| Update: Waymaker |
[Jul. 29th, 2008|09:29 am] |
Several months ago, I told you guys about Gideon's Dawn, by Michael Warden. It's a beautiful Christian Fantasy with a lot of depth. It's darker than most Christian Fantasies, but still enjoyable (and from me, that's a compliment, because I tend to shy away from dark fantasy).
My original review is here.
Anyway, upon finishing Gideon's Dawn, I discovered that Waymaker, the sequel, was not published and would not be because Michael Warden could not find a publisher for it. Eventually, he decided to publish it himself and yesterday I received word that it is done: Waymaker is out!
So, by all means! Pick up Gideon's Dawn and Waymaker and read them! Because they were privately published, you can't get them at Amazon or your local bookstore. Instead, check out Michael Warden's website and order them straight from there.
The Pearlsong Refounding Website: Waymaker is here! |
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| Ted Dekker's Lost Books series. |
[Jun. 10th, 2008|08:29 am] |
Just wanted to post an update - I did finish Ted Dekker's teen fiction series (Chosen through Chaos). And I'm going to put my review behind a cut even though I'm not going to include any direct spoilers. Just in case you want a chance to judge for yourself.
In other news, I posted a review of Gideon's Dawn a while back, and I wanted to offer an update. The author, Michael Warden, has decided to stop trying to find a publisher to publish the next two books in the series and has instead decided to publish them himself. He's in the process of getting the books ready for publication, so I will let you know when I hear more. These are definitely books to read, but I know some of you indicated that you would wait until all of the books were out to read the first one - and I don't blame you! So, I'll keep you updated. |
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| The road to hell is paved with good intentions... |
[May. 29th, 2008|08:29 am] |
Disclaimer – this post has some very mild spoilers from Ted Dekker's book "Infidel". Mild as in, I'm only in chapter 4 or so.
( Dread. ) |
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| Kristin Lavransdatter |
[Apr. 13th, 2008|06:45 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  listless | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Loretta Lynn | ] |
I'd like to mention my all-time favorite novel, which is also a very Christian book.
"Kristin Lavransdatter", by Sigrid Undset, was written as a trilogy: "The Bridal Wreath", "The Mistress of Husaby" and "The Cross". (Although you might be able to find an older version where all three books are included in one volume).
The story takes place in Norway in the 1300's. The heroine, Kristin, has a torrid love affair when she is a teenager and this influences the entire course of her life, for both good and bad.
This is no cheesy romance novel. In fact, Undset won the Nobel Prize for Literature for this in 1928. If you like sweeping historical novels from a Christian POV, check out this book. |
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| Dating with a Pure Passion |
[Apr. 11th, 2008|02:08 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | Work | ] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | artistic | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Listening to a book "Echos" by Danielle Steel | ] |
I'm new to this blogging thing. I'm a member on myspace, and facebook. In the past I was a member here on LJ... but when I lost my email in college, I lost the ability to have to have a "new" password emailed to me. So here I am again... but this time friendless on here. I've recently joined (or attempted to join) some communities to make new friends.
My Subject line... Dating with a Pure Passion. I'm a youth leader at my amazing church. And mentor a bunch of teens. However, I feel that God is telling me to go more to the age group that is right out of high school and starting either college or their career. In the past I've been in and out of some pretty ugly relationships, in my search for the one that God made for me to be with. I'm starting a new small group for these girls that are out of the high school drama, and starting to be in the thing we call life drama. Some of the girls that I've talked to about coming to the first time we have together have told me (or in a sense asked me) about dating. I'm going to be addressing A LOT of different topics as a whole, like; what to look for in a man, what to expect when in the relationship, keeping God as your #1 relationship and structuring your relationships to be of God and not the world, the decisions that you make in the relationship (we will talk about sex before marriage, and very personal things here), having people for accountablity, etc. I'm going to need some help with this so I'm looking for christian women who've been in a lot of different situations in their walk with Christ. I've been reading up on different things to talk about. One book that I found really insightful is "10 Commandments Of Dating."
