Tuesday, September 29, 2015

I, Saul, book #89


So when I started reading this book for Book Club I wasn't too into it part of it.  This book switches back and forth for each chapter between modern day and Bible times, specifically when Paul was in the jail right before he was beheaded.  I wasn't really in the mood for a Bible times book, but decided to take one for the club.

But of course, the more I read it, the more intriquing it became and before I knew it I was in hook, line and sinker.  Basically, the modern day part is a group of people looking for texts that Paul wrote about his life as Saul that was never published.  And the Bible times part is Paul writing these texts as a memoir with Luke.  But that is all I want to say about that so I won't give it all away!  

Chris Fabry (remember, a fav of mine!) had an interview with Jerry Jenkins about this around the time that the book came out, but now I can't find it.  If I ever do I'll post it here.

A MURDERER who would change the WORLD

From multi-million copy best-selling novelist Jerry Jenkins comes a compelling international thriller that conveys you from present-day Texas to a dank Roman dungeon in A.D. 67, then down the dusty roads of ancient Israel, Asia, and back to Rome.  A young seminary professor, Augustine Knox, is drawn into a deadly race to save priceless parchments from antiquities thieves and discovers a two- thousand-year old connection with another who faced death for the sake of the truth. I, Saul consists of two riveting adventures in one, transporting you between the stories of Augustine Knox and Saul of Tarsus. Filled with political intrigue, romance, and rich historical detail, I, Saul is a thrilling tale of loyal friendships tested by life-or-death quests, set two millennia apart, told by a master storyteller. (picture and description at amazon)


Happy Reading!

O:)
Melissa

Sunday, September 13, 2015

A house divided, book #88

Finally!  A new Robert Whitlow book!  If you have been reading here long you know he is one of my VERY FAVORITE AUTHORS OF ALL TIME!!! When I saw the picture and ad for this in the new LifeWay sale catalog I sent my hubs a message and asked him nicely to drop everything at work and run to the LifeWay store right there and get it right away!  He was at first skeptical about why on earth we needed more books, but I calmly explained to him the importance of buying Robert Whitlow books because, well, because I love them!!!

Unfortunately I was busy reading other books and did not have time to start it that night, but when I did finally get started it did not disappoint.  This one seemed to be a little "legal" heavy (remember the problem I had with the last Harry Kraus book? Same here ... ) but once I kept reading and kept looking up words I didn't understand it all starting making sense.  I absolutely loved how it ended, when the book started I would have never imagined it ending like it did.

If you like legal books, little lawyer takes on big company, and family forgiveness, then this will be a new favorite of yours also.

Corbin Gage can stand up to anyone . . . But his own divided house will bring him to his knees.  Corbin, a longtime legal champion for the downtrodden, is slowly drinking himself into the grave. His love for “mountain water” has cost him his marriage to the godliest woman he knows, ruined his relationship with his daughter, Roxy, and reduced the business at his small Georgia law firm to a level where he can barely keep the bill collectors at bay. But it isn’t until his son, Ray, threatens to limit Corbin’s time with his grandson that Corbin begins to acknowledge he might have a problem.  Despite the mess that surrounds his personal life and against the advice of everyone he knows, Corbin takes on a high-stakes tort case on behalf of two boys who have contracted non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma due to an alleged chemical exposure. The defendant, a fertilizer company, is the largest employer in the area. The lawsuit becomes a tornado that sucks Corbin, Ray, and Roxy into an increasingly deadly vortex. Equally intense pressure within the family threatens to destroy, once and for all, the thin threads that connect them.  Corbin must find the strength to stand up to his personal demons. Justice for two dying boys depends on it . . . his family depends on it. (picture and description from amazon)

Happy Reading!

O:)
Melissa

The Song, book #87

When it come to reading novelizations, I am always filled with a bit of trepidation.  Most that I have read were written AFTER the movie came out and the author tries to fill in some back story but it is just poorly done.  Or there are ones that take the script and just "make it" a story, but that proves very hard to read.   

So, when we mixed things up this summer for Book Club we decided to read this book then watch the movie.  This time it was a complete flip!  I knew if Chris Fabry wrote it, it would be good.  All he writes is good.  And, I was not disappointed.  This book could be a stand alone, not even have the movie made, and it would be a hit.  

Then we watched the movie, and thought, "Hunh?"  Yes, I know when they take a book and make it a movie they have to chop out about half of it.  (Well, except Holes, the only book-made-to-movie EVER that follows right along and doesn't miss a beat!)  Yes, I guessed as I was reading what would be missing, but a lot more was missing than I thought.  And, well, maybe it was from after reading the detailed book .... but the acting was not that good.  I have been so encouraged by excellent Christian films lately that I thought this one might be a good one, but I was not overly impressed.  Again, maybe because the book was so good that a movie could not keep up.  

Overall it was a good story, and I felt the frustration on both sides.  It made me think about all these singer/performers who make it bigger than they ever thought they would ... they get what they wanted then realize it may be not what they really wanted at all .....

Jed King's life has been shaped and scarred by the songs and mistakes of his famous father. He wants to sing his own song, but the words and melody are elusive. Jed’s dreams of a successful music career seem out of reach . . . until he meets Rose.  Inspired by his love for the vineyard owner’s daughter, Jed pens a new song― a song with such emotional power and longing that it catapults him into stardom. But with this life of fame comes temptation, the same temptation that lured his father so many years ago and now threatens to unravel his marriage. The pull of “The Song” takes Jed and Rose on a journey that will force them to deal with failure, the pain of loss, and the desire to be who God created them to be. Together they will test the limits of the promise that love is the power that heals. Lyrical and deeply honest, The Song asks hard questions of love and forgiveness. When even the wisest of men is a fool for love, can true love persevere?   (picture and description from amazon)

Happy Reading!

O:)
Melissa