The Runaway by Claire Wong (Book Review!)

The Runaway

by Claire Wong

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Fiction

Published by- Lion Fiction

Copyrighted- 2017

Number of pages- 304

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-1-78264-242-8

Rhiannon has decided to runaway to the Dyrys Woods near her Welsh village of Llandymna.  Shortly before she turns eighteen she leaves to make a new life.  Her aunt and the other villages wonder where she has gone.  They spend a lot of time lookin in the woods trying to find her, but they are unable to.  Rhiannon doesn’t like living alone, but she thinks of the stories that the village storyteller, Maebh, has told her and the other villagers for years.

While Rhiannon is away the village begins to unweave as Rhiannon’s disappearance causes tension to build and secrets begin to surface.  Who are the two strangers?  Why are the villagers so hard on each other?  How will they find Rhiannon?    

About the Author-

Claire Wong currently lives in Yorkshire where she shares inspiring stories through articles, press releases, and newsletters at her job in charity communications.  This is her first novel.

My thoughts-

I enjoyed reading The Runaway.  I could feel Claire Wong’s storytelling ability.  I was drawn into Rhiannon’s story and then that of the villagers.  I liked how Wong made ordinary lives seem extraodinary.  I could feel the power of Maebh’s storytelling and the daily and long time struggles of the people of the village.  It was like I was there and I could feel the magic.  There wasn’t any, but I could certainly feel it. 

This book wouldn’t have been the same if the point-of-view hadn’t changed back and forth between that of Rhiannon and the village.  It wouldn’t have had the depth and range that it did.  I was able to learn about, appreciate, and learn from all of the characters.

The end of the book had study questions and a short interview by Wong.  I learned that she likes some of the same books I do, like The Princess Bride and Winnie-the-Pooh.

I recommend reading this book.  I’m looking forward to reading more books by Wong.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Runaway, by Claire Wong, 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.

Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman (Book Review!)

Questioning Evangelism

Engaging People’s Hearts the Way Jesus Did

by Randy Newman

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Nonfiction / Religion / Christian Ministry / Evangelism

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2017

Number of pages- 270

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $17.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4428-9

Randy Newman has written a book about evangelism that follows the way Jesus talked with others.  Jesus didn’t force His opinions on others, He answered their questions with questions of His own.  That is what this second edition is all about, how we can do the same as He did. 

This book includes a new preface, study questions, numerous Bible verses, and different scenarios to help you become more comfortable with evangelism.     

About the Author-

Randy Newman has been a conference speaker and helps people discuss different faith issues.  He worked for over with Campus Crusade for Christ.  He is currently at The C. S. Lewis Institute as a senior teaching fellow for evangelism and apologetics.

My thoughts-

Part One of this book was hard for me to get into.  I could tell that Randy Newman put a lot of time and effort into writing, but I could have used more personal stories to make some of the chapters more memorable.

There were many parts that really equipped me to evangelize to certain people groups.  I previously had determined that I should be kind and always loving, but because of some scripted conversations and Bible verses I have a better idea about how to direct the conversation.  The study questions at the end of the book helped me discover more answers to questions that I or others could have. 

This book has helped begin to develop a new positive way to approach others when dealing with Christianity.  I hope you find this to be a good for you.     

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Questioning Evangelism, by Randy Newman, 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.