Follow the John 3:16 Network Author Page on Pinterest

Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts

Monday, July 19, 2021

A Biblical Perspective on How to Avoid Being Scammed; Book Review by Lorilyn Roberts of Steve Cioccolanti's New Book, "Scam Proof Your Life in the End: Justice & Restoration for Christian Times"

 


Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021
Almost all of us have been the victim of a scam. I can think of several right off the top of my head that I've experienced. The Bible says in Mathew 10:16: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."

Jesus was upfront about the state of this world. He was sending His disciples (and His followers like you and me) out among wolves, and that we needed to be prepared, and expect to be scammed, attacked, mocked, and ridiculed. Make no mistake; people's hearts are getting more and more hardened, and scammers are getting more and more brazen.

Pastor Steve Cioccolanti's book "Scam Proof Your Life in the End Times" will give you practical advice as well as Biblical teaching on how to carry out Jesus' directive in Matt 10:16. The last thing any Christiaan wants to do is line the pockets of those who are doing the devil's bidding. Read this book and let God open your eyes to Truth.

I never knew there was a Biblical blueprint that could be followed to avoid being a victim. Or at the very least, to minimize the opportunity. 
The last thing any Christian wants to do is line the pockets of those who are doing the devil's bidding. Read this book and let God open your eyes to Truth.








Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Book Review by Award-Winning Author Lorilyn Roberts of Lisa J. Lickel's New Medical/Romance Thriller "UnderCut"

 



UnderCut by Lisa J. Lickel may be her best novel yet. The story begins with a couple who are engaged amid a backdrop of family dysfunction, emotional entanglements, medical intrigue, and dark forces out for revenge. The narrative builds into an engrossing plotline that is driven forward with authentic, engaging characters caught in the crossfire of evil. 

The medical thriller never lags, and many themes dealing with complex and relevant issues concerning racial relations, adoption, and family dynamics take center stage.

More subtle topics like the intersection of faith in the midst of suffering add depth and authenticity to the characters.




I also learned more than I knew before about the world of kidney transplants and the need for more volunteers to sign up on the national register.

While the story has a good solid ending, the author left an opening for a sequel, so I look forward to reading the next book in the series if one should follow.

To order from Amazon, click here.


About Lisa J. Lickel

Lisa Lickel is an author, editor, and mentor who lives with her husband in the rolling hills of western Wisconsin. Surrounded by books and dragons, she writes inspiring fiction both short and full-length, including mysteries, romance and family drama, feature articles, and radio theater. She belongs to the Wisconsin Writers Association, the Chicago Writers Association and is a writing coach at Novel-in-Progress Bookcamp & Retreat. Lisa loves to encourage new authors through mentoring, speaking, and leading workshops. Lisa also is an avid book reviewer and blogger, and a freelance editor. Find more at www.LisaLickel.com.



Saturday, December 8, 2018

Book Review by Lorilyn Roberts - Meow Mistletoe by Lisa Liskel




🐈
Meow Mistletoe by Lisa Lickel is a delightful, light-hearted yarn that entertains to the very last page. Filled with Christmas mirth and stoked with charming wit, the reader with be swooped off into the eccentric world of cat lovers, romantic comedy, and small-town sleuths hunting down small-town crooks. Being a cat lady myself, I found myself wanting to attend that Christmas party with all my cats in tow—I’d fit right in and so would my four-legged friends!

🐈🐈

If you enjoy wholesome, good-old fashion entertainment with a few laughs, a few surprises, and a few twists and turns, stoked by cats that are just being cats, read this creative charm. I have to admit, I’d never read a cat book before, but with Meow Mistletoe, I’ve discovered a new genre. Whoever knew that romantic cat sleuth stories could be so entertaining?

🐈🐈🐈 


I highly recommend getting away from stress and enjoying a little light-hearted humor and mystery. Allow yourself to unwind. Grab a cup of coffee, sit by a warm fire, and read Meow Mistletoe. If you’re like me, you may even want to read it more than once. I loved it that much!

Only 99c for a limited time.



