Literature & Fiction Books - Page 15

Wrapped in Rain (Women of Faith Fiction)

Charles Martin

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 29 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Why all the stars???? 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I note that there is only one other somewhat unfavorable review of this book. I'll say the one nice thing first -- Martin's writing is "pretty." When he describes something, I get a good picture of it in my head. Unfortunately, he uses lengthy descriptive passages of minor events that don't build the story line; it almost seems like filler and can be very boring. His characters are not to be believed. His story line is not believable. What happened to the mothers of these two boys? Why would the mothers give them up so easily? Where were the police when Miss Ella was beaten silly by Rex??? Where was social services when the boys were beaten silly by Rex??? Why didn't Mose beat the heck out of Rex??? Did the two boys stay in the house all the time by themselves, only visited by Miss Ella during the day? Come on. I've read several of Charles Martin's books. I'm beginning to think he had a horrible childhood because he either never mentions characters' parents in his books, or when he does, they are unbelievably abusive. Should have borrowed this one from the library. Wasn't worth the $$$$.

Editorial Review:

"Tucker, I want to tell you a secret,"

Miss Ella curled my hand into a fist and showed it to me.

"Life is a battle, but you can't fight it with your fists. You got to fight it with your heart."

An internationallly famous photographer, he has traveled the world and seen both the serious and the strange. But when his brother escapes from a mental hospital and an old girlfriend appears with her son and a black eye, Tucker is forced to return home and face the agony of his own tragic past.

Back in rural Alabama, Tucker comes to terms with the ghosts he left behind. Miss Ella Rain once loved Tuck and his brother like they were her very own. Hiring her to take care of Waverly Hall and to keep them out of sight was the only good thing their father ever did. And though Miss Ella has been gone for many years, Tuck can still hear her voice.

Fame (Firstborn Series-Baxter 2, Book 1)

Karen Kingsbury

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 27 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

HORRIBLE writing and sterotypical characters 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 6 people found this review helpful.

I am always shocked at how Karen Kingsbury receives such high reviews... but I am most shocked that her writing actually makes it to publication. This is BAD writing. It is objectively bad writing; it's the kind of writing any freshman comp teacher would scribble all over. This book is speckled with lines like "She did a shrug" (as opposed to "she shrugged"), and another of her books says "she made a low breathy noise" (as opposed to "she sighed")

This book is about Hollywood, it's about the movie industry and movie stars, and it reads like the author has done research by reading "US Weekly" and "Tiger Beat" and now feels like she can paint an accurate picture of what it must be like to be a movie star. If you want to suspend intelligent thinking and read for an escape from reality (and common sense, and believable characters) then this sure is the book for you!

I read this book about a month ago, but these are a few of the things I had a problem with:

-the dozens of references to "there was a sparkle in her eyes"-- which, of course, is supposed to be the light of Jesus! and "He looked into her soul!" and "she felt it in that quiet place in her heart" I promise, non-Christians don't look at Christians and think "There's something different about his eyes... the way they sparkle"

-the idea that A-list movie stars spend all their time by themselves, consumed with tabloids and never going out

-the idea that if Katie reaaalllly was passionate about acting... you act for the love of the craft, it's what drives you. Katie never says anything about loving to act. She is driven by fear ("What if I move to Hollywood? OH NO! There will be drugs and paparazzi!!"), when, if God is on her side, wouldn't she be able to avoid temptations? Furthermore, does she not realize the good she could do as a Christian in the limelight? How many people she could minister to? What a good role model she could be? No. She just runs home to Bloomington, where it is safe. (that might be a spoiler, but it's nothing a 9-year-old wouldn't have been able to figure out was going to happen after the first chapter)

-this is a romantic comedy that Katie is slated to star in with this 'leading man!' and she says there is nothing objectionable in it at all! riiiight... how many modern, box-office hit, romantic comedies have no swearing, no making out, and no pre-marital sex?

-actors do not hand-pick their co-stars. there are casting directors and panels

-A-list stars do not come in for auditions; they are offered the parts, begged to do the movies. no one turns them down.

-when it comes to the contract, Katie would have a lawyer and the contract/business side would not go through her potential co-star. are you kidding me?!

mostly, the writing is really, really, really bad. To the point that there are sentences that are just plain gramatically incorrect. The characters are all stereotypes (Sweet, quiet midwestern Christian girl who always does the right thing. Go Team Jesus!) and are not at all developed. Karen Kingsbury just writes about things she has no knowledge of, but she likes to imagine how they are... thus, her stories are based on stereotypes, misconceptions, and ignorance.

