Reviews (40)

The Ultimate Gift
This is a book that easy to read and comprehend for most teens as well as adults.Its teachings are powerful.Each chapter would make an excellent topic for discussion and tasks to implement the teachings into the lives of the readers. It should be a mandatory reading and a discussion topic in high schools through out our Nation.I enjoyed the book immensely and recommend it highly.

A Great Book to Wrestle Through
The Ultimate Gift is a short, quick read but gives you a little something extra to think about other than the story at hand. Stovall wrote the story about a young man who wants a part of his grandfather's will. At the begginning of the book, the young man is angry that he didn't receive money or other material items like his relatives did. But his grandfather has other plans for the young man and wants to give him the "Ultimate Gift."
Inspirational (but not religious)
I agree with the other reviewers -- this is a powerful inspirational story.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Great-uncles    4. Inheritance and succession    5. Religious - General    6. Travelers   

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   

Reviews (7)

Hated to See This End
Sometimes it's difficult to come into a series on the last installment without feeling lost.Luckily, finding the subject matter and people to be so interesting with lovely characterizations and references to previous events, I quickly picked up with where the story was at that particular moment.
Yes, It is the end
I have to agree with the previous reviewers that this book wrapped things up too quickly and didn't tie up all of the loose ends.I would've liked to have seen the story of Daniel elaborated on more and also would've loved to have found out the truth about Isaac's kidnapping.Who did it?How did it happen?I hate that I was left with too many questions.
Is that the end??
After eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, I was anxious to find out if Ben really was Isaac, if Lou would come back to Sam, if Esther and Zeke could find peace.... There was soo-o-o much to cover that I was shocked to see that this was the last book in the series. How would they cover it all?Well, apparently, very quickly! Things happened too fast, people changed too quickly, things were resolved tidily and with great speed.Though we don't really know if Lou will come back to stay, or how Esther and Zeke will fare with the shunning, we do know that Annie and Ben/Isaac will live happily ever after.
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Subjects:  1. Amish    2. Children of clergy    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. Religious - General    6. Women artists    7. Fiction / Religious   

Editorial Review

Like the one-time bestseller Read more

Reviews (895)

This is no Little Prince
I feel like I am pushing against the tide, but perhaps I can warn others, like me, who agreed to read this book because of comparisons to St. Exupery's classic, The Little Prince.It is too late to warn off my book club.Others expecting anything remotely as charming, disarming, witty, and downright delightful as Le Petit Prince should look elsewhere.I have read St. Exupery, Mr. Coelho, and you are no St. Exupery.
Very Confusing Text!!!
I'm in an eighth grade honors class, and had to read this book for an assignment.Unfortunately, I found the book vey boring and extremely hard to understand.The text was very confusing, with all the different lessons, all being learned at the same time.I do not recommend this book to anyone under 16.

Beware of Foreign Editions
WARNING: The Alchemist is one of my favorite books. In fact, it was my inspiration when I set off on the journey to make my own dream come true--to realize my own "Personal Legend". The original was written in Portugese so what we see is a translation.
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Subjects:  1. Fables    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Literary    5. Visionary & Metaphysical    6. Fantasy    7. Fiction / Literary    8. Science fiction    9. Reading Group Guide   

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

Editorial Review

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Reviews (118)

BestSales Book ever written
I am an avid Mandino reader.This is the best sales book ever written.It is inspiring and speaks the truth of the success principles which are applicable to sales, to relationships and to life.Every individual who wants to become a leader must read this amazing book and learn the scrolls.

Mandino is Brilliant
I have read everyone of Og Mandinos Books and all I can say is that he writes with brilliance, clarity, enthusiasm, and spirit.You can never go wrong with any of his books.He points out the path to success and motivates the spirit within to achieve all that we as human beings are capable.He helped me to tap into my innate genuis and create a life of prosperity and creativity.If you havent raed his books, start now and your journey of the spirit will begin.He was a born writer and even after his passing continues to have a great influence on many people old and young.He truly lived a purposeful and divine life.Go buy all his books and enjoy the growth and enlightenment.After that Buy my Book " Your daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present".Enjoy and rememeber you are capable of great things in your life.

Good Stuff To Remember
This book says the secret to learning is forming good habits.In other words, one only learns by repeating the same good things over and over again.Simple idea that I think we can all agree on.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Religious - General    4. Fiction / Religious    5. Philosophy    6. Religion: 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

In this splendid retelling of the biblical story of Hosea, bestselling author Francine Rivers pens a heartbreaking romance between a prostitute and the upright and kind farmer who marries her; the story also functions as a reminder of God's unconditional love for his people. Read more

Reviews (370)

simply the best
This book is simply one of the best books I have ever read!!Echoing the reviews of so many others for this book, I could not put it down and read it through the night.Francine Rivers has been blessed with the ability to create characters we can connect to immediately and cry with throughout the book.She includes topics that so many are embarrased by or ashamed of; she not only makes them interesting but she teaches compassion through them.I would not recommend this book to the young due to the sexual implications but those same implications are part of the hook that connects you with the characters so I would recommend it to everyone else.

