Tag: Book review

Book Review: Radical Forgiveness

If Christianity isn’t about forgiveness, it’s about nothing at all.

Goal: to become disciples of love who master the art of forgiveness.

If we enter the Christian faith to find forgiveness, we must continue in the faith to become forgiving people, because to be an authentic follower of Christ we must embrace the centrality of forgiveness.

When Christianity speaks of forgiveness, should there be an asterisk attached to the word to indicate that forgiveness is not applicable in extreme situations like the concentration camps of Nazi Germany, the ethnic cleansing, in the former Yugoslavia, and the tribal massacres of Rwanda?

These are just a few quotes from the book.

I don’t usually read other people’s reviews before I read the book and write down my own thoughts. I’m not sure why I scanned through the reviews on Amazon, but I did. I was immediately apprehensive when one reviewer described “Radical Forgiveness” as a difficult book to read.

I’m not put off by scholarly books, but I was afraid that was what I was diving into.

I couldn’t have been more wrong!

What makes this book “difficult” is that it is very simple and direct. It is not the kind of book a person can read and remain unchallenged. I think it would make an excellent small group study for groups who are wanting to take their faith to a deeper level.

From the back of the book: Pushing you beyond intellectual exercises, “Radical Forgiveness” will challenge your thinking by juxtaposing absolutely bottom-line examples with the simple question: What would you do?

There are pages of endorsements in the front of this book. On the front cover you’ll find an endorsement by Eugene Peterson. This author, and particularly this work, are well-thought of in the Christian community.

Bonhoeffer challenged believers to go against “cheap grace.” Brian Zahnd has done the same for forgiveness in this book.

I would strongly recommend this book. I am pleased to have it in my library.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a review.

Book Review: Two Mothers And Their 60-Year Secret

Family secrets. What family doesn’t have them?

The secret in this family in many ways went to the graves with the women who made the promise never to tell. The story begins with an unwed pregnancy that was the answer to someone else’s prayers. Both women agreed to never speak of the arrangement they had made.

This is the story of one woman’s journey to discover her DNA, but resulted in so much greater a blessing. The journey takes many turns, and appears to often come to an end. It is not a quick journey, there are several detours and shut-downs along the way.

The book is not long and is written in a very engaging way. I can see how it would be a great encouragement to anyone on this kind of quest. All the way through, the author describes how her faith enabled her to persevere while she waited for answers and trusted when no answers were available.

I appreciated the pictures that the author included at the end of the book. It was like putting faces to friends. And it was particularly encouraging to see the smiles and obvious love experienced by all.

I would recommend this book.

You can purchase the book here
for your Kindle.

You can purchase the book here
in paperback.

I received a copy of this book to read and review.

Book Review: Raptor 6

Another “Rapid Fire Fiction” winner from author Ronie Kendig.

I have yet to pick up a book by this author and not love it! Reading a book by Ronie is like doing an Insanity workout: fast paced, intense, and completely engaging.

Have you read a novel and found yourself skipping pages to “get to the goodstuff”? You won’t do that with Raptor 6–or any book by this author because it’s ALL good stuff.

This latest story is the first installment in Ms. Kendig’s newest series, The Quiet Professionals. As with her other books and series, this author does an exemplary job of presenting a military suspense that is technically spot on and respectful. It is also enlightening as well as entertaining. In addition to her faithful handling of military stories, Ronie weaves a clear message of faith as her characters struggle with issues of trust in the ugly face of evil’s maleficence.

One of the things about this book that might not appeal to some readers would be the way it “ends.” All I’m going to say is that I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series!

This book is long on suspense and light on romance so it should find a broad audience of both men and women.

Book Review: The Turning

Not what I expected…but exactly what I needed.

And yet, as fresh and captivating as this book was…it is exactly what I should have expected from Davis Bunn.

The invitation on the back cover is “take the turning and walk the unlikely road.” From cover to cover that is what this book is. It is a non-stop invitation to turn from the familiar, to turn from the comfortable, to turn toward the One who calling his people to himself and to his work.

The big irony in the story for me was how God infused and used those who should be without hope to rekindle hope in others while the one who tried to convince others hope was dead was hanging onto hope the tightest…or so he thought.

Hope is not a dream. It’s God’s reality for his people and this book hands you that truth, page after page turning page.

My favorite part of the whole book was Aaron’s sermon from Isaiah. It’s worth the price of the book all by itself.

My favorite quote comes from Ruth as John is facing a task that he doesn’t feel qualified for. She tells him, “No one is saying you don’t have reasons to refuse. But God is asking each of us to stretch beyond what we think we can do. That’s what it means to be called.”

The message is simple, the challenge is life-changing. I give all the stars possible because it calls to reach for those stars…and for God. Turn the pages for yourself and delight yourself in the journey.

Read chapters 1-3 of THE TURNING by Davis Bunn for free: http://statictab.com/fvrrsxz

Sweepstakes:

Davis Bunn is a four-time Christy Award-winning, best-selling author now serving as writer-in-residence at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

Defined by readers and reviewers as a “wise teacher,” “gentleman adventurer,” “consummate writer,” and “Renaissance man,” his work in business took him to over 40 countries around the world, and his books have sold more than seven million copies in sixteen languages.

