Don HoeselRessenyes

I can't resist books that look like religious thrillers. I don't know why, since I have yet to find one that's satisfying in any way. Elisha's Bones has an interesting enough premise. The bones of the biblical prophet Elisha have the power to bring back the dead, so an old, rich, and terminally ill man hires our protagonist (an skeptic archaeologist with a tragic past, natch) to find them and retrieve them. What follows is a bunch of globe trotting, whizzing bullets, and exploding cars, all leading to an extremely unsatisfying ending. Unfortunately there are no real surprises in this book and no real twists. You see what the author is about to do long before he does it and are left with a sense of disappointment.

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Interesting, needs more lore of the bones, how did Victor know what was in the tomb in Egypt? It was entertaining.

An archeologist is chasing story of a religious relic and a biblical reference.

It starts with the death of Jack’s brother on a dig in Egypt. With the death of Will he retires from field archeology for 5 years to teach in North Carolina. A meeting with a billionaire in Dallas is the start of this relic search taking him to pre-Mayan ruins in Venezuela, to Addis Ababa to the Orthodox Church and on to Australia.

It starts out slow, about the first 35% is a setup and only after getting ready to depart Venezuela is when the action starts. Then I was hooked and didn’t want to put it down, even for sleep. If you enjoy archeology, a trip around the world and a thriller I recommend this book to you.

great book!!!!!!

great book!!!!!!

This book should have been an action-packed adventure, but there were too many down times which were filled with excessive dialogue and descriptive passages. A disappointing read.

Professor Brent Michaels is a leading sociologist, satisfied with life, and discounts the Mayan calendar end of the world conspiracies. However, when man-made and natural disasters seem to escalate, he's called in by a special Pentagon unit to look for order amid chaos. As December 21, 2012, nears Brent and the team struggle to find who is manipulating these events and prevent the so-called end of the world. Read more in The Alarmists by Don Hoesel.

The Alarmists is not my favorite book by Don Hoesel, but it had a solid plot with lots of twists. As expected, mystery and suspense were heavily involved, but the story did not hook my attention like Hoesel's other books have. Perhaps my expectations were a bit too high, but I recommend borrowing from the library before buying.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Elisha's Bones was a good, well-edited, thorough and satisfying story. Full of action and adventure, I read for a long time with two questions niggling at the back of my mind. I was afraid they wouldn't be answered, but I should have known better. Not only were my questions answered, there was a surprise near the end. I hadn't guessed it would end the way it did, and that says a lot for the writer. I would have liked more. I would have read another 100 pages about The Brotherhood, and I would have loved the story of Elisha as a bigger reminder in the book, but for what I think it was supposed to be, I loved it. And it makes me do the one thing I love to do, as well - a little research of my own. Jack Hawthorne, I hope you become a central character in many, many more of Don's books.

Hidden enclaves, secret societies, and mysterious codes await the reader of this book; as do car chases, gun fights, and the discovery of skulls in dark catacombs. Archeologist and adventurer, Jack Hawthorne can’t seem to shake such dark discoveries as he makes his way around the globe. And in this third and final book detailing his adventures, Hawthorne will finally come to the end of himself and unravel the secrets of an ancient society, thousands of years old and as evil as they come.

"Blood and Bone" is the third and final book in Don Hoesel’s adventure series following the life of archaeologist and bounty hunter, Jack Hawthorne. In the earlier books, "Elisha’s Bones" and "Serpent of Moses", Hawthorne makes improbable discoveries of biblical relics with miraculous power. Along the way he makes enemies and raises the ire of fellow bounty hunters and government officials the world over.

Hawthorne’s adentures takes him to five continents, and lands him in impossible situations and dire predicaments more times than can be remembered. His weapons are his wide grasp of archeology and ancient languages, dumb luck and his slowly growing faith in the God of his youth. This tale finds him married to his long-time girlfriend who happens to be a world-class authority on ancient cultures herself. She doesn’t let him venture off alone as together they race to meet the demands of the kidnappers who have stolen their two children.

