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Redemption’s Promise
Redemption’s Promise by Sandi Rebert is a captivating delve into the realm of biblical fiction. Set in Jerusalem approximately 2000 years ago, the narrative unfolds through the eyes of a young protagonist named Jason. From the exhilarating onset, we encounter Jason in the throes of evasion, desperately trying to escape Roman soldiers. But the stakes ascend swiftly as he is confronted with a heart-wrenching decision: what does it truly mean to choose life?
Rebert artfully intertwines Jason’s journey with the seminal events marking Jesus’s life, including His miracles and crucifixion. The brilliance lies in the gradual unveiling of their connection, allowing readers to ponder and anticipate its intricate weave within the broader tapestry of the tale.
One of the standout features of this work is the adept integration of biblical verses that seamlessly align with the unfolding plot. Rebert provides a historical lens, presenting the Romans through the eyes of the Jewish community. While the narrative is fictional, it provokes deep reflection. In a world where Jesus is largely celebrated, Redemption’s Promise serves as a poignant reminder of the contentious views held by the religious leaders of His time, prompting readers to critically engage with the subject of resurrection.
Marrying suspense with spiritual introspection, this book beckons its readers to not only immerse themselves in its riveting plot but also to delve deeper into the intricacies of biblical events. I recommend Redemption’s Promise to fans of biblical fiction and to those intrigued by the myriad possibilities that might have colored the epoch of Jesus’s death and resurrection.
Pages: 276 | ASIN : B09SB8ZWY9
Anything is Possible
Love Changed Everything: The Power of Love shares your story of growing up and becoming the person you are today and how your love for your wife carried you through the hard moments. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I have enjoyed a comfortable life with a loving wife for many years.
I wanted my grandchildren in particular to know that I had worked very hard to get to where we are now. They have gone short of nothing – partly the grandparents’ fault – and seem to expect that life will always be as comfortable as it is. I wanted them to know where their grandparents came from.
I wanted ‘others’ to know that what I have has been hard won. I recall an event when we were living in Farnborough and our house just happened to have a swimming pool with a public path on the other side of a six-foot fence. I recall the day we were relaxing by the pool and overheard a mother talking to her daughter who had said, ‘Look, mum. Those people have a swimming pool.’
‘Yes’, the mother replied. ‘Some people are very lucky in life’.
I was incensed and ran down the gate to our property which they had to pass. ‘Good afternoon’, I said, calmly, although I did not feel calm. ‘I heard your little girl, admiring our swimming pool. I think you are teaching her the wrong lesson. Everything I own I have to work hard for. I had no rich parents to leave me any money. You should be telling her that if she puts her mind to it and works very hard at school and then works very hard at her career, then perhaps she too may be able to have a house with a swimming pool’.
There was no response, but I do hope that little girl got a little of the message I was trying to send.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest part of my story to write openly about was the sexual attraction. My wife insisted I tone it down.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It was important to point out to teachers what an enormous influence and responsibility they carry for caring for their charges. They should never belittle a child, even a teenager. I still feel very angry about my treatment in two schools, many years apart, because of my family’s lowly financial status. In the first instance, pre-10 years old, we never went on holidays, and the class was asked to write an account. My account was fiction and was severely punished. In the second instance at Grammar School, I was belittled and had to report to the Head because I (we) could not spare two shillings and sixpence to buy a school magazine. After humiliation, if I had had ££££££’s, I would never support the school.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
Anything is possible if you work at it and take the opportunities that may come your way, even if you doubt your ability – go for it! You’ll never know if you don’t.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Eddie, the eldest child of four, suffered at the hands of the bullies. But his father showed him how to stand up for himself. Albert taught his children that success could come even after multiple failures if they kept trying. But when he had a lung removed, he lost his job and their home. The family moved in with Grandma in her terraced house in the Colliery village of Browney. Gran was already caring for her divorced daughter’s family of three young men. Somehow they managed to coexist for over a year.
A few months later, the family was rehoused into a new housing development and their first home with hot water and an indoor loo; what luxury. Eddie was training to become an unpaid Minister in the Independent Methodist Movement. His girlfriend, Doreen, for eighteen months, was the daughter of one of the Senior Ministers in the circuit of six chapels.
