Book Review for “Starflower”-Christian Fiction Fantasy

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Anne Elisabeth Stengl weaves a great fairytale/allegory in her “Goldstone Woods” series. Each book is a stand alone, but with each one we see more of the back story and how things began. The immortal characters are introduced, or re-introduced to us and we find out how they came to either serve the dragon king, or the Prince of Farthestshore. Well written, it sucks you into the story. You can’t help but feel like you are there and that you know each one of the characters. I loved “Starflower” as much as the others. It answered some of my questions about how some of characters in the first two books ended up where they were. After reading this one I found my self thinking, “oh, that’s why they called her that,” or “so he is the one the song was about.” I would give this book more than five stars if I could. No swearing or sexual content. There is violence and fighting, some scary images for youngsters. I recommend for teens and up. 5+ stars from me! If you like fantasy, but have trouble finding suitable ones for Christians, this series is it!

Book Review for “Moonblood”-Christian Fiction Fantasy

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I just can’t say enough about this series! Anne Elisabeth Stengl is now on my top five favorite authors list. Each book in this series is a stand alone book, telling a full story with a clear beginning and an end. However, each one weaves the story in more detail so as to explain what you have read before and tie the whole “Goldstone” world together. Great epic fantasy! Villains are made and others are thrust into the unlikely role of hero. I can’t seem to put the books down. Characters are well rounded. There is a great mix of humor, and heartache. I give this story 5+ stars. They would earn many more if available. No swearing or sexual content, though fighting and violence, including dragon destruction. I can recommend for ages 14 and up. Great Christian allegory!

Book Review for “Veiled Rose”-Christian Fiction Fantasy

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Wow, I loved this book! I thought book one was good (Heartless), but “Veiled Rose” is even better. The backstory is being told from some of the characters in book one. Still great fantasy, dragons, demons, princes and princesses, and good versus evil. Great writing, super well developed characters, and an epic story. Anne Elisabeth Stengl is easily one of my favorite fantasy authors. I give it five stars. Violence, no sexual content or swearing, some scary images so teens and up would be my recommendation. Great Christian Allegory!

Book Review for “The Kings Scrolls- Ilyon Chronicles Book Two(Christian Fantasy)

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I was given a copy of “The King’s Scrolls” in exchange for an honest review. when I agreed to read this book I didn’t realize that it was a sequel. So I purchased book number one “Resistance” and fell in love with it. I couldn’t wait to read this one and it did not disappoint. This series is a wonderful fantasy that also happens to be Christian. The story is full of your usual fantasy aspects as well as the good versus evil theme. This story has included some dragons and dragon fights and we meet some new characters. The characters are very fleshed out and feel like someone you’ve known forever. I hated to see this one end and am looking forward to book three. There is no sexual content or swearing, there is fighting. I give it five stars. I loved it! I can recommend for teens and up. (on a side note, though it is Christian fiction it is not “preachy”)

Book Review for “Resistance- Ilyon Chronicles Book One (Christian Fantasy)

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“Resistance” is a great Christian fantasy novel. The main characters are two young adults trapped in a city that demands they worship their emperor and two moon gods, a young mixed breed slave, and an older father figure. As believers of the True God, they have to find a way to either stay hidden or make a stand. I love this book. I will go right into book two to find out what happens next. The writing style is wonderful, the characters are loveable and you feel like you have known them your whole life. It is a great work of fantasy with new peoples and cultures. It has all the swords, intrigue, and good versus evil that you expect from a fantasy novel. No swearing or sexual content, so I can recommend for teens and up. I give this book 5 stars.

Book Review for “The Healthy Family Slowcooker”- Recipe Book

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I was given a copy of “The Healthy Family Slow Cooker” in exchange for an honest review. Life is so busy that I have begun to use my slow cooker more frequently, however trying to find recipes wasn’t as easy as my decision. Either the ingredients weren’t common, or you basically ended up doing too much work before the crock. This book not only contains good advice on healthy choices but the recipes seem to be using common pantry items, yeah! Full of full color pictures and easy to follow instructions. Can’t wait to try some of them. Great for any household.

“A More Christlike God” Blog Tour- Christian Non-Fiction

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My Review:

I was given a copy of this book by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for an honest review. This book was a refreshing look at God through the life of Jesus. Though I didn’t agree 100% with all of his views, Bradley Jersak helps us to see God how He really is. We need a better understanding of this as His Church, His Body and this book helps us to get there. Some of the hard questions about “why?” are answered in this book in a clear way, some I found unanswered (like the flood, or some other hard Old Testament themes), however I agree totally with the fact that God is Love, and He loved people. He is good and He wants good for people. Good read, I give the book four stars. I really liked it. It may be hard to understand for young teens so I can recommend for ages 16 and up.

 

About the book:
A More Christlike God (April 2015)

What is God like? A punishing judge? A doting grandfather? A deadbeat dad? A vengeful warrior?

Believers and atheists alike typically carry and finally reject the toxic images of God in their own hearts and minds. Even the Christian gospel has repeatedly lapsed into a vision of God where the wrathful King must be appeased by his victim Son. How do such good cop/bad cop distortions of the divine arise and come to dominate churches and cultures?

Whether our notions of ‘god’ are personal projections or inherited traditions, author and theologian Brad Jersak proposes a radical reassessment, arguing for A More Christlike God: a More Beautiful Gospel. If Christ is “the image of the invisible God, the radiance of God’s glory and exact representation of God’s likeness,” what if we conceived of God as completely Christlike—the perfect Incarnation of self-giving, radically forgiving, co-suffering love? What if God has always been and forever will be cruciform (cross-shaped) in his character and actions?

A More Christlike God suggests that such a God would be very good news indeed—a God who Jesus “unwrathed” from dead religion, a Love that is always toward us, and a Grace that pours into this suffering world through willing, human partners.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1JHG9yp
About the author:

Brad Jersak (PhD) is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC. He is on faculty at Westminster Theological Centre (Cheltenham, UK), where he teaches New Testament and Patristics. He also serves as adjunct faculty with St Stephen’s University (St. Stephen, NB). He is also the senior editor of CWR (Christianity Without the Religion) Magazine, based in Pasadena, CA.

 

Find Brad online: website, Facebook, Twitter