Visit Davis at davisbunn.com or theturningbook.com/

I received a complimentary copy of The Turning from River North Fiction in exchange for my honest
review.

Hosting Ginger Murphy Solomon

Today is a very exciting day for me!

Today I am hosting my friend, and roomie from last year’s Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer Conference, Ginger Solomon. And it’s a big day for her, too: it’s her birthday! (Follow the links at the end of this post and wish her a special day!)

Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer — in that order (mostly). When not homeschooling her youngest five, doing laundry or fixing dinner, she writes or reads romance of any genre, some sci-fi/fantasy, and some suspense. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, president of her local writing group, and writes regularly for three blogs. In addition to all that, she loves animals, horses especially, likes to do needlework (knitting, crocheting, and sometimes cross-stitch), and loves to sing in the choir at church.

I asked Ginger five questions so you could get to know her:

When you feel discouraged what song, scripture, and friend do you turn to?

When I was young, I went through a lot of things that made me hesitant to rely on people. As my aunt recently told me, I used to keep too much to myself. Not much has changed. So, I don’t really have a friend that I turn to. When I’m discouraged I have a number of songs that I love that help me remember who my Best Friend is. Chris Tomlin’s “Amazing Grace”, and Nichole Nordeman’s “Holy” are among the top. I heard a new-to-me song yesterday from Jesus Culture that made me want to close my eyes in worship, except I was driving at the time. I think “You Won’t Relent” is going to be a song I’ll listen to over and over.

I’ve learned that taking my eyes OFF my problems and putting them on the King of kings and Lord of lords reminds me that what’s happening around me or to me is temporary, but my worship is eternal. My Lord is greater than my problems or my disappointments.

Is there someplace you would love to visit and write about?

Scotland. I have already written two historicals set in castles in Scotland, but I’d LOVE to visit someday and see the places I’ve only dreamed about. When I was doing my genealogy I wanted to find some hint of Scottish in my ancestry, but alas there is none, so far. I am of Irish and English decent, maybe some Italian, but I can’t confirm that yet. Something about Scotland calls to my heart. I love Celtic music and jewelry designs. Those can come from Ireland, but the Emerald Isle does not call to me as much as the Highlands.

What drew you to romance out of all the genre you could pick from?

In real life, I’m practical. Instead of asking for jewelry or roses or candy, I request vacuums, or mattresses (which is what I got for my birthday this year). For Christmas I asked for and received a new food processor. I satisfy my less-than-dominant romantic side by writing about it, or reading it.

Since this is the season of romance, and you write in that genre, what is your best Valentine memory?

Well, I can’t remember any particular Valentine’s Day that stands out (remember, I’m practical), so instead I will tell you about the one time my husband brought me to tears with a single red rose. We were still newlyweds, living in an apartment. I was working full-time and my husband worked part-time and went to school full-time. I was probably pregnant (our first born was delivered one month before our first anniversary) and must have had a hard day at work. I really don’t remember. I think I was fixing dinner and a knock sounded on our apartment door. That in and of itself was unusual because the person would have had to have a key to get in through the locked exterior door. When I opened the door, thinking it was a neighbor, my dear husband was standing there with a single red rose (we couldn’t afford much). It was enough to make me start crying. I still get roses once in a while, just got some this past Valentine’s Day, but I remember that one rose with more fondness than any of the others.

Tell us five random things about yourself that might come up if we were sharing a cup of tea/coffee with each other.

I’ll have black tea, thank you, nothing fancy. I occasionally fancy a cup of Earl Grey. I’m not a coffee drinker, though when I was a child I used to eat sharp cheddar cheese that had been melted in a cup of coffee. Straight out of the cup. I’m not sure that would come up in conversation.

I love horses, always have. I find them to be majestic animals and enjoy watching them perform or simply run around a field. Shortly after we moved to Alabama my dream of owning my own horses came true. God fulfilled my dream even after I’d given up on it ever happening. I no longer own horses because that season has passed in my life, but I still love watching them.

I’d rather be outside reading or gardening than inside cleaning or cooking. When I was growing up I had the responsibility of cutting the grass, chopping wood for the woodstove, and cleaning out the chimney before we needed to use it for the season. I never wanted to learn to cook, sew, or any other domestic type stuff. My husband taught me to cook. I taught myself to sew, knit and crochet — though I have to admit I had a head start from watching my mom, at least on the sewing. She was a professional seamstress.

I’m a visual learner. Do not ask me to read a book to learn how to do something. Show me. Youtube is the greatest invention since the lightbulb, I think. At least for visual learners. Want to learn a crochet stitch – it’s on youtube. Change the door lock on your front loading washing machine — it’s on youtube. Don’t ask how I know that one – and yes, I changed it myself.

Partially because of my childhood and partially because of my temperament, I will NOT approach you unless I know you quite well. I am an introverted introvert. I’d rather sit and watch from the darkest corner than participate, but if you get me to talking/joking, I can keep up with the best of the extroverts. Just ask Tina.

