Conspiracy in Kiev

Conspiracy in Kiev, marks Noel Hynd venture into Christian fiction. This fast-paced international espionage thriller will keep you guessing. Full of twists and turns, any Ludlum and Clancy fans will enjoy this first book of a Russian Trilogy. You can tell the author is knowledgeable of the ins and outs of Washington agencies and the book is well researched. In fact, some of the practices revealed will certainly make readers wary, especially in light of the recent headlines about Russian espionage in this country. From double-crosses to unexpected help from the enemy, this book won’t disappoint you.

There is a lot of violence in this action-packed story and a number of people die. However, the events aren’t that much different than newspaper headlines today. This only serves to make the book more realistic.

Although categorized as inspirational fiction, faith is very subtlety woven through the pages making it entertaining for all crowds. In fact, it could just as easily be categorized as just mystery fiction. The female lead character, Alex DaLuca, does grow stronger in her faith but it is not a main focus point. Occasionally, the story gets bogged down when the author goes into a lot of historical background to explain situations. However, it doesn’t occur often enough to warrant putting the book down.

A tight storyline with thrilling action sequences makes this a good read.

Kathy Stutzman
Public Relations Manager

The Devil's Rooming House

   Ok, first of all, I guess I read some rather morbid books at times! This book, authored by M. Williams Phelps, is a non-fiction book about Amy Archer-Gilligan, America's Deadliest Female Serial Killer.
   In running one of the U.S.'s first nursing homes from her own home, Amy was accused of murdering over 40 patients with arsenic. Between 1908 and 1916, sixty-six "inmates" as they were called, died in her care. She was only convicted of a few, including her second husband, within months of their marriage. The movie: Arsenic and Old Lace was written based on this period in history.
   Although the book was interesting, I still found myself just skimming pages instead of intently reading them. At times the book tended to drag with too much back story of other participants. But overall, if you are interested in this type of reading, it really was a fascinating story.

As Young as We Feel

As Young As We Feel by Melody Carlson

This is the first book of a new series: The Four Lindas. It is a compelling journey of four friends in their fifties brought back together at a 35 year class reunion during a crossroads in their lives. Coming from four very different lifestyles and facing different crises, they find they have something in common, a desire to reinvent their lives…together.

It’s easy to relate to the story line of friends losing touch with each other and reconnecting later. Many of us have gone through the same situation. It’s also a written reminder that we all need friends in our lives.

Although, it starts out a little slow, it does pick up speed with characters so realistic that the reader begins to identify with one or more of the Lindas. With the unique life challenges of the Boomer generation: marriages in trouble, widowhood, depression, relationships with estranged children, and taking care of parents with long-term care needs, there is something for any woman of Boomer age to identify with. At the same time, those of other ages will enjoy this book also as it explores reevaluating one’s life, of taking chances, and possibly choosing a new path.

As one reviewer wrote, “This is a book for and about women -- about their trials, their strengths and their friendships. It's a book you won't want to miss, especially if you're a Boomer woman.”

Kathy Stutzman
Public Relations Manager

The Falling away

The Falling Away by T.L. Hines

Run, do not walk away from this book! Captured by the back cover synopsis promising supernatural suspense, well-crafted characters, spiritual insights, and etc., I checked the book out. My mistake.

For the next 3 days I struggled through the book. Now for someone who generally finishes a book in one evening, this says volumes. The book was confusing. I have read a number of books in the supernatural suspense genre and this did not deliver. The book jumped around and the thread was hard to follow.

The allegory of a virus to describe how demonic activity infiltrates humankind was poorly developed. The scriptural references seemed misleading. In addition, the subject of cutting oneself to relieve anxiety seemed acceptable. Would I recommend it? No. Would I discourage people from recommending it? Yes.

Kathy Stutzman
Public Relations Manager

Madden 11 Xbox 360

Madden 11
This weekend I went over to my
friend's house to play the new and
anticipated “Madden 11” video game
on Xbox 360. I found this line of the
series to be quite similar to the other
Madden games, but at the same time
there were many more new features
that I would know of once I started
actually playing. The graphics on the
new Madden 11 are much improved
and also the kicking style of the game
is much different. For the kicking, one
has to now press the “A” button for
how much power and accuracy they
want. (Unlike previous Madden
games). Audible play calling is also
different on the new Madden 11, which
is one thing I did not like, but on the
upside I loved the new “gameflow”
option you can choose from if you
don't want to pick the play.
“Gameflow”, which applies to both
offense and defense, lets the computer
decide which play is best for you to
run rather than you scouting out what
play to choose on each possession. This
speeds the game up. I hope you
enjoyed my review of the new Madden
2011 video game. It is a great game to
buy if you are a football fanatic like
me! :)

by Viraj Gokhale

Any Minute

Any Minute by Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford

The story plot is similar to the Christmas Carol. The main character has too busy of a work life, forgetting family and being rude to people. Priorities are in the wrong order. She is in an accident and is taken to past, present, and future. In the end, she makes changes. Joyce Meyers is an excellent non-fiction writer. This is her second attempt at fiction. She still needs to hone her fiction writing skills. Too much of the book was spent building the background and too little spend after the main character comes back to life. It seemed like she realized she was getting close to her allowed # of pages or words and rushed through it. Although she teamed up with an accomplished writer, it fell flat.


Reviewed by

Kathy Stutzman
Public Relations Manager

The Savage

There is a savage in each of us. Innocent, pure, or not. We are capable of ________ (fill in the blank).
When one young boy, Blue Baker, is left confused and in pain, he taps into that very savage, creating an artistic reality where his savage alter ego is capable of the things this boy can only dream of. Blue, a gentle kid, is connected to the savage he's writing about and is able to face his bully and take out his anger through his writings. The Savage becomes so real to Blue, that he begins to question his existence.
Getting to the core of human emotion, David Almond isn't afraid to get a little dirty, "If anybody ever seen him he chased them and cort them and killed them and ate them and chucked their bones down an aynshent pit shaft. He was savage. He was truly wild." With wild tri-color illustrations of the savage with his empty eyes and animal movements, Dave Mckean makes Almond's story as real as Blue's Savage was to him.
Loved loved loved this quick read! Recommended! For Sure!

Reviewed by Erin Reifsnider
Young Adult Coordinator