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Christian Novel Review

Having always been an avid reader, since becoming a Christian I have found a wealth of reading material in Christian bookshops and in various second hand bookshops. I have found that in Christian novels one often finds truths that help in one’s Christian walk. I enjoy reading about how the various characters deal with life, and I also find I am the richer for reading a really good Christian novel. Certain authors, through their books, give you a real insight into their joys and struggles, which I find very interesting. The books which I am going to review are those which I have really enjoyed, and have read at least twice – some books, for example the “Mark of the Lion “ series by Francine Rivers, I have read at least five times each. The first books that I am going to talk about are the latest two novels by Francine Rivers,


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Sunday 28 January 2018

UNTIL WE FIND HOME by CATHY GOHLKE

UNTIL WE FIND HOME is the first book I have read by CATHY GOHLKE and it most definitely will not be the last! It is a beautifully told story which takes place in the Lake District during the Second World War. Strongly based on biblical truth, the novel deals with such issues as family values, loneliness, rejection, letting go of the past, and, most importantly, the all encompassing love of our Heavenly Father.
Claire Stewart arrives at her aunt Miranda's stately home with five French Jewish children and life at Bluebell Wood will never be the same! In fact, there has not been much life in Lady Miranda Langley since she lost her beloved husband in the First World War and her son Christopher at the start of the Second World War. She is consumed with grief, and this is made worse because Claire reminds her so much of Christopher.
Miranda and Claire are very similar, both being writers and both hanging on to past loves. In fact, the Jewish refugee children, with their own incredible fears and "lostness" play a big part in breaking down the walls these two women have put up around their hearts. We see the Lord working in all of their lives as "all fear is cast out by His perfect love"!
Claire was working for the French Resistance in Paris, when she is forced by circumstances to chaperone these children across the channel, leaving behind Arnaud, the man she loves.
Claire, Miranda and David Campbell, are all Americans. The local British look down on them, mostly because President Roosevelt is taking so long to join the war. We see this discrimination as well in the anti Semitism shown towards the children, especially when they are joined by German Jewish children. In fact, dear Dr Raibeart Macdonald takes a while to warm up to David Campbell because of the bloodthirstiness of the Campbell clan three hundred years before! The French and German children take a while to get used to each other as well.
Claire, David and Miranda have each experienced rejection by family members. Claire finds it hard to love as she is afraid she will be deserted again and Miranda fears the loss of another loved one. David is a follower of the writings of C. S. Lewis, and is a strength to the adults and children alike at Bluebell Wood. "The Secret Garden" and the books and paintings of Beatrix Potter play a big part in the story. Claire realizes that, in order to be a real writer, she must write about her own life and experiences, not borrowing from those she tried to emulate in Paris.
The Author has obviously done a lot of research into this period of history and also shows she believes in the Jewish roots of Christianity. I love the way she brings out the importance of Jewish customs and feasts. We see the family celebrating Shabbat, Passover and Hannukkah. When little Aimee places her precious Mezuzah on the door, we know that they are all home at last.
I can highly recommend this book for the well told story, the descriptions of the beautiful Lake District, the Author's insight into that period of history, the interesting characters, and the strong Christian content. In fact it is a novel I will read over and over again.


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Monday 22 January 2018

THE MASTERPIECE by FRANCINE RIVERS

THE MASTERPIECE is one of the most beautiful and inspiring novels I have read. It is FRANCINE RIVERS at her best! It is always worthwhile waiting for her books as they never disappoint!
Every character is so realistically portrayed that we can literally feel what they are feeling.
It is a powerful story in which we see how God, the loving Father, not only speaks to His children to encourage, lead and guide them, but also, by His amazing grace, orchestrates circumstances in order to save them from destruction. It is made very clear that we have a choice to make if we do not want to end up in hell! It is the Gospel message played out in a modern setting.
Roman Velasco and Grace Moore are very different but they both have been badly wounded and broken by the past.
Roman grew up as Bobby Ray Dean living in the Tenderloin with his prostitute mother, who died of an overdose when he was seven. He escaped from one foster home after another, joined a gang and became their tagger, venting his anger in painting gang graffiti on buildings. He cannot get over his mother's death, and the death of three of his gang member friends, making him afraid of getting close to anyone again. He is caught and sent to the Mastersons, who take in young delinquents, instead of being sent to prison. What he learns there makes a big difference in his life.
Grace has.found it hard to get over the horror of her parents' death which also happened when she was seven. She is badly treated by her husband but somehow blames herself for the break up of their marriage, until she realizes he was using her, which makes her angry with herself. She was brought up by her rather austere Aunt Elizabeth and has a poor self image.
Grace has an intimate relationship with the Lord. The only exposure Roman ever had to anything related to church or Jesus was a neon sign saying "Jesus Saves" on the opposite side of the street when he was growing up in the Tenderloin.
Roman's artistic talent is nurtured at the Mastersons' farm and he becomes a sought after and very wealthy artist. He still vents his anger by secretly painting graffiti on buildings and on his studio walls. This gives him quite an adrenalin rush as he is afraid of being caught and going to jail. He lives behind walls in a huge house and keeps away from his few friends
Grace feels guilty about the way her son was conceived. She had been going to give him up for adoption, but changes her mind when he is born. She takes the job as Roman's personal assistant in order to be able to take care of Samuel herself.
This is a story of redemption and restoration. We see how the merciful Father, who has been watching over these two all their lives, draws them to Himself, healing their brokenness as they learn to trust in Him. We see His incredible mercy and the grace He bestows on those who have done nothing to deserve it. He can indeed make a masterpiece out of every life, no matter how hopeless!


