Author Interview with Karen Arnpriester

When I started writing my bookaholics blog I didn't realise what an exciting journey it would be. I am apssionate about reading, as you will know if you have been following my blog, but even more exciting is the fact that Authors are kind enough to take time out of their busy lives to be interviewed. This week we have an interview with Christian Author Karen Arnpriester. Karen has written two fabulous books which I will also review today. .

          

Raiders Vendetta can be bought from Amazon UK here and US here

Anessia's Quest can be bought from Amazon UK Here and US here
These can also be bought in your local Christian Bookshop

I would like to start by welcoming Karen and thanking her for giving up some of her precious time to tell us about herself and her writing.

1. Firstly, before we start it would be really good if you could tell us a bit about yourself.

I own my own graphic art business, Karen's Koncepts. My husband and I became foster parents two and half years ago. We are weeks away from adopting our two girls. 15 and 7. I started writing three years ago and just released my second novel. I am a Christian woman, but kinda on the edgier side I guess you'd say. I struggled with my faith and belief in God for many years before realizing I had to make a decision. We live in central California. We own two dogs and a stray cat that visits periodically for food. Between my husband and myself, we have four grown children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. I love movies, music, reading, writing and art.
2. Your faith is obviously important to you, and this comes out in your writing. How would you say your Christian faith has helped you as a writer.

My faith is why I write. I never had the desire to become an author. I made up stories for my kids when they were young but thats about it. My women's group at church announced that they were doing a testimonial book for a fund raiser. I submitted several stories regarding my relationship with God. Several women asked if I had considered writing. They loved my contributions. This planted a seed. I then read The Shack. This book changed how I looked at Christian fiction. I was a Koontz and King fan most of my life. I story began to simmer and I started writing my first book. A good friend from church read as I wrote and encouraged me to continue. It became a wonderful journey. I had no idea what I was going to write until I typed it. I felt God's lead in much of the story. I would get stuck or backed into a corner, and I would suddenly get a clear picture in my head where I should take the characters. It was truly a collaboration with my Dad (God). I believe that I will touch lives with my stories.
3. Without giving too much away, Anessia's quest has an unusual theme with a real twist. Where did you get the idea for this book.

I always wondered WHAT IF? It is so hard to explain without giving away the plot and twists. I knew how I wanted it to start and how it would end, the journey in between was totally unplanned.

4. Your books bring pleasure to so many people, but what books bring you pleasure. What would you say was your favourite Christian book and favourite non Christian book.

My favorite Christian book was THE SHACK. I was really struggling with some tough questions about my faith at the time and this book really spoke to me. It showed me that you can look at things from a different place, not the staunchy, traditional place we were taught. My favorite non-Christian may surprise you. Dean Koontz wrote several books that I just love and will reread. The Husband, Frankenstein Series, Watchers and Life Expectancy are some of my absolute favorites. I love a mystery or thriller with twists and turns. I figure out things very quickly, so if I find an author or movie that trick me, I love it. Sixth Sense was one of the few movies that I said WHAT????? at the end. I went back right away and watched carefully to see how they tricked me.

 

5. As a writer what is a typical day like for you?

 

I am up at 5 or 5:30, once awake, I check emails, posts, etc. Girls are up at 7:30, I keep them moving, and then off to school. I work on my graphic art projects until 3:30 when my older daughter comes home. We visit, chat about school. I usually work until 5:00, pick up youngest from after school program. Homework, dinner, baths, tucking in. By now it's 9:00. I then either pass out watching tv or write. Now that I'm marketing my second book, it is hard to find time to write. Some evenings are taking girls to church youth events, dance lessons, or school activities. Weekends vary, sometimes it's cleaning up a trashed house that's been ignored all week, book events, movies, general life events. Not too terribly exciting, but fulfilling.

6. Can you tell us a bit about Raiders Vendetta?

This book is very different from Anessia's Quest, my first. This is a Christian thriller with lots of surprises. I took full advantage of miracles and had fun with the unique ways Heaven intervened. The bad guy is filled with a fury for God and torments his hostage once he discovers that she is a Christian. A battle of will and faith begins. The questions that Raider struggles with were my questions. Questions that kept me from a relationship with God. This book hits these tough questions head on, which most Christian books will not do. I loved writing Raider's character. We go through live pretending everything is okay, we're not mad, blah blah blah. Being nice and appropriate. To get to think vindictive and mean was really fun in a deranged sort of way.

