Review: From Orphan to Physician - The Winding Path by Chun-Wai Chan and David Biebel

Those who From Orphan to Physician - The Winding Path is a memoir every Christian should read. This testimony to the care, guidance, and provision of God will touch the heart of many, perhaps provoking them to jealousy as they see God's lovingkindness toward a young Christian who believed in Him.

The author of the narrative is Chun-Wai Chan, MD-MPH, a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Medical School. He is also Chief of Cardiology at Kaiser Medical Center in Fresno, California and has created, founded and co-founded several churches and charities for Chinese Christians within the United States or China.

The art of writing a memoir is difficult, especially if it is a memoir which is also a testimony of God's care and if one is a famous and accomplished man. But, although written in the first person by Dr Chan, this memoir is a truly humble record.

The memoir tells of Dr Chan's youth living as refugees in a poor shantytown, after his family fled oppression in the mainland.  As a young child, he and his family endure health and some family members die because of their poverty. They are Christians and often young Chun-Wai wonders why the family suffers so much. But soon events, finances, blessings, guidance, and coincidences, begin to fall into place. Throughout his life, blessings and God's leading direct and provide for him. Through the loving mercy of God he receives education, scholarships, and guidance.

The book gives us a glimpse of the work done by Christian Children's Fund, and of life in Hong Kong after the Chinese uprising. All this is interwoven effortlessly with the depiction of Chun-Wai Chun's personal life. This book is a testament to the faithfulness of God to all those who seek him and trust Him. Highly recommended.

Review: The Cheesy Vegan

The Cheesy Vegan: More than 125 Plant-Based Recipes for Indulging in the World’s Ultimate Comfort Food

John Schlimm

Photographs by Amy Beadle Roth

Da Capo Press

Lifelong Books

www.dacapopress.com

ISBN-13: 978-0-7382-1679-9

244 pages

The typical American vegan lives in a world where his lifestyle is continually faced with an onslaught from the “normal” American diet. The choice to eat only plant-foods means being continually faced with formerly-loved foods that one must now diligently and ethically avoid. Cheese is one of the most luxurious foods in the human diet; how is the committed vegan going to live without it?

The Cheesy Vegan seems designed to remedy this situation. The book begins with an introduction, a description and list of what should be in a vegan’s pantry, a chapter called the DIY vegan cheese kitchen which features descriptions on how to make different kinds of vegan “cheese.” Then the chapters with recipes follow, with chapters entitled: Breakfast and Brunch, Soups and Salads, Sides, Sandwiches, Appetizers and Snacks, Suppers, Mac ‘n Cheese, Cheesecake, Vegan Cheese Pairings (Wine, Cheese, and Cocktails), Metric Conversions, Store-bought vegan cheese resource guide, resource guide for cheese tools, acknowledgments, and an index.

The most important section, on which all the other chapters rest, is the chapter on the DIY Vegan Cheese Kitchen. This is the chapter where the would-be-cheesemaker will hone her craft, and this is where the reader is introduced to the many ingredients that will create vegan cheese: canola oil, nutritional yeast, agar, soy milk, miso etc. It’s also the chapter where the reader might say, “Is he serious?” It’s not as if cheese-making is so labor-intensive but unless one loves one’s kitchen, it might be best to become expert at specific cheeses then buy the rest at the store. There is also the matter of storing and keeping one’s creations. They’re more ephemeral than the typical cheeses one finds in supermarkets. Yet there is something weirdly invitingly adventurous and creative about these cheeses.

The food recipes seem easy enough -- especially after one has made the cheese. Each recipe is presented on a page with a description worthy of a foodie magazine. The ingredients for the recipe are listed in a column near the edges of the page. The directions for the recipes are extensive and easy, but the font seems a bit too light and might be difficult for some to read. The glossy photos are mouth-melting.

Some people who might hastily read the title of this book might assume this is a collection of recipes that contain cheese made from dairy. But Cheesy Vegan is stridently vegan. There is no dairy-made cheese in this book; only store-bought and home-made “cheese.” As it is written, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Thus the only proof of how well the substitute cheese in this book work is how well the cheese tastes. Are they really good or are they close-but-no-sugar?  It’s about taste. Of course just because a cheddar-cheese substitute doesn’t taste like “real” cheddar, doesn’t mean the new created taste is a bad thing.      

A committed vegan will probably have no trouble making these cheese-substitutes -- although the author does warn would-be vegan-cheesemakers that some of these cheeses do take a while to set. But the author has listed store-bought substitutes.

This book is recommended for vegans, for vegetarians who don’t mind eating cheese, for those who might be allergic to real cheese (and not to yeast, soy, canola, etc.) It can also be used by anyone seeking good recipes with cheese, whether or not they use real cheese or cheese-substitutes.

Review: NIV Essentials Study Bible

NIV Essentials Study Bible
Zondervan
ISBN: 978-0-310-44241-7
www.biblica.com
www.zondervan.com
$49.99
1708 pages plus ten pages of maps

The NIV (New International Version) translation of the English Bible is one of  the most popular of the many modern English Bible translations.  It was first published in 1973 and since then it has appeared in various specialized Bibles, geared toward different readers or uses. The NIV Essentials Study Bible is the newest NIV Study Bible, published in 2013.