In this final installment, Hoesel pulls all the stops and delivers a top-notch adventure that gets to the bottom of the secret society Jack has tangled with in the first two books. Along the way, Jack finally discovers the faith that has eluded him, and the adventure series reaches a satisfying finish.

Unlike the second book in the series, this one returns to the high level of artistry Hoesel accomplished in his first title. The books cover fantastic and unbelievable tales, but the stories themselves are well-written, and credible. The characters are intricately developed and suspense and discovery take turns dominating the narrative.

Readers looking for a fast-paced, mystery tale in the vein of Indiana Jones or Paul Maier’s A Skeleton in God’s Closet, will eat up this series from Don Hoesel. This is archeological fiction at its best. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: This book was provided by Bethany House Publishers. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a positive review.

A Race to Find Treasure Around the World Chased by Killers

Blood and Bone jerks you into the story with a phone call to an average appearing family, but the tale broadens as the reader learns about the past. It is highly enjoyable for both the rapidly moving story and the tour of the world. The added dimension of the children in danger pulls at the heart of parental fear. This is kind of a mature Indiana Jones with a family. I totally enjoyed it, and will definitely be picking up more of Don Hoesel. I recommend it to readers who enjoy suspense with lots of twists and turns.

My husband and I love stories where action and adventure are central to the plot. We love stories that take us on journeys to exotic locations and thrill us with exciting twists along the way!

That’s why we’re both excited about Blood and Bone by Don Hoesel!

Blood and Bone is the third book in an exciting series about Jack Hawthorne, a mild-mannered antiquities professor who is trying to build a normal life with his wife, Espy, and their two sons. Things are going well until he learns that the CIA has dug up secrets from the past that Jack thought he had laid to rest. From that moment on, nothing is the same for Jack and his family, and Jack and Espy find themselves on a mission with life-or-death consequences.

Here’s what my husband says about Blood and Bone:

It has been a long time since I have read a book that I would love to see on the silver screen, but Blood and Bone by Don Hoesel is one of those books. Although I have not read Don’s previous books, that did not diminish the sheer fun and joy I experienced while reading this book.

While I found the first couple of chapters slow as it laid the ground work for the story and provided a primer for those uninitiated into the series, once it hit its stride, there was no turning back. Don Hoesel writes in a manner that makes you feel as if you were watching a movie.

I traveled around the world with Jack and his wife Espy dodging bullets, solving puzzles and trying to…. Well, that’s for you to discover. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed Blood and Bone and would encourage anyone interested in taking an action-packed adventure to read this book!

For a wonderful treat, why not add Elisha’s Bones and Serpent Of Moses – the first two books in the series – to your reading list as well?

To read more of my reviews – or to read my reviews in their entirety – visit Create With Joy .

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review, nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Archeologist, Dr. Jack Hawthorne, has had more than his share of adventures which include finding the bones of the biblical prophet, Elisha. It was said the bones can bring the dead back to life. Thirteen years ago he made the decision to bury the bones in a desert. Presently he works as a university professor and enjoys a quiet life with his wife, Espy, and their two sons. In Blood And Bone, by Don Hoesel, one phone call changes all their lives. The secret of the bones power has been discovered by a man desperate to have them- his wife is dying. Holding those who mean the most to Jack and Espy hostage, he demands the bones be brought to him.
Believing no other option is available, the Hawthorne's embark on a quest to retrieve the bones only to find that they are gone. Jack and Espy are in a nightmare beyond imagination. Following confusing clues and requesting help from surprising sources while trying to out run people who are trying to kill them, the Hawthorne's embark on the race of their lives. Finding the bones became a matter of life and death.
Blood And Bone is a well written archeological thriller. Well paced, terrific attention to detail, vivid characters, solid prose and suspense keep the reader involved in the story right up to the end.

I received this book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers and I give this review of my own free will.

Reading Blood and Bone was my first experience with author Don Hoesel. I was interested in reading this novel because, in all honesty, there aren’t a lot of men writing Christian suspense novels and I appreciate a change from the more usual female-authored inspirational fiction.

