Religious and Inspirational Books

My daughter started reading this book at age 12, and has had it for 2 years. She still loves to go back and read selections of love, hope, courage. Give your teenager something worth reading! :)

I bought this book as a gift for my 16yr old niece. The very next day, she told me how much she loved the book. She even cried reading it. I think it's nice to find reading materials that can move the minds and feelings of teenagers.

I skimmed through the book before I gave it to my granddaughter who just turned 13. I thought it had some well written stories that a teenager can relate to and a lot of food for thought. She was so happy to get it, since she had the one for pre-teens also and really liked it.

Once again, "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books has a hit. This is a wonderful gift for young teens with its easy read of short stories on pertinent topics and experiences teens face. Teens I have given it to as a gift have loved it and purchased the next in the teen series. Also a source of good talking points for those anxiety ridden moments or social issues teens face.

I am a teacher in two high schools and I like to read the stories of the book to my students from time to time to inspirate them and reinforce their teenage self esteem! I suggest it to all teacher to make the same with a nice calm background music.

A story of faith, tragedy, courage, survival and triumph. Immaculee Ilibagiza's riveting autobiographical story of living through the Rwandan holocaust is a story of her faith growing amidst the incomprehensible and shocking experience of genocide. The story of the Hutu tribe slaughtering the Tutsi tribe is the background for her moving story, a tale of primal fear held at bay by faith that grows in Immaculee. I was deeply moved.

I really loved this book. I have to admit I have not been as aware as the genocide in Rwanda as I should have been. It's hard to believe things like this are happening in this day and age. I've always struggled with the issue of absolutely evil things happening to good, decent, or innocent people. Why would God allow these things to happen? This book does not answer that question. That is a question left for the ages, but it does give me more faith that just maybe if something horrific happened to me I could have the faith to endure. This book also made me appreciate life even more fully. Thanks for sharing your story.

Words can not come close to describing the impact this book has had on me. I cannot get Immaculee out of my mind. I first listened to this author and survivor being interviewed on a Catholic radio talk show. I decided to see what she had to say - the graphic detail of the genocide in Rwandan from her perspctive is riviting. I feel like I know her and her family and I have mourned for them. If you are having a hard time forgiving anyone for anything read this book. This woman leads a new life now and God has placed her in our midsts as His instrument to teach us how to forgive and love. In spite of the horrific holocaust of these dear human beings, Immaculee shows us the way to a deeper faith through her own personal experience. Recommend this book to people of all faiths.

This is a great book I just cant believe that during this trajedy I was in high school in the US and did not know about it I think it should be mandatory reading

I'm just finishing this book and I am in awe of her faith, and her strength and those of her fellow occupants of this - smaller than any convicts cell - bathroom. Through the chronicles of history we hear this happening, and yet we did nothing in 1994 while a whole tribe of Tutsi's were almost annihilated. What kind of blood lust has one human being going after another human being with such malice & hate? I have purchased the DVD. I have seen Hotel Rwanda - and - Sometimes in April (must see by all) and you feel the sorrow and the pain in knowing while you're hiding, others are dying around you. Pastor M took a real chance hiding these women - his entire family was at risk. I know I could've had hidden her and the other women. What I don't know is if I would've been strong enough to survive.
Genocide in any form is not to be tolerated - from 1915 genocide of the Armenians, in the 30's the Aboriginal integration program in Austrailia (Rabbit Proof Fence) to the 40's Hitler trying to wipe out the Jewish people, and yet the people of the world allowed this to happen in 1994.
I wonder - could any of us be strong enough to say "no - that's not going to happen in my neighborhood" and hide your neighbor or strong enough if the shoe were on the other foot and we had to hide??

