The Ebb Tide book review

I’ve been a fan of Beverly Lewis for years, but haven’t read many of her books recently. The Ebb Tide was a refreshing, full of light read for me.  Her descriptions of the ocean, and the guest house in which Sallie Riehl stayed, made me wish I was in such a place. 

The Ebb Tide explored an unusual side of the typical Amish fiction romance, and that was of an Amish person having questions about their faith, and about remaining in the Amish community for  the rest of their life.   Mrs. Lewis handled it very well, as if she had interviewed several people who had either left the Plain people, or had struggles about making the permanent commitment.

The relationship between an Amish young woman and a Mennonite young man was interesting, and tastefully done. I liked the devotion both had to God, and that Kevin was a strong male figure who kept the bible and God prominent in his thoughts and actions.

Sallie’s first step out was to be a nanny for a sweet  little girl named August, whose mother had just had Conner, her baby brother. There was a subplot in the book about Sallie trying to help Autumn adjust to her new role as big sister, not as only child anymore.  I thought the way Sallie had insight into the situation was very good, and also that she consulted her Mamm about how to help Autumn get closer to her little brother.

All in all, this was a great book, and I enjoyed picking it up each time, and kind of escaping into this wonderful world of the ocean, happiness, and new, fun discoveries. 

Thanks for writing this book, Beverly Lewis.

Her website is here:  https://www.beverlylewis.com/

Ye must be born again to get to Heaven: ROMANS 10:  [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
[11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
[12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
[13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Book Review- Secrets of My Heart – Tracie Peterson, author

Secrets of My Heart is a story about a young woman, recently widowed from
a cold and emotionally private husband. He was wealthy, so she has enough money
to run a ladies boarding house, not for need of money, just for something to do.
After her lawyer discovers some secrets about her late husband, Nancy is appalled and
a bit frightened about the scope of the secrets.

The story revolves around Nancy, the widow, Seth, a childhood friend who works with her lawyer,
and Gerald Berkshire, a friend of her husband.
This book is clean Christian fiction, with Jesus and God as an ongoing part of the
way Nancy and Seth work through the situation left behind by her deceptive husband’s business. There is a lot of detail, and much to keep the reader interested in how the
story works itself out.

Yes, there is a bit of a love relationship, but Mrs. Peterson keeps it clean and safe for Christian readers. I must say I’m interested in finding out more about some of the characters, namely Mrs. Weaver, a boarder, Seth, and Gerald Berkshire. This is a good book, providing preliminary events that prepares the reader for the next book in her series.

I read Tracie Peterson’s books for 2 reasons: 1. There is a complete testimony for anyone who wants to be born again, and follow Jesus as their Savior and Lord in each book.
2. She tells a good story, with enough details and descriptions to keep my interest.

Romans 10:9-15: [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
[11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
[12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
[13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
[14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
[15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

You can learn more about Tracie Peterson at her website:  https://traciepetersonbooks.com/

Treasures of the North~ Yukon Quest~ book review

Treasures of the North, book 1 in the Yukon Quest series by Tracie Peterson, was well written and had a lot of variety in each character’s personality and story. This is one of the very few
series books that I actually want to read the next book from! Tracie Peterson published this in 2001, which was 19 years ago! I knew this would be one of her earlier works, and was happily surprised that her natural skill in telling a good Christian historical fiction story was already blooming profusely in Treasures of the North. 

Openly and unabashedly Christian, Mrs Peterson writes the clear and simple Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world, and how to be born again. THIS is the heart of her writings, and even on her website, she says, and I quote: Writing Christian fiction has been a ministry and joy for me. My goal is that every book I write–whether it’s a historical novel for a series, a standalone contemporary novel, a novella or a nonfiction book–would entertain, educate, and encourage each reader in whatever way God sees fit. This is my mission field and passion.  https://traciepetersonbooks.com/

God bless you, and thank you for remaining stedfast and loyal to the One Who gave you
the intelligence and perseverence to write solid, clean stories that are, indeed, a ministry and an education to your readers.
This story is about Grace, Karen, Doris, Martin, Peter, and to some extent, Jacob and Adrik. I liked all of the characters, and am looking forward to reading the next book, Ashes and Ice. I learned a lot about the gold rush, Skagway, Dyea, and how harsh the life was, of stampeders and their families in Alaska. Good research, great story.

