Iscariot by Tosca Lee

When I read the gospels, I fail to think that each of the characters Jesus interacted with had a story. Each disciple had a family. Each needy person came to him with a history.

And what about Judas? Tosca says she ran from writing his story for a year before she casually mentioned the possibility of it to others. She hoped they would talk her out of it. They didn't. A year later the idea was rooted in her heart.

She spent three years on the quest to write the story of Judas, based on the belief that we all err in ways that make sense to us. (329) That included a research trip to Israel and consulting hundreds of books, articles, lectures, etc. The result is fascinating.

Tosca helps us see the reality of the Jews living under Roman rule. The death of Judas' wife at the hands of lustful Roman soldiers. We are with him when he sees the destruction of Sepphoris and then his own father, crucified along with hundreds of others. We feel the intensity of the rebels trying to cast off Roman rule. We feel, along with Judas, the excitement when Jesus comes on the scene, claiming to bring the kingdom of God. Discouraged by a prior false messiah, Judas thinks, “But in that moment I felt I had found a thing, a person, worth the resurrection of my every hope.” (111)

Tosca brings alive the stories we read in the gospels, exploring the horror of the disciples when Jesus confronted the Pharisees, their indignation when Jesus tells a man his sins are forgiven, and their puzzlement when they ask about the kingdom and Jesus says, “It is here! Now!” (159).

Yet Judas loved Jesus. He felt completely known by him. “But when I looked at him, I saw a great tenderness in his eyes as though everything within me were already laid bare.” (130)

We feel the frustration of the disciples when Jesus does not move fast enough to establish the kingdom. After John's death, Judas' attitude toward Jesus was, “He was the Messiah. And if not him, then no one. So now we must move, and quickly.” (197)

I know, there is always a danger when one novelizes parts of the Gospels. I tremble at the thought of putting words in Jesus' mouth and have been very critical of attempts to do so by others. I am very impressed, however, with this novel. Tosca has remained true to the spirit of the gospel account, I think. Granted, it is fiction, but I really got a sense of the Roman occupation and the groan for national freedom. I felt the frustration of Judas as he was caught in the web of his national patriotism and commitment to Jesus.

Well done. I highly recommend this novel.

Tosca Lee is is a best-selling author and co-author with Ted Dekker. She currently makes her home in the Midwest. Learn more at www.toscalee.com.

Howard Books (a division of Simon and Schuster), 338 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Howard Books for the purpose of this review.

Moon Over Edisto by Beth Webb Hart

What would be the most difficult thing to forgive someone for? That was the question that sparked the author to write this novel. For Julia Bennett and her sister, the hardest thing for them to forgive was their father betraying their family.

Twenty years ago, Julia had felt sorry for her college roommate, Marney, and invited her to spend the summer with the Bennetts. The family spent time in the summer on a South Carolina sea island, Edisto. Julie still remembers the pain she experienced when she came in and saw her father and her college roommate close, too close.

Now Julie is a recognized college art professor in New York and soon to be engaged. Like her sister and mother, she still deals with the hurt from her father's actions. Even though he has been dead for years, his actions continue to pierce Julia's heart. And then Julia receives a phone call from her elderly aunt, her father's sister. Marney is ill and someone needs to stay with the children, Julia's half sisters and brother.

When Julia finally decides to do back to Edisto, to the house she remembers from her childhood but now the home of her father's second family, her life is changed forever.

This is a well written and enjoyable novel. My heart went out to Julia. She was all set for a wonderful future when the results of her father's past actions invade her life. How could she possibly love those children? But God is faithful and Julia was willing.

There was just one aspect of the novel that was less than perfect. At the very end, well, it just got tied up to quickly and too easily.

There is a discussion guide at the end of the book so this would make a fine choice for reading groups.

Beth Webb Hart is a South Carolina native and a best-selling author. She is a creative writing instructor at schools, libraries, and churches throughout the region, having received teaching awards. She lives with her husband and their family in Charleston.

Thomas Nelson Publishers, 320 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.