To learn more about Lisa Lickel visit her website at https://www.lisalickel.com/

Friday, August 3, 2018

Book review and interview for A Crash Course in the Bible


Nonfiction Bible study
Released May, 2018 from Bible Believer's Publishing
See this post
US $2.99 eBook
US $6.99 Print
A Crash Course in the BibleBuy on Amazon US

About the Book: 
God is the author of the Bible as well as the author of life. He reveals his heart and his mind through his words. And when you read his words, you get to know him. A Crash Course in the Bible contains approximately two hundred Bible verses. And these Scriptures will teach you what God wants you to know.

Lisa Lickel’s review:
Larry Vaughn, author the The Bible Believer’s Handbook, has released another little gem in A Crash Course in the Bible. In this tidy little book, Vaughn plucks lessons from everyday life, from children to faith to recompense to salvation and wisdom, and shows how the Word of God teaches God’s ways to humankind.

Opening with an introduction on how times have changed since the Pilgrims first sought America, Vaughn urges us to return to those spiritual roots, and ends with “Twelve things” every believer should know; again, the basics from what faith and redemption are to how to achieve that state of grace and what we should do about it through our newly opened conscience and confidence.

Readers of nonfiction Biblical works will find peace and comfort in these verses, as well as a good way to quantify your faith to share it in a meaningful and understandable way with others.


Briefly:
Larry, What do you want readers to know about your latest book, Larry?
I wanted to make the Bible easy to access and easy to understand. And to show how great God is and how generous he is to us.

What do you hope readers will take from this book?
The readers of my book will know what the Bible says. And they will understand what that means to them.

About the author:
Larry Vaughn has been married to his best friend Marie for fifty-one years. They have three daughters, eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. And they live just outside of Memphis, Tennessee. Web: http://larryvaughnauthor.blogspot.com and http://Biblebelieverspublishing.com











Friday, March 30, 2018

new inspirational romance from Robin Fuson

A sparkle of Silver by [Fuson, Robin Densmore]


A Sparkle of Silver
Robin Fuson
Inspirational Contemporary Romance Novella
155 pp
Winged Publications
March 2018

$2.99 eBook
$6.74 Print
Buy on Amazon


About the Book:
Beautiful, creative Amber Warren and handsome, dependable Jesse Nelson have been best friends since grade school. Jesse’s strength and reliable spirit draws Amber, but can she trust a man with her heart after being jilted by her fiancé? A strong and self-reliant woman, Amber discovers she will need someone to help her after unexpected news from her parents upends her world. Will Jesse meet the demands of his work and still step up to be the rock she can lean on? An unlikely source will help Amber conquer the menacing and paralyzing fear gripping her heart. In the midst of a devastating disaster she pulls from deep within her being the courage to look fear in the eye to save the one she loves.

Lisa Lickel's Review:
This charming, sweet novella is a perfect addition to Fuson’s growing repertoire of both contemporary and historical tales set generally in her stomping grounds of the western US and Colorado. Amber’s fiancé wanted more of the world than he was willing to share and ditched her for the opportunity to work in Paris. I might have wondered why Amber wouldn’t jump at Paris until I realized Mr. Wrong didn’t bother to spend much time discussing it, and neither was Amber’s heartstrings too firmly attached to the cad. Better opportunities were right under her nose, and it took only a little persuading to open her eyes to the good thing waiting just for her. I loved it when she realized just how interwoven Jesse’s life was with hers when he knew his way around the family kitchen.

Conquering challenges and rising above the hurt others put on them show Amber and Jesse how strong they are together. Add in Miss Purrfect, the darling antique store cat, and we’ve got a very fun read. Highly recommended for those who like their clean romance in bite-size chunks.

A brief Interview with the Author:
In A Sparkle of Silver, Purrfect is the sweet store cat. The antique store where she reigns supreme is named Preowned Perfection. So, Purrfect got her name. She is a pure white cat with green eyes. For the most part she doesn’t interact with patrons but occasionally she can’t help herself. She might follow a customer through the store but not in a typical fashion. She loves to roam the mock or staged rooms along the top of the partial walls that are a whopping ten feet tall with a span of another six feet above that. The cat is a great mouser and yet doesn’t displace breakables off the shelves. Purrfect is a good judge of character which we find out in the pages of the story.

