SONG OF REDEMPTION (CHRONICLES OF THE KINGS BOOK #2) (LYNN AUSTIN)

Story Description:

Baker Publishing Group | May 1, 2005 | Trade Paperback | ISBN 978-0-7642-2990-9 

As King Hezekiah embraces God’s Law, he leads his country into renewed prosperity.  But following the will of Yahweh is a perplexing process, requiring unpopular choices – for both his personal life and political career.  Now his archenemy’s demands for tribute are forcing Hezekiah into a precarious situation. 

Jerusha, a young Jewish woman far from home, has seen firsthand what the dreaded invaders are capable of doing.  As the powerful Assyrian army sweeps through the northern provinces, leaving little but devastation in its wake, Jerusha longs to escape.  Her desperate will to live could become a link to Jerusalem’s survival. 

With Assyria on the march, moving closer to the heart of Judah, Hezekiah’s decision to follow the everlasting One is about to face the ultimate test.  

My Review: 

King Hezekiah is the son of the now deceased King Ahaz who worshipped the idol Molech and offered his own sons as a sacrifice pushing them into his fiery mouth to their deaths.  Thankfully, Hezekiah had his grandfather Zechariah who taught him that the One and only God was Yahweh.  Yahweh means “the Lord”. 

King Hezekiah ruled Judah from 716 to 687 BC and was only twenty-five-years-old when he became King.  “After King Solomon’s death in 931 BC, the Promised Land split into two separate kingdoms.  Israel, the larger nation to the north, set up its capital in Samaria and was no longer governed by a descendant of King David.  In the southern nation of Judah, David’s royal line continued to rule from Jerusalem.” 

As the book opens King Hezekiah had walked down the hill from his palace to the Valley of Hinnom, and followed the path he had taken the night he was torn from his bed as a child to become a sacrifice to Molech.  It was hard for him to understand now how anyone could have worshipped the brass idol much less sacrifice their own child to it.  That horrible night his brothers had been sacrificed instead of him.  He remembered his brothers Eliab and Amariah as he watched the workers destroying it and remembered how his brothers had burned alive.  Although now toppled over, King Hezekiah knew there were still people who would choose to ignore the truth about Yahweh and continue to make sacrifices to Molech, only in secret.  He instructed Jonadab, his captain of the palace guards to warn his guards at the Valley Gate to watch the place after dark when people were most likely to sacrifice their children under the cover of darkness.  He wanted the idol “…smashed into pieces, melted down and weapons forged from it – swords, spears, arrowheads, and shields – then fill his armory with them” as he knew someday he would once again have an army and wanted Jonadab to lead them.  He promoted him to “General” Jonadab. 

King Hezekiah’s intentions were to turn his people back to Yahweh and away from all other idols.  He enlisted the help of his grandfather, Zechariah, to teach him how to pray, how to believe, how to love and how to trust totally in body, mind, and soul in Yahweh.  He wanted the people of Judah to experience all Yahweh’s promises and commands. 

His other intention was to stop paying exorbitant taxes to the Assyrians who were a ruthless and morbidly violent army of men.  Under his father’s reign he had entered into an agreement of protection from the Assyrians but it was literally bankrupting Judah.  Unsure of his decision to withhold the tribute to Assyria, he asked Zechariah if he was making the right decision for the right reasons.  Zechariah told King Hezekiah that trusting God was never a mistake.  God commands you not be afraid, so to be fearful is to doubt God, and that is a sin.  Yahweh never promises that life will be without problems but you are to meditate and pray on what He has promised and to allow that to be your strength. 

