THE UNRAVELING OF WENTWATER [The Gates of Heaven Series] by C.S. Lakin

The Unraveling of Wentwater is the 4th book in the Gates of Heaven Series written by C.S. Lakin. In this fourth installment of the Gates of Heaven fantasy series readers will learn of the fourth of seven sacred sites heaven set up on earth to prevent evil from gaining a stronghold over the hearts of men. Inspired by the traditional fairy tale "Sleeping Beauty," readers will be taken on a journey that will leave them speechless.

Lakin takes you on a magical journey that explores love, jealousy, mercy, and judgment. She spins a tale about the power and magic of words, and as the marsh witch, who keeps words in a jar, warns, "Be careful with your words - they have consequences!" Secrets and superstitions abound in the kingdom, but only a water creature, who lives at the bottom of the lake and guards the sacred site knows the truth and can help Teralyn restore all...

Teralyn, the babe born in Wentwater, is the one who will unravel Wentwater. On her naming day, the marsh witch appeared unexpectedly and placed a curse on her. The villagers banished the parents out of the village and set the cottage to burn with Teralyn in it. 

The villagers of Wentwater are extremely superstitious. Sweeping away the footprints of chicken feet, a loose button will cause untold trouble if it comes off the garment, stopping in a doorway and spinning around so the shadows don't hold evil.... Every bit of their lives, thoughts and relationships are tied to superstitions.

Then there are those who live in the Heights of Wentwater. Nary a superstitious thought among them. They are scholars, thinkers, seekers after knowledge and wisdom, until they have reduced their world into a logical, intellectual world that has only room for their words. Forget magic and wonder, there is no place for that.

Justyn is one of those who lives in the Heights. He used to be a villager, in fact, he was there when the tragedy of Teralyn happened. His brother, Fromer, still lives in the village. Only Justyn has no use for his brother, thinking he is above him and all of those who live in the village.

Teralyn, who has lived in the Heights for all of her life, or so she believes, goes down to the village for a music fest and from that point on things begin to happen.

C.S. Lakin has written another wonderful book. Focusing this tale on words and their importance, she unravels the two extremes of Wentwater. Then revealing the necessity of both logic and superstition, intellect and emotions, she weaves together two communities that need each other with the greatest word of all. 

I can't wait to read this book again. I highly recommend The Unraveling of Wentwater to anyone who enjoys an extremely well-written fantasy. 

This book will be available in July through your favorite bookstores including Amazon.com and Christianbook.com

I was able to review this book through the courtesy of C.S. Lakin and AMG Publishers. They provided a review copy for the purpose of writing this review.

 

   

TWILIGHT'S LAST GLEAMING by Robert Jeffress

How America's Last Days Can Be Your Best Days

Pastor and Fox News, CNN and MSNBC media personality Robert Jeffress shows us how America’s last days can be our best days. We have an unprecedented opportunity to have a positive, eternal effect on the lives of those around us.

 

Never in recent history have Christians been more discouraged and fearful about our country’s future. Economic chaos, immorality, terrorism and global turmoil have convinced many that we are living in the twilight days of America. Dr. Robert Jeffress agrees. But this is not the end of the story, he writes in Twilight’s Last Gleaming. Although we cannot prevent America’s eventual demise, we can delay it . . . and make a difference for eternity at the same time.

For everyone who wonders what can be done right now—within our culture, our churches, in the voting booth and our neighborhoods—Jeffress answers with biblical insight and real-world clarity, showing Christians how to seize this unprecedented opportunity and point people to our only Hope. Includes a foreword by Mike Huckabee.

Click here to hear an audio interview

To read the first chapter go to this link

About Robert Jeffress:

Robert Jeffress (DMin, Southwestern Theological Seminary; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) is an author and the senior pastor of the 10,000-member First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. His bold, biblical and practical approach to ministry has made him one of the country’s most respected evangelical leaders and earned him a Daniel Award from Vision America. He regularly appears on major mainstream media outlets such as Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, The O’Reilly Factor, Cavuto on Business, ABC’s Good Morning America and CBS’s The Early Show. He also hosts a television program, Pathway to Victory, and teaches a daily sermon series that airs on 1,200 television stations and cable systems throughout the nation and in 28 countries around the world.

