Still catching up on some reviews, so bear with me. Though this should be the last one for today.
The CFBA featured this book in April. If you want to see the info on the author and the book, go here.
Elisha's Bones reminded me of an Indiana Jones type story. Jack Hawthorne, a full-time professor of archaeology when the book opens, used to enjoy working on digs . . . until his brother was killed—murdered—while working an archeological site in Egypt. Jack is comfortable in his new role and isn't exactly thrilled when he's recruited to find Elisha's bones for a dying man who has the means to finance such a search. With the help of a former girlfriend (which adds all kinds of complications to the search) and her brother, Jack travels the world in search of the bones. In the process he runs across other people who also are involved in this newest version of finding a needle in a haystack. Determining who are his enemies and who are his friends becomes a matter of life and death.
The author has done a good job of characterization and writes a plausible adventure story. While the plot dragged at times, in my opinion, and the hero and heroine sometimes tediously worked through their past issues, overall the read was quick, fast-paced, and interesting. If you enjoy reading about biblical archeology, you will enjoy this book, based on the one-time mention in scripture of a dead man's resurrection when he came into contact with Elisha's bones.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Field of Blood by Eric Wilson
Field of Blood (Book 1, Jerusalem’s Undead Trilogy)
By Eric Wilson
Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2008
Description
Judas hung himself in a place known as the Akeldama or Field of Blood.
But what if his death didn't end his betrayal?
What if his tainted blood seeped deep into the earth, into burial caves, causing a counterfeit resurrection of the dead?
Gina Lazarescu, a Romanian girl with a scarred past, has no idea she is being sought by the undead.
The Collectors, those released from the Akeldama, feed on souls and human blood. But there are also the Nistarim, those who rose from their graves in the shadow of the Nazarene's crucifixion—and they still walk among us, immortal, left to protect mankind.
Gina realizes her future will depend on her understanding of the past, yet how can she protect herself from Collectors who have already died once but still live?
The Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy takes readers on a riveting journey, as imaginative fiction melds with biblical and archaeological history.
Margie’s comments: I have to confess that Field of Blood is not a book I would normally read, mostly because of the vampires. In fact, it sat on my to be reviewed pile for several months before I finally read it. And the only reason I did was because I was asked to proofread the second book in this series, Haunt of Jackals. I was so drawn into the story and the characters, I found myself picking up Field of Blood just to get caught up with the backstory. So in essence I read both books at the same time.
The only other vampire book I’ve read is the classic Dracula by Bram Stoker. And Eric Wilson puts an entirely difference spin on his characterization of vampires, putting their lust and evil desires on a more spiritual plain. To me, Wilson’s depiction is more believable to me than Bram Stoker’s.
The premise of Field of Blood and the Jerusalem’s Undead Trilogy is a mixture of truth and fiction. But Eric Wilson’s melding of the two makes even the fiction plausible, given a healthy dose of suspension of belief on the reader’s part. Eric’s characters are real, well-rounded individuals. Even the less savory characters are believable in the context of the story. Lots of research, in-depth and on-site, has gone into this trilogy, giving even more credibility to the story line.
The writing is strong and descriptive. Not only do the characters come alive, but the varied settings do, too. A combination of legend and biblical truth, this first book of the trilogy contains a strong message of spiritual warfare on a much higher level than many of us want to think about. It is a book that demands an open mind to possibilities that might exist beyond our understanding of the spiritual world. Haunt of Jackals releases in July; the final book in the trilogy, Valley of Bones, releases in 2010.
By Eric Wilson
Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2008
Description
Judas hung himself in a place known as the Akeldama or Field of Blood.
But what if his death didn't end his betrayal?
What if his tainted blood seeped deep into the earth, into burial caves, causing a counterfeit resurrection of the dead?
Gina Lazarescu, a Romanian girl with a scarred past, has no idea she is being sought by the undead.
The Collectors, those released from the Akeldama, feed on souls and human blood. But there are also the Nistarim, those who rose from their graves in the shadow of the Nazarene's crucifixion—and they still walk among us, immortal, left to protect mankind.
Gina realizes her future will depend on her understanding of the past, yet how can she protect herself from Collectors who have already died once but still live?