This large print study Bible is divided into Table of Contents, Alphabetical Order of the Books of the Bible, Abbreviations used by the editors, About the NIV Essential Study Bible, Preface, Old Testament, New Testament, Table of Weights and Measures, Reading Plans, Subject Index, Concordance, and 14 full color maps.

The section entitled “About the NIV Essentials Study Bible” showcase the tools used in this particular study Bible. These tools are generally referred to as “lens.” In this case, there are
A) The Book Introductions —  Each book in the Bible is introduced with a quick overview  of key concepts, verses, and teachings found in the Bible. It also includes a timeline, maps, and photos.
B) The Unpack Lens — Commonly called “footnotes” in other Bibles, these “unpack lens” are study notes found at the bottom of the page. They include explanations of texts, verses, and show how the particular verses fit into the larger Bible.
C) The Dig Deep, Look Close Lens — These are taken from the NIV Archaeological Study Bible and are used to show historical (artifacts, etc) evidence for the Bible. Some of them include maps.
D) Q&A Lens — These are questions taken from the NIV Quest Study Bible and tackle questions that have challenged Scripture readers throughout history.
E) The People in Focus Lens — These are articles about specific people in the Bible. These notes are adapted from the NIV Student Bible
F) Insight Lens —  This lens contains articles adapted from the NIV Student Bible which gives relatable meaning to passages which might seem distant from the modern reader.
G) Guided Tour Lens — These notes are also excerpted from the NIV Student Bible and shows “a bird’s eye view” of the entire Bible.
H) Highlights — These are short articles which highlight certain verses whose importance the reader might miss.
I) Reflect & Respond Lens — These are taken from The Great Rescue, NIV,  is intended to cause the reader to meditate on certain inspirational issues.
The Reading Plans are:
A) One Year Through the Bible reading plan,
B) 60-Day overview of the Bible reading plan
C) 20 Not-so-famous Bible stories
D) 30 Days of Great Faith
E) 30 Days with Jesus
The Subject Index are linked to the Q&A and commentaries/lens found throughout the Bible.

REVIEW:
The NIV translation of the Bible is one of the most trusted -- second to the King James Version (although the Net Bible and the New Living Translation) are also good translations. It uses contemporary English and will not cause confusion in some minds as the KJV often does with those who do not understand Shakespearean English.

With the inclusion of so many study tools and resources, this is definitely an improvement on the other NIV Bibles, and other study Bibles in general. Some might be confused with all the resources but modern teenagers, a generation of multi-taskers, will find it easily navigable. One certainly can buy this Study Bible and benefit from the glimpses/inclusion of other Zondervan study Bibles. The compilation is flawlessly put together and the merging of those different resources into one "NIV Essentials Study Bible" is a tour-de force of editing, recombining and copying and pasting.

THE VARIOUS LENS
This is a study Bible and it shows the benefits and drawbacks of all study Bibles. It is very helpful for anyone who needs to understand how to approach the Bible and will teach the new Bible reader how to understand Bible reading. The various Lenses used to bring the Bible to life will definitely make even the casual Bible reader understand the Bible better. The typical person who is new to the Bible often just picks up a Bible and goes off to study it. They don't know what Bible resources to use, unless they are being trained in a church or Christian cult. This Study Bible has everything a new Bible student will need in one easy to read package and answers questions that might enter the reader's mind. The Bible student will also have the freedom to pause in reading the Scriptural text to look at the articles and footnotes. The archaeological additions are incredibly helpful in bringing the past events to life.

The flip side of all Study Bibles is that those who read them might trust the commentary in the same way they trust Scripture. There is always a danger of being indoctrinated into thinking about certain Bible passages in a particular way. Zondervan publishing luckily proclaims mainstream Christianity. But, although it is a good thing to know what the worldwide church thinks about certain Bible characters, each Bible reader should also be aware that the commentary they are receiving —however historic and accepted the interpretations— are coming from human traditions and traditions can often be challenged. For instance, whether or not one believes in the Pre-tribulation rapture of the church, it cannot be forgotten that the idea of a pretribulation rapture was promulgated through a certain commentary found in a study Bible. There are dispensational Study Bibles, preterist Study Bibles, etc.

There is also the problem with Biblical character analysis rooted in old traditions and prejudices. For instance, the passage on Lot doesn’t consider that perhaps Lot had a problem pulling himself away from Sodom because he may have had two married daughters there (which is a probable deduction from the words “I have two unmarried daughters here” and the conversation about Lot’s sons-in-law.) The commentator  assumes Lot is merely addicted to the rich lifestyle of Sodom. It is quite possible that Lot also loved friends, family, and in-law. There is also the Samson depict Samson as weak toward his lust for women. This might be true, but it might not be. Some might consider Samson’s sin to be more of a tempestuous anger. In the same way the decision to focus on Job’s wife as a symbol of an “accuser” instead of a woman who has lost children shows that uncompassionate tradition still intact. The commentator declares in the footnotes that the voice of the accuser is silenced after Job’s wife stops talking but isn’t the accuser also present in the voice of Job’s friends? There is also a strong Calvinist tread throughout whenever the discussion of suffering pops up. One would think that an adaptation of a Bible study would create opportunities for reassessment of traditional interpretations, dismissals of certain characters, scapegoating of certain characters turning others into sacred cows.

