blow the lid wide open and reveal the four dimensions: Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength. Do those dimensions sound familiar? They should as they are included in how we are to love the Lord our God from the Bible.

Catron takes the greatest commandment and applies the sentiment to leadership qualities. And she does a very good job and connecting the dots.

Inside you'll get three parts with eight chapters. Each part deals with the extraordinary type of leadership Catron believes is possible. At the end of each chapter are three questions for reflection - getting you to apply what you've just read.

Part two is the meat and potatoes of the book. Each chapter in this part covers one of the dimensions. Short part three is the putting it into practice part.

This was a fun read. It wasn't too profound yet not as cliche as a Maxwell book either.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.

What Every Christian Needs To Know About The Jewishness of Jesus by Rabbi Evan Moffic

Excellent book.


This book helps you understand a bit of what it was like to be Jewish in the days of Jesus. It helps Christians understand that Jesus wasn't Christian. He wasn't American. Jesus was Jewish.

You'll explore the heritage Jesus carried with him. Some of the customs which add so much "meat" to some of the passages in the New Testament.

You'll gain a better insight into how Jesus compared with other rabbis of his time and where he stood on some of the more debated issues.

It felt like a quick read to me but I want to go back and do some more highlighting as it was such a fantastic culture-setting resource.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Abingdon Press.

Ashley Bell by Dean Koontz

This book feels like classic Koontz writing and fresh at the same time.


It was very difficult for me to formulate my response to reading this book right after finishing it. You have the typical themes found in his books: evil, innocence, slightly off-reality type of situations yet based enough in reality to not completely lose all sense.

It may take readers a few tries to get into the story. I wasn't sure what was going on for the first few pages. But things pick up and, when you decide to give it a go, you will probably enjoy the tale.

Bibi Blair has been told she has only one more year to live. Bibi says, "if you say so" and defies the medical world.

So with this new-found experience, Bibi is sure she's saved for something bigger. And here we go with Bibi on the adventure to save Ashley Bell.

Adventures, twists, profound characters. It has it all.

What is the deal with that? Why Ashley and who are the villains? Koontz does what he does best when writing human characters that feel real but slightly off base.

This was one of the more enjoyable reads by Dean Koontz.

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Bantam Publishing.