What I think about the book:


Let me begin by saying this book is not only timely but a must read for all Christians in this country. Pastor Jeffress doesn't hold back anything when talking about the decline of the United States. He doesn't just point out where we as a country have fallen, but he guides the Christians of this country to be the salt and light in a decaying, fallen society.


Christians can slow down the decay and eventual destruction of this country by prayerful consideration of who we vote into office, locally and federally; also, being aware of what is being voted into legislation. Listening and heeding what God says about our potential leaders and whether they meet His requirements, we can vote in more appropriate leaders. Be sure to read chapter 4, 'How a Christian Should Vote.' It will make things very clear, it sure did for me.

In Twilight's Last Gleaming, Pastor Jeffress discusses the most misunderstood word in America.... tolerance. He explains what true tolerance is verses the pseudotolerance that is being forced on every person in United States. This chapter was most enlightening to me.  

In the chapter 'For Pastors Only,' Pastor Jeffress writes not only to pastors but to us plain folk. Let's face it, evangelizing, building the body of Christ, being salt and light isn't just for the pastors. Pastors are to train, we are to run with that training and cause others to thirst and want the light of Christ we show. We never know when someone is ready to surrender their life to Jesus. Hence the reason we are to be ready at all times to give the reason for our hope. Pastor Jeffress shares a story from D.L. Moody's life that just brought me to tears. Never pass the opportunity to show the way to Christ Jesus.


All in all, this book is eye-opening, timely, challenging and so on target. Is America in her last days? I believe so. But, just as Pastor Jeffress believes, I think it can be delayed as long as every Christian votes, evangelizes, prepares, and continues to be salt and light.


Extremely well written, concise, and straight-forward, Pastor Jeffress boldly goes where frailer Christians fear to tread. Pulling the blinders of the eyes of Christians around the country, we now have decisions to make and a way to follow through with those decisions.


I can only stress again, this is a must read for any one in the United States who calls themselves a Christian. 


This book was provided freely for the purpose of reviewing by The B & B Media Group, Inc and Worthy Publishing. All opinions expressed are mine.

 

NIV FAITHGIRLZ BIBLE

Description:

Every girl wants to know she’s totally unique and special. This Bible says that with Faithgirlz! sparkle. Through the many in-text features found only in the Faithgirlz! Bible, girls will grow closer to God as they discover the journey of a lifetime. Features include: • Book introductions—Read about the who, when, where, and what of each book. • Dream Girl—Use your imagination to put yourself in the story. • Bring It On!—Take quizzes to really get to know yourself. • Is There a Little (Eve, Ruth, Isaiah) in You?—See for yourself what you have in common. • Words to Live By—Check out these Bible verses that are great for memorizing. • What Happens Next?—Create a list of events to tell a Bible story in your own words. • Oh, I Get It!—Find answers to Bible questions you've wondered about. • The complete NIV translation • Features written by bestselling author Nancy Rue

Here is a sample

I am excited about this Bible. When I got it in the mail a couple of weeks ago, I started delving into it. I have a granddaughter who will soon be nine years old, so she is who I had in mind when I was looking through this Bible.

NIV is a great translation for young readers. It's easy to understand and I don't think the young girls will have any trouble with it. I definitely prefer it to other translations that are running around.

The NIV FaithGirls! Bible has great spots for a girl to stop at and think about. Like the "Bring it On!" spots. Here she is reads something like: "When I have a fight with somebody, I:" Then she is given three choices for her actions. On the opposite page she'll find a spot that gives her three things to do in response to how she reacted. (I know, that's not very clear... but it really is cool.)

There is also through-out this Bible "In Your Own Words" section. Here a girl is encouraged to think about what she has just read and then a space is provided for her write a recap.

I really like the "Is there a Little....... In you?" parts. Here a girl reads about a character in the Bible, like Joseph and his brothers. Then she is asked four questions relating to them. She is then given a word of encouragement about her own situation.