Blood and Bone takes you on an exciting journey as professor Jack Hawthorne’s children are kidnapped and held for ransom–a very special ransom: the bones of the prophet Elisha. Travel with Jack and his wife Espy, a language expert, as they travel the globe hunting down the relics with a divine power of healing. A journey that could easily get them both killed.

Blood and Bone is an enjoyable, plot-driven suspense novel with a number of twists and turns to keep you on your feet. Generally speaking, I enjoyed the plot and the characters. It felt like a modern day Indiana Jones meets the Bible. Artifacts, anthropology, hieroglyphics, secret societies, CIA, Mossad and more. The writing, from a male perspective, was a refreshing change of pace from most inspirational fiction.

However, I had a few reservations about this book. At times, I felt that the back story to the plot and characters was lacking–I suspect because I should have read the books in order and would already know the characters by book three. But I didn’t. The writing itself was fairly good, and although the plot became bogged down in details in some places, it was fairly quick paced.

I also felt that the book was sometimes inconsistent. Early in the plot, the two young sons of Jack and Espy are kidnapped and the rest of the plot hinges on this. But at times you almost forget, or feel as though the main characters have forgotten, that their sons are in peril. The lack of depth in their concern left me questioning their credibility.

As I read, one phrase came to mind time and again: Deus ex machina. It’s a literary term that literally means “god from the machine.” Wikipedia describes it pretty well: “a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and abruptly resolved, with the contrived and unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability, or object.” In other words, when Jack and Espy are in dire straights, someone or something comes out of the blue to rescue them. Left to their own devices, these two characters would never have survived.

I liked the action and imagination Don Hoesel utilizes in Blood and Bone, but I would probably recommend that you start with the first book in the series to avoid some confusion.

I received a complimentary copy of Blood and Bone from Bethany House Publishers, but I was not otherwise compensated for this review. All writing, thoughts, and opinions are solely mine.

Blood and Bone is the third book in Don Hoesel’s Jack Hawthorne Mystery series. I read and reviewed book 1, Bones of Elisha, but have not read book 2 Serpent of Moses. Do you need to read the first 2 books to enjoy Blood and Bone? Perhaps not. But to understand the back story of this novel — the legend surrounding Elisha’s bones, the secret society charged with guarding the relic and the development of Jack and Esperanza’s relationship, you should start at the beginning. I definitely have Serpent of Moses on my TBR list.

Jack and Esperanza are living a quiet life in a small college town with their two young sons. An unexpected call from a former colleague and friend puts them on the run and right back into a dangerous, twisting journey to retrieve a relic long buried and to save the lives of their children. Again Jack and Espy cross the world looking for clues among catacombs, museums and churches all the while dodging bullets and assassins sent from rogue CIA agents, the Israeli Mossad and the Priests of Osiris, an ancient society with their hands in world politics and finances. This novel has it all for those loving history, conspiracies and intrigue.

Blood and Bone is first and foremost an adventure/suspense novel reminiscent of Indiana Jones and The DaVinci Code. But because Hoesel includes a faith message, the story takes on a deeper quality beyond relics and artifacts. It involves the nature of truth and God’s purpose for His people. Even though this novel is mostly plot driven, I enjoyed the naturalness of Jack and Espy’s relationship. Their strengths and weaknesses compliment each other, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the banter between them. Blood and Bone takes the reader on a wild ride across continents, inside the offices of high-placed individuals and into the hearts of parents desperately trying to save their children. The ending is surprising and I would definitely say fitting.

If you like a suspenseful read with breakneck adventure, pick up this series by Don Hoesel

Recommended.

(I received an ebook of Blood and Bone from NetGalley for review purposes. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Blood and Bone takes place 13 years after Elisha's Bones & 10 years after Serpent of Moses and Jack and Espy are living happily in a home with their two kids. The book starts with Jack walking home from work (he's an archeology professor) and after being home just a little while he gets a phone call from his friend Ducky (a former CIA agent) who tells him to get his family, any $$ they have in the house and their passports. No time for questions ~ just get out of the house and go! It's fast paced, the historical parts are interesting and I loved all the travel around the world and hearing about different locations. Makes me wonder if the author traveled to some of these places for authenticity or if he just has a superb imagination!

