Eric Wilson (1)Critiques

This was a very good, very quick read. It was predictable, but there was still a good story here. I enjoyed this book quite a bit.

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A college freshman's world is rocked when she learns she is the adopted survivor of a failed abortion.
Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material

Facing the Giants is one of my favorite movies, and this book was just as good as the movie, with little extra tidbits and character backstories thrown in. I love this story. It's a reminder to give God your very best effort and trust Him with the outcome. It's a reminder I need often, sometimes daily. This book, this story, is full of encouragement for everyone struggling with their own giants, whatever they may be - attitude, temptation, finances, or whatever. A must-read for those who need an extra dose of encouragement.

He has many names. Lion tamer. Fox catcher. Man killer. Each with its measure of glory and shame. But for this young Hebrew with a supernatural gift of strength, there is more to the story. Samson has a God-given destiny to defend his people form the oppressive Philistine empire. After experiencing tragedy at the hands of a cruel Philistine prince, he strives to fulfill his calling only to fall victim to his own desires.

As Samson draws close to a Philistine temptress with a secret, this man of unbeatable strength drifts away form his destiny. Then an act of betrayal costs him everything. At his weakest Samson must rely on God in one last effort to avenge his people.

In this novelization of the major motion picture Samson draws you deeper into one of the most famous biblical stories of the Old Testament. Experience the legacy of Samson and Delilah in a way you never have before.

Couldn't put it down. One of my favorites. 5 stars from beginning to end.

Even though i've already seen movie 2-3 times and completely knew the story i still teared up several times during the book; very heart warming; and inspirational

Amelia Earhart will continue to be a figure of mystery. Where did she end? Where is her plane? Why? The mystery is still to be solved. An interesting read with an alternate ending.

Hannah is in college, finds out that she is adopted and completely freaks out on the only parents she has ever known, leaving them in her dust to find the woman who tried to abort her and get some answers.

This is the reason I don't enjoy Christian fiction. It's forced, smaltzy, and lame. The main character is so irritating and whiney and self-righteous that I couldn't swallow any of it. The adoptive father is over-the-top protective, prying and suffocating to his daughter. She's an adult, for goodness sakes! This book is written on, I would guess, a sixth grade level. So, if you are a 12-17 year old girl, enjoy.

All said, I didn't finish this one and do not recommend it.

What would you do to save your marriage? Caleb and Catherine's marriage goes from having no hope to being a lifetime commitment when Caleb agrees to take on the forty day "Love Dare" his father gives him.

As the curtain rises, Hannah steps onto the stage . . . only to collapse moments later. Countless medical tests all point to one underlying factor: Hannah's difficult birth. The doctor's diagnosis is nothing compared to her parents' revelation: Hannah was adopted--after a failed abortion attempt. Follow her story as she searches to discover her hidden past and find hope for her unknown future.

I would like to recommend this book, but I really found it to be less than great. The premise was fairly strong, although I never really understood the linkage between the object on the train and Clay's problems. The book dragged in points and I thought the ending was murky - after patiently leading the reader through plenty of confusion, suddenly everything was muddled and unclear. I liked Clay, Dig, Mylisha et al but their story just, in the end, wasn't completely understandable to me.

As the curtain rises, Hannah steps onto the stage...only to collapse moments later. Countless medical tests all point to one underlying factor: Hannah's difficult birth. The doctor's diagnosis is nothing compared to her parents' revelation: Hannah was adopted - after a failed abortion attempt.

Bewildered, angered and confused, Hannah embarks on an incredible journey with Jason, her oldest friend. As she searches to discover her hidden past and find hope for her unknown future, Hannah realises life can be so much more than you've planned.

October Baby is an emotional story about a girl named Hannah. She discovers that she is adopted and goes on a journey on figuring out who her birth mom is. Along the way, she has her good friend Jason, who is right by her side as she discovers a little more about herself. Some very sad situations and events but everything works out the way God intended them to. Very good read and I'm looking forward to watching the movie. Netflix just put this on Instant Streaming...yay

October Baby is a unique book because it examines abortion from the perspective of the people most affected--those intended to be aborted. Yes, the book is Christian fiction with a definite opinion about abortion, so if you don't enjoy Christian fiction or reading a novel that is pro-life might upset you, please pass on this. It's probably not going to be a good reading fit for you.

