A Bountiful Read

When I heard of a new impending release by Tessa Afshar, I was excited. Biblical Fiction is one of my favorite genres to read, and after reading her previous book, A Pearl in the Sand, I expected a great story. I was not disappointed as I saw the creation of a strong character in Sarah who provided a look at what could have been.   If you are familiar at all with the Biblical story of Esther, this is situated right after the death of Queen Esther, King Xerxes, and is during the time of King Artaxerxes and his Queen Damaspia. There is little mentioned on this time, so a lot of creative license can be taken.   Sarah is immediately someone a reader can relate to, a scared girl who wonders if she is valued, loved. We all deal with that inadequacy, wondering if we lack something. Afshar’s take on this character as well as her handling of the delicate issue of being a female scribe in a job that is commonly held by a man is refreshing.   I picked this book up at 6pm and did not place it down until I’d finished reading it, something around 10pm. It was not a short book, but it was one I found hard to place down. With engaging characters and dynamic storylines, Afshar immerses her readers in the world of which she writes, a world that leaves us wanting for more, even when the story ends.   If you enjoy Biblical Fiction, this is a book you will not want to miss. For that reason I am giving Afshar’s book 5 out of 5 stars for what I consider an excellent addition to the genre of Biblical Fiction.   I received this book for free from Moody Publishers in return for my honest review.

More than Enough

Psalm 23 is one of my all-time favorite Chapters of the Bible. It's also the first one I memorized all the way back in second grade. Seeing this book and the picture on the cover really made me interested in reading it.

All too often I get caught up in the day to day minutiae. In his book, Tony Evans reminds that God is more than enough. Whenever I read Psalm 23 before, I never really unpacked it to go into as much depth as Evans did. However it's true. David's God, that same God is with us now. He leads us better and more capably than we could lead ourselves.

Each chapter in God is more than enough is about one of the verses, looking at the words and their contextual meaning. This was an incredibly easy read, 70 pages in length.

Based on content and topic. I am happy to give this book 4/5 stars. I would definitely recommend it to individuals who find themselves getting overwhelmed. Remember that all we have in God is MORE than enough.

The title of this book reminded me of Enough, by Chris Tomlin. I hope you enjoy listening to the song as you read this book as much as I did. Remember, that God is always enough.

I received a complementary copy of this book from Multnomah Publishers for reviewing it.

The Jesus Mission - A Call to Action

 
If there was ever a book that kicked me in the gut just how far removed I was, it was this one. It's hard to be confronted with your own failings, or rather just how misguided you are. The Jesus Mission, was a wake-up call for me and it did so by taking a look into Jesus' life and what made it unique, what missions that were given to us during His time on Earth.

I must admit, when I sat down to this book I was skeptical, after all, just what could this 'Jesus Mission' be about. I knew that He came here to save us, to die on the cross, to show us His example. This book touches on these points but goes beyond. Providing a thought provoking and convincing argument for belief in Christ, as well as fulfilling and living out the missions.

It's not enough to believe. Your belief should spur you to action, should cause you to take up the missions that Christ has assigned to us.

The author was very repetitive in his attempt to convey his message. This is not a bad thing, however for some this style may be a bit annoying. I found it refreshing and appreciated being reminded of different points, especially the important ones.

For those of you who think you know Jesus' mission for us, I invite you to read this book, to explore the reasoning and logic used by Scott to refresh and renew your relationship with Christ.

For what does it prosper a man if he gains the world but loses his soul...

This genre is not one I read as much, however I've been trying to more often of late. On the basis of the writing, the scripture quoted, and the overall feel of the book I will give this book 4/5 stars. I found it engaging and thought provoking, a good book to read with friends and discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

This Scarlet Cord - Joan Wolf - An Interesting Portrayal

Rahab, a Canaanite related to Christ has always been a bit of a mystery for readers. Little is devoted to her beyond the fact that she hid two Israelite spies which resulted in her and her family being saved. Just who is Rahab, and why was she saved? How did she come to believe in Yahweh enough to save the Israelite spies?

