Book Review: On This Foundation {Bethany House}

On This Foundation {The Restoration Chronicles #3} by Lynn Austin
ISBN: 9780764209000
Paperback, 480 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Retail: $14.99

About the book: 
Stone by Stone, the Wall Will Rise Once More Around God's City

When news reaches him that Jerusalem's wall is shattered and its gates burned with fire, a distraught Nehemiah seeks God's guidance in fasting and prayer. Granted an unexpected leave from his duty as cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah sets out for Jerusalem to rebuild the city wall--never anticipating all the dangers that await him on his arrival.

The leaders of the surrounding nations become his fierce enemies, plotting to assassinate him and stop the wall's reconstruction forever. A drought, meanwhile, has left the country impoverished, with many families resorting to selling their children as bondservants just to keep from starving.

Capturing the rebuilding of the wall through the eyes of a number of characters, On This Foundation is the powerful conclusion to The Restoration Chronicles. This exploration of faith in the midst of oppression offers hope that, in spite of appearances, the gracious hand of God is upon those who believe.

About the author:

Lynn Austin has sold more than one and a half million copies of her books worldwide. A former teacher who now writes and speaks full-time, she has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into an Original Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and make their home in western Michigan. Learn more at www.lynnaustin.org.

My thoughts:

It felt like I waited forever for this book to come out! You can read other reviews I've done of Austin's books. This particular book is the third in "The Restoration Chronicles" series. Another very well done book by Austin!

What to say this time? I admittedly put off reading the book because I'm busy and it's 480 pages. I forgot how quickly it goes with Austin's writing! Her writing style is engaging and smooth. Her characters are full of realism- you feel like you know who they are, or you want to. The events and setting are straight out of the Old Testament- with a little artistic license here and there on details that we aren't given in the Bible. 

I was astounded to read the account of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall through this historical fiction. I read it in the Bible and yes, it is impressive, but it's more 'these are the facts' when I read it in the Bible. I probably sound like a broken record with my reviews of Austin's bible-based historical fiction, but she makes it come alive! I will always read the Bible account first, but if Austin has a book on a biblical account, I will definitely read it afterward. 

The setting for the book revolves around the Bible book of Nehemiah, chapters 1 through 13. There are many references to other Scriptures from Esther, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Leviticus, Numbers, Joshua, Ezekiel, and Genesis. 

***Disclaimer: I received the above reviewed book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Bethany House! See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: Keepers of the Covenant {Bethany House Publishers}

Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin

ISBN: 9780764208997

Paperback, 480 pages

Publisher: Bethany House

Retail: $15.99

About the book: In their darkest hour, where would hope be found?

In on life-changing moment, the lives of the exiles in Babylon are thrown into despair when a decree from the king's palace calls for the annihilation of every Jewish man, woman, and child throughout the empire in less than one year.

Ezra, a quiet but brilliant scholar, soon finds himself called upon to become the leader of his people. Forced to rally an army when all his training has been in the Torah, he struggles to bring hope in a time of utter despair, when dreams of the future- of family and love- seem impossible.

In Keepers of the Covenant, acclaimed novelist Lynn Austin weaves together the struggles and stories of both Jews and Gentiles, creating a tapestry of faith and doubt, love and loss. Here, the Old Testament comes to life, demonstrating the everlasting hope displayed in God's unwavering love for His people.

About the author: Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and convention. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live in Michigan. Learn more at www.lynnaustin.org

My thoughts:
Another great novel by Austin. I purposely waited to read this until I had the time available to do nothing else. When I start a novel by Austin, it is the only thing I want to do!

Austin develops the characters of her stories in such a way that the reader comes to know them. They might not be able to pick them out if they were given a picture in real-life, but nonetheless, they can tell their personalities. The reader begins to become friends, or enemies, with these characters because they are presented so well. 

I especially appreciate Austin's ability to create scenes in the story. She doesn't dwell overly much on the details but one can get a sense of what it is like in the scene. Also, because she has chosen to write from history, she weaves her fiction into what we know from the Bible. Reading through this particular novel, although the Scriptures are all in New International Version translation, I can recall reading it in the Bible. It brings it more to life. These were real events! Austin's inclusion of other characters that are not mentioned in the Bible does not detract at all from the story; it only builds it more and makes it feel real.