 

Most Important Stories of the Bible ~ book review

I didn’t like this book.  It was shallow, and too simple. I can not and do not recommend this book. In the “Essential Truths” parts, which come at the end of each story, there is a LOT of conjecture and opinion,  which disqualifies it as an essential truth.  Some of them are fine, but watch out, here and there the authors give the idea of what they think is true, but might not be.

Conjecture:  an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.   

Both authors, Christopher Hudson and Stan Campbell,  are graduates of Wheaton College.  Wheaton College is not a true, pure  bible college any more, it’s full of mysticism and New Age practices:  https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/collegewheaton.htm

Another error about this book is, they use the NIV. ( The New International Version bible. )   The NIV is a per-version of the pure Word of God.  

The NIV & ESV Downgrade the Deity of Christ   They say the spotless Son of God had to be purified! “…their purification” (Luke 2:22).  The KJV says, “…her purification.”   The NIV Teaches the church was Built on Peter     Matthew 16:18 (NIV), “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” Then the footnote says, “Peter means rock.” But Jesus says Peter is a pebble, and the great confession Peter made concerning the Deity of Christ (vs. 16) is the “ROCK” foundation upon which the church is built (1 Cor. 3:11). Matthew 17:21

KJV: Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

NIV: Omitted

NWT: Omitted

Matthew 27:35

KJV: And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

NIV: When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Also, one of the authors has “authored dozens of Bible related books, primarily for youth and seeker markets….”

Seeker friendly pastors are the new cancer on the church.  From the Berean Call’s website:  if you want to attract the lost on the basis of what might interest them, for the most part you will be appealing to and accommodating their flesh.

and….A large part of the evangelical church has developed a pleasure-laden, cruise ship mentality, but it will result in a spiritual Titanic. Seeker-friendly church pastors (and those tempted to climb aboard) need to get on their knees and read the words of Jesus to the church of the Laodiceans (Rev:3:14-21
I can not and do not recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Refining Fire ~ Brides of Seattle book 2

This is book 2 in the Brides of Seattle series, by Tracie Peterson.  An excellent book, clean, Christian historical fiction with characters you can sympathize with and identify easily with.   Plenty of solid story line, with Militine, Abrianna, Thane, Wade, the bridal school sisters, Miss Selma, Miss Miriam, and Miss Poisie , and an evil villian who will remain anonymous in this review.  You find out for yourself! 

This book had several biblically sound explanations of how to get to Heaven, how to be born again, which is one of the best things I appreciate about Tracie Peterson’s books.  Devout, and clear to all readers, you can’t read her books without knowing how to be born again.    Romans 10:9-13.

The historical account of the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 was gripping, and tense.  Her descriptions of the city as it burned to the ground was as if you were there, experiencing a flaming inferno all around you.

 

There was also recovery, and plenty of hope and even some humor.  The research she puts into her books, the accuracy, is wonderful.

Enjoy this good read. 

 

Product details

• Series: Brides of Seattle (Book 2)
• Paperback: 314 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (July 7, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780764210624
• ISBN-13: 978-0764210624
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds

The Tinderbox, by Beverly Lewis; book review

This is the story of an Old Order Amish family whose dad holds a secret.  Sylvia Miller is the eighteen year old daughter who discovers something about the secret, but only partially.

Earnest and Rhoda Miller are her parents, her dad is a converted Englisher, and was accepted into the community years ago by the head Bishop at that time.  Earnest makes a living building and repairing clocks, and does well at it, working in his shop for long hours sometimes.  The Tinderbox, which holds keepsakes of Earnest,  is kept on a shelf is in his clock shop, and Sylvia gives in to curiosity and temptation one day while dusting the shelves in there, looking through all the contents of her dad’s Tinderbox.

Eventually her dad finds out Sylvia has looked, and he doesn’t tell her much, but really struggles with revealing his secret to his wife.  The story then concentrates itself on that struggle, and what the secret being revealed does to his family and himself.  Several other stories are parallel to this one in the book, one about Rhoda’s sister Hannah, and another about Sylvia and her beau.

Personally, I did not really enjoy this book like I have enjoyed Beverly Lewis’s past books.  This one seemed to be aimed more at the teen audience, except for the one slightly amorous scene between husband and wife, I think it would have been suitable for teens.

This was an easy read, although I didn’t read every page, and did skip a few chapters.  I just couldn’t really get into it.  Other fans of Beverly Lewis may find The Tinderbox to be a good, enjoyable read for them.

I am received a copy of The Tinderbox from Bethany House  in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Romans 10:9-13;  John 3:16-21