Wednesday, July 20, 2011

On My Nightstand - The Last Operative by Jerry B. Jenkins


Jordan Kirkwood's service for his country took precedence over everything in his life, including his family and God. By the time he decides to remedy that situation, he's presented with an assignment so dangerous and so critical to the nation's security that he's torn between those he loves and the nation.

Vacation plans come to a screeching halt in the face of a terrorist attack after 9/11. He no longer has the luxury of choosing his path. He must deal with the threat head on or pay the ultimate price.

The author plunges into the action in the style of all spy tales. There's lots of intrigue, tension, and...violence. It's real world stuff and necessary to the story. Mr. Jenkins, who co-authored the famous Left Behind series, knows how much is enough and how much is too much.

The value of family relationships, balance between work and personal life, and how they fit into the context of serving God and country raised strong ethical and spiritual issues.

I'd forgotten how much I enjoy this type of novel. My latest interest in historical romances diverted my attention for quite some time. Variety keeps us our reading habits from getting like stale bread.

Have you found yourself stuck in one genre? Do you alternate your book choices so you keep the reading experience fresh and alive?

18 comments:

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan .. an up to date read - that sounds very interesting .. especially if you enjoyed it.

I read such a variety of blogs - but I am about to venture into books - surprise surprise. Because of my mother being ill - I'm not so good at settling down for a read - but I've read short stories on Alzheimers and am now reading a sports presenter's autobiography before her death from cancer in the late 1990s.

I'm also reading Judy Croome's Dancing in the Shadows of Love about Africa - extremely evocative .. on the computer (downloaded from Smashwords) .. finding it quite easy - to my surprise!

Always reading from eclectic sources - things that interest me and ones perhaps I can utilise within a blog post. I do love historical novels though too.

Hope all's well with you - have a good week .. Hilary

Marja Verschoor-Meijers said...

Hhmm, I really try to do this Susan, keeping my reading fresh. But if I look at my bookshelf at Goodreads... do you think people will recognize us b the books we read?

Kristen said...

Just the cover gets me excited! Thanks for the review.

I do tend toward historical fiction for most of my book reading since that's what I write and I love history:) I frequently get books on cd of Agatha Christie, and my TV watching is a lot of mystery shows (masterpiece mystery on PBS that kind of thing.) Fun stuff, all that murder and mayhem!
Thanks

Rhonda Schrock said...

This sounds interesting, Susan. I think this would suit me more than certain genres I can think of.

BTW - I certainly enjoyed coffee with your soon-to-be household guest! :)

Karen Lange said...

This is not something I would normally gravitate to, but I actually won this book on a blog. Haven't read it yet but think I need to soon! Thanks for your input.
Blessings,
Karen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Hilary -

I can see your taste reflected on your blog. The detail always amazes me.

You might want to try reading some of the anthologies. They usually have 50-100 short stories. The Chicken Soup and Cup of Comfort books come to mind.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Marja -

I think we're naturally drawn to the type of books we write. Since I started this blog, I've branched out and discovered new genres.

As far as people knowing us by what we read, I think you have an excellent point. What we read impacts our thoughts, words, and deeds. It's why I'm careful about what I allow into my mind and heart.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Kristen -

I read just about all of Agatha Christie's novels years ago. After awhile, I could predict whodunit. Hercule Poirot was a favorite.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Rhonda -

Ah, but I get her for THREE DAYS! Yay!

I think you'd like this book. It's one of his earlier ones that was updated and re-released.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Karen -

I know it's not a historical, but sometimes we need a change of scenery. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan ..I have those too - new and old .. and rather too many books - but I really do want to keep them!

Chicken Soup for the Soul I have read .. Cup of Comfort books I haven't come across .. however I have 'similar' books here to read .. again across a series of disciplines .. I will get there!

Thanks for the thought .. Hilary

Anonymous said...

Even though I write action suspense, there are enough elements of other genres to keep things fresh and engage not only the reader but me as a writer.

DenaNetherton said...

Hi Susan, I read a big variety of styles and genres. I've read some big biographies, some light-weight romances, a couple of mysteries and suspenses, and some literary novels. I'm reading three books right now: Madeleine L'Engle's Walking on Water, Tom Hovestol's Extreme Righteouness, and Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle's Erasing Hell.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Hilary -

I'm looking forward to your future blog posts. I know you'll glean many insights from your reading.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Stephen -

Excellent point! If we don't stay engaged with our writing, how will we expect the reader to stay with us?

BTW, your book just arrived yesterday. I'm looking forward to readin it. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Dena -

You've covered a wide variety of genres there!

Do you recall the movie, "Short Circuit?" I love the part where the robot is going through the bookstore reading everything in sight. While I'm a fast reader, I'm not THAT fast.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Kathleen said...

He is such a fabulous author. Is there any genre he can't liven up with a wee bit of intrigue?

A blessed day to you!
Kathleen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sassy -

I like his writing a lot. Did you know he owns the Christian Writers Guild?

Blessings,
Susan :)