While the novel is clearly a movie-tie it, I do think it explores some of the characters motives much better than in the movie. We see through other eyes besides just the main characters, and I think that does add to the experience readers undertake with this novel. I also like how the love story gradually forms. All in all, I really enjoyed the novel, probably as much if not more than the movie.

"A powerful! outstanding!!! A "must-watch' movie." Dr. Dennis Rainey, Host FamilyLife Today
"Worthy of every accolade the film industry has to offer!" Judie Brown, President, American Life League

I found out after I started reading this book that it was written after the screenplay for the movie, rather than before. The book does kind of read like a movie. It doesn't have the deepest dialogue and the characters are not as fleshed out as they normally are in books I read. Normally I don't even enjoy Christian fiction that much because they just seem a little light and don't ring quite true for me. On that note I would have given this book, which was a really quick read, only three stars. The reason I didn't and why I did enjoy this book so much? This book has a powerful message, much more powerful than, for instance, "The Shack." I could relate to this book so much having felt like I have had these same feelings and been through some of these same situations. I don't think the book was overly "preachy" either. I know it made me stop and think about my marriage commitment. Make sure you have a box of tissues nearby. I got a little weepy reading it.

I picked this up at a yard sale, and am thankful I only paid 50 cents for it. I found it tedious and gratuitous.

It is another vampire book. Just what we need. What sets this one apart is the Christian element in it. But even that doesn't redeem it. I did finish it, so it gets 2 stars. Barely.

Good book! Brought me to the outside looking in at the pettiness a marriage can experience.

Marriage is work, it can't be neglected or disrespected. Caleb and Catherine Holt find themselves in a marriage that neither have seemed to continue to work on. They have slowly let other things take on more importance in their lives and let their marriage fall by the wayside. When it finally hits rock bottom they are left living in the same home, but both wanting out of the marriage. On their way for divorce Caleb begins to talk with his Father and his Father asks him to do a marriage challenge, 40 days called "the love dare". If after those 40 days he still finds there is nothing left to save in his marriage, so be it. Caleb reluctantly agrees, but feels that his wife is not going to change her mind. Unbeknownst to Catherine, Caleb starts to follow a hand written journal he received from his Father. As the 40 days goes by Caleb is brought to God and finally gives himself to God. His life changes and Catherine see's these changes, but doesn't know if she can trust him or open her heart again. Slowly Caleb and Catherine find their way to God and realize what love truly is.

Eric Wilson’s second installment in the Jerusalem’s Undead Trilogy -Haunt of Jackals picks up where the first novel — Field of Blood — left off. For an introduction to the premise of the series, you’ll want to start by reading the first review (and book) before digging into the second. Early readers of the series will appreciate the expository background that is woven into the first part of the novel to refresh memories of major characters and plot points.

Building upon the carefully laid foundation of Field of Blood Wilson pumps up the action elements of the series with face-to-face conflict with Collectors, and more actively nefarious collection schemes by the undead. A missing character from the first novel is brought into the story line as others fade into the background while keeping Gina and her newly adopted Romanian son, Pavel, in the forefront.

The pacing varies as Wilson intersperses vampire supremacy struggles with hand-to-hand combat and scenes of bittersweet domestic bliss while Gina struggles to raise her charge in a Nistarim protection program setting. Some mysteries are revealed, while others have only hinted at unfolding.

Gina’s tough yet wounded persona would make Angelina Jolie a great choice for a lead role in a film based on the series. I rarely associate book characters with actors, but my mental match of the two is unmistakable. I’m thinking — but only on the surface level – Lara Croft in Tomb Raider, a tough nut with a brittle shell that’s been caused by emotional disappointments and hurts from the past. However, Gina’s maternal instincts, her attempts to hack out the root of bitterness in her life and her subsequent spiritual growth in this novel add a depth of character that Lara could only wish for.

Continuing to draw upon the powerful symbology inherent in the life-blood, Wilson delicately explores the themes of freedom in Christ, redemption, and a score of other insights drawn from scripture and understatedly woven throughout the text. Though more distinctly Christian than the first novel, many of the insights and parallels will only be seen by those actively engaged in a Christian walk. Those who aren’t will still find the series an intriguing read with an aura of what will be interpreted as spiritual mysticism without a deeper understanding of the parable-like threads throughout.

