A. D. 33

WOW! Three simple letters that define how blown my mind is by Ted Dekker's latest novel. It quite literally goes beyond what the human mind can comprehend or even begin to put into words. Perhaps the best part of this novel is the disclaimer that Ted offers to readers that this is a fictional novel written using various portions of Scripture from the Bible to transport readers back in time to a pivotal moment in history that has forever changed the world.

A.D. 33 is the sequel to Dekker's previous novel A.D. 30 in which the queen of the desert known as Maviah finds herself questioning the very experience of Yeshua whom she encountered in the city of Petra. She now finds herself in great opposition in defending that very faith for the lives not only of the Bedouin people, but also the life of the orphan boy, Talya, she is raising since the death of her own child, at the hands of those that defy Yeshua and His teachings. As she attempts to reconcile the recent kidnapping of the love of her life, Judah, she finds she must search within herself and resolve the very identity she believes defines her and those around her.

As a woman in the culture of the Middle East, she carries as much weight as those considered outcasts by society. She struggles with knowing how to apply the power she has found in her faith in Yeshua, but like all of us, when pushed to the breaking point, realizes that her faith is much like that of seed scattered among the rocks, when adversity comes, it withers. As those she truly cares for and loves is brought under the tyranny of those in power, she wonders how those who follow Yeshua keep their faith. Not until she meets up with Him once again, does she realize that they will all follow away until they realize what Yeshua means to take up your cross and follow me. One by one as they follow Yeshua up to the point of being betrayed and crucified, the realization of all His teachings won't be understood until they accept His way over the way of the world.

I received A.D. 33 by Ted Dekker compliments of Center Street Publishers, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest opinion. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review, aside from a free copy of this novel, and the opinions contained here are my honest and personal ones. There are simply so many great take aways from this novel I never understood til I walk through this with Maviah's character and truly felt the impact of Yeshua's wisdom from the Bible. For those of you looking for a wonderfully powerful biblical historical fictional novel, pick up not only this novel but A.D. 30 as well to gain the full impact of Maviah's story of finding her faith and understanding it as never before. In my opinion, one of THE best novels of 2015 and well worth all 5 out of 5 stars. Well done Mr. Dekker, well done!

For more information about A.D. 33, Ted Dekker or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A.D. 33 by Ted Dekker

You can find Ted Dekker on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on A.D. 33, please visit Center Street's website. 

Iscariot: A Novel of Judas

I love it when great writers take the time to completely research a project if they are going to write a historical fiction novel. It's even better for me as a reader when I can get my hands on a greatly researched and well-thought out biblical historical fiction. When they can take me by the hand and transport me back into history and allow me to walk side by side with a character, it truly helps me understand them better and what may have motivated them to make the decisions they did. Such is the case in the latest novel from Tosca Lee in Iscariot: A Novel of Judas. She provides an in depth look at what the life of Judas Iscariot may have been like and attempts to fill in the missing holes to help us understand why someone who was invited into the sacred circle of being one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, could easily sell him out to the men who wanted to kill him.

It provided me with a different view point. First of all by tackling the difficult process of establishing the time period where Judas would have grown up in. What was really happening in the world? Why was there such a great fear from the Roman's from the Jews? What was life really like living back in Israel so long ago and what might have life been like looking at these circumstances through the lives of one of the most notorious biblical men in history? I have to say, I completely applaud Tosca Lee. Too often it's hard to label people just based on one side of the facts. We obviously know more happened that just what the writers of the gospels have to say, and I think she filled in the holes masterfully.

I never realized just how difficult it was growing up for Judas. How difficult it was to deal with all the backlash from the Romans towards the Jewish people. If just a handful of people voiced their concerns against the Romans and caused conflict, they were dealt with harshly, either imprisoned or crucified. Sometimes even entire cities were may to pay for the consequences caused by a group of men who didn't agree with the way Herod was handling things such as taxes or even property disbursements. How hard it would have been to be such faithful followers of the old Jewish laws and in studying the Torah, believing that the Lord would return bring about justice to those that oppressed the Jewish people. This is why so many didn't believe Jesus was the promised Messiah. They wanted someone to punish the Romans and reward the Jewish people, but Jesus was the complete opposite. He dealt with things justly with love, grace and peace,  but was not the promised Messiah the Jewish people believed would come to right all the wrongs in their minds.

This is a novel that I believe every single Christian should read. Not to glorify what Judas Iscariot did but to understand why he may have did it. It was such an exceptional read, I had to go and purchase a copy of Tosca Lee's other biblical novels, Havah: The Story of Eve and Demon: A Memoir, a story about the fall of Lucifer. Tosca Lee's exceptional ability to find the truth and fill in the holes without much to go on, allows us to see things differently while still holding on to the Biblical truth. I easily give this one a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. I received Iscariot: A Novel of Judas by Tosca Lee compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster Publishers for my honest review. Trust me, you'll want to pick this one up, to see if there really was a motivation for Judas making the decision he made and wondering if we, in fact, would have followed in his footsteps as well.

For more information about Iscariot, Tosca Lee, or where to pick up this exceptional novel today, please click on the links below:

Iscariot: A Novel of Judas by Tosca Lee

You can also follow Tosca Lee on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

You can find more great information on Tosca Lee's website by clicking here. 

