Review - Exodus Team: New Roads by BEBogdon
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About the Author
BEBogdon describes herself as a Christian entertainer from the Midwest whose passion for writing began with a love for reading. Although a newly published author, Bogdon has been telling stories for years. Through involvement in theater, film, commercial, and voice-over work, she has had the opportunity to breathe life into the written word, and as an avid daydreamer, she is thrilled to see those dreams finally settle onto the printed page. You can keep up with her at www.BEBogdon.com.
Book Description
They aren’t paranormal investigators, just ordinary believers who dare to follow God into dark places.
For Maj Newhouse life revolves around her faith, her friends, Aimee and Kevin Cole, and her projects at the old barn-but that was before Jason Knight walked through the door. The handsome businessman from Chicago has a problem; he has staked his career on rehabilitating a haunted hotel.
A chance encounter with Kevin has led him to the old barn, and Maj is shocked to learn that Knight expects to hire her and her friends as exorcists for his property!
Will Maj’s distrust of the charming stranger and her own self-doubt cripple the newly formed Exodus Team before it starts?
Review of Exodus Team: New Roads
Reading this book caused me to violate the 10th commandment. I coveted. I coveted the way the main characters interacted with such fluidity with scripture. I appreciate how Bogdon didn’t just insert superficial Bible verses to give the book a Christian flavor. Their presence in the story are thoughtful, practical to the situation, and essential for the Exodus Team in their demon-busting adventure — those in the hotel and those inside their own hearts.
I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story, which in many ways reminded me of the Hardy Boys mysteries I read as a kid. I appreciate how Bogdon made the characters feel real, not sanitized. I wanted to know more about them (which is always a good benchmark), and I can see fans referring to them in such a way that outsiders might think the fans are relaying details of real mutual acquaintances.
Maj takes the lead role in this book, and her character shows the extremes we can have in our lives. The highs, the lows, the past, the present. Even the hint of what the future might hold. Bogdon doesn’t overly dramatize the failures, nor overly saintify the victories. She shares just enough details about characters to draw you into the story.
The same goes for how the author gets your heart racing. Nothing gory, just vivid descriptions that put you right there with the characters. If you are concerned that demon busting sounds a little too out there for a good Christian read, don’t be. Bogdon keeps it real, and could even prompt conversations with your teens about the real battles of good and evil.
The only part I found odd was the timing. It seemed the Exodus Team had the luxury of an incredible amount of time to respond to the demon crisis that I don’t think would have happened in real life. I’m not sure the charming stranger — a driven investment broker — would have had the patience to wait, even if he didn’t have any other real options to pursue. I only point this out because the rest of the story, even the fantastical parts, seemed so plausible.
Each chapter does include a scripture in its title that seems to foreshadow the unfolding events. I have to admit, I didn’t take the time to read them before each chapter. I didn’t want the delay getting into more of the story.
I also appreciated how not everything gets wrapped up into a neat little bow. Just like a snippet from someone’s real life, you will find parts that are messy, unfinished, works in progress. The unanswered questions are also a setup for future books. Bogdon promises there is a book two coming soon — Exodus Team: Devil’s Corner — and a third book coming down the pike. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Where To Find Exodus Team: New Roads by BEBogdon
You can purchase Exodus Team: New Roads at the following link:
About the Reviewer
For nearly three decades Stephen Pierce had been either reporting on the newsmakers or serving as a spokesman for them. He traded that all in for a quiet life in rural East Texas with his wife, two dogs and not too far from children and grandchildren. When he’s not trying his hand at writing his own novels, he explores ways to be creative in the kitchen, workshop, and garden. Invisible Defense, a Christian suspense thriller set in San Francisco, is his first foray into novel writing. You can learn more about him at www.stephen-pierce.com.
