Cliff BallRezensionen

This is a brilliant story. The details in some parts of the story may be a little sparse but you'd be wrapped around enough with all the goings back in time to 'correct' certain events or outcomes in the past. The way the author intertwines the future to be part of the past is truly intriguing, if not mind-boggling. If the story doesn't tie your mind up in knots, it surely makes you question if time is linear or fluid. In either case, tinkering with time, even if for the purposes of 'improving' history, messes up the space-time continuum and the outcome is never as predicted. Once again, a great read!!

Title: Times of Trouble
Author: Cliff Ball
Pages: 152
Year: 2012
Publisher: lulu.com
The subtitle is End Times Novel, so when reading this please remember it is a work of fiction and though it does contain Scripture, it is the work of the author’s imagination. I spent a Sunday afternoon just reading the book from cover to cover and I enjoyed the time doing so. For one thing, reading it all at once helped me to follow the story all the way through. As I read, I was reminded of other novels I had read with the theme of end times as well as some of the movies I have seen.
There were parts in the story that were hard to read, not because it was gross just imagining if it were to happen as written. The point of view is first person by the lead male character named Brian who works for the FBI and is married with a third child being born as the story begins. In time, Brian receives a promotion to become part of the secret service detail, a position that places him in a position to hear and see the inner workings of the American government. Brian, at first, is quite excited about the promotion, plus the birth of his son until he begins to discern what is happening in the spiritual world.
Of course, there is more to the novel than these few sentences can encompass. I hope you too will take advantage of an afternoon to read the book. You may or may not agree with Rapture theology; however, the story is quite captivating and intriguing no matter your belief. Sometimes when we read what a writer produces we can use that to communicate our thoughts to others as well as the author. I wrote Cliff while I was reading with questions about the novel’s content. He responded right away and was thankful to hear from me. Should you read Times of Trouble, please take time to converse with the author via FaceBook or Twitter as he loves to hear peoples’ feedback whether they are questions, comments or suggestions.
My rating is 4 ½ stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/. Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457½

Good Story Line

Brian Atwood life is changing drastically with the birth of his third child and his work as a field agent for the FBI. When the child is born with Down’s syndrome, the current government procedure is to remove the child to a facility against the parent’s wishes, then Atwood and his family move to DC to work for the president. Immediately, Atwood realizes that he probably will not last long with this administration. After only a few months, the US begins to fall apart and the current president takes full control.

The first person point of view helps to keep this story from being a smooth read. When major things happen the main character shows little emotion, giving the book a stale feeling. The storyline is excellent, but Ball could have built more on the theme to create a better story.

Terry, I felt the same way. I loved the Left Behind series and read it more than once. I didn't realize that this author has a BA in English and has written other books. This one seemed like a very awkward first try at writing a novel. I was rather disappointed. I'm not sure if I could read his others although I might give it a try just to see if they are any better.

I enjoyed this book. However, I had a hard time with the dates in the book for believability. This book was written in 2012. The author has placed the dates that the health care bill became effective in the mid 2010's & the second great depression from 2008 to 2016. I had a hard time believing all the restrictions placed by the government on the citizens. This is due to the fact the that I have "lived" thru the period of time (2008 to 2012) referred to in the book. Would have been more believable if author had used dates set farther in the future. Overall, it was a very intriguing story of the end to times and I will most likely read it again. Thank you for this book.

I just finished reading The Usurper and enjoyed the book. I love the concept of this book and the ending caught me totally off guard. The Usurper is a quick read. There are many correlations with the real world that most of us can relate to. If only they had turned out differently. The book smacks of conspiracy theories. Who knows, this book could possibly be one of those that, in a few years, will make us wonder, "How did the author get so close to the truth?"