When can we look forward to another book from you?

I have several manuscripts in various stages of progress. One is about ready to be sent to an agent who requested it, another needs a rewrite, and I have two that I’ve just started writing. When any of these will be ready for publication is only known by God at this time.

Here’s the official “blurb” about One Choice“
Cahri Michaels is American by birth, but Belikarian by choice. Being selected to participate in the Bridal March forces her to give up the independent life she’s created for herself. She’s not ready to be anyone’s wife, much less to a man she doesn’t know.

Prince Josiah Vallis despises the centuries old tradition—the Bridal March—that is forcing him to choose a wife from fifty women. Why does it matter that he’s twenty-five and still single?

When Cahri and Josiah meet, sparks fly. Will it ignite a godly love that can see them through or will they be burned, never to be the same?

Here’s my review:
I couldn’t put this book down. The story and the passion were captivating. The passion was more than mere romance—there was a passion for life, for love, and for God.

Happily ever never had so many twists or so much pain. If the Bridal March were on TV it would be a reality show to rival The Bachelor and Secret Princes. The main difference is that the author has made sure that her characters, while obviously dealing with their flaws, fears, and baggage, are also seeking to be honest and compassionate.

The story is called “One Choice” but there are many choices made throughout, with love and forgiveness being the most difficult ones to make and keep.

I’m not sure if the moral of the story is to be careful who you bump into at the grocery, or that love and morality aren’t just for fairy tales. Either way, this is a delightful read and I look forward to reading more from this author.

When I asked Ginger if we could do this she graciously offered to share a devotional thought with us as well.

Faith Without Trust?

Dictionary.com defines faith as “confidence or trust in a person or thing.” But how can you have faith without trust?
I think we’ve all had trust issues at one time or another. At least I have. I’ve doubted people – their motives or their words. And I’ve doubted God. I’ve questioned His love for me. I’ve asked why so many times I can’t even count them.

One thing I have come to understand is that God has always been with me. Even in the darkest moments of my life, and there have been a few, He has been by my side. When I’ve turned away, He has been faithful and remained steadfast in His love for me. No matter how I “feel” or how things seem to be falling apart, God is there.

But even with that knowledge, I have doubts when I’m in the midst of a new trial. I try to place God in a box. The size of which is conceived from what I’ve been taught and the experiences I’ve had, but as Isaiah 55:8 reminds us, “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord.”

We are finite and He is infinite. He won’t fit in my box. Or your box. Ever. He will always be bigger and better than we can imagine.
Cahri, my heroine in One Choice, struggles with trusting God. In the beginning of the book, she wants nothing to do with God, though she continues to attend church so she can keep her job. She is angry and has lost her faith in Him. In her opinion, God no longer deserves her trust. BUT God (don’t you just love that phrase?), in His infinite grace, calls to Cahri even as she’s going through one of the hardest trials of her life. He speaks to her through art, creation, and through her memories. He won’t leave her alone. Toward the end of the book, Cahri finds herself in a situation that forces her to trust God. She has nothing left, but the small grain of faith that her parents planted in her as a child. A grain of faith that has grown because God is THERE. He is everywhere she looks, and she must acknowledge Him.

In the end, she must trust God because she, by herself, is helpless. She must trust Him with her very life.
But then, don’t we all do that every day? On some level, we trust God will continue to provide the air we need to breathe. We trust that the muscles and bones He created will provide movement and support. We trust that the cup we pour our drink of choice in to will hold said liquid. We trust that the laws of physics will remain in place, that the chair we sit in will hold us, that our cars will transport us to our destination.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6 NKJV)

I think many times we believe that God is, but we fail to believe that He rewards those that diligently seek Him. Okay, maybe you don’t, but I do. I know how bad I am, and how much I mess up (aka sin) daily. BUT God (there it is again) is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all of the bad stuff (1 John 1:9)

In my novel, God protects Cahri from herself, and from others. He is there for her, even when she doesn’t feel his presence. And, as in any novel I write, she has a happily-ever-after.

He’s there for you, too. Every day. And if you believe in Him, trust in Him, have faith in Him, you will have a happily-ever-after too.

Here are some other places where you can connect with Ginger–and I really encourage you to do so.
http://gingersolomon.blogspot.com/
http://writingpromptsthoughtsideas.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/writerGingerSolomon

Book Review: Hang on to your hat!

Marc Royce hits the floor running in this Davis Bunn super suspense novel. From the opening pages to the final words you will find yourself on the edge of your seat, wondering where the next turn will take you. The characters maintain their integrity from previous stories, but even if this is your first encounter with the Royce stories (Lion of Babylon and Rare Earth) you will not feel any gaps or holes because the author does an excellent job of filling in the gaps without spending needless time in back story or jumping from the present to the past.

The characters have a depth that makes them quite real. As is typical of Bunn’s writing, they grow as they face their issues and questions. And while faith is an obvious theme and thread that runs through the story, it is certainly not “crammed down your throat” or preachy. Topics of past hurt along with questions of trust for the future are dealt with in gentle wooing ways that may find you questioning your own faith journey and growing with Marc, Kitra, and Rhana.