Much of this Bible Study seems like a rehashing, or a padding and/or a recompiling of other NIV Bible studies and resources. The cons is that sometimes it seems as if the NIV Essentials Study Bible is a subtle advertising tool of other Zondervan Productions: NIV Study Bible, The Essential Bible Companion, NIV Archaeological Study Bible, NIV Quest Study Bible, NIV Student Bible, and The Great Rescue Bible. Looking at the book’s cover flap— the reader often cringes at what feels like a subtle way to sell those other BIBLE books. Yep, a Bible as a marketing tool for other Bibles. Mercifully, Bibles often lose their dust jackets so the Bible owner will more than likely cast off the uncomfortable mercenary feel.

THE READING PLANS
The Reading Plans are good for teenagers but there is a kind of perfunctory feel to them. They are good enough, but they seem somehow inadequate as if the Bible Reading Plans were at hand so the editors tossed them in. Certainly, Zondervan has more than its share of reading plans lying around. Why not include others? Why not a reading plan that merged some of the doctrinal insights scattered throughout? Why not a reading plan on children in the Bible or women in the Bible? Cynically, one almost feels as if reading plans with women would’ve been included if Zondervan had wanted to advertise a woman’s Study Bible.

The Subject Index and the Concordance are helpful and between both of them a good student will be able to find verses or subjects.

On the whole, although this Study Bible feels as if new insights haven’t been added —especially in the way women and certain characters such as Hagar are treated— this is a very good Study Bible. Even with its faults, it is a good gift for new readers of the Bible because it contains very good tools to help theological, geographical, and doctrinal understanding. Recommended for those new to the Bible or to those teaching Sunday School.

CFBA: A healing heart by Angela Breidenbach

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Healing Heart

Abingdon Press (April 1, 2013)

by

Angela Breidenbach


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Angela Breidenbach is a speaker/coach in mental and physical health, author of A Healing Heart April 2013 from Abingdon Press in the Quilts of Love series, Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life, Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance, and Creative Cooking for Colitis. Other works by Angela include compilation books and devotionals from Guidepost, Group, and articles in magazines, ezines, and newspapers. She is certified in mentor/peer counseling as a CTA life coach, as a Stephen Minister, and a weight loss/nutrition coach. Angela serves as an assisting minister (worship/prayer leader) for her congregation in Missoula, MT. Not only did she walk the hard line of deciding to donate her mom’s brain for the study of schizophrenia, but she’s also on the brain donation list at the Brain Bank-Harvard McLean Hospital.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Mara Keegan is an uber-successful mother and a widow of three years. She's been chasing success and all the "good things in life" for her family to make up for the cruel whim God played on them by taking her husband. In an effort to be the perfect mom, she decides to make a photo memory quilt, a graduation present for her daughter, Cadence.


She’s not yet finished when she experiences a heart attack. While Mara recuperates, she revisits the choices she's made that led to this physically and spiritually broken heart. The memory quilt must be finished in time for Cadence's big day, but Mara struggles with her burgeoning feelings for the man who must keep Mara's business going during her recovery, Joel Ryan. Can Joel find his way into Mara's heart and onto Cadence's quilt?


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Healing Heart, go HERE

Review of Scenes and Monologues of Spiritual Experience

Scenes and Monologues of Spiritual Experience From the Best Contemporary Plays
edited by Roger Ellis
Applause Acting Series
ISBN 9781-4803-3156-3
US $19.99
Excerpting is a difficult vocation. Not only must the excerpter know the many writings of his subject(s) but he must be vigilant against any kind of personal bias which might make him pick and choose in a dishonest, non-representative or inappropriate way. Excerpting such topics as religion or politics can make the job even more difficult.

In Scenes and Monologues of Spiritual Experience From the Best Contemporary Plays, a book that is edited by Roger Ellis and which is part of the Applause Acting Series, the difficulty of excerpting shows up quite clearly. Even if one does not challenge the phrase “Best Contemporary Plays” one is still left with the sad fact that the editor has repeatedly chosen works by the same author. It is not as if an excerpter is not allowed to direct the gaze of the reader or influence the reader, but the repeated use of the same playwrights gives the appearance of being in the hands of one who is almost doctrinal — this, although the playwrights have differing faiths.  Unless a dearth of spiritual scenes in the best contemporary plays exists, the collection seems iffy..almost as if the editor is touting the works of his friends, colleagues, and teachers. A reader finds herself wondering how representative of the best the collection really is. When Ellis writes, “Bear in Mind that I’m attempting …to highlight and promote the work of a handful of uniquely talented and highly motivated artists,” the reader can only role her eyes at what appears to be a clear “disclaimer.” While a few stalwarts such as Arthur Miller are included, the contemporary excerpts all seem to be works by writers who are spiritually wet-behind the ears

All that said, the collection is an excellent one, consisting of works which show playwrights from Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism. The writers bias is shown early in the introduction when he describes the contemporary age as a “secular age.” Although the collection deftly shows traditional religion, culture intermixed with religion, and modern challenges, the phrase itself shows how mired the excerpter is. For those who are not in the western white male middle-class culture, this might not be a secular age. The introduction is written for and by one who believes that those in traditional religion are at war  — literal and symbolic— over doctrinal and religious issues. In many areas Ellis writes seemingly from ignorance. For instance, at one point he writes: “It may surprise some readers to consider that so many contemporary plays deal with aspects of faith.” Or he pats himself on the back by saying “It is noteworthy that before now, no anthology has gathered this kind of dramatic material into a single collection.”