I have only one complaint that I don't know if I had never noticed in her other books or are simply not present in the others. Some times the words she uses do not fit the time or circumstance. They are words that are overused {imho} in Christian circles today but they would not have been used in the past, in the part of the world that she writes about. Surprisingly, it doesn't make the writing jagged or halting, but it was just a little thing I caught this time.

So far I have not read an Austin novel I didn't like. This is no exception. Very good book.

Read an excerpt- you'll get hooked! Click here.

***Disclaimer: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.

Book Review: Pilgrimage {Bethany House}

Pilgrimage: My Journey to a Deeper Faith in the Land Where Jesus Walked by Lynn Austin

ISBN: 9780764211188

Paperback, 240 pages

Retail: $14.99

About the book: 

We ALL encounter times when our spirit feels DRY, when DOUBT looms.

The opportunity to tour Israel came at a good time. For months, my life has been a mindless plodding through necessary routine, as monotonous as all-night shift on an assembly line. Life gets that way sometimes, when nothing specific is wrong but the world around us seems drained of color. Even my weekly worship experiences and daily quite times with God have felt as dry and stale as last year's crackers. I'm ashamed to confess the malaise I've felt. I have been given so much. Shouldn't a Christian's life be an abundant one, as exciting as Christmas morning, as joyful as Easter Sunday? 

With gripping honesty, Lynn Austin pens her struggles with spiritual dryness in a season of loss and unwanted change. Tracing her travels throughout Israel, Austin seamlessly weaves events and insights from the Word...and in doing so finds a renewed passion for prayer and encouragement for her spirit, now full of life and hope. 

About the author:

Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago. You can follow her on Facebook , Goodreads, and her website. 

My thoughts:

This book came up for review around the same time as one of our church's pastors took a trip to Israel. That is what caught my interest initially; it coincided with something I could connect with. I also appreciate Austin as an author. This book also came shortly after I finished Austin's book Return to Me. I'd read two other of Austin's books from the Chronicles of the Kings series, Gods and Kings and Song of Redemption, both which I absolutely loved. Within the last year I read Until We Return Home. There is also a review on my blog done by my daughter of Austin's Wonderland Creek. So while I've not read all of Austin's work {not even close!}, I have read a few and I enjoy them. 

This book is different than her others. It is personal, of course, so I expected it to be different. But there is a different feel to it even. At the start of the book I could feel the dryness she talks about. Reading through it, it would be so easy to think 'gee, she has it good; why is she down?' and she knows this. It is very easy for us to focus on the positives of others' lives while only focusing on the negative of our own. It is also easy to look at our lives and think that we can't possibly be feeling gloomy or in a dark or dry place because we have so much. But it isn't true; we can and we do. I think it took some effort for Austin to put down into words what she was feeling and going through. 

She takes the trip in reverse from what we see on ancient travels of Abraham: 

I will be exploring the land from south to north, the opposite way that Abraham explored it when he arrived in the Promised Land four thousand years ago. But it's the direction that the Israelites traveled as they left behind a life of slavery in Egypt, ended their aimless desert wanderings, and arrived at last to reclaim their homeland and worship their God. (pg 16) 

Each chapter is full of descriptions of the location, the travel it took to get there including the hardships such as the length of the trail they hike {in reference to King Herod's Masada fortress in the Judean desert}, the cramped space of the tunnels {in reference to the water system beneath Jerusalem}, down to the cold and dark dungeon under Caiaphas' house, and many more. She also makes mention of things from the present such as the Israeli army and guards all over the place and seeing a missile shoot through the air. At the end of each chapter is "A New Prayer for the Journey" that focuses on each thing she's taken away from each place. 