The Jerusalem's Undead Trilogy takes readers on a riveting journey, as imaginative fiction melds with biblical and archaeological history.
Margie’s comments: I have to confess that Field of Blood is not a book I would normally read, mostly because of the vampires. In fact, it sat on my to be reviewed pile for several months before I finally read it. And the only reason I did was because I was asked to proofread the second book in this series, Haunt of Jackals. I was so drawn into the story and the characters, I found myself picking up Field of Blood just to get caught up with the backstory. So in essence I read both books at the same time.
The only other vampire book I’ve read is the classic Dracula by Bram Stoker. And Eric Wilson puts an entirely difference spin on his characterization of vampires, putting their lust and evil desires on a more spiritual plain. To me, Wilson’s depiction is more believable to me than Bram Stoker’s.
The premise of Field of Blood and the Jerusalem’s Undead Trilogy is a mixture of truth and fiction. But Eric Wilson’s melding of the two makes even the fiction plausible, given a healthy dose of suspension of belief on the reader’s part. Eric’s characters are real, well-rounded individuals. Even the less savory characters are believable in the context of the story. Lots of research, in-depth and on-site, has gone into this trilogy, giving even more credibility to the story line.
The writing is strong and descriptive. Not only do the characters come alive, but the varied settings do, too. A combination of legend and biblical truth, this first book of the trilogy contains a strong message of spiritual warfare on a much higher level than many of us want to think about. It is a book that demands an open mind to possibilities that might exist beyond our understanding of the spiritual world. Haunt of Jackals releases in July; the final book in the trilogy, Valley of Bones, releases in 2010.
A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman
From the Back Cover
Has she fallen in love with a man who cannot love her back? Elizabeth O'Connor has been like the little sister John Brady always wanted, sharing his love of literature and his thirst for God. But in the throes of the reckless Roaring Twenties, Lizzie has grown up. Suddenly she wants more from the man who has been her friend since she was a child. When this shy little bookworm blossoms into a beautiful young woman bent on loving John, she discovers that his past won't let him return that love. But Lizzie refuses to give up—until his shocking secrets push her away. Can true love survive the betrayal and deceitful of a painful past . . . or will it be shattered like the fairy-tale dreams of a girl in love? Brimming with romance, longing, and redemption, A Passion Denied, will quicken your pulse and gladden your heart with a riveting story of the true power of love.
Julie Lessman is the author of A Passion Most Pure and A Passion Redeemed and is the recipient of ten Romance Writers of America awards. She resides in Missouri with her family.
Margie’s comments: Julie Lessman is a master of her subject matter. With this third book in the Daughters of Boston series, she brings to life a cast of characters who are truly endearing and transparent. And she doesn’t shy away from the sexual tension in both courtship and marriage, but neither does she cross the line in erotica. The passion in her books is not only physical, something that may go a little further than you would expect in a Christian romance, but it also expands on spiritual, emotional, and even intellectual passions. While the main story line of A Passion Denied centers around Lizzie and John, the author expertly ties in the continued story lines of Lizzie’s parents and her two older sisters and their husbands. This book is the third in the series, but the rich characterizations and attention to historical detail allows it to stand alone. This book is well worth reading, even though it is longer than most books in its genre. If you like family sagas in any era, you will enjoy reading about the O’Conner family.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Rose House by Tina Ann Forkner
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tina Ann Forkner writes contemporary fiction that challenges and inspires. She grew up in Oklahoma and graduated with honors from CSU Sacramento before settling in Wyoming. She lives with her husband, their three bright children and their dog and stays busy serving on the Laramie County Library Foundation Board of Directors. She is the author of Ruby Among Us, her debut novel, and Rose House, which recently released from Waterbrook Press/Random House. ABOUT THE BOOK
A vivid story of a private grief, a secret painting, and one woman’s search for hope Still mourning the loss of her family in a tragic accident, Lillian Diamon finds herself drawn back to the Rose House, a quiet cottage where four years earlier she had poured out her anguish among its fragrant blossoms.
She returns to the rolling hills and lush vineyards of the Sonoma Valley in search of something she can’t quite name. But then Lillian stumbles onto an unexpected discovery: displayed in the La Rosaleda Gallery is a painting that captures every detail of her most private moment of misery, from the sorrow etched across her face to the sandals on her feet.