7. Finally, the question I am sure everyone wants to ask, have you got any more books planned.

Yes, my third book is in the works. I am fictionalizing my own story. I was one of those kids that was bullied horribly in school. Fifth grade through to the ninth. Some very interesting stories about myself and other kids that had to survive. The belittlement dramatically shaped my self image and affected life decisions I made. I would say that I was forty before really understanding how I allowed the experiences to take away the joy in life. I looked for acceptance and validation from others, which can be very unhealthy. If I can help other teens and parents to see how damaging bullying and isolating can be, then it will be worth dredging up all the pain.

 

Wow Karen, you are such a busy lady, I cannot beleive how muich you pack into your life, and yet you still write books whch give so many people pleasure. It really sounds like you have your hands full, so I am even more appreciative of your taking time to join us today. I loved both of your books and I am sure this will be indicted in my reviews below

ANNESIA'S QUEST: This has to be one of the best books I have read in a long time, and that, from someone who has read a lot of good books recently, is high praise indeed. Initially I was a little puzzled as to where the book was going until I realised that the first few pages were about the guardian angel. Once I got this straight in my head, I was quickly immersed in the story. This is the story of Pagne a young woman who is born to a dysfunctional and abusive mother. She ends up in the American foster care system, and I cannot say too muych more without giving the game away. The book drew me in almost from the beginning and from there it was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I read the whole book in one day and cried through most of it. Don't get the impression this is a sad book as there were as many tears of joy as there were sadness. Karen  uses words to brilliant effect in order to garner this level of emotion, and this is a true sign of a gifted writer. I loved the characters, who were lifelike and real. This is a Christian book, but the Christianity is not all syrupy sweet. The characters have periods of doubt, and their own inner demons sometimes drive them in ways which are not honouring to God. This ensures that the characters are shown realsitically rather than cardboard cut out Christians. The ending was superb, and a real surprise to me. You can probably tell I loved this book, and I really would highly recommend it.

RAIDER'S VENDETTA: Wow. What can I say bout this book and give you the full flavour of what it is actually like. In this book, karen Arnpriester picks up the story of one of the minor characters from her first book Anessia's quest. You don't need to have read the first book as this one stands alone. There are a couple of very subtle places where the stories intertwine but you do not need to know them to enjoy the book. This is the story of a woman who is caught up in a bank raid when she goes into the bank one morning. She is then kidnapped and held to ransom by one of the raiders. This book is non stop action, and there were times I was on the edge of my seat, literally holding my breath to see what would happen next. There is a really strong emphasis on Christianity and relying on the presence and support of God in this book, but it is a real and very essential part of the story. This is so much more than an action adventure, it is also a roller coaster ride of emotions. The people are real, they are dysfunctional, they are kind, they are cruel, they doubt God and they shout out to God, both sides of every coin, which is what makes them real people, with real worries and concerns. I loved this book, I liked and hated the characters as I was meant to, I emphasised with them and I rooted for them in turn. There are also some real twists in this book with surprises I did not seem coming. If you like Christian fiction with an edge, then this is the book for you.

Book Trailer for Raiders Vendetta on YouTube
Book Trailer for Anessia's Quest on YouTube
Anessia's Quest Web Page
Raider's Vendetta Web Page

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Karen as much as I did, and as I say I would highly recommend both these books. Till next time, keep reading and remember whatever the weather it's always an excuse for finding a good book.

 

 

A Man of Honor

 

To buy from Amazon UK click here

To Buy from Amazon US click here

This book can also be purchased in paperback from your local Christian Bookshop

 

 

Loree Loughs First Responder series is based on those who are closely linked to the events of 9/11. This is the third book in the series and, having read them all I can assure you that this one is certainly a worthy sequal. This book does not realy on the others for a back story so it does not matter in which order you read them.

 

This is esentially a romance, but I found it to be so much more than that. It is also a story of hope, of caring for others and of thinking of and putting yourself out for others. Dusty Parker is a part time pastor as well as running a home for teenaged boys who come from a troubled past. He also volunteers as a first responder, in which role he has repsonded to a call to look for a young girl who ahs gone missing. Grace Sinclair is a School Teacher who cares about the students in her charge, and meets Dusty whilst they are both searching for the girl, who is one of her students. Their attraction to each other is evident from the beginning. This is their story as well as that of a number of others with whom they live and work. They both have inner demons following 9/11 and this has made them so much more responsive to others who also have problems.

