Tag Archives: book review

Ahoti – Book Review

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I have been given the honor and privilege of reviewing another really good, historically accurate book. You will find two completely different reviews on this page because Paraclete Publishing sent two books and I asked a friend to read and review with me.

Ahoti is a Hebrew word that means “my sister” and is a retelling of the well-known Bible Story about Tamar, King David’s daughter. However, the authors go much deeper into the story using information from the Book of Gad, the Bible, historical resources, and literary license to enhance and expand our understanding of what happened after she was raped by her brother.

As in real life, healing from a traumatic incident takes time, silence evidenced by the friends who will sit with you in the stillness, productive physical activity – music that helps express grief and a way to move on. In Tamar’s case, this came in the form of a garden.

Tamar disappeared into history after her brother Absalom was killed but, there is so much more to her story. King David’s Court was typical of political communities throughout history. There was the expected intrigue, murder, rumor mill, court affiliations and collaborations, alienations and separations that determined the fate of this woman.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the vocabulary. The authors are very skilled at using words that are rarely used in fiction books. Words that are not so old or uncommon, giving the reader a better understanding of what was really happening in the time and place, were placed in just the right places.

I highly recommend this book. This story is the timeless history of good and bad. It is intense in spots, contemplative, and represents what life 3,000 years ago could have been like in king’s court.

The next review is by Tonya Heston. She is an avid reader of many genres and I’m proud to call her my God-daughter. Thanks, Tonya!

Ahoti is the beautiful story of a young girl whose innocence is stolen and what happens after her family sweeps it under the rug for the sake of family pride. As a 21st-century woman, this book saddened me, and then healed me in a way that only a book can.

Our God is a mending and healing God, and that is true no matter the harshness of what we have to go through to finally see it. I admire Tamar for her resiliency and her absolute faith that God still loved her, even if it felt like everyone had let her down. Everyone except for Mara, of course. Everyone needs a friend like Mara in their lives. I believe that Mara and Tamar were placed together for this divine purpose. 

While this book isn’t my normal type of book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It did get a bit wordy at times, but I don’t think it took anything away from the story. I did have to go back and refresh myself on what was said if Tamar had a lot of thoughts before responding to someone. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in Biblical fiction and would like to imagine what happens after the writers of the Bible stopped recording.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free directly from Paraclete Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR requirements, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Path To Wholeness – Book Review

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The opportunity to read and review this book came at just the right moment. I had just had a total knee replacement and the physical pain was nearly indescribable. The long period of healing was wearing me down physically and emotionally. The pain medicine was causing an inability to focus. I was experiencing dark depression and anxiety and no Christian counselors were available anywhere in my area. The support system I had thought was very strong was inadequate.

A massive change of thought and attitude was necessary. Let me say here that my faith was stronger than ever and God and I were close companions through all of this but I was having great difficulty expressing what I really needed. The Path To Wholeness by Dr. Mark Mayfield arrived in the mail and reminded me of something I hadn’t done in a long time – writing in a journal all that I was thinking, imagining, and questioning. Throughout this engaging and easily understandable book, I was led through insightful and relatable discussions and writing prompts that started the mental healing process. I was able to define what was really happening and what I really needed.

Here is just one of the many ways this book guided me. I was, and still am, an expert at avoiding pain. I had developed, from childhood, the ability to close doors on any kind of pain, physical, emotional, contrived in my mind, and the real thing. I had thought I would be able to use that means in this situation. It didn’t work! I was becoming increasingly angry and knew something had to change. Working through the questions in this book helped me realize I was trying to control the pain by hiding from it. Now, I could move on and begin the healing process.

If you or someone you know is experiencing anything like this, read this book. It will change you. It will strengthen you. It will help you grow into the person God determined from the beginning. You will be blessed!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free directly from the author, Dr. Mark Mayfield. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR requirements, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Wisdom for Life – Book Review

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Are you like me? We buy a book of devotionals that looks like it is exactly what we need and four or five days in we give up and find something new to read because it wasn’t what we thought it was. I found Wisdom for Life by Gail Purath to be exactly what I needed and wanted.

If you want to gain a deeper understanding of the Psalms and Proverbs this collection of 100, 1-Minute readings, gives direction on how to use Biblical principles to direct daily life.

