Wakulla Book Review: The Coptic Martyr of Cairo by Martin Roth

Wakulla Book Review

“The Coptic Martyr of Cairo” by Martin Roth

The persecuted Christian church in Al-Harawi is about to be the center of attention. The cause of this is Rafa Harel, a spiritual art professor who is conducting an archaeological dig in the church’s basement. He and his team discover the body of a retired priest during their dig. This starts off a cascade of events that go beyond Rafa’s understanding of the differences of religious views in Egypt.

The author seems to be pointing out how even members of the same religion may view their faith differently.

The theme or themes I see are all based on the difference in faith. There is the Muslim vs Christian issue. The fight vs martyr issue. The whole timeline issue comes into play as well.

The author seems to want to get across the importance of the persecution of Christians around the world. To also understand that there are many ways to see faith.

This book was enjoyable. I had to rethink the way I see my faith according to a large view of what it is to be a Christian.

- William K

Book Reviewed by William K.

To purchase "The Coptic Martyr of Cairo" from Amazon Click on This Link

A WAKULLA BOOK REVIEW

 I want to personally thank all the men who are reviewing the books written by JOHN 3:16 AUTHORS. I am thankful that we are able to bless them and appreciate the encouragement given to us by their reviews. 

Their insights, comments, and encouragement mean a lot. Steve said I (Lorilyn Roberts) could visit the prison and I hope to do that sometime in the near future. I ultimately look forward to the day when we are free in the Lord's presence to worship together our Risen King!

Each WEEK (usually on Tuesday), we are posting reviews from Wakulla Correctional inmates of John 3:16 books. 

Inmates are loving the new books from John 3:16 authors. Chaplain Steve Fox is adding the new books to the prison library in this initiative to "change lives to ensure a safer Florida."

John 3:16 Book Review: Gatehaven by Molly Noble Bull

Gatehaven by Molly Noble Bull is a Christian Gothic historical novel set in a haunting mansion in the north of England where Ian Colquhoun and Shannon Aimee battle a Frenchman with dark secrets--spiritual warfare vs. the occult.  Will they learn enough about God’s words to defend themselves and others or will evil overcome them?

February 2015

$15.99 Print

$2.99 Ebook

Buy on US Amazon

UK Amazon

Canada Amazon

Australia Amazon

Review:

I’m not usually much for fiction, but this novel was a real hard-to-put-down cliff-hanger! It had a little bit of everything- history, romance, Christian principles, and lots of suspense. The main character is a rebellious teenager who manages to get herself in so much trouble that only God can rescue her! I highly recommend this story to both teens AND their parents (actually to anyone who wants to read a really good story).

L. Shoshana Rhodes, Author
One Lamb Redeemed (Shoshana Goldberg)
Coming soon: The Quest for the Lost Foundation
http://messianicpropheticintercessor.com/

Wakulla Book Review: Brother Half Angel by Martin Roth

Wakulla Book Review

“Brother Half Angel” by Martin Roth

This book is about an American husband and wife who go to China to work at an underground church under the pretence of being English teachers. While there, the church comes under attack by a group called the Boxers who kill a Christian and cut off his hands and throw him over the wall of the church.

Uncle Ling, the leader of the church, has a dark past and many secrets. The hero of the story is Brother Half Angel, who gets his name because of a tattoo of an angel on his forearm that was cut in half, along with his arm. He is a soldier in a secret army for the church sent to help. There are lies, deceit, murder and plenty of action.

Uncle Ling in this story does not trust God to fix all things and pays the ultimate price – his life. Because of the content it is for mature readers. Leave your troubles with God – He will take care of all things.

Like most Christian writing – obey and trust in God and He will provide.

The hero in this book is a soldier and has had to kill for the church. The question is, does a Christian kill to protect the innocent? Do you kill to protect someone when there is no other way?

I liked it very much and being this is a five-book collection I am looking forward to how some issues play out.

Thank you.

Book Reviewed by S. Bohner

To purchase "Brother Half Angel" from Amazon 
Click on This Link

A WAKULLA BOOK REVIEW

 I want to personally thank all the men who are reviewing the books written by JOHN 3:16 AUTHORS. I am thankful that we are able to bless them and appreciate the encouragement given to us by their reviews. 

Their insights, comments, and encouragement mean a lot. Steve said I (Lorilyn Roberts) could visit the prison and I hope to do that sometime in the near future. I ultimately look forward to the day when we are free in the Lord's presence to worship together our Risen King!

Each WEEK (usually on Tuesday), we are posting reviews from Wakulla Correctional inmates of John 3:16 books. 

Inmates are loving the new books from John 3:16 authors. Chaplain Steve Fox is adding the new books to the prison library in this initiative to "change lives to ensure a safer Florida."

John 3:16 Book Review: Jordan's Shadow by Robin Johns Grant

Jordan’s Shadow

Robin Johns Grant

 

February 2015

Print 12.99

E book: 2.99

Buy on Amazon

From the Publisher:

The Crosby family has a frightening problem. Is it psychological? Supernatural? Or something entirely unexpected?

In 1984, seventeen-year-old Rose and her fiancé discover an injured girl with no memory. The girl, Jordan, is in Rose’s life for a brief time but leaves her world shattered.

Years later, Rose Crosby’s fifteen-year-old daughter Ginny can’t understand why her relationship with her mother has fallen apart. Ginny could swear that Rose is terrified of her lately.

Then one terrible day, Ginny overhears Rose confessing that she truly is terrified of Ginny—because to her, every day Ginny grows more and more like Jordan, the girl who's been dead many years. In fact, she swears that somehow, Ginny is turning into Jordan.

Is Ginny’s mom insane? Is there a ghost in their house, threatening to possess Ginny? Or is the demon in Rose's past, forcing her to confront what happened on that horrible day in 1984 when Jordan was killed? 