Strait of Hormuz is a story that could be ripped from the pages of current newspapers around the world. Throughout it you will not only be entertained, but educated on a culture that is mysterious and dangerous–and one that it would behoove us to know more about.

When I put down the last Marc Royce novel, I could hardly wait until the next one was available. I dove into this story and was certainly not disappointed. The fast pace hooked from the very beginning. As it was coming to a close, I found myself slowing down because I just didn’t want it to end.

I highly recommend Strait of Hormuz and give it as many stars as I can…and then some!

I was given a copy of the this book by the publisher, Bethany House, in return for an honest review.

Plot Synopsis
An under-the-radar phone call from the U.S. State Department puts Marc Royce once again on assignment—ferreting out rumors of a clandestine operation stretching from Asia to the Mideast. At stake is Iran’s threat to blockade the narrow Strait of Hormuz, cutting off vital shipping routes and escalating global tensions beyond the breaking point.

Under the guise of investigating money laundering via high-end art purchases in Europe, Royce finds himself in Switzerland with only sketchy information, no backup, and without a single weapon other than his wits.

His appointment with a gallery owner in Geneva is a dead end–the man is on the floor with a bullet through his chest. But it turns out Royce does have backup. The Mossad has sent someone to keep an eye on this undercover op, which is of more than casual interest to the Israelis. And it’s someone Royce knows…

Read Chapters 1-3 of Strait of Hormuz for free
http://statictab.com/j4s7yd8

About Davis Bunn
Davis Bunn is a four-time Christy Award-winning, best-selling author now serving as writer-in-residence at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Defined by readers and reviewers as a “wise teacher,” “gentleman adventurer,” “consummate writer,” and “Renaissance man,” his work in business took him to over 40 countries around the world, and his books have sold more than seven million copies in sixteen languages.
Strait of Hormuz is the series finale of the popular Marc Royce Adventures. Library Journal named Lion of Babylon (Book 1) a “Best Book of 2011.” Rare Earth (Book 2) won the 2013 Christy Award for best suspense novel and was a CBA top 20 best-seller.

Q&A With Davis Bunn:
Q & A with Davis Bunn
Use as many of these questions as you’d like to accompany your review, or publish the Q&A as a separate blog post or on your favorite social network. Lots of interesting behind-the-scenes tidbits here about Strait of Hormuz.
Q: The first two books in the Marc Royce series have been bestsellers and also won praise from the critics. Lion of Babylon won the Library Journal’s Best Book of 2011 award, and Rare Earth won the 2013 Christy Award for Suspense Fiction. What do you see is behind this success?
Davis Bunn: The stories have certainly resonated with readers. I have tried to develop a strong sense of unfolding drama, combined with a unique spiritual theme. This moral structure plays out both in the story and the characters. My aim is to create an inspirational challenge that remains with the reader long after the book has been set down.
Q: This story includes two special components from your early life. Tell us about them.
DB: My mother worked as an antiques dealer. In truth, ‘work’ was not really the correct term, because this was a passion she inherited from her mother. They bonded while my mom was still a child, going to small eastern Carolina towns and hunting around junk stores for the sort of bargains that don’t exist anymore.
Their first love was early Americana, a type of colonial furniture known as Jacobean that predated America’s nationhood. I never really shared this passion, but in two previous books I came to respect and admire those who do.
And so I knew a great delight in re-entering this world in Strait of Hormuz, only this time at the very highest end. Strait takes place in the rarified world of multi-million dollar art, where the richest of collectors vie with museums and galleries for items that are no longer classed as antiques, but rather as treasures
The second special component was the location. I lived in Switzerland for almost five years, and many of the venues were places where I worked, and walked, and came to discover myself as an author.
Q: In what way is the setting important to this book?
DB: The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical waterways. Stretching between Iran and the Gulf States, the strait us home to two US fleets. More than a third of all the oil consumed worldwide pass through these waters. But the story actually begins in Switzerland, before traveling to the Sinai and then into the hotly-contested Strait of Hormuz.
Q: What spiritual theme is the focus of this story?
DB: One growing area of the missionary church movement is with displaced persons. More than five million Iranians have been expelled from their homeland, or been forced to flee the current regime. This includes virtually the entire Christian population. The missionary church movement has made enormous strides in bringing peace to these families and introducing Christ into the world of Muslims fleeing a Muslim government.
Q: What drew you to the missionary church movement as a theme?
DB: I came to faith in a missionary church. I was working as a consultant based in Germany. The year I accepted Christ, the Southern Baptist Mission Board founded a missionary church in Dusseldorf. I attended the church, I grew in the church, I studied under two amazing pastors, and one of them returned to Europe to marry us.
It was also where I learned to write. Two weeks after coming to faith, I felt called to writing. I wrote for nine years and completed seven books before my first was accepted for publication. The church, its members, and the elders all played a critical role in bringing me to where I am now. I am living testimony to the vital role played by the missionary church.
Q: All three of the books in this series have given significant insight into the Muslim world, something critics have picked up on. What experience do you have with this region?
DB: For the four years prior to moving to Germany, I lived and worked in the Middle East. I was the only non-Muslim in the management structure of a family-owned company. They had three major arms: construction equipment, shipping, and pharmaceuticals. I rose to become Marketing Manager of the pharmaceutical division.
One of the requirements of this job was to take instruction in the Koran and Islamic history from an imam who taught at the local university. I think this experience played a major role in my coming to Christ.

