The Testament series on Angel Guild

 

Brilliantly filmed and acted. Loosely depicts the Book of Acts as if it had happened in modern times, with a bit of sci-fi thrown in. It might make it easier to comprehend/visualize. We found it quite interesting.

The Book of Acts explosively reimagined in an alternate-modern era. A resurrection sparks a movement that turns the world upside down, spreading hope amid chaos. As the followers risk everything to preach the good news, the Temple races to silence them before the oppressive Imperium regime retaliates. But public miracles, unburied secrets, and fractured loyalties force both sides to confront the true cost of their choices.

This powerful live-action series will challenge you, move you, and make you rethink what it means to truly follow Jesus. Set in a modern world, you'll connect with these stories and people like never before.

Stream the full season of Testament today on Angel: http://angel.com/collide

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Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card. Please submit your full name and email address by 8/12 in comments below. (We will not be able to accept winners submitted after this date.) Winner chosen at random.

Disclosure: Many thanks to Angel for providing a one month Angel Guild membership for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

A Hope Fulfilled by April W Gardner

 

Pure faith. Very little is known about Obediah, the prophet who foretold that God would destroy Edom and then the Jews would return to Jerusalem. God wouldn't accept the treatment of Edom against Jacob his brother's people. There had been a few Jews taken as slaves to Edom. This is an author's idea of how it might have played out in Edom at that time. These were two devout Jews who knew the prophecy and had waited faithfully on the Lord. This was the time, as prophesied, when Babylon came to destroy Edom, and they helped make it happen. Beautifully told, so real it's as if you were there. You can feel their faith and excitement of this time. Very enriching read. 

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#AHopeFulfilled #AprilWGardner #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarNovel #BigSpringPress

About the Book

Book: A Hope Fulfilled

Author: April W Gardner

Genre: Biblical Fiction (Obadiah)

Release Date: November, 2023

One Hebrew slave’s courage and faith opens the gate on Edom’s demise.

Tikvah, a Hebrew slave in Edom, lives in hope of once again seeing Jerusalem, the Holy City. When a Babylonian general and his dashing Jewish liaison arrive at her master’s house, whispering plans of Edom’s destruction, she senses Yahweh at work. After all, there’s a prophecy foretelling His justice upon the kingdom. Tikvah clings to that promise while obediently following the call of service into the heart of danger. If only there were a promise she would come out the other side alive.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

April W Gardner is an indie author whose great passion is historical romance with themes of Native American and Southeastern U.S. culture. Copyeditor, mother of two grown children, and non-trad college student, April lives in South Texas with her husband and two German Shepherds. In no particular order, April dreams of owning a horse, learning a third language, and visiting all the national parks.

 

 

 

 

More from April

So…Obadiah? Who ever heard of Obadiah as the backdrop for biblical fiction? I hadn’t. But that’s not where A Hope Fulfilled began…

In late December 2021, while deciding on a Bible reading goal for the upcoming year, I pondered which sections of the Bible I knew least. The minor prophets came to mind right off, then camped there as I asked myself what I knew about these little books.

I’d heard a million sermons preached from one or another of them over the years, but could I give even a one-sentence summary on any of the twelve? That question required a moment’s thought, which produced Jonah and the big fish, Hosea and his harlot wife, Joel and the locusts, Amos and… Uh, er, uh…

This was a problem. After burning some brain cells on the matter, I finally hung my head and admitted I was a minor failure. If I’d been tested right then on the minor prophets, I would have received a big red F.

How was this possible? I’m a missionary’s kid who never missed a church service, for goodness’ sake. This was unacceptable. I had an MK reputation to uphold.

Kidding, kidding. But the point remains. After 4.5 decades in church, I should be able to state every book’s title and theme. At a minimum. Anything less is spiritual laziness.

With that challenge in mind, I hitched up my trousers and set to work. My task? One minor prophet a month. I would read each one again and again, really drilling them home, absorbing their messages and banishing my spiritual “shame.”

By April, and my fourth read of Obadiah, I stared at my Bible, the verses swimming before me, and admitted to a second problem—despite my faithful rereading, the first four books were all running together in a mental smear of prophesy messages.

Warning, judgment, doom, gloom. There was hope in there, too, of course. Praise God. And a harlot wife. I had that one down. But I was no closer to being able to distinguish them, to really understand the books with any kind of true ownership.

Since I’m a goal-girl, it made me a little sad to set aside my twelve-prophet year, but there was no getting around it. If this was going to work, I would have to go deeper, get messier, put on my work gloves and knee pads, and start digging.

New goal! Understand Obadiah. I’d worry about the rest once I had this one down. Fifteen months and three written books later, here we are, celebrating the release of my first biblical fiction, A Hope Fulfilled.