The inane and profoundly smug idea that those in this age are more enlightened or less bounded in their spiritual perspectives than those in previous ages is evident throughout and shows that Roger Ellis may be knowledgeable about plays but he is not so knowledgeable about the history of religion.

The book contains an introduction  (which reads like a manifesto of current spirituality, an apology for choosing his friends — and their contact info in case the reader wishes to hire them—, and a snide pot-shot at believers in traditional spirituality) and then is divided into Scenes for a man and a woman, scenes for two women, scenes for two men, monologues for women, and monologues for men. The scenes display a range of emotions for all actors involved and the monologues have movement and depth to them.
The plays achieve their purpose, and —while they might achieve their purpose standing alone — by the end of the book, the reader who affirms traditional religion will feel slightly bombarded with propaganda and the reader who honors a more “contemporary,” secular (so-called) spirituality will feel closer to something numinous and divine. This book is recommended for all readers: the non-traditionalists who will delight to have a book which show what they will consider their innovative spirituality, and the traditionalists who (contrary to what Mr Ellis might think) have wisdom, spirituality, and a deep core of spiritual knowledge to contain all that Mr Ellis seems to consider so terribly new and hip.  .
--

Review: Do What Jesus Did by Robby Dawkins

While some historical Christian churches --especially the Baptist Church-- declare that the ages of miracles have passed and that wonders have ceased, there is another parallel stream of Christianity that declares that the Ho0ly Spirit of God still works wonders, especially through the church, which is His body on earth.

In Robby Dawkins' new book, Do What Jesus Did, he challenges all Christians to step out in what he calls the risk of faith to do as Jesus did, to heal the sick, to cast out demons, to save the lost, and to change and restore lives. Dawkins, who is a pastor of a Vineyard Church in Aurora Illinois, has written a book that is a manual, and a collection of testimonies. He alternates between dramatic encounter stories (about witches, drug addicts, atheists, believers of other faiths, and nominal unbelievers) with solid Scriptural teachings concerning the Christian's glorious obligations to reconcile the lost in the world to a loving God.

This Charismatic stream of Christianity shows up in many denominations. However, although many Charismatic believers, Pentecostals, and mainstream Bible believers believe that God is loving. few have seen the miracles they desire to see. Dawkins gives many reasons for this lack of miracles without sonding like a know-it-all.

 One of his favorite quotes is: "God's gift to us is ability, our gift to God is availability." He believes the Christian should get out of her comfort zone, take chances, and believe that God will "show up" and reward such risk-taking faith. Of course there are methods, and the Christian needs to hone the ability to understand and hear God's direction. While he acknowledges that some Christians have particular gifts in areas of healing and prophecy, he maintains and reminds his readers that Jesus equipped the Seventy-two to go out and heal. 

Review: The Modern Life Study Bible

The Modern Life Study Bible

Thomas Nelson

978-1-4016-7514-1

The two greatest commandments in Christianity are well-known to most Bible-readers. The first is to love God with all the heart, mind, soul, and strength and the second is like it, to love one’s neighbor as one’s self. Many Christian movements, sects, theological books, doctrine, and denominations have struggled with upholding and balancing these two commandments. Oftentimes, a book, movement, or preacher will rise up to reaffirm some lost aspect of Christianity only to emphasize a teaching so much that another book or movement will soon rise up to balance. There seems to be a constant battle of over-correction and over-compensating; this struggle is reflected in the focus of Study Bibles throughout the ages.

The Modern Life Study Bible is a new study Bible published by Thomas Nelson which shows that the problems of modern life were common in Biblical times and are, in fact, eternal societal, familial, and ethical. This is the first study Bible which is focused on connecting the ethical, moral, social, political, psychological, and communal issues in the ancient world to the modern world. In short, this is a study Bible which aims to be relevant to those Christians who think the Bible doesn’t speak to modern people. It aims to show public and private faith and how these work in the policies, laws, values, beliefs, and traditions found in business, government, services, family, church community.

The book contains a brief introduction, Old and New testaments, a section on key New Testament passages which connect to modern concerns, a section on weights and measures, a glossary of the Life Studies found throughout the book, Bible Person Profiles, Themes to Study, Jobs found in the Bible and the corresponding occupations found in the modern world, and Acknowledgments. Each Book of the Bible includes, focuses, insights, character descriptions, land descriptions, charts, and life studies.

