Rebekah's Treasure by Sylvia Bambola, Book review

• Paperback: 333 pages
• Publisher: Heritage Publishing House (January 9, 2014)
• ISBN-13: 978-0989970747

SYNOPSIS:

Forced to flee war-torn Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Rebekah and her husband, Ethan, each take something of value: Rebekah, the cup of the Last Supper; Ethan, a copper scroll detailing the whereabouts of a vast Temple treasure. Ahead, separation and danger face them as each tries to survive. But it's not only external forces that could keep them apart forever but internal ones as they struggle to discover where their true treasure lies.

Rebekah's Treasure has won first place for adult fiction in the Florida State Association National League of American Pen Women. The novel's combination of history, love and suspense will capture and engage readers right from the start.

(Source Destruction of Jerusalem by Nicolas Poussin)

My thoughts:


Cleverly written in the present tense to reflect both views, that of Jewess Rebekah and husband Ethan, this story is taking us back to 70 A.D. and the fall of Jerusalem. 
Surrounded by the Roman armies, the Holy City's outer walls breached, the Jews witnessed the ransacking of their Temple, its treasures to be eventually taken to Rome as victory spoils. The ensuing rebellion lasted another three years before its culminating in Masada. 

Rich in historical facts, this fictional account highlights tumultuous times for those who followed Christ. Separated amidst chaos and despair Sylvia Bambola's protagonists flee, carrying treasures like no other: Rebekah with the cup our Lord held at the Last Supper, her husband with a precious scroll referencing the location of a capacious Temple's hold.

An excellent read from a great storyteller, Rebekah's Treasure is an emotional recount of faith, love and friendship at the beginning of Christianity.

Includes historical references, glossary and a reader's group questions.

A Thoene fan, I felt none the less this novel well worth 5 stars!


Meet the Author:

Sylvia Bambola was born in Romania in 1945 and was adopted from a German orphanage five years later by an American Army Colonel. When she was seven she saw the Statue of Liberty for the first time as well as the shores of her new country. As an army brat, she called eight different states home, an experience that gave birth to a deep passion for her new homeland. The vastness yet friendliness of America, as well as its diversity yet parallelism still continue to amaze her.

For additional information visit her website (HERE)



Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from BOOKCRASH as part of it's promotion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own. 

We Have A Winner!

Just in case you missed it before, take a moment to check out Michelle Rayburn's book 'The Repurposed and Upcycle Life'.


Excerpt of the synopsis:

Life is frustrating sometimes. It can be hard and ugly. Hurt, frustration and regret can make everything seem hopeless. But, God has a plan for everything in our lives. He offers unconditional love and grace, despite our imperfections. He offers hope where we see only despair. 

On to my thoughts:

With hilarious chapters titles such as 'Dust bunnies and bad hare hair days' and 'Chicken Coop for the Soul' Michelle's brand of humour leaves us with a comforting dose of care and support. 
This is one book every woman should read if we are to retain our sanity in this often crazy world and learn to love ourselves as God loves us! 
(See the whole review HERE)

~Lavender Dreamer~August 7, 2014 at 6:13 AM

I'm ready to buy, beg or borrow this book! (I'll put it on my list to read!) Sounds great! Thanks girlfriend! Hugs, Diane

CONGRATULATIONS DIANE!

I'll contact you shortly to confirm this win!
Thank you for entering and God bless.

Also a heartfelt thank you to Michelle Rayburn for her generous offer of an EBook version of her book to one of Live and Dream a little dream's reader!

For A little Bit Of Poetry...

The sea is calm tonight,

The tide is full, the moon lies fair

Upon the straits; on the French coast the light

Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand;

Glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay.

Come to the window, sweet is the night air!

Only, from the long line of spray

Where the sea meets the moon blanched land,

Listen! You hear the grating roar

Of pebbles which the waves draw back and fling,

At their return, up the high strand,

Begin and cease, and then again begin.

From Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold.

Have a great weekend,

Somewhere In France by Jennifer Robson, Book review

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (December 31, 2013)
• ISBN-13: 978-0062273451
• Also available in KINDLE format

SYNOPSIS:

A daring young woman will risk her life to find her destiny in this atmospheric, beautifully drawn historical debut novel—a tale of love, hope, and danger set during the First World War.

