price：$4.80
Bethany House Publishers
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great read!) 『I was pleasantly surprised by this book and am looking forward to reading more of Julie Klassen's books.
I really felt like this was a well researched historical novel. The characters are interesting and there were a few twists I wasn't expecting.
All in all, it's a well written book and I highly recommend this book to people who like historical fiction!
Kim G.』
(Beautiful and charming) 『A great story! This book flows so beautiful and the topic is point on. Do not hesitate if you like a wonderful read. Highly recomended!』
(Great Book) 『I was slightly skeptical initially, but a dowloaded the free book, and it was an outstanding book. Kept you on the hook for most of the book.』
(Awesome book!) 『The Apothecary's Daughter is a brilliant book because from the very beginning it just sucked me in. I could never put my kindle down while reading this and I never even read my other books! This book had a surprising turn of events because I was...*spoiler* sure that Lillian was going to end up with Dr. Graves. (Which I'm glad she didn't because I despised him for some reason.) Overall, I really enjoyed this book.』
(Couldn't put it down!) 『Not generally into this genre but this book was free and fabulous! I'll have to buy more from this author.
A nice, long, great read on the Kindle. It's snowing and blowing and this book kept me content from, pardon the antiquated expression, cover to cover!』 『Lillian Haswell, brilliant daughter of the local apothecary, yearns for more adventure and experience than life in her father's shop and their small village provides. She also longs to know the truth behind her mother's disappearance, which villagers whisper about but her father refuses to discuss. Opportunity comes when a distant aunt offers to educate her as a lady in London. Exposed to fashionable society and romance--as well as clues about her mother--Lilly is torn when she is summoned back to her ailing father's bedside. Women are forbidden to work as apothecaries, so to save the family legacy, Lilly will have to make it appear as if her father is still making all the diagnoses and decisions. But the suspicious eyes of a scholarly physician and a competing apothecary are upon her. As they vie for village prominence, three men also vie for Lilly's heart.』
price：$2.80
Bethany House
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Light, fun read) 『I'm from a small town in Texas myself, and a lot of the characters in this book, while maybe being a bit stereotypical, were laugh out loud funny ad reminded me of people I knew throughout my childhood. This was a perfect book for me to sit down and read at the end of a long day, and just be able to relax and enjoy without a lot of thought.』
(Great entertainment) 『This charming and fun novel is about a high-powered Hollywood professional who comes to a small Texas town for her show, American Megastar, the hottest thing on television. She's the producer. The mystery sets in when she keeps crossing paths with a handsome cowboy who may not be the country boy he appears to be.
Everyone in town seems to already know all about the surprise reunion that Mandalay Florentino has come to arrange. What's she to do? The local star has disappeared. The gossip from the west coast is that she's gone off with a "bad boy" actor.
Well, everyone seems to be living bored lives in the little town until the glamorous newcomer shows up. Life suddenly comes alive with mystery and romance and action and the bored residents find themselves at the center of all the action. Bored lives no more!
One of my favorite parts is when Imagene Doll, an elderly woman, rides the roller coaster for the very first time.
A delightful read.
- Susanna K. Hutcheson』
(Great Read!!!) 『I really enjoyed the down home humor in this book! In such Hollywood obsessed times it is nice to step back and look at it from a small town view which is perfectly depicted in this story, a must read!!』
(Dee-lightful) 『This is a lovely,funny,poignant,story about a small town in Texas. The speech patterns make this an easy amble down main street.
This is the story of an American Idol type contest where Amber is a contestant. Amber is a very poor child with three brothers being raised by an alcoholic grandfather since their parents died. Mandalay is a TV producer in charge of secretly making arrangements for Amber's surprise concert after being named to the final 5 with an evil boss. Imagine is an elderly lady whose husband and love of her life died a year before.
Mandalay arrives in Daily, Texas to find that her job is in jeopardy if things don't go well and things don't appear to be going smoothly at all.
