Reviews (5)

Rick Evans Latest Novel A Winner
Finding Noel grabbed my attention from the very first chapter.As a devoted Evans reader, I found this book one of his best, matching it closely with his first, A Christmas Box.
A Warm Holiday Tale
Finding Noel is a sweet story which harkens back to the roots of the author's past Christmas themes of longing for loved ones and fighting for what's most important in this life... and then holding on tight!His fans are in for a wonderful holiday treat... something to savour and to share.

A sentimental tale for the holidays
Richard Evans has a history of writing touching stories.His first book The Christmas Box left many of our library patrons touched for weeks, most freely admitting to shedding many tears.
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Subjects:  1. Abandoned children    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Fiction - Religious    5. General    6. Religious - Romance/Contemporary    7. Romance - General    8. Romance: Modern    9. Sisters    10. Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Christian fiction    2. Domestic fiction    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. Religious - General   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (88)

Is this what Jesus would talk about?
It's a devout Christian's dream: the chance to have a heart-to-heart with Jesus Christ himself. What questions might one ask about oneself, life, the universe? What would Jesus think of us? What would he look like?
Simple premise. Lighthearted message
How many times during your life has someone asked you who would like to meet from history if you could? Jesus would top my list. Gandhi. Princess Diana. A host of others. Now imagine that this could actually happen. One day you receive an invitation to meet Jesus over dinner at a local restaurant. No big drama. No last supper kind of scenario. No church hierarchy sitting in the wings editing everything that you two discuss. Just you and him. You approach the whole event skeptically. This must be some sort of joke. You review your belief systems to determine if such a thing is even possible to begin with. But you are intrigued. You still have that hope that you had while you were a child that God exists and that he loves you and is interested in you. Such to me is the basic premise of this seemingly simple book.
Awesome book.
Easy read, an excellent and insightful book to reveal the truth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Businessmen    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Cincinnati (Ohio)    4. Dinners and dining    5. Fiction    6. Fiction - Religious    7. Jesus Christ    8. Popular American Fiction    9. Religion    10. Religion - Christian Life    11. Religious - General    12. Restaurants    13. Religion / Christian Life   

Editorial Review

The red tent is the place where women gathered during their cycles of birthing, menses, and even illness. Like the conversations and mysteries held within this feminine tent, this sweeping piece of fiction offers an insider's look at the daily life of a biblical sorority of mothers and wives and their one and only daughter, Dinah. Told in the voice of Jacob's daughter Dinah (who only received a glimpse of recognition in the Book of Genesis), we are privy to the fascinating feminine characters who bled within the red tent. In a confiding and poetic voice, Dinah whispers stories of her four mothers, Rachel, Leah, Zilpah, and Bilhah--all wives to Jacob, and each one embodying unique feminine traits. As she reveals these sensual and emotionally charged stories we learn of birthing miracles, slaves, artisans, household gods, and sisterhood secrets. Eventually Dinah delves into her own saga of betrayals, grief, and a call to midwifery.Read more

Reviews (1279)

Perfect for Mills and Boon
A vacuous hypothesis based on Biblical times.The book is without any real story, no depth and lacking in any intelligence whatsoever.It should have been published by Mills and Boon.

A tremendously intuitive and insightful story
I thought this book was incredible.If you're looking for a work of fiction that tells a woman's story, this is it.It expounds on little known women of the Bible and tells a richly woven tale of the secret intimacies, thoughts, feelings and reflections of what life was like for women during Biblical years.I love this story and would highly recommend it.I thought the audiobook was especially enjoyable because I would've otherwise struggled with the pronunciation of names I am not familiar with.

