Angela Elwell HuntAnmeldelser

This is the first book that I’ve read by Angela Hunt. I didn’t know much about the book before I started reading other than it’s biblical fiction that strives to be historically accurate.
I have to admit I struggled a bit getting into the story. For me it seemed more like a biblical retelling of Cinderella with the evil stepsister and the good sister who immediately strikes up a strong friendship with her handmaid and is kind to everybody. The way the people talked seemed a bit too modern to me, though I have to admit for one of course they didn’t speak English in Corinth and second this assessment is based on my feelings and not knowledge of the manner of speaking in Corinth at that time.
The more I got into the story, the easier I could accept that a story can be historically accurate while reminding me of a fairytale. I do believe that the events in this book could have happened, but I consider them very unlikely. The contrast between the sisters is very extreme. Mariana being very naive, but kind, modest and treating slaves like friends, Prima being only driven by jealousy, bitterness and venom. Like I said, all possible, but in this extreme rather improbable in my opinion.
After I decided to read this book as a biblical fairytale I quite enjoyed it and really wanted to know what would happen to the characters.
I personally didn’t appreciate the “letter from Paulos” since I wouldn’t want to put words into his mouth and give advice for a very specific situation that is not discussed in its entirety in the Scriptures.
I did however appreciate the problem that Mariana saw herself presented with (and for which she seeked advice from Paul). And that is the question if she as a follower of Jesus should marry a non believer - or better a worshiper of false gods - in her specific situation or should she stay strong, openly declare that she no longer prays to the Roman gods but only bows to the one true God which would not only put her in danger of punishment or persecution but also her mother who already was married when she decided to follow Jesus.
I loved this question and how Mariana, a girl in the eyes of our standards, truly wanted to do what would please God. How many Christians today don’t even consider if marrying a non believer is what God wants, if it is what they want. Mariana was a character with flaws and struggles, but I think her prayers and the way she questioned herself, if she was really doing what was right or if she was just following her heart was kind of inspiring.
“During the struggle, one question haunted me. If Marcus had been old and unattractive, or if he had insulted me when we met in the barn, would I be struggling with this choice? Would it be easier to obey Paulos’s instruction if I loved Yeshua more and Marcus less?”
“I agreed to the marriage because God had given me peace, but perhaps I mistook my longing for love as God’s shalom. Had I been so blinded by my own desire that I missed the will of Adonai?”

So I ended up really enjoying this book and was a bit sad that it had a rather open ending. As I understood, book 1 “The Woman from Lydia” and 2 “The Sisters of Corinth” will be concluded in the third book of the Emissaries series. I can live with the ending of this second book because I thought the important thing was that Mariana stayed steadfast and seemed even more confident than ever in her faith. So it wasn’t a cliffhanger that leaves you desperate for the sequel, but I sure will keep an eye out for the next installment.
* I received a copy of this book from LibraryThing (Early Reviewers) via NetGalley. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.

I hadn't realized this was "Christian" chick lit until I got into it. So far the story is ok & the religious element small enough to put up with; we'll see if that lasts.

A beautiful retelling of the the tale of three trees. One tree wants to hold precious treasure, one wants to bea strong sailing ship, and the third wants to be the tallest tree in the world. They are all felled achieve what they dreamed of, though not in the way they expected. Conveys simply beauty symbolic theology of the life of Christ.

The Sisters of Corinth by Angela Hunt immerses readers in a world where the clash of belief systems ignites a fervent flame of courage and unyielding commitment. Through the captivating journey of Marianna and her mother, Hester, readers are transported to a time where the depth of one's faith was tested against the backdrop of societal pressures, devotion to false gods, and familial obligations.

The characters, both lovable and detestable, were expertly crafted, drawing readers into their complex personalities and motivations. The intricately woven plot kept me engaged from start to finish, with its twists and turns adding depth and excitement to the story. Angela Hunt's writing style and thematic depth were impressive, enriching the narrative with layers of meaning and emotion. My heart is racing with anticipation for the next book in the series!