Lady Elizabeth Neville-Ashford wants to travel the world, pursue a career, and marry for love. But in 1914, the stifling restrictions of aristocratic British society and her mother’s rigid expectations forbid Lilly from following her heart. When war breaks out, the spirited young woman seizes her chance for independence. Defying her parents, she moves to London and eventually becomes an ambulance driver in the newly formed Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps—an exciting and treacherous job that takes her close to the Western Front.

Assigned to a field hospital in France, Lilly is reunited with Robert Fraser, her dear brother Edward’s best friend. The handsome Scottish surgeon has always encouraged Lilly’s dreams. She doesn’t care that Robbie grew up in poverty—she yearns for their friendly affection to become something more. Lily is the most beautiful—and forbidden—woman Robbie has ever known. Fearful for her life, he’s determined to keep her safe, even if it means breaking her heart.

In a world divided by class, filled with uncertainty and death, can their hope for love survive. . . or will it become another casualty of this tragic war?

The paperback includes a P.S. section with additional insights from the author, background material, suggestions for further reading, and more.

(Photo source here)

My thoughts:

Based on the tremendous contributions women of all ages and backgrounds made as volunteers during the first World War, Somewhere in France was an appropriate read during this particular phase of the Centenary. 
Jennifer Robson does an excellent job of painting life as it was prior to the conflict and showed how social upheavals happen almost over night as entire nations faced those changes.

There is always something enticing in discovering the ups and downs of manor life of course and the privileges and obligations such a life demanded. Lilly was every bit the high society young English lady but reality hits all classes without distinction. She chose to contribute to the war effort by volunteering for overseas duties. She is not altogether altruistic however and has a very definite reason for requesting a post on French soil and thus begins a love story stretching the length of a savage war. The young English girl never forgot the Scot surgeon she met a lifetime ago and treasured his letters from the front.

Lilly and Robbie are good solid, well defined characters certain to please any female reader. The author does not shy from sketching a grim background for such a romance and I found myself turning page after page wishing to know how far she would take our two protagonists. 

Indeed I found no fault but for a propensity in elaborating on one particular sexual encounter. Frankly, it put me off. I am no prude but find such details a little too private and a more delicate suggestion of the act far better.

I enjoyed otherwise the novel but will add a caution: Due to thematic contents including a sexual explicit scene and a couple of strong words, consider this book to be adult material only.

Reducing my rating to 4 stars due to the above!

Note: Be sure to check insights, interviews and more included in the book!

Meet the Author:

Jennifer Robson first learned about the Great War from her father, acclaimed historian Stuart Robson, and later served as an official guide at the Canadian National War Memorial at Vimy Ridge, France. A former copy editor, she holds a doctorate in British economic and social history from the University of Oxford.

Visit her website (HERE)


Note: This was a library loan and all opinions are mine only!

Remember Ice dogs by Terry Lynn Johnson?

• Age Range: 10 and up 
• Grade Level: 4 and up
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers (February 4, 2014)
• ISBN-13: 978-0547899268
• Also available in KINDLE format

Remember this beautiful book cover? Those incredible eyes?

For those who missed the post about this popular YA novel, here is an excerpt:

Terry Lynn Johnson's vivid writing reflects a passion born out of her sled dog knowledge and as such brings readers of all ages a thrilling adventure!  

The suspense builds up from the onset when fourteen year old Victoria, unbeknownst to her mother, treks across the countryside to secure new lead dogs in hopes of winning the White Wolf race. 
Remembering her father's recommendations, she packs a sleeping bag and a few snacks at the last moment, a last minute decision which will prove vital.

Readers of ICE DOGS will find themselves turning page after page to find out what happens next to Victoria and her dogs when per chance they happen on young Chris and his wrecked snowmobile on the trail. 
Chris recently moved from Toronto to Alaska and is ill equipped for any outing in the wild. When a sudden storm moves in, the two young people must team up to survive and find their way home or die in the wilderness.

More (HERE)

If you would like to meet Terry Lynn Johnson  in person (sorry, I don't believe the dogs will be there) she is inviting all those living in Washington State to join her!

