Ransom Betrayal – Steven Hunt

© 2009, Electric Moon Publishing, Tulsa

It took me nearly four years to get around to reading Steven Hunt’s sophomore effort (his debut being Guardianof Light). A departure from his first and third novels, the first of what promises to be an action-packed series centered on John Ransom and his team of experts deals less with angelic/supernatural beings, and more with action and adventure.

Ransom, a spy/operative in covert activity—specifically disposing of unwanted officials secretly, effectively, and cleanly (read that “murderer for the government”) discovers a high-level betrayal at the very last moment of the job he tried so hard not to take. In the end, he is almost fatally wounded trying to get away from the assignment that will either kill or discredit him.

The bulk of the book is spent on his recovery from the accident, his finding himself again, and his re-establishing his good name by finding the mole in the organization and doing away with the bad guys.

Although it is a departure from the “other-worldly” material we encounter in both Guardian of Light and Chasing Christmas, Hunt likes to bring the Supernatural in, and does so in an exciting scene where Ransom, in a new-found faith, is able to receive a vision from God, and consequently diffuse another attempt on his life after he has fully recovered from his injuries.

This book has a lot to offer for the reader: espionage, intrigue, action, adventure. Hunt throws in a little romance along the way. The characters are likeable, the action is fast-paced, and we all look forward to another adventure with this team of wrong-righters.

The strong faith elements that characterize Hunt’s writing are definitely present here. It is always nice to see the church and the servants of the church portrayed in a positive light rather than as the conniving, superficial, hypocrites that we encounter in most main-stream literature.

One will also find a few draw-backs when reading the first Ransom novel. Some of the struggle in reading the book comes in the faith-based elements: our hero has a tendency (after his turn to faith) to become overly preach-y which may turn a reader off to not only the book but the message the author is trying so hard to convey. Also, in these moments of excessive spirituality, Ransom—a brand new believer—shows a greater understanding (if not, simple knowledge) of the Scriptures than one would expect of someone so young in his faith—and this without any discipleship from more mature believers.

Even so, I would like to see some more outings for Ransom. I also understand that if you did not acquire your e-copy (the only ones available) a few months within its publication (that’s 2009), you are out of luck for reading it. I would love to see someone pick up this series, re-releasing the debut o

f Ransom, and promising three or four (or more) more novels for readers to enjoy. It is an excellent rest for readers of The Executioner series or the Mack Bolan series or even the Nick Carter, Killmaster series and it doesn’t include scenes that require readers of faith who like action to switch on their internal censor for language, sexual activity, and gratuitous violence.

Keep writing the Ransom stories, Steve. Your readers want more. (4 out of 5 reading glasses)

—Benjamin  Potter, August 9, 2013

Chasing Christmas – Steven Hunt

©2012 Harbour Lights, Aztec, NM

I want to get the review for this year’s Christmas read up before Christmas. That way, if you are interested in a good book that’s set during the Christmas season you’ll have time to snag a copy and read it during the holidays. I know, I know, Christmas is just around the corner. But you can do like I did and get an e-copy (they deliver immediately from all over the wwweb). I must also admit that I have a special reason for touting this particular book this particular Christmas. The author was my very first college roommate. Yes, before either of us knew anything we roomed together in an early-enrolment summertime program at Oklahoma Baptist University (shout out to all our Academy ’80 buds). Since those days, both Steven Hunt and I have grown up and had a variety of careers. Steve’s latest endeavors have brought him to the arena of Christian fiction. And he’s pretty good at the stuff.

One week before Christmas a despondent and down-hearted Teddy Whitaker decides the best way for him to handle life is to make his disappear. He’s lost his parents, his business, his daughter, his wife and his best friend all in a matter of months. So the story opens with a very discouraged hero aiming his vintage Camaro for the local ‘Dead Man’s Curve’ for one final ride. What he gets is the ride of a lifetime.

Miraculously spared from his impending doom, Teddy must learn three lessons from three unlikely teachers and make it home before Christmas morning or he will be dead and never see his family again. Accepting the stakes through a fog of doubt, Teddy decides to give it a try. After all, he really has nothing to lose.

This story, along with the fact that it is a Christmas tale, is a story of homage. In the vein of Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” and Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life,” our hero interacts with otherworldly beings that help him to move beyond himself and learn the most important lessons in life. Hunt even pays special homage to some of these timeless classics in the telling of the story, although the angel characters have no knowledge of them. The book is also an honor to the author’s preacher uncle (to whom the book is dedicated, whom I have met, and who makes his own appearances in the story from time to time) who taught Hunt the very lessons that Teddy learns over the course of a week. Finally, the greatest homage is paid to the King of kings about whom the original Christmas story revolves.

This book has everything a good Christmas story should have: action, suspense, romance, conflict, and a spiritual side as well. Thanks for another good story to read by the Yule Log, my friend. You’ll be glad to receive the four and one-half out of five reading glasses, and your readers will want to get copies of this book to stuff all the Christmas stockings with. For my readers, get a copy of this book for yourself and one for a friend, and hop on over to the American Christian Fiction Writer’s (ACFW) bookclub, join and vote for this book.

