Book Review: “Love’s Awakening” by Laura Frantz
September 28, 2013 at 5:41 pm | Posted in Books | 1 CommentTags: Book Review, Christian Fiction, Romance Fiction
Laura Frantz in her new book, “
Love’s Awakening” Book Two in The Ballantyne Legacy published by Revell brings us into the life of Ellie Ballantyne.
From the back cover: The path to true love lies somewhere between two feuding families
In the spring of 1822, Ellie Ballantyne leaves finishing school and returns to the family home in Pittsburgh only to find that her parents are away on a long journey and her siblings don’t seem to want her to stay. Determined to stand her ground and find her place in the world, Ellie fills her time by opening a day school for young ladies.
But when one of her students turns out to be an incorrigible young member of the Turlock family, Ellie knows she must walk a fine line. Slaveholders and whiskey magnates, the Turlocks are envious of the powerful Ballantynes and suspicious of their abolitionist leanings. As Ellie becomes increasingly entangled with the rival clan–particularly the handsome Jack Turlock–she finds herself falling in love with an impossible future. Will she betray her family and side with the enemy?
Masterful storyteller Laura Frantz continues to unfold the stirring saga of the Ballantyne family in this majestic tale of love and loyalty. This is the Ballantyne Legacy.
“Love’s Awakening” is all about family. Or more accurately family versus family. In this case it is the Ballanatynes versus the Turlocks. The Ballantyne’s are abolitionists and are saving slaves, helping them get to freedom, the Turlocks are slaveholders and make whiskey. It is in this environment that Ellie falls in love with Jack. “Love’s Awakening” has a “Romeo and Juliet” feel to it as Ms. Frantz explores the conflict between the two families as well as the institution of slavery. Ellie and Jack are such interesting characters and the story draws you deep into it. In “Love’s Awakening” Ms. Frantz has woven in history, romance and grand adventure all in one story.
You can find “Love’s Awakening” at a discount at http://www.deepershopping.com/item/frantz-laura/loves-awakening-ballantyne-legacy-v2-sep/5435301.html
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
“Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
Book Review: “Music For Your Heart” by Ace Collins
September 27, 2013 at 6:13 pm | Posted in Books | Leave a commentTags: Ace Collins, Book Review, Non-Fiction
Ace Collins in his new book, “
Music For Your Heart” published by Abingdon Press gives us Reflections from Your Favorite Songs .
From the back cover: The stories behind the songs that stick in your mind and warm your heart
Did you know that the classic song “Over The Rainbow” was almost cut from the final edit of “The Wizard Of Oz”? Julia Ward Howe’s “Battle Hymn Of The Republic”, a song Abraham Lincoln called the most uplifting composition he had ever heard, was adapted from a depressing ballad frequently chanted by Civil War soldiers trudging home from battle. “Tie A Yellow Ribbon”, which has become a patriotic anthem for military families, originally told the story of a wife’s longing for her husband to return from prison, not war.
Master storyteller and bestselling author Ace Collins takes you behind the lyrics and the notes to show you people, places and events that brought these songs into being. As you journey through faith, pop culture and history, you’ll cross paths with Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney, The Beach Boys, Simon and Garfunkel and others. Their stories inspire stirring reflections on more than eighty of your adored classics, holiday carols, love songs and old-time hymns—songs that have come to mean so much to you and now will mean so much more.
Ace Collins takes us on a journey through eighty-seven songs that we sing from old movies and radio hits. Each song has a verse before Mr. Collins begins that song’s history. The stories tell us of the men and women who brought these wonderful songs to us and the story behind them. Some of these songs were birthed in great pain and sorrow and when we read these stories we are filled with a sense of awe of just how great a God we serve. Why? Because God tells us He sings over us so music is a vital part of any person’s life especially when it can bring us closer to Him. I recommend reading this book slowly enjoying each story as Mr. Collins explains it. I think it increases the sense of wonder in each story that way.
“Music For Your Heart” is a delightful gift to give to others to help them get a new sense of music n their lives. It helps to go back to our roots and fill our lungs with the songs that changed lives. I recommend it highly for everyone.
You can find “Music For Your Heart” at a discount at http://www.deepershopping.com/item/collins-ace/music-for-your-heart-sep/4905450.html
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Bible Commentary: “The Hope Of His Calling”
September 28, 2013 at 5:11 pm | Posted in Bible Commentary | Leave a commentTags: Bible Commentary, The Bible
“
that you may know what is the hope of His calling” (Ephesians 1:18 NKJV)
Paul told the Ephesians that he prayed for them and now he mentions the third of what he prays for them. First Paul prayed that they would have
wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, and then he prayed that with this knowledge their understanding would be enlightened. Now he prays that with this knowledge and understanding they would know and understand the hope of the calling of God.
Hope is one of the three main elements of Christian character, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV). Hope is something we can grow, “and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:4 NKJV). Hope is never disappointing and something we rejoice in, “and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2 NKJV), “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5 NKJV). The Dictionary defines “hope” as, “The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God’s help”. When we have a “hope” we have something to look forward to with confidence or expectation. So what Paul is praying for is that we would know what is the hope or the future desire that we long for with confidence and expectation. Jesus is the object of our hope and the center of our confidence and expectation, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3 NKJV). Paul tells us we are, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13 NKJV) and “that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7 NKJV).
Now that we know what hope is and who our hope is Paul wants us to know God’s calling, “that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12 NKJV). We have been called by God, hand picked, especially chosen by Him, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit” (John 15:16 NKJV). “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1 NKJV)!
Child of God – Our hope is always in God because our relationship with Him is built upon love and trust. We know that He will never leave us nor forsake us so we rest in His faithfulness. We rejoice in the honor that we have been given in being called by God according to His purposes and we look forward to the day when our ultimate hope will be revealed when Jesus comes back for us and take us to the eternal glory of the Father in heaven. Until then let us say like Paul, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 KJV).
Our prayer:
Lord, thank you for that blessed hope we have in you. We know that the present sorrows and cares of this world are but a passing by journey. But there is going to be a glorious day when we are going to see you like you are, face to face and we are going to be in your Holy presence forever and ever. Amen.
If you want to have a personal relationship with Jesus as your Lord and Savior pray: “Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that out of love for me you willingly sacrificed your life so that I may live. I repent of all my sins and open my heart to you as my Lord and Savior. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer for the first time or if you have any questions please contact us. We would love to hear from you.