Old Fiction

I must admit, if a novel is more than a few years old, I probably won't pick it up to read unless it's one that was really popular and recommended.

Several weeks ago, I found a copy of Francine Rivers' As Sure as the Dawn (Mark of the Lion series), first published in 1995 in a library sale. If you're an avid reader of Christian fiction, you know how it has changed in the ensuing years as well as the publishing industry.

I've heard Rivers is an excellent storyteller as well as an impeccable researcher. Redeeming Love is probably her most well-known--all of my friends rave about it. No, I haven't read it yet. I know, I know, please don't start with the accusations. It's just that I don't like romance unless it's done right and the only other book I've read that's remotely close in nature to that one is Kay Arthur's Israel, My Beloved (I did like that one.) So, give me more time. :)

Anyway, back to As Sure as the Dawn. It's the third (and I think final) book in the series. I did not read the earlier books, and now I'm conflicted on whether to read them or not. Why? Keep reading.

This book is a story of standing up for Christ, being a witness, loving people into the kingdom, and much more. Atretes, the gladiator from the previous books, has bought/won his freedom and now lives in his own villa. He has been betrayed by his lover, Julia, who no longer wants to marry him and has, as far as Atretes knows, thrown their baby son into the sea to die.

He finds the boy in the care of one of John the Beloved's followers, an Ionian named Rizpah. The rest is a story of how she leads Atretes to Christ and they take the gospel back to his homeland of Germania.

I find no fault with the story line. It seems historically accurate and the characters leap off the page in their realness. For some, it may seem very preachy. Sometimes this bothers me, but not here. I found it inspiring and very moving.

Now for the downside. And this is, I think, the only downside I can find--the POV. Rivers uses 3rd omnicient POV, head-hopping from one line of dialogue to another. You never quite know whose thoughts you will be hearing. She usually pairs thoughts with whoever is speaking, but it's not a hard and fast rule. For someone like me who has mostly read deep/close 3rd person POV for years now (one person's POV at a time per scene), and been told that this type of writing is not appropriate or viable in the market anymore, it was something I could not get used to. It plagued me at every paragraph. The characters were developed well, but I could never really get into their heads because in one line someone would be thinking something and in the next, another person would be doing the same thing. It was like watching a ping-pong match, but more frustrating. She writes like a narrator is telling us the story, and whatever that narrator sees is happening, even if it's the way someone feels or what he/she thinks, it is written in that way, not from the person's sole POV.

Here's an example of what I mean with the omniscient POV(This scene is between Atretes and Rizpah--we see into both of their minds multiple times):

(Atretes speaking)"Give him to me, or by the gods, I will take him from you by force!"

Caleb awakened and began to cry softly. Rizpah felt his small fists pressing against her breasts. Eyes filled with tears, she looked up at Atretes and knew he would do exactly as he threatened. She could not risk Caleb being harmed. Loosening her shawl, she held Caleb out to him. The baby cried harder, his small arms flailing. Her milk came, increasing her anguish. "He's hungry."

Atretes hesitated. His son looked small and fragile. He looked at Rizpah and saw her anguish. Tears poured silently down her cheeks. Face rigid, he reached out and took his son. The infant cried harder. (The previous paragraph was in Rizpah's POV. We now see what Atretes is seeing. It's considered "telling" when words like "knew" and "looked" are used in 3rd close POV.)

Rizpah crossed her arms over her heart. She looked up at him. "Please, Atretes, don't do this." Never had he seen such a look of anguish on a woman's face. (See, you think you're going to be in Rizpah's head, but at the end of the sentence, you see that you're not.)

"Get out," he said hoarsely.

"Please--"

"Get out!" he shouted, and the baby began to scream.

Uttering a sob, Rizpah turned away.

"Don't forget this," he said and kicked the pouch of money after her.

She swung around at the door. Picking up the pouch, she flung it into the fountain, glaring at him through her tears. "May God forgive you, for I cannot!" With one last look at the child, she fled, sobbing.

Atretes strode over and watched her rundown the steps and across the courtyard. He kicked the door shut before she reached the gate. (from Atretes' view again)

~~

I'm told that this sort of writing would never get published these days. So I guess it's good Rivers got this in when she could. Those of us writing now can't get away with it anymore.

Set Apart Blog Tour

Because Living IN this World Doesn't Mean Living LIKE the World

I'm excited about this bible study. I heard Jennifer speak at my church about 11 or 12 years ago, and she made a big impression on me with her unique perspective on prayer. So much wisdom in this woman. She has a lot of good things to teach us about prayer, and after a cursory look at this study, I'm positive that she has much more to say about the Christian life. I've already decided to recommend this study to a women's group that I'm in--they need a new book to go through and I think this one might be the ticket. It is theologically sound, informative, unique, and not too lengthy. Perfect for a small group to tackle.

I'm happy for the opportunity to promote it.

About the Author:

Jennifer Kennedy Dean is Executive director of The Praying Life Foundation and a respected author and speaker. She is the author of numerous books, studies, and magazine articles specializing in prayer and spiritual formation. Her book Heart’s Cry has been named National Day of Prayer’s signature book. You’ll find articles and daily quotes from Jennifer at the National Day of Prayer website. Her book, Live a Praying Life, has been called a flagship work on prayer.