When Eddie met Pam, he was employed as a University Junior Technician, and his life was turned upside down. Cupid’s arrow flew and lodged so deep that the warnings of his friends in the Chapel never got past his ears. The pair were immediately smitten; nothing could part the young lovers. It was hard to break off with Doreen and even more difficult to heed the warnings of his associates in the chapel community. Pam was a Roman Catholic, and he was warned that their faiths were incompatible.
After purposely underperforming at school GCE ‘O’ level, Eddie studied part-time at night school, and with the benefit of day release from his employment as a Univerity Chemistry Technician, he gained HNC level Chemistry certification. Then he was invited to take up a career in Technical Sales by a local supplier of scientific products and instrumentation. Within a year, he and Pam had secured a mortgage on their first home and never looked back. There were ups and downs, but love always got them through the sticky patches. Eddie and Pam are approaching their diamond wedding anniversary.
Love Changed Everything
Love Changed Everything: The Power of Love by Wallace E. Briggs is a heartfelt memoir journeying through a life filled with challenges, opportunities, and transformative love. The narrative spans from the author’s foray into the world of operatic music to unexpected roles in junior operatic productions to nerve-wracking business travels across tumultuous geopolitical landscapes. Throughout his life, the underpinning theme remains his unwavering love for his wife, Pam, and their resilience in the face of life’s tribulations.
The book’s strength lies in its honest portrayal of real-life experiences, both good and bad. Briggs seamlessly intertwines personal anecdotes, like the intense pressure of unexpectedly playing piano for a live audience, with the grander historical context, such as the tensions in Berlin before the fall of the Wall. However, at times, the narrative can seem overwhelming with the multitude of experiences, making it occasionally hard to follow. The theme of dreaming, inspired by the classic song from Pinocchio, stands out as a binding thread. It showcases the raw reality that, while wishing upon a star might be the start, determination, effort, and the power of love genuinely drive dreams to fruition.
One of the standout aspects is the memoir’s focus on embracing unexpected opportunities, which leads to personal growth and cherished memories. The vivid characters connect readers to their experiences and emotions, particularly in the face of adversities like job loss and the profound grief of losing a child. Briggs’ writing style is evocative, melding detailed descriptions of settings with his journey’s internal struggles and joys without giving away any spoilers.
Love Changed Everything: The Power of Love is an evocative memoir filled with lessons on resilience, determination, and the unparalleled power of love. For those who seek an inspiring read with an authentic human touch, this book offers an enriching journey.
Pages: 257 | ASIN : B0CCWCFBVS
Hope
Mary’s Moment follows a switchboard operator in Thousand Island Park in the year 1912 who loses her memory in a disastrous fire accident. Where did the idea for this novel come from, and how did it develop over time?
My mother, Mary, inspired this story. When she was a young woman, she spent two summers serving her aunts in the Thousand Islands Park. Every summer she’d take me there for an ice cream at the Guzzle and tell me stories of her time in the Park. So, it was always my desire to write about it. When I began researching and discovered the tragedy of the three 1912 fires that nearly destroyed the Park, I had my story, especially because my mom nearly lost her father in a barn fire when she was just fourteen.
How did you come up with the idea for the antagonist in this story, and how did it change as you wrote?
Goodness, isn’t there always an unscrupulous Archibald Reginald of sorts in all our lives? I know there have been such kinds of adversaries in several chapters of my life, and an evil insurance salesman fit the bill well in this fire-ridden story.
There is so much to be said about love in this book. What do you hope your readers take away from your story?
All eleven of my Thousand Islands’ stories have hope as the central theme. Hope for a better future. Hope for love. Hope for healing. Mary’s Moment also focuses on healing broken hearts, forgiving those who hurt you, and embracing God’s redemption.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
All of my books are set in the beautiful Thousand Islands Gilded Age. A Summer at Thousand Island House comes out July 25 with Wild Heart Books. It’s part of their Gilded Age series.
About: A Summer at Thousand Island House
Part-nanny, part entertainer, Addison Bell has always had an enduring love for children. So what better way to spend her creative energy than to spend the summer nannying at the renowned Thousand Island House on Staple’s Island? As Addi thrives in her work, she attracts the attention of the recreation pavilion’s manager, Liam Donovan, as well as the handsome Navy Officer Lt. Worthington, a lighthouse inspector, hotel patron, and single father of mischievous little Jimmy.
