JOSHUA: THE Odyssey of an Ordinary Man is a brilliantly written historical fiction that questions whether Jesus was the Son of God, and details what he was doing in the eighteen years that followed his eviction from the temple.

Dr. Mathew skillfully takes the reader back 2,000 years in time to an ancient world. The people come alive as he proves his theory beyond doubt, step by step, leaving us amazed. This fascinating and absorbing subject has never been researched in such depth until now.

What contributed to Jesus' great wisdom? JOSHUA: THE Odyssey of an Ordinary Man provides the final answer to this 2,000 year old question. The author reveals that the prophet gained invaluable insights from the philosophers of the East and thinkers from the West during an odyssey that lasted eighteen years.

my thoughts:

An extraordinarily written historical account of Joshua's journey throughout history. This is a deeply compelling book, difficult to put down. I read it in one sitting. Whether or not you enjoy biblical fiction, you will find something in this book to capture your attention. A fabulous book not to be missed. We truly feel as if we are traveling with Joshua throughout the holy lands. Women will enjoy this novel as Joshua is an individual who stood up for women in a time when females were lesser individuals.

I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it.


Watch the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wybh0EuT48&feature=youtu.be

Anomaly

Paperback, 312 pages

Published July 9th 2013 by Thomas Nelson Publishers

ISBN 1401688721 (ISBN13: 9781401688721)

edition languageEnglish

seriesAnomaly #1

..

Thalli has fifteen minutes and twenty-three seconds left to live. The toxic gas that will complete her annihilation is invading her bloodstream. But she is not afraid.

Thalli is different than others in The State. She feels things. She asks questions. And in the State, this is not tolerated. The Ten scientists who survived the nuclear war that destroyed the world above believe that emotion was at the core of what went wrong—and they have genetically removed it from the citizens they have since created. Thalli has kept her malformation secret from those who have monitored her for most of her life, but when she receives an ancient piece of music to record as her community’s assigned musician, she can no longer keep her emotions secreted away.

Seen as a threat to the harmony of her Pod, Thalli is taken to the Scientists for immediate annihilation. But before that can happen, Berk—her former Pod mate who is being groomed as a Scientist—steps in and persuades the Scientists to keep Thalli alive as a test subject.

The more time she spends in the Scientist’s Pod, the clearer it becomes that things are not as simple as she was programmed to believe. She hears stories of a Designer—stories that fill her mind with more questions: Who can she trust? What is this emotion called love? And what if she isn’t just an anomaly, but part of a greater design?

my thoughts

An interesting dystopian novel. Reminded me of Lois Lowry's THE GIVER.

In a future world, citizens are genetically created. Emotion is suppose to be eradicated. Guess what- it's not. Every so often an ANOMALY occurs and someone is created with something they shouldn't possess. Thalli learns about The Creator, and unfortunately for her, he's not a scientist from The State. 

This is one of the better dystopian books available today.  Thalli (short for Thallium- everyone is named after and element from the periodic table) is a likable character.   Her friends are somewhat one dimensional, but that's the idea, they slowly grow and learn they should be more than they are.  

A good book that touches upon religion without ramming it down the readers throat. This is the first in a series. I look forward to the next book. 

I give this book 4/5 stars

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COVER REVEAL

Jess Grimm's story coming out in

OCTOBER 2013

C. W. Gortner's TUDOR CONSPIRACY brought to you by HISTORICAL FICTION VIRTUAL BOOK TOURS.

Please join C.W. Gortner as he tours virtually for the release of The Tudor Conspiracy (Book Two, Elizabeth I Spymaster Chronicles) from July 16 – August 27.

US Publication Date: July 16, 2013
UK Publication Date: July 18, 2013
St. Martin’s Griffin
Paperback; 352p
ISBN-10: 0312658494

Winter 1554. Brendan Prescott, spymaster to the Princess Elizabeth, has discovered that he is connected to the Tudors by blood as well as allegiance. Though his secret is known only by a few, it could be his downfall as he is called to London to protect the princess. 

