Book Review: Dancing on the Head of a Pen {Blogging for Books}

This post contains *affiliate links. See Disclosure/Policies.

Dancing on the Head of a Pen: The practice of a writing life by Robert Benson*
ISBN: 97814000743589
Hardcover, 192 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Retail: $14.99

About the book (from the inner flap):
The Life of the Spirit Meets the Life of Art
A compelling combination of advice and inspiration, Dancing on the Head of a Pen will challenge and encourage writers, artists, musicians, painters--anyone drawn to a life of artistic expression.

Digging deeply into a his own writing habits, failures, and successes, Robert Benson helps you choose the ideal audience for your work, commit to it, and overcome the hurdles that inevitably confront both aspiring artists and accomplished professionals.

Extending beyond the craft of writing, this gentle book moves into a rich discussion o n the relationship between spirituality and art. Including wisdom from revered writers past and present, Dancing on the Head of a Pen is a beautiful mosaic of inspiration, practical help, and a glimpse into the disciplines that shape one writer's life. 

About the author:
Robert Benson is the author of numerous books, including The Echo Within, Digging In, and Home by Another Way. A retreat leader, Benson writes and speaks often on the life of prayer and contemplation, the practice of faith and spirituality, and the art and craft of writing. He is a graduate of and an adjunct faculty member for the Academy for Spiritual Formation, a program of the Upper Room. He is married to the literary agent Sara Fortenberry. Benson lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and he dances on the head of a pen every day no matter where he happens to be.

My thoughts:

A small book full of wonderful bits of inspiration and help. This is not a how-to for writing. Originally, I thought it was going to be more specific in the areas of 'do this for this outcome this reason'; I am very pleased that it is not. It is a charming book full of the author's own experiences. 

There are, as is mentioned in the description, many bits of wisdom from other authors, not just of books. James Taylor, one of my all-time favorite musicians is quoted. There are many that I do not know of but after reading this little book, I am compelled to find them out. Also, I'd never heard of Robert Benson prior to this review book. His books are now on my to-find and to-read booklists. 

I recommend this book to those who are serious about writing but not for those who are looking for a formula for writing. I especially appreciated the following chapters: Six Hundred Words, The Jury Box, Hat Tricks, and Under the Influence. 

Write, don't talk. ~Robert Benson, p. 151

At the end of the book Benson lists books and authors that he's been influenced by (some mentioned in the chapter titled "Under the Influence") and quoted from in this book.  

Thank you, WaterBrook Multnomah, for giving me this book for free for the purpose of this review. See Disclosure/Policies.

Book Review: Cloak of the Light {Multnomah}

This post contains *affiliate links. See Disclosure/Policies.

Cloak of the Light by Chuck Black*

ISBN: 9781601425027

Paperback, 306 pages

Publisher: Multnomah

Retail: $11.99

About the Book: 

Drew is caught in a world of light - just inches away from the dark.

What if...there was a world beyond our vision, a world just fingertips beyond our reach? What if...our world wasn’t beyond their influence?

Tragedy and heartache seem to be waiting for Drew Carter at every turn, but college offers Drew a chance to start over—until an accident during a physics experiment leaves him blind and his genius friend, Benjamin Berg, missing.

As his sight miraculously returns, Drew discovers that the accident has heightened his neuron activity, giving him skills and sight beyond the normal man. When he begins to observe fierce invaders that no one else can see, he questions his own sanity, and so do others. But is he insane or do the invaders truly exist?

With help from Sydney Carlyle, a mysterious and elusive girl who offers encouragement through her faith, Drew searches for his missing friend, Ben, who seems to hold the key to unlocking this mystery. As the dark invaders close in, will he find the truth in time?- 

Click here to download chapter one of Cloak of the Light.

About the Author: CHUCK BLACK, a former F-16 fighter pilot and tactical combat communications engineer, is the author of thirteen novels, including the popular Kingdom Series and The Knights of Arrethtrae series. Chuck and his wife, Andrea, have six children and live in North Dakota.

My thoughts:

The main characters are Drew Carter, Ben Berg, and Sydney Carlyle. Other characters include Drew's mother, Drew's father's best friend who's watched over Drew and his mother since his father's death, some high schoolers, Mr/Master Lee, and Reverend Ray and his family. A bunch of nonbelievers but for Sydney and then Rev. Ray. 