But when Jimmy goes missing, Addi finds both her job and her reputation in danger. How can she calm the churning waters of Liam, Lt. Worthington, and the President, clear her name, and avoid becoming the scorn of the Thousand Islands community?
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Thousand Island Park’s switchboard operator Mary Flynn is christened the community heroine for her quick action that saves dozens of homes from a terrible fire. Less than a month later, when another disastrous fire rages through the Park, Mary loses her memory as she risks her life in a neighbor’s burning cottage. Will she remember the truth of who she is or be deceived by a treacherous scoundrel?
Widowed fireman George Flannigan is enamored by the brave raven-haired lass and takes every opportunity to connect with Mary. But he has hidden griefs of his own that cause him great heartache. When George can’t stop the destructive Columbian Hotel fire from eradicating more than a hundred businesses and homes, he is distraught. Yet George’s greater concern is Mary. Will she remember their budding relationship or be forever lost to him?
Readers of Christian historical romance will enjoy this exciting tale set in 1912 Thousand Island Park, NY.
Mary’s Moment
In Mary’s Moment, author Susan G. Mathis delivers a vivid exploration of life in the picturesque Thousand Island Park. Our heroine, 28-year-old Mary Flynn, finds pride and contentment in her existence amidst her aunts whilst operating as the switchboard operator and telegraph interpreter at the Columbine Hotel. However, a sweltering and parched summer incites a series of fires that not only disrupt the tranquil beauty of the islands but also instigate turmoil in Mary’s life. It is within this chaos that she encounters the heroic firefighter, George Flannigan, and the unscrupulous insurance salesman, Archibald Reginald, both contending for her affection. The sudden ignition of the Columbine Hotel sends Mary’s future spiraling into uncertainty in more ways than one.
This captivating installment in Susan G. Mathis’s expansive “Thousand Islands” series deviates slightly from its predecessors, shifting the focus from the scenic depiction of the Lawrence River’s islands to a more intimate examination of character development. Both Mary and George are expertly sculpted characters with rich backstories that edify their present motivations. Archibald Reginald, though an unprincipled antagonist, never descends into caricature, maintaining a delicate balance of loathsome intrigue. In a commendable feat, Mathis extends this depth to minor characters as well, giving them a significance that resonates throughout the narrative.
This narrative is a romance devoid of unnecessary embellishments, instead relying on a gripping sense of anticipation to maintain momentum. The omnipresent danger of fire adds an undercurrent of tension that ensures readers remain hooked, ever aware that an explosive event is imminent.
Mary’s Moment offers a profound exploration of the theme of forgiveness. Mary must learn to forgive others to achieve personal growth and open her heart, while George grapples with self-forgiveness for past mistakes before he can progress in life. Their journey of faith is a testament to the power of forgiveness and the transformative potential it holds.
Having savored the entire “Thousand Islands” series thus far, Mary’s Moment stands out as a personal favorite. The shift in focus towards character development without sacrificing the allure of the Thousand Islands was refreshing. The suspense woven into the narrative elevates the book, approaching a new genre altogether. Each character shines in their respective roles, contributing to a charming and enthralling tale that I would wholeheartedly recommend to avid readers time and again. Susan G. Mathis has created a compelling read in Mary’s Moment.
Pages: 360 | ASIN : B0BWH84X9N
Dead Ringer Cowboy
Madeline Westwood, a recent widow, embarks on a tranquil sojourn to Hidden Lodge Ranch with her daughter, Natalie. The hope is to find solace and rejuvenation amidst the majestic mountains of Colorado, following the heartrending loss of her husband, Mark. Little does she anticipate an unexpected encounter with Clint Remington, a cowboy whose striking resemblance to her late husband disrupts her healing process.