Hunt's narrative invites readers to explore the reflective themes of getting to know God and loving Him with all our hearts, as Marianna grapples with the challenges of her time. As she navigates the complexities of her faith and the demands of her family, Marianna's unwavering commitment to Yeshua serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards spiritual maturity and full surrender to Him.

Through moments of triumph and turmoil, Hunt's characters contend with doubt and uncertainty, yet emerge stronger and more resolute in their convictions. As Marianna reflects on the challenges she faces, her words serve as a reminder of the inherent struggles we encounter in our journey of faith.

At the core of The Sisters of Corinth beats the author's fervent prayer: that within its pages, readers will not only witness but also be profoundly moved by the unyielding vision, courage, and devotion of those early followers of Jesus. With every word penned, there's a resounding call to embrace a transformative journey—one that ignites the flames of passion and unwavering commitment to the one and only true God. In the midst of life's storms, these tales compel us to forge an unbreakable bond with our faith, empowering us to navigate the darkest of times with unwavering trust and steadfast love for our Savior.

“ … if you know He {God} is good, you can trust Him to be kind." These words echo a timeless truth, reminding us of the boundless love and compassion of our Heavenly Father.

"I feel it's important to acknowledge that I chose to skip over the scenes depicting pleas to the Roman gods and similar actions. I understand why Hunt included those actions and she makes it truly clear -- in the book and in her notes -- the truth of Deuteronomy 32:16-18: “… They sacrificed to demons, a non-god…” Personally, I felt it necessary to distance myself from such influences, opting instead to immerse myself in the timeless truths of the Bible and the profound impact of Paul’s letters, as experienced by Marianna and Hester. The thought of experiencing Paul’s letters in real-time during that historical period is truly fascinating to me.

The Sisters of Corinth invites readers to step into a story that transcends the boundaries of time and space, reminding us of the importance of loving God with all our hearts and living out our faith every second regardless of the consequences. Through the lives of Marianna and Hester, we are inspired to cultivate a deep and abiding relationship with God, embracing His love and grace, as we walk in obedience to Him in every aspect of our lives.

I received a digital copy of The Sisters of Corinth from Celebrate Lit Publicity Group. I am not required to write a positive review in any way or for any reason. My honest and unbiased opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing style, the pacing, and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

58720

A story with an unexpected twist. Teaches kids about their are greater things than our expectations that are held in store by God.

"King's Shadow" by Angela Hunt was a well-written, biblical fiction based on the life of King Herod, his sister Salome, her handmaid Zara, and their families. The plot is full of twists and turns throughout, which makes for a very interesting and intriguing read. I read the entire novel in less than 24 hours. It was a definite "page turner" and held my interest from the first page to the last. If you enjoy historical fiction, this might be a novel you may want to consider adding to your tbr list.

Personally, I did not finish this since I don't like this sort of Biblical fiction. I didn't expect it to be like it was but any family that reads Biblical fiction will find this to be a good children's story.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Three trees on a mountain dream of what they wanted to become when they grew up. One wants to be a treasure chest, another an ocean-going boat, and the third a signpost to God. Their wishes come true in a way they never expected.

This is an excellent book in the Biblical fiction genre!

The main character, Tasmin, is able to do something I wish I could have done. She follows Yeshua and gets to experience his miracles firsthand!

Angela Hunt does a fantastic job of blending fiction with Biblical truths. She probes into the families of Thomas, the doubter, and Yeshua, the Messiah.

This book is a must read! I can't wait to read the rest in the series!

Wow! This book has it all! Drama, love, and history! It's an extremely well crafted historical fiction novel that brings a woman from the scriptures to life. The authors research is phenomenal! Angela Hunt brings to life the time period of when the Apostle Paul was living. I could imagine myself in the setting of ancient Philippi: the sounds, the smells...

