Heartless, the debut novel by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, is an engaging story of a young princess, competing suitors, and the strange and magical world she lives in. A world filled with myth and magic, faeries and dragons, good and evil. A world where anything is possible and all is not as it seems.
Despite a slow start, Heartless is filled with memorable characters, witty dialogue, and so many twists and turns that the unexpected is the norm. With generous use of foreshadowing, the author encourages the reader's curiosity. The writing seemed a bit stilted at first, but quickly settled into a smooth read.
This was not the best novel I've read recently, but enjoyable nonetheless. Enjoyable enough that I plan to read future books by this author. I believe she has a lot of promise, especially for the young adult reader, and I expect her name to become well-known within Christian fantasy circles.
A well-written story about an alcoholic baseball player, an "old maid" who pretends the town's opinion of her doesn't matter to her, a twelve-year-old black boy who wants a better life, and a deaf feed store clerk who is secretly in love, Stealing Home was a historical look at baseball and racism in small town America.
As a secular novel, I would have given it higher ratings, but I've come to expect more from a Christian novel. While God, Christianity, and church were sprinkled throughout the story, the supposed God-change took place virtually without God. The story was primed for a redemption story, but only hinted that God MIGHT have had anything to do with it. I know that God works through people, as He did in this story, but I would have preferred to see transformation take place with God clearly at the helm. So, all in all, it was a good story, well-told, but had a faith element that for me, was lacking.
The other day, I was "doing school" with my 3-year-old and we were reading from a book of fairy tales. As I finished the story, what struck me was the moral of the story. I know fairy tales sometimes have different versions, but the one I read basically said this...Jack disobeyed his mother and sold their cow for magic beans. Jack's mom got mad and threw the beans out the window, which grew into the clouds overnight. Jack climbed the beanstalk, found a giant's castle, snuck in, and stole gold and a hen-that-lays-golden-eggs. He lost the gold as he ran from the giant owner, but managed to hold onto the hen. He climbed down the beanstalk and chopped it down, killing the giant following him. And the hen gave him a golden egg daily. The moral? Disobey, steal, and kill and riches will be yours. There is something seriously twisted about this story. "Fee! Fie! Foe! Fum!"
Three friends - a reporter, a federal prosecutor, and an FBI agent - all work to uncover the truth about a missing Senate page while supporting each other through the twists and turns of their own lives. A political thriller, this book will keep you turning the pages. But if you're expecting a Christian novel, you might be disappointed.
This book could have been published as a secular novel, albeit a cleaner version than many of this genre. There was no clear Christian message, although one character is clearly a Christian. So if you're expecting a redemption story, this book is not for you. If, on the other hand, you simply enjoy this type of book and are tired of the rated-R nature of many of them, this might be a nice alternative. It is fast-paced, well-written, and exciting!
I did enjoy this book and plan to read the upcoming books in this Triple Threat Series. And I would not hesitate to recommend it as a good - and safe - read. I just wish it had a bit more of a Christian message. Perhaps by the end of the series, that will be the case.
A complimentary review copy of this book was provided by Thomas Nelson Publishers with no expectation of a positive review.
A beautiful book, accompanying CD, and daily devotions all wrapped up into one package.
The devotions in this book are great and reflect the praise and comfort that the Psalms often bring. But what makes this book unique is the packaging. From the classy cover to the soothing tones on the accompanying CD, this devotional book really stands apart. The CD, with the psalms and devotional reading included, allow for one to have devotions while driving or getting ready in the morning. It is also very nice for those with vision difficulties. The book itself has a luxurious feel, inviting the reader to sit and ponder its words.
If you're looking for a gift or to treat yourself, this devotional book is a fantastic choice!
Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado
Trust more and fear less. That's the theme of this timely book.
This book addresses the fears of our times - fears created or exacerbated by the sinful, terrorism-ridden world we live in. Many of us live in fear. And I'm not just talking about the fear of death. With chapters addressing such things as fear of failure, fear of insignificance, fear of the unknown, and fear of not being able to protect your kids, this book covers a wide range of the fears we all face.
Perfect love casts out fear. Faith drives fear out. Like Peter, it is when we take our eyes off Jesus that our fears show up and take root, causing us to sink. If we walk in faith, with our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, then our fears diminish and we can safely walk that watery road to Him. Focusing on our fears is like feeding them and they grow stronger. Focusing on God starves our fears, as we rest in the knowledge that He is in control.
What different lives we would lead if we would only apply these principles to our lives. We should take the Bible at its word. Lucado says that Jesus' "most common command emerges from the 'fear not' genre," appearing 125 times, while "the second most common command, to love God and neighbor, appears on only eight occasions." (p. 10)
Targeting each fear individually, Lucado encourages us to take courage and live free from fear.
Another winner from Max Lucado! I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to live life more abundantly.
Billy: The Untold Story of a Young Billy Graham and the Test of Faith that Almost Changed Everything by William Paul McKay & Ken Abraham
Billy was a great read! A story of two men and their tests of faith. Billy Graham, a man with ordinary aspirations and some would say less than ordinary talent, Billy used what he had, gave it his all, and became something extraordinary…while his good friend, Charles Templeton, a man with extremely high aspirations and extraordinary talent, falters in his test of faith.
When Billy was just a teen and yet unsaved, a group of six men from the Christian Men’s Club, his father among them, stood around a tree stump at the Graham farm and prayed for God to raise up an ambassador for Christ, a voice for the nations. Not long after that, Billy attending a tent meeting and committed himself to Christ. Little did that small group know how God intended to answer those prayers.
This well-written biography takes you through Billy’s life, from selling Fuller brushes, to Bob Jones College, Florida Bible Institute, heartbreak, Wheaton College, wooing and wedding Ruth, pastoring a small church, becoming a college president, and becoming a crusader.
Viewed by many as a man of no consequence, Billy did not see himself as anything great, only a faithful servant of the Lord. The Lord saw fit to bless Billy’s faith and strengthen him during times of discouragement, like when Dr. Bob Jones said, “Young man, you will never, never, never amount to anything!...What I see ahead for you is nothing but failure. Failure, failure, failure, and more failure.” (p. 49). Billy’s less-than-stellar preaching debut made it clear that it was not talent that Billy had going for him, but passion. And God chose to use this man on-fire-for-Him to reach millions.
When Billy’s good friend, Charles, through whose eyes this book was written, chose intellect over faith and denounced the Lord he once loved, doubts assailed Billy. Billy grappled with these doubts periodically for some time, a fight that culminated in a lengthy wrestling match with God in the San Bernardino Mountains. A fight filled with prayer, perspiration, temptation, oppression, pleading, a confession of spiritual poverty, then understanding, awe, and peace. Billy said he never doubted again.
I am happily married to Jeff and am the mother of four wonderful children. I desire for my life to be pleasing to God. Despite my failures, He is faithful.
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