This is the premise of what This Scarlet Cord attempts to explain. Just who was Rahab, and her family. How did she meet and marry into the line that would ultimately beget Boaz and Ruth among others? Wolf in her novel provides an interesting, alternative take to the story of Rahab, including a presupposition I've not seen in previous stories, as I would prefer not to make this a spoiler alert, I will say that I enjoyed the romance in this take of Rahab.

The story begins with young, innocent Rahab and an encounter that stays with her throughout the book. I really appreciated the development and background into her relationship with her future husband. The characters utilized by Wolf were easy to relate to. They had their flaws and yet their flaws could also turn out to be their redeeming quality.

Biblical Fiction is one of my favorite genres to read a book in, I've had the opportunity to read books on Rahab in the past and appreciate the differences in this authors approach. On the basis of the storyline given, the characters introduced, as well as the believability of a world crafted by Wolf, I will give this book 4/5 stars. I found it hard to put down once I started and believe that many other readers will be the same.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Babylon's Falling: The Story of Belteshazzar, also known as Daniyyel

 William Collin's book, Babylon's Falling was extremely well done. From start to finish, I really enjoyed this book. Our story begins right after Jerusalem's fall, and the march for all the captives that began at that time. I felt transported back in time to a world of the author's own imagining.

A good book for me has always been one that can grip and engage me, something that Babylon's Falling certainly did. The author did his research and also added in a bit of his own creativity of the time, of how things could have been. The story stayed primarily focused on Daniel, however did at times shift its attention towards his three friends and their travail in the fiery furnace.

I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the Biblical Fiction genre, especially those who have been craving yet unable to find a story on Daniel. This is, to my knowledge the best to date. Biblical Fiction is one of my favorite genre's which is why I'm always happy to see a great addition to it. I'd give this book a 5/5 stars for a well crafted, interesting, and gripping story that the reader desires to delve into and finish, something I was up late last night doing in order to get to the end of the story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Crater - Homer Hickam

When I read the cover for this book, I was excited about the potential for it, as it immediately sounded like a book I could get into. The plot for the story had potential, however reading the book I found that Crater failed to live up to potential. 

The main reasons for this were:

·      Chaotic plot progression: I did not know where I was half the time in the novel. We’d go from one character to another, or we’d jump from one plot to the next so fast you could hardly keep track.

·      Flat Characters: We’d not focus on one character enough to really get to know them. Or they’d disappear for no reason, or die rather suddenly.

·      Writing: It seemed choppy and without an apparent order of events. Almost like it was a first draft. I found a lot of transition problems amongst different chapters, characters, plot ideas…I mean at one point it was talked about arriving somewhere, then you go back and you’re attacked, then you arrive there. It just seemed out of place, especially with how it was being talked about.

In the end as much as I would like to suggest this book for further readers, I would also suggest changing and fixing some of the mistakes and the flow of this title. Teens and young readers I imagine would enjoy this title. I give Crater two out of five stars for a good idea that needs a bit more refinement.

I have received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the blogging for books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <[...]> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

Be The People - Carol Swain

A highly engaging book, Carol Swain's Be the People offered a unique perspective to us as citizens of the United States. She takes the time to overview her perspective and the background from which she comes from, detailing her journey to today. Rather than avoiding the 'harder' topics, she engages them with a gusto and directness that I find refreshing.




It should be noted that this book is largely based upon the opinion of Carol Swain, which she's based off sources - be they the constitution, bill of rights, or other references she's cited. It is her perspective, her worldview on the topic of the Constitution and what it means to be American.

Swain argues that to be American, to BE the People, we have to go back to our roots, we have to embrace the premises upon which this country was founded in order to be stronger, in order to make progress.

This is a great book for with a religious background that is passionate for their country. I found the book to be engaging and not too long. As a result, I'm giving "Be The People" three out of five stars--simply because I believe it was a bit heavy on constitutional passages and quotations as opposed to actual book insight.

Enjoy!

I have received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review. 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the blogging for books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <[...]> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."