2-Year Blogoversary Celebration: Day Six ~ Steven James!!

Welcome back, Steven, and thank you for celebrating Christian Bookshelf Reviews' 2-Year Blogoversary with us! What are your current projects?

Right now I'm working hard on finishing the first draft of Singularity the second book in my new series featuring illusionist and escape artist Jevin Banks. I have several projects on the horizon, but I'm doing my best to focus on just this one—something I don't tend to do very well.

What was the hardest part of writing your latest book?

The toughest challenge in crafting Placebo was researching quantum mechanics and something called quantum entanglement. Honestly, I still don't understand how it all works, but I had to pull off sounding like an expert when I wrote the book. Research can be fun, or it can wear me down. In this case, it just ended up bewildering me.

What books have influenced your life the most?

There's a novel I read a number of years ago entitled The Book of the Dun Cow by Walter Wangerin, Jr.
It really taught me how to write concisely. I also loved the book Christianity for Modern Pagans by Peter Kreeft.
It made me think about my faith in fresh ways and really impacted my philosophical understanding of the gospel.

I'm a huge fan of The Bowers Files. What inspired you to start the series and what can we expect in The King?

Originally, I wanted to write a detective novel but kept running into the same types of investigation—DNA research and profiling. I wanted something unique and eventually stumbled onto geo-spacial profiling and my FBI agent Patrick Bowers. The King is really a way of keeping promises from previous books, and it includes the climatic encounters of Patrick facing down two of his biggest nemeses—Basque and Valkyrie.

You also have a new series, The Jevin Banks Experience. Is Placebo different than your other thrillers? How many books do you have planned for the series?

We're planning for three books, and they do have a different feel than the Patrick Bowers crime novels. These are more high-concept thrillers than police procedurals. It's been fun to write stories with a slightly different flavor, and I think it's improving my work on the Bowers series by keeping things fresh.

What's your favorite party food?

Cheetos

Do you have a favorite birthday/party memory you'd like to share?

I'm not really one for celebrating my birthday (that's a story for another time). So nothing really pops to mind except a party my wife threw after I won a Christy Award for The Bishop.

What are your top three favorite songs?

My favorite songs tend to change every couple weeks.
Right now one of my favorites is Life Design by The Parlotones.

What's your favorite comfort food?

Mashed Potatoes

What is something the average reader wouldn't know about you?

I write standing up.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

Zephaniah 3:17

A few this-or-that questions:

Tea or Coffee? Coffee

Snowstorms or Thunderstorms? Thunderstorms

Facebook or Twitter? FB

Vanilla or Chocolate? Chocolate

Indoors or Outdoors? Outdoors

Early-Bird or Night-Owl? Depends on what I'm working on. I edit better in the mornings; I write first drafts better late at night.

Thank you so much for being here!!

~~

You can find Steven James online at: his website, AskTheAuthor.net, Twitter (@sjamesauthor), Facebook, Goodreads

Giveaway!

Enter to win a copy of Placebo! US only. Enter via the Rafflecopter below.

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Review: Placebo by Steven James

Placebo by Steven James

The Jevin Banks Experience: Book one

Revell / 2012

Find on: Amazon, Christianbook, Goodreads

About the book:

One man must uncover the truth--even when others will stop at nothing to keep it buried.

While investigating a controversial neurological research program, exposé filmmaker Jevin Banks is drawn into a far-reaching conspiracy involving one of the world's largest pharmaceutical firms. He seeks answers about the questionable mind-to-mind communication program--and answers to his own family tragedy.

Rooted in groundbreaking science, Placebo explores the far reaches of science, consciousness, and faith. This taut, intelligent, and emotionally gripping new thriller from master storyteller Steven James will keep you flipping pages late into the night.

My rating:

My thoughts:

I've read all of the Patrick Bowers' books to date (and enjoyed every one), so I was super excited to read Steven James' new book, Placebo, which is the beginning to a new series! I really liked how this book wasn't as gruesome as the Patrick Bowers' books (at least in my opinion), but was still suspenseful (especially towards the end).