Essentially starting when Drew is 12 at his father's funeral, his life is full of hardship and not much good, with the exception of a few bits here and there. Drew is strong and smart, sometimes excelling in football and academics; and then not. An up-and-down life. He keeps a pretty positive outlook for the most part.

Up until about chapter 9, I wished I'd not chosen the book. There is a lot of talk of football and physics- neither do I know much about nor have an active interest in. It was mostly Drew's back-story, and I forgot that this is the first in a trilogy. Once I remembered that, I could struggle through a little better. Also at chapter 9 is where it gets interesting. I don't think this book is like Black's other book, perhaps because it is set in modern times?

Many of the scenes were totally unrealistic in the sense that you'd see them in an action movie (or to quote a line from the book, "like a scene out of some bizarre science-fiction body-snatcher movie.")

"What does spiritual warfare look like? The Wars of the Realm trilogy is a speculative work of fiction that I've written, not to contradict Scripture in any way but rather to inspire and challenge you to consider the reality of spiritual warfare in a whole new way...the story is intense and the liberties taken in regard to speculation are vast..." -A note from Chuck Black at the back of the book

The Reader's Guide at the back of the book shows the theme of each chapter with corresponding verses and comments by Chuck Black. 

I didn't think I would get through the book with a positive view but as mentioned, past a point the book gets better and I'd like to read the others in the trilogy. 

This is a fairly decent book but there is mention of underage drinking in chapter 4, and an accident that kills a high school student. And of course there is a lot of violence. It isn't that graphic but for the descriptions of the moves in the fighting, and mention of blood in a few places. 

***Disclaimer: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah for the purpose of this review. No compensation was given. All opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: Where Lilacs Still Bloom

Where Lilacs Still Bloom by Jane Kirkpatrick
ISBN: 978-1-4000-7430-3
Paperback, 372 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Retail: $14.99 US/$17.99 CAN

From the back cover:

One woman, an impossible dream, and the faith it takes to see it through.

     German immigrant and farm wife Hulda Klager possesses only an eighth-grade education –and a burning desire to create something beautiful. What begins as a hobby to create an easy-peeling apple for her pies becomes Hulda’s driving purpose: a time-consuming interest in plant hybridization that puts her at odds with family and community, as she challenges the early twentieth-century expectations for a simple housewife.
     Through the years, seasonal floods continually threaten to erase her Woodland, Washington, garden; and a series of family tragedies cause even Hulda to question her focus. In a time of practicality, can one person’s simple gifts of beauty make a difference?
      Based on the life of Hulda Klager, Where Lilacs Still Bloom is a story of triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds and the power of a generous heart.

“Beauty matters…it does. God gave us flowers for a reason. Flowers remind us to put away fear, to stop our rushing and running and worrying about this and that, and for a  moment, have a piece of paradise right here on earth.”

This book reads a bit like a diary with other stories interwoven. It kind of reminds me of a Lifetime original movie! It isn’t fast-paced; more calm and flowing.

Kirkpatrick’s writing focuses more on the everyday and not the spectacular or out-of-the-ordinary. Although no where near as flowery as Charlotte Bronte, this book, the first I’ve read by Kirkpatrick, reminded me somewhat of Bronte’s style. The mundane tasks of life, planting bulbs, pruning trees and bushes, baking pies, and hybridizing lilacs –can have such a significant importance in people’s lives is evident in this book.

I wasn’t entirely sure how this book was going to take shape and didn’t anticipate the directions it went. I do not feel that I am a feminist but do whole-heartedly believe in women being capable of more than simply cooking, cleaning and being interested only in ‘a woman’s place’. This book made me frustrated more than once, not because of the style of writing but because of the mindset of society when Hulda Klager was alive. I have mixed emotions about hybridization but I really think this book is about so much more than that. It is about having a passion about something that seems wrong or inappropriate to others based on culture or traditions. I am one who believes that the family is very important and that is it deteriorating as time progresses. But Hulda is accused of neglecting her family in this book, even though I fail to recall even one instance where she missed making dinner or to get the laundry done, with the exception of when she was ill. There were even those who believed tragedy in her life was a result of her placing her interests and energy into her flowers. To make it more clear, Hulda was trying to change the natural world that God created because she strived for a more perfect lilac. Hulda wasn’t a bee or a bird and therefore, according to some people, should have been content with the way things were and not try to do what it wasn’t her place to do.