Dead Ringer Cowboy is an evocative, adult, inspirational romance novel penned by Alicia F. Whittle. It explores the emotional labyrinth navigated by a grieving woman, drawn irresistibly to a man who mirrors her departed spouse. Meanwhile, Clint Remington, a genial presence at the Lodge Ranch, is captivated by Madeline, finding her company strangely enchanting. Amidst the awe-inspiring vistas of Colorado, they discover in each other an unexpected longing, a burgeoning affection that has the potential to transform their lives.
Whittle seamlessly weaves a tapestry of healing and romance in this compelling narrative, threading themes of poignant nostalgia as Madeline grapples with the prospect of moving forward whilst keeping alive the cherished memory of her husband. Trapped in the emotional crossroads between a yearning for healing love and a maelstrom of confusing sentiments, the author brilliantly captures raw and authentic emotions inspired by real-life experiences. Her storytelling is deeply emotive, inviting readers to journey with her characters through paths of recovery, ultimately arriving at a revitalizing romantic awakening.
The story unfolds with a compelling intrigue that hooks the reader, gradually building towards a rewarding companionship between the characters. Dead Ringer Cowboy is a heartening romantic narrative that offers a perfect respite for those who delight in immersive, gently unfolding storylines. Readers will find solace and comfort in this wholesome, heartwarming tale that promises an exhilarating exploration of cowboy romance set against the backdrop of the great outdoors.
Pages: 277 | ASIN : B0BGYRVFQ9
By Design
After the death of her mother as a young teen, Anne Boyd has gone through life using her mother’s three-step plan to evaluate every decision to reach her goals. By using this three-step plan, Anne has her dream career as an interior designer and recently accepted a new and prestigious position at a high-end design firm in Atlanta. Her life seems to be on her planned trajectory until she meets handsome Dr. Brad Young, Jr., a client-turned-love interest. Then, Anne must decide what she truly values as she navigates burgeoning feelings while staying true to her convictions.
Author J Boykin Baker hits the mark for the religious romance genre with her release of By Design by weaving an engaging story of southern love. From the love of a mother for a daughter to a father for a son, readers will see the impact that relationships can have on life choices. Anne values her faith and uses that as a compass to guide her relationships and career; however, her values are tested after meeting Brad. Brad is handsome and has a steady and lucrative career but seems to flounder when it comes to committed relationships. Boykin succeeds in establishing a mutual attraction between the two characters and hooks the reader into being invested in the outcome of the relationship. Boykin also excels in vivid descriptions of different settings and her interior design knowledge.
Readers will appreciate the heartfelt message of the book and the emphasis on the importance of choices and relationships. By Design checks all the boxes for a captivating religious romance novel. The wholesome and idealistic storyline was as enjoyable to read as a Hallmark romance movie, leaving me feeling satisfied and entertained.
Pages: 414 | ASIN : B0B7CLNZ5B
Don’t Let Me Go
Don’t Let Me Go is a high school love story building up to marriage, but for Jenny and Adam, the true test starts after marriage. Jenny pushes Adam away for a reason unknown. Before she answers any questions, she gets kidnapped, and the chase starts. With Adam striving to find his love, a love who doesn’t want to be his wife anymore, this story will make you believe in real companionship.
Don’t Let Me Go by Jodi Artzberger is a romantic thriller that will keep you on your toes from the first page. The story starts with suspense and subtly weaves in romance while the plot maintains the thrill. The characters are relatable and interesting. Some parts will make you question the goodness of the characters. There is a clear distinction between good and evil, which supports the conventional story writing aspect but might lack the depth of characterization for some readers.
The author has taken her strong Christian values and infused her novel with a gospel-centered storyline. Faith plays a strong part in character development, as well as plot development. Readers that prefer a more Christian view on romance will find Jodie Artzberger has created relationships that center around God and model the values of the Christian faith.
As the story progresses, you can see faith building up. It aptly symbolizes how marital troubles are resolved in times of crisis. It also conveys that protecting our loved ones is done better by companionship. The book explores the themes of love, forgiveness, and faith. Many subplots run parallel to the main plot without interrupting its flow which adds depth to the narration.
Don’t Let Me Go is a suspenseful Christian mystery with a romantic story intertwined. The author is successful in building up tension and skillfully easing it out in the end. This was a great mystery, as well as a lesson on learning to forgive and trust the people you care about.
Pages: 251 | ASIN : B0B52F8T6T