A Rabbi Looks at the Last Days by Jonathan Bernis

The first part of the book brings the reader's attention to what is happening in the Jewish community, and how it relates to the last days. “It is not possible...to understand the last days without understanding Israel's role in all this.” (41)

Bernis shares his own history, raised Jewish and then becoming a Christian during college. He eventually felt the call to go back to his hometown of Rochester, NY, to expand a small Messianic fellowship to a full fledged Messianic Jewish congregation.

He gives several reasons why Christians can know the “last days are near.” For example, Satan is increasing his attacks on the Jews. He reviews history and explains the “why” of the persecution.

Another sign is that scattered Jews are returning to Israel. (He spends some time describing his evangelistic meetings in Russia in May, 1993. He writes, of renting The Oktyabrsky Grand Concert Hall, “People who know this story often comment, 'What great faith you had!'” (67) Of the meetings, he writes, “...it was unlike anything seen since the Shavuot [Pentecost] almost two thousand years before.” (68) Words of comment fail me.)

Other reasons include the Gospel being preached to the nations, rise of Messianic expectations in Israel, and that the “times of the Gentiles” are being fulfilled.

The second part of the book concentrates on the reader's role in ushering in God's kingdom. When Yeshua returns, there will be a return to the Garden of Eden. (147) “The good news is that this world is on its way.” (148) And we “can help speed up its arrival... By doing [our] part to reach the Jewish people with the Gospel.” (148) “The revival of Israel is tied to revival for the world...” (149)

He helps us understand what words to use, etc., respecting the history of the Jews, as well as using the Old Testament exclusively.

He encourages Christians to celebrate the Jewish feasts and gives a description of them and their meaning.

Bernis writes about much more than the Jews and the last days. He recounts much of his own evangelistic work among the Jews all over the world. He also writes about the Jewish roots of Christianity, suggests doing things like celebrating the feasts, and critiques replacement theology. He covers the history of Jewish persecution and of the newly formed state of Israel in depth.

He laments that Christians are not focused on evangelizing the Jews. “There is a direct connection between the salvation of Israel and the return of Jesus to this earth.” (81,82)

He writes, “The Gospel began with the Jewish people.” (97) He says Christians have forgotten that it is “first to the Jews.” (Rom. 1:16) Bernis calls it an issue of “divine priority.” Focusing on evangelizing the Jews is part of “God's divine order.” (97)

There are a few issues I have with Bernis' book.

Bernis placed much emphasis on evangelizing the Jews as the salvation of Israel is necessary, he says, for the return of Christ. Imagine my surprise when I read, “After the blowing of the shofar as both a warning to the earth that leads to the outpouring of God's judgments and the shofar blast that summons us to meet Him in the air, we will see a national awakening take place with Israel as they recognize the one whom they have pierced...” (214, emphasis added) So now I am confused. Does the awakening of Israel happen after the “rapture”? Bernis does add that this awakening must happen before Jesus can establish His millennial reign. (216) He later writes, “...the Jewish people will continue to reject the cornerstone [Jesus] until a set time in history.” (218) He notes that Jesus is waiting in heaven and one of the things He is waiting for, before He returns, is “the salvation of Israel.” (222) But Bernis wrote earlier that the national awakening will happen after the trumpet blast.

He writes, “Until 1967, it was impossible for Jesus to return...” (97) This was because the Jews did not have control of Jerusalem until then. Also, “...[Jesus] simply cannot come back until He is invited back by His Jewish brethren.” (82) (Wow. I thought God was sovereign.)

He also writes, “I am convinced that God does nothing apart from the prayers of His people.” (170) So, how did God create the universe, before He created people to pray Him into action? Reading through the Bible, I find that God acted sovereignly many times, before any human prayed.

Bernis encourages Christians to embrace our Jewish roots. He writes, “...the first century church...was made up entirely of Jewish people or proselytes to Judaism. These people never forsook the traditions of their forefathers.” (197) “The Jews of the first century who put their faith in Yeshua never meant to start a religious movement that was separate and distinct from Judaism.” (198) In fact, he writes, Jesus is waiting in heaven for, among other things, “the Church's coming into its destined fullness...a fullness that includes returning to the Jewish roots of the faith...” (222) So, Christians not celebrating the Jewish feasts is preventing Jesus from returning?

