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Fiction. Suspense. HTML: When Simon Mason, the world's best-known televangelist, receives threats from Muslim terrorists, he hires Taylor Pasbury, a beautiful former Secret Service agent, to take charge of his security. Taylor is thrilled to receive the high-profile assignment, but she has no idea that Simon already knows more about her than she could imagine. When the terrorists strike, making a demand of the pastor that would shake the most steadfast saint, Taylor draws on all of her hard-knock toughness and training as she fights to save Simon and his daughter. Along the way, she discovers that she is not the only one who has done things she would like to forget�and she is not the only one who understands that some things are more important than living. "James David Jordan pens a fascinating tale that is more than a suspense novel. An intimate exploration of the soul's need for acceptance and belonging, it touches the nerves of some of our most sensitive fears and longings. Forsaken is a moving and relevant saga of faith on a collision course with the brutalities of our world." Endorsements: "James David Jordan pens a fascinating tale that is more than a suspense novel. An intimate exploration of the soul's need for acceptance and belonging, it touches the nerves of some of our most sensitive fears and longings. Forsaken is a moving and relevant saga of faith on a collision course with the brutalities of our world." �Jill Elizabeth Nelson, author of Reluctant Burglar and Reluctant Smuggler "Entertaining, action packed, and thought provoking. I couldn't put it down. Forsaken is a must read." �Patricia Rushford, author of Deadly Aim and As Good as Dead "With more twists and turns than a rip-roaring rollercoaster ride, Forsaken will keep you guessing right to final page. You'll find no easy answers here but many to consider." �Ken Abraham, New York Times bestselling author "I have read many enthralling suspense novels, meaningful love stories, and books that challenged my thinking and purpose, but never has a novel combined all three elements with such adeptness as Forsaken." �RelzReviews.… (more)
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What happened is that I was entertained by the fluff novel, but reading it became more and more unbelievable. Taylor is a self proclaimed non-believer, but when she falls upon an instance for caring for another human being she decides to "pray for them". Even though she sarcastically shrugs off that her prayers will not matter, she decides to pray anyways. This brought up a red flag in my book - how can a non-believer and a heart hardened person at that decide to pray. Kind of unbelievable. The next point was when having a heart to heart with the same character, Simon Mason, she begins a religious debate with him. Frankly all the non-believers that I've met that are heart hardened don't care what Christians say and don't care one bit for the words coming out of their mouth. There were some discrepancies between those that I've perceived as non-believers and the character Taylor Pasbury. Then she changes her tune later on and says that she believes in God but has "never been a relgious person". Red flag number three rises up the flag pole there!
All in all, Forsaken was an exciting book that kept me on my toes and continually reading. I didn't agree with everything the author had to say, but it was worthwhile and fun to read. I might be compelled to recommend this book to some of the patrons at the library who like Christian fiction, but I may not. It was an okay book.
Jordan is an eloquent writer, skillfully painting his characters with spunk and humor. Forsaken moved along quickly, with nary a lag in the plot. While this was a good book, however, I can’t help but think that with practice Jordan will become an even better story-teller. This book had a great premise with lots of potential, but as I finished the last page, I felt a nagging disappointment in the book’s overall impact.
Taylor, though immensely winsome and likable, doesn’t develop much beyond her character’s introduction. Even her battle with alcoholism feels like an entertaining and unnecessary side story, rather than a springboard for depth and insight. In fact, there were several sub-plots in Forsaken that did little to further the story’s forward movement and fizzled out before Jordan brought them to fruition. In the end, it seemed as though Simon’s influence in Taylor’s life was more superficial than spiritual.
In addition, it was hard for me to forgive and forget the silly, nonsense notion that terrorists would perform a sterile, surgical procedure, complete with general anesthesia, to cut someone’s finger off. Terrorists are brutal, inhumane, radical, and violent…hardly the type of people to worry about a hostage’s pain level and risk of infection enough to hire a surgical team. And since the missing finger was a recurring topic, I was repeatedly reminded of this ridiculous detail.
Forsaken was entertaining enough that I look forward to watching Jordan develop as an author. He has the ability to tell an engaging story full of action, humor, and suspense as he keeps his reader wondering what will happen next. His characters are colorful, yet mysterious, and the story was both exciting and thought-provoking.
Recommended.
The author more than adequately enters the world of a single woman by revealing her past and her
If one can overlook this shortcoming, the rest of the book is enjoyable; the intricate details of interpersonal relationships is well-played against a religious background. Although the conclusion is rushed, the author is able to provide a real glimpse into the heart of a man who wishes to be a faithful servant to Jesus Christ, even if that man happens to be a televangelist.
Overall, not a bad read.
If you like suspense thrillers, you'll be hooked by James David Jordan's writing. The subjects of loneliness, unconditional love, and crisis of faith are portrayed with reality as the characters are faced with seemingly impossible situations. You'll be sucked in as you first meet Taylor and her father on her birthday camping trip. You'll also weep for Simon as he must make a horrible choice to save his daughter Kacey from her terrorist kidnappers.
Forsaken by James David Jordan is a must have! You will not be disappointed.