If you read Field of Blood and were disappointed with the slow start, I’d recommend giving Haunt of Jackals a try. As the story begins to blossom, sprouting from the roots established in the first novel, readers are able to get a glimpse of the larger vision Wilson’s work is seeking to establish. With that in mind, I’m looking forward to Valley of Bones, releasing in April of next year. I’m not sure where this is all going to end, but I’m looking forward to the ride.

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com

The fascination of the mob with modern vampire tales seems nearly endless. I have no doubt that publishing houses are being inundated with Twilight-esque manuscripts seeking to tap into the vampire craze that is only the highest crest to date in the past two decades of growing mania. And, in all honesty, I must admit to my own love affair with the works of Laurell K. Hamilton (when the series was still readable) before my spiritual rebirth. As a result, my interest was piqued upon learning of Eric Wilson’s Field of Blood, the first in a trilogy of Christian vampire novels.

While a Christian vampire novel may sound like an oxymoron to the uninitiated; Wilson’s steers clear of the human-vamp love stories, the myth of the good yet misunderstood vampire, and other pro-vampire plot-lines. His creatures are borne of the unholy mingling of the blood of Judas Iscariot, a disturbed tomb, and the eagerly waiting disembodied Akeladama cluster: a group of Collectors who were once driven into a herd of pigs by the Son of Man. In short — these vampires are, in truth, demons possessing undead hosts, bent upon serving their master, creating pain, and plotting against a hidden group of believers — the Nistarim.

As the newly animated Collectors seek to set the wheels of destruction in motion, a tough young woman named Gina Lazarescu is growing up in Romania. Subject to ritual bloodlettings from her superstitious mother, the appearance of a strange mark on her forehead seems to trigger her rescue from the advancing Collectors by a mysterious yet familiar man.

Field of Blood effectively combines mystery and resistance against evil with the Judeo-Christian maxim that life is in the blood, with Jesus’ proving to be the ultimate elixir. The Collectors for example, seek to sate themselves upon human blood, yet are never satisfied. Knowing that Jesus’ blood forever satisfies, they are tempted to feed upon Those Who Resist (believers), yet must restrain themselves, as this act would lead to their destruction.

Wilson is laying much groundwork in this first novel for the rest of the trilogy, as a result the story is slow to start. With details from Gina’s childhood, the early voyages of the Akeladama cluster, and introductions to other characters eating a lot of pages, it’s only in the last quarter of the book that the pace picks up and we start to see a more traditional vampire-hunting theme emerge in the series.

Interestingly, the majority of the book’s characters are not themselves believers. Only Cal Nichols, Gina’s mysterious benefactor, displays faith in God in this first novel; his efforts to recruit others to the cause of Those Who Resist are universally met with disinterest. Still, with the entire framework of the story built upon a biblical worldview with some paranormal speculation thrown in, it clearly bears the marks of a Christian novelist.

Serving mainly as a stepping-stone to the second novel — the recently released Haunt of Jackals — at book’s end we’re left with a cliffhanger just as the action ramps up. Queasy readers will want to pass on the series due to the typically vampiric blood-binges, but those looking for a series of novels that place the undead in the only realm they can properly be assigned to (that of evil) will find food for thought here.

Having already read the second book in the series, I believe the Jerusalem’s Undead Trilogy is worth sticking with. In fact, it may even be worth a second read through once Wilson’s remaining plot twists are disclosed.

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com

Aramis Black is a private detective working in Music City USA (aka Nashville, TN). In the previous novel (which is referred to early and often in this book), he tracked down a family treasure and had a variety of adventures. Now he's back, helping his brother celebrate the release of his new CD and on the trail of a new threat. This time, the connection is a bit closer to home for Black, who is quickly pulled into a web of conspiracy and deceit.

"A Shred of Truth" has its moments and I genuinely liked the character of Aramis Black. In contemporary Christian fiction, it's nice to have a guy who struggles with his daily walk and how to live that out effectively. It's also nice to have a character who is aware of who he was but isn't defined by it nor does he allow it to become too much of a burden. In short, Black feels like a real guy, working every day to live out his life in a way that is a walking example of what it means to be Christ-like.

I just wish the mystery that surrounded that character struggle was as intriguing. Eric Wilson does a nice job of throwing in red herrings and keeping the plot moving, but when the final solution is presented, it still feels a bit unsatisfying.