A Draw of Kings by Patrick Carr (Review)

A Draw of Kings (Book 3 of The Staff and the Sword Series)

by Patrick W. Carr

(I received this book for review purposes.)

 

Genre- Fantasy

Publisher- Bethany House

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 464

Age Group- Older Teen and Adult

Description of book- Paperback, $14.99, ISBN: 978-0-7642-1045-7 

In the last book, A Draw of Kings, in The Staff and the Sword series, by Patrick Carr, the battle between good and evil has truly begun.

The king has passed away and now Duke Weir is acting ruler.  He plans to marry Adora.  Errol and the others have different plans, there is one big problem.  They have been imprisoned by the Duke.

There is still no rightful heir, the country of Illustra is on the verge of a civil war, and the barrier has fallen.  What will happen to Illustra and its citizens?  Will Errol be freed?  Who will become king?

My thoughts:

I am always sad when a good series comes to an end.  I really enjoyed A Draw of Kings, by Patrick W. Carr, the last book in The Staff and the Sword series.

There were so many twists and turns.  I was not sure who was going to win or who was going to be the new king.  I could not make up my mind whether to root for Errol or Liam.  They were both people who would have made a good king.  I must say though, I was very surprised by the ending.

The one thing I would change about this book is that there was no description of the previous books, A Cast of Stones and The Hero’s Lot.  I always like to catch up when I begin the next book in the series.

I highly recommend A Draw of Kings to all older teens and adults.  Please buy a copy today and tell your local library if you like the book. 

Informational and Purchasing Links:

A Draw of Kings -  http://www.amazon.com/Draw-Kings-Staff-Sword-Patrick/dp/0764210459/

Author Website - http://patrickwcarr.com/

Participants’ links:

• Gillian Adams
• Jennifer Bogart
• Keanan Brand
• Beckie Burnham
• Mike Coville
• Pauline Creeden
• Vicky DealSharingAunt
• Carol Gehringer
• Victor Gentile
• Rebekah Gyger
• Nikole Hahn
• Jason Joyner
• Carol Keen
• Krystine Kercher
• Jennette Mbewe
• Amber McCallister
• Shannon McDermott
• Shannon McNear
• Meagan @ Blooming with Books
• Rebecca LuElla Miller
• Joan Nienhuis
• Nissa
• Writer Rani
• Nathan Reimer
• Audrey Sauble
• James Somers
• Jojo Sutis
• Steve Trower
• Shane Werlinger
• Phyllis Wheeler
• Nicole White
• Jill Williamson

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received a free copy of A Draw of Kings, by Patrick W. Carr, to review.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.  I am part of CSFF Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.

Captivated by Thabiti M. Anyabwile (Review)

Captivated:

Beholding the Mystery of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection

By Thabiti M. Anyabwile

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Religion / Christian Life / Resurrection

Published by- Reformation Heritage Books

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 95

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback (ISBN: 978-1-60178-300-4, $10.00)

In Captivated, by Thabiti M. Anyabwile, we are asked to delve into the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Each of the chapters is written as a question, such as “Why Have You Forsaken Me? (Matthew 27:45-46)” and Why Do You Look for the Living among the Dead? Luke 24:5.”

It is only by looking carefully at the text will we understand the meaning.

Interview on Confessing Baptist Podcast:  http://confessingbaptist.com/podcast041/ with Thabiti M. Anyabwile.

Sample chapter from Captivated.

The video does an excellent job of describing this book, so please watch it.

About the Author-

Thabiti M. Anyabwile currently lives in the Cayman Islands with his wife and three children where he is a senior pastor of First Baptist Church.

My thoughts-

I was impressed with Captivated, by Thabiti M. Anyabwile.  It was interesting that these chapters were begun as an Easter sermon and developed into a book.  I thought Anyabwile did an excellent job in the transition, between sermons and a book.    

My favorite chapter was the last one called, “Do You Not Know These Things?”  I liked this chapter, because it gave a lot of detail about how we should study the Bible and grow closer to Jesus.  Jesus is the key to our success as a Christian and we need this book to understand Jesus’s death and resurrection.

I would recommend this book to all adults who wish to understand why Jesus’s death and resurrection is so important.  Jesus died for each of us and we need to understand what he did for us and what he can still do for us.

Pick up your copy today!

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Captivated: Beholding the Mystery of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, by Thabiti M. Anyabwile, for free through Cross Focused Reviews.  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.  All links were current when posted.

Eternity Changes Everything by Stephen Witmer (Review)

Eternity Changes Everything:

How to Live Now in the Light of Your Future

By Stephen Witmer

(I received this book for review purposes.)

Genre- Religion / Christian Life

Published by- The Good Book Company

Copyrighted- 2014

Number of pages- 128

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback (ISBN: 978-1-90955-991-2, $12.99)

Knowing that we have a secure future in God is something to celebrate, but what do we do after we know our future is secure?  Eternity Changes Everything, by Stephen Witmer, show what to do and how to do it without becoming impatient.  There are many tips and illustrations on how to proceed.

The video does an excellent job of describing this book, so please watch it.

About the Author-

Stephen Witmer current lives in Massachusetts with his wife and three children.  He is also a pastor. 

My thoughts- I thought Eternity Changes Everything was well written, but I would have liked a summary at the end of each chapter.  A summary would have helped me take the most important points in the chapter and apply them in my life.

I liked the personal anecdotes that Witmer gave of his time in England and in America growing up.  When he related those events to our future with God it helped me to understand how and what we should be doing in the present. 

One of the best illustrations was that of Nik Wallenda when he crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope.  It showed how we need to keep balancing, so we don’t fall off.  Some of those ways are practicing waiting, practicing patience, and ask for patience.

I thought this book was very interesting and pertinent to all Christians today.  All Christians need to read and study this book, so they can understand what they should be doing in the days ahead.

I recommend this book. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Eternity Changes Everything: How to Live Now in the Light of Your Future, by Stephen Witmer, for free through Cross Focused Reviews.  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.  All links were current when posted.