A CAST OF STONES: The Staff and the Sword #1 by PATRICK W. CARR

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Fate of the Kingdom Awaits the Cast of Stones

In the backwater village of Callowford, roustabout Errol Stone is enlisted by a church messenger arriving with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Eager for coin, Errol agrees to what he thinks will be an easy task, but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he's joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.

Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom's dynasty nears its end and the selection of the new king begins--but in secret and shadow. As danger mounts, Errol must leave behind the stains and griefs of the past, learn to fight, and discover who is hunting him and his companions and how far they will go to stop the reading of the stones.

READ AN EXCERPT HERE!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Patrick W. Carr teaches high school math and makes his home in Nashville, Tennessee, with his incredible wife, Mary, and their four awesome sons, Patrick, Connor, Daniel, and Ethan. Learn more at patrickwcarr.com.

MY REVIEW

I like a good fantasy, especially one that takes me to a different place and time. I also like to read and review new books by debuting authors. So writing this review is going to be fun and I hope you will find it more than helpful.

Now, when I read a subtitle that has a number one in it that tells me there are going to be more books in that particular series, therefore, that book better be a great book for me to consider reading any more of that series.

Well, let me tell you... A Cast of Stones is not only a great book, it is absolutely fantastic. Fantasy is not an easy genre to write in, there are few, in my humble opinion, who can really do it justice. To name three of my favorite fantasy writers, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis (for the classic fantasy) and C.S. Lakin (The Gates of Heaven Series - the current); if you have read anything by any one of these mighty authors, then like me, you have a high standard. It makes it difficult for those breaking into the genre.

Carr has not only broken into it by this extremely well-written tale that takes place in medieval time, but he delivers a story that will capture your imagination. His characters are flawless, strong, and his hero is someone anyone can relate to. Errol Stone starts out his life with nothing, an orphan, no ambition other than to earn enough to "stay in the cups." Little does he know, there is something special about himself and he has to go through many trials to determine what it is.

The plotting is superb. Carr's attention to detail in his plotting, characters, and places paints a vivid picture in the reader's mind. I was totally captured in the story, experiencing what Errol was going through, emotionally.

This book is going to sit next to my The Gates of Heaven Series, The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. I am going to make room for the rest of this new author and his wonderful saga. Might I suggest, you better make room on your bookshelves for this saga, as well.

Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, provided me with a free review copy for the purpose of writing this review. I am not obligated to write a positive review. 

 

 

THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT WORRY by Dr. William Backus

The Good News About Worry by Dr. William Backus is just the book I needed to read.

I don't know about any of you, but I worry. Often about things I probably don't need to worry about. I worry about my job, my health, the health of my husband, my kids, my finances, you name it and I probably worry about it. I even worry about this computer and wonder if it will continue to work!

Dr. Backus wrote this book I think just for me. Well, maybe for you too, if you worry.

Inside you will find yourself. He takes the time to get to the heart of your worries and explains the why. He shows how avoiding something that may make you anxious is actually making you more anxious. He uses biblical principles and points us in the right thinking. Because let's face it, it's all in our head and how we think determines how we act.

There is a page that helps you to see your personal anxieties and then throughout the rest of the book he gives you exercises to help you to biblically overcome those anxieties.

This is a easy book to read and comprehend. Dr. Backus doesn't use a lot of psychological words that are difficult to understand. He writes just like he is talking to you and me.

The only part I had a difficult time with was with the relaxation/meditaion. It's very important that when we try these exercises that our mind doesn't "go blank" but rather we meditate on a particular bible verse or passage. Leaving the mind blank opens doors that are better left closed. It's a open invitation for the enemy of our soul to enter.  So my suggestion in this portion of the book and exercise is to meditate on the word of God.

Other than that, I think this book will be extremely helpful for all of us who deal with high anxiety, getting to the root of that anxiety, looking at practical biblical application and becoming the person God wants us to be and be able to use for His glory.

This book was provided to me by Baker Publishing Group with no expectations of a positive review. Everything expressed in this review is of my own opinion.