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.
The Noticer by Andy Andrews
The Noticer follows a man, Jones, around town as he interacts with various people and changes/impacts their lives.
What did I think about the book? I don’t know. I read it, I wasn’t excited about it. I got through it fast but more because I wanted to finish it than because I couldn’t put it down.
The story isn’t bad. It just is. I was talking to a friend about the book and described it as a “feel good, hokey, inspirational super quick read”. It’s not life changing but there were a few times I thought “that’s interesting”.
The book is almost a bunch of short stories that kind of have a theme throughout (the man Jones) but that don’t really “go” together. You could, honestly, read the book in any order and not lose anything.
My thoughts…I’d give it 3 stars.
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From the cover:
A moving story of common wisdom from the bestselling author of The Traveler’s Gift.
Orange Beach, Alabama is a simple town filled with simple people. But they all have their share of problems – marriages teetering on the brink of divorce, young adults giving up on life, business people on the verge of bankruptcy, and many of the other obstacles that life seems to dish out to the masses.
Fortunately, when things look the darkest – a mysterious old man named Jones has a miraculous way of showing up. Communicating what he calls “a little perspective,” Jones explains that he has been given a gift of noticing things that others miss. In his simple interactions, Jones speaks to that part in everyone that is yearning to understand why things happen and what they can do about it.
Based on a remarkable true story, The Noticer beautifully blends fiction, allegory, and inspiration.
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I recommend
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