Here are links to all of Davis’s online “homes”:

Website and Blog: http://www.davisbunn.com
Blog Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/DavisBunn
E-newsletter (to receive subscriber-only giveaways & previews of his upcoming novels): http://www.davisbunn.com/news.htm
Facebook Author Page: facebook.com/davisbunnauthor
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/davisbunn/
Twitter: @davisbunn – http://twitter.com/davisbunn

Book Review: Unlimited

The search may have been for unlimited power, but the discovery seems to have been unlimited grace for those with overwhelming shame, those struggling to trust and forgive, and those simply seeking to serve.

Once again Davis Bunn has provided an exhilarating story that invites the reader to think big: big about the world we live in and big about God. Not to be forgotten was the battle that evil wages within the heart of man to control the source of power for selfish means.

I had an immediate affinity for our hero, not that I’m a scientific genius, but that I know what it is like to have failed someone and beat myself down with a mallet of shame. The struggles that floated up with issues of trust and forgiveness were also portrayed in real and relatable ways.

The story was totally engaging. I found myself shouting words of warning (“Don’t go there!”) and tearing up at the pain when evil seemed to triumph. It is definitely the kind of read that will evoke the emotions of the reader as well as challenge the reader to think and consider. In that sense it is a great balance for head and heart.

I give this book 5 stars. I would highly recommend this book and look forward to seeing the pages come to life when the movie adaptation is released this fall!

    Synopsis:

Simon Orwell is a brilliant student whose life has taken a series of wrong turns. At the point of giving up on his dreams, he gets a call from an old professor who has discovered a breakthrough in a device that would create unlimited energy. He needs Simon’s help.

Upon crossing the border, nothing goes as the young man planned. The professor has been killed and Simon is assaulted and nearly killed by members of a powerful drug cartel.

Now he must take refuge in the only place that will help him, a local orphanage. There, Simon meets Harold Finch, the orphanage proprietor who walked away from a lucrative career with NASA and consulting Fortune 500 companies to serve a higher cause.

With Harold’s help, Simon sets out on a quest to uncover who killed the professor and why. In due time, he will discover secrets to both the world-changing device and his own unlimited potential.

Unlimited, the movie: <img src="

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About Davis Bunn
Davis Bunn is a four-time Christy Award-winning, best-selling author now serving as writer-in-residence at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Defined by readers and reviewers as a “wise teacher,” “gentleman adventurer,” “consummate writer,” and “Renaissance man,” his work in business took him to over 40 countries around the world, and his books have sold more than seven million copies in sixteen languages.
Unlimited is Davis’s first screenplay to be released as a major motion picture. The book, Unlimited, is a novelization of the screenplay.
The inspiration behind the Unlimited film and novel is Harold Finch’s book, Success: Four Keys to Unlock Your Unlimited Potential. Download a free copy of Success here: http://unlimitedthemovie.com/4-keys-book/.
Q & A with Davis Bunn
The storyline in Unlimited is inspired by true events. What actual events inspired the story?

Harold Finch was formerly the founder and CEO of the first management-leadership consulting groups in the US. In the mid-seventies he sold the company to H&R Block for over a hundred million dollars—back when a hundred million actually meant something. Answering God’s call, he has spent the past three decades traveling the world, teaching his concepts for free and helping underprivileged children learn that they do indeed have both a purpose in God’s eyes, and the potential to succeed. His experiences form the basis for this story.

What ignited your idea for the characters to create a device that would convert raw wasted energy into useable power?

I actually wrote the screenplay for the film before writing the novel. This happens occasionally—Godfather and Love Story were both conceived in this order. While working on the film script, the producer and Harold and I were discussing what might work as a basis for the story’s suspense element. We were looking for something that had the means of revealing this ‘unlimited’ potential in people. I don’t actually remember who first came up with the idea of wasted energy, but soon as it was said, we all jumped on it.

Simon Orwell, the protagonist in Unlimited, is a brilliant, cynical electrical engineering student who finds danger irresistible. Did you model his character traits after yourself or anyone you know?

Alas, we all know a Simon. These days, this type of person is all too common. An individual with huge potential, who allows himself or herself to become distracted by the multitude of temptations that basically define modern life. And yes, I do know several such people. Some turn this into hugely productive directions, thank goodness. Usually to do so requires divine help, a clarification of focus, and strength they must reach out and ask to receive.

Armando Vasquez and Harold Finch are important mentors in Simon’s life. Who has been a critical mentor in your life, Davis? How has that person encouraged you to push beyond the boundaries of what you thought possible?