So, how did I get from studying a minor prophet to writing biblical fiction? The journey from point A to point B wasn’t very long. The series (A Fire and a Flame) started out as a Bible commentary for women, but when I got to exploring the history around Obadiah, my fiction brain kinda took over. It does that sometimes. Silly brain.

I did finish the commentary, but as soon as I allowed myself to ponder all the what-ifs of the event, the novella practically wrote itself.

Obadiah gives a fiction writer almost no details to build on. So, A Hope Fulfilled is what one might call an artist’s rendition of what might have happened during the fall of Edom. There were probably Hebrew slaves in Edom. One of them probably knew the prophecy of Edom’s doom. And that somebody might have, just might have, longed to help God’s justice play out.

Thus, Tikah and her story, A Hope Fulfilled, were born.

Blog Stops

Dee S White, March 20
Holly’s Book Corner, March 21
The Lofty Pages, March 21
Book Looks by Lisa, March 22
Exploring The Written Word, March 23
Books You Can Feel Good About, March 24
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 25
Lots of Helpers, March 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 27
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 28
The Printed Edge, March 29
Texas Book-aholic, March 30
She Lives To Read, March 31
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 1 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, April 1
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, April is giving away the grand prize package of a $30 Amazon gift card and a paperback set of the A Fire and a Flame!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2a8f4/a-hope-fulfilled-celebration-tour-giveaway

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The Prince of Egypt - The Musical

 

This is a new digital musical out that you can purchase. Very beautiful costumes and sets. Beautiful people, beautiful voices and some very beautiful songs. The storyline is pretty and might be a good illustration of Moses life at the beginning of the story, but there are liberties taken and then an almost total break from the bible truth. This is a story of two brothers. 

The real story is about God's love for his chosen people and how He rescued them from slavery, returned them to freedom and prosperity in their promised land. About the miracles that He performed through Moses that made this happen. 

I can't honestly recommend that you watch this for anything other than a fantasy piece. If all you want is entertainment, this has its beauty. It made me sick to see the deviation from the biblical truth and would be very misleading to anyone who wants to know what the story really is. If you decide to see this, please read the bible to know what the true and really most beautiful story is.

Many thanks to NBC Universal for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

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Synopsis from filmmakers: Filmed live at the West End's Dominion Theatre, London, the show features a cast and orchestra of 60 performers, making it one of the biggest musicals ever staged. The Prince of Egypt: The Musical is the must-see event for all fans of musical theatre. Based on the classic DreamWorks Animation film the classic story has been brought to life by Stephen Schwartz’s “miraculous music” (Time Out), including Academy Award®-winning song ‘When You Believe’ and Sean Cheesman’s “astonishing choreography” (The Guardian). This epic, critically acclaimed production tells an inspiring tale of resilience and hope. Journey through the wonders of Ancient Egypt as two young men, raised together as brothers in a kingdom of privilege, find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past. One must rule as Pharaoh, the other must rise up and free his true people; both face a destiny that will change history forever.

Website: https://www.theprinceofegyptmusical.com/

Buy/Rent: https://www.uphe.com/tv/the-prince-of-egypt-the-musical

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JIpIourAas

Giveaway: $10 Amazon giftcard

(Note: This is limited to US winners only. Please submit your full name and email address in comments by 12/8. Winner will be chosen at random.)

The Shift from Angel Studios

 

Another meaningful movie. A twisted shift on the Book of Job. Quite twisted - in a deep way. After a tense encounter with a mysterious stranger with otherworldly powers, a man is banished to a tyrannical, parallel Earth where he fights to get back to the woman he loves. Really makes you wonder what will happen next. So very well filmed and acted, with some very familiar faces. You simply HAVE to feel something when watching this. No one is ever beyond hope, too far gone or lost, that they can't be helped if they have faith and hold on to it. No one is ever alone who has faith in God. Choose faith, you will be found. When you let your light shine in what you do, how you interact/treat others, you may spread hope without even knowing it. If you have a chance to see this in movie theaters, see it! You won't feel sorry. From Angel Studios (The Chosen, Sound of Freedom). Get your tickets to see this movie in theaters starting 12/1!

Many thanks to Angel Studios for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Giveaway: 2 tickets to see the film in theaters (Note: This is limited to US winners only. Please submit your full name and email address below by 12/3. Winner will be chosen at random from the comments.)

 #TheShiftMIN #TheShiftFilm #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #FiveStarMovie

• Featuring Sean Astin (The Goonies, Rudy, The Lord of the Rings), Neal McDonough (Band of Brothers), and Elizabeth Tabish (The Chosen), THE SHIFT is a movie you and your friends won’t want to miss!

• You can help pay for other people's tickets to come to the film at angel.com/pay-itforward/the-shift.

• Synopsis: In The Shift, a dystopian drama and sci-fi thriller, one man is faced with infinite worlds and impossible choices. When Kevin Garner meets a nefarious adversary known as The Benefactor and refuses his offer of wealth and power, he must escape an alternate totalitarian reality. With survival on the line, Kevin fights to make it back to the world he knows and the woman he loves.

