Jaded Idols by Elayne Mayer

Elayne Mayer’s Jaded Idols (2003) creates a huge family tree that stretches from pre-colonial Africa to a contemporary Presidential White House. The novel opens in a polygamous African village were men father as many children as possible and have no problem raising the children of other men. Unfortunately, their lives are shattered when slave traders ambush the village, place the natives on ships, and later enslave them. Relationships between slaves and slaveholders produce children. To improve their social standings in life, some of the biracial offspring turn to passing as white. Some of the novel’s characters are able to become huge Hollywood celebrities. However, these lives are also shattered. Murder, incest, rape, and drugs appear around every corner. Some tragic event seems to await Mayer’s characters up until the final pages of the book.

I was really impressed with Mayer’s ability to seamlessly transition from generation to generation. Everything was smooth and I never found myself lost wondering how the newest character came in. I also loved Mayer’s use of flashback. Often at a crucial part of the novel, the main character will flashback to some important event.

Overall, Jaded Idols is a very good book. I thought the beginning scenes in African were interesting, but it was easy to anticipate what would happen next. However, the suspense picked up in Part Three when the book shifted to Hollywood. Some characters die in the most unpredictable fashions. The only problem I had with the book where the typos. They were annoying but did not make the novel unreadable. I would recommend this book to others.

You can pick up a copy at the online bookstore:

http://dorrance.stores.yahoo.net/mayjadid.html

I received a complimentary copy of Jaded Idols as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

What makes a man tick? John Eldredge addresses this question (and many more) in his bestselling book, Wild at Heart. He claims masculinity is having a crisis. Men have constructed a facade to hide their true identity and desire. Eldredge attributes this trend to some event that made a child believe that his father did not approve of him. In one case, a young pianist was insulted by his macho father. Instead of becoming the next Beethoven, the child completely stopped playing the piano and continued to ignore his true desires throughout life. Eldredge also believes that men have an inclination toward violence. Although this is natural, Christianity has resorted to creating passive men who become bored with their lives.

I did not have a clue what Wild at Heart was about when I first opened it. When I first realized I was reading a book geared toward men, I did not feel I could relate to it in at all. However, the book completely drew me in. I found myself identifying with several of Eldredge’s points. I especially loved how the book is peppered with many movie quotations, poems, personal letters, and of course, Bible quotations. Overall, I would recommend Wild at Heart to both men and women. It is a quick but powerful read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. 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.”

Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with Lynn Vincent

It’s almost impossible to pass a week without seeing a homeless person. We may pity them, blame them, or even give them a few bucks, but within a few moments, that homeless person fades from our thoughts.

Same Kind of Different as Me shows how a lifelong bond formed between a homeless black man and an affluent white family. Although Denver Moore grew up with loving grandparents, his young life was filled with tragedy: he was brutally attacked by a group of young white boys, and later witnessed his grandmother burn to death as they lived in virtual slavery. Without money or the ability to read, Denver hops a train and takes off to find a better life. He finds himself homeless and in and out of trouble with the police. He is cast away by society until he meets a mission volunteer named Deborah Hall. Denver slowly becomes friends with Deborah and her husband, Ron. Sadly, things take a sharp turn when Deborah is diagnosed with cancer.

This was one of the most touching books I have read in a long time. It shows readers a different side of homelessness: most homeless people started off just like us but did not have as good luck. One tragedy can cause anyone to end up on the streets. Still, the book reminds us, that this is all part of God’s plan. The authors even go on to tackle the topic of how God can let horrible things happen to great people. Same Kind of Different as Me is a must-read for anyone no matter if they are rich or poor, educated or uneducated, or spiritual or searching.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. 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.”