My favorite author is Jodi Picoult. Her writing is breathtaking, and her characters are so developed that reading about their heartaches makes your own chest tighten, and her storylines are complex, non-formulaic, and not predictable. My Sister's Keeper is my favorite book by her. There is zero comparison between authors like Picoult and Janet Finch (White Oleander) and Curtis Sittenfeld (Prep) and Karen Kingsbury.

I can't say enough what a bad writer Karen Kingsbury is. She writes series because that's where the money is, and she is in the Christian market, because there's no way her writing would cut it mainstream. I've read two and a half of her books (I couldn't get through the last one because the poor quality of writing always puts me in a bad mood), and in the world of literature, they're complete jokes

Editorial Review:

Fame is the first book in the soul-stirring new Firstborn series from Karen Kingsbury. As Dayne Matthews returns to Hollywood after his shocking discovery in Karen's best-selling novel Reunion, he faces the dangerous world of fame and paparazzi. Meanwhile, Katy Hart receives the offer of a lifetime--starring opposite Dayne in a Hollywood film. Dayne and Katy's choices will change their hearts and lives forever.

Seventh Day (A. D. Chronicles, Book 7)

Bodie Thoene, Brock Thoene

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Long-time fan! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I have been reading the Thoene's books for over 20 years now. I have all except the most recent that I haven't purchased yet. The Thoene's are my all-time favorite authors. I love the insight to the history of the times: whether it's Jerusalem at the time of Jesus, post WWI going into the depression, the old west, or Ireland during the oppressive reign of over-lords, they bring you right there. You feel the emotion, understand what people's lives were like, and gain knowledge and insight you never had.

I would recommend ALL of their books!!!!

Great Realistic Fiction 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I love this authors series. This one follows the life of Christ with very interesting characters. They weave truthful facts and stories into a well developed story line. I am always anticipating the next one in the series - can't wait! Very well written.

Editorial Review:

As Yeshua continues his ministry and is challenged by the religious leaders, his beloved friend El'azar falls ill in Bethany and when Yeshua finally arrives, it is too late...or is it?

Love's Unending Legacy/Love's Unfolding Dream/Love Takes Wing/Love Finds a Home (Love Comes Softly Series 5-8)

Janette, Oke

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 86 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Excellent Reading 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I've loved the Hallmark Movies and now am reading the books. The print size makes them easy reading and who would not enjoy a Janette Oake story. Amazon pricing also makes them a excellent value.

Sigh! 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I have no qaulms about admitting that I am a hopeless romantic. I'm also the type of person that likes pretty landscapes, good old fashioned values, and all the light and love inbetween. These books really hit the spot, and the first few of this collection are divine.

The story begins with two unlucky partners who wed for convenience: a pregnant widow and a widower trying to raise a daughter on his own. They're out in the plains struggling to survive, so why not get married for the security?

But alas, in comes the romance and this little family grows closer and closer.

The series continues as the family grows, with a variety of well-rounded characters and plots that get at that slightly dramatic spot I can't help but love.

They're quietly written with beautiful, simple descriptions and lots of reference to God, faith, and spirituality.

Editorial Review:

The first series from the pen of Janette Oke, follows the lives of one family through three generations. Lets the reader see the impact that Christian love has on relationships despite adversity and hardship.

The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer, Ronald L. Ecker, Eugene Joseph Crook

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 84 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Not the complete Canterbury Tales 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Please note: The Bantam version (translated by Hieatt) only contains the most popular of the Tales. (Use the "Inside this Book" feature to check the table of contents, as I, alas, did not.) The facing page translation is just what I was looking for, but really wanted the complete set.

