C. S. Lewis: A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet by Alister McGrath (Review)

Fifty years after his death, C. S. Lewis continues to inspire and fascinate millions. His legacy remains varied and vast. He was a towering intellectual figure, a popular fiction author who inspired a global movie franchise around the world of Narnia, and an atheist-turned-Christian thinker.

In C.S. Lewis—A Life, Alister McGrath, prolific author and respected professor at King’s College of London, paints a definitive portrait of the life of C. S. Lewis. After thoroughly examining recently published Lewis correspondence, Alister challenges some of the previously held beliefs about the exact timing of Lewis’s shift from atheism to theism and then to Christianity. He paints a portrait of an eccentric thinker who became an inspiring, though reluctant, prophet for our times.

You won’t want to miss this fascinating portrait of a creative genius who inspired generations.


My Review:

I was very interested in this biography because C. S. Lewis has always been an author that stuck with me. He is most famous for his books The Narnia Chronicles, Mere Christianity, and The Screwtape Letters. I was hesitant because I have never been a big reader of biographies. They are usually dry, boring, and hard to read. This author does a great job in not letting it be that way. The usual information is in the book like family details. I like the way the book was divided and the chapter titles. It was well written and flowed well. There was so much about C. S. Lewis that I had no clue about. My mind and heart wanted to yell at him from the hindsight outsider view several times. I loved C. S. Lewis's view on literature: "In reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself. Like the night sky in the Greek poem, I see with a myriad eyes, but it is still I who see." There is so much more I could write but to gain a view of what the book offers read the table of contents, it really spells it out. The book was easy to read and detailed without being bogged down. I now to want to read all of his works. He really was an interesting man and I'm glad I read his life story. It also provided a behind the scenes look at his life when he was writing the books and how they came to be which is great for readers. I highly recommend this book. I will not forget what I read in it. :)








About the author:

Alister E. McGrath is a historian, biochemist, and Christian theologian born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A longtime professor at Oxford University, he now holds the chair in theology, ministry, and education at the University of London. He is the author of several books on theology and history, including Christianity's Dangerous Idea, In the Beginning, and The Twilight of Atheism. He lives in Oxford, England, and lectures regularly in the United States

Secrets Over Sweet Tea by Denise Hildreth Jones (Review)

Secrets can be funny things. We think they keep us safe, but more often than not, they spill out when we least expect and make a mess out of everything. It’s a truth Scarlett Jo Newberry knows all too well—a truth Grace Shepherd and Zach Craig are about to learn the hard way. As the lives of this boisterous pastor’s wife, polished news anchor, and beleaguered divorce attorney intersect in the tree-lined streets of Franklin, Tennessee, scandal threatens to topple their carefully constructed worlds. Grasping at survival, they embark on a journey of friendship and courage, desperate to find a way back to laughter, love, and life.


My Review:

I loved this book. It is a great Southern relationship women's fiction book. The characters and plot are interesting and well written. Scarlett Jo is way out there but okay with herself. She is an outspoken loud atypical preacher's wife and her husband loves her. Grace Shepherd is a professional news anchor married to a professional hockey player who is an alcoholic. He is neglectful and their relationship has been on the rocks for years. She is very lonely and sad. Scarlett Jo will not leave her alone when she moves to the neighborhood but instead helps her as she starts to change her life. She hates divorcing her husband but knows it is the right thing to do at that point. She begins the healing process with the help of Scarlett Jo even though they are nothing alike. Zach Craig also lives on the street and is having an affair with the music director at the church where Scarlett Jo's husband is pastor. The Bible says every sin eventually comes to light and his wife caught him in the act. It is not all his fault though. She is cold, manipulating, and under her mother's thumb. He just wants to be needed and loved which is what we all want. He admits that what he did is wrong and wants to rebuild the relationship with his wife. All three main characters end up interacting with each other. The main theme of the book is reclaiming your heart. Denise is really good at character development and they pop off the page in this book. There are several fun and light hearted moments too. The book is not heavy and serious the whole time. I really felt for these characters. The author did a good job with the atmosphere and lyrical aspect to the writing. I finished this book last week and it has still stayed with me. I passed it on to a coworker who I thought it might help. There is a companion non fiction book about reclaiming your heart that I really want. Highly Recommended!