Jammed pack with lots of wonderful things to help a tween girl understand the Bible better and have a closer walk with Jesus, the NIV FaithGirlz! Bible is a winner in my book.

I am sending this copy to my granddaughter in Arizona. I would encourage any parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, family friend..... well..... everyone to get one for the tween girl in your life.

This Bible was provided freely for review purposes by The B & B Media Group, Inc and Zondervan. I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

 

 

TIMES OF TROUBLE by Cliff Ball

The back of the book says:

In the near future, the U.S. government has turned into a tyranny as the government agencies known as the EPA and TSA grow with ever more power, taking away the liberty many Americans had known for over two hundred years. They're joined by a government agency, the Health Administration, which was put together in the mid-2010's to regulate healthcare.

Told in first person point of view, Brian Atwood, our main character, is a field agent for the FBI in Omaha. His work involves mostly cyber terrorism and actual cases of potential real world terrorism. Eventually his wife gives birth to their third child, who has Down's Syndrome, which does not please the Health Administration because there are rules and regulations set up in cases like these to prevent "genetic freaks" as they like to call them, from sucking up a lot of Health Admin money. Because the Atwoods are born again Christians, they never considered aborting the baby, so now the Health people have to take him away to deal with the problem later.

 Meanwhile, the Secret Service decides to recruit Brian to be the personal agent of POTUS due to his great work involving a case that dealt with terrorism that would've involved Offutt Air Force Base. Brian's faith is tested every day as he deals with a man that has no morals from what Brian can see, and is tested even more when his wife finds out she is dying from a fast growing form of breast cancer. Trouble in the rest of the world occurs as Iran attempts to nuke Israel, which fails spectacularly, so Israel takes care of the problem. This brings condemnation from everyone, including the US, which takes the side of Iran.

 There is more to the back of the book, but this gives you an idea of what it is about.


Now my review of the book...


Though I found the book easy to read, I thought it could have used some more fleshing out. It's a short book that can be easily read in a couple of hours. Cliff Ball has a writing style that works for him in writing first person point of view. That's not an easy way to write. But, I would have liked to have seen more detail, filling in of spaces.


Now the great thing about the story is how current events actually play a part in the plot. If you read any news articles or watch the news on TV, other than the tripe you hear on the major networks, then what you will read in Times of Trouble is disturbingly prophetic. This isn't just near in the future but some of it is already taking place!


I had just read an article on NewsWithViews.com before I had read Cliff Ball's book. All I can say is Cliff Ball is either working with those folks at NewsWithViews or they are on the same wave length with God. This book looks at America and her citizens in a way that will either have you saying, "No way, that can't happen," or "Oh wow, this is fiction turning into reality."


It is definitely not a book for the faint of heart, but for those who trust in Jesus Christ, it is a book that will encourage every reader to trust even more in Him. 


Fast paced, short chapters, strong characters, Times of Trouble is worth reading. 


This book was graciously provided freely for the purpose of review, by Cliff Ball.



Here's a bit about the author:


Lives in Texas, born in Arizona, is a Christian and is Baptist. Has a BA in English & History, pursuing a Certificate in Technical Communications. Has published 6 novels and 3 short stories. Won 3rd in high school for a short story I wrote in Creative Writing class for a young adult magazine. As a Christian, Cliff writes with his worldview in mind, so there's some conservative or Christian themes in his novels/short stories.

In order of original publication:
Out of Time - 2008
Don't Mess With Earth - 2009
The Usurper - 2010
Shattered Earth - 2010
Voyager and the Aliens - 2011
Dust Storm - 2011
New Frontier - 2011
Times of Trouble - 2012

www.cliffball.net
Blog: http://cliffballauthor.wordpress.com
Follow me on Twitter: @cliff_ball
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cliff.ball.author
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1309948.Cliff_Ball

STAND BY ME by Neta Jackson

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION:


Sometimes the person you most need is the one least like you.