I appreciate getting the book at the great price. I'm really not complaining but the book was quite yellow and the jacket was torn in various places. It looked like it was on the shelf for quite a while........Maureen

A very profound, deeply insightful and moving experience! One of my two favorite books of all times. No matter how often you read it, you find something new, some new insight, some amazing revelation, some word of consolation, another stunning example of wordcraft. A masterpiece! Inspired! This book should not be on a book shelf in the library, office or study, but on the bedside table, and the audiobook -- on your Ipod.

I keep a copy of this book nearby at all times for quick reference, my personal copy home to numerous marks and marginal notes. Every line reads as the most delicate of poetry, honed and refined to the purest and most undeniable words of truth and wisdom.
This may be the height of human understanding, bringing a peace and solidarity which encompasses the many to make us all one.

This book is a sort of Hallmark Greeting card compilation of the type of vacuous garbage-thought that made the 1970s a cultural disaster. Are you a sentimental pacifist who thinks Gandhi was swell, but never heard of the Moriori? Do you think of love as some sort of emotional flatulence that comes and goes the way weather does? Do you think evil is only a result of people being insufficiently nice to one another? Are your views on child rearing that you should let the kids do what they want because they're individuals? Do you think business is evil and soul destroying, and hurts the world more than it helps? Do you think religion is bad, but spiiiiirituality is good? Do you think criminals shouldn't be punished, because it's not really their fault? Do you think a mindless pursuit of pleasure is necessary for a healthy life? Well, if you believe any of these things, and enjoy saccharine sweet sing-songey prose, this book is for you. It comes in an attractive hard cover, making it appear to be a very serious book, on the same level as Jonathan Livingston Seagull, but with more naked lady pictures inside. It will provide you with many prim moments of doltish piety in your cloud cuckoo land. You may even be able to use this tome to pick up on people who are as morally defective as you are.

Personally, I prefer my wisdom to be, you know, at least vaguely wise. If I want florid saccharine language, I'll go read some Browning or other Victorian poetry. You can pick up antique volumes of such stuff for cheap, since books which required effort to write or read are unfashionable these days. They also look nicer on your bookshelf. As a bonus, it might actually be good for you to read Browning, whereas reading Gibran is sort of like giving yourself a mental venereal disease.

Please, humanity, restore my faith in basic human decency: stop reading this book. This book destroys souls and stunts aesthetics. If you must give copies of the book to people, give it to people you don't like. Give this book in the same spirit the British sold Opium to the Chinese. The end result will be much the same if they take the precepts of this silly book seriously.

These days, Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet" often gets dismissed as "hippie" literature. Yet, this book had been a bestseller LONG before the 1960s. Originally published in 1923, it almost instantly became a hit and even did well through the Great Depression. Today, Gibran's claim to fame is being the third best-selling poet of our time, behind Shakespeare and Lao Tzu... and pretty much entirely based on sales of this book. When his publisher, Alfred Knopf was asked who the audience for the book was, he flippantly dismissed the question. "It Must be a cult," he retorted.

Yet there is no such cult. What's incredible is that there's absolutely no marketing hype behind the success of this book. Gibran himself is long gone. There is no political, religious, or commercial enterprise attached to his name bent on winning souls and/or profits. The Gibran estate has merely been licensing copies year after year in response to the demand - a demand fueled pretty much entirely by word-of-mouth and chance discovery. The fact is, the twenty-six poems in this book have a surprising and suprassing relevance, insight and compassion. Broken down into several topics ("On Love", "On Work", "On Joy and Sorrow", etc.) the book itself recounts the sermons of a fictional poet leaving behind the gift of knowledge before he leaves his homeland.

I first found Gibran through a setting of his poem "On Children" by local Washington, D.C. singers Sweet Honey in the Rock on their album, "Breaths."

"Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you."

At the time I was about to leave for college and eighteen years of living under my parent's roof had made me restless for autonomy. That poem eloquently expressed everything I was yearning to say to them in my hours of frustration and adolescent angst. It later proved to be a reference to turn to in times where I needed confidence to live an independent and fulfilling life, while still maintaining respect and compassion towards the parents who had raised me.

