The Methuselah Project

This is one novel that literally crosses over several genre's and with such an excellent premise. Fans of just about any kind of novel will absolutely LOVE this one. Even my 16-year-old daughter is picking this one up. As I began reading The Methuselah Project from Rick Barry, it is hard not to draw a comparison of sorts between that of Steve Rogers of the Captain America fame, but it does take a unique twist on the concept.

Roger Green was a fighter pilot who is shot down over Germany during World War II and instead of finding himself in a prisoner of war camp, he is abducted by German scientists along with six others who have been captured for a unique experiment without their consent. Believing that if they can locate a way to prolong human life to that of Methuselah from the Bible, the oldest living recorded human being, they can ensure that Hitler's Third Reich will last at least a thousand years. Now they just need to discover how to make that happen, and Roger is one of the seven who will be tested.

He doesn't expect it will work, but soon discovers that his body has the uncanny ability to heal itself faster than normal. When the allied planes however begin bombing the basement where he and six others are kept, he soon finds that he is the sole survivor and that the secrets to his longevity are now buried along with his companions. But Germany isn't about to release Roger until they can figure out how to recreate the formula that now has made Roger, the potential for the longest living man ever. What Roger doesn't know is just how long that may take.

I received The Methuselah Project by Rick Barry compliments of Kregel Publications for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review, aside from a free copy of this novel, and the opinions contained here are strictly my own honest opinions. Being a huge fan of WWII fiction, history and the Bible, this contained a unique premise I really want to read and see how it would all play out. What would someone do who was born and served in WWII and would be held far longer than he would expect to live. Much like Steve Rogers of the Captain America fame, it would be hard to acclimate to a new century without having gone through it and suddenly see things from a technological advancement like we have today, when Roger finally escapes. How will he process those changes and stay out of harms way from those who want the secrets that lie hidden within his DNA. Imagine the possibilities of someone who could outlive others by hundreds of years! This one hit a home run in my opinion and thus the reason for giving it a 5 out of 5 stars in this reader's opinion.

For more information about The Methuselah Project, Rick Barry or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Methuselah Project by Rick Barry

You can find Rick Barry on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Methuselah Project, please visit Kregel Publications website. 

Unbound

Anyone who has followed my book reviews, knows that I love supernatural and spiritual warfare fiction novels. That is precisely why I jumped at the opportunity to review Unbound, the first novel in The Omega Trilogy by J.B. Simmons. It is based in the near future where technology has advanced quite considerably with people allowing themselves to be implanted with a device known as precepts, a computer that responds to your thoughts and enables only you to have access to it unless you agree to sync with another user. Everything in this future is activated by a wrist like implant that allows you to pay for items or even activate users to your internal precept. Security is the main goal in this new futuristic world and those lucky enough to pass the test, can become spies for the International Security Agency or ISA to combat terrorists threats all over the globe.

Elijah Goldsmith, a young Jewish man who is among the wealthy and finishing up college has applied but not without much reservations. Elijah, like his Bible predecessor, has been having what he can only call nightmares of a dragon rising from a giant hole in the ground in the city of Rome after a great earthquake. A charismatic man is also there who speaks to the dragon and then Elijah wakes up. Each night without fail he experiences the same nightmare even with the help of the sleep pills he's been taking to avoid having them. He is struggling with his own faith because none of these things make sense to a Jewish boy. Jesus was just a great guy and nothing more right? The book of Revelation is just something that should never been added to the Bible because all it contains is symbolic myths of a future that some man dreamed. Is not real right? Or is it?

I received Unbound by J.B. Simmons compliments of Believers Media for my honest review and did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of the book for my honest review. The opinions contained here are strictly my own. While the reviews on this novel compare it to a mix of The Da Vinci Code meets Hungry Games meets Left Behind, I would disagree. It is more along the lines of Left Behind with a bit more science fiction tossed in for good measure. It was an enjoyable read but the storyline took quite awhile to get to the meaning of the purpose of ISA and Elijah's involvement with it as well as the friends he interacts with along the way. While knowing this is the first novel in the series, I felt the author raced a bit to get to the action level, the purpose of Elijah's dreams, and kinda left us feeling left behind ourselves. I am hoping that the next novel might offer a bit more than what this one did and I was left feeling like I really wanted to know more before moving forward. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and for fans of books like Left Behind, you might want to check this one out as well.

For more information about Unbound, J.B. Simmons or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Unbound by J.B. Simmons

You can find J.B. Simmons on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

You can pick up a copy of Unbound through Amazon or your local book retailer.

