Review of "A Cast of Stones" by Patrick W. Carr

As a copyeditor I was too busy to read the advanced copy of "A Cast of Stones" when I received it at the end of last year. I only just got to it this weekend. 

This is the first in a three book series called "The Staff and The Sword." I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed my trip into the life and times of Errol Stone. From the very first pages, I was completely drawn into and committed to the outcome of the story. Each one of the characters in the story is well developed to the point where I could see and hear them in my mind. Patrick's descriptions weren't overly wordy or pretentious as I have found at times in other books but were just perfect to help me imagine the people, the scenes and the locations where the action occurs. And the action? Well, there is certainly plenty of that. The intensity of the fighting was enough to build suspense but not to the point of being overly frightening. I truly cared about Errol and Liam as well as several of the other characters and cannot wait to find out what happens in the next two books. I highly recommend reading this book.

Tyndale Blog Network review of "I Still Believe" by Jeremy Camp

I honestly had not heard this story prior to reading the book and although it was heartbreaking in one sense, it was encouraging in another. 
Born January 12, 1978, Jeremy Camp is a well-known Christian music artist with several popular songs under his belt. Growing up in a Christian family, Jeremy personally witnessed God's grace as a child through his parents' faith during times of intense financial poverty. His father played guitar and often led worship at church, encouraging Jeremy as a young teen to learn to play the guitar.
Without re-writing his story here, the book delves deeply into his struggles as a teen, his sense of God's hand on his life in college and on his relationship with his first wife Melissa. While on their honeymoon in October 2000, Melissa realized her fight with ovarian cancer might not be over and she succumbed in only a little over three months. Around her hospital bed immediately after she passed away, Jeremy's family along with Melissa's family began to praise God for the fact that He is good even in the midst of devastating circumstances, and although crushed, Jeremy joined in the praise. Thus began a long time of grief and healing for Jeremy as he learned to trust his Father in heaven with everything and, more importantly, everyone. Now married for the second time (December 2003), Jeremy tours and shares his story along with his music. More often than not, his wife and three children accompany him. Expect to need tissues as you read his story but beyond even that, expect your faith to be challenged.
Please note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Tyndale House Publishers, in exchange for my review. I was not required to give a positive review.