The Daily Bible Experience - A Review

 

The Daily Bible
Experience

by

F. LaGard Smith

To be fair, this book must be reviewed, first, as it was intended, and, second, as it stands alone.

The book was intended to be read along with another devotional book, The Daily Bible. The Daily Bible is a devotional version of the NIV Bible presented in chronological order for daily reading. Along with the entire text of the NIV, the author includes devotional and study helps interspersed with the Biblical text. The current book merely adds additional devotional material to the original book. Given its stated purpose, it is not needed.

However, as an independent devotional book, The Daily Bible Experience offers an excellent devotional experience on its own. The current book does not offer the reader a reading of the entire Bible, it does include devotions based on excerpts from the same passages offered in the earlier work. Each daily reading selects a verse or two from the outline found in The Daily Bible. Sadly, it does not provide readings or references to the larger context from which the one or two verses are drawn - for that the reader will need the earlier work. The devotionals are well written and aimed at the daily life of the believer. Each devotional begins by quoting the one or two verses chosen for comment, a one page devotional, and brief, one sentence, asking the reader to apply the day’s thoughts.

The Daily Bible Experience may not be needed for its stated purpose; it does serve well as a devotional book in its own right.

______________ This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Backlash - A Review

 

Backlash

by

Rachel Dylan

“God hasn’t left you, Hunter. God’s there even when we think we can’t feel Him or hear Him. Sometimes it may just be a whisper in the wind or a beautiful sunrise, and that’s all it takes to remind me that the Lord is so much bigger than us. Than this earth. Than our lives. He is everything and everywhere while at the same time He cares about each of us.” (Page 85)

I could not put down this faith-based romantic thriller. With three friends being accused of three very different crimes, the CIA and the DEA are on high alert as they seek to find the villains who are out to discredit three strong patriots in the employee of the US government. It will take the work of all the friends to find the guilty parties. And as they seek their answers we also get a glimpse at the romantic lives of this group. 

The book read like a movie that might appear in Hallmark’s Movies and Mysteries channel - except it dealt with three relationships rather than focusing on a single couple. Nonetheless, it was a satisfying and fun read.

______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Born to Wonder - A Review

 

Born to Wonder

by

Alister McGrath

I was first attracted to the theme of “the meaning of life” when asked to read Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning in high school. Later, in college, I had to read it again. In grad school I was introduced to Paul Welter’s Counseling and the Search for Meaning in a course taught by the author. As the title suggests, the book draws from Viktor Frankl’s earlier ideas. Alister McGrath’s new book again returns to some of these same themes.

McGrath the search for meaning from a number of perspectives - historically, psychologically, scientifically, and theologically. He also addresses the importance of meaning and the lack of meaning (referencing Frankl) in an individual’s life.

Interestingly, McGrath originally trained as a molecular biophysics (PhD). As he began his college education he was an avid atheist. But over time he was forced him to examine his faith. In 1971, he writes, “I turned my back on one faith and embraced another.” He began studying at Cambridge for ordination in the Church of England. Completing additional studies in Divinity, he now serves as Professor of Divinity at Gresham College where he explores the intersection of Science, Faith, and God, within modern culture.

It was McGrath’s dual interests in science and theology that drew my interest to this book. I was not disappointed. Whether the reader’s interest lie in science, theology, psychology, or philosophy, McGrath’s Born to Wonder should be an interesting read.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Point of Danger - A Review

 

Point of Danger

by

Irene Hannon

Irene Hannon presents a morning talk show host, Eve Reilly, whose job and life are being threatened from three very distinct directions. Detective Brent Lange will be responsible for following the clues. He has three problems - it is his first case as a newly hired detective and he is quickly falling for Eve and he does not handle relationships well.

The author has created a believable faith-based suspense novel. The context is current starring, among others, none other than the bane of the conservative movement, a group of antifas. The story moves quickly as the reader tracks the various villains found in the story.  My only complaint was the transitions found in the middle of most chapters as the spotlight moves from protagonist to detective to antagonist to supporting characters. I found myself having to highlight these unexpected transitions as I tracked the story. I would hope these transitions might be better marked in the final text. In spite of this minor difficulty, I have no problem in giving this a five-star review. 

______________ This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

World’s Greatest Wonders - A Review

 

World’s Greatest
Wonders

Chartwell Books has put together a great collection of pictures and text walking the reader through the “World’s Greatest Wonders” - both man-made and natural. 

The book starts out by examining 18 man-made sites - ancient (Stonehenge) and modern (Sydney Opera House). None of these were unfamiliar to me, but the images and the accompanying text provided more detail than I had previously had known. This is followed by 12 gorgeous sets of images of natural landmarks. I was surprised that some of these were new to me (e.g. Iguazu Falls and Anjajavy). 

Together, the 30 sites chosen provided an education and sparked a wish (alas, only a wish) that I could visit the sites. A paper copy of the book would make a good coffee table book. An electronic copy can be expanded, allowing a closer view of places and things only seen in broad swaths of images in the past. This is easily a five-star review.   

______________ This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Airborne - A Review

 

Airborne

by

DiAnn Mills

FBI Special Agent Heather Lawrence’s marriage is on the rocks. She is not quite ready to admit it, to herself or to those around her. Deciding to take a vacation to the Salzburg Music Festival and to visit the community in which it is held - giving her time to sort out her life - she boards the plane that will take from Houston to Frankfurt Germany. But two hours into the flight she is required to shift from vacationer to FBI agent when people throughout the flight begin to get sick - headaches, fevers, vomiting, bleeding noses, all contribute to what quickly becomes a crisis.

Working with the FBI, FAA, CDC, and her husband on the ground, Heather will need to narrow down the source of the illness that attacks more than half of those onboard the flight.

DiAnn Mills has written another great faith-based thriller that holds the reader’s attention from page 1 to page 385. As Heather involves herself in the lives of those in isolation after the plane lands in New York City, brushing shoulders with the four or five potential suspects. As a trained FBI Agent and a Behavior Analyst, she is in a unique position to watch and observes the suspects - she is also in a unique position to put life on the line.

The book will find a welcome place on the reading lists of Christians who enjoy suspense and thrillers. It also has a welcome place on the shelves of public and church libraries.
______________ This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Little Bookshop of Murder - A Review

 

Little Bookshop of Murder

by

Maggie Blackburn 

This book is a cozy mystery that did not meet my usual expectations for a great cozy. It starts off with a great premise - Summer Merriweather’s mother has died after suffering a heart attack. The police see no evidence of foul play, but Summer and her group of new friends are not so sure. They have two tasks - prove it was murder and find the murderer.

It is a great premise, but the book falls short in its presentation. A number of things bothered me. The biggest was that the book was predictable - I had the murderer identified very early in the book. The author spent most of the 300+ pages convincing me I was correct. In addition, the book ended with too many open ends. The potential love interest was dropped halfway through the plot, Summer’s occupational future had way too many holes to provide a satisfying ending to the story. The future of the bookstore was left hanging as the story ended. Many of these holes could be answered in a sequel, but with no obvious sequel in the character's future the reader is left with open wounds.

The book might find a place on the public library or on the shelf for those who are fans of Maggie Blackburn. For now, I’ll keep it off my shelf.
______________

This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.