This book really surprised me. It is written from both Mandalay's and Imagine's point of view which is a bit off putting at first. No sooner do you become involved with a storyline then you turn the page and you have someone else talking. I almost stopped reading this after the first few chapters and I'm glad I didn't. I totally enjoyed this story, the characters became people I'd like to know, the town a place I'd like to live. It is well written and the author certainly understands small Texas towns and has the speech pattern down. I could actually hear the characters talking. Her use of Texas metaphors is outstanding and laugh out loud funny.
Good book for an easy, fun read.』
(fun, easy read) 『I didn't have a lot of expectations for this book, but was pleasantly surprised. It was quirky, funny and romantic. The storytelling was a seamless switch off between two main characters. It dealt with a lot of issues in an uplifting way, but didn't get mired down with trying to be preachy. It was really just a lot of fun but provides room for introspection while you read. It was a pretty quick read, and I was sucked into the story. I liked the characters a lot. Not a classic, but definitely one I would recommend to my friends!』 『The show American Megastar is the hottest thing on television but its associate producer, Mandalay Florentino, is worried. She's just arrived in the tiny town of Daily, Texas, to arrange a surprise "reunion concert" for hometown finalist Amber Amberson. Only it turns out everyone in town seems to know the secret. And paparazzi are arriving. Word from Hollywood is that Amber has disappeared with a "bad boy" actor. Can anything go right in this tumbleweed town? Imagene Doll loves her town of Daily, Texas, but things are lonely without her beloved husband. Life seems dull. At least until that fancy-dressed woman pulls into town, looking terrified and glamorous all at once. Soon life's not the least bit boring as Imagene and the rest of Daily find themselves at the center of a media maelstrom--with a young girl's future on the line.』
price：$4.80
Zondervan
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A breath of fresh air but not enough...) 『I have read a fair amount of Christian fiction and have become quite weary of it. The books are usually poorly written with mediocre story lines and always come off as preachy. "Daisy Chain" was a breath of fresh air to Christian fiction. The book was written very well. The author crafted her words carefully and her descriptions were vivid. Jedd was a very likable and endearing hero. The author had the guts to address a sensitive topic and I loved how all of her characters had their doubts and imperfections.
I only gave this book three stars for a couple of reasons. First off, I am a very avid reader. I usually devour a book within a few days. This book was hard for me to get into. It took me about a week to read it and I was bored at times. I'm not even sure if I will read the second one... The storyline plodded methodically along and I found it confusing when the book would randomly jump to 30 year old Jedd. I would have appreciated some kind of warning or transition that the book was going to a different time period. I loved Jedd and Sissy but I had a hard time with the adults in this book. ALL of them were completely dysfunctional and over-the-top. By the middle of the book I just wanted to scream, "Can we have one normal adult please?" I found it hard to connect with them.
Overall, this book was very thought-provoking and well written albeit boring at times.』
(Stephen King, take note: here's writing to aspire to.) 『Stephen King, take note: here's writing to aspire to.
The richest, most effective prose takes you on a journey you'll not soon forget in this wonderful novel. Not a purple word in the bunch, not a meretricious line to be found, nary a letter out of place. Mary E. DeMuth is the Rembrandt of novelists.
Characters and story so profound you'll wonder why the store bookshelves today are so filled with pulp.
(And by the way, I'm not Christian or Catholic. I'm not another prattling zealot. Just an average reader.)』
(Book Review of Daisy Chain by Mary E. DeMuth) 『"Bright, engaging, often sad and heartbreaking - all woven together with the elements of Christian life. Don't miss out on this one!"
Perhaps I loved this book because I live in the south. Perhaps I loved it because it provoked my memory to my early Christian walk. Perhaps I loved it because it just read like home to me. Whatever the reason, Mary E. DeMuth's `Daisy Chain` is forever etched into my memory as one of my favorite books.
In the summer of his fourteenth year, Jed Pepper's best friend, Daisy Marie Chance, has gone missing. Her last words to him, `You'll regret it', haunt him as he realizes that he is more afraid of father's retribution than of his friend's safety.
Jed is about to break free from childhood cares and be cast harshly into the real world where danger does exist and bad things do happen.
