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The Space In Between
Jen Minkman
2015 Finalist
260 Pages
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Young Adult - Paranormal
Reviewed by Sierra Edelen for Readers' Favorite
Moira, an art student, along with her sister, Tabitha, and her brother, Dai, travel to Meini Hirion, a stone circle in Wales, just outside the town they live in. They go to perform a spell from Tabitha's Wiccan religion to try to contact their late grandparents. With this simple spell cast in a circle of stones, they are thrown into a dream world which they share between the three of them. There they find a man, trapped, and Moira is tasked with the job of saving him and setting him free. Throughout all of this, she has to juggle a part time job, school at the university and an overbearing boyfriend.
The Space In Between, a world between worlds, where time is simply an illusion. This is the story you are thrown into by Jen Minkman, the brilliant writer of this book. The story tells a tale of love, mystery and adventure. This book was amazing. From the moment I started it, I was caught in Jen Minkman's web of words that reeled me in as I read. By the time I had read the first three pages, I did not want to stop reading. The word play was clever in such a way my attention was always focused on the book and nothing else. There was never a point in the book where I found it boring or dull. If you want a book to become immersed in, this is the book for you!
Moira, an art student, along with her sister, Tabitha, and her brother, Dai, travel to Meini Hirion, a stone circle in Wales, just outside the town they live in. They go to perform a spell from Tabitha's Wiccan religion to try to contact their late grandparents. With this simple spell cast in a circle of stones, they are thrown into a dream world which they share between the three of them. There they find a man, trapped, and Moira is tasked with the job of saving him and setting him free. Throughout all of this, she has to juggle a part time job, school at the university and an overbearing boyfriend.
The Space In Between, a world between worlds, where time is simply an illusion. This is the story you are thrown into by Jen Minkman, the brilliant writer of this book. The story tells a tale of love, mystery and adventure. This book was amazing. From the moment I started it, I was caught in Jen Minkman's web of words that reeled me in as I read. By the time I had read the first three pages, I did not want to stop reading. The word play was clever in such a way my attention was always focused on the book and nothing else. There was never a point in the book where I found it boring or dull. If you want a book to become immersed in, this is the book for you!
Recommend this book:
The Clay Lion
The Clay Lion Series Volume 1
Amalie Jahn
2015 Gold Medal
253 Pages
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Young Adult - Sci-Fi
Reviewed by Bil Howard for Readers' Favorite
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is no easy task, but what if you could go back in time and alter the past in order to keep them around? Amalie Jahn poses that question in The Clay Lion. Brooke Wallace was devastated by the loss of her brother Brandon at such an early age to a pulmonary disease. She shut herself off from the rest of the world and decided that her life was not worth living without her brother by her side. Since time travel had been made possible, though highly regulated by the government, Brooke found hope in the possibility that she might travel back in time and alter the events that led to Brandon contracting the disease. After a great deal of study and some assistance from Brandon's pulmonary doctor, she was certain that she would be able to stop two events that were the most likely causes of his illness. Armed with the necessary knowledge to change the course of history and save her brother's life, Brooke returns to a time several weeks before the first possible cause, hoping that she can stop the disease from taking her brother's life. What she discovers is that altering the past can bring about a number of very negative consequences and set other people's lives out of order as well. She also discovers that the time that she had with her brother was even more precious than she had previously realized. Will she bring healing to her brother or healing to herself?
The Clay Lion by Amalie Jahn is a young adult masterpiece. The story and characters will grip you from the very beginning and hold you tightly until the very end. The profound truths present in this book are subtly woven into a tale of adventure mixed with love. Without giving away the story line, I can assure you that once you have been touched by this tale, your life will never be the same, and you will find new courage and a sense of peace. The Clay Lion is a must-read for anyone and everyone, but especially for those, young and old, who are coping with loss.