It's not often I take a pencil to a book I'm reading but I did in this one. Here are a couple places I marked:

The truth is, I really don't want to walk by faith. Do any of us? I prefer comfort and safety, a well-stocked pantry and an abundant water supply, a map that shows exactly where I'm going and how long it will take to get there- and I would like to choose the destination myself, thank you. But who needs God if I have all those things? (pg 21)And once we settle down and build homes and plant vineyards, we tend to get complacent. That's what happened in Israel again and again. And it's what I'm continually tempted to do. (pg 61)

There were many other memorable portions that I didn't mark but looking through it now to write this review, I realize I want to reread the book *smile*.

***Disclaimer: I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for free for the purpose of this review. All opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: Return to Me {LitFuse Blog Tour}

Return to Me by Lynn Austin
ISBN: 9780764208980
Paperback, 460 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Retail: $14.99

About the book: From the Acclaimed Author of Chronicles of the Kings

After decades of exile, the prophesies are coming true---King Cyrus has declared the Jews may return to Jerusalem. Iddo, a priest, is sure this is a sign of God's renewed favor. For too long they've remained in Babylon, and many, including Iddo's sons, are losing the faith that sets them apart. And so only a few choose to leave everything to return---return to their home and their God.

Nothing about their journey to the Promised Land is easy. As hardships mount, even the faithful, like Iddo's beloved wife, Dinah, question the sacrifice of following God's leading. Zechariah, Iddo's oldest grandson, feels torn between his grandfather's ancient beliefs and the family they left behind. But one life-changing encounter with the Holy One gives him insight that will change Zechariah---and history---forever.

Bringing the Old Testament to vibrant life, Return to Metells the compelling story of two men living by faith in the midst of doubt, the women who love them, and the faithful remnant struggling to rebuild their lives in obedience to the God who beckons them home.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/pfkmh

About Lynn: Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.

You can find out more about Lynn at

http://www.lynnaustin.org/.

My thoughts: 

I really like this book. It's been almost a year since I've read the accounts in the Bible that this story is from but I could recall just about all of it while reading this! The writing style of Austin is very calm and rather predictable; which I enjoy! She gives enough detail in the portions where it something unpleasant has happened, or could happen, that you get an idea but it isn't painted vividly. I think in some respects, the Bible is much more gruesome in some of the recounts. 
Accounts from the Bible mentioned in this novel include 2 Kings 17:24-40 and 25:1-21, Ezra 1-6, Haggai 1-2, Zechariah 1-14 and Daniel 5 and 9. The NIV Bible is used when quoting the scriptures, which made it flow more with the dialogue and story (but I really prefer the KJV- it just wouldn't have meshed, I don't think). One thing that I didn't like, although could have truly happened, was the defiant attitude of Yael. She made me so upset through most of the book. Also, since we can easily see how it went with the Israelites in the Bible, I was shaking my head so often at the doubt of the people in the book. But historically, I think this has been portrayed quite well in the book. 
I can't really think of anything else that I didn't like about this book. I read it in the space of two or three days. I love novels like this that take history and make it come alive. Perhaps it could have been livelier with the writing. Maybe but it's good the way it is.
I really enjoy reading Lynn Austin's books. So far I have read the first two of the Chronicles of the Kings and this book. I fully intend to read more!

**Disclaimer: I received this book free from Bethany House in conjunction with LitFuse for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was given. All opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.**

Lynn Austin’s “Return To Me” Kindle HDX Giveaway and Facebook Party | Enter and RSVP today!

Lynn Austin is celebrating the release of Return to Me, the first book in her new Biblical fiction series, The Restoration Chronicles, with a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat party.

 


 
One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Return to Me by Lynn Austin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 22nd. Winner will be announced at the "Return To Me" Facebook Author Chat Party on October 22nd. Connect with Lynn and friends for an evening of book chat, biblical trivia, prizes, and get an exclusive look at the next book in Lynn's Restoration Chronicles series!

So grab your copy of Return to Me and join Lynn on the evening of October 22nd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on the 22nd!

Book Review: Wonderland Creek, by Lynn Austin

Hey, guys! Lee here! Haven’t posted in awhile, sorry! Anyways…

Mom got a book for review, and I snatched it up before she got to read any of it. I just got done reading it and Mom demands I do a review for her. Sheesh… Well, actually, I don’t mind too much, hehe.