 

Loree Lough has an excellent wrting style which draws you into the story. She paints a picture of the characters so vivid you find yourself imagining them and empathising with them. As I said this is so much more than a romance, the story unfolds at a steady pace and then delivers a couple of real shocks about 2/3 of the way through the book. I cannot say too much without spoiling the plot, but I can say they are major and quite unexpected. My emotions were all over the place in this book which is the mark of a good writer. I laughed, I cired and experienced the gamut of feelings in between.  This is a Christian novel and the Christian theme is strong throughout the book, however, this is blended in well, and comes across as being completely natural. Their faith is part of who the characters are, and makes them the people they are.

 

So as I say, so much more than a romance. This is a story of hope, redemption and a strong conviction that no matter what the situation God is with you and will not turn from you. It is one of love, not just the love that Dusty and Grace have for each other, but the love they also have for others, particularly those in trouble.

 

I would highly recommend this book and any other in the series. This is a story with which you could curl up on a rainy afternoon and forget the raging storms outside.

I was given a copy of this book from the publishers for review. This has in no way impacted on my review which is fair and impartial based on my reading of the book.

So until next time enjoy whatever book you are reading and I'll see you all again next week. 

 

Psalms of Hope

 Link to Amazon UK Here

Link to Amazon US Here

We are currently living in difficult and troubled times. The world seems to be in turmoil and news of the ever escalating economic crises bombards us from every angle. There has never been a time when we need the hope, we can only get from god, more. The book I am reviewing today points you to this hope through 10 of the Psalms.

I was fortunate to be a Beta Reader for this book, and wanted to share it with everyone and shout it from the rooftops immediately. However, for obvious reasons , I had to contain my impatience until it was published.

This book provides an overview and in depth study of 10 of the Psalms of hope. Bob Saffron has a real understanding and love of these Psalms and it is obvious that he wants to share this throughout each page. This is not a superficial study but one which asks you to look at your emotions in light of what David was feeling when he wrote these Psalms. I now feel I know David more intimately having shared in the pain and suffering he felt whilst writing them.. However, this is not a book which foccuses on suffering but on the hope David felt in whichever circumstance he found himself. He had a sure knowledge that God was there beside him, wherever he was, or whatever he might have been doing. Despite the distance in time from when David wrote these, to my modern day existence, I could find myself identifying with many of his situations and feelings.

Each chapter of the book covers a different Psalm and at the end there are a set of questions called Life Lessons. These are an integral part of the study, and I found them to be quite insightful. They encourage you to ask searching questions, the answers to which will demonstrate your relationship with God and the application of the Psalm to your life today.

This is not a book to read and forget. It can  be used for either group or individual study. I found that the best way to use the book was to read the Psalm a couple of times, read the commentary and pray before and whilst thinking about and answering the questions. This gave me, not only a deeper understanding of the Psalm, but of myself, and the hope that I have in God, and the way he answers me and gives me hope in even the simple things.

I would highly recommend this book, I have been blessed by reading it, and am so pleased I am now able to share it with you. Read it, enjoy it and learn more about God and yourself through it.

Although this book is currently only available on kindle it will be released in paperback in the near future.

We've Gone all Historical

No not hysterical, Historical. Although I suppose you could say we are hysterical about history. This week we are going to do a little time travel and go back to places and events which we often hear about. The authors in this weeks four fabulous books, will transport you back to a time you can only imagine. We are going to spend time in The American Revolution, Victorian England and post WW2 Germany. What no Scotland? That I will have to address soon I feel :-) We have Murder Mystery, Romantic Suspense and Romance/Family Drama. Surely something for everyone in this weeks offerings.

We are going to start our trip through time in America during the Revolutionfor no other reason that it is first on our timeline. The first 2 Books are by author Rita Gerlach who I interviewed in last weeks Blog post. This is the first two books in her daughters of the Potomac Trilogy.

The first in the Trilogy is Before the Scarlet Dawn. This is the story of   feisty heroine Eliza, who after losing both her father and brother in the same day, marries Hayward and moves out to the colonies with him. I loved Eliza and the way she fights for what she believes.On the other hand, I was in two minds about her husband Hayward, who displayed as many unlikeable traits, as likeable. It is, however, apparent that he loves his wife. Haywards, story is part of the story and gives it a richness it would otherwise lack. It is good to have real and honest characters in a novel, ensuring a balance that is often missing in so many books these days. . The story is extremely well written, you really get the sense of America at the time, and how the civil war impacted on ordinary people. You also get to know a lot about the English class system, which seemed to continue free and unfettered in America.