I did enjoy this book because of the focus of faith and family as well as the pursuit of what seemed to be an impossible dream. Also being from the Northwest myself, Oregon in particular, I enjoyed the historical information. This isn’t a fast-paced book but if you stick with it, I believe you will find that it is a very good book.

***I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books book reviews. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: The Corruptible

The Corruptible by Mark Mynheir
ISBN: 978-1601420749; ASIN: B004FGMDMS
Paperback, 352 pages; ebook, 429 KB
Publisher: Multnomah Books
Retail: $14.99

What the book is about:

How much money would it take for you to betray the truth? Ex-homicide detective Ray Quinn never had glamorous thoughts of the life of a private investigator—but being cornered in a bathroom stall by the enraged philandering husband of a client? That’s something he could live without. Retired from homicide and living with a painful disability, Ray’s options are limited. Stick to the job, keep impetuous sidekick Crevis alive, and spend quiet evenings with trusted pal Jim Beam, that’s about the best he can hope for.
As a new client emerges, Ray finds himself in an impossibly large boardroom holding a check with enough zeros to finally lift him from his financial pit. The job seems easy enough: find Logan Ramsey, an ex-cop turned security officer who’s taken off with sensitive corporate information. But few things are easy in Ray’s world, regardless of the amount of zeros in the check.
In what should be an open-and-shut case, Ray stumbles across Logan Ramsey in a seedy motel room. Only Ray wasn’t the first to find him. Now Logan’s dead, the client’s information is nowhere to be found, and Ray’s employer is less than forthcoming with the details. Suddenly the line between the good guys and bad guys isn’t so clear. With a foot in both worlds and an illuminating look at an unhappy ending that could well be his own, which will Ray choose?
From the Trade Paperback edition- from amazon.com product description page

My thoughts: Good book. Plenty of action, suspense, real world scenarios- not all feel-good 'fluff'. I like my books like I like my movies- funny and/or packed with action. This is a Christian book but it is not preachy or smothered in it. I appreciated how it shows a person who is dependent on only themselves find the need to reach out to someone else for help- and often that 'someone' is God.

I found the characters to be well developed; the various settings were descriptive (it takes place in Florida). There was only one spot where I found myself simply skimming it because I was slightly bored with the scenario and that was only two pages.

Having limited experience with the police department- other than two brother-in-laws in the police force, one retired- I cannot really say whether this aspect of the book was accurate or not. My interaction with my in-law police officers is quite opposite of the image I get from this book. Often I see the same portrayal of officers in movies that Mynheir gives in this book.

I was going to include the main characters but the minor characters get so intertwined in the story that the list would be too long. Parts of the book focus more on one minor character, then other parts focus on another.

Read an excerpt at WaterBrook Multnomah’s site.

***Disclaimer: I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books program for free in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: Living Close to God (When You’re Not Good At It) by Gene Edwards

Living Close to God (When You’re Not Good at It) by Gene Edwards
ASIN: B004KPM25W
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Retail: $13.99

This is a difficult review for me to write! Where to start? Umm… well, let me start by telling you what the book is about. This is from the product description:
Have you tried harder to have a consistent time with the Lord—but failed? Does your mind wander during prayer, and do you run out of things to say? Do you question why it is so hard to fellowship with the Lord?

Stop feeling like a failure at daily devotions and start walking every day with the Lord who loves you.

Gene Edwards faced these same questions and struggles. And he found a better way to walk with the Lord than merely trying harder to pray and read the Bible. In Living Close to God (When You're Not Good at It) you will discover that loving God means much more than doing your best to serve Him. You will find ways to start your day with Christ, beginning with your first conscious thought in the morning. You will learn how to fellowship with Him during even the most demanding days. And when you go to the Scriptures, you will talk with Him in a two-way conversation—just as His first followers did. Includes a small-group discussion guide and a guide
for your own relationship with God.
*********************************************************************************

I have had the same exact issues that this book attempts to address and I was hopeful that it would be helpful for me. From the start, though, I felt that this book was only for those ‘special’ people who had the feeling of being ‘unspiritual’- not the usual individual who feels like this. {there is a difference, isn’t there? …is there??} I’d be one of those ‘usual’ unspiritual people. I fall asleep while praying- sometimes I have a terrible time even starting a prayer.

