Sunday, July 21, 2013

The Brotherhood Conspiracy... a book review

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The Brotherhood Conspiracy
 
by Terry Brennan
 
ISBN: 978-0-8254-4317-6
 

Fiction / Christian / Suspense
 
2013
 
 
 
Tom Bohannon's discovery of an ancient scroll led him on an international adventure and through mysteries of faith and politics, ending in a place not even he could imagine: the Third Temple of God hidden under Temple Mount in Jerusalem. But soon after his remarkable discovery, the future of the world changed again. Tom watched as a chasm tore apart Temple Mount, as new rivers swept through the Kidron Valley and into the streets of Old Jerusalem, their discovery swallowed by an earthquake, crushed under tons of stone and debris. A biblical prophecy realized. The final days were upon them.
 
Wondering how to recover from such a momentous find and such horrendous destruction, Tom's adventures are not over. No one knows how much time is left in these last days--a year? A hundred years? A thousand? Plagued by murderous dreams, Tom fears members of the Prophet Guard--killers who wear the Coptic cross with a lightning bolt slashing through it--are back and looking for him. But they are not the only threat to Tom and his team. Forces behind the Arab Spring have sinister plans. And underestimating their determination would be a fatal mistake.

The same fast-paced, page-turning prose that readers loved in The Sacred Cipher is back in Terry Brennan's eagerly awaited sequel, The Brotherhood Conspiracy. ~  Publisher's Description

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Intrigue
 
Mystery
 
Suspense
 
Biblical prophesies coming true....

How do regular people seamlessly blend in with secret agents and societies wanting them dead?  By trusting that the True God has called them and will direct their footsteps to accomplish His plan.
 
From the streets of New York City to Jerusalem, this action-packed mystery is truly a global read.  As the characters follow the clues presented and garnered, the readers are drawn into the unfolding pages of the Biblical last days.
 
I always get concerned when the opening pages of a new book includes a descriptive list of the main characters in the novel.  True to other books, I found myself having to flip back to confirm who is who in the story and their locales.  Numerous times I had to reread sections to clarify the who and where. 
 
Although this was tedious at times, I enjoyed The Brotherhood ConspiracyTerry Brennan has created a riveting, thought provoking story.  Weaving biblical history with the unrest in the Middle East and Jerusalem, this story could easily be a 'front-page news' current event.
 
The Brotherhood Conspiracy continues a storyline which began in  The Sacred Cipher but you do not need to begin with book 1.  Yet, it probably would have helped me to understand the characters and each of their parts in the unfolding drama more clearly.  I had placed Terry Brennan's The Sacred Cipher on my wish list to read even before picking up The Brotherhood Conspiracy.  I look forward to reading the beginning of this series!
 
My rating: A-
 
4.5 out of 5 stars
 
I received a complimentary copy of The Brotherhood Conspiracy from Kregel Publications for my honest review.
 
Blessings,
 
     Ellen

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Boundaries for Leaders... a book review

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ISBN: 978-0-06-220633-6
$28.99 Hardback
April 2013


Book Description


An expert on the psychology of business and a co-author of the classic bestseller Boundaries explains how the best leaders set expectations and limits to get the results they want from their employees and from themselves.

In Boundaries for Leaders, Dr. Henry Cloud combines his knowledge of human behavior, business leadership, and neuroscience to help executives lead effectively, build organizational culture, develop strong teams, and get results from themselves and others.

What is a boundary? Simply put, a boundary is a property line that defines ownership, control, and responsibility. It sets limits on the behaviors and activities allowed on the property. Similarly, leadership success depends on shaping and defining organizational boundaries. When leaders set appropriate and healthy expectations that are in line with the ways people actually behave, organizations and their employees thrive. Beginning with a lucid description of how brains actually work, Dr. Cloud then applies those principles to the most critical aspects of a leader's work: how to manage teams, coach direct reports, and instill an organization with strong values and culture.

Filled with inspiring and practical examples, Boundaries for Leaders is essential reading for executives and those who aspire to lead-professionals who want to create successful companies, with more satisfied employees and customers, while becoming more resilient managers themselves. Its practical advice brings clarity and direction, helping leaders cut through the chaos and confusion, resulting in organizations that are positive and results-oriented. In short, it defines the essential boundaries that leaders must provide for their vision to become reality.  (BookSneeze.com)
 
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As I complete my Business Management degree, I was looking forward to reading this book.  I want to be an effective leader who can encourage and motivate my employees and / or team members. 

I found Boundaries for Leaders to be long-winded and redundant.  I wanted to learn hands-on ways to become a better leader, but this is not what I found.  Instead of quickly consuming the book and its ideas, I trudged through hoping for better with each turn of a page.  Dr. Henry Cloud introduces a topic and then writes that he will delve into that later in the book.  Because of this, the book did not flow smoothly at all.

The basic tenets of trust, a positive emotional climate and culture were mere background information to Dr. Cloud's constant description of how your brain works.  I would have preferred these flipped - more information and ways to improve or maintain a positive working environment and less "brain talk."   

My rating: C
2.5 out of 5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of Boundaries for Leaders from BookSneeze.com for my honest review.

Blessings,

     Ellen
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