That's all I really have time to "blog" about now, b/c I'm at work. I hope to hear back on somethings that we could talk about in the small group? Our first meeting date is going to be the 27th of this month. I'm talking to the pastors of my church about getting the time and space for our meeting. There are about 3-4 girls that are looking forward to attending this. And I'm praying and looking forward to starting this. |
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| New to the community and LJ |
[Apr. 10th, 2008|11:55 pm] |
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| |  cheerful | ] |
First off: hope I am not breaking any rules. I am a Christian and love to read; your group looks like a lovely place. I can't find the rules, though...could someone point me to them. (I just joined LJ today, so...)
Secondly:
I am really excited to find this group because I was actually thinking of quitting LJ because of all the negative things on it (I even felt guilty for joining because there are so many cuss words and negative things, but then I found you all!)
Hello!
Have you heard of these books:
http://www.dragonsinourmidst.com
And--The Binding of the Blade Series by L. B. Graham---Beyond the Summerland = first book that shocked me speechless almost. :) So cool!
Anyway... Thanks for letting me join. |
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| My despair |
[Apr. 10th, 2008|12:28 pm] |
I have a problem that I have no doubt many or all of you have experienced before. I love to read and I’ve recently discovered the rare genre of Christian Fantasy. This weekend, I picked up Gideon’s Dawn by Michael Warden from a used bookstore. At the beginning it was a little strange, even a little dark (I didn’t like the main character right off), but despite that, it was a book that I couldn’t put down. About half way through, I thought to look online for other books by Mr. Warden, but found no other fiction of his. So, imagine my surprise (and despair) when I finished Gideon’s Dawn and was left with… a cliffhanger.
When I checked Mr. Warden’s website, I learned that he has written a sequel, but is still trying to find a company to publish it. UGH! I about cried. And now I’m floating listlessly, too caught up in the emotions and intricacies of the book to think about starting a new author. Eventually, I’ll pick something else up, but for now I’ll pout in a corner and pray that the sequel to Gideon’s Dawn will come out soon.
So, that said, I better present the book in question:
Title: Gideon's Dawn
Author: Michael Warden
Publisher: Barbour, 2003
Genre: Christian Fantasy
Synopsis:
Gideon Dawning is a pessimistic graduate student with a past more horrible than even he realizes that has left him unable to trust anyone - most of all, himself. When he gets pulled into a different world, he's bombarded by a culture and a conflict that he can't begin to understand. He's hailed as the prophesied "Kinsman Redeemer", but it causes people to fear him as often as rever him, and worst of all, no one will explain to him what it is he is supposed to do. All he has are the words of one man who comes to him in a dream: "You have come here to die. You will die so that you may live... Speak true and you will not fail." |
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| Leaper by Geoffrey Wood |
[Apr. 1st, 2008|01:45 pm] |
New here, and also hoping this community is still active. But I come bearing a recommendation!
Leaper: The Misadventures of a Not-Necessarily Super Hero by Geoffrey Wood
First thing you need to know about this book: It's fabulous.
Second thing you need to know: It's about a super hero (well, sorta).
Third thing: It's hilarious.
James is a divorced, overcaffeinated barista who one day discovers he can "leap" - kinda like teleporting. The book follows James as he - quite logically - assumes he's gone crazy, realizes he hasn't, figures out how to control his gift, then has the revelation that maybe he should use it for good. But how do you do that? It's much harder than it sounds.
The moment I knew I loved this book - not just liked, enjoyed, but loved - was at the beginning of the second chapter. James has just performed his first leap, completely by accident, instantly transferring himself from his acupuncturist's table - where he lay in only his boxers - to his ex-wife's garage. The second chapter opens thus:
I have no pants.
Strange to say, once that moment or two of immediate shock of having instantaneously leapt across space wears off, no pants is still no pants. No matter how fantastically you got there, you're there with no pants.
I laughed out loud. A surprised, delighted, "oh, this is going to be good" laugh.
Because then there's the conversation with a 911 operator, adventures in an electronics store, adventures with duct tape, James' neighbor Nelson, rescuing a kidnapped kid, and a self-help book featuring Hip Buddha.
The first-person narration is frenetic (remember the overcaffeinated part?) and on the verge of panic for almost the entirety of the book, which makes the poignant moments hit you all the harder. Because as funny as this book is - and it's very, very funny - the final act takes a serious turn that shifted my thinking from, "this book is a hoot!" to "this book is brilliant." Wood has a unique touch all his own that carries you effortlessly from hilarity to heartbreak. And whether it's moments that made you laugh out loud or moments of a much more somber nature, this is not a book that lets go of you quickly. It sticks. It pops up at random, making you giggle or sigh in public places.