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is no easy task, but what if you could go back in time and alter the past in order to keep them around? Amalie Jahn poses that question in The Clay Lion. Brooke Wallace was devastated by the loss of her brother Brandon at such an early age to a pulmonary disease. She shut herself off from the rest of the world and decided that her life was not worth living without her brother by her side. Since time travel had been made possible, though highly regulated by the government, Brooke found hope in the possibility that she might travel back in time and alter the events that led to Brandon contracting the disease. After a great deal of study and some assistance from Brandon's pulmonary doctor, she was certain that she would be able to stop two events that were the most likely causes of his illness. Armed with the necessary knowledge to change the course of history and save her brother's life, Brooke returns to a time several weeks before the first possible cause, hoping that she can stop the disease from taking her brother's life. What she discovers is that altering the past can bring about a number of very negative consequences and set other people's lives out of order as well. She also discovers that the time that she had with her brother was even more precious than she had previously realized. Will she bring healing to her brother or healing to herself?
The Clay Lion by Amalie Jahn is a young adult masterpiece. The story and characters will grip you from the very beginning and hold you tightly until the very end. The profound truths present in this book are subtly woven into a tale of adventure mixed with love. Without giving away the story line, I can assure you that once you have been touched by this tale, your life will never be the same, and you will find new courage and a sense of peace. The Clay Lion is a must-read for anyone and everyone, but especially for those, young and old, who are coping with loss.
Recommend this book:
Love Letters from the Edge
Meditations for Those Struggling with Brokenness, Trauma, and the Pain of Life
Shelly Beach and Wanda Sanchez
2015 Gold Medal
296 Pages
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Christian - Devotion/Study
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Love Letters from the Edge: Meditations for Those Struggling with Brokenness, Trauma, and the Pain of Life by Shelly Beach and Wanda Sanchez is a moving, honest and intimate book that reaches out to readers and is helpful to many out there who have experienced suffering and trauma in life. The book takes readers on a spiritual journey of healing and many will find peace and comfort in it. Every individual's journey is unique and different and this book provides healing support to everyone. The authors' approach and honesty while dealing with difficult situations is commendable and they reiterate God's nearness and presence in everyone's life.
Trauma can have lasting effects in one's life, making one feel helpless and not knowing where to turn for help. The book gives a positive message on how God hears all our cries and the activities in the book motivate one in taking the first step towards healing and deepening one's relationship with God. The book is useful to all those who are undergoing problems in life as it helps them meditate and relax. The tips and suggestions given are helpful to all. This twelve-week meditation program reaches out to readers who are suffering from trauma, PTSD, and physical or chemical abuse. It's a sound program for everyone who has lost hope and it helps them reconnect with God. The book is handy for all those women who are traumatized and hurt, and looking to recover.
Love Letters from the Edge: Meditations for Those Struggling with Brokenness, Trauma, and the Pain of Life by Shelly Beach and Wanda Sanchez is a moving, honest and intimate book that reaches out to readers and is helpful to many out there who have experienced suffering and trauma in life. The book takes readers on a spiritual journey of healing and many will find peace and comfort in it. Every individual's journey is unique and different and this book provides healing support to everyone. The authors' approach and honesty while dealing with difficult situations is commendable and they reiterate God's nearness and presence in everyone's life.
Trauma can have lasting effects in one's life, making one feel helpless and not knowing where to turn for help. The book gives a positive message on how God hears all our cries and the activities in the book motivate one in taking the first step towards healing and deepening one's relationship with God. The book is useful to all those who are undergoing problems in life as it helps them meditate and relax. The tips and suggestions given are helpful to all. This twelve-week meditation program reaches out to readers who are suffering from trauma, PTSD, and physical or chemical abuse. It's a sound program for everyone who has lost hope and it helps them reconnect with God. The book is handy for all those women who are traumatized and hurt, and looking to recover.