Investigative Tabloids of Dinah
Dinah explains from the first chapter that if you want to know about a woman you must ask her about her mother, then wait and listen attentively.Since she had four mothers: Leah, Rachel, Zilpah and Bilhah--the wives of Jacob (Israel) she builds us up for a thick and complex story.Hebraic devices like the "selah" and touchstones of narrative lifted from Genesis point to the original scaffolding: an ancient, revered document: The Torah.
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Subjects:  1. (Biblical character)    2. (Biblical figure)    3. Bible    4. Bible.    5. Dinah    6. Fiction    7. Fiction - Religious    8. Genesis    9. Historical - General    10. History of Biblical events    11. O.T    12. O.T.    13. Religious - Biblical    14. Women in the Bible    15. Fiction / Religious    16. Modern fiction    17. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (5)

At the Heart
Dave and Clarice Johnson have been married for twelve years.In that time they have drifted apart, but they share the same house and same bed.Yet their dreams and goals are so different.
Heartwarming and Real!
T.D. Jakes' book is timely and engaging!Each page will have you yearning for more.Not Easily Broken book proves how, no matter how earth shattering the struggle, God is still a God of healing and restoration within marriages.I highly recommend it; excellent read!
The plot keeps you moving!
I can count on one hand the number of fiction books I've read in the last 10 years, but I couldn't put this one down! It captured my attention from the very first page, and I could relate to the characters immediately. I read it in two evenings. You'll want to keep going to see what happens, especially after the book takes a surprise turn. The other reviewer is correct...it's real without being preachy. And it should speak to the hearts of married women, esp. those of us with good men that we sometimes take for granted. Grab the book, light up the fire, get a cup of coffee, get the kids to bed, and have at it! A great book!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American Novel And Short Story    2. Christian fiction    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. Fiction - Religious    6. General    7. Marriages    8. Religious - General    9. Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

While the Bible may be the word of God, transcribed by divinely inspired men, it does not provide a full (or even partial) account of the life of Jesus Christ. Lucky for us that Christopher Moore presents a funny, lighthearted satire of the life of Christ--from his childhood days up to his crucifixion--in Read more

Reviews (353)

A Messiah and miracle worker with a sense of humor
Moore created a tough challenge for himself as a comic writer by putting a fictional spin on the life of Christ, especially the years between His childhood and ministry that are a wide gap in the Gospels. Yet he succeeds brilliantly in giving the iconic Messiah and miracle worker a human personality with a trait some of His most dour, so-called followers centuries later still lack - a sense of humor. The number of grammatical errors and occasional factual goof (in his epilogue Moore refers to the Book of Revelations, instead of Revelation) are disappointing. Yet, overall, his research is meticulous. For me, the narrative stalled in the middle - where Moore has the Messiah in the Middle East learning Eastern philosophy from the three wise men. Still, "Lamb" is memorable and thoroughly enjoyable.

Delightful and fun!
I couldn't put it down! The scene in the garden, where Joshua first encounters the procrastinating angel, had me laughing so hard.. and then, every time I thought about it. Biff and Joshua are typical boys, growing up and venturing forth in the world. Biff knows his buddy is special and he's always there to cover Josh's back, to encourage and protect, and to discuss those things universal to young men. It's a fun book you'll want to share.

Tooo funny for words!
Are you tired of all the depressing news in the world today? Well, now you can escape for a while by reading Lamb:The Gospel According To Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. I was leary about purchasing this book because of my staunch Catholic upbringing. However, I trusted the Amazon reviewers and once again was rewarded with a fantastic read. Christopher Moore is my kind of nut case. His imagination is incredible and this book was almost impossible to put down. I have already ordered another one of his books and will most likely read every one that he has written. It feels so good to laugh...thanks Christopher! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible.    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Historical    5. Friends and associates    6. Gospels    7. Historical - General    8. History of Biblical events    9. Jesus Christ    10. N.T    11. N.T.    12. Religious - General    13. Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (167)

