Book Review and Giveaway: The Vision and Beyond by David Wilkerson

A vision from 1973 that looks a lot like the world as we know it 44 years later!

The Vision and Beyond
by David Wilkerson

Paperback: 143 pages
Publisher: World Challenge Publications; 1st edition (2003)
ASIN: B00NK619JW
Genre: Prophesy, Religion & Spirituality
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

This book has the same content as the Original 1974 version, but is has 2 additional chapters added that Update the book and includes important segments from "Racing Toward Judgment.”

Review:
This book was first published in 1974 to present the visions of the author from dreams he had in 1973. The current book was updated in 2003 to show events that had occurred and still more that look like they will occur. It is interesting reading to see our current day events predicted 40 years in the past.

The book reads very quickly and, for a Christ follower, it is fascinating although not too surprising. I would think it might be more startling for a nonbeliever to see how much of Mr. Wilkerson’s 1973 vision has occurred.

My book club ladies enjoyed the read and felt it was timely, fitting the current day news. I thought the update could have been more up to date but I acknowledge that the update is already 14 years old. I recommend this to readers who enjoy prophesy and noting its fulfillment.

This was my Ladies Book Club read for November. It qualifies for TBR as I had this for several years as we had picked it up for a class study a few years back but never set up the class.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

I have several copies to share – at least three (might be more) – to US or Canadian readers. If you are interested, fill in the FORM and I will pick as many winners as I can to send the books to. I will select winners on 12/29/17.

Sunday Post December 17, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 18, 2017

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Because of the work in our office my husband and I postponed our travel plans by a week. We agreed it would be best if I stay this week to help our daughter with the extra closings, including her own. I haven't been home before 8pm except Friday night for our granddaughter's birthday party. I get home and am pretty wiped so I have still been struggling to get reviews done.
I have been thinking about and planning challenges for 2018 as you will see below by the books I picked up.
Our weather was 30-65s last week but expected to warm up to 45-70s this week.

I enjoyed my listening and reading. I finished 3 books for the week: one Audible and two ebooks. I posted three reviews plus I posted my usual memes.

I visited only 22 blogs early in the week.
Shout out this week to Top Shelf Text who shared some great holiday gift ideas in the linked post.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post December 10, 2017/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 11, 2017.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Cloak of the Light by Chuck Black; Action and Adventure, Religious, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway December 15, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/21/2017.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Defining Diana by Hayden Trenholm; Cyberpunk, Mystery, Police Procedure, Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.

• eAuthor- Book Review: Kristian's War by Peter Wisan; Religious, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.

• Sharing Beyond Books #333 Comment Giveaway December 16, 2017. Open Worldwide. Ending 12/30/2017.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement December 17, 2017.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Sugar Pine Trail: A Small-Town Christmas Romance (Haven Point)
by RaeAnne Thayne
This has fun characters and a fun romance.
Received through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs
Half-Moon Hollow, Book 1
By: Molly Harper
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi
Series: Half-Moon Hollow, Book 1
I wanted something light and this has been on my Audible shelf since 2012.
This was a quick listen with the usual fun Molly Harper snark.
Publisher's Summary
Maybe it was the Shenanigans gift certificate that put her over the edge. When children's librarian and self-professed nice girl Jane Jameson is fired by her beastly boss and handed $25 in potato skins instead of a severance check, she goes on a bender that's sure to become Half Moon Hollow legend. On her way home, she's mistaken for a deer, shot, and left for dead. And thanks to the mysterious stranger she met while chugging neon-colored cocktails, she wakes up with a decidedly unladylike thirst for blood.
Jane is now the latest recipient of a gift basket from the Newly Undead Welcoming Committee, and her life-after-lifestyle is taking some getting used to. Her recently deceased favorite aunt is now her ghostly roommate. She has to fake breathing and endure daytime hours to avoid coming out of the coffin to her family. She's forced to forgo her favorite down-home Southern cooking for bags of O negative. Her relationship with her sexy, mercurial vampire sire keeps running hot and cold. And if all that wasn't enough, it looks like someone in Half Moon Hollow is trying to frame her for a series of vampire murders. What's a nice undead girl to do?
Love in vein: bite into more of Jane Jameson's paranormal exploits.
©2009 Molly Harper White (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG)