I am not exaggerating when I say that the poems in this book have kept me grounded and sane throughout some of the most troubling times in my life. Our modern lives are ever hectic, stressful and busy - wrought with drama, frustration, depression, etc. The knowledge in these poems brings me back to a "middle ground" - there is a sage wisdom and clarity in the poems that has often been helpful for me in "unwinding" and coming back to earth. They bring me back to a place of clarity from whcih I can see my life from a wider perspective.

Though Gibran himself was a Christian and despite the title and conceit of the book, this is not really a religious book. The insight in this book would be applicable to your life even if you are an atheist. What's more, the poetry is mostly imagistic. Do not expect the academic poetics of Gibran's contemporaries Eliot or Pound or even Frost. They are written with the aim of being accessible and immediate to the reader and rely mostly on clear metaphors and vivid imagery.

Copies of "The Prophet" are not hard to come by. Perhaps check out the book's table of contexts either using Amazon's "Search Inside" feature or in your local bookstore and see if it addresses a problem or issue you are dealing with. That's a good a place as any to start with. Chances are, you will find something that speaks to you on some level.

I'm 48, and about 20 years ago, I first read "I AM GOD" in a book by Shirley MacLaine. It was revolutionary then - and NO ONE talked about it. Now, when Bishop Jordan writes it -I KNOW IT. I AM GOD. YOU ARE GOD. WE ARE GOD. Imagine if the whole world finally came to that realization. Whether your God is black, white, Hindu, Catholic, whatever. That God put you here for a reason - and Bishop Jordan helps you remember that. I HIGHLY recommend this book. Thank you Bishop Jordan. Blessings everyone.

Bishop E. Bernard Jordan's book brings three words immediately to mind: BRILLIANT, POWERFUL, AND INSPIRING. This wonderful book is all three of those things and I should actually add, eye opening and insightful, to that list of adjectives. This book is a MUST READ for anyone wanting to manifest prosperity into his or her life. I can't urge you enough to read this book AND to seek out other books/videos by Bishop E. Bernard Jordan. His teachings are influencing huge corporations and world leaders and after you read this book I'm sure you will understand why. Stop wasting time reading the reviews and get the book. Your return on investment from absorbing the principles in this book will pay for itself many, many times over! In "The Laws of Thinking" Bishop Jordan teaches 20 secrets to manifest prosperity in your life. If you're a Christian the book will renew your spirit and bring you closer to God as well. If you're not a Christian then this book will give you some valuable deeper insights and may open your eyes to some important things that you hadn't considered or experienced before. Really, it doesn't cost much and what you will surely gain from absorbing the principles taught in "The Laws of Thinking" make it an easy choice - GET THE BOOK AND READ IT TWICE!

This book really causes you to think outside the box of what you been taught in traditional churches. It teaches you to use mind power to possess the desires of your heart and the things that seem so out of reach!

Lanesa Stubbs

This book is AWESOME !!! If you have the courage to change your circumstances, then this is the book for YOU! Master Prophet Jordan has the keys in this book to literally change your life! I just wish that I had read the whole book sooner. The wisdom that is in this book is PRICELESS!!!
Richard O. White
Cocoa, Florida

This is a wonderful publication! I couldn't put it down when I started it. This is a must have!

I study the Bible alot, but ever time I take the test, I get an F. Am I going to hell, Jeff Saturday?

I think it's worth it for any sports fan to read. The information about football, the authors' life, and his opinions were written in a way that kept the book interesting to me. There were times when I couldn't put it down. Since the book was written fairly recently, I felt I was getting good, up-to-date information. A lot of the players are still playing for the coach right now. So I would advise reading it as soon as possible before too much time goes on.

My men's group found this study to be a good one for us. While the questions are important and make each individual think about how they themselves must answer, the book is written in a way that it doesn't intimidate anyone. We have everything from high school guys to guys in their early 50s and all found it applicable to their lives. It made for interesting discussions and caused each man to learn something new about himself. Highly recommend.

