Customer Reviews

Joseph's Charge

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About a decade before the Civil War began, widow Morgan Shipman and his infant son Thomas move to Fort Smith, Arkansas where the latter starts a shipping business. However, just prior to the War, a nasty felon Ned Fly kills Morgan while trying to steal a shipment. Thomas now nine wounds Ned before fleeing into the night. Out of the blue, an elderly Negro Joseph "adopts" Thomas raising him to adulthood in the Rocky Mountains. Thomas leaves and falls in love, but Ned still lingers waiting for revenge.

Edward Lassiter left the CIA to become a wealthy highly regarded business consultant. When his former boss asks for Edward to help on a mission, he readily agrees. Edward is to deliver a cache of weapons to Nicaraguan freedom fighters. However, everything goes wrong and he is forced to hide. Only his former assistant Jenny Albrighton and an elderly Negro who looks so familiar to Edward named Joseph tries to help Edward survive what is a conspiracy of the highest magnitude.

This is a well-done and very creative paranormal action novel centering on two distinct yet connected tales occurring over a century plus apart. The tales interweave as debut author Jasper Newton for the most part smoothly moves the audience on an enjoyable ride back and forth between centuries. The key characters are fully developed so that what happens to them seems genuine, even coming out of retirement to work in the "Cold" for the CIA. This cleverly designed plot filled with action will please fans of the paranormal and conspiracy buffs, who along with this reviewer will anxiously see what Mr. Newton can conjure up next.

Harriet Klausner

This isn't a review. This is to say how much I enjoyed this extremely well-written book. Unlike most fiction, it's not a book quickly forgotten. Is it ok if I say "there's more to it than meets the eye". Last time I enjoyed a book of fiction this much was Bonfire of the Vanities.

This is one book I couldn't put down. I read it straight through. The characters are so real that I felt like they were part of my life (and I hope I have a Joseph in my life somewhere). The plot and the switch from present to past was done with great expertise. When is his next book coming out?

This debut novel by Newton, while seemingly a paranormal story, has significant subplots revolving around the ongoing lessons of one man's life. The plots are interwoven in a manner that allows the reader to have the "aha" about the connections between two time periods and one supportive black man. The main characters are engaging and much can be said about the symbolism each brings to the story. This novel exemplifies the need for humankind to resolve their spiritual issues in the midst of whatever situations occur. An entertaining, action-packed, and thought provoking read.