The Master's Wall by Sandi Rog and Other Books

I have been keeping a list of books I am currently reading on the side of the blog.  Last night, I finished Out To Canaan by Jan Karon.

This was the fourth book in her Mitford Years series.  I have read all of the books in this series and enjoyed them so much I decided to read them again.  Jan Karon is a wonderful author.  The reader stays entertained through out the whole book because of her humor and wit.  She has created this wonderful town, Mitford, in the mountains of North Carolina and placed a vast array of characters to live in this town.  Some are funny, some are pitiful, some you dislike, and some you want to take home with you.  There is a priest, an author, town bums, a newspaper editor, a hair stylist, a grocer, a contractor, a couple of orphans, and many other characters to keep the story moving.  Her story is based around an Episcopal priest in his early 60's who is a bachelor.  In the first book, his life totally changes when he takes in a boy and a dog.  His church hires a housekeeper for him and a lovely lady moves next door.  The result is a wonderfully entertaining story that continues for nine books.  Ms. Karon has now started The Father Tim Novels.  She has just released the second book in this series and I look forward to reading it soon.  I believe the reason why I enjoy these books so much is because they are relaxing.  There are plenty of laughs and tears, but there are no leud sex scenes, no cursing, and no fearful moments.  The books have wonderful feel good moments.

I will continue with this series as soon as I read my next book:  The Master's Wall by Sandi Rog.

My aunt mailed me a copy of this book.  My aunt is working to publish her first book and had met Mrs. Rog at some authors' workshops.  This is Sandi Rog's first book and the sales have been wonderful.  The Master's Wall was just released the first part of November so it is fairly new on the market.  Sandi is a Christian and is a member of the Church of Christ.  Here is the paragraph on the back of the book to whet your appetite:

After watching Roman soldiers drag his parents away to their death, David, a young Hebrew, is sold and enslaved to serve at a villa outside of Rome.  As David trains to become a skilled fighter, he works hard to please his master and hopes to earn his freedom.  However, an opportunity to escape tempts him with its whispering call.  Freedom beckons, but invisible chains hold him captive to the master's granddaughter, an innocent girl with a fiery spirit.  David vows to protect Alethea from his master, the murderous patriarch, and contrives a daring plan -- sacrifice his own life to save hers.

I am especially looking forward to the biblical history in the book.  I will let you know how I liked it when I finish.  You can purchase this book on Amazon.com.  

A couple of other books you will see listed on the side are:

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

and

Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst

Crazy Love by Francis Chan is being used by our small group session after church on Sunday Night.  We are reading a chapter every two weeks and then meeting together to discuss it.  Mr. Chan is excellent at making his reader really consider how their love for God is manifested in their everyday life.  I'll write more about this book also when I finish it.  His chapter on lukewarm Christianity was very thought provoking.  You can read more about this book at http://crazylovebook.com/.

I just received my copy of Made To Crave by Lysa TerKeurst in the mail on Friday.  I'm not sure I know enough about this book yet to be able to aptly describe it.  It deals with loosing weight, but that is not the main focus of the book.  The focus of the book (I think) is to transfer your bodily cravings into spiritual cravings.  I do want to lose a few pounds and thought this book would help me reconsider some cravings while I am working on those few pounds.  She also has some web casts beginning Monday, January 10 to go along with her book.  I look forward to viewing those as I read the book.  This book is purely for my personal development.  You can read more about her book at http://madetocrave.org/.

Just to let you know, Sandi Rog the author of The Master's Wall found out just after the book went on sale that she has A-Cell Lymphoma.  Keep her in your prayers.

Judy :)