Very good book, a great man in the public view, not affraid to express his beliefs.

Whether it be at the high school, college, or professional levels of football, the common image of a football head coach is a big, tough, ruffian of a man who lives and dies by his team each week and forsakes such things as God and family in order to focus all his energies on his team's performance. Tony Dungy, current Head Coach of the Indianapolis Colts, is a living example to the contrary, proving that football coaches can be humble, sincere, and gracious and still put together a successful football team.

While this book does give pretty much a season-by-season account of Dungy's career in college and the NFL (great for the history buffs), the content also focuses on how Dungy stayed true to his Godly principles in the rough-and-tumble environment of the NFL. In a culture that prides itself in violence and radical devotion to a single cause, Dungy preaches a different sort of NFL culture, one in which each player and coach can be a respectable individual (not a ruffian) and uphold the principles of the Lord. In essence, Dungy's message is that "even football players" can be witnesses to the Lord's almighty power.

After reading this book, I have the utmost respect for Dungy and the way he runs his teams. He works himself and his players hard, but at the same time professes a family-first environment, where when the day's work is done the other aspects of family life can be enjoyed (unlike, say, John Gruden, who often sleeps in his office for prolonged periods in preparation for the next week's game). Dungy figures that if he treats his players like human beings and not immature children, they will return the favor and work hard for him.

While reading this book, I was reminded of an example of Dungy's philosophy in my own hometown. Our high school football team used to have a coach who would eat, sleep, and breathe football. He was a former NFL castoff who, while respected for his toughness by his players, was not a pleasing man to be around, as his arrogance was stifling. His teams were always decent, but lacked that extra something that makes a team a champion. When he was replaced a few years ago, a new coach was brought in who (much like Tony Dungy, just at a high school level) preached accountability, respect, and good academics. Within a single season, this new coach turned the entire program around and is now playing for the Conference Championship with an undefeated record. More important than the wins, however, is the fact that this new team is one that the community can better rally around due to the integrity of its players and coaches.

To conclude, I highly recommend this book to football fans of all ages and philosophies, as it gives a stirring example of how a football team can succeed using Godly principles.

When I read this book I laughed, I cried, and reflected to my own experiences. Clay Aiken has so much wit and is a wonderful story teller.
I would recommend this book for anyone but especially kids that get picked on at school, as Clay was. His childhood was filled with pain but he chose to rise above it all. From his biological father to his step-father,
he had always gotten the short end of the stick and wondered what it would take to be loved. Wonderful, inspirational reading.

I recently finished his book in just a few hours. Excellent! The book reveals his life as a child, facts about his biological dad and his step dad, and his lovely mother. Many chapters actually moved me to tears. This man is humble, extremely talented and gifted.
A definite Must Read! You will enjoy the trip down memory lane with Clay.

Clay Aiken is one of the few celebrities I look up to. He has devoted fans because people see him as a friend or a brother. He is a very kind, humorous, and generous man. I am glad I read this book.

This book is truly a masterpiece! I read this book because I am a Clay Aiken fan, and I thought, 'Hey, a book by Clay Aiken, this should be cool.' I would recommend this book for anyone! Even if you aren't a fan of Clay, this is still an inspiring book. Let's just say: I laughed, I cried, it moved me!" I'm ordering the book and the audio cds. This is one of those books that you read front to back, then open it right back up and read it again!

I don't really like to write reviews, but I couldn't resist this one. Let me just start by saying I wasn't a fan of Clay when he was on Idol. I guess I was a bit young to really appreciate his talent. Well I've rediscovered him and have become a HUGE FAN. I can call myself a claymate.