The Rancher's Christmas Song 
(The Cowboys of Cold Creek)
by RaeAnne Thayne
This is another charming Thayne Christmas romance.
Received through NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audio/CD

About a Dog
By: Jenn McKinlay
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan
Series: Bluff Point Romances, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
I am still listening in the car with two CDs left to go.
I received this CD audiobook from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Print/Ladies Book Club

The Christmas Code Booklet
by O. S. Hawkin
I am still enjoying this Advent reading for December.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible/MP3 (TBR)

Saving Grace
By: Lee Smith
Narrated by: Christina Moore
This is another Audible TBR from 2010.
This is an unusual listen and I am interested to see where it goes.
Publisher's Summary
Having justly earned her reputation as a master storyteller, Lee Smith's name evokes images of authentic country folk struggling through some of life's most arduous tests. Saving Grace adds a stunning spiritual dimension. The daughter of a snake-handling preacher who ignores the needs of his destitute family, Florida Grace doesn't think much of Jesus. He's the reason she's lived in squalor most of her life. He certainly doesn't keep her womanizing zealot of a father on the straight and narrow. In fact, Jesus hasn't been there for her through her failed marriage, or the death of her son. But in one shining moment everything changes when He calls out to her, and she returns to her roots to heed His call.
Narrator Christina Moore gives perfect voice to the vulnerability and wisdom of a young woman on a turbulent spiritual journey.
©1995 Lee Smith; (P)2003 Recorded Books

4. eBook/Kindle (NG)

Coiled
by H. L. Burke
I am already enjoying this 'fairytale' story.
Received from NetGalley.
A healing touch. A hideous face. A looming curse.
As the ugly twin to a perfect sister, Princess Laidra lives her life in the shadows—until her parents offer her as bait for a giant serpent.
Her escape attempt leaves her shipwrecked on a secluded island with only one inhabitant: Prince Calen, who lives under a curse. If anyone looks upon him, he turns into a giant serpent. Speaking to him in the darkness, Laidra sees past the monster to Calen’s lonely soul, and she determines to free him from the magic’s hold.
But if Laidra can’t break the curse in time, Calen will become a mindless creature of scales and fangs forever.
A YA mythology/romance that retells the myth of Eros and Psyche with adventure, magic, and true love.

December 17, 2017 - I am half a day ahead and enjoying the last weeks of reading in the One Year Bible. I have been reading along with my husband and others from our church. I hope to take more time this year, staying on the day and listening to the companion commentary online.

I completed 3 books and posted 3 reviews. I still have 8 reviews pending - Maybe I'll have some time this week to double up reviews. 
I am three weeks (sigh) behind linking my reviews at Goodreads, Amazon and Audible.
My NetGalley shelf WAS down to 6 but went on a spree in preparation of the New Year and TBR reading for 2018. I now have 21. I still have one committed author title in queue and many through InstaFreebie.

We're working on two more fiction books soon to add to eTreasure's NetGalley page.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
I went on a NetGalley and Audible binge to prepare for challenges in 2018 (Alphabet, NetGalley and TBR).
I picked up 15 new titles through NetGalley "Read Now".
I bought two Audible daily deals, selected two credit titles, five titles on sale and one free title.
I did not purchase any Kindles this week.
As usual, I picked up more free kindle titles as usual. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.)
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

The After War by Brandon Zenner (Sci Fi/Dystopian)
Consent of the Governed by Bernard LoPinto (Sci Fi/Dystopian)
The Darling Dahlias and the Unlucky Clover by Susan Wittig Albert (Mystery/Woman Sleuth)
The Edge of Memory by Maura Beth Brennan (Mystery/Thriller Psychological)
Fade to Black by David Rosenfelt (Mystery/Thriller)