I find this whole concept of Christians embracing their Jewish roots odd. Paul opposed Peter when Peter went “Jewish” in a Gentile setting (Gal. 2:11-14). Paul said a religious festival or a Sabbath day is “a shadow of things that were to come,” and that “the reality, however, is found in Christ.” (Col. 2:16-17) The writer of Hebrews agrees, saying the law and the sacrifices (such as those at the Day of Atonement) were not realities but only shadows of the good things that are coming. (Heb. 10:1) I just do not understand why I, who have the reality of Christ, would want to celebrate the shadows.

With all Bernis covers regarding how Christians think of the Jews, he never addresses Bible passages like Gal. 3:7 (“it is those who are of faith who are the sons of Abraham.”), Gal. 3:28 (“There is neither Jew nor Greek...”), nor Gal. 3:29 (“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”)

This book was not what I expected, based on the title. This book is mostly about the Jews, their persecution, and how Christians should evangelize Jews to bring on the return of Jesus.

Jonathan Bernis serves as president of Jewish Voice Ministries International. He is on a weekly television program and is a sought after speaker, teaching at seminars and conferences worldwide. He is a prominent leaders in the Messianic movement and is the author of several books. Jonathan, his wife and their two daughters reside in Phoenix, Arizona. You can find more about Bernis and his ministry at http://www.jewishvoice.org/.

Chosen Books (Baker Publishing Group), 240 pages. Publisher's product page.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from Chosen Books for the purpose of this review.

Secretly Smitten by Coble, Billerbeck, Hunter & Hunt

The intrigue begins when dog tags are found in Grandma Rose's attic. They were the dog tags of a man Grandma had loved long ago. But he had been killed in the war and had never come back. How did those dog tags get in Grandma's attic?

Tess, Zoe, and Clare Thomas are not going to let the issue go. But Tess is distracted when a handsome man and his young daughter shop at her bookstore. She is also working extra hard at seeing to it that the train will stop at Smitten. That would help the town so much.

And Zoe has other things on her mind as she is getting her new matchmaking business going. Unfortunately, the new city manager, a stickler for making sure businesses adhere to all the city ordinances, is getting to her.

Anna Thomas, the girls mother, is thinking about raising sheep so she can spin her own wool. That would be a nice addition to her knitting shop. Then Michael, a retired military man, shows up in Smitten to take care of his ailing mother. He offers to help Anna but she is not so sure she should allow herself to get to know this man.

And Claire, she loves her routine at the nursery where she works. She wouldn't even think of rearranging the shop. But when she hires a homeless man, she wonders if she could dare risk love.

What a treat, this second book about Smitten, Vermont. And you certainly don't have to read the first one to thoroughly enjoy this one. The four stories written by the authors flow well. The authors, who are themselves friends, really did a great job in creating a fun to read collection of romance stories. And it all comes out in the end – the dog tags, I mean. What a fun read.

I am taking part in a blog tour and you can read other reviews here.

Colleen Coble is a RITA-finalist and the author of several best-selling romantic suspense novels.

Kristen Billerbeck is a Christy Award finalist and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year award.

Denise Hunter is the award-winning and best-selling author of several novels. She and her husband are raising three boys in Indiana.

Dian Hunt has lived in Indiana forever, been happily married forever, loves her family, her dog, and chocolate.

You can find out more about these authors here.

Thomas Nelson, 432 pages. Publisher's product page.

Please visit your local Christian bookstore to buy this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.

The Runner by A. Wayne Gill

Michael Knight is the youngest son of a popular preacher in Ozark Falls, Missouri. Everyone expects Michael to follow in the footsteps of his ministering father, as did his older brother. But Michael is drawn to law and, unknown to his parents and steady girlfriend, applies to law schools. When the acceptance letter arrives from New York University Law School, events are set in motion that will forever change Michael and his family.

When Michael arrives in New York, it is soon obvious he is unprepared for the kind of life that is before him. He is sucked into work and relationships that are not to his best interest nor to God's glory. Overwhelmed by the glitz of possible success, his life spirals down to places he had hoped to never see.