There have been several such mentors, for which I remain extremely grateful. One such person is Carol Johnson, who recently retired as editor-in-chief at Bethany House Publishers. Carol has been instrumental in my becoming the best writer I could be, and continues to act as a sounding board for new ideas and characters. Another, I am happy to say, is Harold Finch. His lessons on combining God’s teachings with lifelong aims have been a genuinely rewarding experience with far-reaching results.

Many of the characters in the story are orphans. What parallels do you see between the orphans in the story and real-life spiritual orphans?

A beautiful question. While researching the core components of this story, orphanage leaders repeatedly stressed the need to teach orphans to believe in themselves and their natural abilities. Too often they see themselves as lost, without purpose, without a role to play, without chances, without love. What made this story work, I think, is how Simon Orwell shares these same feelings about himself. And how he comes to realize God is the only one to fill this need.

Many people believe they must wear a mask to hide the parts of themselves they are ashamed of. How is this story about removing that mask?

So much of life remains hidden away. The darker elements of a life without God only amplify this falseness. Simon has spent so much of his life, so much of his energy and time, in hiding. As the story unfolds, he discovers that an essential element of arriving at his full potential is being honest with himself. This is where the mask is most damaging, and also where it is often hardest to release. We seek to hide the truth, even when we know the act is a lie in itself. And the mirror we require to see the truth about ourselves is the one that God offers, in infinite patience, in gentle love.

The title, Unlimited, has multiple layers of meaning. What does that title mean to you?

Unlimited was the title brought to me by the film’s producers. When I first began working on this story, it was just that, a title. But as I grew to know Harold, and heard him teach, and read his lesson plan, and then actually applied what he has come to call his ‘Dynamic Life Retreat’ (see Harold full teachings on his website, HaroldFinch.com) I have come to agree with them in their choice. Bringing God into the equation of life’s direction, success, and reaching full potential does reveal the true meaning of Unlimited.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
My website and blog are at http://www.davisbunn.com
Subscribe to my blog’s feed (to get my latest posts via e-mail or through your feed reader) at http://feeds.feedburner.com/DavisBunn
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(I received a complimentary copy of this book from B&H Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.)

Two Quick Reviews

One of the things that I enjoy with my NookHD+ is the app that I have for our public library. It has become a great way for me to try new authors. This week I had the opportunity to read two books by a new author to me. I read:

and

Ronie’s writing is described as “Rapid Fire Fiction” and that is one of the best descriptions I’ve ever heard. The writing is seamless and tight. When i started reading “Firethorn” I felt like I had just opened a 5000 piece puzzle with no border. I was a little overwhelmed and couldn’t for the life of me figure out how things were going to come together. But it was never the kind of overwhelmed where I wanted to just put the book down. To the absolute contrary, I had a hard time putting it down so that I could go to sleep. It was the same way for “Dead Reckoning.”

As a trained counselor, I really appreciate the way that Ms. Kendig deals with difficult psychological issues. I also find the way that the author presents spiritual issues is very subtle, but pointed. One phrase that jumped out at me in “Dead Reckoning” was that God doesn’t deal with us as a “hostage rescue team.” There is in her writing a clear wooing that paints God’s gentle knocking at the wanderers heart’s door.

What I know for certain is I will read everything I can by Ronie Kendig.

Book Review: Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock

Mercy isn’t just a town in Ohio. It is also the underlying theme touching all the characters in this story. The main character, Eve, is telling this story, her story, to her grandson. We meet them as they are entering the family ballroom and lodge that is about to be demolished. They are there to retrieve some keepsakes and so begins the story.

Eve’s rememberings take them back to her seventeenth summer. It was a time when she was forced to face her innocence and naivety. Her family ends up back in Ohio because they are looking to escape the crime of St. Paul–a haven for gangsters of all kinds. They were ill-prepared for the impact that the bootleggers in Ohio were going to have upon them.

“Love covers a multitude of sins” is a quote that Eve’s father uses. It is often referred to in the story as the characters struggle with their “black and white” thinking in a world that is rapidly turning gray. The author does a masterful job of addressing things like prejudice, labeling, and assumptions.

Ann Tatlock is a gentle story teller who disarms you with her style but doesn’t hesitate to bring the conflicts of human nature right to you. She is adept at touching your heart while also challenging your mind.

I highly recommend this book.

(I received a free copy of this book to review from Bethany House.)

Q&A with Author Renee Bondi

This is a Q&A with author, Renee Bondi, regarding her book “Still I Will Praise.” She’s so dynamic and the book is an inspiring read. I have also included a press release about the book and the author’s bio. This is one to keep and one to share!

Q & A for Still I Will Praise With Author Renee Bondi

1. Your book is titled Still I Will Praise: The Power of Praising God Even When You Don’t Feel Like It.
The key word here is power. Describe this power that you’re referring to.

I’m describing the strength that you receive from no other resource: a healing mental shift
that comes from a radical change of focus from your existing burden and to your Mighty God.
Some people think this power is for “someone else” but I promise it is readily available to
each of us and can bring incredible release and relief.

2. Why do you feel like it’s important for individuals and families to be in a posture of praise even if
it doesn’t seem possible at the time?