Choices
This is a fascinating, entertaining, short read about a group of travellers who take a bus excursion from hell into a place where they are given a chance to go into heaven. Surprisingly, they actually seem to prefer hell.This is not a book about what heaven is like or what hell is like.It's about people like us, and our choices, and how they affect our lives as eternal beings.
Bus Ride through Eternity
Admittedly, I have a certain degree of difficulty decoding C.S. Lewis's brand of science fiction/Christian fiction.It is not so much that I can not appreciate his writing as that I have trouble picturing the fantastic concepts that Lewis paints.This being said, I was able to take quite a lot from this book.
A masterpiece
I think this is one of Lewis' very best. He attempts in this work to paint a picture of heaven and hell based on his understanding on Christian theology; and what a picture it turns out to be! I found myself captivated from the beginning with the author's depiction of the confines of hell and its inhabitants, which then become a perfect foil for the soul-lifting glory of heaven that he goes on to describe. What makes the work so powerful is the believability of the picture that is painted, despite its speculative nature and imaginative leaps.
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Subjects:  1. Classics    2. Fiction - Religious    3. General    4. Good and evil    5. Religion    6. Religious - General    7. Christian Interest    8. Fiction / Religious    9. Modern fiction    10. Religion / General   

Reviews (11)

I have to agree with the "Stick in the MUD"
I am very disappointed in her latest book. The book is repetitive andnever amounts to much of anything. I am tired of waiting to know if Katie Hart and Dayne will get together, I am tired of waiting book after book to see if the Baxter family unite? I understand as an avid reader about build up/ climax but this is silly. I firmly believe as with many authors when you have success with a series that you for profit or quota (contract) throw in books that would never stand alone. I collect all of her books in my library in my home however, I will not purchase anymore books in this series. The last book was easily " a library" find. I could of waited till I found it at the library.

Guess I'll be the stick in the mud
I've read every book in Kingsbury's Redemption/Firstborn series and, sadly, this one seems the weakest yet. All the weaknesses of Kingsbury's style are here -- everything overwritten, as if we can't remember what happened just a chapter before, supposedly dramatic statements that, again, just repeat what we already know, awkward, overly wordy phrasing, etc. Perhaps this is because Kingsbury seems to be on a treadmill of pumping out books like an automaker pumps out vehicles. Is that really the best way to produce memorable novels?
Loved this book
Karen has done it again. She really knows how to pull her readers into
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Subjects:  1. Christian fiction    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. Popular American Fiction    6. Religion - Christian Life    7. Religious - General   

Reviews (1)

riveting thriller
At Preston College, biblical archeologist Michael Murphy receives another letter from Methuselah that contains a riddle.After figuring out what it means, Michael travels to the underground funhouse in Charlotte where he battles and defeats Ninja killers.He finds another riddle that he deciphers that focuses on Aaron's Rod and the Golden Jar of Manna that was in the Ark of the Covenant before it was lost to the Philistines.
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Subjects:  1. Archaeologists    2. Biblical scholars    3. Dagan (Semitic deity)    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Religious    6. Religious - Apocalyptic    7. Religious - General    8. Suspense    9. Fiction / General   

Reviews (6)

Not what I expect from the author
I was so excited to receive this book. I loved the author's previous books, especially the O'Malley series. Unfortunately, this book was just plain bad. The story was poorly written, the dialog was choppy, the characters lacked the depth and emotional buy-in of her previous work.
Incomplete Storyline
This book is not up to pare to other Dee Henderson books.I was so disappointed that I actually wasted my time reading it - of course, you don't realize it until the end.I had to keep reading the ending over and over to see if I missed something, unfortunately I didn't.

Disappointed
While the other three reviewers have given this book glowing reviews, I'm afraid that I have to disagree.Things jumped aroung too much and didn't tie together very well.She also ended the book so abruptly that I thought pages might have been left out of my book.There is nothing at the end to let the reader know whether or not the book will be continued.To me, this does not stack up to the O'Malley series or the Uncommon Heros series by any stretch of the imagination.Buyer beware! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Illinois    4. Religious - General    5. Religious - Romance/Contemporary    6. Women private investigators   

Reviews (336)

Elegant and logical, yet informal and friendly
I won't bother restating what others have stated more than adequately. I'll just say the best and worst thing about this book:
Best book I've ever read
I have read this book four times. It is the apologetic book out there. However, it is very heavey reading and demands your full attention. Don't be surprised if many times you find yourself going back and re-reading something.