Gill has created a story that could be yours, or your next door neighbor's. There is the son who wants to get out of the small town and make his mark in the world in the big city. There is the daughter who is living with a man entangled in illegal business. There is the older son who is in ministry, following in the footsteps of his father.

It is a retelling of the prodigal son story set in today's high power legal arena. Gill has added other elements such as the daughter living in a relationship that brings heartache to her parents. Gill introduces us to the world of powerful legal firms, dealing with corporations involved in illegal activities.

At the end of the book, I was happy to wonder at the grace of God as He worked in every one of the members of the Knight family.

This book is not a literary masterpiece. There are no memorable eloquent sentences.

This is just a very good story of family relationships, dreams of the future, reality, and God's gracious activity that brings it all to His glory in the end.

You can find out more about the book and read the first few chapters at www.therunnerseries.blogspot.com. You can find out more about Wayne Gill and his work at http://www.ironpillarmedia.com/.

This is the first book in what Gill plans to be a seven part series.

Iron Pillar Media, 280 pages.

Wayne Gill is CEO and Managing Partner of Gill Dion & Forsyth P. A., a law firm with offices in Florida and Georgia that serves some of the top companies in the world. He earned his law degree from George Washington University. He has written one previous book, Tales My Grandma Told Me – a Business Diversity Fable. He has received several honors and service awards. He is also the co-founder of and legal adviser to Oasis Compassion Agency, a non-profit empowerment agency for the disadvantaged.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Glass Road Media for the purpose of this review.

Shattered by Dani Pettrey

This is the second in the Alaska Courage series. If you have not read the first one (Submerged), you will still be able to follow the story but will miss out on some of the meaningful history of the McKenna family.

This novel centers around Piper McKenna. She is the feisty sibling of the family. She goes into action when her brother Reef is accused of murdering a snow boarder. Yes, he was seen holding the murdered woman, but he claims he is innocent.

Deputy Landon Grainger is like a sibling to the McKennas. He was taken in as a young person when his own family fell apart. But now he has the unpleasant task of arresting Reef and putting him in jail. The sheriff, soon up for re-election, wants this apparently cut and dried case to be tried quickly.

Piper will have none of it. Convinced her brother is innocent, she is determined to find the real killer. The family rallies around her. They also enlist the help of a young newspaper reporter who has come to Yancey to cover the murder story.

As the family begins to investigate the history of the murdered snow boarder, they run into all kinds of obstacles. Convinced Reef is innocent, Landon takes a leave of absence from his law enforcement duties to help.

This is a fun suspense/romance novel. Piper is a kick. She is out to find the murderer and will stop at nothing. Deputy Landon, on leave, is desperate to keep her out of harms way. The feelings are growing between the two as they try to unravel the identity of the mysterious murdered woman. Their investigations take them to British Columbia, California and Oregon as they follow the trail to the murderer.

I loved the interplay between Piper and Landon. I love the tenacity Piper has and the dedication to her that Landon exhibits.

The first third, or so, of the novel I thought was a bit slow. After that, however, there is nonstop action to the end. Well written suspense, great character development, and a strong showing of Christian character. There is one family member, Gage, who is mad at God and I suspect he may be the subject of the next in the series. He has eyes for the newspaper reporter, so who knows what the next novel will bring.

Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the author of Submerged. She and her husband life in the D. C. metro area with their two teenage daughters. Learn more at www.danipettrey.com.

Bethany House Publishers, 368 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay Alaska by Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss

Ginny Marshall is a very popular singer. And her manager has great plans for her future. But Ginny is not ready. There is too much from her past she needs to take care of first.

Like her former fiancé, Brett Miller. She needed to talk to him. It had been two years since she had walked out of their relationship and sent the ring back. Back to Glacier Bay, Alaska.

Ginny decides to fly up to Glacier Bay and just talk to Brett. No one knows her better than he does, perhaps he can help her understand to do with her future.

