The Prodigal Book Review

A Ragamuffin Story

SUMMARY:  From the inspirational author of The Ragamuffin Gospel comes a powerful contemporary retelling of the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

     Jack Chisholm is "the people's pastor."  He leads a devoted and growing mega-church, has several best-selling books, and a memorable slogan, "We have got to do better."  Jack knows how to preach, and he understands how to chastise people into performing.  What he doesn't know is anything about grace.

     This year, when it comes time for the Christmas sermon, the congregation at Grace Cathedral will look to the pulpit, and Jack will not be there.  Of course, they will have seen plenty of him already - on the news.

     After an evening of debauchery that leads to an affair with his beautiful assistant, Jack Chisholm finds himself deserted with chilling swiftness.  The church elders remove him from his own pulpit.  His publisher withholds the royalties from his books.  Worst of all, his wife disappears with their eight-year-old daughter.

     But just as Jack is hitting bottom, hopeless and penniless, drinking his way to oblivion, who should appear but his long-estranged father, imploring his prodigal son:  "Come home."

     A true companion piece to The Ragamuffin Gospel, The Prodigal illustrates the power of grace through the story of a broken man who finally saw Jesus not because he preached his greatest sermon or wrote his most powerful book, but because he failed miserably.  Jack Chisholm lost everything - his church, his family, his respect, and his old way to believing - but he found grace.  It's the same grace that Brennan Manning devoted his life to sharing: profound in nature and coming from a God who loves us just as we are, and not as we should be.

REVIEW:  Having heard how wonderful Brennan Manning's writing was, I wanted to check out his newest book, The Prodigal.  It was a great take on the biblical story of the Prodigal son.  The main character, Jack, could be found in our modern day American culture. When he has a one-night stand with his assistant, Jack's world comes crashing around him.  I like how even though Jack alienated his father after the death of his mother ten years earlier, Dad still went after his son, helping him get through this difficult by providing shelter, a job and a friendly face when everyone else had left.  Father Frank is a refreshing character.  I love how he is very vulnerable and, even though everyone in town knows of his alcoholic background, they still love him and try to support and encourage him as much as Father Frank supports and encourages those around him.  Jack's hometown, while curious about everything that has happened, comes along side of him and tries to help him when they can.
     There were a few things I had difficulties with in this story.  One was how quickly Jack "recovered" and was offered a position preaching in a pulpit.  While I understand his character had made some major favorable changes in his view of grace, I still think it is a little soon (about two months since his night out on the town with his assistant).  One other problem I had (and it was a small one) was how Kathy, the small town newspaper reporter/owner, kept popping up, like she has a crush on Jack.  I guess it bothered me because he was still married (his divorce had not be finalized) and because of how Jack fell from grace (having an one-night stand).
     All in all, I really liked this book.  This one really made me think about a lot of things and hope I can make any changes I need to make and hope my world doesn't come crashing in around me.

This book was provided by Booksneeze and Zondervan for review without compensation.

Brennan Manning was a renowned speaker, preacher, and retreat leader.  He authored or coauthored twenty books, among them his memoir All Is Grace, The Furious Longing of God, Abba's Child, and the million-selling and life-changing book The Ragamuffin Gospel.  He went to rest in the loving arms of his Abba on April 12, 2013, but his voice still echoes in the hearts and minds of his readers.

Greg Garrett is the author or coauthor of over fifteen books of fiction, non-fiction, and memoir, including The Other Jesus, We Get to Carry Each Other:  The Gospel according to U2, and the acclaimed novels Free Bird, Cycling, and Shame.  He lives with his family in Austin, Texas.

The Church Builder Book Review

SUMMARY:  One group focused on destroying all religion.  One group struggling to preserve the church.  One woman searching for the truth.
     For two months, small-town lawyer Bethany Barclay has been mourning the hit-and-run death of her enigmatic best friend, Annabelle Seaver.  Then the son of her wealthiest client is found murdered in her kitchen.  When Bethany herself becomes the leading suspect, she must flee both the authorities and a mysteriously killer.
     But there is more at stake than she knows.
     Bethany is caught in the web of a shadowy organization determined to destroy Christianity.  The final outcome rests on her ability to piece together the last three months of her best friend's life.

REVIEW:  This is a book that will keep you turning pages and sitting on the edge of your seat all the way to the end.  At times, trying to keep straight all the different characters and their roles was difficult for me.  I do not read many suspense novels so when shadowy characters are introduced and not fully explained to keep the intensity going, I had some problem keeping everyone straight.  But I was able to follow the story pretty easily and keep up.  The story was intriguing and unique.  As I read, I could see the novel being played out in movie form.  While the drama was not brought to a close at the end of the book, I can't wait for the next book to be released to finish Bethany's search for answers.
     If you are a fan of suspense novels, this is a book you will want to check out.

This book was provided by Booksneeze, Harper-Collins and Zondervan for review without compensation.

A.L. Shields is a pseudonym for Stephen L. Carter, the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale, where he has taught for almost thirty years.  He is the author of seven acclaimed works on nonfiction, and five best-selling novels, including The Emperor of Ocean Park, which spent eleven weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

Beloved Book Review

Where the Heart Lives Series

Book Three

 SUMMARY:  A most unwelcome guest surprises Diana at her engagement party - the husband she thought was dead!

     Diana Brennan came west on the orphan train and was given a home with a loving couple who cherished and spoiled her.  At 17, she fell hard for Tyson Applegate, the son of a wealthy mine owner.  After a whirlwind courtship and marriage, Tyson took off for adventures around the world, including fighting with the Rough Riders in Cuba.  Receiving no word of him in years, Diana is ready to move past the old pain and marry again, just as soon as Tyson is declared legally dead.