I actually made sure I read Elisha's Bones before I started reading this book and I thought Blood and Bones was actually a lot easier to read. This series is one of those that while you probably don't have to read them in order or even all of them it definitely makes it easier to follow along if you know what happened in past books. I personally would suggest you read Elisha's Bones (Bk 1) first which is FREE right now on Amazon and also pick up Serpent of Moses (Bk 2) and when you're done and if you enjoy historical, political or archeological "Indiana Jones" type books ~ order Blood and Bones. I think you'll like it. =D

I was offered a copy of the book to read and review on GivingNSharing. I was not required to have a positive review and no $$ exchanged hands. Thanks for reading GivingNSharing.

- See more at: http://givingnsharing.blogspot.com/2013/07/blood-and-bone.html#sthash.zT3UJKKj.d...

Title: Sapphire Ice (The Jewel Series Book #1)
Author: Hallee Bridgeman
Pages: 212
Year: 2013
Publisher: Olivia Kimbrell Press
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book from www.bookfun.org
There are many novels I have read already this year, with the majority being most enjoyable. Here is an exceptional novel, in fact when communicating with the author I expressed the totality of my review in one word, WOW! Fully aware that the word doesn’t help anyone to grasp the contents or various aspects of the novel here is a little teaser to whet your appetite.
Three women who live together, and are half-sisters with a background that is very distinct. Not only is each one’s background dissimilar so is their heritage, and ancestry. The actions taken on one night alter the future for all three in the years growing up. Robin is the eldest and has an overwhelming sense of being responsible for Maxine and Sarah. Robin works hard to put her sisters through college, now when they are grown with Sarah having just a couple years left, Robin feels she can rest then.
However, two men are going to come in her life each for a different reason. One wants to show her how Christ makes all the difference in the world. The other man, well let’s just say you got to read the book to believe it. Robins who life is about to be turned upside down and her sisters couldn’t be happier but what does Robin feel about all this, can she trust anybody ever again?
Sapphire Ice is the first book in the Jewel Trilogy Bundle #1 which includes a novella Greater Then Rubies, which I will share in another review. I just was so overwhelmed with the way author Hallee Bridgeman has her characters in situations that are very life like. The emotional tension I felt as the characters interacted was something I will not forget, whether the players were praying or arguing. All I kept thinking was how much a story such as this reflects what real human beings feel.
Another aspect is how some of the characters were in accountability relationships in their walk with Christ. Truth spoken from one to another, praying with and for others, and being a conduit of the love God has for each of us regardless of where or who we are today. As Iron sharpens iron was a phrase I kept thinking when sparks would fly in the plot. Repentance, taking time out to be alone with the Lord is just a part of the strong message in the plot. Well, that gets you started, go have fun discovering what else lies between the covers of the book!
My rating is 5+ stars!
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457

Originally Reviewed At: Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 4 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Ariel


Blood and Bone by Don Hoesel was a great archaeological adventure that was reminiscent of the Indiana Jones franchise. The third in the Jack Hawthorne Adventure series, it was still easy to read and get through without reading the first two (although I will be picking those up as well). Jack Hawthorne and his wife, Esperanza (aka Espy) have retired from archaeology and have been focusing on raising their two boys, Alex and Jim. All of this changes when Jack’s friend Duckie calls him, warning him to flee. Years ago, Jack, Espy, and Espy’s brother Romero, buried the bones of biblical prophet Elisha in the deserts of Australia, never to be seen again. Now, Jack must recover the bones to keep him and his family alive.

The plot of this novel was amazing, I love a good historical adventure, and Blood and Bone does the trick. The search of Elisha’s bones takes Jack and Espy to Australia, Russia, and France, and the novel never gets dull at any point. If the two aren’t being chased by any of the three organizations that are after them, they are piecing together clues to take them one step closer to their goal. The clues were really fascinating to me, but it did make the novel a little hard to follow at times because I wasn’t entirely sure what had just happened. However, I love watching people figure clues such as these out, and once Jack and Espy figured out the clues, it was easy to go back and see how they pieced it all together.