Ok, here goes…

Wonderland Creek, by Lynn Austin
Published by Bethany House
Paperback, 400 pages
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0498-2   
Retail: $14.99 (can be purchased at the publisher’s website)

“I was perfectly content with my life--that is, until the pages of my story were ripped out before I had a chance to live happily ever after.

Alice Grace Ripley lives in a dream world, her nose stuck in a book. But the happily-ever-after life she's planned on suddenly falls apart when her boyfriend breaks up with her, accusing her of living in a world of fiction instead of the real one. To top it off, Alice loses her beloved library job because of cutbacks due to the Great Depression.

Longing to run from small-town gossip, Alice flees to the mountains of eastern Kentucky to deliver five boxes of donated books to the tiny coal-mining town of Acorn, a place with no running water, no electricity, and where the librarians ride ornery horses up steep mountain passes to deliver books. When Alice is forced to stay in Acorn far longer than she planned, she discovers that real-life adventure, mystery--and especially romance--may be far better than her humble dreams could have imagined.” (description from Bethany House)

I enjoyed this book a lot! Like the description says, it has adventure, mystery, and a little romance. There are hardly any slow parts in the book, and the plot makes you want to keep reading it and figure out the mystery! The characters are well-developed, and many you grow to admire and like. My favorite character is probably Miss Lillie, a 100-year-old Negro woman who’s mind is still very sharp.

There are some mature topics in the book, such as: death, murder, and depression.

***Disclaimer: This book was received from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. See my Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: Song of Redemption (Chronicles of the Kings #2)

 

Song of Redemption
by Lynn Austin
ASIN: B002EZZ4QY
3717 KB
Publisher: Bethany House Publisher
Retail: $6.99

(Paperback, 352 pages, ISBN: 978-0764229909, Retail: $14.99)

The second in the Chronicles of the Kings series.

After reading the first book, I was so hoping to find the second for free. Yes, I’m like that. But alas, I did not find it for such a good deal. I did find it relatively inexpensive at Amazon however and decided it was worth the price.

This picks up right where the first book left off. For this book read 2 Kings 17:1-23, 18:1-12, 2 Chronicles 29-31 and 32:27-30. Also Deuteronomy 17:14-20 and 2 Samuel 5:6-8.

The characters in this are what you read in the Bible and a couple that are added. Still focusing on the reign of King Hezekiah, we now get more of a glimpse into the life of his wife, Hephzibah, who in the first book was a gift from King Ahaz to Hezekiah (therefore Hezekiah avoided her- he disliked his father that much!). Striving to follow the Law of Moses, Hezekiah discovers that he is to have only one wife and has to get rid of his concubines. What a great part of the story! At the end of the first book, I felt so sorry for Hephzibah. By the end of this book, I am wondering what will happen with her… Can’t wait to get the next book!

Austin paints a picture of Hezekiah’s younger brother, Gedaliah, that isn’t too flattering. Zechariah is in this book as well and he helps Hezekiah make sound decisions in his attempt to follow God’s Law. Isaiah is also in this book but his part is smaller (no less significant because of his prophesying). Not overshadowing Isaiah but also a prophet is Micah, who has a larger part in this book. And we are reintroduced again to Eliakim from the first book (Hilkiah’s son).

Another character that we are given a good description of (her life and struggles) is Jerusha. She is kidnapped by the Assyrians and horrible things happen to her. At one point, I thought for sure she would die; she wished for it. I won’t give too much away about her but she feels that she is never to be forgiven- but of course, God forgives! and she comes to realize that she is the one who couldn’t forgive herself, not God. There is a lot of suffering for her but her father and mother believed that Yahweh was strong enough and faithful to bring her back to them.

I think that is about all I can tell without giving things away too much! It is a great book. I’ve enjoyed the series thus far and look forward to more. Lynn Austin is a good writer as well. I’m going to be looking for more books by her that are outside of this series soon.