Anyway, this book is great. I finished it in a day. I couldn't put the book down, not even for a minute. From the very beginning Clay opened himself up and showed that he's vulnerable. He says that he wants people to realize what you see is what you get when it pertains to him. You can't help but cry when things are rough, and smile when he sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

This may be a spoiler, but one of the many things that really stood out for me was when he was talking about his stepdad. When his stepdad died, you can tell at that time, Clay felt incomplete, not knowing whether he was loved by him or not. Then he remembered a story his mom told him; his mom said, a friend of his dad had visited him and he was talking about his brother Brett and how he knew he would turn out to be a great man. Then his stepdad said, "my other son is going to be a famous singer one day because he has the most beautiful voice."

That part of the book really touched me bc I felt like he got his closure and he knows his stepdad really loved him.

Anyway, I don't mean to go on and on, but this is a great book and is a page turner. You can't help but love Clay more and I'm sure people who read this book can relate to him in so many levels.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul Volume 2 is an inspirational and enlightening book. Being a teenager myself I can relate to a lot of the stories told in this bestseller. The first time I read this book I was younger and didn't understand what the authors in the book were saying, but when I revisited it this year I actually understood it and connected more to the stories. This book has inspired me to write about my personal experiences and really look back at the good, bad, or in between as a way to learn from my mistakes. Instead of breaking down I decided to write. This book has taught me and helped me through some rough times. This book is great and I recommend it to anyone. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is not just for teenagers, I have even read some stories with my friends and family. This book has been a real joy and inspiration on all aspects of my life. Thanks Chicken Soul and I hope all readers out there will get a chance to read this delightful, motivating, and wonderful book.

This is a great book for every teenager. Every teen goes througha tough time at least once in their life and this book can really help. It has stories on things from teenage romance to suicide. This is a great book for everyone from teenagers to adults.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 2 is a great book for teens because it is something we can relate to. It is filled with short anecdotes written by teenagers or once-teenagers about their adolescent experiences. It is inspirational and teaches us about who we are, about people, and about life in general. I recommend this book for all teenagers.

I think that this book was a very good and fun book to read. Anyone who enjoys hearing about different teens telling their own stories would greatly enjoy this book. While I was reading it, there were times when i felt like laughing and other times when I felt like crying too. The things that teenagers go through are so hard and alot of adults do not understand this, that is why this book is so helpful. It is a very good book to read and I would recommend it to anyone, espically teens.

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul ll is a great book written by teenagers and some adults about life. It teaches us about life and how to deal with it. It shows us that no matter where you came form, what you look like, or how you act, almost all teenagers are the same. This book is an inspiration to everyone.
This book influences me because it inspires me to become a better person. Before I read this book I thought, "Oh this book is just some boo full of made-up stories", but as I continued to read into it more, I thought" Wow this is a really great book". This book tells you that all teens go through the same stuff. It shows you that your not alone, and with faith and courage you can overcome most obstacles. This book is filled amazing stories of love depression, and hope. I encourage everyone to read this book.

I read this book from cover to cover two times in a row and am still amazed at the clarity given by God in the messages for 'all of humanity.'

The only part I felt myself entirely change my view was regarding the death penalty, which I used to advocate. Since reading this book I no longer do, and the reasons are so simply put, I can't imagine anyone not changing their views.

The areas about parenting, suicide, same sex marriages, telepathic communication, abortion, fidelity, human cloning, space exploration, toxins in our foods and environment, all of them and more are profound.

I can see where much of the population can definitely benefit from this book. It took me out of the labyrinth of the media maze that covers our news, and gave me a fresh and enlightening perspective that harnesses the true meaning of God's messages. They are abundantly clear.

I would give this book at least 100 stars if I could. God really does speak to humanity through Barbara Rose. I listened in on one of her teleconferences and was taken back at what she said. I also love her other book "Know Yourself" which was life changing for me. "If God Was Like Man" is life changing for all!

In "If God Was Like Man", Barbara Rose wrote the words of God given to her for humanity in a way that is simple, and what God selected are the most heated present day topics facing every society and culture on earth.