One thought I took away from this book is that the power of God is undeniable! Lydia or Euodia is a woman of strength and strong convictions. She follows her heart and loves those deemed unlovable. She is someone who reminds me of God- how He loves us. The rest of the characters are amazing! Sabina's story is heartbreaking. Ariston is compassionate, loyal, loving and brave. The characters each touched my heart and I invested in their lives.

I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series! I know they're going to be fantastic!

I was provided a book through Bethany House via Interviews and Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a very interesting book! Based on the life of the apostle Paul and his sister.

Trigger warning: Suicide. I knew this story would handle the topic of suicide, but I didn’t realize the depth this author would go into discussing this topic. The story opens with a teenage girl named Maddie who finds her father in an unimaginable state. The family tries to handle things the best they can until other situations happen at Maddie’s school. Things spin out of control in Maddie and her family’s lives.

Through Maddie and her family, the author shows readers that there is always, hope, even in the worst of circumstances. Angela tackles a number of extremely difficult subjects and questions about suicide, such as whether the person who commits suicide goes to hell. Where is God when misfortunes strike? What are some compassionate ways to interact with the family of a suicide victim in church and at school.
The novel ends in a generally positive and hopeful manner. I have to be honest I was a little bit overwhelmed as I read about the multiple suicide situations Maddie and her family faced in such a short time. This book isn’t for everyone. Even though this is clearly difficult to read the author does a great job of skillfully addressing the big issues. There are discussion questions in the back of the book to be used in a group or your immediate family.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. 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 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

Based on the major motion picture, The Nativity Story is the very human, very dramatic, and uniquely inspiring saga of a journey of faith. Best-selling author Angie Hunt, who most recently wrote Magdalene, a historical fiction novel of the story of Mary Magdalene that was tied to The Da Vinci Code movie, now focuses on Mary, the mother of Jesus. She has adapted the screenplay for The Nativity Story into a powerful, historical novel. Her moving novelization of this film tells the extraordinary tale of two common people, Mary and Joseph, a miraculous pregnancy, an arduous journey, and the history-defining birth of Jesus. Brought to life with an unprecedented attention to detail and commitment to historical accuracy, Hunt tells how from humble beginnings, great things can come.

What a Wave Must Be, by Angela Hunt is such a powerful Christian contemporary fiction story. This is at times a hard story to read. It gives the point of view of the mother and daughter of a suicide victim. Maddie’s mother is working a time consuming case and feels she can not be there of Maddie. She has Maddie’s grandparents take her back to Florida with them. She does not move in with them, but rather lives in another structure on their property.

The author has done a fantastic job of writing such a touching story on such a tough topic. Even though it’s hard to read about suicide, the author blends in other aspects of normal life to make it an enjoyable story. I especially appreciate the story also points out that Jesus is always there. Life may not be easy and we may be alone, but Jesus is always there. This story is helpful as it points out the different stages of grief and the long road to healing that takes place. While this story is of a teen age girl, I really would not recommend it for that age group, unless a responsible adult reads it with them.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.

I love biblical fiction and I'm a fan of Angela Hunt, so I was especially anxious to read this book. The Woman from Lydia features the apostle Paul, his traveling companion Silas, and Euodia, who is mentioned in Acts 16 as Lydia, a seller of purple cloth. Much of the story is told from Euodia's point of view as she valiantly tries to free a girl from slavery after the apostle Paul casts a demon from her. Euodia's determined efforts to free Sabina from a retired Roman soldier's possession are equally matched by his intentions to use Sabina's gift of divination for his own personal gain! Will Euodia succeed in thwarting Hector's intentions?

Hunt possesses a wonderful talent for weaving facts with fiction and this book is a perfect example. I enjoyed the relationship that evolves between Euodia and her new husband Ariston, along with those that she shares with Phebe and Syntyche. I gained a new perspective on Paul's missionary journeys, and relished the explanation of slavery versus freedom, in both physical and spiritual terms. I know that an author of Biblical fiction has succeeded when I find myself reading my Bible to verify a fact, or searching a Bible commentary to learn more about a scene. I did both of these while reading this book!