But that is where we differ, I suppose, because although my prayers are not like those who can pray without ceasing for hours (with fervor that never seems to lessen), I do not feel that I lack fellowship with the Lord {I need a closer fellowship but I do have some}. Perhaps because of this lack of feeling the void the author felt, I had a difficult time with being able to use the suggestions and advice. Also, my personality is completely opposite from Edwards. I am more of the type to stop and listen before I have the urge to do. Edwards is a doer that had to learn to stop.

I need a book that turns this slow, listener into a doer.

One other thing that nagged at me throughout much of his book, his discoveries were something that I had heard of before- I just could not remember where, when, etc. {I still cannot recall} Reading all the way through the book, it is brought to our attention that the author also discovered that his approach wasn’t unique (as in others had attempted to help those who feel they do not have a ‘natural spiritual bent’ without focusing on meditation and prayer). Edwards mentioned authors that I personally do not recall knowing about before and I am looking forward to searching out at least two new titles.

This may be a good book to help those who need to learn to slow down or stop altogether in order to find their relationship with God to be more fulfilling- or find it at all. It isn’t a good book for me. There were some good points and advice through the book and for those I am better off for reading it.

***Disclaimer: I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books program for free in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: Lilies in Moonlight by Allison Pittman

Lilies in Moonlight by Allison Pittman
ISBN: 978-1601421388
Publisher: Waterbrook Multnomah
Retail: $14.99

He’d lost his zest for life. She was just lost. Will they find the healing and love they long for?
After a roaring night on the town, fun-loving flapper Lilly Margolis, dazed and disoriented, twists her ankle and falls into the backyard of a wealthy family where the effects of the Great War—over for more than half a decade—are still endured. Inside the walls of the Burnside mansion, Cullen Burnside, a disillusioned and disfigured veteran, and his widowed mother, Betty Ruth, who daily slips a little further into dementia, lead a lonely existence … until Lilly. Whimsical, lighthearted, and beautiful, she rejuvenates their sad, disconnected lives and blossoms in the light of their attention.
But Lilly, like Cullen, is hiding from a painful past. And when Cullen insists on returning her to her faraway home, their budding attraction seems destined to die on the vine. The resulting road trip becomes a journey of self-discovery—but what will Cullen and Lilly find at journey’s end?

The beginning of this book caught my attention right away. The sense of Lilly living for acceptance and unfortunately just looking for her next fun episode, most likely at the hands of a man looking for one thing in return, was very well done. There is no foul language nor explicit scenes in this book. Lilly is the picture of beauty and modernity (for the 1920s), she knows how to get what she wants from men but it means giving a little more of herself. I got the impression though that Lilly didn’t really know what she wanted in the first place.

I really enjoyed the exuberance that Lilly is given. When I read the portions where her life is described, even the mundane, it held an air of excitement. Soon, soon, something fun and exciting was going to happen. Just a matter of time. Then when we meet Cullen Burnside, the writing lends a more somber, subdued quality. Muted. Put these two together and it works great.

I found this book to be well written. The excitement of the ‘flappers’ during the 1920s can be felt through Lilly and Betty Ruth Burnside. But it is definitely more about finding what a person truly values and what they find to be worth going for than just being accepted by the world. For Lilly it was beauty on the surface but ultimately it was love and acceptance by even just one person. For Cullen it is somewhat the same; he comes to realize that he is not the scars that are the result of time spent in war.

Cullen’s determination to treat Lilly not like ‘one of those girls’ frustrates both himself (he is quite a gentleman throughout the entire book) and Lilly but in the end it helps Lilly to see things clearly; her life, herself, her faith. It does the same for Cullen; he can be loved, he walks out in faith, and sees more clearly about how he feels.

Other characters include Dina (Lilly’s ‘flapper friend’), Eugenia (Mrs. Burnside’s maid), Miles (the Burnsides’ driver), Ella (Lilly’s mother), the Tatters (owners of a cabin site where a road trip takes the main characters to near the end of the book), and a few others. A character that I gather is in Pittman’s other books is Dave Voyent- a sports journalist.

