Book Review: The Evidence (The Mars Hill Classified Series) by Austin W. Boyd

I enjoyed the Christian elements of this story but I think the author lost his point in all the plot lines.

The Evidence (The Mars Hill Classified Series)
by Mr. Austin W Boyd

Series: The Mars Hill Classified Series (Book 1)
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Living Ink Books (July 13, 2012)
ISBN-13: 978-0899578286
Genre: Christian, Fantasy, Sci Fi
My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0

Product Description
As commander John Wells watches from the International Space Station, terrorists cripple Washington. While the world suspects Iranian jihadists, unexplained images from Mars offer a staggering alternative. Caught in a web of politics, John heeds his country's call to head to the Red Planet. Was he born for this moment in history? 448 pages, softcover from Living Ink.

Review:
Commander John Wells has felt a Godly call on his life since he was a young boy. He took all the right steps to prepare himself to follow what he believes is God’s directed destiny. John has been a successful naval officer with a bold record that gets the right attention and gets him selected as an astronaut.

John has had an amazing time on the space station, but just as he is looking forward to getting home to his wife and children, his rotation is extended when another crewman needs emergency care. As John waits to get home, a terrorist attack cripples Washington DC. The evidence points to an attack by Iranian jihadists. Meanwhile mysterious images stun the world as evidence of alien life on Mars. One of the bomb investigators doesn’t trust all the clear clues of the attack. Instead he is inclined to agree with John’s alternate theory that something much bigger is going on.

John has to struggle with leaving his wife and children when he is offered the opportunity to fly to Mars to search out the truth of the pictures. Amy has her own life struggles that extend beyond being in the position of a single parent during the long months that John is away. It is not an easy decision and together they must seek God’s will.

The story covers quite a bit – maybe too much. There are multiple characters and multiple events. The primary story centers around John but there are chapters following a mysterious team who has set bombs for an undisclosed purpose. There is another full set of scientists and sci fi fans who are focused on the revelations of man-sized alien spiders on Mars. I enjoyed the Christian elements which are shared in real life situations. Although it isn't clear from this book if the aliens on Mars are real or a hoax, this does raise the question of whether alien life would challenge Christian faith. Unfortunately, it was difficult to determine the real point the author wants to make. This leaves the reader with a choice: continue the series in hopes of making more sense or move on to something that isn't quite so convoluted.

The title “Evidence” naturally catches my legal interest. It can be derived from several threads of the book and leads into the next book in the series which is titled "Proof". A couple of us are tempted to continue to try to figure out what is going on but the majority of the ladies are moving on to other reads. If and when I read book two I may have a better recommendation.

Source: Print books picked up prior to 2017. eBook picked up on sale 2017. This was read for Ladies Book Club. It qualifies for 2018TBR and Alphabet Challenge.

Book #Review: The Wolf of Tebron by C. S. Lakin

This is  wonderful fairy-tale fantasy and allegory with redemption message.
The Wolf of Tebron
by C. S. Lakin

• ISBN-13: 9780899578880
• ISBN: 0899578888
• Pub. Date: Aug 9, 2010
• Publisher: AMG Publishers
• Imprint: Living Ink Books

Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 9, 2010 | Series: The Gates of Heaven Series (Book 1)

In classic fairy tale style, we embark on an enchanted journey with a young blacksmith—Joran—whose only desire is to live a peaceful, uncomplicated life in his forest village, a desire shattered by the sudden and bizarre disappearance of his wife, Charris. Later, Joran is plagued by nightmares of an unimaginable sea, where Charris remains trapped in a sand castle at the whim of the Moon. The goose woman insists he will find no rest from his nightmares until he solves the riddle of three keys. She tells him to travel the treacherous journey to the house of the Moon to find the answers he seeks.

Unable to ignore the urgings of his nightmares, Joran sets out north seeking the Moon. Leaving a town and family where he never felt truly at home, Joran’s journey becomes more than just a search for his wife. His path also leads inward, for he must face emotions that have tormented him his entire life—feelings of alienation and anger, of despair and hurt. Along the way he rescues a wolf—a huge, imposing creature that becomes a companion, and eventually a trusted friend.