People often believe what makes them feel good.
After hearing the scientist who led the Human Genome project say this book transformed him from an atheist to a Christian, I had to read it to see such powerful inspiration.Lewis does write in a simple style that is easy to follow.He also uses simple analogies to explain complex theological issues.Yet the analogies don't actually prove anything, they just help you "understand" some of the esoteric aspects of Christianity.You can accept his points as valid if you want - it does give life a wonderful purpose.But, if you are a free thinker and value truth over feel good concepts, you should look deeper into his arguments and see if there is any substance.Or does it just make you feel good and more important.
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Subjects:  1. Anglican authors    2. Apologetics    3. Christian ethics    4. Christianity - General    5. Christianity - Literature    6. Christianity - Theology - Apologetics    7. Popular works    8. Religion    9. Religion - Classic Works    10. Theology, Doctrinal    11. Christian Interest    12. Christianity    13. Religion / Christian Life    14. Religion / Christian Literature    15. Reading Group Guide   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (49)

Different Approach to Relationships
I used to think that if I just found the "perfect" way to do relationships, I would never get hurt or have my heart broken.
True Love
C. S. Lewis is a great thinker and whatever he writes, he writes well. This book compares and contrasts the four kinds of love that one can personally experience and personally manifest towards others. It can definitely improve your love life!
Amazing analysis of loves
I was not especially expecting to be engrossed by a book about four greek words, but I was wrong.This was one of the better books that I have ever read.Lewis overviews each of the four types of love:storge (affection), phileo (friendship), eros (romantic love), and agape (charity or God-love).Each discussion was extremely insightful, especially the friendship one.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Christianity - Christian Life - Interpersonal Relationships    4. Christianity - Literature    5. Inspirational - General    6. Interpersonal Relations    7. Love    8. Love (Theology)    9. Religion    10. Religion - Classic Works    11. Religious aspects    12. Essays, journals, letters & other prose works    13. Religion / Christianity   

Subjects:  1. Christian fiction    2. Christmas stories    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. Fiction - Religious    6. General    7. Popular American Fiction    8. Religious - General    9. Religious - Historical    10. Fiction / General   

Reviews (175)

The Mark of the Lion
This series is by far the best I have ever read. Every time I re-read them they bring me to tears- they are that good. The first two in the series are the best but they are all wonderful. Read them, you won't be disappointed!!!!

The Best Christian Fiction Yet!
This series, particularly the first book, has been life-changing and is the best written Christian fiction I've ever read! It is terrific historical fiction, and while I think women are Francine Rivers' main audience, even my husband read this series and recommends it to his male friends. The reading is not difficult, but it's a powerful story! Be warned - there is a description of the seige of Jerusalem at the beginning where a few of my friends have stopped reading, but do read on! The story continues to build, until the end where I was telling myself "O my gosh!!" over and over for hours when I finished. (Don't read the end ahead of time!) I also strongly suggest that you avoid reading the introduction for the second book that is in some later versions of the first novel! Enjoy!

Good enough to steal
I teach at a jail; I purchase many books for my students there.If a book is particularly good, someone steals it.The better it is, the faster it gets stolen.This whole set went missing as soon asword got out that it had to do with early Christianity, The Coliseum, soldiers, man-eating lions, etc.Truly it is a great series, and I hope it is still circulating in one of the jail pods.I like the lessons the books teach, plus they're exciting to read.(All of Francine Rivers' Christian-based books are well-done.) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Religious - General    4. Religious - Romance/Historical    5. Christianity   