A Gem of a Problem by Irene Sauman (Mystery/Historical)
The Hills of Mare Imbrium by Carleton Chinner (Sci Fi/Colonization)
In Wolves' Clothing by Greg Levin (Mystery/Noir)
Let There Be Light by Dan Gordon and Sam Sorbo (Christian/Romance)
Precisely at Midnight (Kinsman Book 2) by Joyce and Alexandra Swann (Christian/Holidays)

Queendom of the Seven Lakes by A B Endacott (Fantasy/Historical)
Talon by Amanda Greenslade (Fantasy/Word & Sorcery)
The Voice Inside by Brian Freeman (Mystery/Thriller Police Procedure)
What If God Wrote Your To-Do List? By Jay Payleitner (Christian Living)
The Year of the Knife by G.D. Penman (Sci Fi)

Won

NONE

Purchased

12/13 Daily Deal $2.95
The Fountains of Paradise
By: Arthur C. Clarke
Narrated by: Marc Vietor
Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins
Release date: 08-25-09

12/16 Daily Deal $.99 since I already had the Kindle version.
The Phantom of the Opera
By: Gaston Leroux
Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins
Release date: 12-06-04

12/14 Two November Credit Selects:
Xenos: Warhammer 40,000
By: Dan Abnett
Narrator: Toby Longworth
Duration: 9 hrs and 55 mins

The Last Colony
By: John Scalzi
Narrator: William Dufris
Duration: 9 hrs and 51 mins

12/14 Five Audibles On Sale (half price)
X-Files: Cold Cases 1 $.88
By: Joe Harris, Chris Carter, Dirk Maggs
Narrator: Gianni Bersanetti, Claudia Catani
Duration: 1 hr and 13 mins

Leader of the Pack $9.74
By: David Rosenfelt
Narrator: Grover Gardner
Duration: 6 hrs and 59 mins

Genesis: Arisen, Book 0.5  $6.99
By: Michael Stephen Fuchs
Narrator: R. C. Bray
Duration: 5 hrs and 50 mins

X Minus One: A Gun for Dinosaur (March 7, 1956) $.95
By: L. Sprague de Camp, Ernest Kinoy - adaptation
Narrator: Fred Collins
Duration: 29 mins

For We Are Many  $9.97
By: Dennis E. Taylor
Narrator: Ray Porter
Duration: 8 hrs and 58 mins

Free

Free at Audible:
The Earliest Signs of Brain Damage? Just Listen
By: Lawrence K. Altman, M.D.
Narrator: Kristi Burns
Duration: 7 mins

I also added another 52 free Kindle titles to my library this week. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement December 17, 2017

This morning in Sunday School we watched a comedy video introduction to Mary Did You Know and then a more recent rendition of the song.

Pastor started a new sermon series this morning called Hope is Born before we shared communion.

This morning the message was about The Promise given and kept. We know from our human experiences that promises aren't always kept. Satan has managed to destroy the hope of many by promoting broken promises.

We must learn that hope does not come from any humans in our lives. The true source of hope is God's gift. God is always working, and Jesus is the promise that has never been broken. “For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:37.

Point: Jesus is the source of Hope for the future. He is the promise that will never be broken.

Our God is the God of the impossible giving the immaculate conception of Jesus by the virgin Mary and the miraculous conception of John by an elderly Elizabeth. Luke 1:26-38. Matthew 1:19-21.

How often do we turn down the challenge of God? Joseph was prepared to quietly set Mary aside until God challenged him to proceed to marry her.

What if we gave God permission to do the impossible in our lives? Pastor compared trusting God to trusting a parachute when skydiving. There are life situations where there is no other answer but God.

Elizabeth stated to Mary: ‘You are blessed because you believed the promise of the Lord.’ Luke 1:39-45.

Jesus the Messiah fulfilled the promise of salvation by dying on the cross. Jesus was sent to die for each of us. He came to earth as a baby to be God with us and in us. He was born to be broken, as should we be.

Do you trust the promise? Then surrender your life in this realm to achieve the second level of His promise: eternal life. Hold on to the promise of Christ; this will give you hope for every day.

I had several songs of promise and chose two to share.