Joran has the uncanny ability to speak with animals, and learns from the wolf, Ruyah, that he can manipulate his dreams to affect the real world. With Ruyah’s humor and guidance, Joran finds the courage and fortitude to press on, despite setbacks and disappointments. With the wolf by his side he endures the darkness at the end of the world and the ravings of the lunatic Moon, who sends him off—more confused than before—to the Palace of the Sun with a seemingly useless gift.

After trekking through a vast, unmerciful desert, Joran arrives at the Palace of the Sun, where he meets the Sun’s mother, Sola. She helps Joran understand part of his riddle and then sends him, with the gift of a sunstone, to the cave of the South Wind, whom, she says, will finally reveal the truth to him about his wife—if he dares hear it. He and Ruyah travel south through jungle, and finally arrive at the cave. There Joran is swept along a vision where he sees his past, and in horror, learns truths that send him into deep despair. The South Wind dismisses him with one last gift—but like the other two gifts, he has no idea what they are for or how they will help him rescue his wife. She tells him to find the sea of his dreams—far west, beyond his imagining.

Review:
The story starts with a Wizard battling evil to try to protect his wife and infant son. He loses his wife and  sends his son away with a huge bear to take him to a village to be safe.

The story then shifts and we meet Joran who is a young man training as a blacksmith in a small village on the edge of Tibron forest. He has always had an affinity for animals and is able to mind talk with them. He is content living a simple life with his beautiful young wife, Charris. One day he sees a woman kissing a neighbor farmer. She is wrapped in Charris’ shawl and Joran accuses her of infidelity. He sends her away without giving her a chance to speak. Nightmares plague Joran as he sees Charris trapped in a castle set on the edge of the sea. In the dreams Joran tries to save her but falls to the sand and wind hazards as the fortress collapses into the water.

When Joran learns that Charris never made it to her parent’s home he is filled with guilt and decides he must seek to save her.  As he travels through the woods he comes upon a wolf caught in a trap. Joran helps the wolf, Ruyah, who becomes his devoted, wise counselor on the journey.

Joran is sent to puzzle out a riddle as he must lose three keys before he can find and free Charris. He goes first to the Moon and receives a special gift. Then he travels to the Sun for the next clue and another gift. From there he is sent to the Wind and finally to the Sea. He faces danger but also he must cope with his own anger, fear and despair. He must be willing to learn the truth of secrets, learn to control his own actions and believe that forgiveness is possible.

I enjoyed the atmosphere of mystery and fairy-tale magic from beginning to end.   I was a bit frustrated as Joran’s despair seemed to go on and on. I wanted to push him along to learn the life issues he faced but I appreciated the positive messages conveyed in such a unique allegory of God’s sacrifice and love for mankind. There is wisdom shared and quotes from Emily Dickinson that I liked. The writing is smooth and made for easy, quick reading. I recommend this as an entertaining story with an uplifting message.

I liked the messages that “home” is a heart location:

He was finally beginning to see that home was a state of mind and not a location. Location 3025.

He had surely taken the long way ‘round to find his way home. Location 3573.

I received this from AMG Publishers for review through NetGalley.

Book #Review: The Sword in the Stars (Book 1) by Wayne Thomas Batson

I loved this remarkable epic fantasy with a redemption message.

The Sword in the Stars (Book1)
in The Dark Sea Annals Series
by Wayne Thomas Batson

• File Size: 1440 KB
• Print Length: 400 pages
• Publisher: Living Ink Books, an imprint of AMG Publishers (June 29, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005DM32L4

Genre: Fantasy, Christian
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: August 9, 2010 | Series: The Dark Sea Annals

Centuries have passed since the Silence, and the few remaining faithful cling to the ancient prophecies of the First One.  They wait for the Caller and watch the skies for the Sword in the Stars, even as the world they've always  known unravels around  them.

 Murderous Gorracks have secretly penetrated the kingdom's borders. Their attacks grow more brazen...more horrific, threatening to touch off a war on a scale  that hasn't been seen in seven ages.

   In  the capital city of Anglinore, noble King Aravel ponders  the advice of  this twin brother Morlan:  declare all out war on the Gorrack nation.  While Anglinore's High Shepherd, the wise Sebastian Grenlaff urges caution and listens to troubling voices on the wind.