In the small town of Defiance and in the events that follow the day Daisy went missing, most (if not all) of the challenges Christians face are written into the various characters, making them come alive with the struggles we, as readers, face each day.
Struggles like Jed's feelings of failure for not protecting Daisy which prompt questions to and about God's providence. His view of God has been shaped by his father, who has allowed the rules of the Bible to choke out the grace he once knew in the beginning.
Jed asks himself question after question as he struggles to make sense of why a loving God would allow such a sadness. His memories of his best friend are almost too painful at times.
Meanwhile, as God surely does in our own lives at times, new friends enter his life revealing that yes - God has rules, and yes - God doesn't make sense sometimes, and yes - God will do as God pleases, but there is still joy to be known in friendship with an old black man named Hixon, there is still wonder to be known in an old bald women named Muriel, there is still messages of encouragement from his mother each morning.
This is a marvelous read. I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series named `Slow Burn.'
Reviewed by: Keiki Hendrix Reviewed for: The Vessel Project』
(Gripping...haunting...real) 『I can't forget Daisy. Her spunk, her creativity, her ability to see the best in others--she grabbed my heart from the beginning. But everything's not as it seems in Defiance, TX. Kids don't always come home, parents don't always have their child's best interest at heart, and love is often found in unlikely places. Gripping, haunting, uncomfortably real. I couldn't put it down.』
(Daisy Chain) 『If this book had not been written by a Christian author I would have quit with it early on. I do not like secular books about preachers, and christians that are shown in negative light. Because this was written by a Christian, I continued with it. The father, a preacher is abusive to his wife and children. But by the time I was finished with the book I was wanting the next....This is a trilogy.』 『The abrupt disappearance of young Daisy Chance haunts the small town of Defiance, Texas. Fourteen-year-old Jed Pepper searches for answers in this gritty and compelling story of love and sorrow, revealing God's hand of redemption in impossible situations. Lyrical fiction from a bright new literary talent.』
price：$4.80
Zondervan
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Felt like I was in church) 『I was interested in the story line at first, but it just took forever to get to the end. I actually skipped alot of the parts and still didn't feel that I missed anything. Glad that I got it when it was free for Kindle because I would've really been upset if I paid for it. To much of a sermon for me.』
(Good vs evil Well written) 『WE must have these come across some of these folks in real life. Verv well written. Enjoy』
(Anyone who is not heavy into religion should skip it) 『Yikes, this one could have been far better without the multi page rants on finding God. Give us a break if we wanted to be in church we wouldn't be reading a murder mystery!』
(Not Just Christian Literature) 『I purchased this book as a Kindle freebie. If I was actually paying for it I probably would have first read the tags a little closer. I wasn't initially aware that it is Christian literature. That being said, I found the story and characters to be quite interesting and the Christian element to be a lesser part of the story line. All in all, I did enjoy reading this book.』
(Love this series!) 『This is the first book in the series, and I HIGHLY recommend you read the entire series. I am not into "religious" books, but these are the exception!』 『When Thelma and Wayne Owens are found murdered in the warehouse where they held their church services, their son-in-law Jonathan is arrested for the crime--but his wife Morgan and her sister Blair, Thelma and Wayne’s daughters, are confident that he didn’t do it and set out to find the real killer.』
price：$4.80
Zondervan
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Another great story by Terri Blackstock) 『Terri Blackstock has a great way with a story, it has everything a novel needs to keep you enthralled. I read Cape Refuge and loved the storyline then started on Southern Storm and have become an fan of the people outlined in the storyline. It is a christian based book and one I would read again and again. Uplifting, suspenseful, mysterious, keeps you guessing about the 'bad guys' and loving the 'good guys'. Will be buying more of Terri's books especially River's Edge.