Recommend this book:
Not the Way You Thought It Would Be
Making Sense of the Journey of Faith
Glen Gibson
2015 Honorable Mention
248 Pages
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Christian - Devotion/Study
Reviewed by Steve Painter for Readers' Favorite
In his book Not The Way You Thought It Would Be, Glen Gibson tells the story of Abram and Sarai from the Bible. In many ways, Abram simply relied upon his own understanding instead of God's promises. In addition, this story relates well to our present day, in that we all have misplaced faith for a self-sufficient lifestyle that frequently supplants God from his rightful place as the center of our lives. We have good reasons why we allow this, but the truth is, faith needs to be strengthened on a daily basis through communicating with God and reading his love letter that He authored with attentive interest. Abram and Sarai faced many trials in their walk with God, but God was, as He always is, faithful.
The quality of writing and good, genuine counsel found in Glen Gibson's Not The Way You Thought It Would Be is simply astounding. Glen weaves personal stories into the narrative and that is a refreshing means to develop a relationship with the reader, who may never meet or get to know Glen personally. Glen speaks to us with a pastor's heart that is full of love for us, as well as the subject. He is obviously a great writer and his talent to weave through the story of Abram, and make it relate to our struggles today, is very profound. I just became so immersed in the story and his personal anecdotes that time would slip away and I felt closer to God because of it.
In his book Not The Way You Thought It Would Be, Glen Gibson tells the story of Abram and Sarai from the Bible. In many ways, Abram simply relied upon his own understanding instead of God's promises. In addition, this story relates well to our present day, in that we all have misplaced faith for a self-sufficient lifestyle that frequently supplants God from his rightful place as the center of our lives. We have good reasons why we allow this, but the truth is, faith needs to be strengthened on a daily basis through communicating with God and reading his love letter that He authored with attentive interest. Abram and Sarai faced many trials in their walk with God, but God was, as He always is, faithful.
The quality of writing and good, genuine counsel found in Glen Gibson's Not The Way You Thought It Would Be is simply astounding. Glen weaves personal stories into the narrative and that is a refreshing means to develop a relationship with the reader, who may never meet or get to know Glen personally. Glen speaks to us with a pastor's heart that is full of love for us, as well as the subject. He is obviously a great writer and his talent to weave through the story of Abram, and make it relate to our struggles today, is very profound. I just became so immersed in the story and his personal anecdotes that time would slip away and I felt closer to God because of it.
Recommend this book:
The King's Scrolls
Ilyon Chronicles - Book Two
Jaye L. Knight
2015 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite
The King's Scrolls by Jaye L. Knight is the second book in The Ilyon Chronicles. It is an excellent example of Christian fantasy. A lot of the story is told through the eyes of Rebel twins. Another thread involves the spiritual leader of an oppressed community of miners. Timothy is the scribe creating scrolls for distribution to the masses and much of the plot involves a race for the Rebels to find him before the villains do. I liked Kyrin and her twin brother Kaden and kept reading to see what would happen to them and all their friends. Timothy the miner and his family and friends were also very easy to become attached to and root for. The description of their lives and situation was spot on. Timothy and his devotion to his people, his mission, and to God was very inspiring. And with all these things going for it, The King's Scrolls also has dragons!
The King's Scrolls is well written and I would not be surprised if The Ilyon Chronicles becomes a classic in the tradition of The Chronicles of Narnia. If you or your children enjoyed those tales, then this is a book for you. The King's Scrolls is the second book of the series and I have not read the first, but it didn't stop my enjoyment of this one. It can be read and enjoyed as a complete stand-alone novel, but I recommend reading the first one and enjoying the saga the way Jaye L. Knight intended. In a time when what is right and wrong can be very confusing for everyone, it can be very rewarding for children, teens, and young adults to read a well written morality play. But when all is said and done, the best reason to read The King's Scrolls is that it is a beautifully written adventure story with interesting characters and a well thought out plot.
