The Wanderer Scorned - Christian Fiction by Natasha Woodcraft

Good afternoon, Bookaholics, have I got a treat for you. Today, I bring you a review of The Wanderer Scorned a cracking Christian fiction novel from the pen, or keyboard, of the highly talented Natasha Woodcraft. 

Description

The Wanderer is a man shrouded in legend. Moving from place to place in the land of Nod, he is known primarily for the curse that hangs over his life. When that curse is invoked during the celebration of a murderous rampage, The Wanderer is summoned to tell his story.

Few know the truth of the tale encompassing life, death, love, hate, faith and doubt, for it has been obscured by centuries of rumour. Now, it will be told by the one who lived it—the man who became The Wanderer.

A story you know as you've never heard it before, The Wanderer Series presents the ancient tale of Cain and Abel from Genesis 4, reimagined in gripping new fiction.


 Review

As it says above, The Wanderer is  a reimagining of the story of Cain and Abel from the book of Genesis in the Bible. What a reimagining it is. Beautifully written, Woodcraft brings the story to life using every carefully crafted word to its best possible advantage. I thought I knew the story of Cain and Abel but this brings it vividly to life, highlighting the thoughts and feelings of all involved. There is real emotion in the book and it was as if I could feel every heartbeat, thought and feeling of the characters. The characters are expertly drawn and come alive in your mind. I found myself loving them and hating them at various points of the narrative. Whichever way I fell, I found myself thinking I was in the presence of real people. The setting too is beautifully written and I could imagine a land so different to my own in many ways. I have lived in the Middle East, so my mind may have drawn on that experience to fill the setting in, but I do feel the way it is written the reader feels they are there. 

The portrayal of the Old Testament God and the characters' relationships with him are brilliantly done. While this is a bible based book it does not have a biblical feel to it, so the book could be read by anyone. The main characters' faith is real and this shines through without overwhelming. Although aimed at the Christian reader I believe this could be enjoyed equally by Non-Christians. 

The book is available from bookshops or via the Amazon links below. Please note these are affiliate links and I will receive a few pence from Amazon if you buy via the link. 

  

I was given an advanced copy of the book from the publisher in return for an honest review. The review is my honest review based on my reading and enjoyment of the book. At no point was I asked to provide a positive review.

That's it for another week, Bookaholics. See you soon. Until then, keep reading and keep writing. 

Leah: Unnoticed. Unwanted. Unloved. Should be read

 

Hello,  my Bookaholic friends. Today's blog comes from a completely different angle as I was honoured to be the editor of this book and to support Amanda while she wrote it. When Amanda approached me and said she wanted to write a book about Leah and she was hoping that I would agree to edit it, I was thrilled. Firstly, I know Amanda is a woman who has a passion for bringing out the story of the women in the Bible; women who can often be forgotten. I also know she is a faithful woman of God herself. 

Secondly, I agreed with her that Leah's story was one which needed to be told. Personally, I think she had a jolly raw deal and dealt with it beautifully, maintaining her faith in God through many heartaches and trials.  When I first saw the manuscript it was obvious that this was the vision that Amanda also had for the story. Yes, like any book, there were changes to be made, but we worked together to ensure the final product was polished and told Leah's story in the best way possible. Amanda is a confident and outstanding storyteller, yet was willing to make changes to strengthen the narrative.

This process has meant that Amanda has brought Leah's story to life. The characters leap off the page and into your heart and you will find your emotions being pulled in every direction. This is a book which will appeal to Christian women, and yet I feel non Christians will also enjoy it. Many women will find something of themselves in the pages.

Well done, Amanda, and congratulations on the release of your book. 

You can also buy it from all bookshops, including your local Christian bookshop. 

If You would like to find out more about Amanda and her books, you can do so here

I am delighted to be part of the Reading Between the Lines Blog Tour for this book.  You will be able to find out more about Amanda and the book all this week. Details are in the image below. 

That’s it for another day Bookaholics.  If you get the book, you won’t regret it. See you soon but until then keep reading and keep writing. 

Books and Christmas - The Perfect Combination

Good afternoon Bookaholics. Today, I am bringing you some books which have been released in the last couple of weeks and would make fabulous Christmas Presents. If you purchase them from the author they can be personalised and signed, making them even more special. You would also be supporting an author. So, here is my selection.

Middle Grade/Young Adult

The Fire Children by Abigail Van Kraay

If you have a middle grade child who likes fantasy, akin to The Chronicles of Narnia, then this is the perfect gift. 