Cape Refuge (Cape Refuge Series #1) Southern Storm River's Edge』
(Too Much References to Praying, Etc.) 『I "purchased" this book because it was a Kindle freebie. Since I had already read the first Cape Refuge book and liked it, I thought this one would also go lightly on the Christian aspect. However, I was VERY wrong! There was way too much emphasis put on God, praying, etc. and not enough emphasis on the story line itself. I skipped over many paragraphs and even pages at a time just to bypass all the unneccesary parts in order to get at the actual story. I gave the book 2 stars simply because the basic story line/concept was good...all the rest, I could do without.』
(Another winner!) 『I am really enjoying this series! It is really easy to feel in touch with the characters.』
(I should have read the description more closely) 『I mistakenly thought this was a mystery thriller type of fiction. Really it is a Christian (10 more reasons why you should convert) book masquerading as detective fiction. It seems that the story line and plot are forced to try and adhere to the authors underlying desire to explain why we should all be good Christians. I found myself skipping over significant portions of the book, looking for where it would get back to the story. Not a good buy if you are looking for a detective / mystery / thriller - probably a good book if you are looking for Christian literature with a mild story to add interest. I'm sure I would have realized that if I had read a bit more about it before purchasing - so live and learn. The book ends when the Christianity issues are all dealt with - which unfortunatey is before some critical issues relating to closure around plot are resolved.』
(A Great Read) 『I hadn't read Terri Blackstock for a couple of years, but many thanks to the friend who loaned me THIS book -- now I want ALL in this series! I am now a permanent fan!』 『Police Chief Cade disappears after hitting and killing a man with his car. Without a trace, without a note, without taking clothes or his car or money, he is gone. When a witness says she saw Cade getting into a blue Buick with a woman before his disappearance, the newspapers report that Cade left town to be with her. Blair knows it doesn’t make sense for Cade to leave without word for any reason. The dead man is identified, and it soon becomes clear that the woman Cade was seen with was the wife of the dead man. Newspapers begin to ask hard questions. Was the Cape Refuge Chief of Police having an affair with this woman? Did he deliberately kill her husband, then make it look like an accident? When the police department receives a handwritten note from Cade that he has run off to get married to a woman he’s kept secret, everyone breathes a sigh of relief. But Blair notices his unusual signature: Matt Cade. Cade nevergoes by his first name, and he especially never calls himself "Matt." She thinks it’s a signal from him that the contents of the note are false. Meanwhile, around the south, there are news reports about babies being kidnapped from area hospitals. When a ransom call comes to Hanover House fromthe baby’s kidnapper, they are all shocked to see that the phone it is traced to is Cade’s cell phone. Is he involved in the babies’ disappearance? Is that why he’s disappeared?』
price：$4.80
Zondervan
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Got this only because it was free for Kindle) 『I didn't realize that it was Christian fiction until I started reading it. There are other works of Christian fiction that I like despite being a non-believer (for instance, Alaskan Summer, which was also available free on Kindle a while ago. That was a well written book). This book, on the other hand, was boring&trite.』
(Katie is wonderful) 『Robin Jones Gunn is an amazing and wonderful author! I have grown up on her books and this story was a perfect addition to the Christy Miller series. I was able to relate to Katie and her issues in many ways. I enjoyed reading a story that was set in college years. I learned many new and valuable lessons in reading this story. The verses and bible lessons that the author used opened my eyes to ideas that I had not thought of before. As Katie grew in the Lord, so did I. I am thankful that Mrs. Gunn was able to write another series about there characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!!!』
(Robin Gunn) 『The least favorite of my books by this author. It didn't have the development of character and plot like others she has done. She has some great stuff out there.』
(Daughter Loved it!) 『Bought this book for my 19 yr old daughter. She gobbled it up in a night. Now it's making its way around the college dorm. My wife wants to read it, too! I'm buying the entire series as it comes out. Sorry I couldn't give actual details about the author/story, but, I think this series is a winner based upon my daughter's response.』
(Another great book by RJG) 『This series begins at Christy's wedding, where the Christy Miller series leaves off, now from best friend Katie Weldon's perspective. Katie is just finishing her junior year at a Bible college. She is overwhelmed by her busy life and the big decisions she needs to make soon, such as whether to take a resident advisor position her senior year, and what to do about her undeclared major. Not the least important, she also is trying to understand her relationship with Rick Doyle, her "almost boyfriend," with whom she has a complicated past.
