Captured By Grace Itp by David Jeremiah (Goodreads Author)

5 out of 5 stars  *****

John Newton's story encapsulates the gift of grace once he sees the world through the eyes of Jesus Christ. He writes the hymn, Amazing Grace. Then the author explains the depravity of mankind making everyone capable of, both, righteousness and evil. David Jeremiah refers to the Apostle Paul to cite that righteousness exists living in Jesus Christ. Paul also points out that man's works mean nothing without faith. Grace accepted by faith in Jesus justifies one for eternal life with God.

Analysis of the Prodigal Son and some personal experiences are the next platforms for Captured by Grace: No One Is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God. It is never too late to turn back to the One who loves us, regardless, and who promises to shed His grace on all; but He offers salvation to those who learn the lessons from His word and follow Jesus Christ. 

Taking God for granted perpetuates the drift away from Him. Crisis is often the impetus that reorients lost souls to God's plan. Our faith is tested with temptation, evil's shrewd suggestion for us to disobey God. Grace saves us through our faith and actions demonstrate this by our obedience to God's will.

Grace enlightens the world. The ultimate gift from God is His grace allowing Christ's victory over death in his resurrection. We know there is life after death as Christ fulfills that prophecy. This makes forbearance, the longsuffering the bible mentions, tolerable with an ever present joy, regardless of circumstance. Thankfulness for everything God does is the mark of a Christian captured by grace.

Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us by Donald Trump Jr.

4 out 5 stars  ****

Donald Trump, Jr., remembers growing up in a divorced family that has him with his mother in Czechoslovakia and in the United States with his famous father. He learns from his father's construction sites and meets the people who operate machinery, build skylines and country clubs around the world. His father takes young Donald everywhere with him as his father did with him.

This book conveys respect for Conservative values with strong anti-Socialist views. The author introduces this fact before the narrator speaks about the barrage of attacks his father, Donald Trump, Sr., receives from Democrats and the mainstream media (MSM). Don, Jr., also refers to several public and shameful incidents he and his family experience since his father became President of the United States (POTUS).

The title, Triggered, explains the quick negative reactions so many Trump haters feel obliged to share. Any success for America is as if it did not happen, at all, because it does not feed the loathing spirit clinging to the lost. Don, Jr., writes this book because it is not in the nature of Trumps to flee when there is a fight. Triggered is a nice review of the political scene for the last three to four years. Donald Trump, Jr., relates these years from his unique perspective making his book worth the endeavor.

Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey (Goodreads Author), Caitlin Kelly (Goodreads Author) (Narrator)

3 out of 5 stars  ***

Strange things taking place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, or thereabouts. A young girl hears rumors of young boys missing for a few days then returning a changed person. Her home life is strained by an alcoholic father who can go off at any moment causing her, her sister, and her mother to feel more uncomfortable than loved. Once, she feels protected by him when she meets the older boy known as "Goblin." This ex high school football jock gets this nickname after an automobile accident leaves him with severe head injuries that cause him to behave like some demon possessed creature who eats fingers and brutalizes animals. Her father warns her and her sister to never go over to this boys house. Strange, inappropriate sexual parties start up involving neighbors.  This depresses the children. The kids start to investigate the strange abductions of young boys on their own.

This book is told through the eyes of an adolescent girl, 12 going on 13. It has the feel of a Young Adult Horror story based on real occurrences. The character development is good and the story line suspenseful. This reader has a different ending in mind once it ends but that speaks to the author's ability to be mysterious with the obvious. This bleak tale does not have closure in its finale but the beginning of new stories to flesh out.