Because it keeps our focus on our Creator and our “ever present help in time of trouble” (Ps
46:1) rather than seeing our own prison with no obvious way out. It also puts God where
he belongs, on the throne, and us where we belong, in submission. And also, the spiritual
discipline of a consistent praise posture pays off when adversity strikes because your heart
and mind has been trained not only to go immediately to our Lord but also to see things,
within the pain, that God is doing on your behalf.

3. What have you experienced in your life that drew you to the idea of still praising God?

For the last 24 years since breaking my neck and becoming quadriplegic, I’ve had to pay for a
caregiver to come every morning for a few hours to help me use the bathroom, shower, and
dress me so I can be ready for the day. About two years ago, two of my caregivers needed to
focus on other priorities. That meant that I had to train two new caregivers in the details of
my unique and individual care. I knew I was out of patience for this training. One night while
lying in bed I prayed, “Lord, I can’t do this anymore. I don’t have it in me to describe one more
thing. But I HAVE to. There’s no getting around it. So how do I do this AGAIN?”

After complaining to the Lord, I sat quietly. What quickly came to my mind was, “I’ve always
wanted to be one of those people that praises You know matter what.” Pondering that
thought, my response was, “Ugh. I don’t know if I can do that when I feel so incredibly
frustrated.” But I knew I needed to. I started reading stories in the Bible – Solomon,
Jehoshaphat, Gideon, Mary, Paul and Silas. I was blown away by how quickly they praised
God even while in painfully difficult times. I thought, “Hmm… this is what I’m supposed to
do.”
After a few weeks, my husband commented: “Boy, Renée, you sure sailed through training
your attendants this time! I never heard you complain at all.” I responded, “I did? Really?
You’ve got to be kidding me!” It hadn’t occurred to me until he said it, but he was right.
Training my caregivers was not the odious task that I had imagined it would be. The reason
was obvious. I was praising God and thanking Him rather than wallowing in self-pity,

complaining, and resentment. And so began my journey to learning how to praise. I learned it
was a choice – to praise or to be impatient, to worship or to wage war, to let God respond in
me or to respond in my own frustration.

4. In your book, you have chapters devoted to praising God in times of waiting, in frustration,
when things go from bad to worse, when things look hopeless, and more. How do you reconcile
this with the fact that we often don’t have enough faith to muster praise in these times?

This is where years of spiritual discipline in seeking a posture of praise comes into full effect.
The pay-off! If we have not set in place this mindset then there’s little chance that we will
have the faith and the strength to muster praise in these difficult times. This is why I wrote
the book in the hopes of getting readers to begin seeking a posture of praise because I know it
not only works but brings a truly satisfying life and meaningful relationship with the Lord.

5. Why do you think most of us only praise God at church or when something good comes along?

These are the most natural places and times to praise God but it goes much deeper. Frankly,
praising God in difficult times just doesn’t come naturally; it doesn’t feel right at all. That’s
why it’s called a “sacrifice of praise.” I’ve learned that if I don’t look for something to praise
God for, I become bitter and turn my focus inward.

6. In your book you say that if we stop praising Him, our hearts are hardened and we start praising
something else. Is this true for new believers as well as mature believers?

I think especially for new believers, but it definitely could happen with those of the walking
with the Lord for a long time. Romans 1 says that when we stop praising the Lord, we start
praising something else. The key here is that at any point in our lives, if we don’t have a
spirit of praise in us, we could easily turn away from God and look to our own merits, which
is a dangerous place to be. Over time, our hearts can become hardened and it often takes a
catastrophe or great loss to bring our hearts back to God who has desired our affection all
along.

7. What does it look like when we praise him? You talk about praising him in the calm so we can
praise him in the storm.

This means having an abundantly grateful heart. It doesn’t mean that you need to start
shouting, “Praise You, Jesus” in the middle of the grocery store when you find exactly what
you need in a hurry, but in your heart and mind you praise Him for helping you when your
schedule is crazy. Or, observing creation – a flower, a cloud – seeing the beauty right away
and praising Him for His masterwork. It’s a mindset that we carry with us – not a statement
that we shout out only when something good happens. And when something doesn’t go the
way we want it to, I’m encouraging readers to choose to find something which they can praise
God for.

8. What is the primary takeaway that you want readers to gain from reading your book?

That no matter where you are on your spiritual journey – if you’re just beginning, if you’ve
been walking with Jesus for many years or if you’re somewhere in between – that Still,
I Will Praise will open your mind and heart to the value of choosing to praise God in all
circumstances for two reasons. One, He is worthy. And two, by doing so we are reminded
of His faithfulness which changes our focus, our mind, then our heart, and ultimately our
attitude.

9. Your voice has been a vehicle for you to praise God even in the most difficult circumstances with
what some people label being disabled in a wheelchair. How were you able to begin praising
God with your voice and what would you to say to someone who doesn’t feel they have a voice
right now to praise?