     But when Tyson returns, supposedly a changed man, he wants to reunite with his wife and run for the senate.  While Diana suspects the election is his real reason for wanting her by his side, she agrees to maintain his home and to campaign with him, but when it is over, win or lose, she wants her freedom.  

     He agrees with one condition - she must give him a chance to change her mind about him.

REVIEW:  Beloved is written with two time lines going on at the same time.  You read about Diana and her struggles with Tyson after he returns but, sprinkled throughout the story, you also read Tyson's story before he met Diana, their meeting and courtship, their brief time together as a married couple and what happens to Tyson when he leaves Diana and after he "disappears."  At first, I couldn't quite figure out what was going on, but the more I read, the back story (mainly Tyson's) came through and I was able to follow along quite nicely and see that Tyson's spiritual relationship and his feelings for Diana were genuine.
     There were a few times I felt Brook Calhoun's character was stilted and unnecessary, like the author was needing an adversary and he was an afterthought.  It also would have been nice for Diana to meet her siblings earlier in the novel instead of in the Epilogue.  I did like how Tyson's father, Jeremiah Applegate, had changed over the years and was more accepting of Tyson and Diana's relationship and how he found one he wasn't looking for.
     All in all, this was a good book, one I enjoyed.  The series was interesting and one I wouldn't mind reading again.

This book was provided by Lituse Publicity Group, Booksneeze, and Zondervan for review without compensation.

Robin Lee Hatcher is the bestselling author of seventy books.  Her numerous awards include the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award.  Robin and her husband reside in Idaho.  For more information, visit www.robinleehatcher.com.

Harriet Beamer Strikes Gold Book Review

SUMMARY:  Adventure is never far away.
     After a whirlwind cross-country move, Harriet and her donut-loving basset house, Humphrey, have settled in to a new life in Grass Valley, California. When Harriet learns that she's going to be a grandma for the first time and gets a new suite with room for her salt-and-pepper shaker collection,
she can't wait for her best friend, Martha, to come visit so she can share her good news.
     But adventure is never far away when Harriet is around.  After listening to the pleas of a desperate teen whose daddy needs money right away - and happens to have a gold mine to lease - Harriet falls hook, line and sinker into the venture.  Although she's nervous about her investment, Harriet chooses to keep it a secret from her son, Henry, and his wife.  She can only imagine what she'll do if this turns out to be her ticket to a golden windfall.
     When suspicions arise, though, it becomes clear that Harriet may never see an ounce of gold.  But will she continue to trust and risk losing everything?  The fate of the young teen and a family emergency show Harriet where her true treasure lies.

REVIEW:  Harriet loves her family.  When she finds out she is going to be a grandma, she decides to invest in a gold mine in hopes of striking it rich so she can help her son and daughter-in-law.  With her best friend Martha in tow, she finds out the mine and the people she invested in are under FBI investigation.  Throw in the chaos of a new addition to the house, and you have yourselves a mess! 
     I love how Harriet still wanted to help Lily have a better life, even though she was a big part of the mine fiasco. Harriet and Martha believed the best in this young teen and their faith was proved right.  When Henry and Prudence finds out about the mine and the problems surrounding it, they didn't condemn Harriet but helped her figure out what she could/should do.  This family supports each other and is there for each other, no matter what.
     This is a good book and is perfect for some light reading.

This book was provided by Booksneeze for review without compensation.

Joyce Magnin is the author of five novels, including the popular and quirky Bright's Pond Series and the middle-grade novel Carrying Mason.  She is a frequent conference speaker and writing instructor.  Joyce lives in Pennsylvania with her son, Adam, and their crazy cat, Mango, who likes to eat nachos.

Chasing Francis Book Review

A Pilgrim's Tale

SUMMARY:  What happens when the pastor of a megachurch loses his faith?

     Pastor Chase Falson has lost his faith in God, the Bible, evangelical Christianity, and his super-sized megachurch.  When he falls apart, the church elders tell him to go away: as far away as possible.

     Join Chase on his life-changing journey to Italy where, which a curious group of Franciscan friars, he struggles to resolve his crisis of faith by retracing the footsteps of Francis of Assisi, a saint whose simple way to loving Jesus changed the history of the world.

     Read this riveting story and then begin your own life-changing journey through the pilgrim's guide included in this powerful novel.

REVIEW:  The author says "Chasing Francis (was) written in a genre called wisdom literature, which is a delicate balance of fiction and nonfiction, pilgrimage and teaching."  The story is about Chase but it speaks to anyone who may be looking for more in Chrisitanity.  In this story, Chase has become disillusioned with Christianity.  His uncle Kenny has Chase join him in Italy, research the life of Francis of Assisi and together they go where Francis walked and ministered.  Since Francis encountered many of the things we as modern Christians experience, Chase was able to figure out what he believed and how to help others experience God in a different way.

,     This is a thought provoking book.  For me, it is one I would need to read numerous times to fully understand what God may be speaking to me and to fully understand what we as Christians are called to do.  This is a great book that I highly recommend.  For those wanting to go into more depth either by themselves or with a group, there is an excellent reader's guide at the end of the book.

This book was provided by Booksneeze/Zondervan for review without compensation.

Ian Morgan Cron is a bestselling author, Episcopal priest, speaker, retreat leader, counselor, and songwriter.  Ian and his wife have three children and divide their time between homes in Franklin, Tennessee and Dorset, Vermont.  For more information, visit Ian's website at www.iancron.com.