About the author:

Denise Hildreth Jones is an author and Bible Study teacher. Her books have been hailed as "smart and witty" by The Library Journal and featured twice in Southern Living. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with her husband, five bonus children, and her dog where she leads Reclaiming Hearts Ministries. Visit her at www.reclaiminghearts.com

TJ and the Time Stumblers: OOPS! by Bill Myer (Review)

The mishaps never end as TJ’s “helpers” from the 23rd century—Tuna and Herby—continue to study TJ as she learns the valuable lessons she’ll need to become a future world leader. In Oops!, TJ learns the importance of speaking and thinking well of people even when they are difficult, thanks to the Thought Broadcaster Pen, which exposes the thoughts of everyone it hits. As usual, Tuna and Herby’s attempts to fix the pen only make things worse—now all of TJ’s thoughts become reality! As she fights not to return meanness to others (and to clean up the disasters her thoughts cause, like turning whiny TV star Hesper Breakahart into a giant baby), TJ learns from her dad a little more about how her mother handled things: She kept reminding herself that each of us is God’s creation. And no matter how mean people may be, we all need to be loved. The same message also unfolds through a side story of classmate Chad Steel learning to treat a mean boy better.


My Review:

This is the third book in the TJ and the Time Stumblers series. All of them so far can be read alone. The characters do grow in each book so it is worth starting at the beginning. The names of the characters are a little corny like Hesper Breakahart. Younger kids might find them funny if they catch the meaning behind them. I liked the theme for this book. It was to not think bad about people even when they are mean to us. To remember that God created us all equal and loves us is an important lesson. Recommended.

TJ and the Time Stumblers: AAAARGH! by Bill Myers (Review)

This six-book series centers around two 23rd century goofballs, Tuna and Herby, who travel back in time to study TJ Finkelstein for their history project. TJ will someday become a great leader who demonstrates honesty, integrity, thoughtfulness, self-sacrifice, respect for others—all traits she hones and grasps through her adventures in this series. Unfortunately, Tuna and Herby get stuck in TJ’s time (modern day), so she has to deal with their schemes while juggling the normal issues of a seventh grader who has moved to a new city, is trying to fit in, and is coping with her mother’s death and her family’s new life.

In AAAARGH!!!, Tuna and Herby try to help TJ with a book report by getting the author to write it for her, but all three of them quickly see the consequences of cheating spiral out of control. Meanwhile, TJ’s cute neighbor and classmate Chad Steel is getting ready for a big surfing competition—and learning his own lesson about honesty.


My Review:
This was another interesting installment in the TJ and the Time Stumblers series. This is the second book and could be read alone. The main message in this one is honesty and being truthful in all aspects of life. For TJ it was a book report that Tuna and Herby had the author of Treasure Island write for her. For Chad it was a surf board with extra powers. I did not like the scene in the beginning of the book where TJ stomped on the foot of a pirate and he said Argh and bleeps. This book should not have any cussing in it. It is meant for the 8 to 10 age group. Overall I liked it. Tuna and Herby bring out more interesting gadgets that never seem to work the way they are supposed too. Kids will find their antics funny. Recommended with caution.

TJ and the Time Stumblers: New Kid Catastrophes by Bill Myers (Review)

This six-book series centers around two 23rd century goofballs, Tuna and Herby, who travel back in time to study TJ Finkelstein for their history project. TJ will someday become a great leader who demonstrates honesty, integrity, thoughtfulness, self-sacrifice, respect for others—all traits she hones and grasps through her adventures in this series. Unfortunately, Tuna and Herby get stuck in TJ’s time (modern day), so she has to deal with their schemes while juggling the normal issues of a seventh grader who has moved to a new city, is trying to fit in, and is coping with her mother’s death and her family’s new life.