Fatherless

"Free To Thrive
By Julia Davidson (RAP Syndicate)

A friend of mine recently informed me she wants to have a child. She's not religious, but her parents are devout Catholics. They have an opinion on the matter. Actually, two opinions.

First, they want their daughter to find a partner (husband to use their word) before becoming a mom - something less than 25% of women do for good reasons I've covered in earlier columns. (Why do religious fundamentalists criticize our generation for avoiding parenthood yet complain when single women choose motherhood?)

Second, my friend's parents disapprove of a practice that has become standard medical procedure, even among heterosexual domestic partners. In vitro selection (IVS) brings enormous benefits to parents, children and society. But they've cautioned their daughter against 'engineering her child" by vetting common genetic imperfections. They believe IVS puts humans in place of God and fear we have become "picky shoppers" rather than "grateful recipients" when it comes to the "gift of life."

Caving to parental pressure, my friend postponed her selection appointment. I suppose I should celebrate the decision. One fewer carbon footprint polluting the planet. But I hate to see her give up something she wants just because her parents view technology as a moral bogeyman.

These are the facts. Eight out of ten women who wish to have a child use in vitro selection, otherwise known as common sense. In our day and age, why would anyone risk giving birth to children with costly health challenges? Women no longer have to fear receiving bad news after teh birth of a child due to unforeseen disabilities and complications. Only children born to parents who opt out of the genetic vetting process risk the heartache, burden and expenses associated with the most common disabilities and age-related illness. Those expenses, by the way, will end up hitting federal and state budgets as "faith children" survive their well-intentioned but misguided parents. You and I will inherit costly care and medical obligations associated with our aging parents and grandparents.

If my friend decides to have a child, I hope she will give the baby the freedom to thrive by eliminating the risk of unnecessary disease and disability. I only wish we could give the same freedom to those of us already burdened by both." (excerpt pg 81-82.)

It's the year 2042 and while the world struggles to come to terms with a failing economy in every country, they notice that this is the first time the scale are tipping downward. This is the first time that senior citizens outnumber the younger generation. This places a burden on not having enough productive hands necessary to maintain the standards of productivity while the high cost of caring for seniors is skyrocketing. The only solution is to provide transition services to those who have become more of a debit than an asset to their families and society. They can opt out of life through volunteering to transition and leave their wealth behind to their families. But surely something like this is only for fictional novels right? Or is it?

Best selling author and speaker of Family Talk, Dr. James Dobson has teamed up with Kurt Bruner to write the novel Fatherless, which was inspired by the foretelling of the ominous trends discussed in this novel by the late Chuck Colson. They use this information to write a very chilling story of what could happen when the very old outnumber the very young. With a decline in marriage and parenthood fueling an unprecedented drop in fertility, then the growth in global population will soon end, then reverse. We are already seeing this happen in places like Japan and Russia. Just what importance is there in a world where growing up with the protective love of a father becomes the exception rather than the norm? I think these two brilliant authors have given us a taste of what may lie ahead of us in the future if we continue this pattern.

I received Fatherless by Dr. James Dobson and Kurt Bruner compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are my own unless otherwise noted. While this is a fictional based novel, we are seeing more approval for physician assisted suicides among the terminally ill or aging that simply want a way out rather than liquidating all their financial assets. What happens then when people stop having children or opt to avoid getting married when they can have a baby in a lab and thus move on with life without the benefits of the family unit. Through a variety of characters this is the premise of Fatherless. This is the first book in the series with Childless and Godless being added to the series. Just the opening and closing stories alone are chilling in their future implications. I easily give this a 5 out of 5 stars for every single person to read, especially believers who know the truth that comes when light is revealed in dark places.

For more information about Fatherless, Dr. James Dobson, Kurt Bruner or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Fatherless by Dr. James Dobson and Kurt Bruner

You can also find Dr. James Dobson on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest books.

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: FaithWords; Reprint edition (October 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455513105
• ISBN-13: 978-1455513109
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1.3 inches

To read more reviews on Fatherless, please visit Faith Word's website. 

Necessary Heartbreak

What would you do if you found yourself transported completely by accident into the Biblical past, back to the time of Jesus' ministry just before the crucifixion? Well that is exactly what happens to Michael Stewart and his daughter, Elizabeth.

Having many struggles early on in his life, Michael now finds himself raising his daughter, Elizabeth on his own, having lost his wife, Vicki. Now Michael has turned his back on his faith in God and in a surprising turn of events, while helping out a food drive at the local church, Elizabeth disappears into the basement behind an ancient door in the floor. When Michael attempts to go after her, they find themselves transported into first-century Jerusalem during the last week of Jesus Christ's life.