Website: LINK 

Pay-It-Forward: LINK 

Buy Tickets: LINK 

Trailer: LINK

The King's Mercy by Lori Benton

Deep.
1747. Alex fought for Prince Charles Edward Stuart in his Jacobite Army. When they were defeated, he was taken prisoner by the English. A tall, handsome Scottish warrior and a born leader with a big heart. This story is SO skillfully told. A fairly long read, thoroughly told from Scotland to England to a Carolina plantation to Virginia. One of those books you fall into and fall in love with. The backstory slowly unfolds while you're fully absorbed with the relationships, especially between Alex and Joanna the daughter of the plantation owner. Alex was released from prison by the Kings Mercy as an indentured servant. The plantation is run with slavery. These topics are as thoroughly felt out as the main plot(s).  Add in some of the Cherokee American Indian way of life. Wonderful story, wonderfully told with biblical situations that could be taken from the Apostle Paul's writings. A fabulous journey as you get lost in this story. Thoroughly enjoyable to the very end.

". . .go in confidence. As you go, pray. Listen. He’ll guide you— deliver you, need be. Shut every door you aren’t meant to pass through. He’s practical, our God. But you’ll never know what good may come if you don’t take the first step of faith.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. 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.”
#TheKingsMercy  #NetGalley  #LoriBenton  #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

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On This Foundation by Lynn Austin

I knew the story of Nehemiah from the bible, where he worked for the King of Persia, who noticed that Nehemiah was unhappy and he asked why. When Nehemiah told him he was upset about the destruction of the walls around Jerusalem, his home town, leaving it defenseless - the King gives him permission to go home and rebuild the walls - providing a guard and materials, and making him the governor.  What I didn't know was the background on Nehemiah and his brothers that led him to work for the King.

There are other character's lives within the story as well. Can you imagine being put into slavery for 6 years because your family is about to lose their home and land? There was a drought, and people were forced to pay taxes and mortgage their property even though they were starving.  For many the only thing they could do was go into bondage to pay their debt - which happens to a young girl.

And then of course Nehemiah is not popular with everyone, and there are plots to remove him. There is another young girl whose family wants her to marry into a political family entrenched in this part of the intrigue. The story is beautifully woven, with fabulous messages of God's faithfulness.  This is a book I highly recommend - especially if you think you already know the story!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Baker Publishing Group, Bethany - Netgalley book review bloggers program. 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.” http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html.

From the book:
The Powerful Concluding Novel
to The Restoration Chronicles

When news that the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire, Nehemiah, Jewish cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in Persia, seeks God's guidance. After fasting and prayer, he's given leave to travel to Jerusalem and rebuild the city wall, not anticipating all the dangers that await him on his arrival.

The leaders of the surrounding nations become his fierce enemies, plotting to assassinate him and halt the work. A drought, meanwhile, has left the country impoverished, many families resorting to selling their children as bondservants just to keep from starving.

Capturing the rebuilding of the wall through the eyes of a number of characters, On This Foundation is a powerful exploration of faith in the midst of oppression, and hope that, in spite of appearances, the gracious hand of God is upon those who believe.

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A Stranger's Secret (Cliffs of Cornwall series Book 2) by Laurie Alice Eakes

One of the most suspenseful books I've read. It keeps you wondering from beginning to end.

A Christian Historical Romance set in 1813. I think it would have been helpful to have read the first book. You can read it as a stand alone, but I think it would have been a richer experience to have had the full background from the first book. Lady Morwenna Trelawny Penvenan is a widow wanting to hang onto her husband's impoverished estate for her son's inheritance. She won't accept help from her overbearing, wealthy Grandparents and tries to handle everything on her own. But her scandalous past and that of her husband holds her back.

David washes up on Morwenna's beach after wreckers lure the ship to unsafe waters along her shore. The wreckers are setting her up to make it look like she is doing it. But there was a reason he was on that ship. He was looking for answers about his father's death and the significance of the Trelawny medallion that his father had. The medallion that David had until Morwenna left him to get help.  They both are seeking answers from each other, and both keeping secrets.

There's lots of "romantic tension" throughout. There were some parts that seemed more like "formula" writing to me. Like the scene where Morwenna goes for a horse ride with others, only to turn back and fall off her horse. Unless I missed something, it seemed the only point was that her clothes were too tight, popped open and became too revealing when she fell.

Other than that, it was a very good read and grabs your attention from the first paragraph. There are good Christian lessons here and there throughout the book about pride, honoring parents and trust in others and in God.  The characters become endearing.  I would like to know what becomes of everyone as time goes on! Love the cover. Zondervan seems to have a lot of great books.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan Publishers  and BookLook Bloggers. 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”.

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