Tell us about your motivation to write the story, Robin. What do you love about it?
This book was fun to write for a variety of reasons. I love antique stores. Finding the right wedding ring set was tons of fun. Writing a story where Colorado is the backdrop is a delight because It’s my home. I identify with the character, Amber. She dresses nicely even to go to the grocery store which is what I typically do. She loves antiques and working with her hands. She is strong but doesn’t always give herself credit for being so. Amber has a deep fear that she has to work through. Don’t we all struggle at some point in our lives with fear? Her handsome sweetheart, Jesse, is a good fit for her. Attentive to her needs and strong both emotionally and physically he helps her through encouragement and lending a hand when she asks. He is purposeful and yet can be spontaneous.

Nice! I agree! Can you share a couple of things you learned while working on this book?
I spent hours delving into research on antiques that still pop up on the ads on my computer. For instance, Amber bids on and purchases an antique cuckoo clock. I pulled up a picture of the clock to make the description in the book. I’ve been to auctions in the area, so I could write that into my story through my experience. The store where she works is similar to ones I walked through on Broadway in Denver. I added a warehouse and attached a house for her to live. Something that I had not known before was, for a price, you can have a new piece of furniture or knickknack made that appears like the original antique.

I also learned that help to overcome fear can come from an unsuspecting place and love will be the necessary strength it will take to conquer that fear.

What’s next for you, Robin?
Right now, I’m writing a historical mystery novella, Gamble on Fate, set in Colorado Territory of 1886 in Colorado City near present day Colorado Springs with a Pinkerton investigator. Also, for a few years, I’ve been working on a contemporary cozy mystery novel, The Race of Her Heart, that is set in Durango, Colorado. In this story, a ski Olympian has an accident, dashing her hopes and dreams. The tumble down the mountain was caused by someone tampering with the bindings of her skis. The saboteur is not satisfied with only the limp caused from the fall and the threats keep coming.

Robin Densmore FusonOh my goodness! I can’t wait to read them. Thank you, Robin

About Robin:
Robin lives in Rifle, Colorado with her husband Jimmy. Together, they celebrate with seventeen grandchildren. An award winner for romance and flash fiction, Robin is multi-published and writes stories on her blog for children. Robin is a member of ACFW, Vice President of ACFW Colorado Western Slope, and member of John316 Marketing Network. She enjoys leading a Bible study group and singing in two community choirs. Robin loves company and challenging her young guests to discover the many giraffes in the obvious and hidden nooks and crannies of their home.


Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Book Review by Carol A. Brown of Seventh Dimension - The Prescience, Hang on for the Read





I have read and enjoyed each book in this series as they have been released and I have to say that this one is the best of the series! Roberts has hit her stride as an author. Each story builds on the one before. Although each can be read as a stand-alone, the reader could experience some confusion due to not having details from preceding stories. In this story, we get to know Daniel, who has played more of a supporting role in other books. It takes us ever closer to the end of time. It is clearly a Christian take on how history will end.


Daniel and Shale are in Jerusalem in their quest to find Daniel’s father who is somehow connected with the "portals" that make time travel possible. Bombs falling everywhere. They become guardians of an orphan girl. Daniel’s mother dies. While betrothed, Shale longs to be married but events keep happening that prevent even the planning of a wedding. Daniel comes to understand his calling—one of 144,000 witnesses who will die by martyrdom! Perhaps we will find in the next in the series how that works out for Shale? Fast-paced action—a 21st-century man chariot racing?—keeps the reader engaged from the first page.

Writing craft—Author, Roberts, has done her homework.

• The information of the culture (social and religious) at the time of Christ is very well researched, very thorough.
• Well edited. The reader is not distracted by technical errors.
• Excellent and intricate plotting. I can only imagine what the author’s office looked like during this process! No “slow” places in the story.
• Excellent weaving of multiple genres.
• Characters have grown and matured as individuals. Excellent development of the series.

