Mark's Story - The Gospel According to Peter

This is written as a novel but is still the narrative from the Gospel of Mark.  Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins wrote this as it would have been Mark telling the reader the events in his life that brought him to his belief in Christ and his subsequent missionary journeys.  It is an easy read and flows well from page to page.  It begins with Mark as a young teen, about 14 I think, when the Apostles and Christ met in the Upper Room.  It has been set as a room on the second story, or roof, of Mark's mother's home.  It reads as if Mark is giving you his first-hand account of what took place.  It gives us a view of his listening to the beloved Teacher as He brought the Word to the Apostles and his wonder and sometimes confusion at the deep spiritual truths that are laid out in those gatherings. The book ends with Peter's death in which he was hung upside down on a cross-not feeling himself worthy to be hung in the same manner as Christ.   The Epilogue tells of Mark's death in Alexandria.  It describes his being drug through the streets of that city with a rope around his neck, choking to death.  This is a book that a friend loaned me.  It was written in 2007 as Book Two in the Jesus Chronicles.  The first in this series is John's Story: The Last Eyewitness.  I like that the book includes the Book of Mark in the back, NKJV version.  It makes it nice to turn to the Scripture and find some of the incidents and story that are in the novel.
I would recommend this as a good read of the book of Mark explained as it happened for those present.  It was published in 2007 so you may find it in your local library.  It was a best seller when it came out.  Or, you can probably purchase it at the Christian bookstore or online.

Beyond All Dreams

Simply put, Ms. Camden has done it again!  I know it is cliche' for me to say that, but if the shoe fits...  

Elizabeth Camden has written another story that grabs the reader's attention and also her heart!  Not a bad thing when you add in an expert effort at plot twists and depth of personality in the characters she writes to populate her novel.  Anna O'Brien is shy, quiet, intelligent and passionate for her beliefs. She works for the Library of  Congress as a map librarian.  When she finds an error that is too "off the map" to be innocent, she begins to investigate. The error is personal to her, involving her dead father and a mapping mission he was on to map the bottom of the ocean.   Senator Luke Callahan is stricken with love for her at first site.  He has his own demons to slay that go all the way back to his birth.  With no complications, their liaison would be tempestuous; but with each having their own history to battle, it may be impossible.  The author takes us on a journey that is at once intriguing and exhausting.
I appreciate Ms. Camden's grasp of history. Being a research librarian, she is a stickler for detail and she gets that right, which adds to the depth and meat of this book.  Indeed-all of her books!  This novel is well written in that hard-to-define manner that keeps me turning pages to see what will happen next.  She has a firm grasp on grammar and sentence structure which adds ease to the reading.  This is my second Elizabeth Camden novel and I am becoming a fan.  It's just good and you need to read it.  Period.  It also includes a discussion section that works well for a book club.  This would be an excellent choice for that.

 I give Beyond All Dreams five stars.  Read more about Elizabeth Camden at Elizabeth Camden
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Bethany House, in exchange for my honest review.  These words are my opinion.

The Patmos Deception

The title of this book got my attention because Patmos is where the Apostle John received his revelation from God.  Thinking that a story could be written involving a deception surrounding Patmos is intriguing.  The book does not disappoint.  While no blockbuster, it is well written and the characters have plenty of depth to hold you to the story.  Without giving away the plot (I hope!) I will say the aspect of stolen Greek art and treasures is an alluring subject which makes for a meaty narrative. The descriptions of the scenery on the Greek Isles is well done and pleasant reading.
 Carey Mathers is led to Athens with the offer of a job at the prestigious Athens Institute for Antiquities. A lifelong desire to visit Greece, especially Patmos, fuels her acceptance of the offer.  Nick Hennessy is a journalist longing for a big story to propel him to the journalistic forefront.  Dimitri Rubinos is a Greek whose life and living are on the Greek Isles.  The economic crisis in Greece threatens his livelihood and the intersection of these three people is well blended.
The author makes use of the recent crash of the Greek economic system weaving it into the personal story of the characters and the plot, making the story timely.  I was a little disappointed with the ending;  it felt a little drab compared to the wild ride the characters take up to that point.  It is almost solved too easily.  This novel has everything needed for a "good read" and is well written but not completely absorbing.  But then, it doesn't have to be.  A good book can be just that and be worthy of the reader's interest.  I recommend The Patmos Deception for that reason.  It's a good book.  Davis Bunn is an award winning novelist because he writes good books well and we want to read them.  You can add this to your list.  I give The Patmos Deception four stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Bethany House, in exchange for my honest review.  These words are my opinion.

the christmas train

David Baldacci writes a mildly humorous (makes you smile or slightly chuckle, which is a good thing) story of a journalist, Tom Langdon,  riding the train from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles during the Christmas season.  The reason he is on the train, as opposed to taking a flight on an airplane, is a hilariously familiar scenario that many, if not most of us can easily relate to.  I'll say, if you have flown in the past ten years then you will get it!
The reason he is traveling during Christmas is to spend the holidays with his girlfriend (part-time) in L.A.  The trip is mostly taken on the Southwest Chief; just the name makes me want to hop a train and have an adventure out west!  During this journey he meets a cast of odd and funny people also riding the Chief.  They bring their own set of quirks and eccentricities that only add to the fun and misadventure-or maybe I should say they add fun to the mis-adventure!
Tom is a burned out journalist who has spent some years traveling the world to cover war, famine, political unrest, natural disaster and the like.  He laid that down to write what the author calls "drearily light" articles on gardening, home decorating, etc.  This did give him some peace and quiet but no challenge there.  He is challenged however by his dying father, to write the story he is living on the train, so to speak. It has some history I will leave for you to discover, which adds to the charm of this novel.   He is taking the trip and writing about his journey cross-country on a train at Christmas time.  This is just the book you need to read if you want some relaxing calm and quietude with an upbeat feeling.  It will put you in the Christmas mood.
The Christmas Train was published in 2002 and I pulled it off the shelf of my personal collection to read again.  Glad I did!  I give the christmas train five stars!
I hope you and yours have the merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years!  See you soon.