If you’re dealing with discouragement, depression, or discontent you will find how the psalmist dealt with these tough issues. Are you wanting a more joy-filled, positive outlook? You’ll find some answers here. Have you wondered how to praise our God more effectively? She gives some excellent suggestions on how to give thanks in the mundane activities of daily life.

I love her style! When an issue is important to understand how the Holy Words apply to our life she wastes no time in explaining the errors in our thinking. Many of these very short, daily writings spoke to me about the people and this crazy world around me. Each devotion ends with a short section that helps us dig into the subject more deeply and use it more effectively in our own life situations.

This book will be available for you to read on February 21, 2023. You can pre-purchase it here (Wisdom for Life). It is definitely worth your time!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from B&H Publishing Group/Net Galley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR requirements, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Prince and the Prodigal – Book Review

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In this fictional retelling of the story of the sons of Jacob, Jill Eileen Smith gives a unique perspective of what life might have been like in approximately 1500 BCE. Using the well-known story and historical research she presents a fictional account that gives one new insight into the hearts and minds of Jacob and his children.

This delightful rendering of a part of Hebrew history gives some additional insight into how the coat of many colors came to be and what it might have been meant in the family… What life was like in the nomadic wanderings of the descendants of Abraham… How to become a slave and advance to a position second only to Pharoah… What Jacob, Judah, and Joseph might have really been thinking and feeling…

I highly recommend The Prince and the Prodigal. The age-old story of guilt, shame, and forgiveness comes alive in Jill Eileen Smith’s expert storytelling style.

Blessings to you and yours,

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell/Baker Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR requirements, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Gospelbound – Book Review

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I had just spoken to one of my ESL students who said she has little or no hope for the world in which we live. Her vocal tone was almost a monotone and she rarely smiles. I am not sure how I can help this beautiful young woman. I want to help. I want everyone to understand that they were put on earth, at just this time and place, because God has a plan and purpose for their lives. Then I came across this book – Gospel Bound by Collin Hansen and Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra.

The authors of this book suggest that the key to living a hopeful and rewarding life is ‘to think big and small at the same time.’  What does that mean? Thinking big for me means trusting God for everything. Thinking small means helping others. Buy a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk and take it to the young mother who commented she didn’t have any. Call the friend who is making some tough decisions and simply listen to her talk. Giving what I can when I can is often just a little thing but it makes a God-sized difference in someone else’s life.

One of the problems in the US right now is that we do not understand or perhaps even recognize the amount of suffering that is going on around us. We have isolated our thoughts and actions to our own small group of people and rarely reach out to others. That’s not the way it’s supposed to be. The question becomes – is what I’m doing making any difference at all?  Gospel Bound suggests that it’s rare to be able to change someone else’s habits. But we must keep on helping others. Some will eventually see the Light. Others will go on as they always have. The Bible doesn’t say each endeavor will be successful, it just says do it! (Be obedient!) We are not asked to do miracles, that’s God’s job anyway, we’re asked to use what we have been given and get on with it.

How do we show God’s love in this topsy-turvy world? Here are a few examples from the book:

God’s Word is and must be our guide.

Live and work with integrity.

Give the best we have in all circumstances.

Show hospitality by sitting with newcomers in worship.

Volunteer in ways we never thought we could.

GET INVOLVED. Don’t just sit back when you see a need.

Be holy, godly, diligent, at peace (2 Peter 3:11,14).

Work while we wait because our minds are set on heaven.

Invest your love (of Jesus) in all your relationships. Take the focus off yourself.

Visit the lonely, feed the hungry, care for the sick.

Do what’s right even when you don’t want to. Even if no one notices. In other words, live with honor. Romans 12:17

Plant a church.

Pray through all your decisions and then stick with them.

Favorite Quote: “When billionaires like Bill Gates give away their fortunes to fight diseases and help the world’s poorest people, we recognize God’s provision, even if Gates does not recognize God.”

Although I recognized the value of this book I was a bit disturbed by some vulgar language and way too much explicit description of sexual activity. I simply want to warn you with this statement. I hope it doesn’t keep you from reading it.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

This book will be published on April 6, 2021

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Net Galley/Walter Brook & Multnomah Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”