Not exactly being dressed in local attire and coming to the aid of a man being severely beaten by Roman soldiers, Michael is arrested for interfering. He soon finds out the man he attempted to rescue was Barabbas, accused of murdering a Roman soldier. Now trapped within an ancient prison, all Michael wants to do is find Elizabeth and get back to their real home. Elizabeth finds herself the center of unwanted attention when one of the Roman soldiers, Marcus, sees a possible wife in finding her. Now she must remain hidden while the Passover feast begins and the city is swarming with soldiers and citizens. She finds shelter and security being taken in by a local woman named Leah, who knows Michael already. How is that possible if they just entered Jerusalem today?

When Michael is released from prison, he thinks it's because he's befriended by Marcus, only he is using Michael as bait to find Elizabeth. When Michael attempts to find Elizabeth in the busy city, he comes face to face with Jesus Christ as he is entering the city on Palm Sunday. Will Michael and Elizabeth ever find their way back home, or does God have bigger plans by transporting Michael back in the past to find his love for Christ again?

In the novel, Necessary Heartbreak by Michael J. Sullivan, the reader is given a great look into the historical world of ancient Jerusalem and how we might view this time in history through the eyes of Michael and Elizabeth. This is Michael Sullivan's debut novel and I was fortunate enough to read the sequel to this one first, Everybody's Daughter and immediately found the connection between the two stories. This is a fantastic series for anyone who loves Bible history and who would love to go back in time without the fear of being really trapped there like our characters from the story. I love how both characters view this opportunity to meet Jesus in this once in a lifetime moment.

I received this book compliments of Michael J. Sullivan for my honest review and once again have to applaud his talents as a writer. Even though this is his debut novel, it was well thought out and the story line is amazing. It truly holds the readers attention throughout and wonder just what the interactions will be during their trip into the past. I rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and if you love science fiction blended with a bit of history with a Christian twist, then this is the perfect book for you.

For more information on this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Necessary Heartbreak by Michael J. Sullivan

You can also follow Michael on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the latest things happening in his life by clicking here.

Children of Angels

Just discovered an interesting new series of books for middle school age children by author Kathryn Dahlstrom that was an great idea taken from the sixth chapter in Genesis and the thirteenth chapter in Numbers. It's about a race of created beings formed from angels and humans.

In the first book in the Nephilim series, Children of Angels, finds Jeremy Lapoint, a resident of Anoka Middle School, in the midst of being bullied once more by a fellow student, Sid Lundahl and his friends. Not only do they taunt Jeremy with name calling but at one point an altercation ensures where the boys take Jeremy's backpack and dump out the items. His books, papers and reports fall to the ground which the boys stomp on and destroy. They even manage to ruin his iPod that his grandmother gave him for his birthday, breaking it in pieces.

Jeremy has become the brunt of Sid's taunts ever since learning that Jeremy's dad is in prison for stealing. Now it seems it's Sid's mission to make Jeremy's life at school a living hell. That is, until Jeremy learns he can fly. Not only that but he is super strong, able to become invisible and can make it to where no one can hear him, thanks to the help and training of his own angel Asiel.

Jeremy learns that he is a Nephilim, a cross between an angel and a human in which part of him wants to do good while the human half of him still struggles with his sin-filled nature:

"Seek the truth at the proper time - and the One who gives it. The angel in your kind longs to serve Him. The human...has a fight on his hands. "(pg 23).

Jeremy learns that there are 230 other teens like himself in Europe, Canada and America and it's important to learn his battle skills because he will be facing demons as one of the few that can see clearly into the spiritual realm. Feeling a bit more reassured, Jeremy finds himself being accepted to the Higher Humanity Institute for teens with unique abilities like his own. Only what he finds there isn't what he had expected at all. You'll have to pick this one up to learn what he finds and what happens to him.

I received Children of Angels by Kathryn Dahlstrom compliments of WinePress Publishing for my honest review. I think this is an interesting twist in Christian fiction for young adults and can't wait to see where the rest of the books in this series. I would rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and think it's the perfect book for kids who long for that Christian super hero novel.

For more information on this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the link below:

Children of Angels by Kathryn Dahlstrom

To read more outstanding reviews from the book tour, please click here.

The Bone House

Kit Livingstone has once again stepped out of one Ley line and into trouble as he faces his arch enemy Lord Burleigh who will stop at nothing to claim the Skin Map. Little do they know that plans have been made, quite genius my I add to reclaim one of the pieces of the Skin Map by none other than Kit’s own girlfriend Mina.