In New Kid Catastrophes, TJ accidentally makes an enemy of Hesper Breakahart, the superstar who attends their school. And Tuna and Herby’s attempts to help just lead to one disaster after another. In the end, TJ is still very unpopular, but she learns the value of looking past appearances and gains a few friends—and the attention of the most popular boy in school.


My Review:

This is book one in a new series targeted to Christian tweens although I think upper elementary would like it best. They are simple and easy to read. I am 30 so my opinion may be a little different from the age group. I thought the plot and characters were interesting. The writing was not as great though. That age might not notice. I did like the way it had a lesson in it. This book it was not to judge based on appearance. Simple yet interesting and funny at times recommended.

Widow of Gettysburg by Jocelyn Green

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Widow of Gettysburg River North; New Edition edition (April 12, 2013) by Jocelyn Green

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jocelyn Green is a child of God, wife and mom living in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She is also an award-winning journalist, author, editor and blogger. Though she has written nonfiction on a variety of topics, her name is most widely recognized for her ministry to military wives: Faith Deployed. Her passion for the military family was fueled by her own experience as a military wife, and by the dozens of interviews she has conducted with members of the military for her articles and books, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives and its sequel, Faith Deployed...Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. She is also co-author of both Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan and Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front (forthcoming, May 2012). Her Faith Deployed Web site and Facebook page continue to provide ongoing support, encouragement and resources for military wives worldwide.





ABOUT THE BOOK

When a horrific battle rips through Gettysburg, the farm of Union widow Liberty Holloway is disfigured into a Confederate field hospital, bringing her face to face with unspeakable suffering--and a Rebel scout who awakens her long dormant heart.

While Liberty's future crumbles as her home is destroyed, the past comes rushing back to Bella, a former slave and Liberty's hired help, when she finds herself surrounded by Southern soldiers, one of whom knows the secret that would place Liberty in danger if revealed.

In the wake of shattered homes and bodies, Liberty and Bella struggle to pick up the pieces the battle has left behind. Will Liberty be defined by the tragedy in her life, or will she find a way to triumph over it? Widow of Gettysburg is inspired by first-person accounts from women who lived in Gettysburg during the battle and its aftermath.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Widow of Gettysburg, go HERE.

Small Town Girl by Ann Gabhart (Review)

How long can two people stand on the brink of love without plunging in headfirst?
In the autumn of 1941, rumors of war whisper through Rosey Corner. The town practically vibrates with apprehension, as if it is holding its breath. But for Kate Merritt, it seems life is letting out a prolonged sigh. As Kate watches her sister marry the man Kate has loved since she was fifteen, her heart is silently breaking. And even the attentions of Jay Tanner, the handsome best man, can't draw her interest.

Then suddenly, Pearl Harbor changes everything and Kate finds herself drawn to Jay in surprising ways. Could she truly be in love with him? And if he enlists, will she ever see him again?

In her gentle and textured style, Ann H. Gabhart tells a timeless story of love, sacrifice, and longing that will grip your heart and stir your spirit. Fans of Gabhart's Angel Sister will love seeing Kate Merritt all grown-up, as well as other characters they have come to love.

My Review:

This was a great Christian historical fiction book. The author knows how to paint a picture with words. I did not realize this was a second book until after I finished reading this one. I don't think it detracted from the story although I would like to read it to know more about young Kate and Birdie. I loved the plot line and the time period. Kate and Jay hit it off at the beginning and the sparks continue to fly. They both have trust issues because of their past. I liked the ending and felt like it fit the book. Highly Recommended!






Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several novels, including Angel Sister, Words Spoken True, The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Find out more at www.annhgabhart.com.


**Available July 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.**

Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.