I was fortunate to be given an advance copy of the second book in the trilogy  Beside Two Rivers  by the publishers. I loved this book but I am going to be honest and say I am struggling to know what to say about it. This is not because I don't have a lot to say, but I don't want to give too much away about the plot of  the first book. We are once again on the banks of the Potomac River, following the story of another feisty yet loving and kind young woman called Darcy. It is also the story of Ethan, with whom Darcy falls in love. There are a lot of elements and strands to this book but Rita pulls them together beautifully, weaving a tale which draws you completely into the story. I found myself reading long into the night to finish. About half way through the book the plot moves once more to England, bringing in characters from the first book getting to know more about them, and changing the way you feel about them. It is an emotional book and the characterisation is outstanding. I felt I knew every single person personally, and really cared about their lives. This book will be released in the UK on 01 October 2012. Unfortunately the next book in the trilogy Beyond the Valley will not be released until February 2013. How can I wait that long for the conclusion to this :-( Oh well, it will be all the better when it arrives :-)

Both of these are faith based books and the Christian ethos is strong. However, this does not at any point overwhelm and the books could be read by Christians and non-Christians alike.

Back into our time capsule as we are now moving forward in time to Dickensian London with a book title based on the graveyard in one of Dickens books.

Again, I was fortunate to be given a review copy of Tom All Alone's by Waterstones Bookshops and the book can be bought from them here. However, I realise this is a British bookshop so not accessible to my international readers so I will point out it can also be bought from Amazon in whichever country you reside. It is based on Charles Dickens novel bleak house, bringing it up to date for the modern reader. and is extremely well done. I could actually believe I was reading a Dickens novel and was back in Victorian London. The opening prologue is atmospheric and sets the scene well. I thought the characters were well written and I found I could empathise with them and picture them well. The descriptions of Victorian London are spot on and at times very graphic. The main character Charles Maddox is a likeable chap and I really loved his uncle who is just like many old men of his age. His character made me chuckle. I liked the ending and despite having read Bleak House some number of years ago I was taken completely by surprise. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but a couple of times I found it a little bit slow. I am also a lover of Dickens novels so was comfortable with the writing style, but some people may struggle a little to start with. If you do not like Dickens then this would not be the book for you.

This is not a Christian book, but again it is a book which could be read by anyone. When I say that some of the descriptions are graphic I mean the descriptions of Victorian London rather than sex, swearing and murder.

Once again it's back to our time capsule to finish our little stroll through history, in post WW2 Germany. Having served in Germany during my time in the Military this was particularly interesting to me. I have seen modern Germany, so it was interesting to see what the towns and Cities were like prior to all the rebuilding which went on after the war.

Just in case you think I am only reviewing books I receive free for reviewing I paid good money for Songbird Under a German Moon and it was worth every penny.  This is the Story of Betty, a young American girl who goes out to Germany just after WW2 to sing for the troops who remain there. On the way she meets a US Army "Photographer" Frank, who has a double role as an agent. Other people say this is somewhat implausible, but I do not find this implausible at all., and if you do, it's a novel and some level of poetic licence has to come into play. The story is well written and both mystery and romance are there in equal measure. Although I started to guess who the protagonist was near the end I still feel the suspense built up well and had me enthralled. The ending was excellent and came as a complete surprise to me. This is a Christian book, written by a Christian author, but this is not overwhelming and fits into the story well. If you like this genre then I could highly recommend this book, as a light ready for a rainy afternoon. Tricia Goyer is an excellent author, who has written a number of books, both fiction and non-fiction and I would highly recommend her as an author.

I know I was given a couple of these books to review, so I need to add that these were fair and honest reviews based on my thoughts on the books. I was not asked by the publishers to give favourable reviews and if I had not liked the books I would have said so.

