February | 2014 | Vic's Media Room

Book Review: “The Thief” By Stephanie Landsem

Stephanie Landsem in her new book, “The Thief” Book Two in The Living Water series published by Howard Books gives us a story about a woman bound by lies. A soldier haunted by fear. A sacrifice that sets them free.

From the back cover: My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Nissa is a Jewish woman with a sharp tongue and no hope of marriage. Abandoned by the God she once loved, her only recourse is to depend upon Mouse, the best thief in Jerusalem, to keep her blind brother, Cedron, fed and the landlord satisfied.

Longinus is a Roman centurion haunted by death and failure and is desperate to escape the accursed Judean province. Accepting a wager that will get him away from the aggravating Jews and their threats of revolt, he sets out to catch the thieves harassing the marketplace.

When a controversial teacher miraculously heals Cedron, Nissa hopes for freedom from her life of lies. But the supposed miracle brings only more misfortune, and Longinus, seeking to learn more about the mysterious healer, finds himself drawn instead to Nissa, whose secret will determine the course of both their futures.

Cedron, Longinus, and Nissa are unexpectedly caught up in the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. As danger closes in on them from every side, they must decide if the love and redemption Jesus offers is true or just another false promise. How can the so-called Messiah save them from their shackles, when he cannot even save himself?

Biblical fiction at its finest. Jesus is the center of this story that involves many Biblical characters that Ms. Landsem gives names to. Both thieves on the other crosses not only have names but they each have been given a history and a story. The Roman Centurion Longinus is pursuing them and encounters Nissa and her brother Cedron. All of them encounter Jesus and are transformed one way or the other. “The Thief” is a story about who we are before we meet Jesus and who we become after we meet Jesus. There is a lot going on in this story and Ms. Landsem knows how to take us through each event by letting us in on the lives of the participants. Ms. Landsem has given us plenty of wonderful characters to fall in love with and lots of adventure and romance.

You can find “The Thief” at a discount at http://www.deepershopping.com/item/landsem-stephanie/thief/5981516.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. 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: “Where Courage Calls” By Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

February 27, 2014 at 12:54 am | Posted in Books | Leave a comment
Tags: Book Review, Christian Fiction, Romance Fiction

Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan in their new book, “Where Courage Calls” published by Bethany House takes us into the life of Beth Thatcher.

From the back cover: Her courage and her heart will be tested in ways she never expected…

Beth Thatcher has spent her entire life in the safe, comfortable world of her family, her friends, and the social outings her father’s wealth provides. But Beth is about to leave it all behind to accept a teaching position in the rugged foothills of western Canada. Inspired by her aunt Elizabeth, who went west to teach school several years ago, and gently encouraged by her father, Beth resolves to put her trust in God and bravely face any challenge that comes her way.

But the conditions in Coal Valley are even worse than she’d feared. A recent mining accident has left the town grieving and at the mercy of the mining company. The children have had very little prior education, and many of the locals don’t even speak English. There isn’t even a proper schoolhouse. In addition, Beth’s heart is torn between two young men–both Mounties, one a lifelong friend and the other a kind, quiet man who comes to her aid more than once.

Despite the many challenges, Beth is determined to make a difference in the rustic frontier town. But when her sister visits from the East, reminding her of all the luxuries she’s had to give up, will Beth decide to return to her privileged life as soon as the school year is over?

A special companion story to Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart TV series

Welcome back to Coal Valley. The Oke’s have done a previous six book series that featured Elizabeth. “Where Courage Calls” starts a new series that features Elizabeth’s niece, Beth. Beth wants to be a school teacher and Coal Valley is the place to start. The Oke’s have given us plenty of wonderful characters to fall in love with, lots of adventure and romance. There is a lot going on in Coal Valley and the Oke’s know how to take us through each event by letting us in on the lives of the participants. This is a great start to a new series. I have enjoyed it immensely and I look forward to the next book to see what will happen with Beth.

You can find “Where Courage Calls” at a discount at http://www.deepershopping.com/item/oke-logan/where-courage-calls-when-calls-the-heart/5980092.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. 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: “A Road Unknown” by Barbara Cameron

February 26, 2014 at 6:36 pm | Posted in Books | Leave a comment
Tags: Amish, Book Review, Christian Fiction, Romance Fiction

Barbara Cameron in her new book, “A Road Unknown” Book One in the Amish Road series published by Abingdon Press takes us into the life of Elizabeth Bontrager.

From the back cover: Elizabeth is at a crossroads.

She’s been given the chance to experience life outside of her community, away from the responsibility to care for her eight younger siblings, but Elizabeth Bontrager can’t decide which road to take. Goshen has its charms and pressures, but Paradise, Pennsylvania, sounds . . . well, like paradise. And it’s also home to her Englisch friend, Paula. Decision made. Elizabeth is Paradise bound.

But will the small town live up to its name? When Elizabeth meets Paula’s friend, Bruce, she quickly learns he wants more than a friendship. And the same might be true of Saul Miller, her new boss at the country story that sells Amish products to the Englisch community. As the two compete for her attention, Elizabeth is surprised to realize she misses her family and becomes even more uncertain about where she belongs. She has a choice to make: return home or embrace this new life and possibly a new love?

What would you do? If you lived in the land of Goshen, or plenty, all your life then had the opportunity to go live in Paradise would you go home to Goshen where your parents were or stay in Paradise where your friends and new life are? That is the problem that Elizabeth is facing. And she is meeting all kinds of adventures in her new life especially with two men who want a romance with her. I think we have all faced a situation where we don’t know which way to go, back to the life we lived or ahead to the new life we are trying to make. Ms. Cameron, in Elizabeth, has given us a character that as she grows and comes to understand just what she is doing and why we can identify with and root for to make the right decisions. All of the characters are interesting and we come to care for all of them. You wish they really existed outside of these pages so that we could go over to their homes and visit. This book is just a lot of fun and I look forward to the next book in this series.

You can find “A Road Unknown” at a discount at http://www.deepershopping.com/item/cameron-barbara/road-unknown-amish-roads-v1/5959177.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. 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.”