Reviews (16)

The story's fine...But the writing needs improvement
This book was fairly readable, however, I found it to be rather irritating. Although I just stepped foot into my twenties, I prefer to read a novel that sounds as if a mature adult wrote it. For example, the author used the word "she" as a sentence opener for nearly a whole chapter. The repetitiveness made the book feel as if a high schooler wrote it instead of a college graduate. Yet, I did appreciate how she included scriptures into the chapters to show how the Bible encourages and guides us through all situations.

Very good
The author did a really good job of writng stories that were a page turner without compromising Christian integrity.Kudos to her, I hope she is encouraged to write many more.

A Great Read
This was a great read.It gives us Christian women a lot to think about.My congratulations go out to Kimberley Brooks on her debut novel and I have suggested this book to other Christian singles for their reading enjoyment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Religious - General   

Editorial Review

Is it right to kill Satan's hit man? Would it help God's work?This installment in the Read more

Reviews (407)

Unbiblical and bad writing make for one star
This book is so flawed in every which way, it is hard to know where to begin. First of all, we are living in the end times, and when Jesus comes, that's all she wrote, folks. There's no seven years, no Christians being zapped up, etc. This is our Second Chance on Earth. No tribulation. This book takes figurative visions and tries to apply it literally, and does it poorly. Reading this book made me think that if this was true, then what's the point of trying to be a Christian. Why not just live your life the way you want to, and then when people zap out of thin air, change your life. It's ridiculous and sends the wrong message. Plus, the writing is for second graders with no redeeming characteristics to it. But I really don't think the author's care at this point (seeing how many millions they've made printing lies). My recommendation is to read the bible instead of this series; then you'll get truth and the bible is probably shorter (and much better writing). Man, not even Kirk Cameron could save this train wreck.
Get's Better
Now the story picks up and get's interesting again. The characters that you have grown to know and care about are in a safe house. This book is quicker to read and the story moves at a fast pace. You can't put it down because you want to see what happens next.

Rayford Goes Commando-
Assassins is book 6 in the tribulation force and my least favorite next to Apollyon. I'm not a big Ray fan, and in this one my respect for the character dropped another few yards. I just didn't *care* for how Ray treated Leah, or his endless whining and self-recrimination every time he strays from the path- especially when he continued to do it. How he treated Ray, Beau, and Hattie was annoying, and now we expect this same middle-aged pilot to become an Assassin? Please.
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Subjects:  1. Christian fiction    2. Fantasy fiction    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. Rapture (Christian eschatology    6. Rapture (Christian eschatology)    7. Religious - Apocalyptic    8. Religious - General    9. Steele, Rayford (Fictitious ch    10. Steele, Rayford (Fictitious character)    11. Science fiction   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (89)

An Intelligent, thought provoking tale
I loved this book and The Sparrow, which is the first book in this series.The characters live and breathe with humanity and humor.The spellbinding plot is never predictable.It often left me thinking about the nature of faith,the limitations of our understanding and assumptions about individuals and cultures different from our own, and the unforseen impact that our actions may have upon others.

Alien Gang Rape. No, I'm not kidding.
I want to stress that I picked this book up in all innocence. It was in a charity shop, looked like a perfectly normal sci fi book, and I thought "Woo, go for it!"
OUTSTANDING!!!
This is a must-read book for anyone who is interested in science fiction, theology or aspects of human relationship.I found that this - and its prequel - are outstandingly written and should be read by all.
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Science Fiction    3. Literary    4. Religious - General    5. Religious - Science Fiction    6. Science Fiction - Adventure    7. Science fiction    8. Fiction / Literary    9. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (23)

The Preacher's daughter by Beverly Lewis
I loved this story.Cannot wait to get to the next in the series.You feel you are there and you are plain and love it.You do not know what will happen next.You can feel the cold when it snows and the heartbreak when it happens.It is a good relaxing read.

she IS the preacher's daughter
This book is good, but doesn't capture your attention that well.Not many people can relate to this book because it revolves around the Amish world, not the modern, American world.It still stands, in my opinion, with the reputation as a sweet story.It isn't my favorite, but I enjoyed reading it, and it didn't bore me.It was enjoyable.If you crave action, though, or modern stories, don't bother to buy it.You'll be bored.Although, if you like anything and will enjoy everything, or if your attention thrives in a sweet, well written novel-like-book, you won't be wasting your time.

