Love Amid Ashes by Mesu Andrews Book Review

From the publisher:  

 Drawing characters directly from the Bible and others from historical texts, Mesu Andrews, author of Love Amid the Ashes (ISBN: 978-0-8007-3407-7, March 2011, $14.99) weaves new threads into Job’s story, creating a novel that breathes new life into an ancient tale of suffering and redemption. Andrews began her research at Multnomah University and expanded her studies to include rabbinic traditions, giving readers of Love Amid the Ashes a unique understanding of Hebrew customs during Biblical times.

Most imagine Job sitting on the ash heap, his life in shambles. But how did he get there? What was Job's life like before tragedy struck? What did he think as his world came crashing down around him? And what was life like after God restored his wealth, health, and family?

Andrews tells the story through the eyes of the women in Job’s life. Drawing together the account of Job with those of Esau's tribe and Jacob's daughter Dinah, Love Amid the Ashes breathes life, romance, and passion into the classic biblical story of suffering and steadfast faith.

My Review:

Let me just say, I love historical fiction.  I love the Bible.  I also love when an author re-tells a Bible story as fiction and makes it seem more personable.  If you don't like that then you are not going to like this book.

I've read the story of Job numerous times.  I never saw most of this story in it.  However, it made me re-think the life of Job.

I love when an author makes you think about the true life of someone and what their life was really like.  I had to stop numerous times in this book and ask my husband questions, like "Did this really happen?"  My hubby knows scripture so much more than me.  It sparked a conversation and research.

This book is not meant for younger eyes in my opinion even though all the subjects were in the Bible.  It has subject area that is for the mature nature.

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Note:  I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only.  This review has not been monetarily compensated.  The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Bathsheba by Jill Eileen Smith (Review)

The Wives of King David series, Bathsheba
by Jill Eileen Smith
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3322-3


From the publisher:
     Bestselling author Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the Bible’s most famous story of passion, betrayal and redemption in the conclusion of The Wives of King David series, Bathsheba (ISBN: 978-0-8007-3322-3 $14.99, March 2011). Smith draws from Scripture, in-depth historical research and her vivid imagination to unveil the story of David’s most famous wife - Bathsheba. Bathsheba is told in rich detail and drama, creating a riveting page-turner that will keep readers engaged to the conclusion of the book.

Bathsheba is a woman longing for love. With her devout husband, Uriah, away fighting the king's wars for many months at a time, discontent and loneliness dog her steps--and make it frighteningly easy to succumb to King David's charms. Though she immediately regrets her involvement with the powerful king, the pieces are set in motion that will destroy everything she holds dear. Can she find forgiveness at the feet of the Almighty? Or has her sin separated her from God--and David--forever?




My Review:
     Can I just say - I LOVE historical fiction like this!  It makes me want to get in the Bible and see what is Fact vs Fiction!  Throughout this entire book - I kept asking my husband if that was true or not (he is more a Bible scholar than I).  He finally told me to look it up for myself.
     I love that this book made the Bible characters i.e. Bathsheba and King David come to life.  Who knows if they really experienced the conversations that were in the book - it doesn't really matter.  What does matter is that I now have a little more understanding of Bathsheba and her family. 
     I think the author did an awesome job in explaining some of the more delicate issues without giving too much graphic information.  Still, it is not a book that is intended for the younger eyes.
  I can't wait to read more of this series, The Wives of David!


Blessings to you!  You are loved!

Note:  I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only.  This review has not been monetarily compensated.  The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Angel Sister by Ann H. Gabhart Book Review

From the publisher:

Novelist Ann Gabhart, celebrated for her historical novels, weaves a new story from the Depression era in her latest work, Angel Sister (ISBN: 978-0-8007-3381-0, February 2011, $14.99). Growing up, Gabhart’s mother and aunts told many stories about the small community where they lived in Alton, Kentucky, including tales about the odd characters who lived in Alton. “Despite the hard times and some interesting personalities, what came through to me so clearly was the way those people in that small town cared for one another. My mother’s stories left a huge impression on me and planted the seed in my imagination that became Angel Sister,” says Gabhart.
It is 1936 and Kate Merritt, the middle child of Victor and Nadine, works hard to keep her family together during the Great Depression. While her father tries to come to grips with their situation and her sisters seem to remain blissfully oblivious to it, it is Kate who must shoulder the emotional load. Who could imagine that a dirty, abandoned little girl named Lorena Birdsong would be just what the Merritts need?
In this richly textured novel, award-winning author Ann H. Gabhart reveals the power of true love, the freedom of forgiveness, and the strength to persevere through troubled times. Multidimensional characters face real and hard-hitting problems while maintaining their family bonds, all against the backdrop of a sultry Kentucky summer. Readers will be drawn into the story and find themselves lingering there long after they’ve finished the book.