The Bone House is the second installment in a 5 book series called the Bright Empires by Stephen R. Lawhead . This book takes you deeper into the story of the first book called the Skin Map in which Arthur Flinders-Petrie (the Man who is Map) has found a way to travel not only back in time, but can jump from place and time according to Ley Lines that are marked throughout our world and others in a multitude of Earth’s which could be called a multiverse. Kit Livingstone is once again battling fro his life with some his friends he found along the way and is on the run from Lord Burleigh. A man with many talents and teams of men at his disposal which is on the hunt for the Skin Map. Little do they all know what treasure awaits them and what monumental life changing force they are about to discover!

Please take the time to read The Skin Map before you read this book as you will understand more about the storyline and the characters. The Bone House can stand alone as a solo read, but with such a great storyline why would wouldn’t you want to read The Skin Map as well. Thus book have many twists and turns so hold on to your seat and enjoy the ride! I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and would highly recommend young readers to delve into this great Sci-Fi series. Stephen R. Lawhead has a great and imaginative mind to be able to suck you into the book from the moment you open the cover! Can’t wait to see what happens in the next novel!

I received this book with no monetary value attached and only for my honest review compliments of Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Tours and Thomas Nelson Publishers. For more information about the book, the author or where to purchase a copy of this book please click on the links below:

The Bone House by Stephen R. Lawhead

You can also visit Stephen R. Lawhead's website by clicking here.

You visit Stephen's Facebook page by clicking here.

For more information about other bloggers that are part of this tour, click on any of the links below:

Noah Arsenault
Red Bissell
Thomas Clayton Booher
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
http://csffblogtour.com/"> CSFF Blog Tour
Jeff Chapman
Carol Bruce Collett
Karri Compton
D. G. D. Davidson
Theresa Dunlap
April Erwin
Victor Gentile
Tori Greene
Ryan Heart
Bruce Hennigan
Timothy Hicks
Christopher Hopper
Janeen Ippolito
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Marzabeth
Katie McCurdy
Shannon McDermott
http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/"> Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Chawna Schroeder
Kathleen Smith
Donna Swanson
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White
Rachel Wyant

Wayback: A Novel

A mysterious Nazi super-weapon, hidden for more than 60 years, has been discovered by members of a reclusive, private think tank and perfected using modern technology. This fully realized and reliable device is so powerful, so provocative, that the basic beliefs of science, history, and religion could be overturned in an instant.

After a cataclysmic system failure kills an expedition attempting to return to the year 100,000 B.C., a team of skeptical scientists and adventurers is dispatched to the Antediluvian world-a word that no one anticipated- full of wonder, danger and advanced civilizations that will rock the accepted theories of science and history to their core.

However, the team is unaware of another plan that is unfolding; there are people who will kill to use this remarkable machine to further their own plans for our past and future.

About the Author:

Sam Batterman makes his living as a software engineer and lives with his wonderful wife, Susan, and their two kids, Samantha and Parker in Southeastern Pennslyvania. Wayback is Sam's first novel, but there will be others. Sam and his wife serve at Valley Forge Baptist Temple in Collegeville, PA.

My Review:

This is my second book by Sam Batterman after the first book I read of his Maximal Reserve, got me rethinking the way of viewing science and history from what we've been taught in school and what the Bible tells us. There are some things we never really quite put together and often take the words of so-called 'experts' as our belief in some things. When I had the opportunity to review Sam's debut novel, I jumped at the chance.

His ability to engage the reader with a topic and keep it evolving throughout the book is what will hook you from the very beginning. After the Nazi scientists develop a means of traveling through time in the midst of war, you realize the possibilities can be frightening. When they program the machine to go back as far as we've been taught to pre-history and the stone age, they soon find out the world isn't really as old as they thought. A devastating accident occurs that will lead Admiral Nathan Turner to discover what is really hiding in Area 51 and it has nothing to do with aliens!

I received this book compliments of Bring It On Communications for my honest review and once more I was not disappointed. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and for those who love a great story with a science fiction, biblical twist, then this is a perfect find for you. For more information about this book, the author and where to pick up this copy for your own personal collection, click on the links below:

Wayback: A Novel by Sam Batterman

You can also follow Sam on Facebook by clicking here to see what he's up to next!

The God Hater

In today's age, video games and virtual realities are becoming a bit of the norm. Yet what we don't see is how they overlap and parallel one another.

In this technological age, artificial intelligence has been toyed with but never fully mastered, until now. Using nanobots to replicate a single cell and transfer that information to a computer has been simple, but we know the human body is made up of more individual cells than we could count, much less taking all the information and storing it in one place.

