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. 

Not Knowing But Still Going - Book Review

 

Good morning my Bookaholic friends, today's review is for a bit of a different book to my usual, but well worth your attention just the same. 

When I was offered this book to review I was intrigued by the premise; my interest was piqued to want to know more. We all feel we know the story of Noah, not only well but, intimately, so what more can be said. Quite a lot it would appear as Jocelyn-Anne Harvey has managed to put a unique spin on a familiar tale by telling it from the point of view of the women on the ark, and she then throws in another unique twist by using a mixture of both storytelling and facts. By this point in the process I was not just intrigued but hooked and wanted to read the book. 

I don't often start a blog with a picture of the author holding his or her book but there is a reason for it in this particular post. The picture of the author is on a beach and the journey of this book started on a beach. The idea was born when 2000 tonnes of wood were washed up on a beach in the author's home town and started her wondering about Noah's Ark. I love this story as it shows us that ideas for books can come from anywhere and God can often be found in the strangest of circumstance. 

In order to make the book more intimate, Harvey has named Noah's wife and daughter-in-laws which means that by the end of the book they seem like valued friends. The author tells their stories with skill and slowly, throughout each chapter, reveals a little more of their character and what their lives would have been like. I could feel their emotions in an almost palpable sense. There is careful attention to detail and the reader gets a sense of them through their support of their husbands, the provisions they chose to take on the journey, and the tasks they may have carried out whilst on the ark, and there is so much more to it than that. The storytelling element of the book is both powerful and enjoyable.

However, there is so much more to this book than the story. It is packed with historical facts which are both fascinating and enlightening. The book is extremely well researched not only using the Bible but also historical and contemporary articles. These facts enhance the narrative and lift it to another level. You may be thinking at this point that the research may make the book less than interesting but nothing could be further from the truth. A skilled writer, Harvey presents them in such a way that they are brought to life. I found myself amazed at the things I did not know and genuinely wanted to know more. I am in awe of the amount of research that the author must have done to bring this book to fruition.

In addition to the above the book also draws parallels between Noah's story and our own lives today - not shying away from the current pandemic. It does not focus on the pandemic but it is mentioned. Backed up with bible verses it allows you to examine your own life and your relationship with God. It encourages you to be introspective and to apply the lessons learned to your walk with God in your everyday life. It does so, not only through the text but in the chapter contemplations and journal pages at the end of each chapter. This is not a read it and put it to one side type of book. It is designed to be read and applied whatever your current circumstances. The addition of prayers at the end of each chapter helps you to focus on God. Whilst I read it straight through for the purposes of this review, I did go back and read a couple of chapters the way the book was intended. This proved to be a powerful exercise that truly made me search my heart. 

It is obvious that the author's Christian faith is strong and this shines through on each page. This may be, on the surface, just another story of Noah, but it is a far cry from that. It is deep, thought provoking and powerful. It is also a great encouragement that whatever your circumstances, even if you do not know what lies ahead, you should keep going and trust in God's love and that he has everything under control. 

I believe this is the author's first book and, if so, I congratulate her. Jocelyn Anne-Harvey is definitely one to watch and I would categorically have no hesitation in buying more books when she writes them. 

You can buy the books from any Bookshop, Barnabas Christian Bookshop,  Eden, or from Amazon via the links below.

x   

More about the author.

Jocelyn-Anne loves the Lord, learning and literature. She has a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester, and her flash fiction has been published. Having taken the leap from her senior HR role in the UK Government, Jocelyn-Anne can identify with those walking through uncertain times, and she is passionate about supporting others through theirs and helping them develop. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her in a coffee shop with friends, exploring coastal paths or trying out recipes.

I would like to thank the Publisher, Instant Apostle for a review copy of this book. At no point was I asked to provide a positive review and the review is based on my reading of and enjoyment of the book. Please note these are affiliate links and I will receive a few pence from the sale of each book. 

That's it for another day Bookaholics. See you soon with another enlightening blog post. I would encourage all Christians to read this book you won't regret it. I, for one, cannot wait to read it again, in the manner in which it deserves, and to strengthening my journey with God in the process. 

 

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. 

I Am So Many Things Journalling Bible

It's not often that I am blown away by a Bible, in fact so much so that I have to blog about it. However, this one is definitely worth the effort and hoopla. It is incredible. So, Bookaholics, a bible it is today.

Wow. Just wow. I love this bible. From the bright yellow cover, which I find alluring, to the very last illustrations on the inside of the back cover, this bible is incredible. The image on the front says, 'I am so many things', and this is backed up by scripture verses. These 'I am' statements and images are liberally scattered throughout the pages with relevant bible verses underneath them. The affirmations in the I am statements are powerful allowing the reader to see themselves as God sees them. They are brought to life by Thea Muir in her simple, yet effective, illustrations. Affirmations such as these are what are so often missing in our modern lives, so a timely and necessary read. This is so much more than a Bible, it is a journalling bible where you can write in the extra wide margins. This can be about the text itself or about the I am images and affirmations. There are also several pages where the reader is encouraged to complete exercises to make them think more deeply about the text and the affirmation. In fact, this whole Bible is designed to be read, believed, internalised, written in and interacted with. It is both a bible and a devotional.