Editorial Review

C.S. Lewis joined the human race when his wife, Joy Gresham, died of cancer. Lewis, the Oxford don whose Christian apologetics make it seem like he's got an answer for everything, experienced crushing doubt for the first time after his wife's tragic death. Read more

Reviews (108)

Comfort In Grief
I read this a month after my own wife's death. I found Lewis's sharing of his grief to be comforting.I found his honesty to be refreshing. You do not needto be a Christian or religious to benefit from this book. I also enjoyed the afterword by Walsh. It helped to put Lewis's book into the context of his life.
Beautiful thoughts from a beautiful mind.
This is the second C.S. Lewis book I've read and I'm starting to get a better feel for his writing style. He is a very thoughtful man. He likens his wife's passing to that of a blacksmith putting the finishing touches on a beautiful sword he just made. Perfection at last. Now it can be weilded by God as he sees fit. Oddly enough, I've always wanted to think of myself in this same way. A bright, beautiful and well balanced sword that God can make use of when I'm finally with him. But I must first undergo some forging and tempering called "life". I'm not sure where I picked up on this idea. It's interesting to see that other people think in this exact same way.
"A tender heart, a steel-edged mind"
In A Grief Observed, the heart of C.S. Lewis has been peeled away, revealing its tender, fragile core--the tender fragile core of a man who fully loved a woman.
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Subjects:  1. Bereavement    2. Christianity    3. Christianity - Christian Life - Family Relationships    4. Christianity - Literature    5. Consolation    6. Davidman, Joy    7. Death, Grief, Bereavement    8. General    9. Religion    10. Religion - Classic Works    11. Religious aspects    12. Christian Interest    13. Lewis, C. S    14. Religion / Christian Life    15. Religion / General    16. Religion: general   

Reviews (189)

another review
The book strated out very well, and could have been something great. Instead it turned out to be another spiritual ( if you call it that) Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
I Wish there was 0 Stars
Like others, I had high hopes for this book.Sadly, I was disappointed.As a voracious reader who keeps 5-6 books going at the same time, I usually force myself to finish even the worst of books in the hopes that perhaps they just had a bad start and will improve further on.This was one of the most poorly written books it has been my misfortune to purchase; it was a complete waste of money.The action was confusing and puerile...written at junior-high level, at best.I have tried to force myself to finish, but I'm halfway through and reading it has become a chore.This is one book about which I will not know the ending, because I honestly don't care what happens!If you feel you must read it because of the good reputation of these 2 writers, then do yourself a favor and check it out from the library; don't waste your own money on it.I wish I could get a refund.

Doctrinally off.
I've read Dekker's Circle Trilogy and loved it (except for the ending.)Also, Peretti's "Oath" and "Visitation" were both outstanding books with great analogies. But I was taken aback at the doctrinal error in this book. #1. Christ Jesus is very God and very man...He is not an angel and He is not female. #2. Our sin debt was owed to God not to satan.God is the one who was wronged. Christ's sacrifice was to absorb God's wrath...not satan's. We owe satan nothing.Christ certainly owed satan nothing.This book's core is anti-Christ and I was very saddened that such an interesting tale ended as it did...with the characters bowing before a female calling her The Son of Man and The Light Who came into the darkness and then affirming that she was an angel. I have read C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" and am fine with alegory and fantasy writing that depict Christ's sacrifice...as long as it is left doctrinally sound. Sure, Aslan was a Lion... to parallel Christ as Lion of Judah but Lewis didn't cross the boundary of using actual titles that belong soley to Christ Himself and he certainly didn't say Aslan was an angel. John 1, 1 John 1 and Hebrews 1 is a great place to start to see that that line just shouldn't have been crossed.What if people who don't know any better read this book and believe that Christ Jesus, The Son of God, very God, very Man, Creator, Lord, God is an angel? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    2. Christian fiction    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. Mystery/Suspense    6. Religious - General    7. Religious - Mystery    8. Suspense    9. Thrillers    10. Fiction / Suspense   

Editorial Review