The Writers Ramblings

Quinton Gauld is a man who has been chosen for a special task. He has been chosen to bring seven brides back to God. These women are special to God and thus special to Quinton. For months he has scouted these seven women, trying to find the perfect ones. Now that he has found them, he goes around the Denver area killing them each night. He feels no remorse at what he is doing, in fact, he feels as though he is doing the right thing.

Brad Raines is a FBI agent investigating the fourth Bride Collector crime scene along with his partner Nikki. In the midst of their investigation, the FBI’s team finds that the Bride Collector has not left behind much evidence or clues, nothing that can lead to his capture. Several common elements connect each crime scene together. The woman who has been killed is always left behind in the same position with a veil over her head. There is always a note with a riddle that is left behind.

Studying the riddles, the FBI comes up with little evidence. Attempting to come up with clues Brad and Nikki go to The Center for Wellness and Intelligence. There they meet a group of four who help them solve the clues. Two men named Roudy and Cass, along with two women named Andrea and Paradise.

Brad finds himself mesmerized by a shy young woman named Paradise, watching her as she tries to help solve the riddle. The woman has a dark past that has brought her to the center. She watched her father kill her mother, brother and then himself. Though she survived the attack it left her with several mental illnesses that keep her in the center. In fact, Paradise is crippled with fear so badly that she refuses to leave.

Brad finds out that Paradise has the ability to see a person’s last moments when she touches them. He wants to use her to see the last moments of the Bride Collector’s latest victim with the hopes of her seeing his identity.

When I first heard the description of The Bride Collector, I thought it sounded similar to Ted Dekker’s previous Hachette published novel BoneMan’s Daughters. Upon reading, however, I found that the two novels have only minor similarities.

I found The Bride Collector to be a thrilling novel. It gets down deep into the lives of the characters involved. Whether it be Brad’s personal struggles, the daily routine of Paradise or the thoughts of Quinton.

The Bride Collector could have very easily gone the route of the typical FBI novel but luckily, it did not. Using highly intelligent characters made the story interesting, quirky and out of the box. The story has a deeper meaning that sticks after the novel has ended.

(I received this book for free from the publisher)

Books:

Haunt of Jackals by Eric Wilson
The Knight by Stephen James
Boneman’s Daughter by Ted Dekker
Green by Ted Dekker
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
A Heart Exposed by Steven James
Fearless by Max Lucado
Lunatic by Ted Dekker and Kaci Hill
Whirlwind by Robert Liparulo
Faces in the Fire by TL Hines

Albums:
Stockholm Syndrome by Derek Webb
Stop & Listen by Bethany Dillon
Memori Moto by Flyleaf
Church Music by David Crowder Band
Innocence and Instinct by RED
Brand New Eyes by Paramore
The Long Fall Back to Earth by Jars of Clay

Singles:

Poison and Wine by the Civil Wars
What Matters More by Derek Webb
Mr. Gray by Jennifer Knapp

Ones to watch in 2010:

Eric Wilson- The final chapter in the Jerusalem Undead series comes out.
Erin Healy- Her debut releases in April.
Tenth Avenue North- Their sophomore album releases. (Go to youtube, search “you’ve been remade” and you see why I am so excited)
Audrey Assad- She’s been an indie artist for years. Now she’s gotten some well deserved publicity from her song “Winter Snow.” Keep your eyes on this gal.
The Civil Wars- What a band. I love them. I cannot wait to see what they bring in 2010.
Jennifer Knapp-NEW RECORD! So sweet the words sound.
Lost season 6- The final season. Hello my name is Megan and I am a Lost geek.

{Thank you. This may be edited sometime tomorrow due to the fact that I am convinced I’m forgetting something important. Yay for the great things that came out of 2009!}

The [Expanded] Bible: New Testament is considered a study bible where one can study while reading the bible. Its purpose is to help the reader increase their understanding with additional words and comments right in the text. It is written in a modified New Century Version. This bible differs from most of the New Testament versions out there because it is an expanded version. It contains information one would find in a variety of Bible references so one could read and study at the same time. The expansion takes place by displaying other possible ways of translating a word, phrase, clause, or sentence. The expansions are enclosed within a set of brackets [ ], providing synonyms, different nuances, or another diction. A bullet marks the beginning of the replacement word and the base text appears in bold letters. One can get confused with all of the extra words in the verse but the easiest way to use The [Expanded] Bible is to read the verse or passage first using only the bolded text and then go back reading the expanded maternal.