Pittman smoothly brings Jesus’ love into this book. Lilly realizes that Jesus sees past her sins, loves her and accepts her. That is worth more to her than the love of her mother or Cullen. I won’t spoil the ending but personally I expected a different end- some may not be surprised

I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. I give it .

Book Review: Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest by Chuck Black

Read the first chapter!

Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest by Chuck Black
ISBN: 978-1-60142-129-6
Paperback, 182 pages (available in ebook format)
Publisher: Multnomah
Retail: $9.99

If you’ve read one of the “The Knights of Arrethtrae” books then you’ve read them all? Well, maybe.

This is the 2nd book of the Chuck Black’s books I have read and it was much like the first. Of course there were different main characters with a “problem” to overcome to accept the Prince and to serve Him. 

The main character of Book 6, Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest is … Rowan. There are lesser main characters also, such as Mariah and Sir Aldwyn…and about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way through Lijah, who becomes one of the main characters from then on out. Make sense? Really, though there aren’t too many people to keep track of- which I was thankful for.

Sir Rowan starts as an oprhan child that has had to rise up from the slums to be something great. He handles a sword like no other and eventually is trained to be a Knight of the Prince. He pledges his allegiance to the Prince but he doesn’t live by the Code and is over taken by greed and vanity. Rowan at the height of his fame is kidnapped for ransom…but no ransom comes. His kidnappers leave him to die but he is found by Mariah, a widow. From then on, Rowan thinks on his past and the mistakes he’s made. He gains strength and knowledge of the problems that those who follow the Prince have been going through and what is to come. I don’t want to ruin the book for any one but I will say that one of the characters dies and it’s very sad But in the end, it’s all good

Interestingly, but not surprisingly, Black has taken the history of our world (Biblical history) and used it in this story. He changes the names of places but you get the idea. Near the end when Rowan and Lijah are telling the people of Chessington about the Prince and the things to come, they mention when the people were persecuted and imprisoned, “and the King heard our cries and delivered us from Fairos. Here He brought us to a land of great wealth and prosperity…When we turned out backs on Him again and were carried into captivity by the Kessons to Daydelon, He had mercy on us and brought us back to this great city and rebuilt our homes once more.” There are also names of rivers that sound a lot like our modern-day rivers (Frates and Tisgri, in the book- Euphrates and Tigris, in real life).

There is fighting a plenty in this book and fortunately for me, it’s short and to the point (I’ve a short attention span when it comes to “jab, thrust, twist, slice, etc”- fighting in general). There is ‘romance’ but it is wholesome and clean (thank goodness). The final purpose is to share the hope of Jesus Christ through a story. It isn’t too bad of a book. My ds (11) enjoyed it and we would both like to read the others in the series.

I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Blogging for Books program. I was not required to write a positive review.

Blogging for Books

Book Review: When the Soul Mends

When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall

ISBN: 9781400072941

Paperback (other formats available)

354 pages

Publisher: WaterBrook Multnomah

Retail: $13.99

This is the third book of the Sisters of the Quilt series by Cindy Woodsmall. Hannah, the main character of this book, goes back to her hometown after more than 2 years and disgrace. She is unsure of how it will turn out but from the start, it doesn't go well. 

I'm not going to give anything away from this book. Without reading the first two books (even with the cast of characters recap at the front of this one), I really wasn't entirely sure what had happened in the first two. I could put the pieces together and make a picture- how accurate, I don't know.

The writing is well done. Woodsmall definitely writes in a compelling way. I found myself captivated by the book...however, I didn't really care for the book. It is like a soap-opera in print. It allows for an escape from my own life (which I find to be pleasantly boring) and I can immerse myself in the drama of some fictional character. 

On the back cover it states that Woodsmall 'authentically captures[s] the heart of her characters [which] comes from her real-life connections with Amish Mennonites and Old Order Amish families' but I do wonder how many would approve of how she writes about their lifestyles. Although, this is a fictional work.

In terms of the quality of writing, it does well. The subject/theme isn't something that usually interests me much but the writing definitely drew me in. For those who enjoy books along these lines, I don't think this one will disappoint.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.