Jeri~

David and Bathsheba

Roberta Kells Dorr wrote this timeless story of two of God's people, one a king and one a commoner, as the passionate emotional ride that it surely was.  She takes us on the intense life voyage of King David and Bathsheba, who shared a love born out of mutual attraction but fulfilled in sin.  I love to read fiction taken from the Bible and fleshed out with what may have been the circumstances surrounding a story.  I like to read about the culture of the time when the story was taking place.  What I love most is that these stories are history, written down in God's word.  I appreciate that she wrote this book in several distinct parts, detailing the events from each of the main characters perspective.  She begins the book with Bathsheba's grandfather Ahithophel, who raised her.  Knowing the history of the characters coming together and how they arrived at the same place at the same time is engaging.  Add to that the knowledge that this is God's story and His will is always accomplished makes the book come alive as you see Him work in both their lives. Most moving for me was the point when David realized his wrongdoing to others were sins were against God and he needed His forgiveness.  In joy with the realization that God did not intend for him to carry his guilt forever and had made a way for David to be forgiven and his sins atoned, he prayed what we know as Psalm 51,

Purge me with hyssop, Lord, that I may be clean;

Wash me that I may be whiter than snow.

Rescue me from blood-guiltiness, O God.

Create in me a clean heart

And renew a right spirit within me.

This book is a well written retelling of a powerful time in our history as Christians.  It is engaging and easy to read, yet has the depth that holds the readers attention.  I give David and Bathsheba five stars!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, River North, a division of Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review.  These words are my opinion.

Read more about the author at Roberta Kells Dorr or Moody Publishers.

21 Things the Devil Cannot Do

No, I will not list the 21 things!  Ha!  Duane Vander Klok has written a demonic expose' on Satan that arms us, as Christians, to banish his strongholds on us forever.  He points out that we frequently react "in fear and panic" when we should be using the authority of Jesus Christ to make him flee. 
The author enumerates the long list of tools we already have in our box and gives us the biblical insight to put those to use.  Written in an easy to read, almost conversational manner, Duane takes us through such topics as Sizing Up the Enemy, where he presents the basics of the Devil's limitations.  He reminds us (or informs us) that Satan cannot read our mind, cannot predict the future and is not "omni-anything!"  The victory is already ours through the blood of Christ and we need to live like it is.  He discusses spiritual laws the Devil cannot break, things the Devil cannot do to believers, and signs of "Demon Trouble."  He further discusses how to expose the enemy's weaknesses.  He includes a chapter on uncovering the enemy's tactics. 
This is a thorough and concise discussion of defeating Satan's hold on our life.  The examples and illustrations are well written and recognizable.  Yes, there most definitely is a list of 21 things and it is worth reading and considering.   This book is a useful resource with enough scripture to illustrate each point.  I would have liked even more scripture reference which I feel would have aided me in my own study and reading.  As in many books of this nature, the author is drawing us a picture of "things" we may already know from the Bible but do not always take to heart for use in our Christian walk.  I appreciated the reminder of the power I already have to defeat the Devil's influence in my life and any stronghold he may have over me.  This is recommended reading in my opinion.  I give 21 Things the Devil Cannot Do four stars.
I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher, Chosen, in exchange for my honest review.  These words are my opinion.
Learn more about this author at his site Duane Vander Klok

Every Valley

Advent with the Scriptures of Handel's Messiah is the subtitle of this book.  It is a compilation of the scriptures that Handel's Messiah are taken from.  This devotional was written to be used during the advent season with each of forty writings taking us through the thirty or so days prior to Christmas.  If you have ever heard the Hallelujah Chorus then you have heard the most listened to part of the Messiah.  There is much more to the composition than the chorus, including the story of Christ through His birth, life, death and resurrection.  The devotionals are made up of a section of scripture with a brief reflection on that portion and the hope it holds for us as Christians.  Much of the Messiah was taken from Isaiah, but also scriptures from Zechariah, Psalms, Corinthians, Luke, Hebrews and Revelation.  Each section also lists the movement at which each scripture reference can be heard in the music.  It is recommended that you may enjoy listening to each movement before reading that corresponding scripture and devotional. Every Valley really is a study in what Handel was trying to accomplish when he wrote the Messiah.   The separation into parts makes it easy to pick up each day where you left off the day before.  Part 1 is Christ's Birth and It's Foretelling; Part 2 is Christ's Passion and Resurrection; Part 3 is Christ's Eternal Reign.  I have never heard the entire Messiah performed and this book makes me think I would like to hear it all.  I appreciated the quote given by Albert Blackwell in the forward of the book, in which Handel, after being congratulated on Messiah as "noble entertainment" for his listeners, replied  "I should be sorry if I only entertained them, I wish to make them better."  The Messiah is God's word for us, given in love, set to music.  This is a book that will encourage you to reflect on God's gift to us at this Christmas season.  This devotional was compiled by Jessica Miller Kelly with multiple contributors.
I was given a complimentary e-book review copy by the publisher, Westminster John Knox Press, in exchange for my honest review.  These words are my opinion.