Randy Singer Reviews

Page One

Added January 19, 2006

The Judge Who Stole Christmas

Author: Randy Singer
Publisher: WaterBrook Press, a division of Random House, Inc.
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: October 2005
Genre: Fiction: Christian/Holiday/Legal
Format: Hardback
Price: $10.95
ISBN: 1-4000-7057-0
Author Email/Website: www.randysinger.net/main
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo
Rating: 9 Gargoyles

The Judge Who Stole Christmas gives readers more than a great story! Randy Singer provides a compassionate look at the very controversial topic of the separation of church and state.

It all starts in the peaceful town of Possum, Virginia. Their annual live nativity scene comes to the attention of a federal judge who rules it unconstitutional. Thomas Hammond, town resident and faithful Christian, takes a stand against this ruling, which costs him his freedom. What follows is a series of legal appeals, spiritual questions and heartfelt emotions. The ending is both perfect and surprising.

Randy Singer brings his keen legal mind to the pages of this book. The courtroom drama is an intriguing blend of precedents and participants. The defendant's lawyer, Jasmine Woodfaulk, is meticulous in her legal research, yet remains somewhat distanced from the case because of personal issues. On the other hand, Judge Cythina Baker-Kline, delivers hardhearted verdicts in the true spirit of truth and justice. The author has seemed to purposely create an ambiguity among the characters to further highlight the rigidity of these controversial rulings.

Readers won't get a clear glimpse of these people until the final pages, and that makes this book truly remarkable. Amidst a background of strict legal interpretations, there is a fascinating combination of complex characters with blurred motivations. But that's the stuff of which life is made. The dialogue offers readers some thought-provoking ideas and interesting facts. The emotional appeal is both honest and forthright. These pages pulse with an even-handed treatment of a red-hot issue.

This book should be on everyone's Christmas list!

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Added May 8, 2005

Self-Incrimination

Author: Randy Singer
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: May 17, 2005
Genre: Fiction: Christian/Legal/Suspense
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $13.99
ISBN: 1-57856-777-7
Author Email/Website: www.randysinger.net/main
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo
Rating: 9 Gargoyles

Self-Incrimination proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Randy Singer is an extremely talented author! His experience as a trial lawyer, combined with his Christian worldview, give this book an amazing blend of courtroom drama and spiritual discernment.

At the heart of this story is a murder case involving sixteen-year-old Tara Bannister. She is accused of killing her stepfather in cold blood, but she claims it was in self-defense. Yet, her confession isn't consistent with the evidence. Her attorneys set out to find the truth amidst a confusing set of lies and alibis. As the court date nears, additional facts surface that threaten not only the outcome of the case, but also the lives of those involved. Will the truth be forever silenced?

From the powerful prologue to the tension of the courtroom scenes, this book maintains a high level of interest and unrest. Nothing is as it appears and everyone seems to have a hidden agenda. All of this makes the behind the scene preparation for the trial an exciting mix of legal maneuvering and lethal conspiracies. When the gavel bangs for the start of this case, readers will know that anything can happen.

While the verbal sparring between the lawyers and the witnesses makes for some riveting dialogue, the author expands this story to another dimension. One of the defense attorneys discovers she has a serious heart condition, which causes her to think about life and death in a very personal way. Her search reluctantly leads her to the Christ of the Bible, against whom she wrestles with her logical mind. This part of the story is very realistic and carefully deals with some seemingly valid objections to Christianity.

Yet, the connection to the spiritual doesn't end there. The entire motivation for this crime offers a close look at the essence of salvation. Because hidden at the heart of this murder was an inexplicable ember of love.

Author Randy Singer takes the absolutes of the law and integrates them with the truth of the Bible. The result is a book that deals with life, love and the perfect working of justice.

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This page was last updated on March 29, 2008

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