   Queen Mariel, due to deliver a child any day, suspects the unthinkable about her husband's brother Morlan.  She sets off alone to Morlan's castle in Dunharrow, hoping against hope that she can keep old wounds from erupting in war.

    Alastair Coldharrow,  tortured by an addiction to the outlawed Witchdrale and haunted by a violent past, wagers his life on the hope that the foretold Halfainin, the Pathwalker, would come.  When at  last, the Sword appears in the Stars, Alastair begins a fruitless search for the Halfainin that leaves him disillusioned, broken, and lost.  Used to caring only for himself, Alastair will enter a maelstrom of conflict as loyalties are tested, dark schemes are hatched, and  the many realms of Myriad brace  themselves for war.

   Will Alastair realize what he has before its too late...for everyone?

Review:
This is a wonderfully entertaining allegory (like Narnia) of the story of Good versus Evil; worshipers of the First One versus worshipers of  a Dark Lord. The story includes prophesies leading men to seek for a deliverer who will defeat the evil one. And what would such an epic tale be without a troubled man seeking redemption?

Alastair is more than a soldier – he is a top skilled assassin. Alastair used to lead troops  eliminating whole villages and towns under the orders of dark Morlan.  Morlan falls deeper and deeper into the hands of darkness as he craves power to become king and take over all the things his twin brother has, especially the throne and the woman Morlan loved before she married King Aravel.

One day on a vicious raid Alastair killed a man who used to be another warrior like him. Even as the man lay dying his wife looked at Alastair and offered to forgive by accepting the words and love of the First One.  Alastair spares the life of the woman and child although he cuts the book in two. Later he finds her and accepts the mended book.  He leaves the ranks of Morlan’s army and goes into hiding while he searches for signs of the Halfainin who the book proclaims will destroy the evil leader and bring peace. As Alastair struggles to overcome his alcoholic addiction he believes that the Halfainin will be the only one who can bring redemption from his past misdeeds.

Alastair believes he is ‘the caller,’ the one to find the Halfainin. This story starts when Alastair sees the sign of the coming of the Halfainin and he follows the sword to seek the deliverer. He tests young people to try to find the one with the right qualities.  He is disappointed in his search but before he can return home he rescues a young woman who thrusts her baby into his hands. Alastair slays most of her pursuers who appear to be Gorrack troops but turn out to be warriors in disguise.

Alastair seeks help from a friend, Abbagael, to take care of the child. She has had a crush on Alastair for a long time although he doesn’t feel worthy of her regard. Their travels bring them to magical places and friends. They also are led to battle and to service under the rightful King Aravel.  Alastair goes by an assumed name as he is an infamous criminal with a price on his head.

Morlan has become impatient waiting for his brother to fail so he contrives a way to instigate war. Eventually he plans to wear down King Avarel until he can be overtaken by the army that Morlan is hiding. Neither King Aravel, his Queen or the other leaders suspect that Morlan has been behind so much evil.

Alastair has facts to share with the King and the allied leaders. Alastair has gained fame and favor for his wise war strategies and his bravery, but what will happen if he reveals his past to Abbagael and the King’s leaders?

I liked Alastair’s beleaguered character right from the beginning of the story. The author’s storytelling pulled me right into the magical tale and I didn’t want to put this down. I was anxious to discover who the Halfainin would be, how romance would develop for Alastair and Abbagael and  see when and how Morlan would be exposed.  I really enjoyed the tidbits of wisdom or folklore that begin each chapter.  The story is full of action and there is humor, excitement, fear, sadness, greed and love---oh so many human emotions.  The story concludes with some victories but clearly treachery and more conflict are to come.  If you enjoy magical tales of good versus evil forces I highly recommend this book for great entertainment.

Examples of wisdom shared at the Chapter headings:

Chapter 25 The Bone Chapel:
     When one believes that by controlling the deaths of others he will gain control of his own life, he has left the path of reason. Location 2702

Chapter 30 Stormy Seas:
     Standing on shore and staring at the water won’t get you to the other side of the sea. Location 3310.

I received this from NetGalley for review.;