Kathryn Davies is a bright young woman from a prominent Phoenix family. But after making a leap of faith at a Christian music fest, dropping out of med school, and moving to inner city Chicago, her family all but disowns her.

When Kat discovers SouledOut Community Church, she longs to become a part of the multicultural church family. But her tendency to immediately say whatever she’s thinking steps on the toes of nearly everyone she meets—especially Avis Douglass.

Avis has a strong faith, is the principal of one of Chicago’s highest performing elementary schools, and is a founding member of SouledOut. But the country’s economic downturn has thrown both her and her husband’s jobs in question. And Avis hasn’t heard from her youngest daughter in months—an estrangement that gnaws at her every day. Where is God in this?

Kat’s flamboyant zeal for living a “radical” Christian life is a stark contrast to Avis’s more reserved faith. But in God’s timing, the two women discover they need each other in ways neither of them expected.

NETA JACKSON'S BIOGRAPHY:

As a kid I was crazy about horses and animals of all kinds and loved to draw (horses, mostly). Since I didn't have a horse, I wrote stories about them instead. My high-school English teacher sent one of my stories (about a couger) to a Scholastic magazine writing contest and it won First Place . . . and the rest, as they say, is history. I wanted to be a writer!

I grew up on the campus of a private Christian school in Seattle where my parents were teachers. A lovely childhood, though fairly sheltered. But college took me back to the Chicago area and a whole new world. My husband and I settled in the Chicago area soon after getting married, and even though we both grew up in solid Christian homes, our search to deepen our faith took the form of Christian community for much of our family life raising kids. Eventually the critical issue of racial reconciliation became the call of God upon our life, and we chose to immerse ourselves in African American and multi-cultural churches. Our world and our hearts expanded. What a gift these relationships of faith have been!

All during this time, my husband and I have been a writing team--writing books with expert resource people (as their co-authors) on a variety of topics (from medical ethics to stories of gang kids), then writing a whole series of historical fiction about great Christian heroes--40 titles in all!--called the Trailblazer books (and a series of "Hero Tales," five volumes in all). Now we are each writing adult fiction--the Yada Yada Prayer Group series for me, which was inspired by my real-life Bible study sisters, a multi-cultural group of feisty women going on 12 years now that God has used to turn my life upside down, or rather, rightside up! (I have to admit, sometimes my real world and my fictional world get a bit mixed up!)

I've been married for 40-plus years to the same wonderful man, we are truly partners in life. We raised two kids plus a Cambodian foster daughter, and together they've given us eight beautiful grandchildren! As one of my girlfriends and I agree: The best stress-busters in the world are pets, gardening, and grandkids!

NETA JACKSON AND HER BOOKS CAN BE FOUND HERE:

http://www.daveneta.com/

http://www.thomasnelson.com/stand-by-me.html


FINALLY... MY REVIEW!

This is the first book I have ever read by Neta Jackson and I have to say I loved it!

I thoroughly enjoyed her style of writing, her characters, the premise, the plot, the whole shebang. Stand by Me is a story that is full-bodied, full of life, and full of the wonders of how God would use others in difficult times to remind us of His ever-presence.

Kat is a gem God uses to help shake Avis's world. Kat is not just energetic, enthusiastic and believes in God, she also dumpster-dives and salvages food for those around her, including Avis.

Avis is the worship-leader with high standing in her church, SouledOut, but finds her personal life is full of bumps and obstacles with her daughter and husband. 


Kat sees a strong, sold-out Christian in Avis and Avis sees an over-enthusiastic college girl disrupting her life. Kat sees a warm, mother-figure in Avis and Avis sees an annoying dumpster-diving girl.

I hope to see a sequel to this book. 

Stand by Me is a story worth reading, laughing about, crying over and just allowing God to point out the similar things He is working out in our own lives. A church is filled with many personalities, gifts, strengths and problems, but in the end, God is the one who uses each person to sharpen the other, to strengthen one another, to pray with and share in His wondrous love.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is well worth it.

This book was provided freely for the purpose of review by the B & B Media Group, Inc and Thomas Nelson Publishing. I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.