Randall Arthur Reviews

Added March 13, 2007

Jordan's Crossing

Author: Randall Arthur
Publisher: Mutnomah Publishing
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: April 2006
Genre: Fiction: Christian/Suspense
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $16.99
ISBN-10: 1-59052-260-5
ISBN-13: 9781590528198
Reviewer: Phillip Tomasso III

After I read Randall Arthur's Wisdom Hunter I could not wait to get my hands on Jordan's Crossing. I read Crossing in two days. When I set the book down, I could not stop thinking about it. That's how I know Arthur had me in his grip-I cared immensely about the characters he'd created, and I wouldn't be satisfied until I'd finished reading the story. When I'd finished reading the story, though, I wanted more. I hated to be done with the tale.

Pastor Jordan Rau uproots his family, his wife, and teenage daughter and son, taking them from the comforts of America to a missionary position in Germany. The decision was not based on answering God's calling, but due to financial debt. He moved his family to the other end of the earth based on the increase in income he'd receive.

Unfortunately, the rash decision cost him the very thing he cherished most in his life. His family. When his son and his son's girlfriend are brutally murdered, Jordan gives up everything to dedicate his time to finding those responsible himself.

As his grip on reality weakens with each passing day, Jordan is reduced to lying, purchasing weapons and concentrating all of his attention on pre-meditated murder-convincing himself that he is righteously avenging his son's untimely death.

Jordan's Crossing is what you'd call a page-turner. Readers will relate to the pain both Jordan and his wife feel. At times I couldn't wait for Jordan to catch and punish the one involved in the murder, and at times I wished he'd go home, let the police handle it and just love his family. Because the constant threat isn't in Jordan's finding the killers. The constant threat, since his son is already dead, is that Jordan is going to lose the women he loves most in his life, his wife and his daughter.

What more can I say. Jordan's Crossing is right up there with any other best selling thriller on the shelves today. If you haven't read it, and you like something that has drive, tension and suspense . . . Jordan's Crossing is just what you are looking for.

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Added March 13, 2007

Wisdom Hunter

Author: Randall Arthur
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: October 2006
Genre: Fiction: Christian
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $12.99
ISBN-10: 1590529944
ISBN-13: 9781590529942
Reviewer: Phillip Tomasso III

Randall Arthur, who served as a missionary in Europe for twenty-two years, has written a powerful novel with Wisdom Hunter. It is often painfully honest, and leads me to wonder if there is some autobiographical material tucked into some of the chapters.

Pastor Jason Faircloth is a no-nonsense kind of leader. Since he has grown his community church by leaps and bounds he has amassed respected and admiration from his staff and parishioners. His focus on the church and the church family is so prominent in his life that his wife and daughter only receive what little is left over at the end of the day.

Unfortunately, his strict guidelines for how life should be lived, a staggering, yet thorough list of Thou Shalls, and Thour Shall Nots dominate his every action, and therefore must be as strictly followed by those around him-to the point of unhealthy obsessive compulsiveness.

His unrealistic, and unbiblical views, eventually force his teenage daughter to run away. This unexpected blow is the beginning of the unraveling set to destroy his ability to preach, and to painfully test his faith in God. Things go from bad to worse when he discovers what happened to his daughter.

Determined to put the pieces of his life into some kind of order, Faircloth sets out on a self-journey spanning eighteen years. His search is for God, for truth and for what remains of his family. Just when he is certain that his life will remain pointless and empty forever, God’s purpose is revealed, but will Faircloth be up to the challenge placed before him?

Moving and compelling, and totally engrossing from start to finish, Arthur keeps his chapters taut, and intriguing. The dramatic story of faith, love and forgiveness is ever-present, appealing and comforting. With well-defined characters, detailed scenes and an obvious talent for storytelling, Wisdom Hunter is one of those books you’ll read fast, but remember for a long, long time.

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