Well ladies and gentlemen that concludes our trip today. I hope you had a safe an pleasant journey, and enjoyed reading the reviews. I hope you find some books you like amongst them, and you enjoy reading them. I'm now wondering what I could read out of my vast library for my next Blog. All will be revealed next week. Until then, keep reading

 

 

Interview With Rita Gerlach

 

                    

 

 

 

I am very excited this week to welcome Rita Gerlach to the Bookaholics blog. Rita is a best selling Christian author who has written a number of Historical Fiction Books. One of my personal favourites is The Rebels Pledge. This is the story of Matthew Hale who is sent to the American Colonies as a slave, having rebelled against the evil King James. His Godly owner, sets him free and asks him to return to Britain to bring his daughter to America. It's the sort of book you can't stop reading, and the characters are so alive they leap from the pages and are a part of your life. Rita has also written The Daughters of the Potomac Series, book one of which, Before the Scarlet Dawn  is already available to buy, with book 2, Beside Two Rivers being released on 1st of October, and is available to preorder. The Third book in the series Beyond the Valley, will be available in February 2013.

 

I would like to thank Rita for taking time out of her hectic schedule to tell us a bit more about herself and her books. This is the first interview I have undertaken for the blog and Rita has been very gracious in helping me, a fairly rookie blogger.

 

1. Could I start by asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself

I’m a middle child from a large family. I had a vivid imagination, still do, and made lots of stories up. I have a memory as a preschooler standing in my mother’s kitchen chattering on and on about some event. She paused from washing the dishes and said, ‘Re Re, are you telling me a story?” I smiled and nodded that I was. And here I am so many years later, still telling stories. Only now I’m writing them down.

I married my high school sweetheart — a state champion gymnast back in the day, who traded in tumbling for fly-fishing and raising our two sons. I was a stay at home mom thankfully to his job, and was able to write full-time while the boys were in school.  We live in central Maryland in a town rife with history that dates back to the French and Indian War. Besides writing, I love photography, quilting, and exploring out of the way historical places.

 

2. You obviously love writing historical fiction. Where did you get your passion for this genre?

I think it was borne in me as a child. Old black and white movies would come on television that I was riveted to. I know this because anything else did not hold my attention. Some of those films that influenced me were Captain Blood, The Sea Hawk, Frenchman’s Creek, Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice, and Jamaica Inn. Later on Masterpiece Theater stirred my passion for historicals with Poldark. I read all these novels and so the seeds were sown into my heart. In all these novels I saw faith, but they went deeper into the human heart, into the hardships people face no matter who or what they are. Not even the most spiritual of characters has a trouble-free character. That is what molded my passion for writing historical dramas.

3. If you were able to go back to any other time period, what would it be?

Oh, that would be a hard decision to make. I would love to live for a while in the Hope Valley, Derbyshire during the Regency period. I would also love to live along the Potomac River in the colonial era. It would be amazing to see how it looked in a time when there were not paved roads, cars, airplanes, or trains. However, I think I would find life a little easier in England than in the wilderness of Maryland where life was a fight for survival.

4. You have so many interesting characters in your novels. Which is your favourite and why?

My favorite hero is Matthew Hale in The Rebel’s Pledge. Matthew possesses all the qualities of gallantry and bravery. His father, a respected physician, and his kind mother, raised him to be a man committed to the scriptures, and reliant on his faith in God’s mercy. His belief in the biblical mandate for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church and laid his life down for it, is the premise for his pledge to protect Lara—even before he lays eyes on her.

My favorite heroine is Darcy in Beside Two Rivers. Darcy has courage and an adventurous spirit. However, she has an impulsive streak that leads her into trouble. Strong willed and independent, she relies upon an uncomplicated faith and an unwavering trust in God that He will lead her in the way she should go.

5. What advice would you give to anyone thinking about writing Christian Fiction?

I have an article on my website for aspiring writers called Perseverance, Patience, and Humility. It is my story of how I acquired a contract and encouragement for writers. In it I share the following.

No matter what happens, if you have a burning passion in your soul to write, never let rejections discourage you.  It may take a while to produce a polished manuscript. It may take a long time to find the publisher that is right for you.  I learned waiting for that to happen was worth it.

The industry may be tough. But there is one thing for certain. Whether you are published or not, no one can say you are not a writer, and no one can take away the talent that God gave you. Only you can decide what you will do with it.

Read bestselling books on writing. Learn everything you can about the craft, from character development to plotting, to how to write tight. Study how to edit your work. Study the industry and get an understanding of how publishing works. Read bestselling books within your genre. Listen to seasoned authors advice. Above all do not let discouragements get the best of you, and do not write for fame or fortune, or the praise of others. If that is your goal, you are starting out for all the wrong reasons. Write because you love it and because God blessed you with a talent.

