The Missionary

The Missionary

The Missionary, by William Carmichael and David Lambert is about an American couple who are missionaries in Venezuela.  It is touching to read about the couple caring for the unloved and unwanted children in the streets of Caracas, while raising their own son.  

They live in a small house in Hope Village, where the children are housed, nursed back to health, and go to school.  The husband, David, feels hopeless, as if he is just a drop in the bucket, as he rescues a few children while he has to watch many more stay alone, homeless, and suffering.  Christie, herself an orphan with a tragic past, lives for each child they see in the moment.  She feels that the world is saved for that child, right now.  

David, in his frustration and zeal to help Hope Village, gets "accidentally-on-purpose" involved in a coup trying to remove an unjust dictator who is living it up while the masses suffer.  He didn't know that there was going to be an attempted murder, and that people would be maimed, tortured, and killed along the way.  I'm not sure how one can think you can plan a government overthrow without killing anyone or posing any danger to themselves or their family- but that is David's story, and he is sticking to it!  LOL.  

But really, he did seem to believe it.  This non-missionary woman who is feeling a little jaded at the moment just doesn't quite understand HOW a grown man can really believe that- but, then, neither could his wife, so I guess it isn't just me, haha. 

As the title suggests, The Missionary is Christian literature, and there are many mentions and references to God, Christianity, prayer, church, and religion.  While the plot and storyline are somewhat far fetched, it was a "feel good" book that had a mostly-happy ending for the main characters.   (Note- there was some violent aspects, I say "feel good" because of all the people in the book that were doing good, and that it ended on an upbeat.)  

It is fast paced, and you do want to keep reading to see what happens next. 

You can purchase The Missionary from Deep River Books or on their website.  Make sure to Like Deep River Books on Facebook and Follow them on Twitterto keep up with all their latest news  :) 

David and his wife Christie rescue impoverished children in the slums of Venezuela. But for David, that's not enough. The supply of homeless children is endless because of the corrupt policies of the Venezuelan government. 

In a rare moment of anger, David lashes out publicly against the government, unaware of the chain reaction that will soon follow. 

When the CIA offers David a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a key role in a "bloodless" coup, he decides to go for it. But little by little, he falls into an unimaginable web of deceit that ends in a desperate, life-or-death gamble to flee the country with his wife and son, with all the resources of a corrupt dictatorship at their heels.

Book Review: The Missionary

Book Review: The Missionary

I love books.  I always have.
I can read an entire book in a day if it's a good one.
My favorite genre is Christian fiction, so when I had the opportunity to review The Missionary by William Carmichael and David Lambert I was super excited!

Below is the synopsis from the  book's website:

David and his wife Christie rescue impoverished children in the slums of Venezuela. But for David, that's not enough. The supply of homeless children is endless because of the corrupt policies of the Venezuelan government.

In a rare moment of anger, David lashes out publicly against the government, unaware of the chain reaction that will soon follow. 

When the CIA offers David a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a key role in a "bloodless" coup, he decides to go for it. But little by little, he falls into an unimaginable web of deceit that ends in a desperate, life-or-death gamble to flee the country with his wife and son, with all the resources of a corrupt dictatorship at their heels.

So I started reading this book while sitting at an indoor playground with my kiddos--we were there for two hours before I made myself put the book away and take them home!  It will catch your interest in the first chapter and you won't want to put it down!

I am more of a drama, romance-type but I do enjoy a good action/suspense every once in a while.  This book is definitely more of a suspense novel but has just enough romance between husband and wife to satisfy the romantic side! 

I do have to say that I found it a bit difficult to follow some of the characters at first (the "bad guys") but deeper into the book I had no trouble at all.  I won't go into detail about what happens in the book (I'm not a fan of spoilers!), but I will tell you that as you follow David through this book you will be on the edge of your seat!

The Missionary is a book that anyone who likes suspense novels will enjoy.  It's nice to have a good, "clean" book to read and I can't wait for my husband to pick it up!

Thanks to Bring It On Communications for sending me The Missionary to review!  Be sure to visit their site as well as the website for Deep River Books, which was founded by co-author William Carmichael. 

You can purchase The Missionary at a number of bookstores, but my favorite place to find it is Soles 4 Souls--it's $5 right now, and for each one purchased a pair of shoes will be donated to a child in need!!

*This is a MamaBuzz review. The product was provided by: Bring It On Communications for this review.

SOUL TRUTH & GODLY PERSONALITIES - REVIEW

review done by Jenilee

 I have been looking at two other books from Bring It On! Communications.

The first one is Soul Truth by Wendy Pilla-Delcourt. The back of the book says, "Family life, work, activities, and social pressures consume each day. With the rapid increase in the pace of our lives, our inner desires and passions are often distracted. It is easy to forget that there is more to life than mere responsibility and performance. Sharing the very stories that have shaped her life, Wendy Pilla-Delcourt encourages you to share your life in a new way and to celebrate the gift you are to this world. The ageless, child-like spirit in all of us can capture the realms of possibility to live out the meaningful life that burns inside our very souls. With all of us called to one glorious hope for the future, we must remember that innate curiosity, that passion to pioneer the world, and the fearlessness to take a chance on something we believe in."