Pont Neuf by Max Byrd, Natasha Soudek (Narrator)

4 out of 5 stars  ****

Historical Fiction about WW II and a young female war correspondent, Annabella March, Annie, who studies the famous Martha Gelhorn while in France, 1944. Annie becomes a great photographer preferring pictures to words. She meets two Harvard bred officers, one, a truly courageous soldier and the other, an officer who does not see the front line action his Harvard buddy does. It is Gelhorn's influence and notoriety that permits Annie access to these officers and planners of war tactics. She discovers the politics and ego-driven decisions in wartime that unnecessarily result in the deaths of so many men. Her association with Martha also grants her an insult from Martha's estranged husband, Earnest Hemmingway. Annie desires to share herself with the courageous soldier but the timing is rotten. Germany is about to launch the Battle of the Bulge and all allied troops must direct their attention to this famous, historical event. Pont Neuf , French for New Bridge, crosses the Seine River in Paris. This is the location of the last scene for this story. What precedes this scene is the heroic victory of the allies over their enemy and the terrible cost it exacts on Annie's soldier. A decision to follow orders or follow one's heart creates the suspenseful tension in the epilogue leaving listeners with a tearful reminder that war destroys the conquered and devastates victors. It affects all who participate.

Explore the Bible: Numbers; Deuteronomy by Mike Livingstone (Editor)

5 out of 5 stars  *****

The Israelites, led by Moses, head toward the Promised Land. Numbers tells of the great trials and tribulations of a saved and consecrated people, at Mt Sinai; who, two generations, wander in the desert for 40 years because the first rebelled against Moses and God so often. The second generation prepares for war having their faith in the One true God and the Ark of the Covenant to protect them. Moses passes away before the tribe enters the Promised Land but he makes Joshua Judge and leader. Deuteronomy tells of the teachings by Moses to the second generation who must learn the Israelite history so that they know Abraham, whom God makes a Covenant, is their ancestral father and they are about to fulfill that covenant with their actions in the Holy Land. Moses stresses the need to follow the law of God, the Ten Commandments, and to obey God's will in their enormous endeavor or suffer being scattered throughout the world. The Israelites fail to obey and suffer the fate of this warning. The stories and messages from these two books are sources from which Jesus refers approximately 1600 years later. In Deuteronomy Peter identifies Jesus as the one prophesied to rise up in the future and lead his people like Moses. When Satan tempts Jesus in the desert, where he fasts for 40 days, Jesus refers to Deuteronomy with His immediate responses telling Satan that man does not live by bread alone (Deuteronomy 8:3), not to test God but have faith in Him (Deuteronomy 6:16) and to worship no one but God, alone (Deuteronomy 6:13 and 10:20). When a scholar of the law asks Jesus what is the greatest commandment, Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 6:5 which states that obedience follows supreme love of God. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is known as the "Shema" in Judaism, the most famous Old Testament passage. Explore the Bible: Numbers; Deuteronomy is a study that confirms prophesy that Jesus Christ is essential as the one perfect, obedient son of man and God worthy of sacrifice for mankind's sins. He did not come to this world to teach obedience of God's law; rather, to sacrifice His life out of the great love of God, our Father, so that people may follow Him and receive salvation through Him who knew no sin.  Faith saves through the grace of God.  Good works are a result of great love but not sufficient, alone, for salvation.

Ruffian: Burning From the Start (Kindle Edition) by Jane Schwartz

4 out of 5 stars  ****

A mare who wins every race in which she participates and sets records at every track, Ruffian is far and away the best filly to grace the sport of horse racing. All ten of her races are against other mares; so the stage is set for her to prove to the "Sport of Kings" enthusiasts that she can beat the best male stud, Foolish Pleasure, winner of the Kentucky Derby. The match race is set and the sport reaps the rewards of a packed stadium to view the spectacle. What the fans witness is one of the most remarkable competitions that leaves a lasting, unexpected memory in the history of such a demanding sport.

This story is so much more than a sporting event. It is the human experience of love many have for excellence, grace, and beauty regardless of species. In this way, Jane Schwartz touches the soul that spiritually connects people. Readers are right there with the characters, who are unique in their own right. This true story evokes the sublime with sudden tragedy that transports human sympathies to depths no one thought capable of feeling. It is peculiar that people's desire to pit these two magnificent animals against each other in this contest is for their own foolish pleasure.