7 August 2014 

2-6 pm

Barnes and Noble 

Pacific Place Seattle

8 August 2014

12-4 pm

Barnes and Noble

Lakewood

Books by the Bay Festival

6-8 pm

Port of Olympia

9 August 2014

12-2 pm Barnes and Noble

Kitsap Mall - Silverdale 

Barnes and Noble 

4-6pm

Northgate Way

10 August 2014

12-2 pm

Andover Park, Tukwila

Here is Terry's message to her readers:

"I hope to see you!

...Seriously, please come and smile at me: I'll be the one dressed as a musher and looking enthusiastic but big city terrified!"

Visit her website (HERE)

Note to readers: I usually shy away from crowds but this is one time I will brave it to meet this keen musher (and ask her to sign my copy of her book!)

The Repurposed And Upcycled Life by Michelle Rayburn And GIVEAWAY

• Paperback: 159 pages
• Publisher: Faith Creativity Life Books (November 8, 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-0578110424

SYNOPSIS:

Life is frustrating sometimes. It can be hard and ugly. Hurt, frustration and regret can make everything seem hopeless. But, God has a plan for everything in our lives. He offers unconditional love and grace, despite our imperfections. He offers hope where we see only despair. 

Discover the repurposed and upcycled life. This is a life where no experience is wasted. Like the best trash–to–treasure decorating project, it's a life where God repurposes our junky experiences. It's where he upcycles—turns hopeless situations into something so much better than we ever imagined—when we let him work with the trash. When we surrender to his leading, God demonstrates his creativity in revealing how our greatest disappointments, mistakes, and painful experiences can be priceless treasures.

Through humor and stories, Michelle Rayburn addresses how to unpack emotional baggage and let go of the past. Readers will learn how to confront perfectionism and negative attitudes, change perspective on circumstances, and let go of regret and shame. It's an opportunity to learn how to build positive healthy relationships, and dream big and live with purpose. Through inspiration from God's Word and examples from everyday life, readers will discover the joy–filled, hope–rich way of viewing their past, present, and future.

My thoughts:


One quick look into Michelle Rayburn's book and you find yourself wondering where this friend has been all those years! 
There are no other words to describe the warm feeling you get as you discover her witty and very refreshing writing, she comes through clearly as the sort of woman each of us would like to call Friend!

Michelle's jocular approach to sharing personal experiences and the resulting wisdom gives you the opportunity to see the extra emotional baggage we each carry. If we are honest and we must be as she was with herself, there are many areas in our lives we could improve upon. Unlike other testimonies and devotionals The Repurposed and Upcycled Life is filled with the joys of discovering what treasures we can become in the eyes of God.

Women especially appreciate the need to feel special and in order to do it, we must learn to accept ourselves, deal with past mistakes, change our perspective on those circumstances we cannot change and let go of regrets. Ah, regrets...Not an easy one!
But best of all, Michelle's arguments will help each of us to build stronger relationships, dream big and live with purpose!

With hilarious chapters titles such as 'Dust bunnies and bad hare hair days' and 'Chicken Coop for the Soul' Michelle's brand of humour leaves us with a comforting dose of care and support. 
This is one book every woman should read if we are to retain our sanity in this often crazy world and learn to love ourselves as God loves us! 
Following each chapter, a segment about Faith, Creativity, Everyday Life reveals God's unexpected gifts, all part of the many lessons you will learn here.

When you close the last page you will have acquired the incentive to write your own story and live a better life for yourself and those who loves you!

A book to buy, beg for or borrow Ladies!! 
5 Stars!!

Meet the Author:

Michelle wants to help you connect the dots between faith, creativity, and everyday life and discover the joy of finding God in the most unexpected places. Years ago, she left her career as a registered nurse to raise her family, and along the way, she discovered her true passion for writing, speaking, and singing.

More on her website (HERE)

(Photo source Google)

As promised HERE IS THE GIVEAWAY INFO!

Michelle Rayburn kindly offered a reader of LIVE AND DREAM A LITTLE DREAM an Ebook copy of her book!

Simply place a comment on this post before Midnight 9 August 2014 and you will get your chance!

Random. org will be used to select the winner so be sure to include a way to contact you for confirmation.

Offer opened internationally!

All the best!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author as part of it's promotion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.