The manner and language used to convey the solutions that plague life on earth are clear and cannot be misinterpreted. I found many areas and prejudices I used to believe vanish because of the clear and direct logic, and tell-it-like-it-is approach that made more sense to me than what I used to believe. This book opened my mind and turned around prejudices I used to have. It is the same prejudices that many people still have and fight over.

One thing is certain about this book; we do have one God who does not judge anyone. On page 134 God says, "All I can ever do is work through you. I am not physical as one being; I am physical inside of every being existing throughout the universe."

There are many topics discussed in this book. For each one God brings humanity the solutions for that topic. The solutions are a must for humanity!

"If God Was Like Man" is EXTRAORDINARY! This is one of the best books I've ever read.

Life on earth would be distinctly better for everyone if this book was read and applied by all. No matter what area of life has brought distress to humanity, it's all covered in a crystal clear manner for every side involved.

If God Was Like Man is one of the best solution oriented and mind opening books I've read. It's clear that the messages can only result in the most peaceful planet, where life on earth can actually be what it's meant to be. In short, If God Was Like Man is a gift to the human race.

God has things to say, Barbara Rose was one of the chosen vehicles to deliver the message. Once again her work is magnificent. A must read, a life-changing read, regardless of religious practice. God/our higher consciousness/ supreme power is non-denominational. When I first read this book, I was in awe! I thought, this is it, raw and to the point! This is all humanity needs to read, to hear, to understand and realize as truth! If each one of us would practice and live by this wisdom, our world would ONLY be filled with self-truth, self-love, inner and outer peace. Only love and joy would be in our lives. "If God Was Like Man" is about Unity, not You versus Me; it is about "All You Need Is Love", not love versus fear; it is about stabilizing our planet earth by meeting in the middle, not Left versus Right. It teaches us how clearing away all pre-conditioned judgment, accepting each other as equal and part of ourselves and God, there would be no right versus wrong, competition, greed, and hate. There would be no need for divide and conquer or forgiveness. Some of the most important subjects concerning our lives are covered. Any of my questionable beliefs that still existed, all vanished, and many of my perspectives changed too, after reading this book. "If God Was Like Man" is a true gift to all of us, humanity and beyond. You will want to read it at least twice!

I've read several other 'channeled' books and this is the first one I've read in which God is judgmental, shaming, crude and sarcastic.

'God' often scolds the reader with questions such as, "Why do you leave adult children alone when they are not mature?" When discussing honesty and using the example of a teen-age boy who wants sex, 'God' uses terminology like, "So he may have wanted to get laid." When discussing why prostitution should be legal, 'God' says, "I say to you: If you were to arrest every woman who remains with a man for financial profit when she is truly deceiving him in terms of her feelings, then nearly 80 percent of all women who share a bed with a man would be behind bars."

On some topics, 'God's' opinions seem nothing more than a convenient justification for Ms. Rose's shortcomings in life. On the subject of education, 'God' says that if students, "have no need to study a specific standardized area outside of their field, they should not be prevented from earning a degree..." 'God' goes on to say, "I bring this up because it is the reason Barbara does not have a degree."

In reality, this seems to be a book about Ms. Rose's opinions. Or, if she truly believes it was channeled in some way, perhaps she has another personality of whom she is unaware. In any case it hardly seems likely that the book was channeled from God. Perhaps that was the only way to sell it. Sad.

After reading this book and its sequel, and KP Yohanana from Gospel for asia, you will either be convicted of your sin of silence and insincerity of lost souls or you will not be. If you are the latter, you most likely are not a true follower of Christ. Besides the Bible, this is the most inspiration with motivation book I've ever read. Wake up american christians and stop working for the american dream, its nots Gods dream. I pray for revival in our churches!

Wow... I am almost at a loss for words. My first impression is shame. I am ashamed of myself for my comfortable life here in America. I pray that God will move me and use me as He has moved and used Brother Yun. Something tells me Jesus' return is NOT far away.