Jennifer was widowed in 2005 after 26 years of marriage to Wayne Dean, her partner both in life and ministry. They are the parents of three grown sons. Jennifer makes her home in Marion, KY.

About the Book:

(Marion, Kentucky) - In a world of self-love and materialism it's reassuring to know that God's Word has a better plan for living. Renowned author and speaker, Jennifer Kennedy Dean, provides insight to the life of Christ, specifically the Sermon on the Mount, in her new book, Set Apart: A 6 Week Study of the Beatitudes.

Through careful study of the Hebrew traditions of biblical times, Dean leads participants into a deeper awareness of this early ministry sermon series by Christ.

Jennifer guides readers to a heightened understanding of each beatitude, correlating the Ten Commandments with the Sermon on the Mount to tie these Old and New Testament principles together. Dean shares how living the Set Apart Life is an exciting and life-changing spiritual journey. Participants surrendered to Christ will see a total transformation: outward actions of holiness as well as inward attitudes of joy. Believers following along in this workbook will experience the life God intends. This blessedness comes from seeking and knowing God. Anything outside the realm of Jesus Christ results in emptiness--the ultimate opposite of blessing.

Each chapter includes interactive questions for readers to answer, emphasizing God's desire to reproduce the character and attitudes of Jesus in each Christian's life. Along with the Bible study book, there is a Leader Kit that includes six DVD sessions and a CD with bonus material for small-group leaders. Jennifer's website, www.prayinglife.org, provides opportunities for previewing the Set Apart materials and extra resources for pastors and leaders.


Click here for an introductory video to the study.


An Interview with Jennifer Kennedy Dean

You are known for your extensive research and your fresh insights. Do you have a method for gleaning new concepts?

Of course, the truths are not new, but I think I sometimes am able to frame old truths in new ways. I always find that when I put the words of Jesus into their original Hebraic setting and experience the scene through the viewpoint of His real-time audience, some new little fragment of truth finds its way into my thinking. I like to let the Scripture breathe. To let it sit in my heart until its full aroma has time to emerge. There's the hard-core research, and then there's the marinating. Turn your imagination loose and unfurl your curiosity, and listen to the living Word.

You have a series of Bible studies in the format of Set Apart, designed to be interactive. This series of studies has video series and leader's kits available. What is the advantage to this kind of format?

I try to produce a new Bible study with video series every year. I like the interactive format because I like to pull the reader into the Scripture to experience the Word. I like to challenge the reader to interact with the thoughts and ideas and to take the time to absorb them and apply them, rather than just to read. The other thing I like about this format is that it can be done by an individual, or as a group. In the video series, I like to be able to teach the main points of the material and set the learners' up for a productive week of personal study. I love feeling like I get to be part of your Bible study group! The kits have lots of other resources for leading a small group in the study.

Several of your studies have theme songs that go with them, as Set Apart does. How do these songs come about?

I have developed a song-writing relationship with a talented musician named Roxanne Lingle. I write poems, we turn them into lyrics, Roxanne composes and arranges the music, and Roxanne records the songs. For Set Apart, we have the theme song in the form of a music video, which is a new addition. In the leader's kit you have the audio track, accompaniment track, lead sheet, and the music video. The theme song becomes an important and worshipful part of the study experience.

The Music Video


Adapted from Set Apart by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

"I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:9-10).

My weakness is my greatest asset in the Kingdom. My weakness is where God meets me. My weakness is where Christ's power is most clearly displayed in me. Only when I am confronted with my own helplessness can I experience the power of Christ in me.

"Your helplessness is your best prayer. It calls from your heart to the heart of God with greater effect than all your uttered pleas. He hears it from the very moment that you are seized with helplessness, and He becomes actively engaged at once in hearing and answering the prayer of your helplessness." (O. Hallesby, Prayer)

I recently had the tiniest glimpse of how powerfully helplessness speaks. A few years ago, I lost my husband to brain cancer. During the final months of his illness, he became utterly helpless. The man I had leaned on for 26 years, whose strength I counted on, was now dependent upon me for his every need. During those weeks, my ear was tuned to his every sigh, his every restless movement, every change in his breathing pattern. If I had to be out of his room for even a few minutes, I had a monitor with me so I could hear him if he needed me. When he was strong, I was not so attentive. His needs did not fill my waking moments, when he could meet them himself. His helplessness spoke louder than any word he might have spoken. Because of his helplessness--because I knew he could do nothing on his own--I was on watch day and night.

My experience is but a pale shadow of the reality of the Kingdom, but still it helps me understand how my weakness is the opening for His strength. The fact of my helplessness is the only prayer I need. It speaks louder than eloquence.

Let your helplessness and your weakness be the offering you bring to Him. He is not waiting for you to be strong. He is waiting for you to recognize that you are weak.