Whilst this is squarely aimed at young girls and teens, I believe that many adults would gain a lot from it as well. I am an adult and I absolutely loved it from the get go. I cannot recommend this bible highly enough and if I could give it more than 5 stars I would in a heartbeat. It is worth every penny.

I received a copy of this bible from the publisher. At no point was I asked to give a positive review. My review is based on my own enjoyment and love of this version of the bible and was formed without bias. I am so glad the publishers sent me this. I know I'm an adult but I fully intend using it, especially the affirmation parts. We all need a reminder of who truly are in God. 

So, for all my Bookaholic friends who are Christians, or even looking for a present for a young girl who is a Christian, this is definitely one I can recommend. Better still, buy it from your local Christian Bookshop. They are struggling as they reopen and supporting them is key in the current times. 

I'll be back soon with more news and views. Until then, keep reading and keep writing. 

R.T. Kendall: In Pursuit of His Wisdom

Good afternoon Bookaholics. I trust you have all had a relaxing weekend and have been able to read some great books. Over the last couple of days I have been reading a superb book by  R.T. Kendall. He is a great theologian and a man of wisdom, and was the minister of Westminster Chapel in London for 25 years. 

In this book he sets out how we receive wisdom from God. The book is clearly set out and easy to read. Each chapter takes a different approach to looking at wisdom as found throughout the bible. The first area that he covers is that wisdom comes from fear of the Lord. This is our starting place for getting wisdom which is God based. This is a recurring theme throughout the book. He outlines many men, and women, of God who have demonstrated great wisdom, many of whom are from the Bible. The surprising part is that he also shows areas in their lives where wisdom was lacking. This usually happened after they turned from God. One chapter is given over to people in this world who have demonstrated great wisdom but were not Christians. Kendall believes that God has given them wisdom for a specific reason, even if they themselves are not aware of this.

I particularly liked the chapter where he looks at the wisdom of Jesus. He raises some excellent ways in which we would be best served to follow Jesus in the area of wisdom. He also brings out some somewhat surprising facts. I wont say too much here as it is worth reading the book and hearing what Kendall has to say. 

This is an in depth book which covers wisdom in all its facets. However, it is easy to read, and the principles within its pages, easy to apply. I am glad that I have read the book and I would certainly highly recommend it to all Christians.

I was given a copy of this book for review purposes. I was not at any time asked to provide a positive review. My review is based on my reading, and enjoyment, of the book. 

Although this is the UK link, the book is also available in Kindle in the US. However, Amazon US would not allow me to get the link. If you do a search you will be able to get it from Amazon. It will apse be available in Paperback in most major bookstores and all Christian bookstores. 

So we come to the end of another Bookaholic post. I am off to read Rowan's Rule, the biography of the previous Archbishop of Canterbury. I am really looking forward to this and to telling you all about it soon. Take car my Bookaholic friends, grab a book and keep reading. 

It's a God Thing: The Powerful Results of Ministry Evangelism by Charles L. Roesel

           

Ministry Evangelism and ministering to the poor is something which God has laid on my heart for the past few years. Today's book gives an example of how Ministry Evangelism works in practice and gives guidelines and examples of how this can be carried out. It demonstrates how important it is to pray and to listen to God for what he wants us to do. This is us in both a corporate and individual sense.

This book is not long but it is packed with power. It is written primarily for Pastors and Church leaders, however as an individual I felt I and a lot to learn from the advice given. The exhortation throughout the book is to reach out to the poor and disadvantaged in our communities. It is to look for need and to address this need as a church. I found this advice to be thought provoking and a call to change about the way we think about ministry.

The chapters cover four key areas:

• Importance of Discipleship
• Leadership First
• Money Matters
• Getting started

These are packed with practical examples of how this was done in the author's ministry. Every area is backed up by passages from the bible as to where God shorts us to carry out this particular type of ministry. God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Bible are at the core of everything which is discussed. This book left me with a profound sense of how the people in our communities are hurting and what we as a church can do to help them and show them God's love. It left me thinking and praying long into the night and was on my mind when I awoke the next morning. You cannot read this book with getting a sense of what God wants to do to mobilise his Church in this area.

I would advice all Church leaders to read this book. However, I would also encourage all Christians to read this book. It will change the way you think about ministry forever.

I was given a copy of this book from the Publisher in return for a fair and honest review. My review is based on my reading of the book and was not influenced in any way by external factors or people.

A rather more in depth book this week but one which is soul searching. Thank you for taking the time to read an I will see you all back here soon.