The Monastery Murders - A Review

The Monastery Murders

by

E.M. Powell

A Review

A well-written mystery taking place in the middle ages. The protagonist is an agent of the King and his assistant. A group of monks are being systematically killed off and unless Barling and Stanton could discover the culprit, all those residing at the Monastery could be at risk.

I have no problem recommending the book with two exceptions. There is no warning given to the reader that there is one explicit heterosexual scene and a longer (though not explicit) description of a gay romance. If this were apparent in advance, this reader would have chosen to not read the book. If made into a movie (as written), I expect the film would be rated ‘R’ - though, with a bit of gentle editing (of the book or the movie), it could easily receive a ‘PG-13’ rating. Because of the lack of warning and the possibility of these scenes being triggers for some, the book receives a 3-star rather than a 4-star review.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible Burgandy Leathersoft Cover 3rd Edition - A Review

NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible

Burgandy Leathersoft Cover

3rd Edition

Edited By

Jack W. Hayford

A Review

Thomas Nelson has created one of the better Study Bibles that have crossed my path. I find little wrong with this compilation of helps.

The helps are indexed, they are presented in full color. The 500+ brief word studies scattered throughout the are helpful, lots of practical helps (“Truth in Action”), and an extra -long concordance (compared to most Study Bibles), all add extra value to this ne edition. I also appreciate the three ribbons included to provide bookmarks – not just the two that normally are included in most Study Bibles. Built with a nice simulated leather cover, the book feels solid and well-built.

Concerns are minor and personal. Though I am not a fan of Jack Hayford’s theology, this is a book that I am still glad to have in my library – it has valued thoughts from a leader of the church. Similarly, I am concerned about the choice to put Jesus words in red. I much prefer a Bible with all text in a common black font. Finally, all of the helps add considerable weight to this Bible. I can see this book being used at my desk, rather than being carried into church on Sunday morning.

This would not be the first Study Bible I would add to my library – but it does belong there.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible Black Genuine Leather Cover 3rd Edition - A Review

NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible

Black Genuine Leather Cover

3rd Edition

Edited By

Jack W. Hayford

A Review

Thomas Nelson has created one of the better Study Bibles that have crossed my path. I find little wrong with this compilation of helps.

The helps are indexed, they are presented in full color. The 500+ brief word studies scattered throughout the are helpful, lots of practical helps (“Truth in Action”), and an extra -long concordance (compared to most Study Bibles), all add extra value to this ne edition. I also appreciate the three ribbons included to provide bookmarks – not just the two that normally are included in most Study Bibles. Thumb-indexed with a nice leather cover. The book feels solid and well-built.

Concerns are minor and personal. Though I am not a fan of Jack Hayford’s theology, this is a book that I am still glad to have in my library – it has valued thoughts from a leader of the church. Similarly, I am concerned about the choice to put Jesus words in red. I much prefer a Bible with all text in a common black font. Finally, all of the helps add considerable weight to this Bible. I can see this book being used at my desk, rather than being carried into church on Sunday morning.

This would not be the first Study Bible I would add to my library – but it does belong there.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

God Bless The Broken Road - A Review

God Bless The

Broken Road

A Review
[Music]

I was privileged to be given access to a streamed copy of this new picture due to be released tomorrow. The film focuses on a mother and daughter whose husband and father were killed in Afghanistan in 2014 - a loss which neither have dealt with as they try to continue a normal life.

But life does go on - people enter our lives, circumstances overwhelm us, and life feels like it is crashing in on us. But even in the midst of crisis God continues to offer His love - we may not see it, may even run from it, He offers His love if we will listen.

Finding God’s grace in the midst of a busy life is sometimes difficult. There may be pain, waiting maybe hard, and finding Him will often require tears. Such is the case for Amber and Bree as they find God’s grace in the middle life’s difficulties.

If you do not yet have a movie in your sights for this week, let me suggest that you consider seeing God Bless The Broken Road. It will be worth your time.
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This review is based on a free screening provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

New King James Version: Holy Bible - A Review

New King James Version

Holy Bible

A Review

Tommy Nelson has put together a simple paperback Bible suitable for a gift for a young child. Included are 24 pages of colorful helps and a couple of maps. Though this will not serve as an heirloom gift, it would be appropriate for the child moving from 3rd to 4th grade or for a gift from grandparents to their grandchild. If is well-used, expect to replace it with something more sturdy and long-lasting within two or three years, but by then the child will be better prepared to appreciate something with a better binding and more helps.
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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Hidden Treasures - A Review

Hidden Treasures

by

Robin Bertram

A Review

We are all going to die. It may sound like I will be reviewing another cozy mystery, but you would be wrong. Hidden Treasures is a wonderful collection of devotionals focusing on the topic of death — not gruesomely, but as one looking forward to a joyous homecoming. It comes with the heart of a chaplain — though the author is not one. The stories are warm and encouraging.

The book is designed to help those who are dying, those who will walk alongside those, and those who have lost a loved one. The book is partly memoir, partly devotional, and partly self-help — all focusing on preparing us for our own death or the death of a loved one

The author has done this well – so well that as I look forward to Christmas, I am planning to make a gift of this book to each of the members of my small congregation of senior citizens living in community at a senior apartment complex. The book will be a blessing to those who choose to read a single entry or the entire book.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

Delayed Justice - A Review

Delayed Justice

by

Cara Putman

A Review

We all carry pain. For some, it comes from the choices we make; for others, it is the result of war; and for some, it comes from abuse over which we had no control. We find all three in Cara Putman’s newest novel. 

Jaime Nichols abuse had occurred years ago, but she had told no one till now. Her Uncle Dane had first approached her when she was eight and had not stopped until she left for college. Chandler Bolton had been damaged by war – he was a survivor, but friends had died and been crippled. And he carried his baggage because of it. Late in October, their lives would collide. But the journey would not be easy.

Having spent the last 44+ years living in the shadow of abuse, it is easy to believe in the depth of pain exhibited by the characters penned by Cara Putnam in her newest novel. The story is well told and does not leave the reader with the false belief that coming to terms with psychological pain is easy. But the story does remind the reader that those of us who have lived with it have hope as we trust the process and learn to trust God to see us through it.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.