My Review:

I just love this author!  She draws me in.  I can just live through her books as if I'm right there seeing everything like I'm a fly on the wall.

This book is no exception.  I have a feeling a lot of people have lived this hard story.  Only a lot of people don't get the same ending.

I really like this book.  I like it even more because the Lord was glorified even through the difficult circumstances.

I would totally recommend this book but it is for the older of heart and not little eyes to read due to the adult content.

Blessings to you!  You are loved!

“Available February 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Note:  I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only.  This review has not been monetarily compensated.  The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Lady in the Mist Book Review by Laurie Alice Eakes Book Review

From the publisher:

As a midwife, Tabitha Eckles, the woman at the center of Laurie Alice Eakes’ new book, Lady in the Mist, (ISBN: 978-0-8007-3452-7, February 2011, $14.99) knows the most intimate secrets of the women and families she cares for. While the women in town are drawn to her warmth and caring ways, the men are wary at best.
In the little town of Seabourne, Virginia where Tabitha Eckles lives, another standoff is brewing. It is 1809 and relations between America and England rest on the edge of a knife, when Tabitha crosses paths on the beach one morning with a man named Dominick Cherrett. He seems to have his own secrets to keep, including why he, a British aristocrat, is on American soil working as an indentured servant.
One chance meeting leads these two secret keepers through a twisted path of kidnappings, death threats, and public disgrace. Can Tabitha trust Dominick? What might he be hiding? And can either of them find true love in a world that seems set against them?

My Review:

 When I first saw this book, I really thought I was going to like it based on the cover and the description.  The cover is really pretty.

Unfortunately, this has not been one of my fave books.  It wasn't bad or had bad content but just couldn't keep my attention.  The story itself seemed like a good story line - I just wished the author would have gotten to the end a lot sooner.

With that said, I did think it was interesting story line for an indentured servant to work in America.  I have never read a Fiction book that focuses on such a story line.

Some of the content is harsh therefore in my opinion not suitable for children or young eyes.

Blessings to you.  You are loved.

“Available February 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Note:  I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only.  This review has not been monetarily compensated.  The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.

 

 

Adventures in Odyessey - Interview with my 8 year old

Voyage with the Vikings (AIO Imagination Station Books)
 by Paul McCusker and Marianne Hering

List Price: 4.99 

ISBN: 978-1-58997-627-6

When I got this book in the mail - I knew my kids were going to love it!

So, I'm letting my daughter tell us about this book in a short interview.  For privacy reasons, we call her her Princess.

Me:  Hi Princess!
Princess:  Hi Mom!
Me:  Did you read the whole book and like it?

Princess: Yes...I liked the characters, mostly Patrick.
Me:  Who's Patrick?

Princess: Patrick is a boy in the story who is nice to the Viking.
Me:  There were Vikings?

Princess: Mom, that is the name of the book! 
Me:  Oh, yeah.  What else did you like?

Princess: I like that a little girl played chess...(edited to not reveal the story.)
Me:  Did you learn a life lesson?  What was it?

Princess: That we should be nice to our enemies.
Me:  Do you think your friends would like to read this book?

Princess: Yes, I think they would love it.
Me:  Is this a book you would read again?

Princess: Yes, ma'am.
Me:  Anything else you want to tell us?

Princess: There is a code at the end of the book and if you get it right - you win a surprise!

Well, thank you Princess for sharing your thoughts!  Now go do your Math work!

From the publisher:

While visiting Mr. Whittaker at Whit's Soda Shoppe, Beth and Patrick find a mysterious letter in the Imagination Station requesting a Viking sunstone. The letter is old and says that someone named Albert will be imprisoned if the sunstone isn't found. Mr. Whittaker sends cousins Patrick and Beth to Greenland circa 1000. On their quest for the sunstone, the cousins meet Vikings Erik the Red and Leif Eriksson--and find the sunstone as they join Leif on his first voyage to North America. But the adventure is just beginning, for when they return to Mr. Whittaker's workshop with the sunstone, there is another note waiting for them, requesting a silver goblet.

Blessings to you!  You are loved!





Note:  I was sent complimentary copy for review purposes only.  This review has not been monetarily compensated.  The review was my honest opinion and views and not influenced by the sponsor in any way.