Accompanied by his young squire Peregrine, he reluctantly leaves his sweetheart Kate behind - but in the city he discovers that no one is quite what they seem. What fate does Queen Mary intend for her sister? Is Robert Dudley somehow manipulating the princess, even though he is locked in the Tower? And should Brendan trust the alluring Sybilla, Mary's lady-in-waiting, who professes to be on his side?

As he tries to unravel the mysteries of the Tudor court Brendan's life will be put in danger many times, and along the way he learns more about his own past.

my thoughts

I love the Tudors.  I love reading about this completely dysfunctional family.  

This is book two is the Elizabeth Spymaster series, but can easily be read as a standalone book.  I haven't read book one yet, but it's on my list!

I enjoyed reading this story.  Gortner brought the characters to life.  Brendan is a wonderful character.  He is walking a tightrope between Catholic Queen Mary and Protestant Princess Elizabeth. He has all the human weaknesses and foibles you can imagine.  Does it make him a weak character?  No.  It makes him a character the reader can relate to and feel for.  He displayed raw emotion.  I found him to be an extremely likable guy.  

This book is full of all the royal intrigue, palace back biting, and overall viciousness that we have come to expect from the Tudor family.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
C.W. Gortner is the author of The Last Queen, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, The Queen’s Vow and The Tudor Secret. He holds an MFA in Writing, with an emphasis in Renaissance Studies. Raised in Spain and half Spanish by birth, he currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

He welcomes readers and is always available for reader group chats. Please visit him at www.cwgortner.com for more information.

For Gods and For Men

The setting: 98 BC Rome. The story: Marcus Tegerius Castimus has just learned he is immortal. Together with an unlikely alliance that includes a vexing Vestal Virgin, he is the only hope to save the world from a trap that the Lifebloods had set centuries before. Pursued by two factions, Castimus can choose to help the Lifebloods and live in luxury and power, or he can fight them to save the human race from extinction. But doing the right thing isn't always easy, and Marcus stumbles into the snare the Lifebloods laid for him - a trap that has been centuries in the making and from which there is no escape. Or nearly none.

my thoughts

An interesting story.  Well written.  Visually stunning.   Johnson's descriptive imagination is fabulous. You can see in your minds eye what is being described.  Castimus is a great character.  He is immortal but more human you can imagine.  His choices are difficult, and he sometimes makes what the reader may consider to be the wrong choice.  

This is a very quick read.  It is part one of a series.  

About the author

James R. Johnson began his entertaining career in the mid nineties with schooling at the renown American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Studying Film and Television acting, James went learned the nuances of movement and interpretation in performance.

After graduating, James stayed in Manhattan and pursued the call of the starving artist. Working full time and attending open "cattle calls", he tried to make a name for himself. 

Unfortunately, open auditions brought hundreds of actors that looked just like him. There just wasn't enough time in the day to work to support life in the city and put all the effort necessary into making a successful acting career. Without an agent or union affiliation, James felt it best to build his resume in a small market.

James R. Johnson moved to the Virginia Beach area and began building his resume. Being a New York actor opened many opportunities. However, the jobs were still too few and far between to live off on. Something needed to be done.

During the shoot of a particular feature film, James had the opportunity to shine. The crew was exhausted after a 16 plus hour day. James offered assistance and even aided the director and DP. Impressing the crew, he was given the opportunity to aid further in the production.

James R. Johnson realized that he had a talent for work behind the camera as well as in front. He started directing and producing his own short films. He also helmed projects brought to him by colleagues in the Virginia Beach film community. It wasn't long before that name he sought in New York started taking shape.

James R. Johnson discovered work behind the camera much more satisfying than in front of the camera. Still lacking enough projects to fill his time, he began writing his own material. He wrote several short scripts before moving on to features. James now has many feature scripts in various stages of production.

When the opportunity presented itself to write novels, James R. Johnson jumped at the chance. Always looking for another adventure, another challenge to conquer, he developed the story of the Lifeblood Saga in a short time. He then set to writing the first volume, For Gods and For Men.