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Book Review: Lost in the Land of the Midnight Sun
I used to dream of meeting the authors of my favorite books when I was a kid. Now, as I embark on a writing journey myself, I have met some really amazing authors in various groups on the internet. I first met Christina Cattaine back in March through a podcast she co-hosts, the Christian Indie Writers Podcast. I’ll include the details at the end of this post, but let’s get into my review of Christina’s brand new novel, “Lost in the Land of the Midnight Sun.” Main character, Angelica, is a troublemaker according to her father. He is the High Priest and has high expectations of his daughter, who feels…
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Review: Welcome to the Shivoo!
“Why do Christian creatives struggle to find belonging?” This is the first question asked by author Laura Bartnick in “Welcome to the Shivoo! Creatives Mimicking the Creator.” It’s a question I’ve struggled with as I navigate my way through blogging and now wading into the waters of fiction writing. Laura explains, “the term Shivoo is borrowed from Australian lingo meaning a boisterous party.” My first reaction was “Yes!” I want my writing to be like a party, a celebration, a fun thing I get to do to glorify God with the talents and opportunities He’s given me. “Welcome to the Shivoo!” is unique. It’s friendly and conversational, more like a…
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Book Review: Power Up
“Right then, Lexi settled in her spirit to let God carry her and her family. She decided not to spend her energy trying to figure out God or tell him what to do, but to simply hold on to his goodness as truth and trust him.” Jessie Mattis, Power Up I often struggle with how to encourage my kids in their own spiritual lives. Between school work and video games and chores how do we motivate kids to be interested in God’s Word and growing in faith? Author Jessie Mattis has done a wonderful thing with Power Up. Through fun characters and a great story she introduces deep concepts about…
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Book Review: Pilgrim’s Progress
“As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I came to the place where there was a den. Inside, I lay down to sleep, and as I slept, I had a dream.” John Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress When I first read Pilgrim’s Progress as a young believer I was captivated by the adventure and all the clever ways Bunyan brought Scripture and doctrine to life through allegory. The story follows a man named Christian, who begins with a burden in the city of Destruction. Bunyan shows the clear gospel when at the “place of Deliverance” (the cross) Christian releases his burden and sets out to journey on the “King’s Highway”…
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Book Review: Redeeming Love
“Oh, Lord, why was I so blind? Why couldn’t I hear? Why did it take so much pain for me to see that you have been reaching out to me all along?” Angel, Redeeming Love The book Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers brings the story of redemption to brilliant life. It is full of struggle, heartache, and revelation. It’s a fictional allegory of the minor prophet book of Hosea from the Bible set during the California gold rush. It follows a girl from the devastation of being sold into prostitution at a young age to her rescue by a man named Michael Hosea, and ultimately her salvation by God. Michael’s…
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Book Review: Hinds’ Feet on High Places
“This is the story of how Much-Afraid escaped from her Fearing relatives and went with the Shepherd to the High Places where “perfect love casteth out fear.” -Hannah Hurnard Fear. We all experience fear. Sometimes it masquerades as anxiety, sadness, procrastination, rationalization, and escapism. It’s easy to read scriptures that tell us not to have fear, but oh so hard to live it practically. From that very first line I was hooked and excited to go on the journey with Much-Afraid. Much Afraid is physically handicapped, having crippled feet that made her limp and a crooked mouth that disfigured her face. The Shepherd (who is Jesus) called her to follow…
