I thought this was the final book! I really liked the first book, Shadow Soldier, I was given a copy by the author. In fact I purchased “Shadow Fall” to get the rest of the story. This one was even better. Military, dystopian, romance, and some real faith in God. This is a Christian fiction written without being “preachy” and the only mention God or faith is just part of the characters who believe. I am now going to have to try and be patient for book number three. It feels like a long read, not sure how many pages it was, but it was worth it. I can recommend to ages 16 and up. There is no swearing, the only sexual content is implied and threatened (rape), there is violence and fighting, so I think not great for younger readers. Good story, good writing and I give Shadow Fall five stars.
I loved this book! Military, dystopian, and some romance. A book for guys or gals. Written without swearing and sexual content (some implied), and some un-cheesy Christian content that does not distract from the story. Post Great War, the controlling government is set up in what used to be the US. One nameless soldier is the key. There is fighting and violence. I can recommend for ages 14 and up. A great read, and a favorite new author. This is the first in a series and I am looking forward to book two! Kept me on my seat! I give it a solid 5 stars.
I John 3:16 (NIV), “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
Jesus showed us what love is.
So why do we try to settle for less? Why do we offer shallow, self-centered love to others? The love of God comes with no strings attached. Our love seems to have gargantuan ropes attached. We have a hard enough time sacrificing for our own flesh and blood families, what about those that are our brothers and sisters in Christ?
I John 4:10 (NAS), “Beloved if God so loved us, we ought to love one another. No one has beheld God at any time, if we love one another God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.”
How do we know God dwells, abides, in us? By our love for one another. It’s His love that is perfected in us. Not that shallow, self-centered, perverted love I spoke of before. His perfect, unrestrained, passionate love.
I John 4:16-17 (NAS), “And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us, God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him. By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as He is so are we in this world.”
It can’t get better than perfect. Perfect is complete, fully functional, lacking nothing.
If you think it is hard to love, then ponder on this for a while…
“We love because He first loved us.” John 4:19 (NIV)
I was given a copy of “Many Waters” by the author, William Woodall, in exchange for an honest review. This is book two of a series. I enjoyed both books. They are written about young people who are faced with trials. With God’s help (the author does not preach) and some help from friends and family they are able to overcome. This is a story of good versus evil, and has not only an element of fantasy, but is a good romance as well. Good for readers Jr. High and up. I think geared for YA. I do feel like there is some things left unexplained, some of the characters and who they are are a little vague. I would have given it four stars had things been a little clearer. These books need to be read in order. Not stand alone. I will definitely finish the series. No swearing or sexual content, some violence.
Psalms 96 (AMP), “O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless (affectionately praise) His name; show forth His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be reverently feared and worshiped above all [so-called] gods. For all the gods of the nations are [lifeless] idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O you families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come [before Him] into His courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; tremble before and reverently fear Him, all the earth. Say among the nations that the Lord reigns; the world also is established, so that it cannot be moved; He shall judge and rule the people righteously and with justice. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all the things which fill it; Let the field be exultant, and all that is in it! Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy.” Before the Lord, for He comes, for He comes to judge and govern the earth! He shall judge the world with righteousness and justice and the peoples with His faithfulness and truth.”
Do you ever, like David, think about who God is, His magnificent, awesome, powerful, mind-blowing character? Then think about how small and fragile we are? I do. Yes, He is my Dad. I can be real with Him and He can be real with me. Just like He was real with David. Once when reading through the psalms I thought to myself, “David was kind of a whiner.” You know what God said to me? He said, “Kind of like you.” That wasn’t God being angry with me, or even His correction. It was my Dad being real with me. I swear I heard Him chuckle when He said it. So even though we are close and I am getting for familiar with Him every day, I have to still remember Who He Is. He is God. C.S. Lewis in the “Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe” puts it this way, when the children are in the Beaver’s home, one of them ask about Aslan, the lion who represents Jesus, “Is he safe?” Mr. Beaver answered, spluttering in exclamation, “Safe! Safe? No, He is not safe…but He is good.” He isn’t “tame.” He is wild and extravagant. He’s the wave pool, not the lazy river. He’s every adrenaline junkies dream.
But He is good. He is on our side and He loves you!
Father, I am overwhelmed by Your love! You made the worlds and set the stars, the suns, and the moons in the sky. You placed the deep waters in the earth and called forth all live. You created, in minute detail, every flower petal, every rain drop, and every downy feather on the swan. Yet, Your mind is full of me. You own everything, the cattle on a thousand hills, the very air I breathe. Yet, You gave your life’s blood to purchase me. I am fully Yours.
I was held hostage by the enemy, was a slave to my own sin. I was covered in my own blood, ragged and dirty, filled with sorrow and shame, when You came to me and covered me with Your robe of righteousness. You called me Your “Beloved,” and accepted me into Your family. You have cherished me as a loving Father, pursued me as a faithful lover, and taken care of me as a trustworthy husband. I am fully Yours.
You have captivated my heart and You alone know my inward most parts. You can discern the thoughts and intents of my heart. Preserve me in Your righteousness. Hold me in Your love. Deliver me in Your mercy and Grace. Uphold me in Your Justice. I will praise you all of my days. I will serve You with a full heart. I will faithfully pursue the calling You have placed on my life and generously give to those You love. I am fully Yours.
I was given a copy of “Embers & Ice” by the author, Isabella Modra, in exchange for an honest review. I really liked book one, “Rouge”, so I was thrilled when asked to read book two. It was so great that I am going to have to try to be patient waiting for the next book. The theme of these books are young mutants who have all different “powers.” In book two we meet several new characters. The author does a good job in rounding out her characters. The main lead is a strong teenage girl. She has heroic tendencies, has some issues, and is very likable. Due to the nature of some of the scenes, which aren’t terribly explicit, (rape and torture), and a small amount of swearing, I can’t recommend for readers younger than 16. I give it 4 stars. Good fantasy writing. There is no sappy romance, but an element of it throughout the books so far. I think these books would appeal to guys and gals.