Exceptional
I have never read a Beverly Lewis novel before, but I truly loved this book!! I cannot wait to read the next book! I think it gives good insight into the lives of amish people. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amish    2. Children of clergy    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. General    6. Religion - Socialissues    7. Religious - General    8. Women artists    9. Fiction / Religious    10. Modern fiction   

Reviews (107)

The saga of The Circle begins...
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
C. S. Lewis Meets Dan Brown
I am addicted to great story telling. Ted Dekker is now my main drug dealer. I'm halfway through Red, the second book of the Circle Trilogy, and have now put Mr. Dekker in my pantheon with Robert Jordan, Stephen Lawhead, C. S. Lewis and Professor Tolkien. This guy writes literary heroine.
it's a trilogy
I really enjoyed reading this book.A friend kind of randomly recommended it to me, but failed to mention that it was one of three.It was great.The descriptions the author used certainly painted life in a new way (you'll understand more when you read it.)Of the three books, I really enjoyed Black (1st) and White (3rd).I guess reading Red was necessary to get me there, but overall each book is very different and leave the reader hanging, so be prepared to read on.I was frustrated with my friend for failing to mention what I was committing to in starting to read the book, but it was a great read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - Religious    3. Mystery/Suspense    4. Religious - Mystery    5. Suspense    6. Fiction / Suspense    7. General   

Reviews (22)

Hearttugging
Karen Kingsbury has done it again.Everytime I read one book, I anticipate another episode to make me think twice and draws me closer to the love of God.My whole life started changing as I read the Redemption series.I am on my 14th book and each one makes me laugh, cry and think Oh how marvelous it is to have Christ in my life.

Fame
I have read the Redemption series and am now reading the Firstborn series.Each book is better than the last.I am anxiously looking forward to the next release.I would highly recommend these books!

Wonderful, again
I loved it.I was sad when she finished the series about the Baxter family.I picked up Forgiven and then realized I had missed the first in a new series.Of course, I had to go back and get Fame.My only complaint is that Katy Hart's name was Jami Hart in the original series! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian fiction    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Religious    4. General    5. Love stories    6. Motion picture actors and actr    7. Motion picture actors and actresses    8. Motion picture industry    9. Popular American Fiction    10. Religious - General   

Reviews (51)

An emotional and spiritual journey
When Veronica (Ronnie) Swan was 12 years old and baby sitting her two younger sisters, Scott Early, an emotionally disturbed man, wandered in off the street and brutally murdered the two little girls while Ronnie was being "it" in a game of hide and seek. He was seized by the police but after trials and tests, was declared unfit to plead and was incarcerated in a mental institution for 3 years, before being released as recovered and normal. Ronnie's parents, practicing Mormans, elected to forgive the man but Ronnie struggled to find any feeling of forgiveness for him, much to her parent's sorrow. As a young adult, she located the Early's and infiltrated their home, using another name, as a sitter for their baby daughter. Eventually Early recognises her and the consequences of that recognition are catastrophic. The book brought me to the brink of tears several times as I don't think that I's have the charity or enough love for my fellow man to forgive this appalling crime, despite knowing that I probably should.

A gripping read
Crouched in wait during a game of hide and seek, 12-year-old Veronica Swan witnesses a stranger brutally murder her two younger sisters. The family -- as well as their entire Mormon community -- is never the same, as the memory of the two lives, only four and six years old, so tragically cut short is continuously with them everywhere they go. But eventually, Ronnie's religious parents come to grips with the murder, and even meet with the mentally unstable Scott Early to forgive him for what he's done to them.
Forgiveness In Many Forms
The power of forgiveness is the centerpiece for Jacquelyn Mitchard's sweet and satisfying novel, 'Cage of Stars.'
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Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Literary    4. Mormons    5. Mystery fiction    6. Religious - General    7. Utah    8. Fiction / General   

Reviews (38)