canterbury tale review 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

What would it be like if you had to make a very long journey on horse back? Pretty boring, right? But what if someone had the brilliant idea of telling stories on the way there? That would make the trip go a lot faster. This is the premise of the Canterbury Tales. There are a lot of people who all want to go to the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. They all met at a pub when the pub owner said that they should all tell one story on the way there and one on the way back. The version of the Canterbury tales only consists of four of the one hundred twenty eight that were told.
The first story that is told by the Nun's priest. This story is about a poor widow who lives on a farm. As you get further in this story it starts retelling the story of a chicken and a hen. This chicken had many wonderful hens around him. "This noble rooster ruled over seven hens, whose work it was to please him. They were his sisters and his wives." (pg. 20) But there was one hen named Lady Pertelote that he liked the most. One night he had a dream about a fox eating him. The next morning he told Lady Pertelote and she thought it didn't mean anything. A couple of days later a fox tricked him to shut his eyes and then the fox snuck up behind him and snatched him in his mouth. He was saved by the widow.
The next person to tell was the pardoner. His story was about greed. There were three people who were searching for death because they heard of all the horrible things he had done and wanted to kill him. While on their way they met an old man who told the men, "If you're so anxious to find Death, turn up this crooked road. I left him in that grove, under a tree and there he'll stay." (pg. 41) So that's what they did. When they got there they saw a sack full of gold and decided not to chase after Death but take the gold by night. They decided for one of them to go into the city and get wine to celebrate. The person that went was the youngest of them all. While he was gone the two thought up a plan to kill the third one so that they only had to split the money between them. The third boy wanted the money all to himself so he poisoned two of the bottles of wine and left one free of poison for himself. As he got the tree the two men killed him and they celebrated by drinking the wine and they died too. In the end they all got there wish. They met Death.
Those two were my favorite and the next two are by the Wife of Bath and the Franklin. The wife of Bath is about a man who threatens the life of another if they don't tell him what women want. The franklin's tale is about women who loved a man who left her and she was very sad. Nothing could make her feel better. If you want to know what happens at the end of these stories you'll have to read the book.
Historically this book is very good. It is based in the year of 1386. It show the life style of people who lived in the middle ages. It taught me that not all people were rich back then. It is historically spot on but the thing about this book is because it was written in the middle ages all the living conditions are right but it's very whimsical. Chickens can't talk, and Death isn't a person. In a way it shows how people thought back then. It tells us that some people might have wanted to meet death. Maybe in a physical way because they wanted to die or they just wanted to see someone death took away from them.
The reason I liked this book was because of the old English. I like taking in the metaphors and deciphering it. If you like Shakespeare then you'll most likely like this book. It is very whimsical and magical. It shows the people in the middle ages in a very metaphorical way. This book shows how life can be mystical and great even when you don't except it.

Editorial Review:

This reading of "The Canterbury Tales" is in contempoarary English prose to appeal to the student and general reader alike. It tells the story of a pilgrimage to Canterbury in which men and women drawn from all classes of society lighten their journey by telling tales.

Children of God (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

Mary Doria Russell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 96 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Children of God - Kindle Edition 3 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Overall I found the book to be interesting, though not nearly as much as the first book. Several plot points felt unnecessary, but overall the exploration of Rakhat, and what happened as a consequence of human involvement was intelligent and thoughtfully laid out.

Specific problems with the Kindle edition:
Chapter 16 of my version abruptly ends midway through, and then goes on to the same chapter over again, though the second chapter 16 is complete. I found this strange and aggravating to have to skip through.

In addition, a number of lower case "t"'s are dropped beneath the rest of the text on their lines as well as other odd letter errors appear sporadically throughout the whole of the text. This is the second Kindle book I've downloaded that has had issues of this sort.

A HIGHLY INTELLIGENT TREATISE ON PERSONAL THEOLOGY - A TRUE CLASSIC 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Theology can become a distant logical exercise of dry doctrine and easy theoretical conclusions. When it comes down to the wet choices of real life most such theoretical Theology is found wanting as it can offer only limited answers. This is Theology of the other kind, the real one.

Mary Doria Russell has created a highly intelligent story: what would the story of a future saint be? Say, a Jesuit spearheading an exploratory mission to an alien civilization as a linguist of unique abilities; a former outcast that found his true calling as a man of the Cloth and God's face in all the hungry he fed and all the orphans he sheltered and all the lost he bough back from desperation. And then God asked for more. Much more. Is God real or a mere human construct? Can Faith survive anything?

This is one of those books that stays with you for ever. Read THE SPARROW first, CHILDREN OF THE GOD later in order to enjoy them both more.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Editorial Review:

From the acclaimed author of "The Sparrow" comes an imaginative novel featuring Father Emilio Sandoz and his quest for the secret of God's immortal plan.

