Steven James

Dear Readers,

What to do with my time when I have a 5 day stretch and little to do?  Read of course, and what made that even more exciting is I had a new Steven James book to read.  EveryCrooked Path is part of the Bowers Files. Following Opening Moves we learn more and more of Patrick’s back story.  I also thought was a great way to end an old year and start a new year, loads of murder and mayhem. 

Patrick is working for the FBI in New York, his relationship with Christie and Tessa has moved forward, and he is gaining a reputation as a go to person in cases that make no sense to others.  When a man commits suicide in front of Patrick, he knows there is more to the story than a simple breaking and entering crime.  As Patrick digs deeper into the case he starts finding links between his case and a series of missing children.  What he uncovers will not only put him in danger, but also those he loves. 

The Bower Files series has been some of my favorite books.  Each one is a bit different, but they all have a thread of questions running through them as Patrick wrestles with some moral questions.  This one he struggles with issues of God’s existence.  "If there is a loving God…"  But that is not all, he also wrestles with demon possession and who is to blame for our own mistakes.  There are the other topics that pop up throughout all of the books and it is one of my favorite threads.  It gives Patrick a more 3 dimensional feel because Patrick doesn’t always get an answer he likes.  I actually find that sometimes I am telling Patrick what I think on that issue or he makes a point that  I hadn’t thought of.

I recommend all the Patrick Bower books for those who are looking for a intriguing read but are not afraid of a little bit of blood and gore.  Okay maybe more than a little, but because of the richness of the "extras" that are including, this series of books is just plain fun to read.  

Happy Reading, 

Steven James

Dear Readers,

Steven James burst on to the Christian fiction market a few short years ago with the Pawn.  He wrote a thriller with a character who wrestled with moral issues because of the job he held.  Patrick Bower rapidly became a favorite of many readers and we all eagerly waited for the next release, racing each other to get a copy so we could read it and then talk about all that was included in the book.

I sadly report that the Patrick Bower series has come to a conclusion with Checkmate.  But that didn’t make me wait at all to read it, I wanted to find out how it was all going to conclude.  I was not disappointed either.  Once again Steven gives us a book that asks the question over and over – ‘How could it be worse?’  The story lines of Steven’s books always seem to be things of nightmares.  People are left in caves and tunnels.  Bad guys hide under cars so they can slash your Achilles tendon so you can’t run away.  People get snakes put in their shirts, which if you don’t sit still will bite you and kill you.  AHH! All of those things still haunt my dreams after reading about them.

Patrick is not the intended target of the bombing at a secret FBI facility, but he is the one the bombing is for, the bomber is trying to get Patrick's attention.  A criminal from Patrick’s past resurfaces and has put a story into action and Patrick must follow the story to figure out what is happening and why.   

That is the story in a nutshell, but it is so much more.  Of course Tessa and Lien-hua are back, Patrick’s nemesis Margaret has also returned to remind Patrick that he does need to follow some rules, and a whole cast of favorites along with new characters fill the pages once again with thought provoking clues but also discussion on a variety of topics.   I have to admit that is what I love the most about these books.  The mysteries, which are great, almost become secondary to the discussion the characters end up having.  Like when Patrick and his partner Ralph have a talk about how do you balance work and family life.  That is something we all can relate to and to put that in a book just makes those characters come to life. 

I will miss Patrick, but I have read that there is a possibility that we will hear from Patrick again and Steven asked the question on his Facebook page asking if we would be interested in a book with Tessa as the lead character.  I said “Yes, please,”  and am looking forward to where that series would lead.

Happy Reading,

Steven James

Dear Readers,

Steven James ran himself to the top of my favorite authors with the Patrick Bower series.  The books gave me chills and were so interesting they were hard to put down.  Steven’s Jevin Banks series made me think a bit about what was being written.  It used mind control, magic and frightening scientific realities.  So I was very interested in reading his first book in his new teen series.  Blur is definitely written for the teen reader even though Steven writes about the veil between reality and imagination and how that veil can blur or disappear altogether sometimes.

Daniel is the star quarterback for his high school team.  The last thing he thought he would have to deal with is death, but he finds himself at a funeral for one of his schoolmates.  Just before the funeral starts, Emily sits up in her casket and asked Daniel to find her glasses.   She grabs his arm and leaves a mark.  The only problem is no one else sees this just Daniel and he is pretty sure he is going insane.

