Shepherd

Kris Longknife: Undaunted
$7.99
Mike Shepherd has written another great novel. This one is a bit slower than some of the other books in the series, but with a rich story that challenges part of the history Kris assumed was true. It may be more of a transition book on the way to a new plotline that Mr. Shepherd has in mind, but has plenty of merit on its own.

Unfortunately, the Kindle edition has a lot of problems. I saw quite a few spelling mistakes that could very well have been caused by a poor conversion. Also, Mr. Shepherd uses all capital letters in places to denote inaudible conversations between Kris and Nelly, her computer. The Kindle edition, for some reason, changed about half to two-thirds of the letters to lower case (I have not checked the print edition to be sure it does not have the same problems).

The Way of the Shepherd: 7 Ancient Secrets to Managing Productive People
$9.99
A few months back our church leadership restructured ourselves so that the majority of elders (or shepherds) could devote themselves to encouraging church ministry leaders and help the congregation on a more personal level with their spiritual direction. I meet with these shepherds to devise a course of action and we some purposeful meetings with congregants in their homes. Shortly after we began I read Leman's book and knew that it would be of benefit to our leaders. I've purchased a copy for each shepherd as well as our congregation's ministers.

The book presents seven practical, relevant suggestions for leading people based on techniques used by shepherds in taking care of their sheep. Leman uses information about shepherds and sheep from Phillip Keller's wonderful book, "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23." Leman wraps his principles in an engaging story that is fun to read. This would be a great book to use in discussion groups.

I also bought an additional copy for my college age daughter who has just started a new job where she is responsible for directing a small group of women in a social agency. This will be her first time to be a "director" and it very much resembles the situation of Ted McBride, the main character of the book.

The Shepherd: Border Patrol
$14.94
The Shepherd (2008) is a crime adventure, where routine and reality, quickly become non-factors. Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as Jack Robideaux, a New Orleans police officer newly transferred to a border patrol unit operating out of Columbus, New Mexico.

Things on the border are usually quite tense, but it is evident that the situation has changed, when Robideaux and his partner Billy Pawnell (Gary McDonald), apprehend an illegal with C4 strapped to his chest. Smuggling has gone to a new level, due to ex-US military personnel turning to crime. Benjamin Meyers (Stephen Lord), formerly of the special forces, is the leader of the smugglers, who have a plan to transport a huge shipment, using a bus. Violence erupts, when their plan unravels. It's comic book time, when hidden panels slide back to reveal machine guns, manned by the mercenaries disguised as priests. Robideaux and Pawnell go cowboy, illegally pursing the bus into Mexico.

The new guy moves fast, and certainly has all the luck, becoming tight with his female CO Captain Ramona Garcia (Natalie Robb), getting a partner that is morally conflicted, and winding up in the heart of a storm, hanging tantalizingly upside down over an electrified pool. Meyers seems to be in love with the sound of his own voice, and he and his crew are not too bright, which creates an opportunity for escape.

Just barely in touch with reality, The Shepherd is an entertaining ride, that takes itself much too seriously. Although the plot is events are most unlikely, Van Damme plays it mostly straight throughout. Robideaux's grief for a lost daughter, seems an extraneous element in the story. Still physically fit, Van Damme doesn't employ the same kind of tricks favored by Steven Seagal. Among Jean-Claude's recent films, this is one of his better efforts. Presentation is anamorphic widescreen, with subtitles, but no extra features.

Shepherd
$2.45
Forsyth has produced a charming novella that strays some from his traditional suspense stories. While you won't be surprised that there is a surprising twist at the end, this heartwarmer is perfect for the holiday season, and a nice opportunity for younger readers who have not experienced his classic masterpieces to try him out.