NOTE: If you would
like to share your
personal feedback
(to be included
on this page)
on this series of
novels, please feel
free to send e-mail to:
LIKE OTHERS, I WILL BE REREADING IT.
Deceiving the Elect - Book 1
Direct Feedback for "Quickening Dreams"
Hey! I actually really like getting to see inside the characters' thoughts. I think that's why I like Dean Koontz so much. He takes you inside the minds of his characters, too, and you end up knowing more about them than they know about themselves (if they were real, of course) because you're on the outside looking in. I've had a lot of fun reading it. I don't mind the profanity, either, because, fact is, we all cuss, don't we.On a constructive critical note, in retrospect on the "ping-ponging" of characters' thoughts, while they differ in their make-up, they do kind of seem to have the same thought patterns. Like, most of them seem to have an excited and witty sing-song, random rhyme thing going on before they catch control of their thoughts or a repetitive stutter in their thoughts...and, with them being completely different personalities, it's hard to follow at times. Like Stacey, I can see him randomly starting and stopping and pinging and hopping and whopping and flopping and then asking himself what the heck he's doing. But it's hard when you're reading the thoughts of a different character to not think you're in Stacey's head again, if they, too, are starting and stopping.But, this is your style and honestly, if I were in a library and randomly pulled a book of yours off the shelf without knowing it was yours, I would know it was you because of this so called ping-pong thingy. And that's an incredible thing because with billions of books and authors out there, it's seemingly (like that?) impossible to stand out from the pack. But you do. So, while you may decide to refine some of it, don't change what you're doing just because somebody told you that they were annoyed!!And, most importantly to me, you have an objective, which is to open your readers' eyes. And you do it beautifully. All bugging, annoying nit-picking aside.* * *
Hey! Just wanted to write and say that I finished reading your book last night. I'm so anxious for the next one that I feel like a Harry Potter fanatic. I hope I didn't offend you with my critique. I noticed that very day as I continued reading that suddenly the inside thought patterns of the characters began to fade and the outside events picked up really quickly. Then suddenly I was caught up in a fast read that got to its climax with 3 pages left to go. I felt tortured.HAHAHAHAHA. Anyway, I guess I'm trying to say that the last 150 pages of your book are not at all like the pages leading up to them and do not contain the "ping pong" thought effect that you asked me about. So whatever difficulty I was experiencing in keeping up with who was thinking what stopped. And let me add that it wasn't really difficulty, I mean, you never lose your readers.So, with that I'll shut up. I capital LOVED it. And, like others, I will be re-reading it. I'll go leave my feedback now.READ THE BOOK AND GET THE WORD OUT.
I'm so
anxious
for the
next one
I feel like
a
Harry
Potter
fanatic
NOTE: If you would
like to share your
personal feedback
(to be included
on this page)
on this series of
novels, please feel
free to send e-mail to:
READ QUOTE, LOSE WHOLE MESSAGE.