This is a story that will inspire Christian readers and challenge non-believers, and I'm thrilled to have it as my church Bible group begins its study of The Book of Acts. I highly recommend The Woman from Lydia and I look forward to the next book in The Emissaries series!

I was provided an ARC courtesy of Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews and a complimentary copy from Bethany House. These are my own thoughts.

The Christmas devotional, Star of Wonder, by Angela Hunt is a wonderful way to prepare for the upcoming Christmas season. Unlike many devotionals today, Star of Wonder takes you deep into the culture and history behind Scripture to help you understand the full Christmas story. I especially loved learning more about the Jewish culture and traditions working in the background. They help paint a rich landscape for a story I’ve known by heart most of my life. And yet my familiarity with the Christmas story didn’t make this devotional redundant. There is something meaningful in each entry no matter how many times you’ve read through the prophecy and history of Jesus’ birth and early life.
I would highly recommend Star of Wonder to any Christian wanting to prepare their hearts for Christmas without worldly influence. This would also make an excellent gift for anyone seeking to know Jesus more.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

When I first learned that Angela Hunt was releasing an Advent devotional, I was so looking forward to reading it. As a fan of Hunt’s Biblical fiction novels, I have always been amazed at the amount of research she does for each book (and I know there is no way she can share all of that research in the author’s notes).

Star of Wonder is an educational twenty-five-day devotional that highlights the places, people, prophecies, and purpose of Christmas. This little book is filled with short daily devotionals which take about ten minutes to read followed by some application and a prayer. There are also some unique family activity suggestions at the end of each section (every five days or so) that will help older children through teens look at the birth of Christ in a different way.

My absolute favorite part of this devotional was the prophecies section. I love reading through the book of Isaiah during the Christmas season (give this a try if you haven’t done so before). I also really enjoyed learning a little bit more about Mary and Joseph’s lives may have been like.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.

When Cassie wins the lead role in her school’s musical showcase, she keeps it a secret from her parents so she can surprise them when they see how well she sings. Unfortunately, they’re a bit distracted by the rift that seems to have formed between them that Cassie sees as starting with a tragedy that affected her dad’s job. While she’s stepping out of her comfort zone and trying new things at school, her family is falling apart at home.

I read this book, and at least some of the series following it, some time around middle school. Some of the plots and characters had stuck with me enough that I took great pains to track down the series recently so I could read through it again. And so far, I’m really glad I did. The book was simple enough, but had a lot of heart and emotion. It starts with a bang, with the tragedy that had Cassie’s dad working a whole lot extra, and already I was hooked. That tragedy, and the way the kids and teachers reacted to it, all felt very realistic. And I felt the same way with the family drama that ensues and the way it affected Cassie and her younger brother.

Speaking of Cassie’s younger brother, he’s incredibly endearing. His and Cassie’s relationship, her feeling protective of him and trying to explain what she doesn’t fully understand herself, was the heart of the story, in my opinion. Meanwhile, their parents really annoyed me. I am not saying whatsoever that their situation was unrealistic or uncommon, but really that just makes me sad for so many real kids in the world. There was one character that I felt was a bit too wise beyond his years; that part was a little unrealistic, but that didn’t detract much from the book as a whole. There were some incredibly insightful and poignant points made by a few of the characters, and honestly, I think the book could be quite instructive for teens or young adults who are considering marriage (soon or someday). Overall, I really enjoyed reading it and have high hopes for continuing the series.

Cassie auditions for and wins a spot on a national singing tour for the election campaign of a man running for president of the United States. At first, it doesn’t matter to her what his position is on any policies because of the amazing opportunity and the exposure she’ll get as a singer. Besides, she’s too young to vote, so it doesn’t really matter whether or not she agrees with him…does it?