My review:

A must-know page turner.

It hurt when I had to set this book down. It’s not a quick read...just a heads up.

Jordan’s Shadow is a YA mystery paranormal thriller that will glue readers of all ages to their favorite reading chairs. I thought I had the mystery pretty well sewn up—and then Grant would take me back in time and prove me wrong. I’m the kind of reader who normally reads the end when I think I’m right, but this is one book where I didn’t skip and I was glad I didn’t.

This multi-generational dysfunctional family drama will make you cheer and boo until the last curtain. The lingering question of mental illness keeps the reader on her toes with the question of who do you trust when the story of deaths in the family begin to appear. I loved the paranormal aspect of moving through time and I got a kick out of mulling the questions that remain.

Well-done sophomore book from talented author Robin Johns Grant. Great characterization, terrific setting and dialog. Told from the viewpoints of Ginny and her mother back and forth between twenty-five years, Jordan’s Shadow will keep you reading. Recommended for those who like family dramas, teen angst, faith-based YA with a twist of fantasy.

--Lisa Lickel

Wakulla Book Review - When Darkness Tries to Hide, by Stacy A. Padula

Title: When Darkness Tries to Hide.

Author: Stacy A. Padula

This is a book about hope. Hope in the most serious and desperate of circumstances. Hope for healing and hope for deliverance. Hope that is only found in Jesus Christ.

This tale of high school students facing drug/alcohol addiction, peer pressure, the desire for acceptance, and unexpected tragedy hits the mark. Stacy Padula accurately portrays the battles young adults (and even older adults) go through daily. She identifies that “in the” feeling that many try to fill with alcohol, drugs, sex, and other things, and shows the reader the one thing that can fill the void—a relationship with God through Jesus.

Stacy Padula masterfully shares the Gospel of Christ in the pages of this book in a way that really helps the reader to understand. Through the characters of the story, hope, joy, peace and love are evident. But Ms. Padula does not shy away from the struggles that also are a part of the Christian life.

I will recommend her books to teens and adults alike. Well done, Stacy! God is going to use these books mightily.

Book Reviewed by Loren, a Brother in Christ

WAKULLA BOOK REVIEW

 I want to personally thank all the men who are reviewing the books written by JOHN 3:16 AUTHORS. I am thankful that we are able to bless them and appreciate the encouragement given to us by their reviews. 

Their insights, comments, and encouragement mean a lot. Steve said I (Lorilyn Roberts) could visit the prison and I hope to do that sometime in the near future. I ultimately look forward to the day when we are all free in the Lord's presence to worship together our Risen King!

Each WEEK (usually on Tuesday), we are posting reviews from Wakulla Correctional inmates of John 3:16 books. 

Inmates are loving the new books from John 3:16 authors. Chaplain Steve Fox  is adding the new books to the prison library in this initiative to "change lives to ensure a safer Florida."

Online Help for Writers - Make Your Stories More Authentic With These Resources

Here is a list of online resources writers find handy to find everything from VOCABULARY to DATE and TIME to NAMES to COSTUMES and all kinds of other other cool stuff. 

Your additions and suggestions are most welcome.

From the website of LisaLickel.com

·        http://dictionary.reference.com/

·        http://thesaurus.reference.com/

·        AlphaDictionary -http://www.alphadictionary.com/index.shtml provides access to a variety of different dictionaries and articles on words and word usage.

·        Online Etymology Dictionary - provides historical meaning and sounds of words. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php

·        Guide to Grammar and Writing - http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/

• http://www.faceturn.com/ - use a digital face to see what expressions look like

·        Using Body Language -http://changingminds.org/techniques/body/body_language.html -A great resource on how emotions and mental states reveal themselves in body language.

·        http://Timeanddate.com - provides historical printable calendars and other great information

·        http://www.copyright.gov/ - United States Copyright office online

·        Writer's Dream Tools -http://www.writersdreamtools.com/view/decades/default.asp?Decade=1650 great reference site for historical research

·        http://www.CostumeGallery.com - provides information on clothing from the 18th Century to the 20th Century.

·        http://www.costumes.org/ - a broader resource on historical clothing.

·        http://www.OldandSold.com Antiques Auction and Marketplace - A great resource for finding historical artifacts.

·        http://www.newspaperarchive.com

·        Word hippo – http://www.wordhippo.com

·        http://www.thefreedictionary.com

·        http://www.visuwords.com

·        http://www.howstuffworks.com

·        http://www.learn2.com/

·        http://www.names.mongabay.com/baby_names/ For character names in any era - learn the most popular names of historical periods, cultures, or develop a unique name of your own

·        For writing credible medical scenarios: http://medicalscenewriter.blogspot.com 

·        For writing about law enforcement scenarios:

·        To determine legitimate resources: http://www.whoishostingthis.com/resources/credible-sources

John 3:16 Book Review: Think Snow Devotional by Kimberley Payne

Think Snow Devotional by Kimberley Payne

Available here: http://amzn.to/1A7xvmT

Book Review by Sheldon D. Newton

I enjoyed these pleasant short stories with a spiritual meaning, which ran really cause you to evaluate one's walk with God. I recommend it to all. It is not drawn out and each story carries a life lesson with it. I like the moose story . Each one will draw you in and you see how the authors experiences give a Biblical lesson that is direct and to the point.

*~*~*~*

Kimberley Payne is a motivational speaker and author and writer on spiritual & physical fitness topics. Her devotional writings relate raising a family, pursuing a healthy lifestyle, and everyday experiences to building a relationship with God. Through her work, Kimberley hopes to inspire people to live healthier lives that glorify God. You can visit her website at www.kimberleypayne.com

$2.99 on Kindle, 3 reviews, 5 stars. Available here.