The Focuses and Insights are usually very insightful and focused on making a character or event relevant to modern readers, discussing sibling rivalry, warfare caused by desire for water, discussing refugees or employer-employee relationships. But there are moments when the reader groans or facepalms. The Life Studies or 66 inspirational biographies are either exciting or questionable depending on the reader’s prejudices or denomination. While some readers will accept John Milton, Mother Theresa, Queen Rananvalona, Watchman Nee, for instance, others might not be so keen on Charles Colson, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, C S Lewis, Martin Luther King, Francis of Assisi, Johnny Cash, or Constantine.  Whatever one may think, these biographies definitely inspire and show the variety of the Christian Community.

This is not a relatavistic book. God and man remain at the center of all the discourses. It does not only focus showing the spiritual take on earthly issues. It also focuses on God’s power and on eternity. It balances its focus on the two commandments well….or well enough. But there are a few issues. Each believer in Christ has a special mission or focus to accomplish in this life. And what is important to one believer may not be important to another. There are Bibles that focus on the Prosperity Gospel or on women or on countless other western political movements or theological trends. The editor of those Bibles considered those aspects of the gospel important enough to create a Study Bible for them. However, there are a few aspects of Christianity that should be honored by ALL Christians.

The Bible declares the great mystery of Immanuel, God in us, that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in His people, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” This is no mere human power of humans striving trying to do better to make the world better, but the idea of Him Who is able to do MORE THAN WE ASK OR THINK according to the power of the Spirit which He has placed in every one of us. Eph 3:20

The Modern Life Study Bible is a good Study Bible but there is this nagging feeling of “Isn’t there anything else?” It’s as if the Holy Spirit working in humans is mentioned but He is mentioned in passing, and not as Someone who is powerfully active in those who have truly had the Second Birth.  Consider, the insights, focuses, etc in the book of Galatians speak only of Paul versus legalism. Much is written about Christ being needed for salvation but one has to search to see the main point of Galatian that one continues growing in one’s salvation through the continuing work of the Holy Spirit. This is shown in a small Focus paragraph on the Ten Freedoms. Shouldn’t this important point be placed in the introduction? Or consider that although the book of 1 Corinthians says so much about the gift of the Holy Spirit, the editors do not so much as mention the importance and power of these gifts throughout this section. Instead, the writers focus (and give insights) on issues such as cultural clashes and corporate disagreements. Again, there is nothing inherently wrong with the editors choosing not to discuss the most important aspect of a book but what is left is a conspicuous absence. Perhaps if a charismatic christian edited this book, a little more emphasis on the Holy Spirit would have been made. Or consider the focus and insights found near the Faith Chapter (Hebrews 11:1) where the editors discuss the faith hall of fame yet they don’t really discuss what faith is. Of course, if a Faith Preacher had been part of this editorial crew, there might be a greater focus on describing faith.  

So, what is the upshot?

The Modern Life Study Bible is wonderful, awesome, and --like many study Bibles-- it needs to be set beside other study Bibles. It is definitely unique and pastors and teachers will definitely benefit by having it. I will add though that this is the kind of Study Bible which will be both challenged and loved. It will help many priests, pastors, and ministers speak about the issues that challenge their congregation. But ministers who are prejudiced against immigrants, certain social progressive issues, or Black people might have a problem with it. In the same way, those who dislike some conservative stances will also find certain passages (about abortion and homosexuality for instance) annoying. That is the power of a book with integrity which declares the whole counsel of God, is it not?  

This Review copy was sent to me by Thomas Nelson in exchange for a fair review.

CFBA: Follow the Heart by Kaye Dacus

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Follow the Heart

B&H Books (May 1, 2013)


by

Kaye Dacus


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Humor, Hope, and Happily Ever Afters! Kaye Dacus is the author of humorous, hope-filled contemporary and historical romances with Barbour Publishing, Harvest House Publishers, and B&H Publishing. She holds a Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, is a former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, and currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers. Kaye lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is a full-time academic advisor and part-time college composition instructor for Bethel University.


Kaye Dacus (KAY DAY-cuss) is an author and educator who has been writing fiction for more than twenty years. A former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, Kaye enjoys being an active ACFW member and the fellowship and community of hundreds of other writers from across the country and around the world that she finds there. She currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers, which she co-founded in 2003 with three other writers. Each month, she teaches a two-hour workshop on an aspect of the craft of writing at the MTCW monthly meeting. Kaye lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where she is an academic advisor and English Composition instructor for Bethel University.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Set during the Industrial Revolution and the Great Exhibition of 1851, Follow the Heart is a “sitting-room romance” with the feel of a Regency-era novel but the fashions and technological advances of the mid-Victorian age.


Kate and Christopher Dearing’s lives turn upside down when their father loses everything in a railroad land speculation. The siblings are shipped off to their mother’s brother in England with one edict: marry money.


At twenty-seven years old, Kate has the stigma of being passed over by eligible men many times—and that was before she had no dowry. Christopher would like nothing better than to make his own way in the world; and with a law degree and expertise in the burgeoning railroad industry, he was primed to do just that—in America.


Though their uncle tries to ensure Kate and Christopher find matrimonial prospects only among the highest echelon of British society, their attentions stray to a gardener and a governess.