I appreciated how Roberts has been able to extract a storyline from the plethora of details in the body of work on eschatology. The sheer volume overwhelms me.

Highly recommend this book. Although written for the YA audience, anyone who enjoys a fast-paced story with a bent for the supernatural, and just the right amount of romance, would enjoy this story regardless of age.

To purchase or learn more, visit bitly.com/LP_Pres

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

New Book Release and Review of Healer by Susan Miura


Healer by Susan Miura
Young Adult Christian paranormal
Releasing January 31, 2018
330 pp
Print $16.99
Ebook $2.99

Buy on Amazon US

Read Lisa's review after this interview with our new John 316 Marketing Network friend.

Welcome to John 316 marketing network. Tell us about yourself Susan.
I’m cursed or blessed with wanderlust – not sure which, but I always long to be anywhere but here. Beaches, mountains, deserts, caves, and canyons…I love them all! When wandering isn’t an option, I work at the Schaumburg Library (public relations) and have a side business giving presentations on travel, writing, and human trafficking. Born in Chicago, I grew up in Berwyn, Illinois and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in journalism and a determination to become a reporter. From a newsroom in Berwyn to a television station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, my dream became a reality. Eventually, I found my way back home and ended up in Schaumburg, IL. I’m a member of Willow Creek Community Church, vice president of the ACFW’s Chicago Chapter, and a new member of SCBWI. On the homefront, I’m happily married to a police sergeant and the proud mom of a daughter, son, stepdaughter, and one incredibly adorable Cleo cat.

How long have you been writing and what’s your biggest reward?
I won the Arbor Day poetry contest at school in fourth grade, so I guess I’ve been writing awhile. I loved being a reporter for my high school and college newspapers, and was so excited to see my first byline after getting hired by my hometown newspaper. From there I went into television, then public relations, but always had a longing to write fiction. Healer was my first attempt. It began as an opening scene, which was based on a childhood memory of seeing a dog get hit by a car. I couldn’t help that dog, but the dog in my book has a much better ending to his story. Biggest reward? Getting my first book published (Show Me a Sign) and having a high school teacher tell me she had some reluctant readers who loved it and hoped I’d write more books.

What kind of material do you write?
My published works include two young adult novels, Healer and Show Me a Sign, and three short stories in anthologies (two nonfiction, one fiction). Last spring, I indie-published a children’s animal poetry book which I co-wrote with my sister, Patt Nicholls. It includes full page wildlife photos that were taken by me and nature photographer Robert Kramer.

I see that you work in a library. How does that come alongside your journey as an author?
It’s been a great asset. I’ve had the opportunity to meet many authors who visited the library, which has facilitated some good connections. Two of the guys I work with are great with technology, so one helps with my website, and the other with book trailers. My office-mate is the library’s graphic designer and has provided great assistance with posters, flyers, bookmarks, etc. My librarian co-workers have helped with all kinds of things, from research to social media to helping me understand what teens want in a book. And they’ve been wonderfully supportive. Additionally, I work in public relations, which means I have many local media contacts. That comes in handy when it’s time to market a book. The library job has been a blessing, no doubt about it.

Tell us about Healer.
   Hovering just below the surface of Shilo Giannelli’s average existence lays an amazing spiritual power. Late one night, her world erupts with the revelation that, like her great-grandmother, she has The Gift. But the power to heal isn’t something she can share with the soccer team, her genius little sister, or her boyfriend, Kenji. Definitely not Kenji.
   Deep beneath Misty Morning’s tough façade is a lifetime of abandonment, foster homes and broken dreams. When her two-year-old son is abused by her boyfriend, her fragile world shatters…until Shilo prays for Tyler, and he is healed, leaving Misty grateful but incredibly curious.
Shilo can’t give Misty the answers she needs; she only knows she has a God-given destiny, and despite facing strained relationships, impossible decisions, and the threat of being hounded day and night for her abilities, she will fulfill it.
   The journey Misty and Shilo take together unites them as friends but invites danger into their lives. And it will take a miracle for these unlikely friends to elude a gang bent on revenge, keep The Gift a secret, trust God in extraordinary circumstances, and hold on to the people they love.