It's one of the most unique, hilarious Christian books I've ever read, and it's not afraid to tackle hard God questions. I can't wait to see what Wood does next.
Cross-posted to ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) christianbook. |
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| Covenant Marriage |
[Jan. 13th, 2008|06:18 pm] |
Title: Covenant Marriage
Author: Gary Chapman
Publisher: B&H Publishing
Synopsis (From Amazon.com): The Covenant Marriage program encourages Christians to exercise the promises and expectations of God’s covenant love in marriage. Practicing Covenant Marriage means couples must offer each other steadfast loyalty, forgiveness, empathy, and commitment to resolving conflict so as to encourage each other in spiritual growth.
In this new book, Dr. Chapman shows how communication and intimacy are two of the most important aspects in developing a successful Covenant Marriage. At the heart of it all are the principles that lasting answers to marital growth are found in the Bible, your relationship with God enhances your marriage relationship, communication is the primary vehicle by which two persons become one in the marriage relationship, and the idea of biblical oneness involves not only sex, but intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and social oneness.
My fiancé and I read this the past month and we discussed it regularly. While there there parts of the book that seemed terribly obvious to anyone who is Christian, or was raised in a Christian atmosphere, there were a few of the later chapters that were enlightening. The basis of Chapman's book (and indeed, all of his books) is the general lack of communication in marriages. It's a question of communicating to your spouse what you like, love, dislike and loathe. Only when your spouse understands your likes dislikes, and why you like or dislike, can a relationship fully grow and develop. It not only requires that you learn about your spouse, but it also requires that you know yourself fully.
It's a wonderful book to read when you feel your relationship lacks intimacy. And intimacy isn't restricted only to sex. Emotional, intellectual, sexual and spiritual intimacy are all discussed at length in Chapman's book. It certainly doesn't take the place of counseling, but it can certainly be used to open discussion between spouses. This book is strongly recommended, not only for married couples who may be struggling, but also for newly married and/or engaged couples.
4.5/5 |
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[Jan. 3rd, 2008|10:31 pm] |
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Is this community still active? |
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| Christian Fantasy? |
[Oct. 6th, 2007|07:05 am] |
So, I don't know if I've ever posted here before, but I have a problem that I'm hoping some of you can help me with.
I've always been an avid sci-fi/fantasy reader, and when I discovered Christian Fiction Fantasy, I fell in love. I devoured Donita K. Paul's Dragonkeeper series last summer and then waited breathless for her new one to be published this summer. Then 2 months ago, I discovered Sharon Hinck's book The Restorer and then had to wait 2 months for her sequel, The Restorer's Son to come out.
And now I have a problem. There's nothing left to read! I have no idea when either author will publish their next books in the series. I work in a bookstore, but I'm still having trouble finding any real Christian Fantasy. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've read other Christian Fiction, of course, especially the modern romances, but fantasy is my passion.
Edit: I should probably add that, yes, I have read the entire Chronicles of Narnia series several times. :) |
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| book question |
[Sep. 30th, 2007|08:00 pm] |
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Have any of you read The Present Darkness by Frank Peretti? What do you think about it? About the author? |
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| Skin A Review |
[Jun. 24th, 2007|05:23 pm] |
Title: Skin
Author: Ted Dekker
Genre: Christian, Thriller
Publisher: Thomas Nelson, 2007
I tend to enjoy Ted Dekker's books for the simple fact that they're thrillers with a strong moral theme. I started with Thr3e, and loved it. And then I moved on to The Circle trilogy, Black, Red and White, and while I was ultimately disappointed in the ending, it was a good trilogy. I was less than excited about Obsession, but thoroughly enjoyed Showdown. House (which he co-wrote with Frank Peretti) was a severe let-down, and I was thrilled when Saint finally came out. And it was good. Dekker seems to have a pattern to what he writes. A good one, a not-so-good one, a good one, a not-so-good one. So when Skin arrived in my hands, I was excited, but wary.
Turns out I had reason to be. |
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| New Book from the mind of Ted Dekker. |
[Mar. 20th, 2007|11:34 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  tired | ] |
Whether or not this entry is allowed (please delete it if it isn't). There's an awesome book coming out by an amazingly awesome author. Here's a teaser:
A freak storm has spawned three tornadoes that are bearing down on the town of Summerville.