While Christopher has options that would enable him to lay his affections where he chooses, he cannot let the burden of their family’s finances crush his sister. Trying to push her feelings for the handsome—but not wealthy— gardener aside, Kate’s prospects brighten when a wealthy viscount shows interest in her. But is marrying for the financial security of her family the right thing to do, when her heart is telling her she’s making a mistake?


Mandates . . . money . . . matrimony. Who will follow the heart?


If you would like to read the first chapter of >Follow the Heart, go HERE

Review: Seeing the Voice of God-What God is Telling You through Dreams & Visions

Seeing the Voice of God -- What God is Telling You through Dreams & Visions
by Laura Harris Smith
Chosen Books
www.chosenbooks.com
ISBN: 978-0-8007-9568-9
$14.99

Seeing the Voice of God -- What God is Telling You through Dreams; Visions is one of the best books on Christian Dream interpretation out there.

Most Christian books on dreaming often stick to a few aspects of dreams and dreaming but this 254-page volume contains chapters that discuss how dreams relate to prophecy, how God uses the physiology of dreams, sleep debt, discernment of spirits, whether God speaks or not, and even a dream dictionary. Laura Harris Smith has written a well-rounded bookon dreaming, most definitely.

The chapters are entitled:
Is God Ever Silent?
When Your Dreams Are for Now: Five Types of Prophetic Dreams for the Present,
When Your Dreams Are for Later: Five Types of Prophetic Dreams for the Future
Sleep: The Mattress of Dreams
Dream Recall
Visions
Interpretations and Dream Dictionary
20/20 Hearing
Deaf and Dumb, but Not Blind
Discernment of Spirits

The title of the book is Seeing the Voice of God, an unusual title which highlights the author's premise. Quite simply, many Christians feel that God does not speak today. Others feel that God speaks but not to them. Or they believe that God is speaking to them but somehow they can't hear Him. Using Bible verses, personal history, and medical and dietary research, the author shows that God does indeed speak to people about
important personal events -- even to non-Christians, because the night is often when God speaks.

The author is well aware that she is writing a book for both Christians and secularists, for believers in the importance of dreams, and those who poo-poo dreams or the Charismatic community. Such a task is daunting and an author who is too within the Christian churchy box would not handle the task well.  Smith neither panics nor panders. She is honest in honoring dreams without seeming to be pleading her case.

Neither does she shy away from her Christian message or from saying anything what needs to be said.
Seeing the Voice of God -- What God is Telling You through Dreams & Vision is a manual that will help Christians and non-Christians deepen their relationship with God through dreams. Those who read it will understand that God is caring, ever-present, and desirous of communicating with them.

Highly recommended for all those who wish to grow in the knowledge of dreams, visions, and prophesy.
I received a review copy from Chosen Books

CFBA: A Heartbeat Away by S Dionne Moore

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Heartbeat Away

Abingdon Press (May 1, 2013)


by

S. Dionne Moore


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

S. Dionne Moore started writing in 2006. Her first book, Murder on the Ol’ Bunions, was contracted for publication by Barbour Publishing in 2008. In 2009 she moved on to writing historical romances as an outlet for her passion for history. In 2010 her second cozy mystery, Polly Dent Loses Grip, was a 2010 Carol Award finalist and she was also named a Barbour Publishing 2010 Favorite New Author. In 2011 her first historical romance, Promise of Tomorrow, was nominated a 2011 Carol Award finalist.

Born and raised in Manassas, Virginia, Moore moved to Greencastle, PA in 1993, then to Mercersburg in 2009. Moore enjoys life in the historically rich Cumberland Valley where traffic jams are a thing of the past and there are only two stoplights in the whole town.


For more information, visit her Website at www.sdionnemoore.com.
Follow her on Twitter: @sdionnemoore
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sdionnemoore
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/sdionnemoore

 ABOUT THE BOOK

When a band of runaway slaves brings Union-loyal Beth Bumgartner a wounded Confederate soldier named Joe, it is the catalyst that pushes her to defy her pacifist parents and become a nurse during the Battle of Antietam.


Her mother's mysterious goodbye gift is filled with quilt blocks that bring comfort to Beth during the hard days and lonely nights, but as she sews each block, she realizes there is a hidden message of faith within the pattern that encourages and sustains her. Reunited with Joe, Beth learns his secret and puts the quilt's message to its greatest test—but can betrayal be forgiven?


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Heartbeat Away, go HERE.


Watch the video:

AHeartbeatAway - Medium from S. Dionne Moore on Vimeo.

CFBA: Last Chance for Justice by Kathi Macias

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Last Chance for Justice

B&H Books (May 1, 2013)


by

Kathi Macias


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 40 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences. She won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and was the 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net. Her novel set in China, Red Ink, was named Golden Scrolls 2011 Novel of the Year and was also a Carol Award Finalist; her October 2012 release, Unexpected Christmas Hero, was named 2012 Book of the Year by BookandAuthors.net. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband.


Kathi is passionate about The Voice of the Martyrs and Open Doors.  To learn more about the persecuted church, please visit VOM’s website and Open Doors Website.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Welcome to Bloomfield, where life is simple, love is real, and stories are shared.