Jerusha, is a young Jewish woman who lives with her mother, Hodesh; father, Jerimoth; and younger sister, Maacah.  They are a poor family living on a small farm.  One horrible day the Assyrian’s storm through their community killing and maiming people in their wake.  The evil Iddina grabbed Jerusha and spirited her away on his horse and she was terrified at having been taken captive by these barbaric people.  Six days after the raid they reached their camp in the far north.  Jerusha was pushed in front of all the other men by Iddina who was proudly displaying her as his “trophy”.  These men seemed more animal than human and Jerusha was forced to become their prostitute.  She was raped over and over by many men and forced to cook for them.  She belonged to all of the men now.  Everything in Jerusha’s new world was oppressive and evil.  She watched as the men returned to camp with other captives whom they tortured.  She listened to the cries of human pain for death was a sport for the Assyrian’s.  It was a way of life for them and their god.  Her life became an unrelenting grind of slavery, preparing meals, and being used, abused, and raped by Iddina and his fellow officers at night. 

Now the Assyrian’s are on the march again and King Hezekiah is rallying to fortify the walls of his city and rerouting his water supply but knows the Assyrian’s NEVER lose.  Will his faith in Yahweh save his nation?  Will Jerusha ever escape or become one of the many slowly tortured until her death? 

I couldn’t put this book down and read it in one sitting.  I was completely entranced by this story and will be keeping it as part of my permanent collection.  I’m really looking forward to reading Book #3 ‘The Strength of His Hand.’  Pick this one up, you won’t be disappointed.



The Bicycle Factory

The Bicycle Factory: Help send 5000 bicycles to students in Africa at the Bicyclefactory.ca

Come on peope, PLEASE help me and others to build 5,000 bicycles for African children so they "ride" to school insteading of "walking".  It only takes 1 minute per day to build "5" bike parts and there are only "72" days left to participate.

PLEASE, won't YOU help this worthy cause?  It doesn't cost you one single cent, only one single minute of your time is necessary and it's fun.  Build bikes alone or gather a team and start building and most of all, have FUN!!!  I am.

The children of Africa thank YOU for your participation.

Cheers,
Louise

GODS AND KINGS – CHRONICLES OF THE KINGS BOOK # 1 (LYNN AUSTIN)

Story Description:

Baker Publishing Group | February 1, 2005 | E-Book | KOBO

Gods and Kings is the story of King Hezekiah, heir to the throne of King David.  When his evil father plots to sacrifice him, Hezekiah's mother, Abijah, searches frantically for a way to save him. But only two men can help her, and neither of them seems trustworthy.  In a time and place engulfed by violence, treachery, and infidelity to Yahweh, Abijah and her son must discover the one true Source of strength if they are to save themselves and their country. Book 1 of Chronicles of the Kings. 

My Review:

Gods and Kings is the best Biblical Historical Fiction novel I’ve read that follows the Bible closely.  It’s obvious that Ms. Austin has done her research well and has an intimate knowledge of the Bible and it comes to life on the pages before your very eyes.  I was hooked from the first page on. 

Bringing the Old Testament back to life was totally compelling and so well written that you were transposed into the book as a by-stander watching all the goings on.  In reality, on the one hand, what a frightening time to have lived in, but on the other hand what an experience the people of this era had.   

Lynn Austin is an extremely skilled author with the ability to take any story and make it totally understandable for even the most misguided reader.  After reading this first book in the Chronicles of the Kings Series, it will be much easier for you to turn to your Bible and read the story again with much greater understanding and appreciation.  The accuracy with which Ms. Austin writes is truly astounding and makes sometimes difficult reading easy to understand. 

There are five books in the series and I plan on getting them all. The second book is titled: “Song of Redemption” and I don’t want to miss a single one!  Kudos to you Ms. Austin.



THE QUEEN OF WATER: A TRUE STORY (LAURA RESAU AND MARIA VIRGINIA FARINANGO

Story Description: 

Born in an Andean village in Ecuador, Virginia lives with her large family in a small earthen-walled dwelling.  In her village of indigenas, it is not uncommon to work in the fields all day, even as a child, or to be called a longa tonta – stupid Indian – by members of the ruling class or mestizos, or Spanish descendants.  When seven-year-old Virginia is taken from her village to be a servant to a mestizo couple, she has no idea what the future holds. 

