Reviews by V.E.
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Empty Promises
On 4/29 V.E. wrote: I feel like I always start these reviews with, “Well, I was interested and the book looked promising, but I was disappointed in the end and I just wanted something more.” Unfortunately, I fear that’s the case with Pete Wilson’s Empty Promises, too. And—pardon the play on words—this book just ... "Empty Promises" review
Ascent from Darkness
On 3/14 V.E. wrote: This book has been sitting in my room for months after receiving it, waiting for me to do something with it. I chose it because I’ve been learning about the god Lucifer recently, and was interested to learn if a story with a Christian end could have a non-hateful view of other things non-Christian. ... Ascent from Darkness
Surprised by Oxford
On 10/8 V.E. wrote: Carolyn Weber, it seems, has asked many of the same questions I've had about Christianity. She attends Oxford University in Britain and during her first year there, leaves agnosticism for Christianity. Unfortunately, the answers she received were either (1) not written in this book, (2) not answers I ... "Surprised by Oxford" review
God's Love Letters to You
On 7/30 V.E. wrote: What is it with my choosing books that have stuff in them written in conversational tone directly from God (as opposed to from some Scripture, as I would expect)? I should really do more research about any given book I review before I decide to review it. Then again, if I don't review it, someone else ... Not worth it.
The Seraph Seal
On 6/23 V.E. wrote: This is a thick book; make no mistake about that—it’s more than 500 pages. It’s an apocalyptic fiction novel set primarily in 2048 (is that far enough in the future for this to be plausible?) but with a prologue set in 2012 and an epilogue in 2011. Each of the four main parts has twelve chapters ... "The Seraph Seal" review
The Story of the Bible
On 5/11 V.E. wrote: I was really excited to receive this book. I love history, and since visiting APU’s Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit late last summer with my family, I’ve been interested in learning how the Bible—as we know it today—came to be. In terms of the images, style, and layout of The Story of the Bible: it’s ... “The Story of the Bible” review
Max On Life
On 4/19 V.E. wrote: I liked some of Max Lucado’s books for children (With You All the Way, Coming Home, and Because I Love You among others) when I was a kid before I realized how very… well, Christian they all sound. (I have nothing against Jesus; usually, it’s just his followers who annoy me.) In any case, I decided ... "Max on Life" review
The Final Summit
On 4/12 V.E. wrote: I had never heard of Andy Andrews (what kind of parent would name their kid that, seriously?) before requesting The Final Summit from Thomas Nelson Publishers. Consequently, I have never read the previous book—The Traveler’s Gift—that introduces the main character, David Ponder. And, subsequently, ... "The Final Summit" review
A Conversation with God
On 3/3 V.E. wrote: Let’s be clear: this is not a conversation with God so much as a conversation with the Bible. There’s no mention of any god besides the Christian one, and by far the majority of references are simply Bible verses. That’s all fine and good—if you’re already a Christian and take the Bible as ... "A Conversation with God" review
The Liturgical Year
On 2/21 V.E. wrote: Actually, I was excited to read The Liturgical Year because I’m always interested to learn how things tick, and I was hoping that this would be the book to tell me (or at least begin to tell me) how the Christian calendar works. One of my favorite Christian holidays is Ascension Day (which is, incidentally, ... “The Liturgical Year” review
Left at the Altar
On 2/11 V.E. wrote: Left at the Altar seemed like a good choice to review from Thomas Nelson in time for the St. Valentine’s Day holiday. The author explains, after all, that she was literally left at the altar and how she survived (and eventually thrived). Who doesn’t love a good heartbreak story right before the holiday ... "Left at the Altar" review
Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional
On 1/8 V.E. wrote: I chose Unto the Hills because my father once took my entire family to see Billy Graham speak (at Qualcomm Stadium, where the Padres play, in San Diego) and I thought reading some of Graham’s writing might help me understand why he so inspires my father. Although it’s a daily devotional, I didn’t ... "Unto the Hills" review
Heaven is for Real
On 12/22 V.E. wrote: I’ve had this review in the back of my mind for almost a month trying to decide how to write what I think about Heaven is for Real. If I take it wholesale and tell people it’s amazing and “finally, some proof of (a Christian) Heaven!”—which I don’t believe—I’ll be written off as someone ... "Heaven is for Real" review
Uncle Sam's Plantation
On 9/28 V.E. wrote: I would give Uncle Sam’s Plantation negative stars (out of a possible 5) if I could. I could barely finish it, and I certainly wouldn’t have if I hadn’t been required to. Star Parker is a nice person, I’m sure, but she bases her entire opinion of the welfare system in the United States on her ... "Uncle Sam's Plantation" review
Immanuel's Veins
On 9/14 V.E. wrote: In 1772, Toma and his sidekick, Alek, arrive in Moldavia on a mission from Catherine the Great to protect a family of three women, a mother and her twin daughters, from any and all harm until the eldest daughter can be married off to proper Russian royalty. Alek, a ladies' man from the start, immediately ... "Immanuel's Veins" review
You Changed My Life
On 9/7 V.E. wrote: You Changed My Life is a hardcover gift book by Max Lucado, a best-selling Christian author and preacher. (A gift book is intended to be given away rather than be read by the purchaser.) The book is just 6″ by 7″ and only 190 pages: great for coffee table, waiting room, or bathroom reading. The You ... "You Changed My Life" review