Midnight in Madrid (The Russion Trilogy, Book 2) by Noel Hynd
The end of last year I read Conspiracy in Kiev (The Russian Trilogy, Book 1)
Talk about disappointing.
I have raved to friends and family about what a great author Noel Hynd is and now I’m regretting my praise. This book was all over the place. Part history book — and I’m not talking the interesting history lessons thrown into a good novel. No, I’m talking the boring history lectures I got in high school that made me think history was a directive of the devil.
Then we have the language issue. The book (obviously) is set in Europe, mainly Spain. So, to be authentic, I guess, the author decided to throw a bit of Spanish, Italian, French, and a few other languages that I couldn’t even figure out into the book. Unfortunately, he doesn’t always translate them. Or if he does you have to skim through full paragraphs before you get to the translation. Now, yes, you could say I should broaden my intellect and learn a new language but it’s really not my desire to be forced to learn (or decipher) four new languages through the course of a novel that I’m reading for enjoyment.
Now, page after page of boring history lesson and my lack of ability to read large portions of the text due to the language issue aside. The book was rather boring. I’m all for a good Christian novel, this was not that. Part way through the story he throws in a very poorly written and not scripturally sound evangelistic chapter. Now, I’m all for sharing the gospel, but this was so out in left field, so blah and inaccurate that it almost made me put the book down. Then we end (or near the end) of the book with the main character starting to doubt her own faith.
On a good note, however, the tunnel scenes were very well written. I actually found myself feeling claustrophobic from reading the portion.
So, while I do still recommend Conspiracy in Kiev
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From the Cover
When a mysterious relic is stolen from a Madrid museum, people are dying to discover its secrets. Literally. U.S. Treasury agent Alexandra LaDuca returns from Conspiracy in Kiev to track down the stolen artwork, a small carving called The Pietà of Malta. It seems to be a simple assignment, but nothing about this job is simple, as the mysteries and legends surrounding the relic become increasingly complex with claims of supernatural power. As aggressive, relentless, and stubborn as ever, Alex crisscrosses Europe through a web of intrigue, danger, and betrayal, joined by a polished, mysterious new partner. With echoes of classic detective and suspense fiction from The Maltese Falcon to The Da Vinci Code, Midnight in Madrid takes the reader on a nonstop spellbinding chase through a modern world of terrorists, art thieves, and cold-blooded killers.
Conspiracy in Kiev (The Russian Trilogy, Book 1) by Noel Hynd
I read Conspiracy in Kiev (The Russian Trilogy, Book 1) by Noel Hynd
WOW! I’m so glad I did. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book. I haven’t read Book 2 yet but only because I’d just finished two spy/crime books and wanted a different genre.
I read the reviews on Amazon and was a little surprised at some of them. The books is classified as a Christian Fiction. I don’t have an issue with that classification, I was just surprised at some of the reviews — or rather I found them funny, I guess I should say. There were a few (what I would assume to be) non-Christians who made a point of saying “this should be classified as Christian Fiction” (I’m assuming it wasn’t at that point). Then a few Christians were saying “this should NOT be classified as Christian Fiction”.
I had to laugh. I read and enjoy Christian Fiction. I can see why this is classified Christian Fiction but I don’t understand the issue each “side” had with the classification. It’s not a book of salvation, it never talks about salvation or the path to salvation. The main character is a Christian, she occasionally goes to church to pray when she’s frustrated at a point. God/faith/religion is mentioned in the book but in a way that just makes it part of the main character’s life. Honestly, if I could find more Christian Fiction that is written like this I’d be a very happy person. It’s a story of a person whose faith is a part of her life but it wasn’t hokey or preachy or cheesy or anything. It was just written with many of the same values I hold for myself and a very fun read.
Honestly, I have recommended this to Christian and non-Christian friends alike and will continue to do so. I liked the book. I think my Christian friends would enjoy reading it for the action and mystery that is in the story but also because it holds many of the same values that they hold. I think my non-Christian friends would enjoy the book for the action and mystery and the fact that it’s just a good book but they won’t roll their eyes at it and claim it hokey.
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From the Cover
A shrewd investigator and an expert marksman, Special Agent Alexandra LaDuca can handle any case the FBI gives her. Or can she? While on loan from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Alex is tapped to accompany a Secret Service team during an American Presidential visit to Ukraine. Her assignment: to keep personal watch over Yuri Federov, the most charming and most notorious gangster in the region. Against her better judgment—and fighting a feeling that she’s being manipulated—she leaves for Ukraine. But there are more parts to this dangerous mission than anyone suspects, and connecting the dots takes Alex across three continents and through some life-altering discoveries about herself, her work, her faith, and her future. Conspiracy in Kiev—from the first double-cross to the stunning final pages—is the kind of solid, fast-paced espionage thriller only Noel Hynd can write. For those who have never read Noel Hynd, this first book in The Russian Trilogy is the perfect place to start.
Project 345
I’ve been looking for a bible reading app for my BlackBerry for a while now. I’ve wanted something that would allow me to pull up a verse but also something that would give me something to read every day. I’ve really looked for an online daily devotional or bible reading site that I liked but have had a rough time finding one. Well, last night I think I accomplished what I set out a long time ago to do.
Offers a BlackBerry app along with a free website with RSS feed. You can choose your daily reading plan and every morning your verses are available for you. I chose to go with the Project 345 reading plan.
Project 3:45 is a simple, effective way to read the entire New Testament in one year. The plan involves reading one chapter per day five days a week and uses the weekends to catch up if you missed any days. The plan was named for the average of the three minutes and forty five seconds that it takes to read one New Testament chapter (obviously this time will vary due to individual reading rates, chapter lengths, and etc., but you get the point). It’s never too late, start today!
Your Start Date: |
Your End Date: |
| December 31, 2009 | December 30, 2010 |
So, today’s reading was John 1. So, considering that one of my goals for the new year is to be more consistent with my Bible reading, I’m glad I found this when I did.
Sweet By and By by Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck
The Sweet By and By follows Jade as she prepares for her upcoming marriage to Max. You see her struggle with her past and come to terms with the secrets she’s keeping from her husband to be. Through flashbacks to her years growing up and seeing how she deals with her mother, sister, future mother-in-law and her future husband we see her struggles and how she deals with them to move forward.
So, what did I think? It was a very quick, easy read. I read the book in one evening – I’m a fast reader but that’s fast for me. I couldn’t put the book down. I’ve long admired Sara Evans as a recording artist and admit I was interested to see how she did as an author – you know what, I’d read anything else she wrote.
I don’t think this book was life changing other than to really point out to me the importance of not keeping secrets from the ones you love. But, it’s definitely worth picking up and reading.
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From the Cover
A redemptive story from multi-platinum recording artist Sara Evans.
Jade Fitzgerald left the pain of her past in the dust when she headed out for college a decade ago. Now she’s thriving in her career and glowing in the light of Max Benson’s love.
But then Jade’s hippie mother, Beryl Hill, arrives in Whisper Hollow, Tennessee, for Jade’s wedding along with Willow, her wild younger sister. Their arrival forces Jade to throw open the dark closets of her past–the insecurity of living with a restless, wandering mother, the silence of her absent father, and the heart-ripping pain of first-love’s rejection.
Turns out Beryl has a secret of her own. She needs reconciliation with her oldest daughter before illness takes her life. In the final days leading to the wedding, Jade meets the One who shows her that the past has no hold on her future. With a little grace, they’ll meet in the middle, maybe even before that sweet by and by.