Jack and Espy are a wonderful couple, and they kept me entertained throughout the entire novel. Jack is definitely more of the daredevil, the risk taker, the one more likely to throw caution to the wind, whereas Espy is more rational and keeps Jack in check. This does not make her any less enthusiastic to go on their adventure, however. There are multiple moments where Jack either has an idea, or gets them into a mess, and Espy proceeds to start a string of Spanish that Jack doesn’t understand, but knows she would never say in front of the boys. And Espy is the one who speaks multiple languages and is able to help the two of them navigate through the country by gaining the locals’ trust.

There are about three different organizations after Jack and Espy throughout the novel, and while this definitely adds to the intensity of the novel, I got to the point where I started to wonder who WASN’T after them. The only other gripe I really had with the novel was I felt that the ending was really anti-climactic. I was left with a couple of questions that weren’t resolved, which always bothers me.

Overall, Blood and Bone gets 4 out of 5 controllers. Despite the unsatisfying ending, it was a phenomenal read, and an exciting adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it. I definitely look forward to reading more works by Hoesel.

Dr. Jack Hawthorne is now living a rather quiet and relaxed life as a college professor at Evanston University in Ellen, North Carolina. He is married to Espy, his wife for several years, and his two young sons, Alex and Jim.

Shortly into the story Jack gets a phone call from his friend Jim Duckett, aka Duckey, telling him to get his family out of the house. He was told not to grab anything but themselves - cash if it was handy - passports if they didn't have to search for them. Jack knew that Duckey wouldn't have him do this unless there was a real danger.

The excitement builds early as Alex and Jim are kidnapped. It hadn't been the first time Jack and Espy were forced to run, but this time their boys were in danger. Jack knew it had to be about the bones - that was the only answer. Several years earlier, he'd been hired by a billionaire to locate the bones of a biblical prophet. Instead of giving them to the man who hired him, he buried the bones in the desert. And now, their lives are fraught with danger. And the story unfolds ----

The interesting premise lured me in early on and the adventure and excitement in this book is non-stop. Just when you think the worst has happened, with one crises after another, Espy and Jack find their way out of a bad predicament with relative ease. However, this took away from the realism in the story. It was a fast paced plot, but not much in character development - I never connected with them. Blood and Bone was a fun read for the most part, with a lot of twists and turns throughout and one of the best parts of this book is the descriptive writing - just excellent! But, the storyline just did not feel plausible to me, although all comes together at the end for a satisfying conclusion. My rating is 3.5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany Publishers for an honest review. All opinions shared in this review are my own.

My reviews can also be read on http://www.reviewfromhere.com and you can follow me on Twitter @ghmstudio.

Thinking back to my younger days and sensing what types of movies and book really appealed to me, I'd have to say action-adventure with a twist of romance. Now I was fortunate enough to find myself with the opportunity to review Don Hoesel's latest novel, Serpent of Moses which will leave you a bit breathless.

The book opens with a murder of a German, a Dr. Felix Hoffstatter while members of the Mossad try to prevent it from happening in the dead of night. The mystery will begin to deepen as archaeologist Dr. Jack Hawthorne finds himself fleeing from armed men in a cavern in the mountainous part of northeaster Libya attempting to locate a historical biblical artifact. However once he finds himself cornered and no where to run or hide anymore, he is taken back into the main part of the cavern to find the item.

The men who have kidnapped him are working for the Israeli government that want to ensure that any and all biblical relics that are discovered are turned over to them. However they aren't in the position to bargain for anything but the return of their discovered item which turns out to be a staff Moses created called the Nehushtan, to heal those inflicted by the snake bites that Moses called forth during the plagues of Egypt.

The Israeli's have hired an Egyptian giant, who goes by the name of Imolene working alongside an Englishman named Martin Templeton who have vowed to acquire the staff and leave no witnesses remaining. Now Jack has to work at finding a way to escape along with the staff before he is killed and no one knows where he is at. His only luck is his connection with Milo Sturdivant, a museum curator, who has hired Jack to locate the staff and bring it to him.