The expansion of an alternate translation is shown by [or]. The more literal rendition is preceded by a superscript L within the bracket. A traditional version, which provides familiar terms especially those in the King James, Tradition is preceded by a superscript T within the bracket. There are comments which briefly provide historical cultural theological, or other information to assist readers understand a verse or passage better is superseded by a subscript C within a bracket. There are also cross references to parallel passages and/or quotations, which usually appear within a bracket but without a bulletin the base text.

Overall, The [Expanded] Bible is a helpful resource. The only comments that I have are these. The additions to the text may take a while to grow used to and several times to read over in order to fully grasp the meaning. It is being marketed as a study bible, which it is. But the definition is a little different. As a study bible, it points out the deeper meanings behind the words. However, unlike other study bibles, it did not have footnotes with historical details. This isn’t bad; it is just something that is good to clarify. The [Expanded] Bible is worth checking out.

Please note: This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson via the Book Review Bloggers program.

Fearless by Max Lucado

Many things can make us fearful in our daily lives. From the threat of terrorist activity, car crashes or death. The recent economic downturn is something that has most recently made people fearful. Life is uncertain and many fear they could loose it all at any given moment. It is hard to even watch the daily news because so many stories of fear and despair.

Detailed in his newest book Fearless, Max Lucado writes God’s words on fear. Many times in the gospels, Jesus tells his disciples not to fear. Using those words as a guidepost, Max Lucado shows how his words can be applied to everyday situations and the fears that can plague us. How holding onto faith rather fear will improve the way we see life.

Prior to receiving the book, I had high hopes for it. The book lived up to my high hopes and went beyond. It is a great book with comforting words for these stressful times. Max Lucado puts his emphasis on the words of Christ, telling us not to fear. The book could not have come out at a better time.

Fearless is a book that I would highly recommend to others and will definitely be re-reading in the future.

Stars: 5 out of 5.

*disclaimer* I received this book from Thomas Nelson for free as a member of their Book Review Bloggers program.

Haunt of Jackals by Eric Wilson.

Haunt of Jackals picks up where Field of Blood left off. Gina Lazarescu is on her own, fighting Collectors who want nothing more then to see her fall. Meanwhile, Cal Nichols and Dov have split from Gina, also fighting Collectors and are moving further away from Gina. Both Gina and Cal want safety for the other. Gina soon realizes her life will never be the same again. She will have to find another identity as she did once before. A fresh start away from those who want to harm her. Will she ever be safe? Will she ever be able to protect the one’s she loves?

Eric Wilson writes at a thrilling pace with Haunt of Jackals. The book starts and never stops. This is the kind of book that you cannot put down, even into the early hours of morning. Like Field of Blood, characters in Haunt of Jackals travel a great deal. Eric Wilson showcases his firsthand knowledge of the places in the story.

A master storyteller, Eric Wilson weaves the threads of the tale together. Combining historical and mythological elements as well as spiritual. Even connecting with two of his previous works, Dark to Mortal Eyes and Expiration Date. (It won’t hurt the story if you haven’t read the two)

Haunt of Jackals is well worth the read. The second book in a trilogy that keeps getting stretching the boundaries of great thrillers. This is not a book and not a series to miss!

Stars: 5 out of 5.

http://teddekker.com/green

N.D. Wilson is a unique writer. This is his first non-fiction book. I hope it’s not his last.

This is hard review for me to write. It’s hard to peg this book down. And honestly, its hard to describe.

The book is excellent. I loved it. In the pages, N.D. Wilson speaks of God as a brilliant storyteller, accenting his creation, the seasons of life and yes, carnival rides. N.D. Wilson speaks of philosophy and different philosophers. The way N.D. Wilson describes creation and points back to the Creator is something that struck me as beautiful.

Now, this is not the book for everyone. If you don’t like Donald Miller, you will not like this book. Frequently when reading the book I thought of Donald Miller and his books. N.D. Wilson can write in a manner that some would call ADD. I found it interesting as all the tangents he went off on connected but not everyone will like that style of writing.

In closing I will say this: the book lives up to it’s name. It does seem like a ride on a Tilt-A-Whirl. As a prospective reader, read the introduction. If you’re still interested in reading the book after reading the introduction, you’ll like the book. If the introduction turns you off, save your money. You won’t like the book. I loved this book but I know there are others who will not.

Stars: 5 out of 5.

*disclaimer* I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson as a member of their Book Review Blogger program.