The King's Scrolls by Jaye L. Knight is the second book in The Ilyon Chronicles. It is an excellent example of Christian fantasy. A lot of the story is told through the eyes of Rebel twins. Another thread involves the spiritual leader of an oppressed community of miners. Timothy is the scribe creating scrolls for distribution to the masses and much of the plot involves a race for the Rebels to find him before the villains do. I liked Kyrin and her twin brother Kaden and kept reading to see what would happen to them and all their friends. Timothy the miner and his family and friends were also very easy to become attached to and root for. The description of their lives and situation was spot on. Timothy and his devotion to his people, his mission, and to God was very inspiring. And with all these things going for it, The King's Scrolls also has dragons!
The King's Scrolls is well written and I would not be surprised if The Ilyon Chronicles becomes a classic in the tradition of The Chronicles of Narnia. If you or your children enjoyed those tales, then this is a book for you. The King's Scrolls is the second book of the series and I have not read the first, but it didn't stop my enjoyment of this one. It can be read and enjoyed as a complete stand-alone novel, but I recommend reading the first one and enjoying the saga the way Jaye L. Knight intended. In a time when what is right and wrong can be very confusing for everyone, it can be very rewarding for children, teens, and young adults to read a well written morality play. But when all is said and done, the best reason to read The King's Scrolls is that it is a beautifully written adventure story with interesting characters and a well thought out plot.
Recommend this book:
 by Angie Brashear, Laila Pennedy is a young female character that many teen girls will relate to. She has had a very trying young life, but remains strong in her faith and still manages to be generous, caring, and optimistic. Lars Landre is the young man who saves her life and helps her on a ...){kind=link}
Of the Persecuted
Legends of the Woodlands Volume 1
Angie Brashear
2015 Bronze Medal
364 Pages
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Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Reviewed by Ray Simmons for Readers' Favorite
In Of The Persecuted (Legends of The Woodlands Volume 1) by Angie Brashear, Laila Pennedy is a young female character that many teen girls will relate to. She has had a very trying young life, but remains strong in her faith and still manages to be generous, caring, and optimistic. Lars Landre is the young man who saves her life and helps her on a perilous journey to reach the hidden village of the Faithful, called Tuveil. There are trials and tribulations on the journey to Tuveil, and Lars and Laila will encounter friendship, death, and betrayal before they can reach the fabled village of the Faithful.
Of The Persecuted (Legends of The Woodlands Volume 1) by Angie Brashear is a quick, delightful read for young people. It has overtones of Christianity, much like the Narnia Chronicles, without direct reference to Christianity itself. It is a great book for young readers in that the story is a clear struggle between right and wrong with corresponding themes of faith, endurance, loyalty, love, and friendship.
This is a book I can give to my own son and daughter to read. Lars and Leila are great examples for young people to emulate. Lars is young but he may be the Chosen, the one who will help rescue the Woodlands from the armies of Vatten Rendow and The Maker's adversary, The Master of Lies. The action moves quickly in Of The Persecuted and Angie Brashear includes many powerful and inspiring scenes in this awesome tale of good and evil. This is the first book in the series and young people can follow their heroes as they grow stronger in faith and love.
In Of The Persecuted (Legends of The Woodlands Volume 1) by Angie Brashear, Laila Pennedy is a young female character that many teen girls will relate to. She has had a very trying young life, but remains strong in her faith and still manages to be generous, caring, and optimistic. Lars Landre is the young man who saves her life and helps her on a perilous journey to reach the hidden village of the Faithful, called Tuveil. There are trials and tribulations on the journey to Tuveil, and Lars and Laila will encounter friendship, death, and betrayal before they can reach the fabled village of the Faithful.
Of The Persecuted (Legends of The Woodlands Volume 1) by Angie Brashear is a quick, delightful read for young people. It has overtones of Christianity, much like the Narnia Chronicles, without direct reference to Christianity itself. It is a great book for young readers in that the story is a clear struggle between right and wrong with corresponding themes of faith, endurance, loyalty, love, and friendship.
This is a book I can give to my own son and daughter to read. Lars and Leila are great examples for young people to emulate. Lars is young but he may be the Chosen, the one who will help rescue the Woodlands from the armies of Vatten Rendow and The Maker's adversary, The Master of Lies. The action moves quickly in Of The Persecuted and Angie Brashear includes many powerful and inspiring scenes in this awesome tale of good and evil. This is the first book in the series and young people can follow their heroes as they grow stronger in faith and love.