What would you like readers to tell others when they’ve finished reading?
Well I’d love for them to say “Read this amazing book and write a review,” but I’m pretty sure every author wants that. In truth, I hope readers will say they were drawn to the characters, gripped by the plot, and touched by the messages of faith, forgiveness, and using whatever God gives you to make a difference in this world.

Who’s been your biggest influence on your writing?
Some awesome dead people: John Steinbeck, Michael Crichton and Marguerite Henry (my favorite childhood author), to name a few. And some who are still alive and well: Lisa Samson and Patti Lacy, both of whom helped enormously when Healer was in its infancy – not only with excellent critiques, but also by example. You learn a lot by reading great writing. Since I’m a fan of The Hunger Games and Harry Potter, I have to include Suzanne Collins and J.K. Rowling, who provided good examples of how to keep teens captivated and wanting more.

What are you reading now?
This Invitational Life, by Steve Carter, and whatever The Book Report sends me to review. (I’ve been a reviewer for them for about eight years or so.) The last one was Debbie Macomber’s Merry and Bright.

What’s coming up for you?
Healer, Book 2…I hope! But I’m also writing my first young adult sci/fi and I have a women’s fiction manuscript that is near and dear to my heart. It’s about a woman who accidentally kills her best friend’s five-year-old daughter, so it starts out with a pretty hard tug on the reader’s heart.

Can you share your favorite marketing tool?
Twitter. A few years ago, I would never have believed I’d say that, but I’ve really gotten into it for marketing and sharing nature and wildlife photos. 

Thanks for sharing, Susan. 

****************************

Lisa's Review of Healer, by Susan Miura
A young lady on the verge of adulthood is thrust into a lifestyle of secrets at a vulnerable time. Just when she can see an inviting future filled with college, music, faith, and especially a wonderful, almost too-good-to-be-true boyfriend, Kenji, Shilo learns of a fearsome and awe-inspiring family secret that’s been passed down through the generations. Under dire warning from her mother, Shilo must never, ever tell anyone. But it’s a secret Shilo can’t hide.

Sixteen, ready for the best summer of her life, Shilo experiences her second use of a God-given Gift when she accidentally heals a child. She learns early on, though, that the Gift cannot be taken lightly or for granted. Despite her mother’s warnings of becoming a media frenzy or even delusional with power, Shilo is put in an uncompromising position when her boyfriend’s life is at stake. Under the influence of enormous family stress, Shilo has pushed Kenji away, something that’s tearing her apart. Their reunion and subsequent revelations may not result in all that she or her family wish, but the words and actions cannot be undone.

Miura’s story is a nicely shaped and paced young adult story that’s well defined. The real angst of teenagers and tweens is lovingly created with a cast of characters that will leave a mark on the reader. Told through multiple first-person viewpoints, Shilo’s appeal as a young lady in love, mature, yet vulnerable, is a great story to share with young people. This is a lengthy book for young adult, so although I recommend for seventh grade and up, younger readers should be good readers. Younger readers should have parental supervision regarding some mature situations (teenage pregnancy, abuse, drug running, some violence, and serious injury).


The theme of obedience running through the story, speaking to trust, conscience, responsibility, obedience to authority figures such as teachers and pastor, parents, and especially to faith in God and acting on that faith, is wonderfully illustrated.

Friday, December 8, 2017

Book Review for Carol Round Grow Confidently in Your Faith devotional


Growing Confidently in Your Faith
A lifelong journey to becoming more like Jesus
Carol Round

c. 2017
ISBN-13: 9781975751487
$12.95 Print

52-week Devotional Workbook


Buy on Amazon US 

About the Book
This 52-week devotional, organized by month and theme, is designed to be used with a journal. Each Monday, you will find a devotional followed by questions for reflection. I suggest you read the devotional on Monday and scan the questions at the end. On the following days, work at your own pace, continuing to reflect on the questions and journaling your answers. You may need to reread that week’s devotional before answering the questions. You can complete the questions in one sitting or spread them out over the week. The choice is yours.