In this poignant novel based on a true story, acclaimed author Laura Resau has collaborated with Maria Virginia Farinango to recount one girls’ unforgettable journey to self-discovery.  Virginia’s story will speak to anyone who has ever struggled to find his or her place in the world.  It will make you laugh and cry, and ultimately, it will fill you with hope. 

My Review: 

Seven-year-old, Virginia lives in a small indigenous village in Ecuador with her mother and father; older sister, Matilde, twelve-years-old; Hermalinda, her younger sister; and Manuelito, her younger brother. 

Virginia is sent away to work as a servant for the people who own her father’s land.  The wife, the “Doctorita”, a dentist and her teacher husband, Nino Carlos have two boys: Jaimito and Andrecito.  Doctorita is a harsh and cruel woman often pummelling Virginia with beatings, slaps and punches and degrading her by calling her names. 

Virginia finds her new home is in one large room, with a giant wooden wardrobe dividing the living room for the bedroom, but Virginia is forced to sleep on a rug on the floor and she is given one box to put her clothing in. 

This isn’t the first time Virginia’s mother has given her away.  A couple of years prior, she gave her to an indigenous woman named Marta.  Marta wanted a little traveling companion when she sold her wares, so her mother offered Virginia to her.  Virginia had her own bed in that house, it was big, beautiful and fluffy and she was allowed to watch television something which she hadn’t seen before and she pealed with laughter at the antics of the cartoon characters.  But, it didn’t last, her mother returned the following morning to take her back home.  Virginia was disappointed, not only did she have television, a beautiful soft bed, but wonderful tasty food to eat instead of her mother’s every morning potato soup. 

Virginia had already realized that the Doctorita and her husband wouldn’t be treating her as well as Marta had so convinced herself that her mother would show up and retrieve her from this new horrid place.  She wasn’t even allowed to eat off their dishes and was instead given a gray metal plate, cup, and a dented spoon. 

Maria Virginia is told how to do the dishes correctly, right down to the precise numbers of soap drops she is to  use; how to make the beds and how many times to fold the sheet back.  She is told NOT to ever sit on their bed, not touch the television or stereo except to clean them.  She is not to sit on the red chairs or the sofa, she may not open the drawers in the dressers, she is not to let the Doctorita’s son, Jaimito touch anything dirty, she must change his diapers immediately the moment they are wet and she continues laying out rule after rule after rule.  Virginia is sure her own Mamita will arrive to get her just like the last time – but Mamita does not come. 

Virginia is washing diapers with a washboard but the poop stains won’t all come out of the material no matter how hard she scrubs so she hangs them on the line to dry anyway.  The Doctorita comes out screaming at Virginia and begins hitting her in the head her fists just pound her little head.  Pain sears through her but the woman continues to punch and slap until Virginia’s head is a ball of aching, screaming fire.  The Doctorita tells her to wash the diapers again and if they’re not clean then she will be forced to: “scrub them with your teeth and eat the caca right off of them!” 

This is the true story of a 7-year-old indigenous “child” who was forced into slavery in Ecuador.  Maria Virginia’s story although heartbreaking, is made utterly compelling in the capable hands of Laura Resau.  Virginia, from such a young age was forced to find her own way, educate herself, and learn the ways of the world on her own.  Through sheer determination and true grit she emerges into a well-educated woman with many accomplishments under her belt.  For a child of seven to have the strength and courage that Maria Virginia did to enable herself to suffer through years of torment and abuse is a testament to her ability to love herself and to want a better life for herself. 

The story was extremely well-written and I was hooked from the first page and believe a great deal of adults and teenagers will get a lot out of this story.  Very well done!



RADIO SHANGRI-LA: A MEMOIR (LISA NAPOLI)

Story Description:

Crown Publishing Group | February 8, 2011 | e-Book | KOBO

Lisa Napoli was in the grip of a crisis, dissatisfied with her life and her work as a radio journalist. When a chance encounter with a handsome stranger presented her with an opportunity to move halfway around the world, Lisa left behind cosmopolitan Los Angeles for a new adventure in the ancient Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan-said to be one of the happiest places on earth.

