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Saturday, February 23, 2013

Book Review of Serpent of Moses by Don Hoesel








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From the Back Cover


Moses built and lifted up the brass serpent,
healing the afflicted Israelites of snakebites.

King Hezekiah called the serpent Nehushtan. Long thought destroyed, it's been buried for millennia, secreted under the region's shifting sands.

Now the Israeli government wants it back and they will stop at nothing to get their hands on it. Yet they're not the only ones who covet the Nehushtan.

Archaeologist Jack Hawthorne travels to Libya intent on recovering the sacred object, but one does not cross the Mossad and expect to walk away without a fight. Jack and his friends must find the priceless "snake of brass upon a pole" before those who are also hunting it find them...and silence them forever.


About the Author


Don Hoesel, the acclaimed author of Elisha's Bones, Hunter's Moon, and The Alarmists, lives in Spring Hill, Tennessee, with his wife and two children. Don holds a bachelor's degree in mass communication from Taylor University. When not writing novels, he spends his days working in the communications department of a large company.




My review:
This was a really good read. Some have suggested this book is like an Indiana Jones type of adventure.

Jack Hawthorne is the main character in Serpent of Moses. The book starts with Jack in a cave in Libya being chased by men who want the staff Jack has. The book continues with mystery, chasing and searching for Jack who is missing.



It is an interesting book about archaeology, the Bible, the Middle East, Milan, history, friendship, mystery, God, death, suspense danger and the brass staff called the Nehushtan. The Nehushtan is a sacred object in the form of a snake of brass upon a pole. Moses made it to heal people of snake bites from a plague of snakes God sent them. It is said to have been broken into pieces by King Hezekiah. The Israelis has hired Imolene to get the staff back and return it to them.



Jack has disappeared and Espy and her brother go to the Middle East to and Europe search for him. His friend Duckey also joins in the search.

 

Some Characters:

Dr. Jack Hawthorne- an archaeologist in search of the Nehushtan.

Imolene -an Egyptian paid by the Israelis to get the staff..

Dr. Esperanza (Espy) Habilla-girlfriend of Jack, she is from Venezuela and a foreign language expert at the University of Venezuela.

Romero Habilla- brother of Esperanza; an antiquities dealer.

Amadou Boufayed- a Libyan

Martin Templeton- an Englishman also after the staff and Jack.

Milo Sturdivant- a museum curator who hired Jack to bring him the staff.

Jim Duckett- a friend of Jack, a former CIA agent and a professor. Goes by the name of Duckey for his friends.

Stephanie- wife of Jim Duckett.

Marwen Saidani- a Tunisian.

Tom Fitzpatrick- CIA Unit Chief Agent and friend of Jim Duckett.

Some Places:

Milan

Libya

London

Caracas

Tripoli

Tunisia

Turkey

Al Bayda (Africa)
 


This is my first read by Don Hoesel and the second book in the Jack Hawthorne series, but this book can be read without reading the first one. There is violence but no sex or bad language.
I received a complimentary copy of Serpent of Moses by Don Hoesel to read and review from Bethany House. The opinions are my own.
I will give it a 5 star because of the interest it had for me.





Friday, February 15, 2013

Book Review of Larkspur Road by Jill Gregory



Book Review of Larkspur Road by Jill Gregory.
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My review:



This is a fast and easy romance book to read. I liked the characters and especially Aunt Winny and the two kids, Grady and Britt. Adding Samson, the playful puppy, was a great idea.


The book had many happenings that flow together. A surprise for me at the end of the book.


There is one sex scene and more references to Mia and Travis' time together. Some violence and tense moments and at least one scene that called for tissues (for me). Language was fine. The author found other ways to describe other than using bad language.


Mia is not sure she wants to pick up where she left off years ago when she and Travis were a couple in high school after Travis has moved back to Lonesome way. Both of the main characters have had bad marriages and are now taking care of troubled kids. Mia is the aunt of Britt and Travis is the father of his adopted step-son. Both the kids are learning responsibilities.


This book is dated in the current time frame. Based in a small town where people know each other which can be good and bad. Local hangouts such as A Bun in the Oven Bakery. Some words that help describe the book are small town, family, quilts, love, hate, fear and understanding.

I am going to give this a 4 star.


I look forward to reading other books by Jill Gregory, a New York Times bestselling author. You can find her on Facebook; Twitter (https://twitter.com/Jill_Gregory; email at JillyGreg@aol.com; her site www.jillgregory.net


Leona Olson



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Book Description.


May 1, 2012 Lonesome Way





In this touching new novel by New York Times best selling author Jill Gregory, a woman comes face to face with a love from her past and finds the chance to heal…
Fifth grade teacher Mia Quinn expected a tranquil summer in her hometown of Lonesome Way, Montana, sewing for her quilting group’s exhibition fundraiser and caring for her rescued dog, Samson. But all her plans for a relaxing break are thrown out the window when Travis Tanner—the boy who broke her heart in high school—returns to town with his ten year old adopted step-son.
A former FBI agent, the boy Mia once knew is now well over six feet of male muscle—and he still has the power to make Mia lose her train of thought with just a glance. When Travis asks her to tutor his troubled son, Mia quickly discovers that the sparks between them are hotter than ever. As danger comes to Lonesome Way and family secrets come to light, will Travis and Mia realize that love can be even better the second time around?