I found the characters in this book multi-dimensional and easy to relate with. The religious tones are not preachy, and rather refreshing: Katie wasn't raised in a Christian home, and therefore has her own set of Christian truisms that are unique and thought-provoking. Although Katie can be a bit over-dramatic (and maybe over-sensitive) at times, she is a charming character and enjoyable to read. The blending of purity and romance is what makes this novel both beneficial for young readers, and satisfying for all ages. I laughed several times, and cried several times! That is rare for me in reading fictional stories. I highly recommend this book.
』 『The first book in the Katie Weldon Series, Peculiar Treasures follows Katie as she struggles to believe that God can love her, faults and all. Katie turns to the women in her life as she tries to figure out her relationship with her boyfriend, but even their advice can't postpone the decision that will define the woman she's becoming.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great Book!!) 『I just received the Kindle as a Christmas present. I had heard about the free books that I could download, so I downloaded a few within the first week of owning the Kindle. As this book was a freebie, I wasn't expecting much. I was wrong. This book kept my interest from the beginning. I just finished it a few minutes agon and I'm online now to find more books written by the author.』
(Good story) 『I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure at first being a Kindle freebie but I was plesently suprised. A good story that kept me reading.』
(Enjoyable but light) 『This book was enjoyable but a "quick read". Romantic rather than mysterious but the few main characters are well drawn.』
(Disappointing) 『I was looking for a romance thriller. This book was neither. The characters were not interesting. The mystery was easy to figure out. I resented the forced religous passages that seemed tossed in as an afterthought. Don't waste your time.』
(well worth reading) 『I had a great time reading this book. Great character description, very believable storyline. Held my interest to the end!』 『
She couldn't turn her back on her family in their time of need. So when her sister was injured, financial expert Andrea Hampton traded the big city for Amish country to help turn her grandmother's house into an inn.
But life with the Plain People took a treacherous turn when a string of accidents and pranks threatened her family. Someone didn't want the secrets the old house harbored to come to light. Trusting anyone-- even the handsome carpenter who seemed so genuine--was a battle for Andrea, but her life depended on her ability to find the truth.
price：$4.80
Zondervan
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Didn't get it...) 『...but everyone has different tastes, I guess. I got this book because it was a freebie in the Kindle Store. So I'm not really out much, except the time. I never felt any identification with the main character Kaycee. In fact, I agree with another reviewer that found her annoying. She just seemed two dimensional. But it looks like a lot of people enjoyed it, or they're working for the publisher, or good friends of the author. Who knows?』
(Puerile writing, one-dimensional non-characters, bad dialogue.) 『This novel was surely written by a fourth grader, right? Written by a child for other children to read, correct? No? Good Lord, you mean Brandilyn Collins is an adult?
Folks, if someone offers to PAY YOU ten dollars to read this novel, wait for a better offer. It is simply terrible, and another example of the fact that today's literary agents are not reading manuscripts, but instead engaging in myriad deals unrelated to the talent (or lack thereof) of those they represent.
Literary agents: it is time for you to actually read those query letters and submissions you throw away and gain some much needed integrity. Represent someone who can actually write!