We have discovered a way to compile that information using a simple program like the ones that compile information for SETI, that has given us access to personal computers when they are not being turned on to run our data through. Billions and billions of them are being linked together to translate this data and create a virtual world in which, we, are the computer generated likenesses in a new virtual world.

The one problem is that free will of the characters can not be tampered with, they must chose their own fate, and every single program up to this point has lead to self destruction of the race. Now it's up to Nicholas Mackenzie, an professor with a rare intellect at disputing the creation theory, now has the chance to prove himself correct or admit defeat.

I received the book, The God Hater by Bill Myers, compliments of Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Tours for my honest review, and was blown away by the storyline and how much it overlaps where we, as a world and technology are headed. The parallels in the lives of Nicholas Mackenzie and his virtual alter ego, and that of the son he lost at the age of five, teaches us all a different version of the price that is paid daily for the individual choices we make and what differences we can make in the lives of those around us.

I love this book immensely for the way it uses a combination of The Matrix, Tron, and The Sims, to showcase to us all where we are headed if we choose to follow the virus. Hands down one of the best books I've read to date, with an outstanding 5 out of 5 star rating. This is a must for anyone who is interested in what the story of redemption is really all about. For those of you that love all that high tech, virtual reality and nanobots, this is one written just for you.

This book is available in paperback, hardcover, eBook, MP3 and CD formats. For more information about the book, the author and where you can purchase a copy, click on the links below:


Bill Myer's website is located here.

Facebook users can check this out on Bill's Facebook page.

To purchase a copy from Amazon, click here.


For more reviews on this amazing novel, check out these talented bloggers and book reviewers:

Noah Arsenault
Red Bissell
Thomas Clayton Booher
Keanan Brand
Rachel Briard
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
Carol Bruce Collett
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
http://csffblogtour.com/"> CSFF Blog Tour
April Erwin
Amber French
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Katie Hart
Ryan Heart
Joleen Howell
http://www.613media.com/"> Bruce Hennigan
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Emily LaVigne
Shannon McDermott
Matt Mikalatos
http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/"> Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika
MollyBuuklvr81
John W. Otte
Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Andrea Schultz
Tammy Shelnut
Kathleen Smith
James Somers
Donna Swanson
Jessica Thomas
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Dona Watson
Nicole White
Dave Wilson
Kathy Brasby

Venom and Song Review

This young adult fantasy based book, Venom and Song by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper, starts off very fast paced throwing you into the lives of 7 junior high school aged boys and girls who are swept up in learning that they they are descendants from elves and are transported into a whole new world via a magical portal. I loved this book from the very first page and did not want to put it down.

The story line and character development move pretty fast, but not so fast as you are lost on the pages wondering who is who. You get to learn about each of the 7 main characters as well as their teachers and protectors throughout the story. Each lord has a special if not several special powers that are just being unlocked and honed by learning the ways of the Vexbane. You will love this fast paced book and won't want to put it down! Even though it is considered a young adult book, I loved it and I am not a young adult, but in my forties.

I want to go back and read the first book in this series, The Curse of the Spider King, as this is book two of what is called the Berinfell Prophesies. I am rating this book a 5 out of 5! For me this book was thrilling, suspenseful, powerful and strange all wrapped up together in a smooth storyline that makes you wish you could jump into the pages and be a part of this world (except for getting killed of course!). All I can say is buy the series, start from book one and slip into a realm of imagination and wonder! The authors have great imagination and clarity that seem to work together very well. I could definitely see this book becoming a movie!

Thank you for such an imaginative book! In conjunction with the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

* Venom and Song - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400315069
Authors’ blogs

Wayne Thomas Batson – http://enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/
Christopher Hopper – http://www.christopherhopper.com/blog/

* Participants’ links:

http://sevendogsandababy.blogspot.com/"> Angela
Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Amy Browning
Beckie Burnham
Morgan L. Busse
Melissa Carswell
Jeff Chapman
Valerie Comer
Amy Cruson
http://csffblogtour.com/"> CSFF Blog Tour
D. G. D. Davidson
April Erwin
Tori Greene
Ryan Heart
http://www.613media.com/"> Bruce Hennigan
Timothy Hicks
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Leighton
http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/"> Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
http://www.sarahsawyer.com/blog> Sarah Sawyer
Chawna Schroeder
Tammy Shelnut
James Somers
Kathleen Smith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Jason Waguespac
Dona Watson
Phyllis Wheeler
Jill Williamson