Merry Christmas—Benjamin Potter, December 20, 2012

[This is a review of the ebook version (for Nook; also available for Amazon's Kindle). The book is also available in trade paperback.]

We Have a Winner

Since there are three (count them, 3) chances to win a copy of Steven Hunt's debut novel Guardian of Light, you need not despair. However, week one is gone and with it the first of our three copies. Congratulations to Cheryl Hagedorn who commented and was entered into the drawing to win Steven's new book. Her copy will be on the way soon!

So, you're asking, "How can I get in on this? I like free books, too!" It's simple to get your name in the drawing for one of the two copies left. Simply, go to the original post containing the interview with Hunt (click on this link to get there), make a comment and you're in! Perhaps I'll draw your name this Friday or next (October 5 or 12). If you don't get drawn, you can still participate and get a signed copy for a greatly discounted price by sending me an email before October 31, 2007, and arrangements will be made for you to purchase your copy of Guardian of Light for only $10.00 plus shipping--that's a deal that you won't find anywhere else!

Again, congrats to Cheryl Hagedorn and happy reading.

Guardian of Light Blook Tour

Here's the new idea: a blook tour--it combines the fun of a book tour with the international reach of a blog (blog + book tour = blook tour). [Thanks to Dawn for the new terminology.] Now, here's the scoop. My buddy, Steve Hunt came to my neck of the woods for a book signing--between the two of us, I think we sold four books. Now I have some interview material that will help you get to know him and his writing style better.

Steve's debut novel Guardian of Light was released in July by Tate Publishing. I was privileged to be one of the early reviewers (see my thoughts here). You'll find that this novel is fast-paced and engaging. The author is offering a special deal for those of you who want to order his book because you've seen about it on this blog. The book retails for $17.99. Anyone who wishes to purchase a copy for $10.00 plus shipping should contact me before October 31, 2007, and I will feed you the details. In addition, for the next three weeks, I will draw one name from those who comment here to receive an autographed copy of Guardian of Light. If you want to receive one of these free copies, just comment on this post between now and October 12, 2007. Drawings will be by 3:00 p.m. CST each Friday (Sept. 28, Oct. 5, and Oct. 12).

On to the festivities (namely, the interview):

Benj-O: You referenced several aspects of law enforcement. Tell us a little about your experience in that field.

SH: My law enforcement career started in 1985 in the U.S. Air Force, when I was classified as a law enforcement specialist. The good thing about being a cop in the Air Force was that a person did not have to settle on only one aspect of the job. During my four year enlistment, I served as a patrolman, desk sergeant, and flight chief, which is just the Air Force’s term for a shift supervisor.

After I separated from the military, I joined the Broken Arrow Police Department, Broken Arrow, OK. There I served as a patrolman, field training officer, special operations team officer, instructor, and eventually as a sergeant. I worked primarily the midnight shift and loved it. The dayshift was known for taking crime reports, the evening shift for vehicle accidents, but the midnight shift was full of in-progress crimes. The crimes included burglaries, car thefts, and shooting calls to name a few.

After eight years on the police force, I was hired in 1998 as a U.S. Deputy Marshal, but the job didn’t last long. In the training phase, I suffered heat exhaustion and had complications from an injury I had suffered while in the military. Once I couldn’t continue the training, I was released.

Due to affects of the heat exhaustion, I was unable to work for several months. When I was able to return to my career, I went to work for the first law enforcement position that I could find. During the end of 1998, I became a Probation & Parole Officer. It was a learning job, not only for the convicts I supervised, but for me also. Having worked in law enforcement for thirteen years, I had developed a negative image of persons who were convicted of crimes as many cops do. I learned that some of these convicts were not bad people, just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

In 1999, I was hired by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office as an investigator. I was, and still am, assigned to a unit that investigates crimes in nursing homes and homes where the developmentally disabled live. While it does not have the adrenalin rush that working in a police department has, it is a very rewarding job. Just to look into the eyes of an elderly person, see them begging for help, and knowing that I can help them places a smile on my face. Also knowing that a person who was abused or has stolen from one of these victims will not be able to do that again is rewarding. When a police officer makes an arrest, a majority of the time those offenders are back on the street the next night doing the same types of crimes. However, when I make an arrest of someone who has abused an elderly person, because of the laws I know beyond a shadow of doubt that they will not be able to be in that position again.

Benj-O: How did you start writing? Was it a whim, or what?

SH: Dating back to my high school years, I have been interested in writing. Usually it was only a short story here, or a poem there, but nothing as long as a novel.

To be honest, I never knew that Guardian of Light was to be a novel. In 2005, I was studying my Bible when I read Revelation 3:15-16. Jesus was speaking to the Church in Laodicea when He said that He wished they were either cold or hot, not lukewarm. Because they are lukewarm, Jesus said that He was about to spit them out of His mouth. As a Christian, I could not think of anything worse than the Lord and Savior that I love and have witnessed for to spit me out of His mouth. I knew then that I could—and needed—to do more for Christ. I prayed for a new ministry—one that would glorify God and draw others into His fold. God gave me the ministry of writing Christian novels. Through Him, the story of Guardian of Light grew and grew until it was novel-length.

