Category: Book Reviews
Book Review: Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado
| Posted by Sarah Elisabeth under Book Reviews |
Is death really the end, or is it the beginning? What did the crucifixion of Jesus Christ mean for that ultimate question? Can there be real hope in it all?
In Six Hours One Friday, Max Lucado takes on these questions and more. Using stories from life today and biblical ones, sometimes blending the two, he illustrates that “my life is not futile, my failures are not fatal, and my death is not final.” The book includes an extensive study guide.
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While I related to many of the concepts and to Mr. Lucado’s presentation style, I didn’t quite get the way he presented all of the information. Some of the storylines weren’t complete or didn’t obviously connect to the overall message. Or so it seemed to me. I may have missed something.
But it did minister to my heart in a way I needed with the still fresh sting of my dad’s passing. Death is not final, thanks to six hours one Friday long ago.
You can order a copy here on Amazon: Six Hours One Friday: Living in the Power of the Cross
P.S. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Book Sneeze, but was not required to write a positive review.
Book Review: 52 Little Lessons from It’s A Wonderful Life by Bob Welch
| Posted by Sarah Elisabeth under Book Reviews |
Based on the cover alone, what It’s A Wonderful Life fan could pass up this book? Filled with spiritual insights in bite sized devotions, 52 Little Lessons from It’s A Wonderful Life presents various scenes and themes from perspectives I hadn’t thought of before. Not to mention great behind the script trivia, pointing out bloopers, subtle imagery, and dialogue clarification.
I enjoyed the devotions, especially ones toward the end. Can’t say I agreed with every analysis, but so many of them warmed my heart and affirmed my views of the heart and soul of this movie no one really liked when it first hit the big screen in 1946.
But the appeal of this little hardback book all goes back to the cover. It’ll have a nice place on our coffee table this Christmas.
You can order a copy of 52 Little Lessons from It’s a Wonderful Life
Book Review: The Restorer’s Journey—Expanded Edition by Sharon Hinck
| Posted by Sarah Elisabeth under Book Reviews |
Still spinning from the shock of arc enemies loose in their own world, Mark, Susan and Jake try to come to terms with their recent experiences, and more importantly, the near future.
Nothing prepares them for the horrors that lay ahead. Forced back into another world, Susan faces mental torture that’s impossible to comprehend, yet feels frighteningly familiar. Jake faces dragons from his past, and learns real life challenges in the world of Lyric are nothing like the fairy tales of glory he once dreamed of. Unable to convince the good guys he’s one of them, Jake not only battles known enemies, but also the men he’s trying to help. What does the One want from him anyway?
The answers are far from anything Susan or Jake want to face. (more…)
Book Review: Rare Earth by Davis Bunn
| Posted by Sarah Elisabeth under Book Reviews |
A destitute Kenyan refugee camp, missed judgment calls, and an odd attraction to a hostile aid worker set the stage for Marc Royce’s undercover operation that starts off in a disaster zone. With the hunger for food and home, the Kenyan elders see him as an answer to prayer. Others filled with greed and secrets see him as a threat to be eliminated. Few know what his true mission is.
As the story progress, a singular thread emerges, something that ties people together from the slums of Kenya to a kibbutzim in Israel. It’s up to Marc Royce to uncover it before it’s too late.
As I’ve said before with books by Davis Bunn, he is a stellar author and storyteller. The plot he weaves through the action and romance is incredible, at the end leaving you with a book lover’s oooooh, very nice.
The romance subplot didn’t make me roll my eyes, something I do nine times out of ten with books that attempt it. Kudos Mr. Bunn.
Overall, this book gets an easy five stars, highly recommend. With plenty of action and written from a man’s point of view, I gave this book to my brother.
Enjoy the book trailer and join me in the wish of this being made into a movie: Rare Earth book trailer
P.S. This is the second book featuring the character Marc Royce. It’s not necessary to read the first book, Lion of Babylon, but I highly recommend that story as well.
Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book
Book Review: The Restorer’s Son—Expanded Edition by Sharon Hinck
| Posted by Sarah Elisabeth under Book Reviews |
Hating his new role as Restorer, Kieran fights against the One’s plan until everything he knows is stripped away. Still, he’d rather die than do the simple thing the One asks of him. This path takes him deep into the heart of an enemy kingdom where life and death is in his hands.
With the terror of their son lost in another world, Susan and Mark find themselves caught up once again in the politics and dangers they thought were behind them forever. With constant threats lurking, they search in places they never dared venture before, believe things that seemed impossible.
When the journeys of the main characters crossover each other, it’s not the old friends’ reunion any of them wanted.
I can’t begin to say how much I enjoyed this book. The characters are real, the wit and irony had me laughing out loud, and all the time turning pages to see what happens next. Sharon Hinck is a master storyteller, combined with writing that doesn’t waste a sentence.
Add the spiritual lessons, and what more could you ask for? The scenes in the tower with the mist, the presence of God so close it seems you’re in heaven. Then you walk out and life slams you back to the reality of a broken world. But you’re now empowered to face the battles ahead.
This is fantasy that doesn’t feel like fantasy, another reason I love it and can’t wait for the expanded edition of The Restorer’s Journey.
Well done, Sharon Hinck.
Edited to add: This is book 2 of The Sword of Lyric series. Purchase a copy here: The Restorer’s Son–Expanded Edition
P.S. I wrote this review about two months ago. How true that sentence is about life slamming you down to reality. But there is no where we can go where God is not.