Blogging for Books

Book Review: Soul Print by Mark Batterson

Soul Print: discovering your divine destiny by Mark Batterson
Price: $14.99 (paperback or ebook)
Publisher: WaterBrook Multinomah
ISBN: 9781601420398
Religion- Christian Life



A book that is described as a self-discovery book, not a self-help book. As Batterson points out in the opening to this book, self-help books are aimed at the self; raising oneself high. He calls it 'idolatry dressed up in a rented tuxedo'.

That may be what Batterson would like the readers to think when reading this book. It isn't about you really, it is about God. But I for one had a difficult time truly picking apart what was about God and not oneself. Granted there are many references to people from the Bible (and more modern Christians as well) that used their own uniqueness to glorify God but really, if this book weren't about the 'self' there would be a lot less in terms of thinking inwardly about oneself.

In the back of the book are some discussion questions that I would think would be meant for a study group but these could very well be done alone. There are many references to David and his life as well, with questions following.

If it seems that I am just putting the book down, I don't mean to, but if the author is stating that it isn't a self-help book because of his definition it, then calling it a self-discovery book doesn't change what it really is: a self-help book. 
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:10)


**Disclaimer: I was given a copy of Soul Print from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review. I received no compensation for this review. The opinions expressed are my own. See Disclosure/Policies**

Blogging for Books

Book Review: The Goodness of God by Randy Alcorn

ISBN: 9781601423436

August 2010

Cost: $12.99

Publisher: WaterBrook Multnomah

Assurance of Purpose in the Midst of Suffering:

Sometimes when we endure tough, heart breaking moments in our lives we often wonder if there really can be a God. In this book, The Goodness of God, Randy Alcorn brings another great book to those who are in search of God's goodness in a world that is full of misery. 

There are definite times in life when we are searching simply for hope, other times we are looking for something deeper. In this book, Alcorn travels alongside those who are or have suffered and are searching. Sometimes, Alcorn says, when we go through the terrible trials we lose our faith- and he posits that it can be good. Here is a glimpse of the language in this book:

But that’s actually a good thing; any faith that leaves us unprepared for suffering is a false faith that deserves to be abandoned. Genuine faith will be tested by suffering; false faith will be lost—the sooner, the better.

I personally have only suffered to the point of digging deeper into the goodness of God in adverse times a few times in my life, but this book is helpful even to me. I believe that it is good to arm ourselves with knowledge before we need it. I have never doubted that God is good, but sometimes it is difficult to understand why things happen the way they do, why God would allow bad things to happen. Chapter 6 (Why so much evil? Questioning why God allows evil and delays justice) was very helpful to me.

This book was an easy and a difficult read. Easy because it is short and there aren't words and concepts that are above the average reader. Tough because of the issues that are being dealt with. The language really isn't all sweet and soft. Alcorn doesn't sugar coat the issues. Some people will read these and it will cause them renewed pain, perhaps it will open our mind again to something that we didn't wish to think on again. But it also heals, I believe. All the while by taking us to the goodness of God. The back cover definitely puts it correctly:

The issues are far from simple, the answers far from easy- but Alcorn shows how the way of suffering- a path that Jesus himself followed more than anyone else- can ultimately become a journey into wholeness and even logic-defying joy.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Blogging for Books

Book Review: Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor, Knights of Arrethtrae, Book 5

from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group

Looking for a good book? I would recommend Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor, Knights of Arrethtrae Book 5 by Chuck Black. I read this book and then let my 11 yo son read it. Without giving away too much, this book has just enough 'drama' (decisions must be made) as well as action (there are sword fights) and thankfully no romance! There are a few twists in this book but it generally is easy to follow with not too many characters. I believe these books were written for teens and I would personally recommend this one to teens that are looking for this genre. Something I really liked in this book were the two instances of looks-can-be-deceiving.

There is a definite purpose to this book, however, that I should let you know about (if you don't already know about Chuck Black's books). The main purpose is to show our need for Jesus Christ as our Savior and the job we have when we decide to follow Him. Or what our lot will be if we do not choose to follow Him. At the back of the book there are study questions with answers for if you would like to use the book in a group, or just for your own personal study. 

Overall, this is a good book and my ds wants the rest of them now! A nice thing about this series is that even though it is part of the series, it is a stand-alone book. Black gives a brief history at the start of the book for those who haven't read the previous books. 

This book can be purchased for $9.99 through WaterBrook Multnomah, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other book sellers in print format or ebook (prices may vary).

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Blogging for Books