Lisa Lickel’s review
This interactive devotional works more like a study guide. The author takes you through a year-long commitment designed to show the reader that be a Christian is more than a name, more than church going, even more than a lifestyle. Growing in Christian faith is never finished. It is an ongoing process filled with reflection and wonder and joy and grief with every breath.

The book is divided by month with catchy titles such as Renew, Recommit, Rejoice in January; Feed, Focus, Flourish in July, or Eliminate, Enlist, Enrich in August. For each week in the month, Round focuses on a passage of Scripture and offers a reflection. She challenges the reader to seek out a unique way to stretch and grow our faith, with Follow Through statements and questions according to the monthly theme. Round offers personal reflection, examples, and demonstrations to encourage readers to continue to live more Christ-like.

Keep a notebook handy and commit to spending a few moments every day with this book. After a year, growing in faith will surely become a habit. Good gift!

About the Author
CAROL ROUND, self-syndicated columnist, Christian author and inspirational speaker, began her journey with the Lord in October 2001 when she admitted her need for His guidance. Since that time, she has sought a deeper relationship with Him through reading scripture, Bible study and the personal discipline of keeping a daily prayer journal.

Friday, January 20, 2017

Jim Baton and A Violent Light

A Violent Light (Peace Trilogy #3)

A Violent Light, Peace Trilogy, Book #3
Jim Baton

US$5.99
US$15.99

Buy on Amazon US CA AU
Buy on Barnes and Noble US

About the Book
The Youth For Peace Fresh Start Initiative gathers ten Muslim and ten Christian youth from ten nations around the world to learn new paths to peace. But the camp staff have some highly unorthodox teaching techniques. And when one by one the youth start disappearing, some of them wonder if the staff might not have an entirely different agenda. Those left behind must work together to solve the mystery before they also disappear. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, the entire world is watching... 

Lisa's Review
It’s an international peace conference gone horribly wrong. Young adults who have shown initiatives in peace ventures in their communities, who are actively involved in promoting peace, reconciliation, and acceptance of Christian and Muslim cultures living side by side have been invited to the United States to share with each other and learn new methods of reaching out. Most of them don’t realize how far they have to go until they are forced to unite in order to survive.

A Violent Light is the third book in a series, however each of the books is capable of standing on its own. I read the second book before the first, and while the author follows the story of Sari, a young Indonesian Christian, it’s not crucial to know what goes on before. While the characters are well planned, as in most thrillers the story is plot-driven with events that propel the reader to turn pages, cringe, and cheer. And pray. A lot. This story is unfortunately too real, told by someone who has experienced these issues. On one hand, I can’t believe humanity can overcome our differences; on the other, Baton’s dream of rising above our sinful natures is mine, too. I can hurt for those who are stuck in mental illness because I know being earthbound is only temporary and I long for the better country.

I read fiction mostly for entertainment. I’m not honestly certain that I would have picked up this book on a whim, but the author’s background as a missionary in Indonesia makes the first and second stories pop. While it’s necessary for the evil in this third book set in the US to be somewhat cliché, the author has also shown an understanding of the difference between shock value and those who truly believe they are on the right hand of God and will murder to prove it. I still call such skewed devotion mental illness. Stellar writing is important to me, and this author has done another excellent work.


Those who love controversy, action, gruesome realities, and a good mystery thrill ride with action jumping between scenes will like Baton’s books. They are a true torn from the headlines look at the world today, and with A Violent Light, at America and its rotten layer of racism and biblical misinterpretation that must be overcome by the true power of dignity and self-sacrifice and love.

About the Author
JIM BATON has spent the last 20 years in the world’s largest Muslim nation, building bridges between Muslims and Christians who both desire peace. His speaking and writing call people out of fear and into authentic friendships that can change the world.

Read other Reviews in the John 316 Network

A Way Out of Hell  Lorilyn  Lisa
Somebody Has to Die  Lisa  Lorilyn