The thought of living in a black-and-white world forever, made Benji Brook and Flo Knightly feel as hollow as the trunk of their favourite tree. It seemed to them, that since the colour had gone, the joy had left the people of Kingswick.But like Grandpa Jo had always said, 'There’s more to life than what meets the eye.'With their so-called arch enemy, Ozzy Stone, they are thrust into a world between worlds, as they go on the wildest of adventures and come face to face with the shadow beasts of Battlelands. Could it be that this unlikely trio could not only save the stolen children, but restore colour to their black and white world?

You can grab a copy from Abigail's website

Walled City by Maressa Mortimer

Gax enters Elabi on an undercover mission unseen. Or does he? Who spots his risky nighttime landing and what implications will it pose for his bid to win hearts and minds in the walled city?

Gax is a young adult who enters the city-state of Elabi undercover as a missionary. His mission is to infiltrate a society that does not allow for belief or emotions. Elabi has a culture based on logic and factual thinking, and a view of relationships Gax comes up against when he tries to share the Gospel. His own worldview is challenged when the city's control hinders his evangelism, limiting his opportunities to reach out to share his faith with the people in this first book of the Elabi Chronicles. Will Gax survive long enough to spread the Gospel, or will he be sent beyond the Hills?

You can buy signed copies from Maressa's Website 

Adult

Leah By Amanda Bedzrah

Lying in bed next to ‘the man of her dreams’, Leah is crippled with fear and unable to sleep. She knows that her husband, Jacob, is going to wake up to her, not “the woman of his dreams”. Jacob worked and served Leah’s father Laban for seven years to marry her younger sister Rachel, but on the night of their wedding, the brides were switched; the right man was married to the wrong bride. As Leah anticipates, his dissatisfaction is not hidden; his rejection is immediate. Seven days later, Jacob marries Rachel after promising to work another seven years for her. Leah is now left in a place of pain and bitterness. A fearsome war erupts. She is in a battle for her husband’s affection – not with an enemy, but with her own sister! Will she ever be loved and accepted? Can God use a woman like Leah: unnoticed, unwanted, and unloved, to change history?

This book is a fictional retelling of one of the greatest Bible stories of all time. It is a story of love, deception, betrayal, competition, heartbreak, and forgiveness.

You can buy a signed copy from Amanda's Website 

Paranormal Warwickshire by SC Skillman

Warwickshire is a county steeped in the supernatural, as befits the county of Shakespeare and the many ghosts and spirits that he conjured up in his works. The towns and villages of Warwickshire, its castles, houses, churches, theatres, inns and many other places both grand and everyday have rich and complex stories to tell of paranormal presences. In this book author S. C. Skillman investigates the rich supernatural heritage of this county at the heart of England in places such as Guy’s Cliffe House, the Saxon Mill, Kenilworth Castle, Warwick Castle, St Mary’s Church in Warwick, Nash’s House and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, and Stoneleigh Abbey, as well as in the towns of Rugby, Nuneaton and Leamington Spa. She explores the spiritual resonance of each location, recounting the tales of paranormal activity associated with it and examining the reasons for this within the history of the place. Paranormal Warwickshire takes the reader into the world of ghosts and spirits in the county, following their footsteps into the unknown. These tales of haunted places, supernatural happenings and shadowy presences will delight the ghost hunters, and fascinate and intrigue everybody who knows Warwickshire.

You can buy a copy from SC Skillman's Website 

The Power of Why - Why 28 Women Created an Online Course and Why You Should Too - compiled by Purvi Tantia, Wendy H. Jones and Lisa McGrath

Yes, this one has my name on the front as I was one of the compilers and editors for the anthology. This is not a signed copy for you to buy but an ebook to inspire you and help you take the step into developing an online course. Buy one for yourself or you can gift a copy to your friends and give the gift that can transform your life by reading the powerful stories of 28 women (and 1 man).  Only £0.99/$0.99 until 11th December 2020 so don't miss out 

If you are a coach, consultant, or a counsellor, you must have experienced the ceiling to how many hours you can work and the number of people you can help with your expertise on a one-on-one basis. Now, technology gives you the power to help more people without overwhelming yourself with long hours of work. If you are ready to scale your coaching, consulting, or counselling business to the next level, then you are in the right place.

With this book, 28 women from across the world have come together to share their journeys and their stories as course creators. They share their honest insights into these journeys which unfolded to create their own online courses. These are real women running real businesses, and they are sharing their 'Why' with you so that you can find yours, too.

If you are a few steps behind this in creating your own online course, this book will inspire you to action as you will see how creating an online course can help you change the way you do business. It will also inspire you to achieve more in less time, using tried and tested strategies and ultimately allowing more time for family and friends.

Told from a feminine perspective with a mix of storytelling, quotes, and anecdotes, this book will encourage you to ask yourself why you should create your own online course.

Universal link to buy from your country's Amazon Store

So, a bumper crop for you my Bookaholic friends. It's your chance to get some fabulous gifts for you and your family.