Anyway so I read the book and I have only one comment...WHEN IS THE NEXT ONE GOING TO BE READY? I can't wait!!!!!There is probably only one (feedback) comment I would make at this point, that maybe you might want to take under consideration, and it is not a criticism, just an observation for future books.All chrsitian denominations that have the message of salvation at heart, as their foundation, are not all wrong and they are not all right, they all possess some thread of truth and some points of wisdom. Your book is really good, and the message is poignant, and many many christian folks are going to read it and get their eyes opened big time. I know (I'm getting to the point I want to make...humour me for a sec) that when christian people read something, they are often curious about what standpoint the author is coming from...and real religious folks particularly do this.The thing is, that the book has so much credibility and people will see that and accept it, until they get to the quote from Buddah right at the end of the book. I have no problem with the quote persoanlly, I think any quote that is apt is good for use, but those radical religious christians, maybe even some of the less radical may very well read that quote and then lose the whole message of the story becasue the one assumption they will have in their mind is that this author quoted Buddah, what christian author does that?I am not judging you, as I said before, a quote is a quote is a quote. But there are some mighty religious people out there, even moderately religious people who are going to get their knickers in a twist because they read that quote. If this gets really big, and I believe the books will, then the one thing you may find constantly over shadowing your attempts to get the message out there will be those who will choose to espouse that you agree with the sesibilities and words of a pagan idol/god...unfair, untrue but nonetheless could potentially happen. I am only telling you this becasue a few years ago, (after my very religious upbrining in the pentecostal movement) I would have been one of those who got to the end of the book, read the Buddah quote and then threw the book down in disgust and advised everyone to never read it.Fortunately, I know you and appreciate where you come from and don't give a flying fig tree what quotes you use, however, not many are like me. For future reference, and this is only a suggestion becasue I care about you, I care about your work and I care about your success, is, in light of the books being aimed at a christian audience, I would not use quotes from Buddah again, even though they are really good and poignant, I wouldn't do that again if I were you.I hope you take this in the light it is given, again, I have no problem with any of the quotes, but I know how their sick little minds work becasue I was one of them once, forgive me for saying so.* * *
Recanting the Buddah Complaint:Okay so I just wandered into this page and read something I wrote a while ago. Didn't even recognise it as me for a start and I was like, "Oh my gosh, like, did I really say that?"Several things occured to me, one is that this book was not written with the intent of preaching to the choir, the converted or anyone else. It was intended (and I admit it here, I am guessing) for anyone who is inclined to pick it up in their search for truth aka a reality check. So with that in mind, I have to say that I have changed my mind about the potential for loss of message re: the Bubba quote.Actually I intend to totally contradict my original thoughts on the use of that quote in that I think it was probably brilliant..(two ls or one...don't rightly recall or care...so why did I mention it?) anyway. The reason I totally contradict my original thoughts are becasue in this world you watch everything being presented for consumption all prim and proper and in their right colour co-oridnated boxes and it is so fake it makes you want to chuck.
Sometimes we (and I have done this so guilty as chareged) we try to box ourselves into the right coloured box with the right matching bow so that we are found acceptable to those we may be aiming our messgae or product at. Tony Robbins springs to mind, Victoria Principal springs to mind, Benny Hinn (oh that hair) springs to mind, even Richard Simmons with his dinky little shorts that were way too small, Martha Stewart and even Donald Trump...they all boxed a pretty product that we all MUST have or else we will have no self esteem, be covered in premature wrinkles (biggies I might add), never be accepted unless we give huge dollars, be terribly unfit, a useless cook and poor to boot.This book packages nothing........... NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.I realised, upon reflection, that I had actually done the very thing I thought others might do, I picked on the quote and made the quote the issue, when in fact ya know if I met Budda going down the road and I was homeless, naked and hungry, Budda (had he been a real person....was he ? I am unsure...anyway) I know through the message of peace espoused through the worshipping of Budda that he would have clothed me, fed me and given me a roof...and a jolly good talking to too filled with wisdom I am sure. Benny Hinn (who represents the maniacs I first spoke of when refering to this quote) if he saw me naked, hungry and homeless he would probably accuse me of not giving enough to his version of God, tell me it served me right or perhaps he might even put me out of my misery by blowing my head off with his holy ghost machine gun?Anyway, point is, the quotes don't matter, anyone who judges the work on the quotes was never meant to hear the message anyway and would probably be far too blinded to even make it past the first chapter...so I recant the statement about the Budda quote....the book is awesome...but I have said that already like a million times...and no, I am NOT paid to say these things.love ya work, love ya style, God bless ya
Anyway so
I read the
book and I
have only
one
comment...
WHEN IS
THE
NEXT
ONE
GOING TO
BE READY?
I can't
wait!!!!!
I love your book, Mr. Larsen!