Daniel decides that he needs to figure out if Emily’s death was actually an accident or if someone murdered her.   But how do you explain to your father or friends that you “see dead people.”  Not only do you see them, but they talk to you also.

With the main character being in High School, you will know that this book is not written for adults and it does have issues that are unique to teens.  How do you confront someone who is in authority of you? 

I enjoyed the mystery of it all and will recommend it to other readers, but especially to teens looking for a good read.

 

Happy Reading,

 

 

Steven James

Dear Readers,

This past 4^th of July weekend I was looking forward to lots of quiet time.  My family is training for a bike ride across Iowa in a few weeks and I was going to have several hours all to myself.  So imagine my happiness when The King by Steven James arrived that week.  I read it in two days, mostly because it is fast paced and you really are not going to want to lay it down until you know what happens to all the bad guys.

Once again Steven takes us to the very dark side of human nature.  To titles his books “thrillers” does seem quite right.  There should be a  genre titled “won’t sleep until the back guys are dead or in prison.”  I can think of a couple authors I would put in that genre, but definitely Steven’s Patrick Bowers series. 

Basque is back and if that statement makes no sense, you need to start with the Pawn and make your way to The King.  It is worth the trip.  If you are not a fan of thrillers this is definitely not the series for you. 

Patrick is in a race to save his family and the country once again.  When the two women he loves more than anything in the world are threatened by an old enemy, Patrick makes it his sole job to track Basque down and to make sure that he can hurt no one ever again.

Fast paced, a page turner and one that keep you wondering how it could get any worse to the very end, this is Steven James at his best and most enjoyable.

Happy Reading.

Steven James

Dear Readers,

2012 should go down as a banner year.  We got 2 books from Steven James.  First was the prequel to the Patrick Bowers series “Opening Moves.”   Secondly is his new series “Jevin Banks Novels,” with Placebo being the first one.

Jevin Banks is trying to recover from the murder/suicide of his wife and twin boys.   He is trying to get on with his life, trying to move on, but he is struggling.   He isn’t sure how to put it behind him and move on as his friend Xavier suggests.   Jevin wonders how you move on from something that changes your life in ways you never planned on.

Jevin works for the Entertainment Films Network doing exposes’ exposing corruption and greed.   By request of the Network Jevin is going to branch out and do more of the investigative reporting.  So he is going to take on Lawson Research Center and Dr. William Tanbyrn.   The good doctor claims to have solid research in mind to mind communication. 

That gives you a bit of a feel for the book.  If you are looking for the next Patrick Bowers series this is not it.  Don’t get me wrong it is still very good, but it just is not as creepy as Patrick’s series.  There are some really good discussions again that Steven is getting to be known for.  There are wonderful quirky characters; I think Xavier is one of my favorite characters that Steven has written.   There is nothing like a good discussion on conspiracy theories.   But the gore and just plain darkness of the other series are not present here.  

I really would and am having a hard time putting my finger on what to call this book.  It isn’t really a straight mystery, it is not a thriller, it is not really paranormal and yet it has elements of them all.  Maybe what I am trying to say is, if you liked Steven’s other books for the mystery and puzzle of it, this is the perfect book for you.  If you just like a good mystery then this is also a good book.  

Happy Reading

Steven James

Dear Readers,

Opening Moves by Steven James should come with a warning on it.  It may cause sleeplessness and/or nightmares.   It also should contain the warning that if you have a busy weekend coming up don’t start the book as it may cause you to miss something important, like work, a business meeting or breathing.

Written as the prequel to the Patrick Bowers series, Opening Moves joins Patrick as he starts his career in Milwaukee.   He is a detective and a new case has come to him.  Someone is honoring Jeffery Dahmer.  The problem is the person who did the crime claims he only did it because his wife was kidnapped and the real criminal threatened to kill her.  Is he telling the truth?  What about these other crimes that are surfacing?  Are they the same person or are there two killers on the loose with similar MO’s?

Ok that is enough about the storyline as I don’t want to spoil anything for any of you.  I so loved this book.  It was right in Steven’s pocket of writing.  It is the creepy crime scene with a criminal that is evil beyond belief.  There are times when I read books like this that I wonder if someone could actually do this to a fellow human, then I read the evidence from actual criminals…  That is the stuff of nightmares. 