Books like Exposure should never have been able to be published.』
(Good Read) 『I've never read or herd of Brandilyn Collins. Exposure was entertaining and would not hesitate to buy another book by Brandillyn Collins.』
(Interesting Read) 『I was surprised to find that I rather liked this book. Surprised because I really hadn't heard of the author...though I don't know why. I got this book when it was a free Kindle "purchase". Now that I have discovered a new author, I'm sure I will buy more of her books. Thanks to the author/publisher for offering this book for free!』
(Good way to pass some time.) 『I enjoyed this book, but it was not my favorite of Brandilynn Collins. It was a little predictable, but still a good book. It would be a good way to pass a few hours on a Sunday afternoon.』 『Someone is watching Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? In Kaycee's newspaper column she's known for writing of her paranoia and fears. Is the new danger real---or is she going crazy? In this story of terror, twists, and desperate faith, the startling questions pile high. But Kaycee's descent to answers proves even more frightening.』
price：$9.25
Windblown Media
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A Loving God) 『The book focus is on a loving God that wants to know you personally. I do like the way the author brings you into the story and makes you feel the love of God. However, I feel that Mack never really got his question answered. WHY MISSY? It was well written to show the readers that God is loving. It is definitly a work of fiction because I don't think any human can forgive like that. I think of God as a loving God, but in this story it is almost like God is convincing Mack to love GOD without question. I would recommend this book to people that need that extra lift and reminder that God is everywhere. If you are exploring more insight for the next step of your life maybe this book will help you. If you are beyond the loving God aspect then read another book.』
(a different approach to experiencing God !) 『i really enjoyed this book. at first the depiction of God threw me ,but i eventually became comfortable with the portrayal . the characters were very intriguing and the story was well-written . a moving tale of the love of God for us !』
(Not Convincing) 『Strangely enough, I find that I agree with those reviewers who seem to be most orthodox in their religious beliefs. Many of their interpretations of what is meant by the book and their disagreements with Mr. Young's (or Mackenzie's) lessons to be learned are insightful. Yes, if one considers the Bible as the inerrant word of God, one has the right to label The Shack as subversive. Aside from its intentions, it doesn't begin to be convincing about the Holy Trinity, the miracles of Jesus, God's majesty, His omnipresence, His loving forgiveness, His righteousness, His treatment of suffering, etc. Perhaps, Young/Mackenzie never intended to be consistent with scripture, but sought instead, to describe a middle ground that gives credence to the symbolism of Church doctrine without a strict adherence to creed and dogma. If so, let him write as many modern theologians have done. He doesn't need to resort to clichés.
Within the book I find the wonders of living in this world grossly oversimplified. Young's attempt to describe the different aspects of God and to render such concepts remotely meaningful to the suffering of individuals or of humanity, fall far short of my expectations.
I keep asking myself, "Why?" Much of what I think is intended as the foundation of his (or his protagonist's) beliefs as illustrated in the book, I also believe. I would expect, however, that there is another avenue of creativity that might say it better. The story of the lost and murdered daughter is heartrending. The father's angst and anger are truly believable. What I would hope would emerge from this is something that transcends ordinary understanding. The use of "pop" personification is not the way to grasp even a portion of the mystery.
Surely, God can be defined as all that we do not know, yet render this complexity to the author's (or Mackenzie's) "visionary" incarnation, albeit respectfully, and yet attempt to illustrate the awe and majesty of our universe seems an impossible task, even in such a natural setting, one the book barely attempts.
If the task of the book is merely to describe what the protagonist has remembered before and after a terrible car wreck, one has to give the author credit. However, I suspect another objective: one that places these "visions" artificially within the context of modern Christian thought, especially as human experiences relate to suffering. If so, this is a formidable endeavor. The clarity to which we all but, especially, Mackenzie, are searching, but to which we may never acquire.
Hugh Ector』
(The Shack) 『The Shack was somewhat interesting. I was a little disappointed because I had heard so much about it. It did not live up to the hype. The most I can give this book is three stars. The time spent at the shack became boring after awhile.』
(two great themes) 『The Shack has two great themes, forgiveness and what it means to have a relationship with Christ. What most people don't understand is that "forgiveness" doesn't mean when you forgive someone that it makes everything okay and now you have to be that person's friend. It means you forgive that someone, personally move past that "mental block" in your life that has hendered you in some way, and move on with your life; a lot of times the "block" keeps you rooted in place instead of moving forward and growing in life. I love the fact this book expresses that having a relationship with Christ doesn't mean you have to be "religious"; Christ doesn't care about religion. This book also expresses an interesting concept that I've never heard of or thought about before; there is a difference between independence and freedom. I bought this book in great hopes that it will help get the message across to my dad what it means to accept Christ and have Him in his life, as well as help my mom and sister see what true forgiveness means and how it would greatly benefit both of them.』 『Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of hisGreat Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.
Against his better judgment he arrives as the shack on a wintry afternoon and walk back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever.