When Ginny arrives in Glacier Bay, Brett is on an extended kayaking trip. Brett's Grandma Ethel convinces Ginny to stay with her until Brett returns. Ethel introduces Ginny to a collection of letters telling a love story from nearly a hundred years before.

The authors weave the current love story with the one from two generations before. The experiences are cleverly paralleled.

The strength of this novel is its setting. This is one in a series of romance novels taking place in various locations in the United States. The authors do a great job of weaving the history of the area into the story. One really gets a feel for the area.

The romance is pleasant. It would have been a bit slow but becomes quite interesting when paralleled with the historical story. The authors have done their research well.

The Christian themes are strong in this novel. Ginny is faced with the possibility of great success. And God has certainly given her a gifted voice. But is it what God wants?

This is not a page turning novel but it is a rewarding story to read. Not only will you get insight into an area of Alaska, but you'll read a pleasant romance too.

You can find out about the other books in the Love Finds You series here.

I am taking part in a blog tour and you can see other reviews here.

Tricia Goyer is the award-winning author of more than thirty novels. She and her husband have four children and live in Little Rock, Arkansas. You can learn more about her at www.triciagoyer.com.

Ocieanna Fleiss is a published author and editor. She lives with her husband and their four children in the Seattle area. Find out more at www.ocieanna.com. 

Summerside Press, 316 pages.

Please visit your local Christian bookstore to buy this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from a publicity group for the purpose of this review.

Reasons for Belief by Geisler & Tunnicliffe

Has someone asked you lately why you are a Christian? Do you have reasons that you can quickly relate to your inquirer?

The authors identify ten major criticisms of Christianity to which believers should know how to respond. There is more evidence than ever substantiating the Bible and the deity and resurrection of Jesus, the authors write. They use the evidence to answers the ten critical issues.

#1 Real truth does not exist. The authors help us understand what truth is, how it must be backed up by facts, and how it is tested (using logic).

#2 God does not exist. Evidence is given for the existence of God and the kind of God the evidence points to. Worldviews are explored and the basic arguments for God's existence given.

#3 If God exists, he isn't necessarily the God of the Bible. The authors compare the attributes of God given in the Bible and the attributes indicated by the evidence available.

#4 Miracles don't happen. The definition of a miracle is reviewed, their purposes, and how those in Christianity differ from those claimed by other religions.

#5 The New Testament's many errors make it unreliable. The early dates and accuracy of the manuscripts are covered. “...[T]he New testament is the most accurate document from the ancient world.” (103)

#6 Jesus never claimed to be God. It is shown from the gospels that the Jews of the day certainly understood Jesus was claiming to be God. Other evidence is given, as well.

#7 Jesus didn't prove he was God. Evidence is given from within the Bible, such as the virgin birth and fulfilled prophecy.

#8 Jesus did not rise from the dead. Arguments against the resurrection are answered. Other evidence is given, such as martyred apostles.

#9 The Bible isn't the only true religious book. Jesus claiming to be the only way is reviewed. What other religions say about God is examined.

#10 Christianity is too narrow. There are many ways to God. The claims of other religions are compared to those of Christianity.

They show how Jesus is unique, remind us that Jesus is God and that His claims are true.

They end the book, having presented all the evidence, by showing how these truths impact our life and how to share this information.

Recognizing that this book will not answer every question Christians have about belief, they give a list of resources to further investigate apologetics, including web sites and books.

This is certainly an introductory level book. It by no means extensively covers any aspect of apologetics. For a Christian just beginning to understand the need to defend their faith, this would make an excellent resource.

It should be noted that the authors use the Bible in answering several of the criticisms. Readers who do not have the viewpoint that the Bible is authoritative may find some of the answers to the criticisms insufficient.

Norman L. Geisler is distinguished professor of Apologetics and Theology at Veritas Evangelical Seminary in Murrieta, California. He is the author of over eighty books. He and his wife live in Charlotte, North Carolina. Learn more at www.normgeisler.com.

Patty Tunnicliffe is a former public school teacher, Bible teacher, and conference speaker. She and her husband make their home in Santa Barbara, California.

Baker Publishing Group, 240 pages. Publisher product page.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.