I have always enjoyed the discussions that Steven writes into his books.  Not only does he write a good crime story, he has his characters wrestling larger moral dilemmas.  One of those discussions in the book has generated lots of discussion here at the store.  What has been interesting is that as more and more fellow employees finish the book they have join the discussion also.  That makes for a good book.

Happy Reading.

Steven James

Dear Readers.

It is with a heavy heart that I report that the last Patrick Bower book has been released.  The Queen is the end of a wonderful series, at least for now.  I am hoping that the public outcry is so large that he will be forced to continue the series. 

The Patrick Bower series crashed onto the Christian fiction market with very little warning.  It kind of set the suspense/thriller genre on its ear.  It also turned non-fiction readers into fiction readers.  It filled a niche that I had so been looking for in my store. 

The Queen is a bit different than the other 4 in the series.  Where they had more creep factor, this one reads closer to a Tom Clancy than a Don Koontz.  This is not a bad thing and I don't write it to talk you out of reading it, but it is true.  Of course you want to read this one to find out what happens to our favorite character, Raven.

Patrick is called to Wisconsin for a missing ex Navy man.  The man's wife and daughter are found killed and he is no where to be found.  The local police force assumes that he is guilty of the crime and is now on the run.  The problem with that theory is that the evidence doesn't add up. 

Patrick needs to figure out where the clues are leading him, while worring about Basque who seems to have followed him to Wisconsin.  Will we finally get to meet Basque?  I am not telling.

I hate to see Patrick go, he quickly became a favorite character. He is willing to ask the tough questions and he is willing to hear answers he wasn't always sure he wanted to know.  He didn't take something as truth just because he was told it, but yet he did trust those he loved.  He is just one of those guys that we all wished we had on our side.   Like I said earlier, I will just have to wait and see if Steven changes his mind and adds more books to this series, but in the mean time I will have to be content talking about this series and getting new converts to fiction.

Happy Reading

Steven James

Dear Readers,

The much awaited release of The Bishop is finally here. The book is in our store as we speak. I know I have had several people asking me about the release of it and actually had a few special order for it. I know personally it was hard to wait, but it is so nice to get a good book to read in the dog days of summer.

Ok how to review a thriller/mystery without giving anythng away. Umm... let me see. Read this book. How's that. :-) I can easily say if you like the first three you will like this one. Patrick, Tessa and two different love interests for Patrick are back. To make the story line even more interesting a old nemesis is back, not only to darken to the waters of the murders that are happening, but to tease Patrick with hints to the murders he may or may not have commiteed. To stir the waters even more Tessa's birth father in now in the picture and not everything he says seems to be true. He is a strange figure to add to the mix, especially if you are not sure who you can trust or not trust.

Steven is a master at fake out and misdirection with his clues and this story is no different. I can hardly wait for The Queen to come out, but I am sorry to say that will be next year at the earliest. Sorry. In the mean time enjoy this one.

Happy Reading

Steven James

Dear Readers,

I wanted to let you know that the Bishop is in the store.  #4 in Patrick Bowers series.  It is a must read for anyone who has read the others.  My review of it is coming soon. 

Have a great weekend

and Happy Reading

Chris

Steven James

Dear Readers,

I am officially a fan of Steven James. I joined his Facebook page - Fans of Steven James- last week, but I am also a huge fan of his books. I have waited so patiently for his third book in the Patrick Bowers series. I didn't bug anyone for an advanced copy, I didn't call publishing ... ok that isn't true, but now you all can read The Knight.

I always worry when authors take on a series, eventually, sooner or later, they follow a formula and I can figure out the mystery by the other books he/she has written. Which in turns means I don't enjoy them as much as the early few.

I am very happy to report that that is not true in this case. I started reading it on a Friday and finally came up for air on Sunday night. I really didn't want to put it down and when I had to I found myself going right back to it at the first possible chance I could.

Patrick is once again on the trail of a serial killer, this time in Denver. He has been asked in by the local police department. He isn't sure how to fit this all into his schedule, as he needs to testify in Chicago at a retrial of a serial killer he helped put away years ago, he's leaving for Washington DC in a couple weeks to teach a class for the summer, and he needs to spend time with Tessa.