audiobook
I had listened to this book on audiotape a few years ago, and it touched
Eye opening
A wonderful book, it brought me to tears numerous times. I highly recomend it to anyone in search of a good book to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Romance    3. Popular American Fiction    4. Religious - General    5. Romance - General    6. Romance: Modern    7. FICTION / GENERAL / ROMANCE    8. Fiction / Romance / General   

Reviews (30)

Superb, Fast-Paced, Entirely Plausible
I just finished reading "Copper Scroll", the fourth Joel Rosenberg novel.The novels build upon one another and are best read in order.
Makes me think. . .
Although this may not have been the most well written of the series, The Copper Scroll was still an enjoyable read.I think the biggest benefit of Joel's books are the references and the opportunity for further research into the subject.
the plot was intriging, but
sometimes the characters were difficult to keep straight. I had to repeatedly refer to the cast of characters in the front of the book which was distracting. Overall, it made for very interesting reading especially in light of the prophesies of the Bible and the soon coming rebuilding of the Temple. Guess we'll see what the truth is then. Israel will prevail. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Copper scroll    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Religious    4. International relations    5. Middle East    6. Popular American Fiction    7. Religious - General    8. Thrillers   

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   

Editorial Review

Find out for yourself why virtually everyone you know has this book, described as an "adventure in pursuit of a spiritual mystery", on their coffee table.In the tradition of Carlos Castaneda'sThe Teachings of Don Juan. ... Read more

Reviews (837)

Get Ready for a Thought Changing Experience
I first read the Celestine Prophecy in 1996 and since then it has and always will hold a special place in my heart as the awakening of my spiritual journey that changed my life. When I began to read it I felt like bells and whistles were going off in my head, my heart rate quickened, and I knew without a doubt that the insights were real. I knew I had to explore them - there had to be a better way to live than having the same dramas repeating over and over again in my life. The Celestine Prophecy was the foundation that helped me to move into being someone who now lives in honesty, integrity, with self-awareness, and self-love.

Barely readable
I finally got around to reading this "Da Vinci Code" of the 90s at the suggestion of a coworker, prior to a trip to Peru I recently took.I had to force myself to finish it despite my initial inclination to toss it after the first 20 pages made me alternately laugh and groan at the lackluster writing, hoping that it would recover and turn out to be worthy of the best-selling status it once enjoyed.
help, i'm drowning!
my husband's has been trying to get me to read this book for the past 5 years. finally, i've finished it! (it just wasn't the right time). i think it's a good book--totally relative to life. somewhat of a self-help book. particularly if you're someone that finds yourself in the same situations over and over and needs some help getting out of a rut. it sugguests an alternative perspective and approach to conflict. although it's written like a fiction, it gives insight to determining what YOUR problem is and how to deal with the people that come in and out of your life...good luck! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. Popular American Fiction    5. Visionary & Metaphysical    6. Fiction / 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   

Editorial Review

It takes guts to write a novel that combines an ancient secret brotherhood, the Swiss

Reviews (1990)

Page turner deluxe
Okay, please don't be a snob and tell me this is lousy fiction. I read T. C. Boyle and Graham Greene, too, and Brown is not in their league. But on the other hand, they're not in Brown's league either. They could not write as compelling a page turner as Brown has done. So let's stop the bashing of 'airport' novels and appreciate what they offer. Great entertainment. This book has that in spades. I defy anyone to pick it up and not finish it.

There's a lot to like about this book...
Page-turner...Will keep you up late at night...Can't put it down...Fast paced...More than worth the money...How books should be written...In this book, Dan Brown displays his talents more than in any of his other books.You absolutely must read this book before reading Davinci Code.This book should have been the one made into a movie.You will see a master writer in every page.You finish this book wondering what the hell is going on in Mr. Brown's life that possessed him to write this book.It's clever, intelligent, thrilling, and thought provoking.This is a book that will stay with you long after you've finished it.Others criticize the ending, but when a book is this good, any ending to it will be hard to accept, because you want it to keep going.We are lucky enough that Mr. Brown does keep it going with more books in the series...Davinci.

Great book 'till the end
This was another great book by Dan Brown untill the part with the helicopter. When Robert jumps out, he so happens to grab a tarp and it so happens that the tarp is big enough to slow down his fall. He falls a few thousand feet, AND WALKS AWAY ALMOST UNHARMED!. That almost ruined the book but this ruined the book. After Robert leaves the hospital, the camcorder still works, and it confesses the whole evil plot. Like I said, great book, till the end. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crimes against    2. Election    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    5. Mystery & Detective - General    6. Mystery/Suspense    7. Physicists    8. Popes    9. Religious educators    10. Thrillers    11. Fiction / General   

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