Only with Blood by Therese Down (Book Review)

Only with Blood

By Therese Down

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Fiction / Christian / Historical

Published by- Lion Fiction

Copyrighted- 2015

Number of pages- 313

Age Group- Adult 

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-78264-135-3

Jack Flynn.  Caitlin Spillane.  Donal Kelly.

Their lives are about to connect in Only with Blood, by Therese Down.

Jack Flynn lives in Tipperary in the new Republic of Ireland.  He is a farmer, who is dying of tuberculosis, and he wants a wife who can give him a son.

Caitlin Spillane is a high school student who is going to be forced by her father to marry Jack.  She will do it, but at what cost to her?

Donal Kelly is an IRA activist, who has fallen in love with Caitlin.  He wants to save her from her circumstances.

What will happen in their lives?  How many people will be affected by their actions?

Read an excerpt.

About the Author-

Therese Down currently works as the Head of English in a High School in England.  She currently lives in Worcestershire and has been teaching English Literature and Language for over 20 years.

My thoughts-

Only with Blood was an interesting read. 

I liked learning more about Ireland in the 1940's, when there was a lot of political turmoil.  The historical aspect was interesting, but I was captivated with the people, Jack Flynn, Caitlin and her family, and the outsider, Donal Kelly. 

Jack and Caitlin get married, but their age difference is so great (Caitlin is still at the local school) that they really don't have a marriage.  They are able to have a working relationship, which is important, because Jack is dying of tuberculosis.  I am sure the relationship would have been different if he had not been so sick.  I don't think that Donal helped their relationship or a chance of a relationship, because he wanted Caitlin.

Therese Down did a good job of evenly adding the political turmoil and Jack and Caitlin's relationship.  When I was reading a chapter about politics, I wanted to learn more about Caitlin and Jack, and vice versa.

I was surprised by the ending.  I can't tell you what it was, but Jack became my favorite character, even though he purchased Caitlin from her father.  I recommend this book to those who like history and family.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Only with Blood, by Therese Down, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Bible Stories Gone Crazy! by Josh Edwards and illustrated by Emiliano Migliardo (Book Review!)

Bible Stories Gone Crazy!

By Josh Edwards

Illustrated by Emiliano Migliardo

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- Christian / Children / Bible Stories

Published by- Candle Books

Copyrighted- 2015

Number of pages- 24

Age Group- Young Children (ages 3 and up)

Description of book- Hardback, ISBN 978-1-78128-190-1, $10.99

 

This book contains Bible stories that have crazy illustrations and good questions!  For example, did Noah have lots of constructions workers helping him build the ark?

There are also illustrations with Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel, Jonah, and Jesus.  Each story lists the verses in the Bible, so everyone can learn the true story.    

About the Author-

Josh Edwards currently lives in London and has three children.  He has written different Bible stories and activity books for children.  He has experience as an artist and teacher.

About the Illustrator-

Emiliano Migliardo has been illustrating for many years.  As a young child he knew that illustrating was in his future.

My thoughts-

I think the illustrations in this book are very clever and can provide a lot of entertainment for young children.  I think it would be perfect for those times when a child needs to be quiet, like church or even the vehicle. 

My son and I were not sure of the answers for a couple of the questions.  I would have liked an answer key in the back of the book or available on a website. 

I am glad that the Bible verses were listed.  It would have been neat to see the actual verses listed in the story, so the children would have instant access to the true story.

This book would be perfect for any child, who likes to have fun with books, and learn too.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Bible Stories Gone Crazy!, by Josh Edwards and illustrated by Emiliano Migliardo, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist by Andy Bannister (Book Review!)

The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist Or: the Dreadful Consequences of Bad Arguments

By Andy Bannister

(received in exchange for an honest review)

 

Genre- nonfiction / Christian

Published by- Monarch Books (Lion Hudson)

Copyrighted- 2015

Number of pages- 238

Age Group- Adult 

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-0-85721-610-6

Dr. Andy Bannister uses humor and thought provoking statements to unravel many arguments that atheists say.

Atheism is becoming more popular these days with movies, best-selling books, and other forms of advertisements. 

This book along with careful study will help readers to learn more about atheism.

Read an excerpt.

About the Author-

Andy Bannister currently lives in Toronto with his family.  He enjoys mountain climbing, hiking, and taking photos.  He is the Director of RZIM Canada.  He speaks all over the world to people about faith, culture, society, and politics.  He has a PhD in Islamic Studies.

My thoughts-

I liked how Dr. Bannister used humor in The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist to get his point across.  I feel that the use of humor will help draw skeptics in, because there will be more for them to relate to.  The title of the book and the different chapter titles, like “Aim for That Haystack,”  help draw people in as well.  They will want to know what haystacks have to do with “Why Psychological Arguments Against Religion Fails.”

He uses a lot of different quotes from different well-known atheists, such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens.  He takes those quotes and proceeds to deconstruct them to show how they cannot be true.

There are great lists of books for further reading at the end of each chapter.  I think it would have been nice if there was a master list at the end of the book.  I also would have liked to have been able to read a brief summary at the end of each chapter.  I would have enjoyed learning what Dr. Bannister felt were his main points.

This book can be used as a tool to help talk with atheists.  I recommend that no matter what you believe that you should read this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist, by Andy Bannister, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.