My website is http://ritagerlach.blogspot.com

My blog: http://inspire-writer.blogspot.com

 

Thank you once again Rita. It has been a real pleasure finding out more about you and great advice for all budding authors out there. I agree with you about Matthew Hale, I think I fell in love with him myself. I can't wait to read Beside Two Rivers, and find out more about Darcy. She sounds a bit like me. Rita, if you like history then you need to come and visit Scotland, where there is history around every corner :-) 

 

You can find the Link for Rita's Amazon UK authors page Here and Amazon US author page Here

 

I hope you enjoy reading Rita's books. I certainly do. Have a great week everyone and whatever you are reading enjoy it.



Special Giveaway

This is not my usual weekly blog but a link to a special giveaway on another blog. Now being Scottish I am always keen to find a bargain, but a $300 giveaway for Amazon US is one awesome giveaway. Before you think my Scottish nature is changing rapidly and I am giving this away myself, fear not :-)

This giveaway is brought to you by Christian Fiction Book Reviews and a number of Christian authors who are very generously donating the money between them.

Now I know a number of you who are not living in the USA are thinking what use is an Amazon US gift voucher to me. Well, panic ye not. You can register on Amazon US with your UK email address. As long as you have a US gift card or credit card, you are cooking on gas, or buying books anyway.

So why not pop along to the Christian Book Reviews Blog and follow what it says to do. You never know you might be buying lots of lovely books before you know where you are. Perfect for someone who writes a bookaholics blog don't you think.

My usual blog will resume in the next couple of days, with an exciting author interview, so well worth looking out for. Good luck with the contest. Actually why am I saying that, I want to win it myself. Until next time, choose a good book and enjoy reading.

Lets Go Deeper

A bit of an enigmatic title today, but this book, and my title, have got me thinking. In so many situations in life we are superficial and don't really go deeper than the surface. This can be particularly true when it comes to bible study. Although I read the bible I came to the realisation that I needed to go deeper and to really study the bible and how it applies to my life. The book I am reviewing has really helped me to do that, and I wanted to share with you today why this is the case. I have been using this book to support my bible study for some time, but am blogging about it now because I now feel better placed to give a proper overview of the book. This is not a "read it and put it aside" book. But one which you will use regularly to develop your study of the bible.

How to Study the Bible for Yourself

Firstly, I need to explain that I have read several of Tim LaHaye's books and I really like his writing. However, you do not need to be a Tim LaHaye fan to enjoy and make use of this book. Can I hear a collective sigh of relief from all those who either, have never heard of him or are not a great fan of some of his other work.

The purpose of this book is to help you really understand the bible through a systematic and thorough study by yourself. It is not a commentary, and will not give expanations or expositions of any of the books or the text. So what does it do then, I can hear you ask.


What it does is help you to approach your bible study in a systematic way, exploring the themes and principles and key teachings and verses. It will help you to develop strong habits in bible study, allowing you to discuss the bible with others and apply it to your life. Ok, I have to admit some of that came from the blurb on the back, but it portrays the essence of this book perfectly. But more than this it explains how to read the bible and gives different methods for doing this. It takes you in detail through these, such as studying the bible by books, subject analysis or chapters. It sets out a bible reading plan which helps you read the whole bible from cover to cover. This is not the start in Genesis finish in Revelation style of study but uses a different approach, starting with 1 John. LaHaye is very clear about why you are starting with this book and what it will do to help you in your spiritual life.

This is an excellent book which has inspired me and really encouraged me to take my study of the bible more seriously. However, this is not a book for the faint hearted. In the first week you are encouraged to read 1 John seven times, and keep a spiritual diary. It takes between 30-60 minutes a day depending on what approach you take. You are also encouraged to keep a spiritual diary, and to memorise bible verses each day. However, I have not found this to be difficult to do. For example when memorising verses, LaHaye suggests you write them on a small card which you carry around with you. You then memorise them when you have a few moments throguhout the day. I have put them on my phone in a free word processing app so always have them with me. If you are anything like me you will never be far from your phone.

I think I need to finish there before my blog is as long as the book. This is an excellent book which I would advise anyone to buy if they are serious about their study of the bible. This is a paperback and not available on kindle. However, it is not that big and you can take it anywhere. It was one of the few paperbacks I took on my recent trip to Cambodia, and given todays weight limits that should give you some indication of how I rate the book. My hope is that you will enjoy this book. My prayer is that you will find yourself going deeper with God through your study of the bible.

Till next time, keep reading.