Recommend this book:
Four in the Garden
A Spiritual Allegory About Trust
Rick Hocker
2015 Honorable Mention
328 Pages
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Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Reviewed by Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite
Four in the Garden by Rick Hocker is a thought provoking account of man’s relationship with God. This beautifully written allegory portrays the forging of trust between Cherished and the Creator. Cherished is created and placed in the garden; from conception the Creator is there to guide, protect and serve him. Encouraged to explore his world, Cherished discovers friendship and adversity. Not every being that crosses his path is good, some are disguised, cloaked in a false light. Free will challenges Cherished, and temptation leads to separation and ultimately isolation. Cherished learns that his choices have consequences, mistakes are necessary for growth, “trust grows by trusting” and “true devotion is motivated by love alone.” Through it all, Cherished is transformed into a beloved Companion.
Rick Hocker’s Four in the Garden is a symbolic narrative bathed with spiritual meaning. It bursts with proverbial moral lessons, profound philosophical ideas, and Godly principles. It is a treasure chest overflowing with nuggets of truth. Hocker’s writing style is extremely figurative, imaginative and sensory; his descriptions entice the senses. The chapters are short and focus on a single topic, but also are in chronological order, portraying the dynamic growth of the main character. Four in the Garden is a first person account from Cherished’s point of view. However, at times the story is told through the voice of an omniscient narrator who objectively fills in necessary information. Four in the Garden is a refreshing narrative, full of Selah moments. It challenges the reader to search out their own soul, to discover their own personal relationship with their Creator. Four in the Garden is one book I will read again and again.
Four in the Garden by Rick Hocker is a thought provoking account of man’s relationship with God. This beautifully written allegory portrays the forging of trust between Cherished and the Creator. Cherished is created and placed in the garden; from conception the Creator is there to guide, protect and serve him. Encouraged to explore his world, Cherished discovers friendship and adversity. Not every being that crosses his path is good, some are disguised, cloaked in a false light. Free will challenges Cherished, and temptation leads to separation and ultimately isolation. Cherished learns that his choices have consequences, mistakes are necessary for growth, “trust grows by trusting” and “true devotion is motivated by love alone.” Through it all, Cherished is transformed into a beloved Companion.
Rick Hocker’s Four in the Garden is a symbolic narrative bathed with spiritual meaning. It bursts with proverbial moral lessons, profound philosophical ideas, and Godly principles. It is a treasure chest overflowing with nuggets of truth. Hocker’s writing style is extremely figurative, imaginative and sensory; his descriptions entice the senses. The chapters are short and focus on a single topic, but also are in chronological order, portraying the dynamic growth of the main character. Four in the Garden is a first person account from Cherished’s point of view. However, at times the story is told through the voice of an omniscient narrator who objectively fills in necessary information. Four in the Garden is a refreshing narrative, full of Selah moments. It challenges the reader to search out their own soul, to discover their own personal relationship with their Creator. Four in the Garden is one book I will read again and again.
Recommend this book:
The Story in the Stars
Gateway to Gannah, Volume 1
Yvonne Anderson
2015 Finalist
330 Pages
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Christian - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Reviewed by Tracy A. Fischer for Readers' Favorite
In The Story in the Stars: Gateway to Gannah, Volume One by author Yvonne Anderson, we find our heroine, Dassa, teaming up with the inscrutable Dr. Pik in the hopes of finding a cure for the Karkar plague before it decimates the population of Gannah. In a surprising alliance, as Dr. Pik has professed his hatred for the whole Gannahan race, the two must race against time in their work. When a cure is found, the story doesn’t end as Dassa and Pik need to fight off attacks by interstellar pirates and wild beasts, survive food poisoning and a plane crash and, perhaps most difficult of all, try to get along with one another until they can finish their quest.