When Jack doesn't show up for his appointment, his long time friends, ex-CIA agent Jim Duckett, Dr. Esperanza Habilla and her brother, Romero, will have to use all their skills to find Jack before it's too late.

I received Serpent of Moses by Don Hoesel compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and was immediately drawn in from the first page. As a reader, I compared this one to those Indiana Jones movies I was captivated by, with our hero looking for a hidden biblical artifact that can only be found using a series of clues, meanwhile being hunted by others who want the fortune and glory all for themselves. This one is amazing and well worth a 5 out of 5 star rating. It delivers action, adventure, suspense and a touch of romance in this Christian novel. This is the second novel from Don Hoesel that I've had the opportunity to review and I know it will not be my last. This is the sequel to Elisha's Bones which I have on my Kindle and will be reading next.

I was pleasantly surprised when Elisha's Bones by Don Hoesel was offered for free. The blurb made it sound interesting and after 20 pages I still wasn't bored! Well I just finished it and I have to say it was the BEST free book Amazon has offered. It is Hoesel's first novel so of course there was a lot to be desired but there were many good things about it as well. The characters were interesting and story line was actually really good. I like how Hoesel mixed in a bit of history, religion and paranormal activity. It really made you wonder if Elisha's Bones really did exist and how real the things in this story could seem. The actual writing was good too. It didn't have the juvenile feel that a lot of beginning writers tend to have. Now for the bad... the story wasn't ALL that believable and when that happens, the plot starts to weaken. I think if Hoesel would have gone more in depth with what the Bones meant for history, family and religion and the covenant trying to protect them...he would have come away with a better story. Also..why did almost EVERYONE have to die? Really? That is my biggest complaint. Just as soon as I got a chance to mourn one characters death, boom, another one would happen. I think the body count was up to like 12 or something. Anyways. It was a solid book for a newbie. I would give it a B-.

NCLA Review - December 12, 2012, is the end of the Mayan calendar and some believe the end of the world, which causes some to panic. Sociologist and Professor Brent Michaels can see order in chaos, so he is hired as a consultant by Colonel Jameson Richards, the leader of a special unit at the Pentagon. There have been many natural disasters happening all over the world, and the team must figure out if they are coincidences, or if some evil mastermind is manipulating events and causing them to happen for his own monetary gain. There is less than two weeks to put all of the pieces together. The book started out very slowly, but a quarter of the way into it, it was better. There is a subtle religious tone, and each of the characters has something from his/her childhood that enters into the picture. So much happens in the book, and it seems to wrap up too quickly in the last twenty-five pages. It was an okay read, but a bit too hard to believe, in my opinion. Rating: 2 —VJ

I would like to preface what I am about to say with the fact that this is not my usual genre when I choose the books I buy to read.

With that said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I read the book in under a day, and wanted to skip to the end to see what happened through most of the book.

I have always been fascinated by the world of archaeology and found that the author captured the lure of discovery ancient worlds very interesting.½

This was a fairly interesting read. It revolved around Jack Hawthorne, an archaeologist who is hired to prove the existence of Elisha's bones, an ancient relic said to have the power over life. This search takes him all over the world and gets him involved with some mysterious organizations. Naturally adventure and peril follow him as well.

The concept behind the relic was interesting. The book is also a fairly fast read. There was a lot of action. In fact, I almost felt there was too much going on. You never really got a chance to breath, and you almost want Dr. Hawthorne to stop talking to people because a perilous situation inevitably followed. Who knew the world of antiquities could be so dangerous? The plot also seemed to jump a bit in time from one chapter end to the next chapter beginning. It could feel a bit choppy at times.

After all that adventure, the ending felt a bit sudden. Perhaps a bit random too (although apparently this was meant to be Christian fiction, so maybe not?). Overall, I didn't think it was a bad book. It was pretty entertaining at times. I'm just glad I'm not friends with an archaeologist. Looks like it's pretty dangerous.