Tuesday, July 10, 2012

First Chapter Review: After the Cross by Brandon Barr and Mike Lynch


Mike Lynch, co-author of After the Cross, contacted me for a review. While I couldn't work a full review into my schedule right now, I offered him a First Chapter Review. This is one of those books, however, I will admit up front I would love to fit into my schedule.

 BLURB: Colton Foster, once hailed as a renowned linguistics expert, had his career and self-respect in pieces until a team discovers an 800-year old letter in Istanbul and his life takes a pivotal turn. The job of translating the letter, purportedly revealing the hidden cross of Jesus, is his for the taking, and with it a chance to redeem himself.

Mallory Windom is a linguistics prodigy who eagerly accepts the chance to accompany Colton’s team, seeing it as a ticket to the legitimacy she craves.

Join Colton and Mallory as they hunt for Christianity’s most prized relic, mysterious forces seem bent on stopping them at every turn. In a race against time and hired mercenaries, they soon discover that the most important struggle of their lives is not around them, but from within, testing their beliefs, their ethics, and their growing love for one another.

COVER:  Love it. It captures the ancient relic adventure story within. The cross and the map are nice details.

FIRST CHAPTER:  Emel Dwayat and Hassam are at a Constantinople Library excavation site in Istanbul, Turkey, when they hear someone downstairs. After the dust has cleared, two dead men are dead, one of them carrying a shiny metal box with a piece of parchment inside.

The story then moves back in time to 30 A.D., during the Crucifixion and the days following, where Caiaphas makes a decision that he hopes will erase all traces of Yeshua.

KEEP READING:  A definite yes. This is an intriguing story that if it continues to remain as strong as this first chapter will provide tons of action, adventure and mystery. Floating between present day and the past, it provides a glimpse into the history that created the current discovery. The banter between Dwayat and Hassam adds a touch of humor. What I think is interesting is that the main characters mentioned in the blurb aren't part of the first chapter. I usually like to meet the main characters right away, but it seems like this first chapter serves like a prologue to what will unfold throughout the story. It works for this genre, but in some instances I don't care for it.

I hope I get a chance to read this entire book at some point. It sounds fascinating.


  • Paperback: 274 pages
  • Publisher: Ellechor Publishing House LLC; 1st edition (June 1, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0982624204
  • ISBN-13: 978-0982624203
  • Available in paperback and electronic formats

  • I received the first chapter of this novel from one of the co-authors in exchange for a First Chapter Review. I received no monetary compensation of any kind to provide my honest opinions.

    2 comments:

    brokenteepee said...

    It's not that long so I would think that it would read quickly too

    Marsha said...

    I think it's a great idea to get one chapter out. I am planning to do this with some of my clients because most of the time reviewers and readers are short of time and one chapter is a good indication if you like the authors style.

    Marsha Casper Cook