The Canterbury Tales (Norton Critical Editions)

Geoffrey Chaucer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

This Norton Critical Edition includes the most admired of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Each is presented in the original language, with normalized spelling and substantial annotations for modern readers. Among the new added to the Second Edition are the much-requested "Merchant's Tale" and the "Tale of Sir Thopas."

"Sources and Backgrounds" are included for the General Prologue and for most of the tales, enabling students to understand The Canterbury Tales in light of relevant medieval ideas and attitudes and inviting comparison between Chaucer's work and his sources.

"Criticism" includes nine essays, four of them new to this edition, by leading Chaucerians, among them F. R. H. DuBoulay, E. Talbot Donaldson, Barbara Nolani, and Lee Patterson.

A Chronology and Selected Bibliography are also included.

About the Series: No other series of classic texts equals the caliber of the Norton Critical Editions. Each volume combines the most authoritative text available with the comprehensive pedagogical apparatus necessary to appreciate the work fully. Careful editing, first-rate translation, and thorough explanatory annotations allow each text to meet the highest literary standards while remaining accessible to students. Each edition is printed on acid-free paper and every text in the series remains in print. Norton Critical Editions are the choice for excellence in scholarship for students at more than 2,000 universities worldwide.

The Last Sin Eater

Francine Rivers

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 92 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Not her best work 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I consider myself to be a pretty big fan of Francine Rivers, but this novel left me wanting. The plot moves painfully slowly with very little explanation of customs or character. It really was just painful for me to read, though I had to finish just to see if it got better...it didn't. There are a few minor characters who make it more interesting, but generally, I would say don't waste your time on this one.

Editorial Review:

Ten-year-old Cadi's grief over her beloved grandmother?the only person who seemed to love her unconditionally?is compounded by a previous family tragedy for which she believes her family blames her. While at her grandmother's grave, Cadi sees the "sin eater," a human who absolves the residents of the tiny Smoky Mountain community of their sins. Somehow Cadi, touchingly portrayed by Rivers, comes to realize that the sin eater is false and learns of Jesus, and her conversion to Christianity leads to a reconciliation with her family. Rivers delivers both a powerful message about Christian beliefs and the need for forgiveness of sins and an evocative portrayal of life in the 1850s.

DragonLight (Dragon Keepers Chronicles, Book 5)

Donita K. Paul

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Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The fantastic land of Amara is recovering from years of war inflicted on its citizens by outside forces–as well as from the spiritual apathy corroding the Amarans’ hearts. With Kale and her father serving as dragon keepers for Paladin, the dragon populace has exploded. It’s a peaceful, exciting time of rebuilding. And yet, an insidious, unseen evil lurks just beneath the surface of the idyllic countryside.

Truth has never been more important, nor so difficult to discern.

As Kale and her father are busy hatching, bonding, and releasing the younger generation of dragons as helpers throughout the kingdom, the light wizard has little time to develop her skills. Her husband, Sir Bardon–despite physical limitations resulting from his bout with the stakes disease–has become a leader, serving on the governing board under Paladin. When Kale and Bardon set aside their daily responsibilities to join meech dragons Regidor and Gilda on a quest to find a hidden meech colony, they encounter sinister forces. Their world is under attack by a secret enemy… can they overcome the ominous peril they can’t even see?

Prepare to experience breathtaking adventure and mind-blowing fantasy as never before in this dazzling, beautifully-crafted conclusion to Donita K. Paul’s popular DragonKeeper Chronicles fantasy series.

Found (Firstborn Series-Baxter 2, Book 3)

Karen Kingsbury

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Found 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Book 3 of the Firstborn series was so touching. My heart did flips while reading it.

Found 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I am currently reading this book and it is one that is hard to put down. Took a while to get here though.

Great series! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

A friend recommended this series to me and so far I am loving it! I can't wait to finish all the books in it. It is nice to have something to read that doesn't have all the garbage in it so many books do these days. The Christian perspective is a nice change.

I'm a fan 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I'm a big fan of Karen Kingsbury. Her Christian fiction is very refreshing and more realistic than most. This book was very moving and I found myself actaully crying at time - something I seldom do while reading fiction.

Editorial Review:

John Baxter hires a private invstigator to fulfill his wife's dying wish--that they find their firstborn son and make him part of the Baxter family. Meanwhile top Hollywood actor Dayne Matthews undergoes a personal search for truth despite great loss, and Christian Kids Theater director Katy Hart makes a decision that could take her from the simple life she has grown to love.