This book goes perfectly with what I'm teaching in our ladies Sunday School class right now from the bookSoul Print by Mark Batterson. I love how Wendy brings the thought of allowing God to use past experiences to shape and guide our future to life by telling us her own personal stories and how they have impacted her into adulthood. I really enjoyed reading her input and then asking myself the questions she gave at the end of each chapter.

The second book that I read  was Godly Personalities by Roger Deemer. 

This book is about finding our personality tendencies and why that is important. The description of this book says, "Personalities provides hope in facing common temptations, avoiding deception, patiently persevering through life's challenges, and living in peace with all people. Understanding personalities is a key to living a godly life!"

Although I got confused sometimes at where I really fell in these many personality profiles, I did enjoy reading about the differences and seeing the realities of why I do the things I do! I would like to read this one again and focus more on discovering my personality type according to this study.

So, that is a little bit about what I've been reading... what have YOU been reading lately?

Surviving One Bad Year (Book Review)

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, New International Version, ©2011)

Most of us have learned this, over and over, in our lives.  If you read my blog regularly, you know that the last year has been full of challenges.  Because of that, I was eager to read Surviving One Bad Year, by author Nancie Carmichael.  In this book, she offers seven spiritual strategies to survive and move beyond those trials--but Surviving One Bad Year contains more than those seven strategies.

The book is divided into two parts, which contain emergency tactics (3 chapters) and continuing strategies (7 chapters), respectively.  Each chapter concludes with a related Bible reading, questions for personal reflection, and ideas for new beginnings.  Throughout the book, the author supplies the reader with encouraging Bible verses, inspirational quotes, practical help, and true stories.

I found this book easy to read, even though I'm overwhelmed and unable to focus well.  I believe this format is by design:  realizing that people in crisis are often unable to read and absorb long chapters, the author has written this book to be accessible to all.  Even when we're only able to take in small bits, we're likely to find an encouraging quote, verse, or piece of advice.

I quoted a passage from Surviving One Bad Year in one of my Thursday posts on finding rest.  I'd like to share that passage again, and also share one more passage:

There can be a higher purpose, a deeper meaning in life's twists and turns.  We don't have to know all the answers when we stand in the truth that the battle is not ours, but God's.  Letting go in the midst of a crisis is completely opposite of what we want to do, but doing so is our only true hope for victory. (page 21)

Perhaps there is something in your life now that is a struggle for you--even though you know you are where you should be--and you are tempted to give up. ... [The] battle is won not so much in blinding moments of truth as in hanging in there when the going is tough.  Don't give up!  If you are following the Lord, your path will ultimately lead you to a beautiful place.  Meanwhile, keep going.  Open your eyes to His presence in the midst of your struggle and stay the course. (page 135)

Book information:

• Title:  Surviving One Bad Year:  7 Spiritual Strategies to Lead You to a New Beginning
• Author:  Nancie Carmichael
• Paperback: 199 pages
• Publisher: Howard Books; Original edition (October 27, 2009)
• ISBN-13: 978-1439103241
• Publisher price:  $14.99 (U.S.)

Links for more information:

• Nancie Carmichael website
• Surviving One Bad Year website
• Surviving One Bad Year: 7 Spiritual Strategies to Lead You to a New Beginning on Amazon.com (affiliate link)

Disclosure: I received this book, at no cost to me, for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions in this post are my own. Thanks to Bring It On! Communications for the opportunity. This post contains affiliate links: if you click through my Amazon.com link and complete a purchase, I will receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting my reading habit!

Book Review:The Missionary by William Carmichael & David Lambert

Book Review:The Missionary by William Carmichael & David Lambert

The Missionary
by
William Carmichael David Lambert

Paperback: 384 Pages
Language: English
Publisher: Moody Publishers; 1 edition
ISBN-10: 0802455697
Retail Value: $13.99
Category: Fiction/General/Suspense
Synopsis

Yesterday he was an American missionary serving 

the poor, Today he's an international fugitive.

David Eller and his wife, Christie, work to help rescue impoverished children in Caracas, Venezuela. But for David, that isn't enough, 

The supply of homeless children is endless because of massive poverty

and the oppressive politics of the Venezuelan government.

When he is given an opportunity to do something more-to heal the

disease rather than working on the symptoms-David decides to go

for it. But little by little, he falls into an unimaginable nightmare of

espionage, ending in a desperast, life-or-death gamble to flee the 

country with his wife and son. 

About The Authors

William Carmichael is an accomplished best-selling author of marriage, family, and parenting books. He and his wife, Nancie, are popular speakers across the United States and Canada. The Missionary is Bill's first novel.

William has a Masters degree in Education from The University of Santa Clara and degrees from Southern California College and Bethany College, as well as an honorary doctorate from Corban College.

David Lambert is senior fiction editor for Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, He is the author of nine 

books, including the Gold Medallion Award winning Juniper Fables, co authored with Ken David and four 

novels for young adult readers.  

David has an M.F.A. in fiction writing from the University of Montana. He has held a variety of positions in publishing, including managing editor of a youth magazine, and founding editor of two others.

