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"Enemy at the Gates," the latest Vince Flynn Novel, in the Mitch Rapp series, by Kyler Mills, comes out 9-14-2021.  Here is my review of the advanced copy. 

 As I read the seventh book by Kyle Mills, in the Mitch Rapp series, I kept thinking that Kyle has improved with each effort. There is a delicate balance of not only taking over the beloved top-operate and agent series from Vince Flynn, but also dealing with the character development of an aging master spy. 

In Enemy at the Gates, Rapp is confronted with another new administration, following an apocalyptic shutdown of the United States at every level (Total Power). Not only does he have to evaluate the new President, Rapp must determine what he wants his future to be. He has been struggling with settling down after a long anonymous, but world-saving career and the change in administrations seems to give him the opportunity to go in a new direction. 

Of course, peace on earth never lasts for very long, and soon Mitch, Coleman and Kennedy must band together to confront an entirely new enemy. An enemy they think they know, but  also one they have not ever really confronted. Kyle Mills pulls you into the story from the get- go, and never lets loose. Mitch is confronted with his mortality, what exactly patriotism is, betrayal, and an uncertain future. While Enemy at the Gates weaves an excellent tale, it is very apparent that a dangerous future awaits Mitch, Coleman, and Kennedy.

If you are new to the series, start with American Assassin. 

I've read a lot of books and viewed a lot of movies.  Again, this is an area where you can gain insight into what makes someone tick.  I have some friends who only read non-fiction.  These are typically very studious, no nonsense types who don't see the point in reading fiction.  "Why would you waste your time on that, it's not even real?"  They are also the type of people who wouldn't understand why I bother with this website, but I love many of them just the same.  I believe in having a nice balance between the two and find myself quite frequently, reading a novel and a book of non-fiction at the same time.

My wife will ask me sometimes about why buy books instead of checking them out at the library.  Or if I do buy them, why I don't trade them in at the used book store (did I mention how much I love used book stores?).  The answer is simple.  I keep the books I really like and enjoy lending them out to others so they can enjoy them as well.  So, the books I recommend here are the ones on my personal shelves.

I've read a lot of books and viewed a lot of movies.  Again, this is an area where you can gain insight into what makes someone tick.  I have some friends who only read non-fiction.  These are typically very studious, no nonsense types who don't see the point in reading fiction.  "Why would you waste your time on that, it's not even real?"  They are also the type of people who wouldn't understand why I bother with this website, but I love many of them just the same.  I believe in having a nice balance between the two and find myself quite frequently, reading a novel and a book of non-fiction at the same time.

My wife will ask me sometimes about why buy books instead of checking them out at the library.  Or if I do buy them, why I don't trade them in at the used book store (did I mention how much I love used book stores?).  The answer is simple.  I keep the books I really like and enjoy lending them out to others so they can enjoy them as well.  So, the books I recommend here are the ones on my personal shelves.

"The book is a film that takes place in the mind of the reader.   That's why we go to the movies and say, "Oh, the book is better." Paulo Coelho 

I'm going to limit my recommendations to five books, in which I think anyone will be a better human being for having read and contemplative the questions they should raise in your life.  

1. Heaven, by Randy Alcorn, is the definitive book on what the Bible says about Heaven.  Randy is very clear about what is directly from scripture and also areas in which he draws conclusions or speculates based upon the text.  You might be very surprised to find out things you thought were true about Heaven that couldn't be further from the what the Bible teaches.  Randy also addresses issues we ponder, like... what will our bodies be like?  Will we eat and drink? Will animals, including our pets live again? Will there be arts, entertainment, and sports in heaven?  And much more...

2. The On-Purpose Person, by Kevin McCarthy.  Kevin is a friend and does a great job, through a modern parable, showing us how to invest our time, talents, and assets in what's most important, exchanging burn-out for balance, feeling satisfied instead of stressed and nurturing a growing sense of being On Purpose.

3. Season of Life, by Jeffrey Marx.  A book about what it means to be a man of substance and impact.  It is a moving story that will resonate with athletes, coaches, parents - anyone struggling to make the right choices in life.

​4. Radical, by David Platt. What does it really mean when Jesus said, "Take up your cross daily...?"  A very challenging look at the lifestyle Jesus had for his followers versus the American Dream.

5.  Spiritual Disciplines For the Christian Life, by Donald Whitney. What does it mean to embark on a lifelong quest for godliness?  Freedom.  The reward of discipline.

​6. Sailing Between the Stars, by Steven James.  The parodoxes of life. 

I like fiction that is suspenseful, humorous and if at all possible is part of s lengthy series where I can continue to follow the character over a period of time and circumstances.  Here are some great options and series:

1.Blink & Three, by Ted Dekker. Ted Dekker can weave some real thrillers together.  In my opinion, Blink and Three are his two best and will keep you up late trying to see what happens next.  I guarantee you'll enjoy them.  He has also written a masterful triology - Black, Red, and White. While Ted has put  out 2-4 books a year after these, I haven't found them to be up to par with these five.