GRAND PRIZE DRAWING

Please leave a comment to be entered in a drawing to win the following items from Jennifer. If you are a leader (small groups, book club, Bible Study, Women's Ministry), please note that you are--you will automatically be entered in the contest. If you are a member of one of these groups at your church or community, mention that you are a group member.

You will be entered to win:

A Set Apart Leader's Kit (video and leader resources and a student book) retail $79.99

A copy of Fueled by Faith (retail $19.99)

Jennifer will have a live web event just for your group.


THIS BLOG TOUR COORDINATED BY KATHY CARLTON WILLIS COMMUNICATIONS. A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF THE BOOK, SET APART, WAS GIFTED TO ME IN EXCHANGE FOR RUNNING THIS TOUR ON MY BLOG.

Something I Don't Normally Do...

My focus here is usually the reading, writing, reviewing, and promoting of Christian (or if you wish, biblical worldview) fiction. However, now and then I'll read a book from the general market. Some contemporary novelists I enjoy include John Grisham, Dean Koontz, Sue Grafton and James Patterson.

My latest foray into this realm came last week with my discovery of Koontz' Relentless. Some reviewers say Koontz is stuck in a rut--that all of his characters sound the same and his plots are overused. I don't agree. While Relentless wasn't his best, in my opinion, it certainly ranked somewhere near the Odd Thomas novels, which are my favorite of his.

Some things I like about Koontz:

1. His villains are always completely evil. (Perhaps there is an exception I can't remember. Feel free to comment and enlighten me.)
2. His heroes are normal people who somehow cross a bad guys' path, and as a consequence must fight for their lives. In other words, they are not public figures, especially talented, or have anything too remarkable about them.
3. The characters are quirky. He uses characters who are autistic, geniuses, have a specific medical problem, see dead people, have a dog or a kid with a special gift, etc.
4. There is always laughter. The dialogue is dry and witty. Always.
5. There is love. He portrays strong family relationships and shows family fighting for each other at all costs.

He also frequently uses dogs that are extraordinary, and though interesting, isn't really one of my favorite things about his novels.

So, for the something I don't normally do. I will recommend Relentless. It's a little graphic in spots, but I think the positives far outweigh the negatives. It's engaging, funny, and inspiring. And the good guy wins. :)

CSFF Tour this week: Haunt of Jackals, by Eric Wilson

My review:


This novel, second in the Jerusalem’s Undead series, continues the story of Gina Lazarescu, a special lady who is more than what she seems. She must hide from the Collectors—immortal spirits who inhabit the bodies of the dead in order to wreak havoc on humanity—partially by finding and killing the Nistarim, the Concealed Ones, who carry the world’s cares on their shoulders and aid Those Who Resist.

Cal Nichols, one of the original Nistarim and Gina’s father, works to keep not only Gina safe, but also Dov Amit, a young boy on the side of good. One of the orphans in Gina’s care, Pavel, shows signs of being a Concealed One. They must both escape to America in order to stay under the Collectors’ radar. Throughout the book, Gina and Cal fight Collectors and banish the blood-drinkers forever to torment.

Wilson is in his element in his treatment of themes, fleshing out ideas such as: God uses ordinary people, love covers a multitude of sins, evil may be unseen and yet deadly, things happen for a reason, and there is strength in numbers (two are better than one). True to form, Wilson brings many historical elements into play, such as the Dracula legend, Nazi programs, and Russian czars.

From Italy to Romania to Israel to Germany to China to the Pacific Northwest, the scope of this tale just keeps growing. The Collectors are everywhere, but so are Those Who Resist, and the Nazarene blood will prevail.

Usually, the first book in a series is the best--sometimes the second story in a trilogy loses something and wanders a bit without satisfying resolution. Not so with Haunt of Jackals. Everything is in full swing here and the action doesn’t let up. We are let in on more secrets, such as finding out who the mysterious journaler is and more about Cal’s past. All told I found Haunt to be even better than Field of Blood, and I didn’t know how that would be possible. I eagerly anticipate the release of Valley of Bones next year.

Learn more about Eric's writing here:
Eric's Website
Jerusalem's Undead trilogy site

Buy the book here:
Book Link

And finally, here are our other tour participants' links:

Brandon Barr
Wayne Thomas Batson
Jennifer Bogart
Justin Boyer
Keanan Brand
Amy Browning
Karri Compton
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Beth Goddard
Todd Michael Greene
Timothy Hicks
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Julie
Carol Keen
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika
Nissa
John W. Otte
James Somers
Speculative Faith
Rachel Starr Thomson
Robert Treskillard
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Jill Williamson
KM Wilsher

May I recommend...

This is my second Bug Man novel, and I'm wishing I had caught all of Downs' books in order. I've read some dry humor in my day, but Nick's dialogue had me frequently bursting into laughter. The other night I actually got in trouble because I was up late reading and my husband was asleep next to me--"was" being the operative word. I literally had to stop reading because I couldn't silence my chuckles. I blame Nick.

Lest anyone think it's only a funny book, fret not. It's got a great plot, great characters, and a few serious as well as dangerous parts. Definitely suspenseful and definitely a must-read.