Placebo was different from what I was expecting, but still really good. It had a unique storyline and definitely made me learn about things I hadn't even heard of before this book. One of the only negatives for me was some of the medical terms in the early part of this book - I found myself having a hard time understanding what was being talked about (this may have only been a problem for me).

I loved the characters - both the main and secondary ones. I think my favorite would probably have to be Xavier; I don't know what exactly it was about him (maybe how he believed in so many conspiracies...), I just found many things about him humorous. :)

Overall, Placebo was a great read that had some creepiness and suspense, plus some thought-provoking moments. I really enjoyed it and look forward to book two, Singularity, which is set to release Fall 2013. If you enjoy suspense/thrillers with some medical elements, then I think you'll enjoy Placebo.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

Available November 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Was my review helpful? If so, please click "yes" on Amazon. Thanks for stopping by!!

Review & Giveaway!!! Opening Moves by Steven James

Opening Moves by Steven James

Patrick Bowers Files: Prequel

Penguin Group/Signet Select / 2012

Find on: Amazon, Goodreads, Christianbook

About the book:

In The Bowers Files novels, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers has stopped some of the most vicious serial killers ever imagined. Now, in the fifth exciting installment, author Steven James takes readers back to Bowers’s terrifying beginning. 

Milwaukee, 1995. In a city still reeling from the crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer, a woman’s body is found with the lungs removed. Local cops think a Dahmer copycat is on the loose. 

But Patrick Bowers, working as a homicide detective for the Milwaukee Police Department, sees from the timing and location of the crime that this is not a copycat at all, but a killer with an entirely different agenda. 

As he pursues the madman using his unique skills and ice-cold logic, Bowers finds himself thinking more and more like his demented prey. The problem is that the more he understands the killer’s mind, the more his own thoughts are being warped. And if he’s not careful he may not be able to recover his mind—or survive the case.

My rating:

My thoughts:

I think Opening Moves might be one of Steven James' most chilling and creepy Patrick Bowers book yet (although all of them are creepy in their own way).

I found Opening Moves very interesting and I loved getting to see Patrick Bowers in the way that we do and finding out more about this case (which was mentioned in other Patrick Bowers books).

The story was super suspenseful and (at times) very gruesome - even I had trouble reading it at times and I don't get creeped out by many books - so I'd only recommend this to people who like scary books and can take gruesome scenes. There were a few things I personally didn't like, including when someone said "oh my ***" and a few other edgy things. That said, I did love the story very much and am still giving it five stars because it was so great!

One thing I definitely have taken away from reading the Patrick Bowers series (and especially this book) is a reminder of how depraved humanity is and how we are all born sinners and in need of salvation which can only be found through faith in Jesus Christ. While Opening Moves does contain evil, it doesn't glamorize it or show it in a positive light.

Some of the crimes talked about in Opening Moves actually occurred in real life which made this book all the more chilling and (at times) hard to read. This book made me think, held my attention throughout, and there were a lot of twists I didn't see coming! A great read that, as long as you enjoy thrillers and don't mind some gruesome/violent scenes, I completely recommend! You don't need to have read the other books in the Patrick Bowers series first because this is considered a prequel.

After reading Opening Moves I now can hardly wait to read the next Patrick Bowers book, The King, which is set to release July 2013!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

Was my review helpful? If so, please click "yes" on Amazon. Thanks so much!! :)

Giveaway!



Enter to win a copy of Opening Moves! Giveaway is only open to US residents. 

Enter via the Rafflecopter below! The mandatory entry is to leave a blog post comment on this blog post, after that, the optional entries will become available. Happy entering! :)

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Review: Story by Steven James

Story by Steven James

Revell / 2012

Find on: Amazon, Christianbook, Goodreads

About the book:

Stories are an integral part of the human condition, the way we have passed on history and information and inspiration for millenia. Using the power of imagery and the drama of narrative, bestselling author and professional storyteller Steven James leads readers through a journey into the greatest story ever told. From creation to Christ's birth, from his first miracle to eternity and everything in between, readers will see familiar scenes from the Bible like they never have before. These stories, retold as only Steven James can, will wake readers spiritually, re-inspire their faith journey, and jolt them into action. 