Lynn Myers is still reeling from losing her husband of thirty-five years when word comes that her only sibling, an older brother, has also died. With no one else to settle the estate, she must return to her small hometown of Bloomfield, however briefly, to settle his affairs.


Lynn’s daughter, Rachel, has just graduated from Bible college and with no other commitments comes along to sort through her uncle’s huge old home, right next to the local cemetery.


It isn't long before Rachel has two men -- a handsome CPA and the youth pastor -- seriously vying for her attention. At the same time, Lynn's attention is drawn to a set of journals her brother has left behind detailing a long-standing Bloomfield mystery.


As they pursue solving this mystery, Rachel must make some personal decisions about her future, while Lynn is forced to face unexpected issues from her own past.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Last Chance for Justice, go HERE.

CFBA: Catherine's Pursuit

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Catherine's Pursuit

Realms (February 5, 2013)

by

Lena Nelson Dooley


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 675,000 books in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers http://www.acfw.com/ and president of the local chapter, DFW Ready Writers. She’s also a member of Christian Authors Network, CROWN Fiction Marketing, and Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Travel is always on her horizon. Cruising, Galveston, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Mexico. One day it will be Hawaii and Australia, but probably not the same year. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with fifteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins from American Christian Fiction Writers and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award at their national conference. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books. And she loves chocolate, especially dark chocolate.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Angus McKenna was forced to give two of his daughters to families in the wagon train, he promised he'd never try to contact them. Catherine made no such pledge. But when she sets out to find her sisters, she doesn't go alone. Angus sends Collin with her. Will they discover the two women---and love?


If you would like to read the first chapter of Catherine's Pursuit, go HERE.

The Adveutures of Nurse Nicole by Nicole Brown

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Adventures of Nurse Nicole is a wonderfully cleaver and bright series about a nurse with three children who are curious about nursing. The Adventures of Nurse Nicole: N is for Nurse describes the art and science of nursing from A to Z with positive images of the nursing profession. Nursing is one of the most sought after and trusted professions in the world. This is a must-have book, because everyone will need a nurse one day.

 

The next book, The Adventures of Nurse Nicole: Wash Your Hands,  is coming soon.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nicole Brown, MSN, RN, is a nurse educator, Doctoral candidate and an Army veteran. Nicole lives in Central Virginia with her three children and is dedicated to providing positive images of the nursing profession for children and the world.

 

 

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CFBA: Past Darkness by Laurel Woiwode

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Past Darkness
Crossway (April 30, 2013)

by

Laurel Woiwode


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laurel Woiwode graduated with honors from Jamestown College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in both English and History. She works with ESL students, writes movie reviews at reelquickie.areavoices.com, works on writing and editing projects, and is always ready for outdoor adventures. Laurel grew up in rural North Dakota, has had an avid interest in animals, nature, and literature since childhood, and she is the author of Past Darkness.




ABOUT THE BOOK

Gabrielle Larson is an average, 15 year old girl living in Chicago when tragedy strikes. In the aftermath, she is forced to relocate to rural North Dakota and henceforth spends the next chapter of her life learning to cope with trials involving everything from family to faith. Laurel Woiwode, daughter of critically acclaimed novelist Larry Woiwode, offers here a moving story that will be appreciated by female and male readers alike. Past Darkness is not preachy or heavy-handed, but rather a touching story about the importance of family, the power of music, and the ever-present mercy of God.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Past Darkness, go HERE,

CFBA: Daybreak

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Daybreak

Avon Inspire; Original edition (February 12, 2013)


by

Shelley Shepard Gray


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Since 2000, Shelley Sabga has sold over thirty novels to numerous publishers, including HarperCollins, Harlequin, Abingdon Press, and Avon Inspire. She has been interviewed by NPR, and her books have been highlighted in numerous publications, including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.

Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for HarperCollins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. Her recent novel, The Protector, the final book in her “Families of Honor” series, hit the New York Times List, and her previous novel in the same series, The Survivor, appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Shelley has won the prestigious Holt Medallion for her books, Forgiven and Grace, and her novels have been chosen as Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/Literary Guild Book Club. Her first novel with Avon Inspire, Hidden, was an Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two children in college, and is an active member of her church. She serves on committees, volunteers in the church office, and currently leads a Bible study group, and she looks forward to the opportunity to continue to write novels that showcase her Christian ideals.

When she’s not writing, Shelley often attends conferences and reader retreats in order to give workshops and publicize her work. She’s attended RWA’s national conference six times, the ACFW conference and Romantic Times Magazine’s annual conference as well as traveled to New Jersey, Birmingham, and Tennessee to attend local conferences.

Check out Shelley's Facebook Fan page

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Viola Keim starts working at a nearby Mennonite retirement home, she strikes up an unlikely friendship with resident Atle, whose only living relative, son Edward, is living as a missionary in Nicaragua. Viola understands the importance of mission work, but she can’t imagine leaving her father in the hands of strangers. Even though her family is New Order Amish, it’s not the Amish way, and though she doesn’t know Ed, she judges him for abandoning his father.