Very shortly after going with Andrea to New York City for Andrea’s chance as a fashion model, Cassie is off on another adventure, this time by herself. And for a while, it’s nothing but lights and music and fun. Not that it’s not hard work to memorize the songs and routines in the small time frame she and the other 7 singers are given, and I really liked the descriptions we’re given about how the rehearsals and shows go. I’m sure it could have gotten repetitive, since a lot of what happened was the same from day to day, or it could have just been skipped over and left a really short book. But Hunt made it interesting and focused more on things that did change from day to day, mostly things that happened with the singers, or meager encounters with the man they were promoting.

Then a medical situation forces Cassie to stop singing, and even to stop talking, and all that’s left to do is to listen. And she doesn’t like what she hears. As a teenager whose parents aren’t really Christians, Cassie has to wrestle mostly alone with the moral implications of endorsing a man whose stance on certain political issues go against the faith she’s still somewhat new to. I really like the way it all plays out, and I think it can give anyone who reads it encouragement to make the right choice when faced with a difficult decision like this ourselves. This book is a solid addition to the series in which I’m sad to only have one book left to read.

Soon after Cassie starts at a new, high-pressure school, her newly divorced mom announces that she's getting re-married. But Cassie can't stand her mom's fiance and certainly doesn't want to have Nick Harris as a step-brother or to move out of her house to live with her new family. So she sets to work trying to break the couple up, and if she can get her parents back together too, so much the better. But Cassie has a lot to learn about trusting in the God she's just getting to know.

This book was a small step down from the previous ones in the series. Though Cassie's childish feelings and actions might have been completely realistic, she got to a point of really making me cringe. Maybe it just went on a little too long. Even as she's given good advice about praying for God's will to be done, rather than for what we want to be done, she goes on assuming that it must be God's will that her mom's wedding not happen. Her mom is mostly sensitive to the issues her daughter is having, though of course she has her limits too. However, I certainly did wish that her mom wasn't so caught up in and distracted by the pending nuptials that she didn't notice what was going on with both of her kids, especially the one that didn't live at home. Max broke my heart.

The ending to the story was tragic, yet nice in a way too. And one thing I want to mention now that I'm 3 books into the series is the way each book starts—Cassie lists all of the important people in her life with a brief description and a star rating. Both the list and the descriptions about the people listed change from book to book as things change in her life, and it serves as a nice recap of the previous book if one needs a refresher going forward in the series (the first book has this list too, so is more of an intro at that point than a refresher). Though I'm not sure this book was quite as good as the previous ones were in regards to being able to glean some truth from them, Cassie still grew and changed in the book, and it was still a good read.

(3.5 / 5)

Cassie returns home near the end of a long summer to find her family has become enthralled with her step-brother Nick’s new friend, a giant of a man named Dustin. Cassie doesn’t appreciate being thrown together with him just because Nick and Andrea, Cassie’s best friend, happen to be dating. Even as Cassie finds herself liking him more and more, he’s about to ship off to be in the army for 2 years, so she does everything she can to guard her heart.

Here at the final book in the series, I find that my reaction to it is related at least as much to how it calls back to the rest of the series as it is to this story itself. For example, Cassie immediately dislikes Dustin, mostly just because everyone else likes him. That’s been a rather tired recurring theme for her throughout the series, as she dislikes almost everyone new, and not always for the same reason. Overall, though, she’s clearly just not very accepting of change. She also has shown this amazing ability to turn the head of a lot of guys in the series, often just by being “different” from everyone else around. And finally, despite the lesson she should have learned from the previous book where she “fell in love,” she again convinces herself that she can date a non-believer and change him.

Also like some of the other books in the series, I had a feeling I knew where this story was going to go. Fortunately, it didn’t quite follow my predictions completely (which also happened with some of the other books too), and the story came out interesting in the end. I think I would have liked something a little more final for the last book in the series, but Cassie is still a teenager at this point, so a satisfactory wrap-up to this particular story would be difficult to swallow anyway. And since these were written in the early 90s, I don’t have much reason to hope for a follow-up. The series overall averaged about 4.5 stars for me, and I’m so glad I read through the whole thing again recently. I will be recommending the series to my daughter (currently 11) and do think it’s worth looking into for other Christian girls in the middle school to early high school range.

