Sons Of Encouragement by Francine Rivers

Sons of Encouragement by Francine Rivers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Can I just tell you how much I love this book? Okay! Well let me share!

Francine Rivers makes you feel as if you are back in time as these men of faith - Aaron, Caleb, Jonathan, Amos, and Silas - are living their lives. While it is a combination of Biblical facts woven into her well researched imagination, it offers a glimpse of what was and what might have been making the Bible come alive in your mind and heart. Understanding the Bible times on such a personal level helps you understand the mercy and grace of God and how it has spanned time to apply to your life even today. Francine's writing is real, fresh, and inspiring!

Some portions of this book can be a little detailed and hard to read through, but most anyone will enjoy this book even if they have to skip a page or two! This is a great book for both teens and adults.

Bible Stories For Growing Kids by Francine Rivers & Shannon Rivers Coibion

Bible Stories for Growing Kids by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Excellent!

I'm not even sure if this word is adequate enough to describe my thoughts on this audio book. It is one of the best resources for 4 to 8 year olds I have reviewed.

First of all I love how they tell Bible accounts in a short format with a flair that stays true to the Bible but also makes it come alive. Then they follow up each story with personal application in the "Growing Time" section. Not only are kids learning about well-known and not-so-well-known Bible characters, they are learning how the Word of God effects their own lives.

I can't wait to have my children enjoy this audio book with fantastic narration while they drift to sleep each night. This is a must have for every home with children!   You can listen to a sample by clicking here.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

From this gifted mother-daughter team of Francine Rivers and Shannon Rivers Coibion come the Bible stories youll want to share with the growing kids in your life. Meet thirty important people from the Old and New testaments - some of them famous Bible figures like Abraham and Paul, and others unsung heroes like Amos and Priscilla. The stories will capture kids hearts and minds, and the "Growing Time" sections will help them apply the lessons of each story so they can live for God today!

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio and all opinions expressed are my own.

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You can support To Read, Or Not To Read by purchasing your own copy through my Amazon Affiliate link below.

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These 5 books are awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because they are so good, they have been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

The Scribe by Francine Rivers

  The Scribe: Silas by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

The Scribe is an amazing book that looks into the life of Silas and the apostles as the church began after Christ died and rose again. This book, the fifth in the Sons of Encouragement series, has a different feel to it. It is more personal versus a complete third person story.

I enjoyed the careful mix of fiction with biblical fact that creates a close up look at the experiences of well known Bible heroes like Paul and Peter and some not-so-well-known ones like Silas, Luke, and John Mark. There were many moments while listening to this audio version that I was in tears as I heard and thought about what the first Christians endured. This book brings the Bible accounts to life in your imagination in a way that will make the Bible so much more real to anyone.

While you can read this book in print or by listening to this audio version published by Oasis Audio, I must say I really enjoyed the wonderful narration in this audio format. Listening to this incredible story makes your housework go faster and makes family traveling become a riveting ride rather than a boring journey.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Behind the men who shaped history are the heroes who forever changed it. The Scribe, the fifth and final audiobook in the Sons of Encouragement series, beloved author Francine Rivers illuminates the life of Silas. Like the other Sons of Encouragement, this audiobook tells the story of a lesser-known biblical character who made an impact on eternity. The Scribe tells the story of Silas, the man behind the spotlight who recorded most of the New Testament Scriptures we read today. In classic Francine Rivers style the story lets listeners grasp the Scriptures in a whole new light - from a perspective never before imagined. Along the way listeners will be captivated by the growth of the early church and the trials Paul suffers before he is martyred for the cause of Christ.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio and the thoughts expressed are my own.

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These 5 books are awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because they are so good, they have been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

The Prophet by Francine Rivers

The Prophet: Amos by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

So we all know that Amos is a small book of the Bible tucked into the back of the Old Testament, but only a few know anything about the man bearing the name. In this book - The Prophet - Francine Rivers mixes fiction with biblical fact to make a story that will hold your attention and have you turning pages as fast as you can. Or in this case siting on the edge of a chair waiting to put in the next audio CD. I appreciate the gentle balance in which Rivers uses to create a story that will bring this Bible character to life within your mind and heart. After listening or reading this story you will want to read the Bible book of Amos with great excitement. While some may not like to add a fictional element to biblical accounts, I highly recommend this book - and the other 4 in this series - because they draw out the humanness of the man in a way which makes you appreciate his life all the more. This book is great for young and old alike and makes a resource to listen to together as a family of older children and teens.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Behind the men who shaped history are the heroes who forever changed it. In The Prophet, the fourth audio in the Sons of Encouragement series, beloved author Francine Rivers illuminates the life of Amos. Francine examines the life of Amos and his relationship to Israel during its prosperous years. Amos's message - and his relationship with God - made him unpopular. But his challenge to those who were enjoying the blessings of prosperity was crucial then and is strikingly timely today as well.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio. The thoughts expressed are my own.

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These 5 books are awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because they are so good, they have been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

The Prince by Francine Rivers

 

The Prince: Jonathan by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

As the subtitle of this book says, Jonathan was one man who quietly changed eternity. I have always known he was an honorable man since he was loyal to his friend David who became king when he could have fought for the royal position. But this book goes beyond just his friendship with David to dig into his life of honor and faithfulness to God.