The prologue to this book, in itself, was amazing. It captured my attention right off and it was then that I knew I would find this book very intriguing. I was pulled into Staceman’s dream, merely a spectator, seeing what he’s seeing, feeling what he’s feeling. The joy of believeing he was in heaven, beautiful, picture perfect heaven; but then his mounting fears as he looks a little closer and sees “things“, little tidbits here and there that others aren’t seeing and then slowly realizing that maybe heaven wasn’t quite what he thought it was. Is heaven a place where one would have to question whether or not he was actually there or not? So, maybe he’s not really where he thinks he is but then there’s Jesus and the children, and everything is just so beautiful. But nothing is jiving with what he knows deep inside, and there’s that feeling down deep in his gut…….and then the horror of the sudden realization that Jesus is coming after him with a vengeance. He’s not in heaven at all…….wake up!!!!I’m almost envious that he experienced something so unearthly and so REAL, something from another time; and then he’s back where it all started, in his bed. But it’s not over yet, there’s a form at the end of his bed, what he perceives is an Angel, comforting his fears, reassuring him of his value and biding him sleep, rest….. So where do these seemingly REAL (and “real” doesn’t quite fit the intensity of what Staceman experienced) dreams come from? Are they visions given by a higher power, an overly creative imagination, maybe a late night pizza? There is a Bible verse that says young men will dream dreams and old men will see visions. How can we tell the difference? In this book, the author takes you on a journey through an array of characters that express his clever creativity, his keen knowledge of the different types of personalities that exist, from the sweetest innocent, broken child to the power hungry, greedy thieves that rule our airways. You begin to sense the presence of good and evil in our world and how we as Christians are so easily sucked into deception. In this first book of the series, YOU WILL begin to understand his beliefs and convictions in a way that is so powerful, I personally had a hard time putting it down and I’m a little disappointed that we have to wait so long between book releases. One thing that stands out as being different from other books of this genre, is that there isn’t a bunch of sensationalism incorporated. This is real life stuff, things we don’t see happening but actually are. I love your book, Mr. Larsen! I have found great fun in trying to navigate the characters and piece them together in how they relate to one another. Some do and some don’t . . . well, maybe they all DO but I just don’t know how yet; this IS only book 1. You may also find that there may be one or two characters that you connect with or are drawn to on a personal level. I’ve connected with Kimmie, Michael’s sister, sort of and I say sort of because there really hasn’t been enough of her character in this first book to make a solid connection but I can identify with her feelings of intimidation and fears of a man who has so much power over her and who could crush her mentally and physically if he wanted to. Then there’s just something about The Doctor, Mr. Van Damme himself . . . whom everyone in the Christian community thinks is this marvelous man of God but in all reality is slime with a capital “S”. I can’t put my finger on it but there is something mulling in my noodle about this man and I can’t wait to find out if my assumptions are true. Then there’s the oldest man in the world who you just want to go up to and hug and hold his cold little frail hand . . . kind of like the grandpa you never had….who could REALLY tell you a story. And last but most certainly not least, there’s Joshua . . . he’s a big guy but he has the simplest heart . . . full of love and compassion. So gentle and understanding. He wouldn’t hurt a fly; and he’d probably love the little critter if it would stay with him. The only thing that bugs me -- no pun intended --about him (and I’m a little ashamed of myself for saying it but…) he really needs to learn how to not slobber his coffee all over himself because it’s just grossing me out. Maybe he could start using a straw or something. And what about Michael, poor frail little Michael; so dependent on Joshua, who just wants to love and be loved in return. Both men totally devoted to God and really, quite dependent on one another, like neither one could function effectively without the other. So when is the next book coming out…..it’s Summer 2006 already!!!!! ...it is a
very very
very deep
book and
I guarantee
you that
you will
not regret rereading
it...
NOTE: If you would
like to share your
personal feedback
(to be included
on this page)
on this series of
novels, please feel
free to send e-mail to:
Michael's Journal, Feedback & Book
FEEDBACK ON MICHAEL'S JOURNAL:As far as Ram, there is a good deal of both trust and suspicion about the character, which I think you're getting across well ... One minute the reader trusts him and feels that there is hope for others like him, another side (even in that minute) is still doubtful and suspicious and afraid for the other characters.One of the many parts I fell in love with was ... "I have tasted the love of a man for a woman, and more importantly the love of a woman for a man -- I know what "one flesh" means, impossible as that seems, and it is heavenly -- yet I comprehend that this is just the scent of roses, the scent of imperfect thorned roses, and that the reality awaiting me would kill me if I even glimpsed it today, I have only glimpsed the shadow of its scent, and I can say that I know what love is. "I know what love is, and yet cannot possibly know." Very beautiful!