Tetelestai

Tetelestai is a Greek word that means It Is Finished. It is the last word that Jesus uttered as He hung, dying on the cross. It is the singular word on which the destiny of the human race depended and still depends on. Tetelestai, the Novel is a work of fiction by Eyitemi Egwuenu. This fictional account is woven around actual events as recorded in the Bible about the betrayal, trial, crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus. It is told from the perspective of the Angels both the fallen and the ones that are heavenly and served our God.

The story is well written and beautifully told from Jesus' betrayal to the resurrection in a behind-the scenes tale of what the angels must have experienced. When you think about it, makes you really wondered what they were thinking when Jesus appeared in human form to die for the sins of all mankind, past, present and future, and die. It was the only time when Heaven fell dark for a period of time. When Jesus went into Hell and gained the keys back to life so He could restore our relationship with God and provide once and for all the payment of sin so we could enter into His presence and share in Heaven's reward and have eternal life.

Being a lover of this type of fiction, I reached out to the author personal to request this book to review and was not disappointed. This book was like dessert to a hungry soul that needed to be filled in a new way, to see things from a different perspective even though it is a fictional account, it is still based on a Biblical account of the events of Jesus. This is the perfect book for someone in need of learning about Jesus and God and creates a doorway to reach them that may be overlooked any other way.

The author provides some interesting details I hadn't considered when a conversation takes place between Kessil, an angel in training under the archangel Michael. Kessil is disturbed at just how mankind has warped the image of angels, both heavenly and fallen. He wonders where we get our perception that fallen angels are ugly, red, and have horns. He offers a different perspective, one that I hadn't considered until reading this book.

"What an insult on a marvel of creation. Demons were angels once! How could they possibly be as mankind has depicted them? Humans have projected their own fears, warped by a distorted imagination and portrayed Elohim's (God's) creation falsely. Lucifer and his demons are not ugly! They were all angels of the Heavenlies once!

They are fallen angels but that does not make them ugly. After all when man fell in the Garden of Eden, did he suddenly become ugly? Did Adam and Eve grow horns or a tail because they fell from grace? Why would mankind think that Lucifer and his angels did?

They are fallen, but they are angels still. Kessil sighed deeply as he recalled how he felt when he first saw this misrepresentation of his fallen brothers. If mankind would exert a little thought, they would realize that Lucifer cannot be as ugly as they have described him. Such a being as they have concocted would have no appeal - no power whatsoever to attract. If Lucifer were so grotesque, the world would shun him, all would despise him - men and women would be repulsed on account of his features. But people love him; the world welcomes him with open arms and broad smiles. Lucifer and his demons are not ugly. They never were. They are always beautiful - always were and always will!" (excerpt pg 18).

One of my most favorite lines in this book is simply this:

"Even the trees understand the music of the wandering wind and still dance in joy to it's rhythm, and the melody of a gentle flowing stream still drifts into the heart of an over-flying swan. "



I received Tetelestai by Eyitemi Egwuwenu compliments of the author for my honest review and LOVED it! I know this one has found a permanent home in my library and will be rereading it many times. This one hands down is a 5 out of 5 stars in my personal opinion and one that offers something more than just entertainment while reading this story. It has made me go back and reopen my Bible now and really read between the lines and considering everything that went on both on heaven and on earth. I am so glad my personal faith is assured and guaranteed even though the price that was paid can never be equal. We serve a most amazing God! I can't wait to read his next book Eastward in Eden!

For more information on this book, the author and where to pick up this amazing book, please click on the links below:

Tetelestai by Eyitemi Egwuenu

You can also follow him on Facebook by clicking here.

Magdalena: Through Her Eyes - DVD Giveaway and Review

Mary Magdalena shares her unique perspective in the telling of the story of the life of Jesus from her own eyes. Beginning with a short recap about creation and the fall of man, Abraham's obedience to be willing to sacrifice his own son, and the calling of John the Baptist, we are then taken through the short life of Jesus' ministry during his three years.

We see the beginnings of His teachings in the temple as a young man, the feeding of the 5000, the story of meeting the woman at the well in Samaria as well as countless other examples of the women and people Jesus touched during his time on Earth.

We see His power in the words he spoke on the Mount, the betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the power of the walk to Golgotha. I loved how this took a different view on how Jesus touched the lives of the women He came across and shared His love of redemption and hope, not of conviction and judgement. What a beautiful story to share with your family as we prepare for Easter.

I received Magdalena: Through Her Eyes, compliments of Campus Crusade for Christ and Propeller for my honest review and found this to be a well written movie that will inspire us all this Easter to remember the sacrifice that our Savior gave to all of us. No other religious figure has been persecuted and killed for the benefit of saving His followers but Jesus Christ and no other religious figure continues to receive that same persecution today. This film will renew your faith and hope in the God we serve and would make a wonderful way to celebrate Easter this year. This one rates a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information on this film, including a short trailer, and where you can purchase a copy of this DVD for yourself or a family member, or friend, click on the link below:

Magdalena: Through Her Eyes

Thanks to the folks at Campus Crusade for Christ and Propeller, they are providing a giveaway copy to one lucky follower of my blog. Here are your guidelines:

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. Follow me on Facebook, by clicking here.

3. Be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address, No P.O. Boxes please.

4. I must have a way to contact you, so please provide an email address along with your comment. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

5. Leave me a comment and let me know why you'd love to win a copy. This giveaway will end on April 12th. We want to get this shipped out to you in time for Easter.