The Ultimate Legacy by Jim Stovall – A Book Review

The Ultimate Legacy, By Jim Stovall

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake, richard330@yahoo.com

A Legacy of Significance – Embracing the Future

‘The Ultimate Legacy” is the final chapter in the “Ultimate Gift” and the “Ultimate Life” series. Miss Sally Anderson, wealthy owner and of the exclusive Anderson House is recognized as hostess to prominent world leaders and celebrated personalities. The Anderson House has a reputation as a house of healing, hope, and destiny. Meetings around the Anderson House dining had more influence and impact on “humanitarian work around the world than any board room in the world.”

Miss Sally Mae presents the conditions of her will to her trusted attorney, Theodore J. Hamilton, naming her grandson Joey Anderson, as heir to The Anderson House. It is her aspiration that through Joey, the only remaining link to the Anderson House Legacy, will create an indelible impact for generations to come

Jim Stovall is a gifted and natural story teller. The elements of good story telling are evident in his narrative, his character development, dialog, and with an under lying message or “take away.” His characters are multi-dimensional, are believable. They show personal values and unique personalities. They continue to develop depths in their insights and concern for other; as demonstrated by Joey’s transformation and vision for the Anderson money to continue as a source of healing, education and inspiration for now and future generations.

“The Ultimate Legacy” is entertaining, inspiring, and motivating. The novelization of the film gives the reader a photographic visualizing of each scene

Sound Wisdom, P. O. Box 310, Shippensburg, PA 17257, 978-0768410426, $ 9.25, 2016, 176 Pages

A complimentary of this book was provided for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

The Five Times I Met Myself by James Rubart – A Book Review

The Five Times I Met Myself
By: James L. Rubart
Thomas Nelson
9781401686116, $ 19.99, 2015, 388 pages
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake

Life Changing Fiction with an Absorbing Plot and a Powerful Redemptive Message

Award winning author James L. Rubart’s gift of communication, creative imagination, teaching skills, and a masterful use of the elements of story bring life to his novel “The Five Times I met myself.

Brock Matthews is on familiar terms with the pressures and tensions that often accompany midlife is faced with the reality of a distancing in his marriage relationship and of a downward spiraling of a successful career.

After a disturbing recurring nightmare Brock, desperately wants to change his life. He opens up to a trusted friend who introduces him to a concept of controlling the sub conscious through a “lucid dreams technique,” a creative tool for healing fears, and an effective means of problem solving.

I am fast becoming a fan of James Rubart. I enjoy his fast paced narrative, unexpected plot twists, the fast moving action, his use of conflict and resolution, his strong character development and stimulating dialog. The thought provoking discussion questions included make this an ideal selection for Book Club use and individual personal reflection.

The life changing message of redemption, restoration, and freedom in “The Five Times I Met Myself” offers hope to readers eager to reconnect or stay connected with God.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own.

Paperboy by Stan Crader – A Book Review

Paper Boy
By: Stan Crader
Wheatmark
610 East Delano Street, Suite 104, Tucson, AZ 85705
978-1604944761, $ 21.95, 2011, 290 pages
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake

Growing Up in Rural America During the Unrest of the Sixties

The decade of the sixties brought about unrest and change as opposition to the U. S. involvement in the Vietnam War escalated. Even the small towns across rural America felt the impact brought about by racial tension, public demonstrations, and societal challenges.

Paper Boy tells the story as seen through the eyes of young Tommy as he delivers papers to the homes and businesses of Colby, Missouri during one critical year. Tommy got the first glimpse of the daily headlines and picked up the local news (town gossip) firsthand all along the route.

Stan Crader has a keen gift of observation and storytelling. His writing captures the unique flavor and nature of growing up in a small town in rural America. Crader’s dominant characters move the story along at a unique slower pace, representative of his characters, the era and small town setting of the locale, while creating a compelling story line that kept me eagerly reading as I did not want to miss one word of the growing sense of intrigue, mystery, and suspense.

Paper Boy is a character driven novel. I However, Crader uses of a balance of event structure and has a good understanding of the power exerted by his dominant characters. He has a gift for skillfully developing well-crafted colorful descriptions of every person introduced.

I enjoyed Crader’s creative dialog filled with juvenile “playground barbs” and the way this adds realism to the character of the protagonist and his friends. I especially appreciated his imaginative dialog and descriptive word pictures of the action during the combined football practice among the sixth graders who are thrown together with the junior high team. Another fun filled incident described Colby’s marching band and the playful humor used in the conversation between Tommy and his budding romantic interest, Melody.

Paper Boy will be enjoyed by aficionados of Americana, coming of age stories, and memoirs. It will also appeal to anyone growing up during the sixties, as well as young adult readers of an emerging generation. This is a book that should be in school libraries, it is rich in examples of the core values of love for country, compassion, responsibility, perseverance, and faith.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own.

Book Review: Jumping Over the Moon

Jumping Over the Moon

By: E Dee Monnen

Robert D. Reed Publishers, P. O. Box 1992, Bandon, Oregon 97411

978-1934759592, $ 14.95, 2012, 224 pages. Reviewed by Richard R. Blake

Realizing the Impossible Goal

In “Jumping Over the Moon” author E Dee Monnen focuses on setting a goal so high you might need to “jump over the moon” to reach it. The protagonist Phineas Gannon is a man of fine character with a generous spirit. Over the years he has neglected attention to physical exercise and a moderate diet. A visit to his doctor confirms his suspicions that he is at risk of an impending major heart attack.

Threatened by this knowledge and the certainty of a shortened lifespan, Phin takes a serious look at what he wants from life. He begins training his nephew to take over the family business in preparation for early retirement to enable him to spend more time with his wife Maggie, who he adores.

Phin also wants one last win over his lifelong friend Morton Cunningham. For many years they have had a rivalry centered on promoting an annual completive sports event. Mort is currently two wins ahead.

The story takes place in the outskirts of Los Angeles in the midst of the Roaring Twenties.  It is a wonderful “what if” fictional story based on the history of the Lakota Indians and professional baseball.  In their latest and final challenge the stakes are high as Phin and Mort battle it out for the last slot in the Los Angeles Winter Ball League. Mort has recruited a team from major league professionals. while Phin is counting on an unproven team of nine Lakota Indians. Both men have taken over family businesses and use their unique talents to make them successful. Phin exercises his talent of problem solving as he faces hurdle after hurdle in recruiting an unproven team of nine Lakota Indians. In the process Phin establishes a kindred spirit of bonding with an Indian old-timer, Amos Wise Heart. Through this new friend Phin begins to see life in a new way.

Author E Dee Monnen is recognized for her collection of baseball trivia through her writing and public appearances on radio and TV. “Jumping Over the Moon” is highly entertaining, and motivating, a unique blending of information, philosophy, and faith.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own. As reviewed for Midwest Book Review.