What kind of artist would dare to intrude on such a personal scene, and how did he happen to witness Lillian’s pain? As the mystery surrounding the portrait becomes entangled with the accident that claimed the lives of her husband and children, Lillian is forced to rethink her assumptions about what really happened that day.
A captivating novel rich with detail, Rose House explores how the brushstrokes of pain can illuminate the true beauty of life.
If you would like to read an excerpt from Rose House, go HERE
Margie's comments: The story of the Rose House reached out and drew me into the lives of Lillian, Geena, Truman, Paige, Mark, Gracie, Kitty . . . The characters truly jump off the page, they are so real. The story is well written. A little romance, a little mystery, broken relationships, restored hope—all these and more weave through the story lines, drawing the characters together. Throughout the book, the author continually points to God's love and forgiveness on various levels. I highly recommend this book.
Verse of the Day
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. . . . Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 37:3–7 ESV)
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Verse of the Day
What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? (Psalm 116:12 NASB)
Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 117:1–2 ESV)
Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 117:1–2 ESV)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Jillian Dare: A Novel by Melanie M. Jeschke
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melanie Morey Jeschke (pronounced jes-key), a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and graduated from University of Virginia as a Phi Beta Kappa with an Honors degree in English Literature and a minor in European and English History.A free-lance travel writer, Melanie contributed the Oxford chapter to the Rick Steves’ England 2006 guidebook. She is a member of the Capital Christian Writers and Christian Fiction Writers as well as three book clubs, and taught high-school English before home-schooling most of her nine children. Melanie lectures on Lewis and Tolkien, Oxford, and writing, and gives inspirational talks to all manner of groups, including university classes, women’s clubs, young professionals, teens, and school children.
A fourth generation pastor’s wife (her father Dr. Earl Morey is a retired Presbyterian minister), Melanie resides in the Greater Washington, D.C. area with her children and husband Bill Jeschke, a soccer coach and the Senior Pastor of The King’s Chapel, an non-denominational Christian church in Fairfax, Virginia.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Jillian Dare leaves her Shenandoah Valley foster home behind and strikes out on her own as a nanny at a large country estate in northern Virginia. She is delighted with the beauty of her new home, the affection of her young charge Cadence Remington, and the opportunity for frequent travel to the Remington castle in England. She is less certain about her feelings for her handsome but moody employer, Ethan. In spite of herself, Jillian realizes she is falling for her boss. But how can a humble girl ever hope to win a wealthy man of the world? And what dark secrets from the past is he hiding? This contemporary story, inspired by the well-loved classic Jane Eyre, will capture readers' hearts.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Jillian Dare: A Novel, go HERE
Verse of the Day
"Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work . . . is finished." (1 Chronicles 28:20 NASB)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Nothing But Trouble by Susan May Warren (review)
A few weeks ago, I blogged on Susan's latest book, Nothing But Trouble. Today I am posting the delayed review. Not because it took me so long to finish it—it didn't. And not because I've been trying to find nice things to say about it. I'm not!! I even had the chance to tell Susie in person how much I like this first book in her new series. I'm already waiting for the next one to release!
But I was scheduled to do two blog tours for Nothing But Trouble, so I saved my review for this post.
As I said in my earlier post, I always know when I pick up one of Susie's books, I'm in for a great read. My first experience with her books was with one of her very first books for Barbour when I was asked to proofread it. And since then I've looked forward to each of her releases with anticipation.
P. J. Sugar is a delightful character, flawed and always in trouble, it seems. And not always trouble of her own making. She feels she can never quite measure up to her family's expectations, and whenever trouble arises, people start looking for her, blaming her before the facts come out. Under that cloud, P.J. leaves her hometown right after her high school graduation and doesn't ever plan to return. . . . Until her sister coaxes her back to babysit P.J.'s nephew while his mother is on her honeymoon.
From the moment she arrives in her hometown, trouble dogs her footsteps. Her nephew proves a challenge from her initial introduction, her sister's new in-laws (or would you call them out-laws?) present interesting opportunities for her people skills, and her best friend's husband is accused of murdering one of their former teachers. Mix in her old boyfriend, now a cop in charge of solving this murder and the pizza guy P.J. keeps running into and we have a perfect mix just bursting with trouble.