Is this a novel or a true accounting?
I can accept this book as either a novel and a fictional fable - or as a non-fiction and true life experience - but not both. The back cover leads me to believe that it is a fable (Quote from The Detroit Free Press)It is said to be a "novel" by Booklist - yet, inside my hardback cover jacket, is a message from the author telling me it is a true life story and a real experience. Inside the book reads like a novel. I am not sure what I am lead to believe; fact or fiction? It cannnot be both. If it is a novel then I give it five stars for being creative and bold - if it is non-fiction I give it three stars for an enlightening but very strange life story - but as for being listed in both genres - I have to rate it no higer than three stars because I have no clue what I read.
Phenomenal
Coelho's writing can only be described as Genuis.Hes a natural and will certainly touch your heart, mind, and soul.He inspired and motivated me with every word that he has written throughout the years.Word in a review cannot begin to describe the writing of this brilliant man.All of his books are highly recommended.

Off the Mark
The problem begins with the categorization of this book.The back cover says that the book is fiction, yet the author repeatedly states that this is a true story in the prologue, epilogue, and everywhere in between.After this, the problems of the international bestselling author become even more dramatic.
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Subjects:  1. Angels    2. Coelho, Paulo    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. Literary    6. Miscellanea    7. Occultism    8. Religious - General    9. Fiction / Religious   

Reviews (40)

An Echo in the Darkness
In Francine Rivers second book of the Mark of the Lion Series she leads you on a journey with Marcus through Jerusalem as he searches for God.Julia, Marcus' sister, also goes through a personal journey of her own as she sows what she reapt in the first book.It gives the reader a historic look at the Roman Empire without overloading you on facts.This book was a fabulous book ending the story of Julia, Marcus, & Hadassah.

Exquisite
Rivers produced another book replete with interesting characters, a compelling plot, and rich, vivid imagery.This is a story of love between people and the Lord who loves them, but that sentence does very little to describe the story.Highly recommended.

As Good as the First!
It is a rare find when a sequel is as good as the original, but Francine Rivers has succeeded admirably with her second installment of this trilogy in AN ECHO IN THE DARK.After reading the first one, I knew I had to read on, but never expected this book to be as good. I don't read a lot of fiction, but have a strong feeling there will be many books by this superb writer in my future.
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Subjects:  1. American Historical Fiction    2. Christian fiction    3. Church history    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Religious    6. History    7. Primitive and early church, ca    8. Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600    9. Religious - General    10. Religious - Historical    11. Rome    12. Women slaves    13. Modern fiction   

Reviews (5)

A Reminder of God's Grace
Halfway To Forever is another of Karen Kingsbury's beautifully-written stories of faith and love. In this emotion-packed novel, Kingsbury takes the leading characters from two of her former books and weaves a beautiful saga of faith under trial. A Reminder of God's Grace
Halfway To Forever is another of Karen Kingsbury�s beautifully-written stories of faith and love. In this emotion-packed novel, Kingsbury takes the leading characters from two of her former books and weaves a beautiful saga of faith under trial. A Tear Jerker!!
I loved this book.This book was about how one couple, Jade and Tanner, dealt with Jade's pregnancy and brain cancer, and about another couple, Hannah and Matt, who were trying to adopt a little girl.This book was a sequel to 2 other books.I liked how this book integrated the events from the other books into this book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Adoption    2. Brain    3. Cancer    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Religious    6. Patients    7. Pregnant women    8. Religious - General    9. FICTION / GENERAL / CONTEMPORARY    10. Fiction / Religious   

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. Fiction - Religious    4. General    5. Popular American Fiction    6. Religious - General    7. Fiction / General   

Reviews (7)

Loved this latest meeting with our Harmony friends
Philip Gulley has a way of writing about church and small town life that is inclusive to those of us who don't usually feel like we fit into those places. From the moment I started reading the first Harmony book, to the end of this latest one, I felt welcome in his world and inspired to be a nicer person than usual.
Almost Friends:A Harmony Novel
I enjoyed the comical characters and story lines of this book.