But when Ed surprises his father with a visit, Viola and Ed both discover an attraction they never expected. Despite her feelings, choosing Ed would mean moving to a far-off country and leaving her family behind. She can’t do that. Her twin sister, Elsie, is going blind and will need someone to care for her all her life. Her family is reeling with the recent discovery that her grandmother hid her past as an Englischer. Her father seems forgetful and distracted—and to be harboring some secrets of his own.

Does Viola dare leave them all behind and forge her own life? Or will family ties mean her one chance at love slips away?



If you would like to read a first Chapter excerpt from Daybreak,go HERE.

Without Faith Virtual Book Tour by Leslie Sherrod

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

A diva and a gentleman have shown up for couples counseling, but now Sienna is the one in danger….

 

She’s a sleuth. She’s a scorned wife. She’s a sista on a mission. Sienna St. James is more than a sharp-witted social worker. She’s a problem solver who keeps getting pulled into life-and-death mysteries that only complicate her already complex life. With a head-strong teenage son and a missing, estranged husband – who could be anywhere on the globe – Sienna has to figure out what gets her focus first: the questions she has about her own love and loss or the dangerous quirks and dark confusion of her current clients… And then there are the current eligible men around her who are jockeying for position, waiting for her to make up her mind about it all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Leslie J. Sherrod, the recipient of the SORMAG Readers Choice Award for Christian Author of the Year (2012), has a Masters in Social Work and has worked as a therapist, just like her current protagonist, Sienna St. James. Her novels, Losing Hope, Secret Place, and Like Sheep Gone Astray have been featured in Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library Writer’s LIVE! Series, as well as local CBS and NBC affiliates, and on AOL’s Black Voices. She has received a starred review from Booklist and is a contributor to the bestselling A Cup of Comfort devotional series. A graduate of the University of Maryland, she also took courses in writing at The Johns Hopkins University. Leslie lives in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband and three children.

CFBA: Wings of Glass

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Wings of Glass

Tyndale House Publishers (March 1, 2013)


by

Gina Holmes


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gina Holmes began her career in 1998, penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey now called Novel Rocket and she is also the founder of Inspire The Fire.


Her debut, Crossing Oceans, was a Christy and Gold Medallion finalist and winner of the Carol Award, INSPY, and RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice, as well as being a CBA, ECPA, Amazon and PW Religion bestseller. Her sophomore novel,  Dry as Rain, was also named a Christy finalist. Her upcoming novel, Wings of Glass will releases this month.  She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her family in southern Virginia. She works too hard, laughs too loud, and longs to see others heal from their past and discover their God-given purpose.





ABOUT THE BOOK

From the bestselling author of Crossing Oceans comes a heart-rending yet uplifting story of friendship and redemption. On the cusp of womanhood, Penny  is swept off her feet by a handsome farmhand with a confident swagger. Though Trent Taylor seems like Prince Charming and offers an escape from her one-stop-sign-town, Penny’s happily ever after lasts no longer than their breakneck courtship. Before the ink even dries on their marriage certificate, he hits her for the first time.  It isn’t the last, yet the bruises that can’t be seen are the most painful of all.


When Trent is injured in a welding accident and his paycheck stops, he has no choice but to finally allow Penny to take a job cleaning houses. Here she meets two women from very different worlds who will teach her to live and laugh again, and lend her their backbones just long enough for her to grow her own.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Wings of Glass, go HERE.

CFBA: Wounds by Alton Gansky

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Wounds

B&H Books (May 1, 2013)


by

Alton Gansky


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alton L. Gansky is the author of 24 novels and 8 nonfiction works, as well as principle writer of 9 novels and 2 nonfiction books. He has been a Christie Award finalist (A Ship Possessed) and an Angel Award winner (Terminal Justice) and recently was award the ACFW award for best suspense/thriller for his work on Fallen Angel. He holds a BA and MA in biblical studies and Lit.D. He lives in central California with his wife.

In addition to his own writing, Alton Gansky has consulted and provided editing/ writing services to several CBA publishers and written copy, video scripts, and other works for the general business market. Through Gansky.Communications he has consulted with publishers and agents, as well as provided editing services. He is “the go to guy” for co-writing having been selected by Penguin, Waterbrook, Broadman Holman, and other publishers to work with their top tier authors.

Gansky is in frequent demand at writer’s conferences having taught and keynoted in California, Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina, Delaware, Washington, and Canada. He has also been guest lecturer on suspense writing at Taylor University in Indiana.


 ABOUT THE BOOK

A man’s lifeless body is found in the fresh soil of San Diego’s botanical garden. Cause of death is asphyxiation, an easy call for the medical examiner. More mysterious, however, are the tiny drops of blood on the victim’s skin, resulting from hundreds of punctures.

A rabbi leaving his house for work expects a regular day at the synagogue. That quickly changes when he discovers a dead man on his front lawn, clearly beaten to death.

Motorcycle riders racing along the empty streets of an abandoned military base stumble across another man’s corpse, its skin revealing long, red-purple marks of a thrashing given with wood dowels.

The numbers mount. Each week another victim and another mysterious clue in a game of mass murder the police don’t want to lose. The solution rests with Dr. Ellis Poe, a religious professor who only wishes to be left alone with his books and classes.

But evil must be faced, and the choice is no longer his own.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Wounds, go HERE.