Category Archives: The Randleman Review

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Book Review: The Alarmists – by Don Hoesel

The Alarmists by Don HoeselI love a good suspense novel.

The Alarmists is the newest work by author Don Hoesel.  I enjoyed it immensely!

Here’s the plot.  The world is quickly approaching a watershed moment in history.  Similar to Y2K, this moment could make or break humanity.  What moment is this?  The end of the Mayan calendar in December of 2012.

Sociologist Brent Michaels is contracted by a special unit of the military to help them examine the date of several strange occurrences around the world.  These could be coincidental, but they seem just a little too structured.  They have to be man-made.  But how?  And by whom?

That’s what Michaels has to figure out.  Is there really a plot to take advantage of a doomsday scenario for financial gain?  Just how far are these people willing to go with this?

Michaels teams up with one of the members of the elite military unit to figure this out.  While is is a committed atheist, and sees no need for faith, his team mate, who he’s increasingly attracted to, is a strong Christian.

The Alarmists is an intriguing story of suspense and fear, and humanity and faith.  I really enjoyed it.  If you like suspense fiction, then you need to pick up a copy of The Alarmists.  You’ll be glad you did!

If you are interested in reading The Alarmists, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review: Max On Life – by Max Lucado

Max On LifeMax Lucado’s new book is different thank anything I’ve ever read by him.

Usually, Lucado’s books are developed around a central theme, and that topic is discussed throughout the book.

Not so with this one.

The concept of this Max On Life is a lot like the FAQ section for life’s manual.  Lucado takes almost 200 questions that he’s collected over the last several years of his ministry and answers each of them briefly.

Topics range from hope and grace, pain and suffering, relationships, sex and marriage, heaven and hell, money, Scripture, prayer and more.

While interesting, I really didn’t like the format.

It was too brief.

There were a lot of questions that I felt Lucado could have delved into a little deeper.  There were a few answers that I felt he was off base.  I just didn’t think this book flowed as smoothly as it could have.

Sure, there were a few nuggets here and there that were good.  But there was a lot of reading in between those.

In my opinion, if you want information on any of these individual topics, there are much better resources out there that specifically speak to that issue.  Use those resources.  Max On Life is ok, but it isn’t that great of a help.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review: The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

The Final SummitAndy Andrews has quickly become one of my favorite authors.

I was first introduced to his books a couple of years ago when I read The Noticer.  Another of his stories that I loved was The Heart Mender.

And I think he’s done it again.

The Final Summit is Andrews‘ newest book.  I sat down with it and read it straight through.  I didn’t stop until I was finished.  It kept my attention the entire way through.

While not as captivating as The Noticer or The Heart Mender, The Final Summit is well-written and extremely interesting.

Here’s the main idea:  David Ponder is nearing the end of his life, so he thinks.  Suddenly, he is visited by the archangel Gabriel, who has come for him. But not in the way David thinks.  Gabriel has come to escort David to a Summit, full of history’s most brilliant minds.  Their goal:  to find the solution that will save humanity from the horrific disaster looming in front of them.

David is allowed to choose only a few of the world’s best leaders and thinkers to help him discover the solution.  Can he do it in time?

I would highly encourage anyone to read The Final Summit.  Even though it’s a fictional story, it is full of incredible insight and wisdom, much like many of Andrews’ other books.  You need to read this one.  It will change the way you think about life.  It will change the way you involve yourself in the world that surrounds you.

Do something.  Read this today.

If you are interested in reading The Final Summit, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze blogger review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review: Breath Of Angel by Karyn Henley

Breath Of AngelOne of my favorite genres to read when I was in high school and college was fantasy fiction.  I loved series such as The Lord of the Rings and Dragon Lance.  In fact, I still go back and read a bit  of this genre occasionally.

This week I read Karyn Henley’s book Breath Of Angel.  This is a fantasy novel with a twist:  many of the main characters are angels operating in the world of mankind.