Great to visit old friends again
I always look forward to the happenings of Sam Gardner and the citizens of Harmony and this book did not disappoint.There are times when I laugh out loud, there are times when I feel the frustration Sam feels, there are times when I am sad for the trials the people go through.It is great to visit old friends again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Novel And Short Story    2. City and town life    3. Clergy    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - Religious    6. Quakers    7. Religious - General    8. Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (58)

Why is this series so popular?
On the recommendation of a relative, I read this book. Wow. It feels like it was written by somebody's maiden aunt. In fact, the entire town seems populated by old ladies, males included. The boy in the story came across as written by someone who never has contact with anyone under 50. I like a cozy story as well as the next person--but I do prefer that the characters act like adults and don't spend their lives dithering around ineffectively. Stay far, far away from this series.

Sweet Sequel
I absolutely adored the first book and have never loved a book as much as I did "At Home in Mitford."This second book needs a smidge of editing, though.The letters between Timothy and Cynthia take up an entire chapter and more.Truthfully, I ended up skipping over several pages just to get back to the main storyline.Still loved the book, loved the entire series!Still a must-read!

A Light in the Window (The Mitford Years)
Jan Karon is an excellent writer and I have enjoyed all the books in her series.A Light in the Window followed along in the series expressing love, kindness, all of the good qualities of life interminged with real life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian fiction, American    2. City and town life    3. Domestic fiction, American    4. Fiction    5. Fiction - General    6. General    7. Mitford (N.C. : Imaginary plac    8. Mitford (N.C. : Imaginary place)    9. Popular American Fiction    10. Religious - General    11. Fiction / Religious    12. Modern fiction   

Editorial Review

For Steve Berry, it's a fortuitous coincidence that his third novel, a Vatican-centered conspiracy thriller titled Read more

Reviews (90)

Intriguing plot, yet with certain shortcomings
The Good:
Great Thiking Person's Thriller
I purchased this book thinking it was going to be very similar to the DaVinci Code (which I suppose everyone has to do when considering anything having to do with the Vatican,thrillers, etc., these days), however, I was pleasently surprised to find that it really didn't.This story is a very interesting and thought provoking thriller.It doesn't have a lot of "car chases" and "shoot em' up" kind of action, but it is still very, very exiting.The story also provides one with a great view of what goes on behind vatican doors, and I also found the historical information about several visitations by Mary to be fascinating.And, when you are done reading it, make sure to check out the predictions of Father Malachi Martin online.

No Secret: It's a load of crap!
What a piece of propagandistic garbage! If an author is going to use
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Subjects:  1. American Mystery & Suspense Fiction    2. Cardinals    3. Catholics    4. Election    5. Espionage/Intrigue    6. Fiction    7. Fiction - Espionage / Thriller    8. Fiction - Mystery/ Detective    9. Mystery & Detective - General    10. Mystery/Suspense    11. Popes    12. Religious - General    13. Suspense    14. Thrillers    15. Fiction / General   

Reviews (42)

A Christmas feast!
With Christmas Jars out in a new hardcover edition, I thought I'd revisit the novel again.I read it last year and loved it, but didn't write a review at that time.
Best Book Ever - DO NOT WAIT FOR XMAS - GREAT GIFT
This is one of the best books I have ever read.It is heart warming, sweet, and extremely well written.I am in a book club and intend to recommend it to the whole group.The author is able to engage the reader from the first page until the last.I highly recommend this book for anyone.It would make a great book to use as a discussion point with your children as well.

Don't wait until Christmas to read.
I'm ashamed to admit I got this book for Christmas last year from a neighbor and just read it this week. What a blessed little story! It's the first Christmas-themed book I've ever read that has real importance every day of the year. I shall not ruin the plot, but the sooner you read The Christmas Jar and get a jar on your counter, the sooner the change will accumulate and the more you'll have on Christmas Eve with which to touch another's life. This isn't the best novel I've ever read, but it's one of the best Christmas gifts I've ever received. And my jar is open for business! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas stories    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Religious - General    6. Women journalists   

