jbronderbookreviews

One of the Few by Jason Ladd

Unsatisfied with his secular worldview Jason B. Ladd shares the struggles he faced during his search for truth and a reasonable defense of the Christian faith.

His mission began with a realization: though ready to defend his country, he was unprepared for his most important missions as a husband and father. Drawing from his military experience, Ladd warns seekers about spiritual apathy and teaches Christians tactics for withstanding spiritual attacks.

Birthed from a legacy of service, One of the Few speaks from the spirit of a man reborn—with the soul of a Marine, the mind of a fighter, the heart of a father, and a commitment to the Son. Join him as he uses fighter pilot fundamentals to embark on the greatest mission of all: the pursuit of truth.

My Review

5 stars

Jason Ladd is a Marine fighter pilot that didn’t really thing much beyond what his plans were for the moment. But after a simple question, he started thinking about God then researching many religions and thoughts on God. One of the Few is his journey in life and his spiritual journey with God and Christianity.

This is an amazing book. There is so much just to Jason and his life. I commend him for being a Marine and thank him for his service. But I also want to thank him for the research and time he put into God and Christianity. Reading about the different things he goes through in life just help to reinforce the words of God.

The chapters are short, start with conflicting quotes, then go on to the story. They are quick to read but they involve so much more than just what happened. There is a lot to think about both with what happened to Jason and how you can use it in your own life.

I admit that I am not fond of preachy books or people. I was a touch hesitant when I started reading One of the Few because I was afraid that it would be a whole book trying to force me into religion. Yes, I’m one of those people that when I’m force or pushed into something I will fight back until I have made up my own mind. This book is no way preachy and has a lot of research and information in it.

If you are looking for a great story, lots of research and information and an objective approach to Christianity you need to read this book. There is a lot of information in it that I will make sure to start using in my own life.

To purchase One of the Few make sure to visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Jason Ladd’s website.

I was lucky enough to be given a copy of One of the Few by Jason Ladd in exchange for an honest review.

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The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick

(Excerpt from Goodreads) In this poignant and sparkling debut, a lovable widower embarks on a life-changing adventure

Sixty-nine-year-old Arthur Pepper lives a simple life. He gets out of bed at precisely 7:30 a.m., just as he did when his wife, Miriam, was alive. He dresses in the same gray slacks and mustard sweater vest, waters his fern, Frederica, and heads out to his garden.

But on the one-year anniversary of Miriam’s death, something changes. Sorting through Miriam’s possessions, Arthur finds an exquisite gold charm bracelet he’s never seen before. What follows is a surprising and unforgettable odyssey that takes Arthur from London to Paris and as far as India in an epic quest to find out the truth about his wife’s secret life before they met–a journey that leads him to find hope, healing and self-discovery in the most unexpected places.

Featuring an unforgettable cast of characters with big hearts and irresistible flaws, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper is a curiously charming debut and a joyous celebration of life’s infinite possibilities.

My Reviews

5 stars

On the one year anniversary of the death of his wife Miriam, Arthur discovers a charm bracelet that he knew nothing about. He did give her one charm on it but he decides to find out more about Miriam and her pre-marriage life. This starts he travels from London to India where he met her.

I know that is a simplified summary of this book but don’t let that confuse you. He lived a simple life, almost being a hermit after Miriam’s. His son lives in Australia and he doesn’t get to spend much time with his daughter. The only contact he has is neighbors that check in on him. But when he decides to find out more about the charm bracelet he has so many adventures and meets so many people.

This is such a wonderful story. Arthur gets out and does so many things, he makes memories along with remembering things that he has forgotten over the years. I got sucked into this story because I wanted more for Arthur than just his hermit life. Plus picturing Arthur in those blue harem pants was a great image.

This is one book that I recommend everyone read. It’s not an easy story especially when you think of all the people around the world in Arthur’s spot and never being able to get out of it. This will warm your heart and make you fall for Arthur.

To purchase The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper make sure to visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads and Phaedra Patrick’s website.

I received The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Killer Deal (Emma Skold – 3) by Sofie Sarenbrant

(Excerpt from Goodreads) The morning after an open-house showing in a posh Stockholm suburb, a father is found dead by his six-year-old daughter Astrid. There are no signs of a break-in, and the murder weapon is one of the family’s own kitchen knives. The only hint that someone from the outside might be involved is that Astrid claims a strange man stroked her cheek during the night.

Police Inspector Emma Sköld takes up the case. She suspects that the man’s wife could be the culprit, but when more murders occur tied to open-house showings, her theory is turned on its head. What’s the truth behind the events in the ostensibly idyllic and prosperous residential area? And what is the connection between the victims?

My Review

4 stars

Cornelia and Hans have been married for several years and Cornelia has had enough of the physical and mental abuse. She is getting a divorce and plans on selling the house. But after the first showing, the next morning six-year-old Astrid finds her father, Hans, dead. Emma Skold is called in to investigate.

Emma thinks Cornelia killed Hans since the weapon is a knife from the house and there is no evidence of someone else in the house except Astrid saying a strange man touched her at night. But then more deaths start happening at open homes. Clearly there is a lot more happening than Emma initially though. But she also has her hands full with being pregnant and her own relationship issues.

This was an interesting story. I have not read other books in this series so I don’t have anything to compare to. The mystery was good and I was kept guessing until the end. I will admit that Emma’s relationship issues did draw away from the book and I have to say that a lot of her decisions really had me questioning her.

Over all this was not a bad book. I would be curious to see what happened in the first two books but it looks like I will have to wait until they are translated into English.

To purchase Killer Deal make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Goodreads.

I received Killer Deal for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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