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Saturday 20 January 2018

ISAIAH'S DAUGHTER by MESU ANDREWS

MESU ANDREWS has done it again! She has given us another beautifully worked out biblical novel. ISAIAH'S DAUGHTER takes place during the last part of the wicked King Ahab of Judah's reign and the reign of his godly son Hezekiah. As the title suggests, Isaiah, Yahweh's prophet, features strongly in the story. In her inimitable way the Author fleshes out the biblical story without in any way compromising the truth of scripture. She has done a great deal of research and gives us a real feeling of life at that time in history. The story not only follows the historical books of the bible, where we are told of Hezekiah's reign, but also the book of Isaiah with its prophecies. I love the way we see how prophecies, which are fulfilled in the New Testament, are taken personally by Hezi and Zibah.
Ishma, the little orphan girl whose name means "desolate", is adopted by Isaiah and her name changes to Hephzibah, meaning "his delight is in her". This becomes a reality when she not only becomes the wife of her best friend, the king of Judah, but also realizes she is Yahweh's delight and He becomes her peace.
The characters' feelings are very well portrayed. We see how they deal with fear, loss, unforgiveness, anger and lack of faith. The very real problem of idolatry is dealt with as well. We see examples of godly marriages with Hezi and Zibah and Isaiah and Aya, as opposed to the horror of Ahaz's relationship with Abijah.
This novel is so full of biblical truth, the story kept me enthralled to the last page, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.



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Tuesday 16 January 2018

IF I LIVE by TERRI BLACKSTOCK

IF I LIVE is the third and final book In TERRI BLACKSTOCK's IF I RUN series. Although it is all right to read it as a stand alone, I recommend reading IF I RUN and IF I'M FOUND first. This not only helps in understanding the story but also shows us how Casey's relationship with Dylan and her relationship with the Lord unfold.
It is a gripping suspense novel with a strong Christian message. We see police corruption at its worst, spreading out like a huge net, affecting so many lives. No wonder the dirty cops will do anything to keep the truth from getting out!
Casey Cox is a fugitive. She has been accused of murdering her best friend, Brent Pace, who was murdered by the same crooked cops who murdered her father when she was twelve years old. Brent had found information about her father's murder, so he was brutally silenced and Casey was set up to look guilty.
Dylan Roberts is a war vet who suffers from PTSD. He has been asked by Brent's parents to find Casey and bring her to justice. Brent was his best friend and he spent his happiest childhood years at their home. He ends up as something of a fugitive himself because he knows the truth and is doing all he can to protect Casey and get enough evidence to put the criminals away.
A warning - do not start If I Live in the evening or you will never get to sleep! I really enjoyed this novel and can highly recommend it.


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Thursday 11 January 2018

UNDER A CLOUDLESS SKY by CHRIS,FABRY

With every novel I read by CHRIS FABRY, and I have read most of them, I say, "This is my favorite", but now I say that UNDER A CLOUDLESS SKY is most definitely my favorite amongst favorites! This Author truly knows people and what makes them "tick", and he has the most beautiful way of expressing their emotions. This, together with his descriptive powers, makes for an incredible read.
We meet Ruby and Bean in Beulah Mountain West Virginia. Ruby's father is one of the mine managers and Bean's father is a mine worker. The two girls become inseparable. Bean shares her mother with her motherless friend, and Ruby shares all she can of her father's wealth with Bean, by raiding the company store, which he owns, for treats!
Something is going on on the third floor of the company store building which is definitely not right! Ruby and Bean find out and this has consequences. When we come across Ruby Freeman in 2004 she is the only person alive who can testify to the truth, but does she really want to? It is after hearing the same talk twice over on forgiveness by her favorite radio announcer that Ruby decides to go back to Beulah and face the consequences.
We come to know Ruby's children, Frances and Jerry, as well as Hollis Beasley and his granddaughter Charlotte, together with many other colourful characters. We see different sets of relationships, some godly and some not, running through the story.
There is a strong theme of the importance of forgiveness, not only forgiveness towards others, but also towards oneself. So often one is afraid to divulge secrets for fear of what others will think, instead of seeking the relief that comes from a clear conscience.
The story starts in 1933 and carries on in 2004. There are lots of twists and turns, some suspense, then all comes together in the end when the truth comes out. We see how the Lord watches over His children, sometimes engineering circumstances in order to save them.
As with all Chris Fabry's novels, there is a strong Christian message, and this, together with an exciting story, makes Under a Cloudless Sky well worth reading. I cannot recommend it highly enough.


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Monday 8 January 2018

AN UNFINISHED DEATH by DEE HENDERSON

At last a Christian novel that puts the Christian message first! I was blown away by the way DEE HENDERSON teaches the truth about divine healing, backing it up with Scripture. AN UNFINISHED DEATH is a truly inspiring book and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is a subject that is very dear to my heart, having spent many years in a Bible believing church where I personally have received healing and seen many others healed with prayer and the laying on of hands. The Author has obviously done a great deal of research and Bible study, and, most importantly, has a close relationship with God and His Holy Spirit, Who we are told will lead us into all truth. The way she explains things in an ongoing conversation between Connie and Ryan is brilliant. Don't miss out on this exciting book - don't miss out on all the Lord has for you - take it to heart and you will never be the same!


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