Something for Nothing

These days everyone wants something for nothing it seems. This is the theory behind why supermarkets and shops offer coupons and reward cards. And I have to admit to being part of it. Not only have we managed to get a few helpful items through using our reward points, but I am one of the featured authors in a free book give away. To promote her new book The Listening Land, due out soon, Anne Hamilton is running a giveaway of 1111 books by Australian Christian authors. The list includes children’s books, poetry, non fiction and fiction. 3 of mine … Continue reading →

The Creator and the Created

This week I’m going to tell you about a book I’ve recently read. It has been published since 2006 but I only just now caught up with it courtesy of the library. The author wasn’t one I was familiar with but having read this book I am likely to read more of her work. The Novelist by Angela Hunt is about Jordan Casey who has written a number of Rex Tower novels. While teaching a writing course at a local community college she is challenged by one of her students that she is not investing enough of herself into her … Continue reading →

Trusting God Despite Hardship

Fiction reflects life to us, I believe. I’m an avid reader though not usually of Christian fiction. However, recently from our library I picked up ‘All the Days of My Life’ by Jo-Anne Berthelsen, published by Ark House Press. This is the third book I have read by Ark House Press and they have each been very different but all interesting. Although written as fiction, it was ‘inspired by the real-experiences of a post-war Czech immigrant to Australia.’ The book was also a sequel to Helena which I hadn’t read. It didn’t matter. I quickly became interested in the story … Continue reading →

Waiting for Writers and Readers.

Sometimes we chaff at how long it takes for things to happen, for God to answer our prayers. In the life of a writer a lot of time is spent waiting. Waiting for characters to be fleshed out. Of course we may still be writing at the same time and getting to know our characters. Waiting for a cooling off period after a draft of a manuscript is written, before going back to edit and revise. Then, when it is finally off to a publisher waiting for their response. Waiting for the postman to come with the good news of … Continue reading →

A Disease of Epidemic Proportions

There is an epidemic in our society. A severe disease threatens our society. You might think cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and yes, they all exist, but none of them are the disease I’m talking about. It’s one that affects people of all ages. This disease is probably one you or I have experienced at some point in our lives. Maybe even at the present time. The disease which has reached epidemic proportions is loneliness. I’ve been reading Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll recently. He says ‘many people are lonely and lack the community gathering points in which they can make … Continue reading →

Stubborness Can Be an Asset

All of us in life need to learn to make responsible decisions. We all need to be alert to the peer pressure that comes from family, friends, work colleagues and a society that, on the whole, doesn’t know the Lord and follow His ways. It can also come from those who are Christian. So how do we handle such pressure? ‘The Competitive Edge – how to win every time you compete,’ is a helpful book for getting us on the right track with decision making and living with integrity. The book is filled with interesting anecdotes like the stance taken … Continue reading →

Books Can Provide An Opening

How do you choose what to read? And more importantly how do you choose what books to buy? Are you influenced by the opinions of others? In the February 11, 2008 Publishers Weekly published an article called Word-of-Mouth Top Book-Buying Decisions. It statistics which were the result of a survey among African-American readers. The online survey found most readers chose books recommended. In fact 55% bought books recommend by a family member or friend. In my case, I might read something recommended by a friend. More often though I search out particular authors I like or I read the blurb … Continue reading →

Engaging the Emotions

On the whole I’m not a huge fan of Christian fiction. But last year I picked up a book by Karen Kingsbury and found myself searching for the rest of the Firstborn series. Over the next week or so, I read the rest, even when it meant ordering the middle book of the series in and paying $2 which I thought steep for a reservation fee. Our old library in Orange used to charge 55 cents. When trying to read a series where the middle books never seem to be on the shelves, or work through the novels of a … Continue reading →

Where Was That Scripture?

One of the most frustrating things for me is when I’m trying to recall a certain scripture from the Bible but I can’t for the life of me find where it is! I thought this is what concordances supposed to be for, but if the Bible doesn’t actually use the specific word for the subject, then the concordance isn’t much help. So, for Christmas several years ago my brother bought me the Where to Find It in the Bible: The Ultimate A to Z by Ken Anderson, which includes over 3,700 contemporary topics. Finally, there’s some hope. In this book … Continue reading →

Book Review: God’s Wisdom for Little Boys

We received the book, God’s Wisdom for Little Boys by Jim & Elizabeth George, for our two-year-old son at Christmas this year. Jim and Elizabeth George have both written exceptional devotional books for adults and teens and have been involved in Christian ministry for years. At first, I admit, I was a little skeptical. I generally enjoy children’s books that are short and simple, and this one appeared long and perhaps over his head. However, upon sitting down to read it with him, I abruptly changed my mind. I found this book to be a wonderful study on Proverbs for … Continue reading →