In the first several years of my paralysis my emotional pain was so great that I did not want to
sing at all. I actually couldn’t sing, physically. My “joy tank” was not even partially full. How
was I going to live this way? That was the first time in my life I ever felt that I could not sing.
But in the months ahead, with the help of others, I began to see again God’s faithfulness in
the small things in my life and as I did, I began to give thanks more and more which slowly
changed my mindset. Then several friends in different circumstances invited me to sing and
instead of saying no, I pushed through and began to do so. It was baby steps, but nonetheless
progress. I would say to someone who doesn’t feel they have a voice right now to praise to
begin a daily regimen of finding one or two things for which they are grateful – even journal it.
This way, you can look back at many pages giving you a physical reminder that God is faithful
and THAT is worthy of our praise. In the back of my book, I have placed a study guide for
deeper reflection that gives ways to praise God. I know I often need new ideas to get me out
of my own routine.

10. Why do you feel like this book is timely in our culture today?

Well, first of all we have become quite a bit of a “me” culture and learning the discipline of
praising our Lord gets the focus off of “me.” Second, as a culture we are getting further and
further away from a knowledge of, let alone reliance on, God. Third, praise and worship
turns us away from the current culture of death and sets us back again into a culture of
life. And finally, my hope is that Still, I Will Praise will spotlight the fact that Scripture is
still very relevant in our lives today, encouraging the reader to trust Scripture, God’s Word.
Why? Because I see remarkable things and I hear of amazing things that are taking place
around the world today because people choose to praise instead of panicking or packing up
their “spiritual bags” altogether.

11. In your book you say that it’s interesting that most of the verses about praising God were voiced
by people who were facing enormous obstacles, great loss, injustice and a multitude of other
difficult situations. Why do you think that is?

Our human nature is such that we sometimes need to be taken to the deepest valley to be
grateful that a beautiful mountaintop exists. Meaning it is in our most difficult challenges

that we are most grateful to God for seeing us through it. I don’t know what every individual
hearing this or reading my book is going through, but I can guarantee that God does and he
is able to handle their honesty, frustration and disappointment. He wants us to come to Him
with all of it and I’ve seen honest communication with God turn into praise over time. The fact
that we can approach him with our honesty is amazing and praiseworthy itself.

WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS LOOKING, ARE YOU STILL PRAISING?
New Book Looks at The Power of Praising Even When You Feel Powerless

Fort Washington, PA—No one knows better what it’s like to struggle to praise God
when you don’t feel like it than author and singer Renee Bondi, author of the new book
Still I Will Praise: The Power of Praising God…Even When You Don’t Feel Like It (CLC
Publications, September 4, 2012).

At age 29, Renée’s future was incredibly bright. She was engaged and had a beautiful
singing voice, a thriving career as a music teacher, and a loving family. But then one
night a bizarre accident left her a quadriplegic. Renée lost not only all use of her arms
and legs, but also her singing voice—she could barely speak above a whisper.

Through this, Renée remained hopeful and held tight to her faith. Her unbroken spirit
and amazing physical progress baffled the medical field and even those close to her. She
miraculously began to sing again and went on to live more fully than she ever dreamed,
including marriage and giving birth to a son. Renée now encourages others to pursue a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ through her speaking and her new book.

Praising God hasn’t come easy for Bondi. She shares, “For most of us, praising God
in difficult times doesn’t come naturally. We praise God on the mountaintop, not in
the valley. After becoming paralyzed, I found when I chose to lift my eyes and heart
in praise to Christ, I experienced a much deeper peace and strength I didn’t have
before. Praising God changes my focus, which changes my mind and then my heart and
ultimately my attitude.”

Her book is filled with personal stories that emphasize how important worship
has become in her life and brings to life some well-known and more obscure Bible
characters who praised God in the good times and also in the tough times.

The book is divided into different scenarios a reader can engage praising God, including:
in times of frustration, change, in times of insurmountable tasks, times of loss, waiting,
loneliness, shattered dreams, worry, amazement, and others.

Says Bondi, “It’s easy to talk about praising God when we’re on top of the world, but
unfortunately much of life happens in the foothills. People who are ill, going through a
divorce, or are jobless can relate to this book. I understand struggle, and I hope others

will begin to take steps toward praising God even when they don’t feel like it because
Still I Will Praise: The Power of Praising God Even When You
it’s through a posture of praise that we begin to recognize the abundant life that we still
Don’t Feel Like It
have in Christ. ”
Category: Inspiration/Motivation

September 4, 2012: Hardcover, 8 x 5.25, 176 pages, $18.99

ISBN-13: 978-1-61958-013-8
ISBN (eBook): 978-1-61958-01

Author bio
Renée Bondi is a popular speaker and recording artist
who has shared the stage with Sandi Patty, Larry King and
Point of Grace. She has been featured in magazines such
as Today’s Christian Woman and Woman’s World and on
various radio and television shows, including “The 700
Club,” “Hour of Power,” and TBN. Renée has released six
inspirational CDs and is the president of Capo Recording and
the founder of Bondi Ministries. Among her many awards
and honors is Woman of the Year from the California State
Senate and recognition for Outstanding Service to the
Community from the U.S. House of Representatives. She
lives with her husband and son in Southern California.