2. Deception, by Randy Alcorn.  Deception is actually the third in a trilogy, which started with Deadline and then Dominion.  It's three different suspense thrillers about three friends and each book is told from the point of view of a different friend.  I suppose you should read them in order, but Deception is actually my favorite due to the sarcastic wit of the detective who tells the story.  The combination of laugh out loud humor coupled with a suspenseful crime made this a fun read.

3. The Shack, by William P. Young. This book sold the most copies of a self-published novel in history for a reason. It's created controversy in church circles due to the way Jesus is portrayed as a black, African woman, but to that I would say, "It's fiction!"  The story is heart wrenching, thought provoking and intriguing.  I can attest that it is one of the few books in which I cried...several times.

4. Shoe Fly Pie, by Tim Downs. ​Dr. Nick Polchak, aka the Bug Man, is a forensic entomologist. This is the first in a great series.  Each book stands alone, but if you're starting out, I recommend you Google the order and read them that way.  Like the book Deception, noted above, the Bug Man has a sarcastic wit that will have you laughing throughout, while wincing at the description of bug invested corpses he is investigating while solving complex crimes.   

5. American Assassin, by Vince Flynn.  Mitch Rapp is the American James Bond.  Vince Flynn wrote 14 books in this series before passing away from cancer at the young age of 48 last year.  It's a real shame as this is one of the best series I have ever read and I typically don't pick up espionage novels.  His first book was Term Limits, which he initially self published and sold out of the trunk of  his car.  It quickly caught on and he's sold millions of copies of the Mitch Rapp series.  Again, this is the first novel (actually one of two prequels, written in the past three years, but it's best to start here) and Google the order.  If you are squeamish to some torture or "in the field" language, then you might want to skip this series, but if not, I guarantee you will be hooked and lose lots of sleep!

6. The Pawn, Steven James. Like Randy Alcorn, James is another author who shows up in both my non-fiction and fiction recommendations.  Special Agent Patrick Bowers is the protagonist in this chilling thriller, as he tracks down a psychopathic serial killer (along the lines of Silence of the Lambs). The series continues with, The Rook, The Knight, The Bishop, The Queen, Opening Moves and The King.  Not for the faint of heart.

7.Hunters of the Red Moon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley.  I believe this is the only Science Fiction book I have truly enjoyed.  Written in 1973, it was one of the books that inspired my imagination as I began writing fantasy novels.  Based upon a number of books, like The Hunger Games, I believe it has probably influenced quite a few others.

8. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling. Ground breaking in how it is written, ignoring all literary rules with adverbs used as adjectives in almost every sentence.   A fun and suspenseful series... even for adults.

9.  Ryann Watters and the King's Sword, by Eric Reinhold. Shameless self promotion.  A modern day Narnia, set in the United States... Mount Dora, Florida to be exact.

"EVERY GREAT FILM SHOULD SEEM NEW EVERY TIME YOU SEE IT." Robert Ebert

Before I list the movies I recommend seeing you have to know a few things about movies and me. 

(1) I'm the type of person who eats all the popcorn while they're still going through the trailers.  Not exactly, but I almost always buy the large popcorn and drink (with the free refills) and bring along a plastic grocery bag to dump the first popcorn into and get the refill immediately for whoever goes with me.  If you're embarrassed by this then you shouldn't go to the movies with me. 

​(2) I divide new movies into those I deem worthy of paying $9.50 for the first week and those that  I wait until they move to the dollar theater (now $1.75 due to inflation, except on Tuesday's where it's half-price).  

(3) Academy Award nominations mean nothing to me.  As a matter of fact, if a film is nominated then I become skeptical over whether I want to see it or not (read: what's the political agenda?)  

I primarily like comedies and action films; however, I enjoy a well-made life story that provides deep insight into the human struggle.  That would include movies like: "Lone Survivor," "Saving Mr. Banks," and "The Blind Side."

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Here are some films that fit my criteria and I can watch more than once and still enjoy them.

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FREQUENCY - A favorite movie of mine that didn't get a lot of attention.  If you like time-space continuum/suspense and character development, then don't miss this one!  Jim Caviezel is great in "Persons of Interest," on Netflix. 

AVENGERS- As a die-hard comic book collector from the 70's and early 80's, I am a huge fan of all the Marvel films. Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, and the Hulk were all great. The first Ghostrider film and Elektra with Jennifer Garner are two that not many have seen, but are a lot of fun as well.

STRIPES - One of many comedies that I enjoy.  Stripes has one-liners that my brother and I quote every time we're together and still laugh like it's the first time we've heard it.

OTHERS: Groundhog Day, What About Bob, The Man Who Would Be King, Gallipoli, The Great Escape, What if..., The Blind Side, The Passion, The Matrix, Lone Survivor, Saving Mr. Banks, Pretty Woman, The Double, Bruce Almighty, Brave Heart, The Patriot, Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, Hoosiers.