Vince Flynn Novels
Vince Flynn gets a category all his own. For readers who love political thrillers and are true patriots. You can now start the uninitiated readers with American Assassin which is a prequel to all of the Mitch Rapp stories. But if you want to read them in the order they were written, Vince Flynn first wrote Term Limits which was written in the mid-90s but is a picture of today. Mitch Rapp isn’t introduced to us until Vince’s second novel. In all fairness to getting the ultimate experience from these books, they really should be read in order, so here they are in the order they were published:
Term Limits 1997, Transfer of Power 1999, The Third Option 2000, Separation of Power 2001, Executive Power 2002, Memorial Day 2004, Consent to Kill 2005, Act of Treason 2006, Protect and Defend 2007, Extreme Measures 2008, Pursuit of Honor 2009, American Assassin 2010
Military Thriller
The Malacca Conspiracy by Don Brown
Don writes great military novels. The Malacca Conspiracy brings back the super JAG attorney Lt. Commander Zack Brewer. Don Brown, like Vince Flynn, doesn’t pull any punches as to who the terrorists are in the world. A dynamic plot with a strong protagonist. (Also best if read after Treason; Hostage; Defiance)
Contemporary (Hard to classify)
Admission by Travis Thrasher
Admission is not a new novel, but it’s a good one. It takes a close-up look at a group of college friends who experience a season of their lives they ultimately would like to forget, but they can’t. When unusual circumstances force the truth from its hideaway, a few lives are finally set free.
Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes
A heart-wrenching story of love and sacrifice and family healing. Very good debut novel. Gina’s got a unique voice.
Once in a Blue Moon by Leanna Ellis
A good novel with some quirky characters in unusual settings, a clever and touching story about searching for those things in life which mean so much but seem elusive.
Hunter’s Moon by Don Hoesel
A writer returns to his hometown and estranged relatives while in the middle of a divorce. Discovering new information about a circumstance he’s tried to forget, his life is endangered while learning the real reason for some of the dissension. A well-written and entertaining story with a likable rogue of a protagonist.
Young Adult
Frenzy by Robert Liparulo
The conclusion to this six book segment of the Dreamhouse Kings Series, Frenzy is easily my favorite as the terrors of the King family’s weird house and the multiple travels back in history to search for the wife and mom come to a satisfactory and touching end. Do your recipient of this gift a favor and buy him/her the six-book set. Each book leads into the following one. This series can be enjoyed by adults, too.
Other Series Novels
Life in Defiance by Mary E. DeMuth
This story ends the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, and it’s a very good conclusion to Mary’s series featuring Louise (Ouisie) Pepper, the local pastor’s wife who lives with horrible abuse from her husband. Mary DeMuth's individual voice and style present us with a small community rocked by tragedy and hidden sorrows. Again, to do this book justice, the whole series should be given (Daisy Chain; A Slow Burn; Life in Defiance).
Father, you have blessed all of these wonderful authors with stories and books. I pray your guidance to continue in their lives, that they would keep you in front of all they do and write, and that they would feel your pleasure. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