Cassie and her brothers are sent to camp for a week so their parents can have some time to themselves. At first, Cassie is lonely. Then she meets Ethan, a wild, reckless, older boy who flirts with all the girls and treats her little brother badly. Cassie knows he's a terrible person, but when he turns his attention to her, she can't help but be attracted to him.

Cassie has finally moved on from family drama, and now her focus turns to something a little more common to girls her age: a crush on a boy. She seems to have to learn everything the hard way, as here she falls into a trap that might be familiar to some of us—getting into a relationship thinking she can fix the other person. She's certain God wants her to help Ethan, and maybe he does, but she's still pretty immature herself and goes about it in the wrong ways. Even as the message being focused on throughout the week is about finding God's will, including in love, Cassie keeps mis-applying it to herself and making another common mistake of assuming Ethan needs this truth more than she does.

It was nice to see Cassie move beyond her selfish whininess in the past books to a new type of problem. And the story didn't go the way I assumed it would, so that was nice. I've enjoyed this series so much, even with my small complaints about Cassie's selfishness, and hope to be able to recommend them to my daughter when she's a little older (they're not easy to find).

(3.5 / 5)

Though Aya, daughter of Zebulon of Tarsus, is only marrying the man chosen by her parents out of duty, she enjoys being a wife, and later, a mother, more than she expected. Though she'd like to use the talent for singing given to her by God in some way, she's contented herself with following His will, however he chooses to use her. But when her brother, a Pharisee and member of the powerful Sanhedrin, surprises everyone by converting to following the Nazarene who was crucified a few years past, Aya and her family face some persecution from their fellow Jews in Jerusalem, and Aya is not sure how to reconcile her love for her brilliant brother with her family's long-time religious traditions.

I think I'll be in the minority with this book, like I was with the previous in the series. Not that I didn't like it, but I didn't like it as much as most seem to. Aya frustrated me early on, as I think she lets her desire to sing for people define her too much. I also don't think there needed to be such a focus on the newlywed activities. It felt like the story didn't really get going until both siblings were married, like it was something we had to get through first, but I didn't really understand why it was all so important.

I think the other reason that the story didn't work as well for me is that I couldn't really connect very well to one of the two main characters. The perspective alternates between Aya and her older brother, Sha'ul (the apostle Paul). But once Sha'ul had converted to Christianity, his perspective is barely shown. When it is, it's mostly just to tell us about events that we can read about in the book of Acts. Overall, it seemed shallow to me. Not much happened that I couldn't have predicted, and I didn't connect to the characters much as we sped through months and years of time.

The idea of what the family of the man who wrote many books of the Bible went through when he went against the tradition of the day to follow Jesus is an interesting premise. I felt it could have been explored more deeply, but I do think that many other fans of Biblical fiction will enjoy it more than I did.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for providing me a copy of this book to review.

When Cassie's best friend Andrea wins a modeling contest and gets to go to New York City for a week, she invites Cassie to go with her. But fame and fortune affects Andrea in ways Cassie never expected. Will their friendship survive Andrea's overnight success?

Cassie finally gets to show that she can be responsible in this story, as she's expected to keep Andrea out of trouble when the two teenagers go to New York. Of course, there wouldn't be a story if things didn't go wrong in some way, so while what happens is unexpected to Cassie, it's a bit expected by at least adult readers. Readers of the demographic this story is meant for may not expect it as much, but it's hard to say in this day and age. I think what I question the most, though, is how on earth Andrea and Cassie are even best friends. Andrea has always been a less-than-faithful friend, ignoring Cassie for long periods of time if she's interested in a guy or just annoyed with Cassie in some way. Suddenly at the beginning of this book, though, the two are thick as thieves again. Well, okay.

When I think about this series from when I read it as a teenager, this story was the one I remembered most. Though it was maybe a little less enthralling as an overall story than some of the others, I still liked it and am looking forward to the rest of the series.