The book is a absolute page turner. Best of all it is NON-Fiction. It is so encouraging to me as a Christian in California, USA. So far removed from any real struggle, any real persecution. It is as if I am part of the Church of Laodicea, though I am rich, I am poor.

I had read a brief summary of the book before reading it, but I was not prepared for the impact it had on me. The punishment that Brother Yun had received in prision was beyond imagination, and yet he was able to praise the Lord for it. Many million were brought to Christ by the house churches which were established through his leadership. These groups are people who take the Gospel very seriously, and with their limited funds send out missionaries to other countries. His dedication is an example for the church at large today.

I recommend this book as an excellent example of the Lord's work all over the world. It will wake up a sleepy Western believer to see God's work in all the nations. The story is of Brother Yun and the various trials, persecutions, and signs and wonders that the Lord performed in his life as a leader of the house church movement in China from the early 1980s. It truly is hard to put down.

I think this book is really good. Its really well written and captivating. However, I'm hearing a lot of different opinions regarding the truthfulness of this story. So I'm not sure how much to believe. I guess I just need God to be my discernment on this one. But it is awesome to read about the Chinese culture and such.

I give this book 5 stars for a few reasons. One, it has a couple of subplots that make up the bigger plot, but they are not disjointed and then hastily tied together in the end. The subplots build carefully with interesting character development that make it interesting from the beginning even if you are not sure how they will tie together.

Two, the characters are very believable. I enjoy Christian fiction immensely if it is quality and the characters are believable, someone you could picture in real life. I have a hard time finding Christian fiction I enjoy because the characters seem canned and to be perfectly honest, corny. Francine Rivers however is able to develop interesting characters with characteristics and interaction you can find believable and that you can relate to. Hadassah can at times seem a little too "good", but you get to see the human side of her when her struggles and thoughts are described. And to be perfectly honest even if it is difficult to relate to her at times you see the impact she has on people and see something to aspire to.

The third reason I enjoyed it is because of the Christian principles and characteristics involved. Like I mentioned, Hadassah does seem a little too "good" at times, but you get to see her struggles and how she handles them. Struggles I find very believable and easily related to. Many other characters are able to be related to as well. The selfishness of Julia, the unwavering pursuit of money and pleasure by Marcus, the frustration and sadness of Phoebe and Decimus, and the judgment from the servants all make it able to be related to. I know that even as a Christian who is pursuing God, I still struggle with many of the same things that people who don't know God struggle with and this book shows clearly the logical conclusions that these characteristics take you to. Hands down one of the best Christian fiction books I have ever read.

This Book is not only an inspirational book but also a thought provoking book and a love story. You won't be able to read this one and not order the next two books that come with it.

From Jerusalem to Rome to Ephesus, travel with Hadassah, a young slave girl, as she clings to her faith in the face of the decadence of Rome in "A Voice on the Wind". As usual, Francine Rivers crafts a beautiful work of fiction full of poignant and thoughtful moments that touch the heart. There is also plenty of action as the author brilliantly draws the reader into the breathtaking locations of her tale. She brings Biblical characters to life beside her fictional creations in this wonderful novel. I highly recommend this novel and am proud to have it in my collection.

This book also contains a very helpful glossary of terms and an invaluable discussion guide for use with any reading group.

This book was recommended to me by multiple people and I found out why once I read it. It is my new favorite book, and Francine Rivers is definitely a new favorite author. Francine Rivers knows how to create an exciting story plot and bring you into it with vivid descriptions and believable characters.

Well written ... check.
Historical ... check.
Spiritual ... check.
Adventure ... check.
Romance ... check.
Characters you love ... check.
Characters you don't ... check.
Pondering when you set it down ... check.
Today's reality revealed ... check.
Lessons for life ... check.
Growth in your heart ... check.
Inexplicable deep meaning ... check.
Wish you read it earlier ... check.
A hunger for more ... check.

Bon Appetit!