As P.J. works through her newest challenges, she also learns a lot about herself and her God. And she's surprised, and pleased, as she uncovers the truth about her past as well as seeing what God has planned for her future. When confronted with the real murderer, P.J. realizes who and what is most important to her and how much she is willing to give in order to protect those she loves.
I highly recommend this book, which is much more about life than solving a murder. (Though it ranks high on my murder mystery books as well.) If you'd like to receive a free copy of this book, leave a comment, and I'll have a drawing to pick the winner next Wednesday.
To follow the rest of the blog tour, go here.
But I was scheduled to do two blog tours for Nothing But Trouble, so I saved my review for this post.
As I said in my earlier post, I always know when I pick up one of Susie's books, I'm in for a great read. My first experience with her books was with one of her very first books for Barbour when I was asked to proofread it. And since then I've looked forward to each of her releases with anticipation.
P. J. Sugar is a delightful character, flawed and always in trouble, it seems. And not always trouble of her own making. She feels she can never quite measure up to her family's expectations, and whenever trouble arises, people start looking for her, blaming her before the facts come out. Under that cloud, P.J. leaves her hometown right after her high school graduation and doesn't ever plan to return. . . . Until her sister coaxes her back to babysit P.J.'s nephew while his mother is on her honeymoon.
From the moment she arrives in her hometown, trouble dogs her footsteps. Her nephew proves a challenge from her initial introduction, her sister's new in-laws (or would you call them out-laws?) present interesting opportunities for her people skills, and her best friend's husband is accused of murdering one of their former teachers. Mix in her old boyfriend, now a cop in charge of solving this murder and the pizza guy P.J. keeps running into and we have a perfect mix just bursting with trouble.
As P.J. works through her newest challenges, she also learns a lot about herself and her God. And she's surprised, and pleased, as she uncovers the truth about her past as well as seeing what God has planned for her future. When confronted with the real murderer, P.J. realizes who and what is most important to her and how much she is willing to give in order to protect those she loves.
I highly recommend this book, which is much more about life than solving a murder. (Though it ranks high on my murder mystery books as well.) If you'd like to receive a free copy of this book, leave a comment, and I'll have a drawing to pick the winner next Wednesday.
To follow the rest of the blog tour, go here.
Paths addendum
What a wonderfully blessed time I had this morning with the Lord, soaking up His Word. I'm reading through the Bible chronologically this year, and today's reading covered Psalm 131, 138–139, 143–145. Whole passages spoke to me, and reminded me of the paths I wrote on yesterday. Then I opened A Gentle Spirit, a devotional book my brother and sister-in-law gave me for my birthday last year. And it expanded on the difference between happiness and joy that I touched on yesterday, as well. (I thought I'd share. *smile*)
"Happiness is usually caused by circumstances. When things are going great, we feel happy; when life is unpleasant, we are depressed. Supernatural joy, however, enables us to experience a deeper joy that is not so dependent on our circumstances. As we live by correct priorities, cultivating our relationship with Christ on a daily basis, we will begin to experience a quiet joy resulting from a sense of security that we belong to God, and He is indeed in control of our lives. When we focus on this security, we will be free to relax and trust Him in whatever situation we find ourselves. We will not always feel happy, but we will have a deeper sense of joy that we belong to Christ and that His plans for us are good. God's joy is supernatural. His joy is also refreshing."
(from A Gentle Spirit, Barbour Publishing 2000)
"Happiness is usually caused by circumstances. When things are going great, we feel happy; when life is unpleasant, we are depressed. Supernatural joy, however, enables us to experience a deeper joy that is not so dependent on our circumstances. As we live by correct priorities, cultivating our relationship with Christ on a daily basis, we will begin to experience a quiet joy resulting from a sense of security that we belong to God, and He is indeed in control of our lives. When we focus on this security, we will be free to relax and trust Him in whatever situation we find ourselves. We will not always feel happy, but we will have a deeper sense of joy that we belong to Christ and that His plans for us are good. God's joy is supernatural. His joy is also refreshing."
(from A Gentle Spirit, Barbour Publishing 2000)
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