Thursday, March 24, 2011

The Treasure of God's Word: Celebrating 400 Years of the King James Bible

Absolutely gorgeous gift book for a King James Version Bible Lover. It has a leather-appearance Binding with gold leaf on the edges. The book is divided into different subjects with each major section sharing history of the the version. It begins by introducing the KJV Bible and giving the initial history. 

The KJV of the Bible is the most popular version and some feel the most closely related to the original intent. The verses for each section are woven together and support each other well. This is a small book and by no means an exhaustive concordance. It's intended to be a gift for perhaps someone for Christmas or graduation. 

The cover and pages have been treated to look older and this adds to the charm of the book. It is a beautifully bound gift book and I highly recommend it. 

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher to write a review. I am under no obligation to write a positive review.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones

Save the Date is a quick, funny, light, beach read. I enjoyed it for those qualities. The characters were developed and while stereo-typical not cardboard cutouts. I liked that this book was set in my hometown of Charleston, SC. I did not like the virtual absence of setting description. Charleston is known for it's beautiful settings, I cannot understand why more of it did not make it into the book. 

The plot was predictable, they fall in love while pretending to be in love. It wasn't a great shock. There were some shocking revelations, however Lucy and Alex falling in love is not one of them. Over all the book was a nice read. 

In this genre, I am finding lately a lot less Christianity in "Christian Fiction". I'd like to see more from the Christian authors. More overt Christianity in the Christian characters. More church attendance. More praying over decisions. Just in general Christians acting more like Christians. This isn't a condition limited to Jenny, I just noticed it while reading her book. There were times when I felt reading this that it was not very Christian-like. Yes, it's cleaner than the typical romance or chick lit novel, but I did not find myself coming away with any revelations or Christian behaviors I wanted to emulate. 

All in all I'd recommend this book to a friend, but not as a Christian book.


I was provided a copy of this book by Booksneeze.com to write a review.  I am not expected to nor do I feel obligated to write a positive review.

The Pirate Queen by Patricia Hickman

The Pirate Queen sucks you in right away and doesn't let go until the last page.  As a matter of fact I reached the last page and looked for more.  I have already recommended this book to others!

Saphora the main character decides after 30 years of her husband Bender's infidelity she is done.  She packs her clothes and readies herself to leave.  She wants to live for herself for once.  Just before she walks out the door her husband comes home and tells her he's dying.  Suddenly her plans and her world are turned upside down.  This amazing book is the beautiful story of them both finding the loves of their lives again. She remembers all the reasons and moments of her life that made her love him.  He finds God and in that his love for her and shame over his awful treatment of her.

This book is about the long road to forgiveness and how sometimes receiving it is harder than giving it.

The supporting characters were well-developed, well-researched and integrated into the story.  The childhood friend of Saphora's grandson, Tobias was a nice foil to Bender's old persona. Tobias had been mistreated and dealt a really crappy hand from birth, and still he was considerate, loving and giving. Bender on the other hand seems to have lived a charmed life and was awful in the way he used and discarded people.  Saphora seems to think she offers nothing and yet she is the glue that holds them all together.  She is thread for all these disparate characters.

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from Ms. Hickman.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook publishers as part of its blogging for books program.  I am not expected nor obligated to write a positive review.