In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevantThe Shackwrestles with the timeless question, Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain? The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You'll want everyone you know to read this book.』
price：$4.80
Zondervan
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (repainting into a new reformation?) 『This book gives me a kick in the butt while affirming what I've been trying to tell other people and trying to convince myself for the past few years so I'm writing this review out of my head (literally, most likely) and heart.
In most ways Velvet Elvis is a book for outsiders. Just as a Velvetized Version of Elvis is an interpretive repainting, repainting the Church into a new look and new vision forms the basic idea behind this book. On page 11 Rob Bell mentions the picture the church of Martin Luther's day had been painting and presenting. Regarding these 21st century days, I know a lot about the picture the church has painted of itself and maybe even more so, the way outsiders to the church have viewed and interpreted that picture. Page 14: "What I do know is that this pursuit of Jesus is leading us backward as much as forward," evokes the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century.
Maybe more than anything about this book, I love reading the same theological vision and scriptural interpretations as I hold (humility from humble moi) from Rob Bell, someone I'd consider a relative theological conservative.
Hospitality is God's first call to the people of God and fundamentally defines them. From the beginning, the uniqueness of the nascent church as it moved outward from Jerusalem was its radical inclusiveness and "see how they love one another." No one lacked anything; everyone had everything in common, a true common-wealth, as the New England Puritans initially believed they'd be able to live. But it was not only about embrace and provision for the already-insiders; the first Christians embraced and provided for everyone, making no distinctions whatsoever. The outsider became incarnate, enfleshed as one of them, becoming an insider.
As we've often observed, the old mainline now longer is the central or most prominent expression of Christianity in this country, and being a mainline protestant no longer is a given part of being American. Then there's that other use of mainline, to shoot a drug into your veins. Mainline a hit of Jesus straight into your veins, so the blood of Jesus courses through your entire being? Think about it!』
(Spend Your Money Elsewhere) 『One of my former soccer players recommended Velvet Elvis to me several years ago. Rob Bell has a different take on the Good Shepherd and what it means to live the kind of life Jesus teaches us to live. Unfortunately it's too different. Rob Bell is a talented and creative man, but I disagree with much of his core teaching. Velvet Elvis is an overpriced book that will not take long to read. There is just far too much white space on the pages. This is done to give the book a trendy appearance. I would have liked to have seen Bell dive deeper into the various topics he hits. Not only is there enough words to justify the paper used to produce this book, there is simply not enough Scripture to support his opinions. Bell will make you think. He will force you to practice careful discernment. I cannot recommend this book, and I would definitely advise new Christians to spend their time elsewhere. For a highly critical look at Rob Bell and his teachings, visit the Apprising Ministries site.』
(How can people fall for this?) 『The worst part about this book is that he comes from the supposed point of a Christian so other Christians read this with their guard down and eat it all up, word for word, instead of checking it against the actual gospel (which he attacks time and time again). If everyone just assumed that he was a non-believer then they wouldn't be nearly as receptive to his work... but so long as he says "wait wait, I'm a Christian, it's not heresy, it's just conversation" then that makes it ok. Please do not read this book.』
(if you can get past the writing style...) 『Bell makes some excellent observations, although this book seems much less "radical" now than it did when it came out almost 5 years ago. While the thoughts are good and this is certainly a good primer for those interested in the emerging movement, I have to take off a star for Bell's writing style which is, in short, infuriating. Highly recommended, but I do wish he could write in complete sentences instead of expecting us to properly form his thoughts for him.』
(Reality Check) 『One of the best books ever read about Christianity. Everyone hears about Velvet Elvis. I was intrigued while reading and have a fresh perspective about my Christian faith. I have begun reading it for a second time. You need to buy the book. Or get a friend to buy it for you. Get your Mom or Dad to buy it. Buy it now. You won't be sorry.
』 『God never changes, nor do the central truths of Christianity. But our understanding of those truths is in constant flux. Christians will always be exploring and discovering what it means to live in harmony with God and each other. Now in softcover, Velvet Elvis offers original and refreshingly personal perspectives on what Christianity is really about.』
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