When the trial is just getting started, a family member of one of the victims tries to kill the defendant. Patrick becomes an accidental hero when he saves the killer's life, someone he truly hates. The chaos that follows the shooting sets off a chain of events that has Patrick on the trail of a killer that is leading them on a merry chase.

Fast-paced, heart stopping and a hard to lay down read, this is a book that anyone who loves mystery/psychological thrillers will totally love. I kept thinking, I shouldn't read this so fast I need to savor it and enjoy it, but I couldn't, I had to know.

I know that some people are saying that these books don't belong in a christian bookstore. They are too violent, graphic and don't have any overt christian themes. I just want to say, yes, but... They are not for everyone. They don't have the plan of salvation. Patrick does wrestle with issues that we may not all struggle with, but in some small ways do happen to us. He also encounters many Christians during his many travels. They are all giving him a different perspective on Christians, one of the most intriguing is the Christian serial killer. Can anyone be saved from their sins?

For those wondering, yes Tessa is back in all her gothic glory. I will admit, she is probably my favorite character. She adds so much to the storyline and Patrick's character. It makes him so much more believable and endearing.

If you haven't yet read the Pawn or the Rook, do that first, then you can indulge with the Knight.

The Bishop - summer 2010. (do I sound like a groupie yet?)

Happy Reading
Chris

P.S. A fellow employee wrote on his blog about this book also. First let me warn you he does give away a couple aspects of the story. Secondly, he doesn't normally read fiction, Theology is more his speed. So it is very interesting to read his perspective on it. bbhchurchconnection.blogspot.com

Steven James

Dear Readers,

I finished the Knight last night. All I can say is when it comes out read it. It wasn't as creepy as the Pawn, but it was a great mystery. I did have one part figured out, but because I thought I figured out the murderer, I missed a couple of clues that Steven put in the book for us to find. But it is a great read and I can hardly wait for the next one, summer of 2010. :-)

Have a great week and I will post a review of Knight when it gets closer to the release date.

Happy Reading

Steven James

Dear Readers,

Sometimes an author starts with a fabulous first book and it makes me worry about what his second book is going to be like. Thankfully Steven James follows up his first with a very good book. The Rook does live up to the hype. It is action packed, interesting and very intriguing.
Patrick is back and this time he is helping in San Diego, where they have had a rash of fires. No one seems to be able to figure out who is starting them or why. The arsonist isn't following any of the regular patterns. He doesn't seem to do it for the excitement of watching the fire or the fire dept. He doesn't do it to get rid of an eye sore. None of it makes any sense and nothing is as it seems.

Tessa is along and the father/daughter relationship is being strained. Patrick wants to protect her and she wants to fly. I must say this storyline adds a whole different dynamic to the book. It really does give Patrick a human side. He isn't just a guy trying to do his job, recovering from losing his wife, while falling in love.

I did make one mistake. I assumed a couple of things and totally missed the clues. So if you haven't read it yet, pay attention and I am sure you can figure it all out before the end. :-) Good luck.

Was it neccessary to make this book almost 500 pages long? Yes. I will admit a couple times in the middle I wished he had hurried it along a bit, but when I got to the end I wished The Knight was started. (coming 2009) I know that for those who love a action/adventure/mystery this is a great summer read. It was not one that I wanted to put down much and when I got a chance to read it, I was involved right away. It was plain and simply a good novel.

If you didn't like Patrick at the end of The Pawn, this book will make you like him. He is just a guy trying to do his job while raising a teenage daughter that he didn't even know until a couple of years ago. He is very good at what he does, but he is trying to balance life and work as a single parent. I know there are many of us trying to do the same thing and sometimes it is nice to hear that others struggle with that too.

If you have a week vacation coming up soon, this is the book for that week. Of course you will need another one along, because you will finish this in a couple days. :-)

Happy Reading
Chris

FYI

Just a couple of things I wanted to let you know. The Rook by Steven James is on the shelves. It is the sequel to The Pawn, which if you haven't read, do that first. I haven't gotten a chance to read it myself, but I am only hearing good things from those who have. I do know that it is about 500 pages long. Which is very good, because The Pawn wasn't long enough.

Second Unbridled Dreams by Stephanie Whitson is now on our shelves. It has arrived a month early, which is always nice. You can check out my review of this in an earlier blog.

Both of these books will make great summer reads. I know I am looking forward to The Rook. If you need any help getting these book, feel free to contact me here at the store.

Happy Reading
Chris