I was intrigued from the very beginning.  The story is about a young priestess named Melaia, who loves her life serving the Most High at the temple.  But she is quickly finds herself in the middle of a battle between two immortal brothers who destroyed a stairway to Heaven, and who will destroy the rest of the world if they aren’t stopped.

As Melaia discovers the reality of angels, immortals, and other beings thought to be myth, she is thrust into the center of this struggle for dominion between the two brothers.  Caught there, she discovers things about herself that she’s never known, and things about the world that she’s never suspected.

Can she do what’s needed to help save the world?  Can she do what’s needed to save herself?

I enjoyed Breath Of Angel.  While I felt that it was written with a younger reader in mind, I still enjoyed it.  And I’m sure that my daughter would love it.

If you are interested in reading Breath Of Angel, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Multnomah Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Book Review – Secrets Of The Sixth Edition by Randall Hedtke

Secrets Of The Sixth EditionIs darwinian evolution really all that humanistic philosophy would lead us to believe?  Or is it even viable at all?

Charles Darwin published On The Origin Of The Species originally in 1859.  By the time the sixth and final edition was published in 1872, it wasn’t even the same book.

In Secrets Of The Sixth Edition, Randall Hedtke examines the differences between the different editions of Darwin’s work.  In a stunning array of evidence, he displays how Darwin wavered and capitulated over the idea of natural selection for years.  And by the time the sixth edition was published, Darwin had discredited his own theory.

Hedtke reveals some amazing facts that are not well known, such as Darwin’s psychoneurosis that coincided with his struggle over the concept of natural selection.  When he finally abandoned this idea, his health improved drastically.

Another little known fact is that many of Darwin’s proponents in public actually held serious doubts about his ideas privately.  This was a major source of consternation for Darwin.

Hedtke has written Secrets Of The Sixth Edition as a series of essays, examining the many inconsistencies in Darwin’s theory.  As such, it reads much like a series of lectures, interesting but somewhat dry; the last few chapters especially use a lot of scientific verbage.  But in spite of that, this book was quite intriguing.

If you are interested in the specifics of how darwinian evolution is a faulty premise, then this book is for you.

If you are interested in reading Secrets Of The Sixth Edition, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from New Leaf Press/Master Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.“

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Leadership 101 Giveaway: And The Winner Is…

Congratulations to Joe Lalonde who is the winner of the contest to give away a copy of John C. Maxwell’s Leadership 101.

Leadership 101

If you didn’t win this time, you might consider picking up a copy of Leadership 101 for yourself.  It is an excellent resource!  You can grab a copy for yourself at Amazon.com..

 

Note: The winner was determined by using Random.org’s generator.  I entered the total number of legitimate comments and it gave me a random number to determine the winner.

 

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Book Review – The Chasm by Randy Alcorn

The ChasmI sat down and read The Chasm, by Randy Alcorn last night.

I’ve wanted to read some of his work for some time now, so when the chance presented itself to read this one, I jumped at it.

The Chasm reads a lot like John Bunyon’s Pilgrim’s Progress.  It’s the tale of one man on a journey to Heaven.  But his travels are interrupted several times, both intentionally and unintentionally.

There are a lot of references to major classic Christian works throughout The Chasm, including allusions to Augustine’s City of God and a reference to C.S. Lewis‘ concept of Shadowlands, among others.

I found The Chasm to be an easy book to read.  The story was a bit hard to follow occasionally, due to the fact that it was inspired by Alcorn’s book, Edge Of Eternity.  Since I haven’t read that book, I’m sure there are several things I’ve missed in this one.  My curiosity is piqued; I’m going to have to pick up a copy and jump into it now.

The Chasm is a book about a man on a journey to find Christ; and it can inspire you in your own journey as well.

If you are interested in reading The Chasm, by Randy Alcorn, you can purchase it at Amazon.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received this book free from Multnomah Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.