The Story in the Stars: Gateway to Gannah, Volume One is a strong new entry in the genre of Christian science fiction. The Story in the Stars, the unifying theme of all cultures in the Universe, that all have the same story of the constellations, the same origin story of religion, underlies the religious foundation of this book. The belief that God created all under the stars, not just those from Earth, serves as the basis for the Christian religion for all. Yvonne Anderson’s attempt to unite Christian themes and science fiction in this, her debut novel, is a delicate balancing act, and one not undertaken by many novelists even more experienced than she. Her work will appeal to those who enjoy science fiction, but especially those with a Christian faith, and those who may have found themselves wondering, ‘If there are others out there in the Universe, who is to say that they, too, were not created by God and a part of His greater Creation?’
In The Story in the Stars: Gateway to Gannah, Volume One by author Yvonne Anderson, we find our heroine, Dassa, teaming up with the inscrutable Dr. Pik in the hopes of finding a cure for the Karkar plague before it decimates the population of Gannah. In a surprising alliance, as Dr. Pik has professed his hatred for the whole Gannahan race, the two must race against time in their work. When a cure is found, the story doesn’t end as Dassa and Pik need to fight off attacks by interstellar pirates and wild beasts, survive food poisoning and a plane crash and, perhaps most difficult of all, try to get along with one another until they can finish their quest.
The Story in the Stars: Gateway to Gannah, Volume One is a strong new entry in the genre of Christian science fiction. The Story in the Stars, the unifying theme of all cultures in the Universe, that all have the same story of the constellations, the same origin story of religion, underlies the religious foundation of this book. The belief that God created all under the stars, not just those from Earth, serves as the basis for the Christian religion for all. Yvonne Anderson’s attempt to unite Christian themes and science fiction in this, her debut novel, is a delicate balancing act, and one not undertaken by many novelists even more experienced than she. Her work will appeal to those who enjoy science fiction, but especially those with a Christian faith, and those who may have found themselves wondering, ‘If there are others out there in the Universe, who is to say that they, too, were not created by God and a part of His greater Creation?’
Recommend this book:
The Thornbearer
Penned in Time Book 1
Pepper Basham
2015 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Christian - Fiction
Reviewed by Tracy Slowiak for Readers' Favorite
Drama. Intrigue. Heartbreak. And memorable historical events. All of these elements are what make up a great entry into the genre of historical fiction. And you’ll find all of them, and more, in The Thornbearer by debut author Pepper D. Basham. Follow our protagonist, Ashleigh Dougall, as she tries to escape the betrayals she’s suffered, first by being left behind by her fiancé only eight months before their wedding, and then the ultimate betrayal by her father, sexual abuse. Fleeing on the Lusitania, she finds that a fellow traveler is one she knows well, her childhood friend and the best friend of her former fiancé, Sam Miller. Not pleased to discover he’s aboard at first, Ashleigh soon realizes that her feelings for Sam may be deeper than just friendship. But will he, or she for that matter, be able to look past what she’s suffered, and get over the idea that she is a “ruined woman?” Will God’s plan for Ashleigh ever include true love and a supportive partner?
The Thornbearer is a wonderful book. Not afraid to discuss the ravages of familial sexual abuse and the feelings that its victims often carry with them for the rest of their lives, author Pepper D. Basham does so with a real feeling of empathy and a sensitivity that is absolutely crucial with this subject matter. Strong Christian themes underlie this story, as well as those of redemption and vindication over very difficult life situations. Any reader who likes Christian fiction, historical fiction, or just a great read would love The Thornbearer, and it is my pleasure to highly recommend this book. This is the first in a planned trilogy in the Penned in Time series, and I certainly hope that Pepper D. Basham is very hard at work in the next installment!