Yet under the cover of the storm looms a much more ominous threat: A vindictive killer known as Red who's left a string of victims in his wake and is now bent on exacting his final revenge on the unsuspecting town.
But there is an enigma surrounding Red that the FBI is unwilling to admit - closely guarded secrets of something gone terribly wrong beneath the skin of Summerville. Secrets that will destroy far more than one small town.
Wendy Davidson is caught in the middle. A recovering cult survivor who takes refuge in Summerville on her way to visit her estranged mother. And with her, four strangers, any one of whom could be the next victim...
. . . or the killer.
In the tradition of Thr3e comes the most twisting, unpredictable Ted Dekker novel yet...a story of revenge with a shocking premise and numerous reversals.
A radically countercultural story, Skin asks the question "what is beauty?" Far more than a philosophical question, it's a matter of life and death when a serial killer blazes into Summerville, Nevada. What makes the beautiful ugly and the ugly beautiful? The answer will shock--and haunt--you long after the last page of Skin.
Release Date: April 3, 2007
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For more check out these links:
http://myspace.com/teddekker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHZpcHoi9zs
I've read the first couple chapters of it. Totally awesome book and you guys should seriously check it out. |
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| So many books, so little time! |
[Mar. 19th, 2007|10:00 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | tired | ] |
Just a few recommendations from my latest selections:
"Uncharted" by Angela Hunt
Always a favorite author, this story promises a shipwreck, castaways, and enough drama to whet the appetite of any "Lost" fan...and then takes it one step further. Don't hurry through the beginning or you'll miss realizing why the characters act as they do once they're put in mortal danger. An excellently woven concept, you won't want to put this one down!
"My Heart's in the Lowlands" by Liz Curtis Higgs
Well, if Liz had to write something to appease her non-fiction readers, I can't imagine anything better than this. It's the cheapest overseas vacation you'll ever take, because it is written as if you were right alongside the author as she shows you ten days' worth of Scotland. The enthusiasm is contagious and the descriptions leave you longing for tea and scones and a misty afternoon.
"Freefall" by Kristin Heitzmann
Although perhaps a bit too long, it is still a tale with a great setting and characters that are unusual. Hawai'i is just remote enough to add to the sense of mystery that surrounds the circumstances that befall our heroine, and everyone involved reminds us how no one is really normal. I'm not sure whether I'd classify this book as a mystery or a romance--but who wants to fit everything into a neat little niche anyway?
"Obsessed" by Ted Dekker
One of Mr. Dekker's earlier novels (which could have used a bit more editing as well) is a story set in a World War II prison camp and 1970's California. It's a rather improbable tale with a villian who is incredibly vile, a hero who teeters on the edge of madness, and a moral application that is a bit of a stretch. What is good about this book was the description of someone who discovers something worth the world to him, and his spiralling obsession with that object. The progression from curiousity to passion is one written well enough to not only be believable, but frighteningly easy to recognize in ourselves. |
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| Why hello |
[Dec. 3rd, 2006|05:13 am] |
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Just browsing through LJ for the sake of it. I've recently started writting a Christian fantasy book. Well I've been thinking about it for 3 years where it's been in mental pre-production. But I've finally put pen to paper, or at least finger to keyboard and started writting it. So I thought I'd join up on some like minded community on LJ and found here. So howdy y'all! |
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[Oct. 12th, 2006|01:32 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| |  anxious | ] |
Hi all, hope you are having a good morning. I know I am... hehe i only just woke up.
I'm just wondering if anyone has read Karen Hancock's "Legends of the Guardian-king" series which includes "The light of Eidon" etc, because it's one of my favourite books and if your interested we have a small (very small) community called ![[info]](http://stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) terstanshield which is for fans of the series and we have cool comps and discussions and stuff, so if you totally welcome to drop by if you feel like it and (please please) perhaps join so we can build even greater support.
Love Carmall xox |
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| "THE LORD OF THE RINGS" AND CHRISTIANITY (The View from Russia) |
[Sep. 14th, 2006|10:01 pm] |
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The screen version of the famous Tolkien's trilogy has burst the splash of interest to the famous English writer's heritage... (Read more...) |
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