Wakulla Book Review: The Essence of Evil by Barbara Ann Derksen

This is the second book of the Finders Keepers Series. It picks up where the first book ended and continues the adventures of Christine and Jeremy.

Ms. Derksen does a great job of bringing together many seemingly unrelated events. The plat twists and turns like a Nascar race course, leaving the reader guessing at every corner.

Barbara Ann is a master at integrating the characters faith in Jesus into the everyday matters. It is refreshing and the characters are so life like, it’s amazing.

There are some tough issues dealt with also – child abduction, pedophilia, sex trafficking, physical and mental abuse, and even cancer. Barbara Ann keeps it real, shows compassion, erupts in rage at atrocities, and shares the love of Jesus. Truly an incredible writer and a great book.

I’m waiting for the next book and will recommend her books to anyone that likes a great book!! Five Stars!!   

Book Review by Loren – 

A WAKULLA BOOK REVIEW

Order The Essence of Evil from Amazon by clicking here.

*~*~*~*

I (Lorilyn Roberts) 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. 

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 (Lisa Lickel): The Ambassadors by Marcia Laycock

October 2014

Helping Hands Press

Paperback at Amazon,

list 14.99; other editions available in Kindle for .99

ISBN 978-1622085613

Buy the Book

Amazon US

Amazon Canada

Amazon Australia

From the publisher:

The Complete Series Book I 

Prince Eghan Lhin is terrified when he is abducted from his father’s castle but finds himself in a safe place nestled in a hidden valley high in the mountains not far from his father’s kingdom. He learns to trust the man who has brought him there and even begins to trust Nara, the heir to the throne of his family’s sworn enemies. But he cannot trust the God they follow. When they are led into the dangerous territory on the other side of the mountains, to restore Nara to the throne, Eghan must learn more than trust, more than courage. He must learn what faith really means.

My review (Lisa Lickel):

The Ambassadors is a faith-based novel geared toward Young Adult as the hero and heroine are teens. Set in historical era with kings and castles and horses and swords, a young broody prince, Eghan, learns through physical labor and philosophical instruction what it truly means to be a leader. He has grown up in a household of angry grief with a king for a parent who has held him at arm’s length and a guardian who doesn’t have the authority to hold him to a higher standard. A mysterious legendary hermit saves Eghan after he’s abducted by the kingdom’s enemies to show him the way to true peace and a hopeful future reuniting enemy kingdoms to face a greater foe threatening them both.

I enjoyed the story, though agree with another review that found the intrusion of contemporary Scripture and citation inserted in the text to be a somewhat clunky contrivance. Other than that, the story of a princeling forced to grow up and charged with the restoration of the kingdom or surrendering his people to an evil force was often thrilling and somewhat romantic. The setting was nicely done, dialog good. Occasionally too convenient events such as providing an enemy faith-based prisoner in the dungeon made me read faster, but fiction is often built upon such behind-the-scenes workings.

The novel felt like it could have been an epic. I rarely think this, but this is a story that could have been much longer and richer, with more back story and detail; occasionally I felt it went too quickly and jumped over particulars I wanted to know, but overall the pacing was balanced as it moved between parallel events in the kingdom, Eghan’s current life, and that of his guardian who set out to find his abducted charge but discovered much more besides.

Other volumes in the series are available.

About the Author:

For the past 20+ years I've been a pastor's wife, mother of three girls, caretaker of two dogs, two cats and sundry fish, and oh, yes, a freelance writer. The writing began in the attic of my parent's house where I wrote stories for my dolls. None of them complained, so I kept it up. The Lord has abundantly blessed, challenged, rebuked, healed and restored me through the process of writing and being involved with writers.

Visit my website - www.marcialeelaycock.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/marcialeelaycock

Wakulla Book Review: Shadow Stalker by Barbara Derksen

This was a really WOW! book. I normally do not read murder mysteries but I was given this book to read and write a review on it. As I have already said, “WOW!” This book kept me so into it and the figures within the book were downright riveting.

I could not read the darn thing fast enough. The religious parts of the book were handled in an excellent manner also. It gave me a good attitude about Jesus and I felt that was a major factor in the book.

A very good written book. I am still not a murder mystery book lover but I am a Barbara Ann Derksen book reader. I do have the second book of the Finders Keepers series and will probably read the second book as fast as the first one.

Lord have mercy. This was an excellent book to read. We can only hope for the future in our regular lives.  

Book Review by Bob L. 

WAKULLA BOOK REVIEW 

Order Shadow Stalker from Amazon by clicking here.

*~*~*~*

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. 

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."

Wakulla Book Review: The Hermit by Robert E. McGinnis

I believe that Dr McGinnis has totally outdone his mindset with this book. It was informative, decisive and worthy to be read.

As in the beginning, I wasn't too very sure what we had here, but wow, did the story come about. I even had feelings that I in no way expected to come out. Very wet feelings.

