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Book Review: “When The Clouds Roll By” by Myra Johnson

Myra Johnson in her new book, “When The Clouds Roll By” Book One in the Till We Meet Again series published by Abingdon Press takes us into the life of Annemarie Kendall.

From the back cover: Sometimes, going home is the worst thing you can do.

World War I has ended, but returning to Hot Springs, Arkansas, means Lt. Gilbert Ballard has to face his fiance, who has no idea how badly he’s been wounded. Army Chaplain Samuel Vickary has helped Gilbert confront his postwar anxiety, but both men continue to struggle with the war’s aftermath in their lives.

Determined he won’t become a burden, Gilbert decides to break his engagement to Annemarie. Samuel does his best to convince Gilbert he’s a fool for giving Annemarie up, but he can’t deny—at least to himself—his own growing attraction to his best friend’s girl.

Caught in the middle and confused, Annemarie searches for the courage that can save them all—the courage for Samuel to reaffirm his faith, for Gilbert to leave the war behind, and for her own journey to become the woman God intended to be.

Stories set during or after World War I are hard to come by and good stories are even scarcer. Ms. Johnson has stepped up to the void and filled it with a winner. The title tells you the story is set after the war when you would think that the storm clouds of the war have passed. Ms. Johnson is writing about the clouds that come after the war when the soldiers came home shell-shocked or having what we call now PTSD or wounded or both and how does everyone deal with those clouds. Gilbert has his issues and really does not know how to cope in his new civilian life, Samuel has his issues and Annemarie is forced to deal with these new components in her life. This story had the potential to become a real downer but Ms. Johnson is a champion and not only kept it from going in that direction but she really kept it interesting and real. Ms. Johnson does an outstanding job of bringing her characters to life and you feel that you know and understand each of them and feel their individual pain. On top of that really want their romance to succeed. What a great way to start a new series. I am already looking forward to the next book.

You can find “When The Clouds Roll By” at a discount at http://www.deepershopping.com/item/johnson-myra/when-the-clouds-roll-by-till-we-meet-again-v1/4905425.html

If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: “The Courier of Caswell Hall” by Melanie Dobson

September 29, 2013 at 6:14 pm | Posted in Books | Leave a comment
Tags: Book Review, Christian Fiction, Romance Fiction

Melanie Dobson in her new book, “The Courier of Caswell Hall” Book Five in the An American Tapestry series published by Summerside Press takes us into the life of Lydia Caswell.

From the back cover: An unlikely spy discovers freedom and love in the midst of the American Revolution.

As the British and Continental armies wage war in 1781, the daughter of a wealthy Virginia plantation owner feels conflict raging in her own heart. Lydia Caswell comes from a family of staunch Loyalists, but she cares only about peace. Her friend Sarah Hammond, however, longs to join the fight. Both women’s families have already been divided by a costly war that sets father against son and neighbor against neighbor; a war that makes it impossible to guess who can be trusted.

One snowy night Lydia discovers a wounded man on the riverbank near Caswell Hall, and her decision to save him will change her life. Nathan introduces her to a secret network of spies, couriers, disguises, and coded messages — a network that may be the Patriots’ only hope for winning the war. When British officers take over Caswell Hall and wreak havoc on neighboring plantations, Lydia will have to choose between loyalty and freedom; between her family’s protection and her own heart’s desires.

As both armies gather near Williamsburg for a pivotal battle, both Lydia and Sarah must decide how high a price they are willing to pay to help the men they love.

The Revolutionary War and spies! This is the recipe that Melanie Dobson has created for us in “The Courier of Caswell Hall”. Up until this point the colonies had never cried out for independence before so this was a premier event. Not everyone was keen on the idea of independence, after all it was treason and punishable by hanging. So there are the Loyalists to The Crown, which promises security but maintains English oppression) and The Rebels who promise freedom with the possibility of hanging. Lydia’s family are Loyalists but she manages to fall in love with a Rebel and then acts as a rebel spy. Danger, action, adventure suspense thriller all rolled up in a very exciting read. On top of all of this there is the romance. Ms. Dobson has given us a story that belongs up there with the terrific movies that have come before. These are wonderful characters that live and breathe on the pages and you care deeply for them. This book does not disappoint at all. I enjoyed it and I am sure you will also.

You can find “The Courier of Caswell Hall” at a discount at http://www.deepershopping.com/item/dobson-melanie/courier-of-caswell-hall-american-tapestry-america/5487669.html

If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.

To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Bible Commentary: “The Glory Of His Inheritance”

September 29, 2013 at 3:55 pm | Posted in Bible Commentary | Leave a comment
Tags: Bible Commentary, The Bible

“what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:18 NKJV)

Paul told the Ephesians that he prayed for them and now he mentions the fourth of what he prays for them. First Paul prayed that they would have wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, second he prayed that with this knowledge their understanding would be enlightened and then he prayed they would know the hope of His calling. Now he prays that they would know and understand how rich is our inheritance.

So using our wisdom and revelation and our enlightened understanding let us examine what are the riches and glory of God’s inheritance to us, for we are the saints. First, we have an inheritance in Heaven. One day we are all going there, either by individual death or by Jesus coming to take us there, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 NKJV). Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3 NKJV). Our ultimate inheritance is Heaven itself where we will be with Jesus in the presence of God forever.

So the question is, is Heaven the only inheritance we have in God? There is a spiritual inheritance that we receive as we are given grace mercy and holiness to live to this new life that we have received in Jesus. These riches set us apart from those that do not have new life in Christ and make us a magnet to them so that they could understand the change in us. Paul tells us, “To them (the saints) God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27 NKJV). We are to make known among those that do not know Jesus our hope in Him so that they would receive Him as well.

So is that all there is to our inheritance? Solomon told us, “Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers” (Proverbs 19:14 NKJV). Well we already know we will have a mansion in Heaven but what use will there be of riches in Heaven when the very streets are paved of gold? So it must be that houses and riches are to come to us while we are still here. Paul said, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NKJV). When we are in short supply God will meet our every need because we are His children, brothers and sisters of Jesus, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16-17 NKJV).

Child of God – We have the blessing that God gave to Abraham, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29 NKJV). And what is the promise? If we are obedient we shall be blessed, “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God? (Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NKJV). (for a full list of the blessings please read Deuteronomy 28:3-14). We are the inheritance of God, purchased by the blood of Jesus, children of God by His sacrifice for us. Let us be obedient to God?s word that we may participate in the blessings of Abraham because he was obedient.

Our prayer:
Lord, thank you for the inheritance that we have in you. That you even provided for it from long before the time of grace came. For even under the law we had blessings provided if we were obedient to your word. All I can say is Lord, that above all my dearest blessing is to know you.
Amen.

If you want to have a personal relationship with Jesus as your Lord and Savior pray: “Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that out of love for me you willingly sacrificed your life so that I may live. I repent of all my sins and open my heart to you as my Lord and Savior. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer for the first time or if you have any questions please contact us. We would love to hear from you.