And the whole shadow thing, I've often had the same thoughts and sometimes so extremely that this world would appear like something foreign to me, as if I'm just a guest here for an extremely short time and will soon awake into reality where there really is no time ...The whole guillotines thing is described so horribly and vividly and the blindness of the murderers and the sacrifices of the innocent (the whole thing) is enough to make one cry. You did an extraordinary job with it all!(actually, I think there was only one part in Mike's journal that I didn't really like, the "brutha" part, but that's okay)The New Zealand letters are very interesting. I think it's a real person partly because I think that if it wasn't, you wouldn't plant so much suspicion in the characters' and readers minds so early on ... which I think you're working on just to have her/him come out to be a real sincere person after all. Although I may be completely wrong here ... Nevertheless, they are interesting and again, there are things that make it sound like a real sincere person and littles that cast some wondering doubt.FEEDBACK ON THE FEEDBACK:I've read the feedbacks and there was one that elaborated on you using a Buddah quote and I just have a few things to say about that before I go into my feedback on the novel itself. I appreciate and respect the person who did that feedback and do understand them and their concern. However (I've so much to say about this one thing that I don't even know where to begin ... I promise not to get too far into it and too carried away, though), everyone has to agree that we can learn a lot from just about anybody and this does not mean that we worship those who we do learn a few things from (Jesus Himself said do as the pharisees teach, but do not do according to their works, which, okay, does not really apply to here, but my point is that the people He was talking about were actually even worse than Buddah worshipers ... and as much as Jesus was against them and their works, He still pointed out that there was truth to be heard in what they said and one was to do according to their teaching, although their deeds were abominable ... I know this is a little off topic here, but just as some things the pharisees may have said were worth hearing, I'm sure there are a lot of things Buddah and his worshipers say in which there IS indeed wisdom and much to be learned from, no one is saying drop everything and follow them and all their beliefs, you can't do that with ANYone, including the most "religious" and Godly people ...). ... Okay, I didn't remember what the quote was from Buddha in the novel and so I just picked it up and read it and had to laugh a good hearty laugh ... I don't think there should be any argument here at all! Buddah himself is telling you, in his own quote, not to believe anything he has said if it does not agree with YOUR OWN reason and common sense!!! I think we should be a lot more concerned with some of the things our "religious" leaders are telling us while quoting the holy scriptures (twisting it into something it's not, which the Bible warns us will be happening more and more in the end times)! Whoever elaborated on why this quote should not be in this novel, I respect your concerns wholeheartedly, but if one were to throw this book across the room because of this one quote, they have missed the point of the whole message of the book and the series and are in more danger than they can possibly allow themselves to realize (in their state) in these last days of "very religious" Bible quoting people surrounding them. It is this kind of passionate ignorance that actually leads many people astray after Bible quoting Antichrists. Now onto the book and its characters...
Feedback on the Novel DE:1:To those of you who have read the first one and are impatiently anxious for the second, read the first one again while you're waiting, it is a very very very deep book and I guarantee you that you will not regret rereading it as you come across things missed the first time that may open your eyes a little more to the deep messages of this incredible series! And on behalf of those of us who have read it several times, please don't keep us in suspense too much longer, Mr. Larsen! And thank you for standing out in the crowd of writers of religious novels with a work that reveals so much truth of the world we live in today through characters who's thoughts and feelings and experiences so many of us can relate to!
This is
real-life
stuff,
things we
don't see
happening
but
actually
are.
I don't believe it, at first I hated it...