     

This book was a very emotional book in that I was trying to tell Bill Fain how to live his life. Problem was, that some of the things just went bad no matter what he did.

     

In the ending, which occurred about fifty pages before it should have, things did turn out very good for everyone, meaning Bill and Saundra. But? What were the twins like? How did they grow up? Was Saundra acceptable of her new life? To go from being a C E O of a large corporation, to being nothing, and living life out in the wilds like the Hermit?

     

I would like to see the book that answers these questions.

Thank You,

Wakulla Book Review by Bob L.

To purchase The Hermit at Amazon, click here.

*~*~*~*

I (Lorilyn Roberts) 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. 

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."

From 33 A.D. to 2015 A.D. - Seventh Dimension - The Castle, Book 3, A Young Adult Fantasy

SEVENTH DIMENSION - THE CASTLE NOW AVAILABLE  AND GET FREE EBOOK OF THE DOOR FROM 33 A.D. TO 2015 A.D. NEW RELEASE The Seventh Dimension Award-Winning Series continues in The Castle. Haunted by a recurring dream of his missing father in a mysterious castle, 17-year-old Daniel is captured by the Romans and finds asylum in the Temple. There he discovers a scroll that reveals his future concerning a wager between good and evil.  But the stakes are raised when he witnesses the trial and crucifixion of Yeshua. The convergence of time with supernatural events creates a suspenseful ending and leads to the fourth and final book in the Seventh Dimension Series, The City (HOPEFULLY AVAILABLE OCTOBER 1, 2015). VISIT AMAZON TO PURCHASE, CLICK HERE FREE EBOOK OF THE DOOR Seventh Dimension - The Door, A Young Adult Christian Fantasy, is the first book in theSeventh Dimension Series that combines contemporary, historical, and fantasy elements into a Christian "coming-of-age" story.     TO GET FREE EBOOK OF SEVENTH DIMENSION - THE DOOR, CLICK HERE  Free code: LU87U

LORILYN ROBERTS | AUTHORLORILYNROBERTS@GMAIL.COM | LORILYNROBERTS.COM

Wakulla Book Review: The Map Quilt by Lisa J. Lickel

The Map Quilt is an attention grabber. From the first page until the last I was thoroughly entertained and mesmerized. This is a book laced with history, politics, mystery, love, hope, and faith. By the end of the book I felt like I was a part of the character’s lives.

From the atrocities of slavery and the perils of escape through the underground railroad to modern corporate espionage, there is never a dull moment. The plot twists and turns at just the right moments to keep the reader guessing until the end.

Bringing up real issues from the past, and tying them together with today’s controversies about “green” energy, the tale is quite realistic. The best part of the story for me is the thread of faith that ties it all together.

I would give this book 4 ½ stars out of 5 – I may have given it a 5 had I read the first book in the series.

Well done!

Book Review by Loren

A WAKULLA BOOK REVIEW

To purchase The Map Quilt from Amazon,  click here

*~*~*~*

I (Lorilyn Roberts) 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. 

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."

Wakulla Book Review: Meander Scar by Lisa J. Lickel

Summary of Book:

Ann Ballard’s husband Gene Ballard has been missing for seven and a half years. She’s raised her only son Ritchie “who seems to hate his mother while adoring his missing father” alone.

Mark Roth is a young man who lived next door until his younger brother Trey died in an auto accident which also involved Ritchie who lived through it. He is eleven years younger than Ann but is fully in love with Ann.

Mark returns to town and helps Ann to learn to live and love again. Also to deal with finding her lost husband and the betrayal of her mother-in-law. Mark stands by Ann until all the pieces fall into place and they can face the world as a younger man and older wife. But then Ann has a stroke and Mark’s faith is tested to the max.

Author’s purpose: The author assumes the position that true love conquers all. If it’s mean to be, it will be.

Themes:  Donna’s Treachery/Ann’s Headaches and fears/The stroke Ann had/Love can conquer all

Controversial issues:

1.              Younger man/Older woman: The author stands on love being more important than age.

2.              Sex before marriage: The author believes it’s a gift worth waiting for.

3.              Whether to press charges on Donna for fraud: Circumstances and motives should be weighed and considered.

Thesis:  True love can stand, overcome, and conquer over every obstacle when God is its foundation.

I really loved this love story and was blown away by Mark’s faith and resolve to stand firm and love Ann unconditionally. When he told her he loved her enough to go away if that was what she wanted, I was floored.

The deception of the mother-in-law, Donna, the rebellion and confusion of the niece, Maeve, the anger and rebellion of the son, Ritchie, even the bitter and loving relations between Ann and her sister Rachel.

This love story – mystery is really good. I’d give it five stars on a five star scale.

Book Review by Booker T.

        WAKULLA BOOK REVIEW

To purchase Meander Scar, visit Amazon.Com

*~*~*~*

I (Lorilyn Roberts) 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. 

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."