Long isolated from industrialization and just beginning to open its doors to the modern world, Bhutan is a deeply spiritual place, devoted to environmental conservation and committed to the happiness of its people-in fact Bhutan measures its success in Gross National Happiness rather than in GNP. In a country without a single traffic light, its citizens are believed to be among the most content in the world. To Lisa, it seemed to be a place that offered the opposite of her fast-paced life in the United States, where the noisy din of sound-bite news and cell phones dominate our days, and meaningful conversation is a rare commodity; where everyone is plugged in digitally, yet rarely connects with the people around them.

Thousands of miles away from everything and everyone she knows, Lisa creates a new community for herself. As she helps to start Bhutan's first youth-oriented radio station, Kuzoo FM, she must come to terms with her conflicting feelings about the impact of the medium on a country that had been shielded from its effects. Immersing herself in Bhutan's rapidly changing culture, Lisa realizes that her own perspective on life is changing as well-and that she is discovering the sense of purpose and joy that she has been yearning for.
In this smart, heartfelt, and beautifully written book, sure to please fans of transporting travel narratives and personal memoirs alike, Lisa Napoli discovers that the world is a beautiful and complicated place-and comes to appreciate her life for the adventure it is.   

My Review: 

In January of 2007, 43-year-old, Lisa Napoli, found herself trekking up a treacherous mountain in Bhutan to a place called “Takshang” built on a sheer cliff that soars ten thousand feel into the sky.  Lisa is in Bhutan for the summer volunteering at a radio station called Kuzoo Fm. 

The Bhutanese people are very hearty in many ways.  They live off the land as farmers which is a hard life. 

Trekking up the mountain, Lisa is huffing and puffing against the high altitude and the intensity of the climb.  The interesting thing is that children are brought there from the time they are babies, so you often see slight and frail seniors navigating the twists and turns and inclines deftly from memory, in a fraction of the time it takes foreigners half their age.  At the top is a cluster of temples of which the most sacred of altar rooms is only open to the public once per year. 

It is believed that meditating for just one minute at Takshang will bring you exponentially greater blessings than meditating for a month at any other sacred site.  What Takshang promises to all who visit is cleansing and renewal.   

The Bhutanese follow Buddhism and believe the long revered Guru Rinpoche is the Second Buddha.  Lisa says “this is the story of my mid-life crises and how I wrestled with and then transcended it...” 

Over a couple of years, Lisa befriended some wonderful people from the Bhutanese people and returned to Bhutan on three different occasions. 

I found the book to be extremely interesting as very, very little is known about this closed and secluded country.  I would definitely recommend this book to others who have penchant to learn about new places that are literally unheard of or where very little is known about the country and its people. 



HEAVEN IS HERE: A MEMOIR (STEPHANIE NIELSON)

Story Description: 

Hyperion | March 26, 2012 | e-BOOK | KOBO 

When Stephanie and her husband, Christian, are in a horrific plane crash in 2008 – he was burned over 40 per cent of his body; she over 80 percent and wasn’t expected to live – they needed the strength of their family and friends their faith and their love for one another, more than ever.  In the aftermath of harrowing tragedy Stephanie has maintained a stunning sense of humor, optimism, and resilience – a strength of spirit that infuses her daily blog posts at nieniedialogues.com, which currently averages four million visitors per month.  

Riveting and uplifting, HEAVEN IS HERE offers a gripping account of the crash and the aftermath.  With her trademark wit and good cheer, Stephanie will share the wisdom and insights she’s gleaned in the wake of her near-death experience and offers readers inspiration for how they too can find the best in themselves and embrace the joy and beauty of the journey, no matter what life throws at them.  In the vein of THE MIDDLE PLACE, SAVING GRACES AND HERE IF YOU NEED ME, Stephanie’s book will be a moving and poignant reminder of how faith and family, love and community can bolster us, sustain us, and quite literally in some cases, save us. 