First off, I admire the writing, it is new and original stuff, and I can't say I've ever read anything like it. That being said, I really hated this, at least at first. Not my kind of people. I guess for the most part, despite what I'd read, this is still a Christian perspective novel, and I was hoping for at least an agnostic view. Yes, the logic is certainly better, the Christianity in the book is not quite as nauseating as I've read before. In many ways this book is a comedy, in the classical sense (but is advertised more as a tragedy). There is quirky humour that makes me laugh in almost every single sentence, and I don't know how that is even possible. But the Stacy character, and the Brontee, and Jack, and just about everyone, they are all wimps. As people, they make me sick. They overthink everything. About the only character with any literary balls is Buddy, and I don't know if I'd want to spend any quality time with him. But he is a dynamic character, you should have it end up with him being the hero and getting the girl. To tell the truth, I actually like the stories better on the "DCLWolf" site, especially "The Dragon and the Wolf," that should be made into a movie, today, hands down.Summing up the book, great writing, great creativity, I even tried "Michael's Journal" but he is so wimpy and whiney I nearly threw up, but baseline is, Christianity stinks, and no matter how you spray it with perfume, your just not gonna convince me. Good try, no cigar.There is
quirky
humour
that makes
me laugh
in almost
every single
sentence,
and I don't
know how
that is even
possible.
...that's an
incredible
thing -- with billions of books
and authors
out there, it's
seemingly impossible
to stand out
from the pack.
But you do.
I finished reading your book and I’m in the middle of rereading it and wanted to let you know that I enjoyed it the first time but the second time is even better and I’ll tell you why: The first time through, Stacey, and some of the other characters, were a little hard to follow with all of that jibber jabber going on in his head. He’s much easier to follow the second time through because I know now where he was coming from emotionally and where he’s headed and how God is leading Him.
Stacey's whole character stands out to me because I know there are many confused, searching souls just like him, trying to find themselves and they seek comfort in all the wrong places; slowly self destructing and eventually facing the end of their rope. God promises that He won’t give us any more than we can bear and like many people today, Stacey was at the end of his rope and ready to give up and it wasn’t until then that God was able to effectively use him, so his story is a fabulous testament. I find Joshua and Michael so cute in their attempts to find, and if they can’t find it, to create the “perfect church“. I hate to tell you two, but in my opinion, there is no perfect church on earth. There never has been and never will be because we are just to evil as humans to be able to “perfectly” control such a holy and sacred responsibility. The perfect church will be in heaven and I’m sure it won’t have a denominational name. The word “church” is more a concept than a licensed organization. As Christians, the church lives inside of us...is part of us.Christ is the church, not some lunatic evangelist who really doesn’t care who you are, just so long as you empty your bank account into his, and who totally gets off on the mind controlling powers he has over you. So the bottom line is, you do the searching and pray for yourselves, don’t leave it up to any man to CONVINCE you of anything. I’d also like to interject real quick that I have liked the way you separated the storylines. It’s a little frustrating in that you want to continue reading about that particular person, when all of the sudden you switch to someone else but...it’s a good thing because that’s what keeps ME wanting more. All in all the characters were all very believable and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.So the main message I’ve gotten out of book 1, with all of it’s quirkiness and humor (as stated in another feedback) is that we need to open our eyes and look at what’s going on around us. There are angels at work, good and evil and we can not discount the evil because they are working right there in broad daylight. The devil is good at disguising himself...so we need to be watchful lest we are deceived! We’re all exposed to spiritual deception, no matter what our personalities are so this book is unique in that the author gives us a ride into the minds of people who are different than we are. Maybe we can even come to accept and understand one another a little better and learn to live together as we embrace our differences instead of judging one another because they aren’t like ourselves. I don’t know what your plans are for Van Damme but I was wondering if maybe somewhere along the line you could have him castrated? I CAN’T STAND that man so he actually does need to stay in the story. With God being the all powerful, I know Van Damme will get his just reward but it’s okay if you off him (or by some miracle, truly convert him) before the end of the 7th novel, but before you do...if you do...it would be very interesting to find out what in the world happened to Van Damme, I mean, how in the world did he end up the way he is. What childhood issues were manifesting themselves or was he just born “the bad seed”, characteristically flawed, BIG time. Uh oh, I may be starting to feel sorry for him.Open Our Eyes and Look Around Us...
We're all
exposed
to spiritual
deception,
no matter
what our
personalities...
The controversial Buddha quotation:
"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it,
or who said it, no matter if I have said it,
unless it agrees with your own reason
and your own common sense."
- Buddha