Now repackaged, this well-received book is poised for renewed impact in the lives of believers.

My rating:

My thoughts:

Story by Steven James was an okay read. I didn't particularly care for a lot of things in the book - especially how many times it made it seem like God said something, that isn't in the Bible, so how are we to know if He actually said it? That is one of my pet-peeves with books, it is like putting words in God's mouth and that isn't right.

A few examples:

"Thanks," said Jesus. He took my hand and led me onto the dance floor. Everyone nodded and stepped to the side to let the young rabbi dance with the bride.
"I love weddings," he whispered to me.
And we began to dance. - Page 91

"Okay," said the Creator. "Then I'll tell a new story. One that includes a detour through an empty tomb." - Page 81 

Also, with that second quote, doesn't it make it seem like the Gospel was plan B? That God didn't know Adam and Eve were going to sin. When the fall and Jesus dying on the Cross and resurrecting from the dead was in God's plan from the beginning.

There were a few chapters in this book I really liked, but, while I did learn a few things from Story, overall there was just too much in this book that I didn't like/agree with - so I don't recommend this book. Steven James is still one of my favorite authors, though, just with fiction books instead.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

“Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Was my review helpful? If so, please click "Yes" on Amazon. Thanks so much!

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Opening Moves by Steven James!

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're

eagerly anticipating.

 This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Opening Moves by Steven James!

Product Details 

 ISBN-13: 9780451237767 

Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) 

Publication date: 9/4/2012 

Pages: 512 

Series: Patrick Bowers Files Series , #6

I am so looking forward to this book! I enjoyed the first 5 books in this series (they were really scary/suspenseful!) and am excited to read this one!

~

Just a note: if you haven't already commented on my review/giveaway of The Next Target by Nikki Arana, would you? If I'm one of the two blogs with the most comments, I'll win a Kindle Fire! Here is the link: http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/2012/06/please-comment-review-giveaway-next.html

You can also enter to win Solitary by Travis Thrasher (US only), the first three books in T.L. Higley's Seven Wonders series (US only), and Baroness by Susan May Warren (US and Canada)!

Thanks for stopping by and what book are you "waiting on"?

Review: Flirting with the Forbidden by Steven James

Flirting with the Forbidden by Steven James

Revell / 2012

Amazon / Goodreads

About the book:

In our fallen world, temptation is normal. We run into it every day and we all are susceptible to falling victim to its enticements. We're tempted to cheat on our taxes, milk the clock, lust after someone other than our spouse, dishonor our parents, lie to our friends, covet our neighbor's trip to Europe. But just because we must live with temptation doesn't mean we have to let it master us.

In Flirting with the Forbidden, bestselling author Steven James reminds readers that we are always just one step away from bowing to temptation, that we all share the same potential and propensity for evil. Combining powerful first-person narratives from Scripture with thought-provoking reflections on temptation, discipleship, and grace, James helps readers grow in discernment and reliance on the Holy Spirit and develop a deeper, more intimate walk with Christ.

My rating:

My thoughts:

At first I wasn't sure how much I would like Flirting with the Forbidden, I've read Steven James' fiction series - The Patrick Bowers Files - but this is the first non-fiction book of his I've read and I ended up loving it.


I really liked the stories at the beginning of the chapters (except for when they seemed to put words in Jesus' mouth) and even learned some things I had never thought about before - like how Pilate's wife sent Pilate a note before Jesus was crucified. (Matthew 27:19).

Overall Flirting with the Forbidden was a great non-fiction book that I enjoyed reading! :)

*I got this book on Amazon Kindle when it was free and was not required to review it. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*