Our Review
I wasn't sure what to expect before I started reading this
novel. I do know that Lambert & Carmichael deliver
a good read and I just couldn't put the book down. I
felt as if I was there in the story. They have you
wondering what's going to happen next. This is definitely
a good novel that you've got to get your hands on.

Connect with the Authors Through Media

• www.missionarynovel.com
• Buy an autographed copy & help a child in need
•  BarnesandNoble.com
• Amazon.com
• Borders
• PowellsBooks.com
• ChristianBooks.com

Disclosure: The product & product information were provided free of charge by Bring It On! Communications through MamaBuzz. No monetary exchange was made. Our opinions are our own.

The Missionary - A Review

The Missionary - A Review

THE MISSIONARY is a book by

William Carmichael (founder of Deep River Books) and David Lambert.  

FROM THE WEBSITE:
Yesterday, David Eller was an American Missionary in Caracas, Venezuela. Today, he's an international fugitive.

David and his wife Christie rescue impoverished children in the slums of Venezuela. But for David, that's not enough. The supply of homeless children is endless because of the corrupt policies of the Venezuelan government. 
In a rare moment of anger, David lashes out publicly against the government, unaware of the chain reaction ...

MY REVIEW:
I wasn't sure what to expect when I requested to be a part of this book review.  I guess I knew this was a work of fiction - but was it inspirational or a glimpse of the hardships of the mission field or some kind of morality tale?

In my opinion, it was more of a suspense/intrigue story than a religious lesson ... which doesn't necessarily mean I didn't like it!  I love a good tale of mystery, action, and suspense!!  And while some of the characters were stereotypical (the drug lords, the ex-special forces mercenaries, the dictator and his minions, the elderly and benevolent missionary couple), it was a good study in human nature. 

The development of the main character, missionary David Eller, of course, was the driving force of the plot.  He is passionate, makes rash decisions, has regrets, feels responsible, takes action, and does many of the things that any person - any Christian - might do when confronted with corruption and evil - without truly considering God's will or consulting Him first.

In the end, it was a GREAT, page-turning, suspenseful story!  I loved it.  I didn't come away with any terrific spiritual lessons, other than thankfulness that I have a husband who considers me and our children first and foremost in most every thing (quite unlike David Eller did). 

It is a great story of consequences of actions and decisions - and how what one person does (good - as in a missionary helping the poor - and bad - as in a missionary getting involved in international problems) affects many.

THE MISSIONARY is available from many sources, to include amazon.

This is a Mamabzz review.  The book was provided to me by Bring It On!  Communications.

The Missionary by William Carmichael and David Lambert

Seems like this was the week for suspenseful reads. I've got another fabulous edge of your seat" novel for you. It's called The Missionary and it was co-written by William Carmichael and David Lambert, and put out by Bring It On! Communications andDeep River Books. This is unlike any missionary- themed novel you've read before, and is proof that even those "called by God' can lose their way... 

Yesterday, David Eller was an American Missionary in Caracas, Venezuela. Today, he's an international fugitive.

David and his wife Christie rescue impoverished children in the slums of Venezuela. But for David, that's not enough. The supply of homeless children is endless because of the corrupt policies of the Venezuelan government.

In a rare moment of anger, David lashes out publicly against the government, unaware of the chain reaction that will soon follow.

When the CIA offers David a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a key role in a "bloodless" coup, he decides to go for it. But little by little, he falls into an unimaginable web of deceit that ends in a desperate, life-or-death gamble to flee the country with his wife and son, with all the resources of a corrupt dictatorship at their heels.


Taut and gripping. You’ll be glad you made the investment.
—Jerry B. Jenkins, New York Times national bestselling author, including the 65,000,000-selling Left Behind series

David Lambert is a master of words—The Missionary is further proof.
—Karen Kingsbury, New York Times-bestselling author of the Above the Line series

The Missionary is a roller-coaster read that will keep your adrenaline rushing!
—Terri Blackstock, author of Double Minds and Last Light

This was an intense read and at times, left me breathless. Like one of my fellow Mama Buzz reviewers said, I could very well see this being made into a movie. It's full of action and interesting characters. It only takes a couple pages to be sucked into the ride that is The Missionary. With danger, politics, religion, and charity all in one book, you are bound to find something that pulls you into this story.

While I was surprised at the sometimes foolish choices the main character, David, made, I was at the same time inspired by him and his wife's sacrifice for the impoverished children they helped rescue. The authors did an excellent job of describing every scene in detail, using just enough to make you feel like you were there, but not too much to bore you. With a story set in an exotic and tropical country, the scenes were vivid and I instantly felt drawn in.

The book jumps around a bit from character to character, but it's not too difficult to keep up with what's going on. It's Christian fiction at it's best! Snag your own copy of The Missionary on Amazon for about $5. Find out more online at www.missionarynovel.com.

**Thank you to Bring It On! Communications (via Mama Buzz) for providing the products for review and giveaway! I only recommend products or services I can stand behind and believe will be good for my readers. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I paid for this review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. If you have any questions please refer to my Terms of Use.**