First is Precious Promise

And this wonderfully illustrated song: Who Would Have Dreamed?

Verses for Today:
Luke 1:37 and 45
NIV 37 “For no word from God will ever fail.”
NASB 37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

NIV 45 “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”


Lord, I thank you for the Promise that was given in the birth of Jesus and fulfilled by His death on the cross.

Sharing Beyond Books #333 Comment Giveaway December 16, 2017

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB! Since many of us will be busy celebrating the holidays with friends and family, there will be no SBB on 12/23. The next SBB post will be 12/30.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Ten of us leave the jacket covers on a hardback and are apt to use it as a bookmark. Four definitely remove the jacket and two remove them sometimes.

~~~~~

The Winner from SBB #332 comments is: #12 Sue who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post.

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #333

(One Question.)

Miki asks: What do you think of "book" pillow in the sense of pillow/cushion with a quote or a bookish design. do you like it? do you have one? or do you prefer other decorative kind?

I like the idea of "book" pillows with a quote although I don't have any. While looking for an image I saw several pillow to hold books and some with a pocket to put a book in.
I do have a very sweet, decorative pillow that says "Grandma does the heart good" which was a gift from my granddaughter. When I was young I had a large bed wedge pillow that was good to sit up with for reading.

Image found at Memories In Thread..

I like this book.cat image found at eBay.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.

Your turn to share. Miki asks: What do you think of "book" pillow in the sense of pillow/cushion with a quote or a bookish design. do you like it? do you have one? or do you prefer other decorative kind?

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday December 30, 2017 at 5 PM central.

Book Review: Kristian's War by Peter Wisan

I liked this post-apocalyptic, Biblical allegory.
Kristian's War (The Searcher Series Book 1)
by Peter Wisan

File Size: 428 KB
Print Length: 202 pages
Publication Date: August 21, 2017
ASIN: B072TRNKHW
Genre: Religious, Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Kristian Anders, a dirt-poor farmer, lives in a land where evil forces take the form of men. The sins of his past weigh heavily on his mind. When a stranger directs him to take a new path, Kristian begins the journey of a lifetime towards a distant King who is rumored to solve all problems. But then a ruthless soldier is dispatched by the ruler of the dark land to capture or kill Kristian. Everything leads to one final fight, where Kristian must defeat the demons of his past or die.

Marine Corps veteran Peter Wisan delivers a gripping, tactical take on the spiritual journey in a blend of heart-stopping action and heart-rending loss. Order a copy now…if you have what it takes to join, KRISTIAN’S WAR.

Review:
Kristian lives with his estranged and injured wife, Christi. Christi is in wheelchair, is very bitter and blames Kristian for her condition. The society they live in is restrictive and evil. A neighbor, John Dappler, who is always looking at a new health fad runs, through his farm and hands Kristian a wrapped book that he must hide. John is captured by Sergeant Major Shame and sentenced to death.

Shortly after the execution, an imposing stranger approaches Kris and offers to show him how to reach a distant King who can bring peace and love back to his live. Although it is forbidden to go beyond their home territory, Kristian decides to take the risk to make the dangerous journey to find the King. Evan tells Kristian that he will meet up with him soon, but that Kristian must stay on the straight path even when things or people try to knock him off.

Kristian sets off from Comfort County to the Land of Genuine Experience with a friend who does not last. Along the way, Kristian comes upon forks in the road and faces obstacles such as Discourage, Staff Sergeant Past and others. He also gets help from Grace, Pastor and his daughters, Hope and Faith. The journey is full of danger as Staff Sergeant Past pursues him relentlessly.

While Kristian struggles along his journey the author shares manipulation that is influencing his wife Christi at home. About 75% in the author reveals the events that crippled Christi.

As I began to recognize the allegory this story made me think of Pilgrim’s Progress. Here there is a realistic military force and battle that Kristian must escape. The story line and action moved the story along at a quick pace. I found this entertaining and I found myself shaking my head and smiling at different stages. I recommend this to readers who would enjoy a Biblical allegory.

I received this title from the author through a Goodreads ARC group. I am glad I had the opportunity to read it.