Benj-O: There is often a perceived formula in Christian fiction today. Did you follow a formula as you wrote your book?

SH: No, I didn’t have a formula that I followed. I listened to what God was telling me and prayed that He would use it as a witnessing tool.

Benj-O: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

SH: Write about something you know about. Include places that you have been and have vivid memories of. If you are writing a Christian novel, do not do it alone—ask God for guidance. He is the best co-author a writer could have.

Attending a writers conference will help. An aspiring author can mingle and pick the brains of successful authors.

If you can afford to take a writing class—such as the one put on by Jerry B. Jenkins—do it. A lot of times these classes also have a competition where the winner receives a publishing contract.

Benj-O: You often hear writers talking about how much they read in preparation for a writing project. What kinds of sources do you find helpful when researching for a book?

SH: What I read depends on the type of book I’m working on. The Internet is a valuable tool for research on just about anything imaginable. I will research places and some equipment I wish for the characters to use. If I have to purchase a new resource book, I can be sure to find the one that will help me the most on the Internet. I also use books on Old Testament, New Testament, Missions, and, of course, the Bible.

Benj-O: Spirituality also plays an important role in Guardian of Light. Is this a big part of your own life as well?

SH: It is a huge part. Christians are here to serve the Lord. If I was unable to serve the Risen Son, I would be miserable. Nothing matters in this life other than Jesus.

Benj-O: Why did you choose Michael the Archangel as the Guardian who helps people out?

SH: I wanted a character that the readers would not expect, plus a storyline that was new and fresh. I couldn’t use Jesus as the Guardian because that would be His second coming and the story was set before His returning. I see Michael as one of the strongest angels and very brave. He seemed like the perfect fit. I know I did not want an unnamed angel, but one that people could identify with.

Benj-O: Your writing style is very readable. Are there any authors that have influenced that style?

SH: I wanted to write a story that was easy to read and enjoyable. I do not enjoy a novel where I have to re-read a paragraph over and over because the words are too difficult or the text is verbose. I wanted a text that even the younger Christian readers would understand and enjoy.

I enjoy reading Ted Dekker’s novels. He is probably one of the best Christian fiction writers of this generation.

Benj-O: What’s next from Steven Hunt? What can we expect to see in the future?

SH: I’ve finishing the self-editing touches on my second novel, Identity Assault. While it is not the same characters as in Guardian of Light, it contains more action and more suspense. Identity Assault is the first of three novels that will have the same characters. After fielding many questions about whether the characters in Guardian of Light would re-appear in another novel, I thought that it may be good to continue the storyline with the Identity Assault characters in several novels. Identity Assault should be released in 2008. I have not ruled out using the Guardian of Light characters in another story sometime in the future.

As does Guardian of Light, Identity Assault also contains messages for its readers. As Jesus used parables for teaching messages, so do these books.

So, there you have it. Steven Hunt in a nutshell. If you'd like to find out more about this exciting new author of Christian suspense visit his website at http://www.stevenhuntbooks.com/.

Update! Guardian of Light -- Steven Hunt

Here is the cover for Guardian of Light. Read the review here. And look for it in stores or online July 16.

Guardian of Light -- Steven Hunt

Several months ago, I was honored by debut author, Steven Hunt, with a request to read and review his first novel scheduled for release sometime this spring. You will want to keep an eye out for this book. Please note that the review was written in November, but I've been saving it back for release closer to the release of the book. I'll add a cover shot when it becomes available.

Coming soon from Tate Publishing in trade paperback and audio book: Guardian of Light by Steven Hunt. Watch your bookstore for this new writer’s first book. Steven Hunt has included two characteristics that endear a book to me: his novel is fast-paced and readable. If you are looking for a story that grabs your attention and holds it, or if you want to read a story that has all the action and none of the trash found in most novels today, Guardian of Light is just the ticket for you.

With Guardian of Light, Hunt seems to have developed a new genre: Sam Spade meets Jesus Christ. Theodore “Chas” Chasowski has all the earmarks of a hardboiled detective. He tries not to show emotion, but it barrels through anyway. During the course of the day, Chas is approached by a wealthy, ambitious couple with a case that leads the P.I. from state to state interviewing people who’ve been saved by an angel. His investigation turns up several encounters from both sides of the spiritual realm—good and evil. At the core of the search, Chas finds faith, and an unlikely group of the faithful who help him in his battle to save his associate and overcome evil.

Another new thing that you will find in Hunt’s writing is the no-compromise message of the gospel. There is no awkward attempt at throwing in the gospel just to appease the Christian publishers. Nor is the Christian flavor a backdrop that is easily missed. While there are occasions that the writing definitely shows signs of a freshman effort, Hunt’s story is compelling and enjoyable. If you’re looking for a good story that can also be a bridge to witness, bring this book to your book discussion group. The message is plain and the mystery intriguing.

—Benjamin Potter, November 10, 2006