The Prince is a mix of fiction and biblical fact that explores the life of Jonathan - son of a king, loyal friend to another king. Francine Rivers is talented author who spins a balanced story that stays true to the biblical account while digging in deep to bring out the human feelings of these characters.

I highly recommend this book, and the others in this series, to anyone of any age. It creates a deeper appreciation for the men of the Bible and is a great way to learn about the culture and practices of that time period. You can choose to read the book in print or enjoy the audio format.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

The Prince is the third audiobook in a new companion series to A Lineage of Grace. Each looks into the life of one of five biblical men (such as Aaron and Barnabus) who stood behind the great heroes of faith. In The Prince, beloved author Francine Rivers illuminates the life of Jonathan. His zeal carried him into battle. His faithfulness won him honor among his people. His humility led him into friendship with the man who would become king in his place. David was a man after God's own heart. But it was the courage and selflessness of his best friend that opened the door to David's rule. A man of honor and deep faith, Jonathan.

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Thanks to Oasis Audio for providing the courtesy review copy. The thoughts expressed are my own. 

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These 5 books are awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because they are so good, they have been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

The Warrior by Francine Rivers

The Warrior: Caleb by Francine Rivers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

The Warrior tells the story of a man whom we usually only remember for his service as a spy. In this mix of fiction and biblical fact we see the depth of this amazing man who followed after God.

I greatly appreciate the wonderful balance that Francine Rivers keeps in her writing. She stays true to the biblical account while adding just enough to make the story flow as she probes their thoughts and feelings. Caleb comes to life in a way each person can relate to in one way or the other.

In this book you will learn of his journey from Egypt to the Promise Land and the challenges of his faith. You will gain a great respect for the life he lead and a better understanding of what life was like back then. The Bible comes alive in your imagination as you read or listen to the audio version of this book.

While some people don't like to mix fiction with biblical accounts, I think Rivers does such an excellent job of writing that most anyone will enjoy this short novel. I highly recommend it to anyone, any age. A great way to "read" this book is through the audio version as a family while traveling or working around the house.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Behind the men who shaped history are the heroes who forever changed it. In The Warrior beloved author Francine Rivers illuminates the life of Caleb, a man whose faith and zeal for God helped lead God's people into the Promised Land. Discover a man full of passion, full of humility and faith. A man who encouraged Joshua and stood strong in the face of sin.

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This audio book was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio. The thoughts expressed are my own.

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These 5 books are awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because they are so good, they have been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

Lineage Of Grace by Francine Rivers

MY REVIEW:

As you read through the Bible it is easy to gloss over people and events and miss the most thought provoking moments.  Francine Rivers makes you stop and think with her books in the Lineage of Grace series which cover the lives of five women who experienced the immeasurable grace of God.

Each book is the biblical account woven together with the imagination of Francine Rivers and relevant cultural facts from that day.  It brings familiar Bible characters to life in your mind and makes them feel like real people whom you have more in common with than you might want to admit.  I greatly appreciate how Francine stays true to the Bible passages while adding a storyline that could have happened.

In this audio book compilation, Anita Lustrea adds an even greater depth with her wonderful vocal talent and smooth presentation.  Listening to these stories in audio format is a delight and you will find yourself sitting down to listen because the story will have you riveted! 

These five novels brought out aspects of each woman’s life – both real and what could have been – that made me appreciate them and the amazing grace of God in a greater proportion that I had before.  From the lives of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary I was not only entertained by their stories but I was convicted, challenged, and encouraged.  I highly recommend these books to anyone – women, men, teens – in either the audio format or in the printed edition.

 

 

 

 

 

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This review copy and author feature were provided courtesy of Oasis Audio.

 

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These 5 books are awarded with the To Read, Or Not To Read badge of distinction  - Best Of The Best - for the fact that because they are so good, they have been added to Mandy’s bookshelf!

The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers

MY REVIEW:

My enjoyment of Francine Rivers writing began just over a year ago and I have since read a number of her books.  This one being the most recent.  Francine not only knows how to craft a riveting story, but one full of spiritual depth and challenge, too.

The Last Sin Eater sounds like a creepy book but it only takes a few moments to get drawn into the old tale set in the heart of the mountains among a handful of families who settled there only 2 generations ago.  It's a story of fear, fascination, forgiveness, and faithfulness.  It's an easy read, or in this case, easy listen, with it's simple story line and deep characters.  I especially enjoyed the way that this novel gained depth as I read - starting out simple and unfolding over and over again until all the secrets were revealed in the end.  Yet doing so without being confusing.

In this audio edition the story is read by Anita Lustrea who does an amazing job of bringing the story to life.  The characters are no longer people on pages but breathing beings in your imagination as Anita flawlessly shares this tale.

No matter how you enjoy this book - in print or in audio format - you will be swept away in time to once again witness the redemption of God.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

All that matters for Cadi Forbes is finding the one man who can set her free from the sin that plagues her. But Cadi doesn't know that the "sin eater" is seeking as well. A captivating tale of suffering, seeking and redemption.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Oasis Audio.

 

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Featuring Francine Rivers

I am excited to announce that starting on Wednesday I will be featuring the wonderful author, Francine Rivers!

For one week I will highlight various books she has written and I hope you will take this opportunity to choose one you will pick up and read.  If you have not read anything by Francine Rivers yet you are missing out on some incredible reading.

Join me Wednesday as we start off with The Last Sin Eater!