Drama. Intrigue. Heartbreak. And memorable historical events. All of these elements are what make up a great entry into the genre of historical fiction. And you’ll find all of them, and more, in The Thornbearer by debut author Pepper D. Basham. Follow our protagonist, Ashleigh Dougall, as she tries to escape the betrayals she’s suffered, first by being left behind by her fiancé only eight months before their wedding, and then the ultimate betrayal by her father, sexual abuse. Fleeing on the Lusitania, she finds that a fellow traveler is one she knows well, her childhood friend and the best friend of her former fiancé, Sam Miller. Not pleased to discover he’s aboard at first, Ashleigh soon realizes that her feelings for Sam may be deeper than just friendship. But will he, or she for that matter, be able to look past what she’s suffered, and get over the idea that she is a “ruined woman?” Will God’s plan for Ashleigh ever include true love and a supportive partner?
The Thornbearer is a wonderful book. Not afraid to discuss the ravages of familial sexual abuse and the feelings that its victims often carry with them for the rest of their lives, author Pepper D. Basham does so with a real feeling of empathy and a sensitivity that is absolutely crucial with this subject matter. Strong Christian themes underlie this story, as well as those of redemption and vindication over very difficult life situations. Any reader who likes Christian fiction, historical fiction, or just a great read would love The Thornbearer, and it is my pleasure to highly recommend this book. This is the first in a planned trilogy in the Penned in Time series, and I certainly hope that Pepper D. Basham is very hard at work in the next installment!
Recommend this book:
Up the Hill to Home
A Novel
Jennifer Bort Yacovissi
2015 Gold Medal
488 Pages
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Christian - Historical Fiction
Reviewed by Tracy Slowiak for Readers' Favorite
I loved, loved, loved Jennifer Bort Yacovissi’s new book, Up the Hill to Home. This debut novel is so beautifully and lovingly written that if I didn’t know that it was based on the author’s ancestors, I would have assumed as such. Up the Hill to Home follows the life of Lillie Voith, beloved wife of Ferd, only daughter of Emma and Charley Beck, and mother of nine, soon to be ten. When Lillie discovers her pregnancy, she happily asks Ferd to bring her the treasured memory box, the sweet custom she follows when she is expecting each of her children. When Lillie takes a fall in the basement one day, then develops a worrying cough, everyone starts to fear that they may lose the glue that holds the family together.
Up the Hill to Home is, in this reviewer’s opinion, a masterpiece in the genre of historical fiction. Taking place in the late 1800s until the 1930s, the experiences, conversations and surroundings of the Beck and Voith families ring so truly of the time period that when I needed to take a break from reading, I’d have to shake my head a bit to clear my mind and bring myself back to the present moment. This book would appeal to any reader of authentic historical fiction, any lover of fiction in general, and any reader longing for a story that showcases true familial love and connectedness. I simply cannot recommend this book any more. Jennifer Bort Yacovissi’s Up the Hill to Home is a treasure, and one to which you should definitely treat yourself.
I loved, loved, loved Jennifer Bort Yacovissi’s new book, Up the Hill to Home. This debut novel is so beautifully and lovingly written that if I didn’t know that it was based on the author’s ancestors, I would have assumed as such. Up the Hill to Home follows the life of Lillie Voith, beloved wife of Ferd, only daughter of Emma and Charley Beck, and mother of nine, soon to be ten. When Lillie discovers her pregnancy, she happily asks Ferd to bring her the treasured memory box, the sweet custom she follows when she is expecting each of her children. When Lillie takes a fall in the basement one day, then develops a worrying cough, everyone starts to fear that they may lose the glue that holds the family together.
Up the Hill to Home is, in this reviewer’s opinion, a masterpiece in the genre of historical fiction. Taking place in the late 1800s until the 1930s, the experiences, conversations and surroundings of the Beck and Voith families ring so truly of the time period that when I needed to take a break from reading, I’d have to shake my head a bit to clear my mind and bring myself back to the present moment. This book would appeal to any reader of authentic historical fiction, any lover of fiction in general, and any reader longing for a story that showcases true familial love and connectedness. I simply cannot recommend this book any more. Jennifer Bort Yacovissi’s Up the Hill to Home is a treasure, and one to which you should definitely treat yourself.
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