My Review: 

Stephanie and Christian lived in Mesa, Arizona.  They had four children together: Claire, 6; Jane, 5; Oliver, 3; and Nicholas, 20 months and were married eight years when Christian learned to fly. 

A year and a half before, Stephanie had given Christian a helicopter flight over Scottsdale, Arizona as a surprise for his 28^th birthday.  Christian had always dreamed of flying so she knew he would be super excited about her gift.  “Near the end of that flight, the pilot gave Christian the stick.  He came out of the helicopter a new man.”  Christian couldn’t stop talking about the flight and how exciting and freeing it was and “how alive” he felt in the air.  A year later he was interviewing flight instructors and found Doug Kinneard who was a retired air force major and a trained fighter pilot and he was also Christian’s co-worker at Boeing. 

On August 16, 2008 not long after Christian received his pilot’s licence, they kissed their four children good-bye and told them they’d be home in a few hours.  Christian and Stephanie were going to fly Doug to Christian’s great-grandfather’s farm in Bluewater.  After touring the farm and refuelling the plane on the way back, the plane went down and crashed. 

Stephanie tells the story of her and Christian’s recoveries.  The emotional pain was equal to the physical pain but their deep faith helped them through some rough times. 

My own son was burned over 50% of his body in 2006 in a fire and explosion so this story really resonated with me.  I knew of the excruciating pain Stephanie endured during dressing changes and the pain of debridement.  I watched my then, 16-year-old son, scream as nurses carefully dressed one finger at a time, one hand at a time, one leg at a time, and the pain I felt as his mother was truly overpowering. 

Stephanie’s immense faith in her God is what has and continues to pull her through this horrific period in her life.  I promise that when you’ve read this book, you will appreciate yourself, your life, your husband, your family, and your friends a lot more.  Stephanie’s courage and strength in the face of extreme adversity is truly awe-inspiring.  I wish nothing but the best for you Stephanie as you continue to heal.  You are one brave and courageous woman, a true survivor.



THE BUDDHA IN THE ATTIC (JULIE OTSUKA)

Story Description: 

Winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction

National Book Award and Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist

A New York Time Notable Book 

A gorgeous novel by the celebrated author of When the Emperor Was Divine that tells the story of young women brought from Japan to San Francisco as “picture brides” nearly a century ago.  In eight unforgettable sections, The Buddha in the Attic traces the extraordinary lives of these women, from their arduous journeys by boat, to their arrival in San Francisco and their tremulous first nights as new wives; from their experiences raising children who would later reject their culture and language, to the deracinating arrival of war.  Once again, Julie Otsuka has written a spellbinding novel about identity and loyalty, and what it means to be an American in uncertain times. 

My Review: 

A group of young women from Japan are on a boat headed for San Francisco to meet their new husbands.  They are picture brides, arranged marriages by a matchmaker  Little did they know that the photo’s they had been sent in Japan were 20 years old and the beautifully written letters they received from their new “American husbands” weren’t from them at all.  They were from people hired to write the letters that were full of promises but all lies.  The men were not teachers, bankers and other career men but instead simple roaming farm hands. 

The first night they were met at the boat, their new husbands walked them gently and carefully until under the cover of darkness in hotel rooms were the sexual contact was rough, painful, and indecent.  Their hopes and dreams for a better life in America were soon dashed. 

The women were living in labour camps in the hot dusty hills of Sacramento, the Imperial, and the San Joaquin and worked side-by-side with their new husbands.  The women worked the land, picked grapes, pulled weeds, picked strawberries, dug up potatoes, and sorted green beans.  When winter came they bundled up their clothing and waited for the next wagon and traveled on. 

If their husbands had told them the truth in their letters that they were not silk traders and teachers that did not live in many roomed houses but tents and in barns and outdoors in fields, they never would have come.  

They eventually knuckled down and did the best they could, eventually garnering jobs that were a bit better working in people’s homes.  Soon the war would break out and things were about to drastically change. 

An excellent novel!!