Editorial Review

The village of Mitford is soothing tonic for a readership that feels starved for community and yearns for clear morals. The recently married Father Tim and his plain-folk neighbors live the best of Christianity in everyday life. Even the rampant gossip in Mitford is the good kind: folks worrying about other folks and everyone minding one another's business out of concern rather than malice. As a result, no one faces a crisis alone. Often the crises are cause for a belly laugh, such as the rectory's new computer system that seems programmed to torment. But just as often the crises have the bite of real-life problems, such as the bloody young girl in shredded clothes, whom Father Tim finds after she was beaten by her drunken father, and the soul-wrenching despair Father Tim feels when he loses a surrogate mother. The heavily quoted scripture gives a day-to-day context for biblical teachings as well as spiritual solace during the sadder days at Mitford. Read more

Reviews (56)

Wonderful... as are all of Jan Karon's books!
Mitford is the kind of place that we would all love to live.... a slpeey little town in the mountains where you know your neighbors. I recommend buying this book... and curling up in your favorite chair with a warm blanket and cup of hot chocolate! Turn the phones off and slip away... I guarentee that you won't want to come back!

Karon Satisfies Cravings
For those who have been craving yet another helping of Mitford, Jan Karon's, These High Green Hills will surely satisfy your appetite. This third book in the series immediately dives into the newlywed lives of Tim and Cynthia Kavanagh. As frequent Mitford readers know, Tim's marriage to Cynthia came as a shock to everyone, including Tim himself. Being a bachelor for over sixty years had definitely created many habits that Tim finds hard to break. However, with Cynthia's bright spirit, and ever flowing creative juices, Tim soon realizes that change is inescapable, even in the small town of Mitford.
Another Winner in the Mitford Series
Jan Karon continues her tale of Father Timothy in another charming volume.She moves beyond her previous focus of Dooley and Barnabas and allows the priest to emote further on a romantic level.Most importantly, Karon shows her main character learning a lesson on foregiveness and even grace. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fiction    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Religious - General    5. Fiction / Religious    6. Modern fiction   

Reviews (3)

My favorite in the series! You've gotta check it out!
Another perfect title by Kristin Billerbeck, Calm, Cool & Adjusted sums up Poppy Clayton's life better than any title I could have come up with! Poppy lives for serenity and calmness, or as she calls it, energy. She could care less about looking cool, but that's not the kind of cool the author means. Poppy finds that special cool after thawing out, and I loved the character arc! It's what I live to read!
terrific Spa Girls tale
Dr. Poppy Clayton is happy for her Spa Girls pals, but sad for herself.She is euphoric that Morgan (see A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND) and Lily (see SHE'S ALL THAT) have found their soulmates; both also are becoming mothers with the former to her fiancé's son and the latter being pregnant.Poppy is a bit down because she is left behind single with no loving mate in sight.
CHISTIAN CHICK LIT
This is the third book in Billerbeck's "Spa Girls" series.Poppy's story is the one depicted in this novel.I loved the first two books in this series, so it was just natural for me to pick this one up as well.I can't say I loved it as much as Lilly or Morgan's stories, but nevertheless it was a good read.
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Subjects:  1. Chick lit    2. Chiropractors    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Religious    5. Religious - Romance/Contemporary    6. Romance - Contemporary    7. Romance: Modern    8. Santa Clara Valley (Santa Clara County, Calif.)    9. Fiction / Religious    10. Fiction/General/Romance    11. Religious Orientation/Christian    12. Santa Clara Valley (Santa Clara County, Calif    13. Theometrics/Evangelical   

Editorial Review

Writing in the trademark style that has won her countless fans, award-winningauthor Francine Rivers explores the courageous life of Ruth, a biblicalancestor of Jesus, in Read more

Reviews (24)

An Interpritation of the Life of Ruth
This is Francine Rivers' telling of the story of Ruth, and she tells it in her usual amazing fashion. Readers will easily grasp the fullness of Ruth's faith and devotion to God, her mother in law, Naomi, and eventually her husband, Boaz. Follow the journey of how this Moabite woman returned with Naomi to Bethlehem, how she vowed to never leave her side, supported her through her toil in the fields, and would eventually become a part of our Lord's lineage.
Excellent Book!
I have read all but two of the Lineage of Grace series, and as usual Francine ri