Saturday, December 5, 2015

LORILYN ROBERTS BOOK REVIEW: If You Only Read One Christian Nonfiction Book This Year, This Should Be It – “Living Backward,” by Angelique Cooper McGlotten



If you only read one Christian nonfiction book this year, this should be it. "Living Backward" is inspiring and God-breathed. In my almost fifty years of being a Christian, I have dealt with almost everything Angelique talks about, but so quickly I forget some of these lessons and how much I need to be reminded.

Thank you, Angelique, for sharing these wonderful Biblical truths and encouraging me that even when I fail, not to give up, but to keep my eyes on Jesus, and to remember that we are just passing through this world on our way to the next. I loved the analogy of the airport and the quote, "Every person alive is on a spiritual layover." 

I was convicted more than once of things I need to change in my own life, and as I prayed for God to make me more holy, the evil one took notice. What a battle we face!


"Living Backward" will make you think about things that are eternal and draw you closer to God as His Holy Spirit speaks to your heart. I wish every Christian would read this book. Thank you for writing "Living Backward" and helping me in my walk with God. What a blessing!


*~*~*~*

Angelique's bio from Amazon: "If you asked me what I do, I'd tell you that I teach, mentor, and volunteer in a variety of capacities. I also write poetry and prose. If you said, Angelique what do you most enjoy doing?, I'd respond that whether it's lending a helping hand, sending a greeting card out of the blue, or picking up thoughtful gifts for others, I love to give. I also love, love, love being used as a channel of God's grace to bless people. Because I absolutely enjoy encouraging others, my husband and children affectionately call me "Triple E" (Encourager, Edifier, and Exhorter). In fact, my latest book, Living Backward, is birthed from my desire to inspire others to live out God's plan for their lives and in so doing experience contentment, genuine success, and lasting significance."

I (Lorilyn Roberts) chuckled when I read Angelique's bio. Angelique is a member of the John 3:16 Marketing Network. Many times when I have needed a word of encouragement, Angelique has emailed me to let me know she was praying for me. Her kindness has inspired me to try to be a blessing to others in the same way she has been to me. The right word at just the right moment is the most wonderful gift this side of eternity. Once you have received it, you want to "pass it on."

Friday, December 4, 2015

LORILYN ROBERTS BOOK REVIEW: The Gopher & The Erstwhile Wizard, by J.L. Rallios

The Gopher and The Erstwhile Wizard is a delightful story I highly recommend for ages 5 to 14. 

My children are past this age now, but I wish they were young enough that I could read it to them. And yes, I read to my daughters into their teens—family togetherness at its best. This book is also a wonderful story for readers of all ages who love allegories and enjoy Narnia-type books with talking animals and unusual creatures.

I worried about the gopher relentlessly, who always seemed to go from bad to worse in his journey of life, but rest assured, the ending is full of redemption and fulfillment in a way you do not expect.


If you are a Christian, you will see a lot of subtle symbolism. If you are not a Christian, the story will resonate with you because Rallios is a great story-teller. The Gopher & the Erstwhile Wizard is well written, has characters you will love, and a classical feel. I hope readers will pick up The Gopher and The Erstwhile Wizard and add it to their Kindle library. Don't miss out on this one!

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

EVEN IN DARK MOMENTS - BE THANKFUL: Devotional by Lorilyn Roberts



Below is a classic hymn from a nineteenth-century pastor in England, "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come." I have read and experienced many depressing things lately, and yet, God has impressed upon me, be thankful anyway. 

Our momentary afflictions will soon pass and God will bring us into His presence. What greater thought could there ever be than that this side of paradise? So let's rejoice this Thanksgiving that Jesus is the Lord of the Harvest and soon He will return.


All the world is God's own field,
Fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown
Unto joy or sorrows grown.
First the blade, and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come
And shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day
All offenses purge away,
Give His angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast,
But the fruitful ears to store
In His garner evermore.




Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!



Tuesday, November 24, 2015

LORILYN ROBERTS BOOK REVIEW: “Why Brilliant People Believe Nonsense” by J. Steve Miller and Cherie K. Miller


When I began reading Why Brilliant People Believe Nonsense, I was surprised to discover people who I thought were brilliant—like Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein—sometimes believed nonsense. They might have been brilliant, but their thinking was also flawed at times in significant ways. The number of examples J. Miller gives showing how successful people succumb to fallacious thinking surprised me.

Dozens of illustrations of fallacious thinking are cited, including misinterpreting data, drawing erroneous conclusions, asking incorrect questions, exuding overconfidence, being under-confident, married to brands, blinded by prejudices, and on and on. I had a few "ouch" moments myself. I have fallen into some of these ridiculous ways of thinking without even being aware of it.

As an author, I found many parts of the book enlightening. For example, how to ask deeper questions when developing the plot, taking the time to reflect and not make quick assumptions.  I write historical fiction—know my sources, if they are authentic. Are they accurate? (As I work on "The City in the Seventh Dimension Series," I found this especially convicting as I've come across many conspiracy series dealing with the last days).

J. Miller used the example of author Dan Brown and “The Da Vinci Code.” Mr. Brown relied too heavily on conspiracy theories and not enough on solid historical facts. Thus, his book lacked the authenticity it needed to be true, and too many people "bought" into the idea of it being accurate without a thorough examination of the sources.  This is just one example of many that Mr. Miller expounded on to show why brilliant people believe nonsense.

If the smartest people in history have made some of these common mistakes, how many more have the rest of us made? And can we become better thinkers? "Why Brilliant People Believe Nonsense" can make us aware of these fallacies and challenge us to think more creatively and intuitively.

Hopefully, the insights I've gleaned will allow me to write more thought-provoking books and be aware of the pitfalls of erroneous thinking. “Why Brilliant People Believe Nonsense” is a great read for anyone who enjoys learning how to be a better thinker, and the fascinating stories woven through the pages about people we all know and respect makes this book a delightfully entertaining read.



Tuesday, October 6, 2015

AUTHOR LORILYN ROBERTS (YA Fantasy) - Win Signed Copies of "The Door" and "Am I Okay, God?"








📘📘📘📘📘




I rarely send out signed books, so to get a signed book from me is special. I’m just way too busy to even drive to the Post Office to mail anything. And don’t forget, "The Door" in the Kindle version is free on Amazon.


Friday, October 2, 2015

BOOK REVIEW: “Seventh Dimension - The Castle” Five Stars from Readers' Favorite Reviewer Paul Johnson




In Seventh Dimension - The Castle: A Young Adult Fantasy by Lorilyn Roberts, Daniel, a young Jewish man from present-day Jerusalem, enters the seventh dimension where he learns that time is an illusion. In the seventh dimension, he finds himself in first-century Palestine where he becomes witness to events surrounding the arrest and trial of Yeshua (Jesus). At the same time, Daniel himself is in danger, wanted by the Roman authorities as a runaway slave, and has escaped from prison. 


The scenes rapidly change. One moment in a Roman prison, then at the temple in Jerusalem where he watches Yeshua argue with the merchants, then to the Garden of Gethsemane when the guards arrest Yeshua and where Daniel is almost arrested. Finally, he is at Golgotha where Yeshua dies on the cross. 

While everyone knows the story of Jesus, this is a new perspective. Even knowing Yeshua is going to be betrayed and convicted, there is a sense of anxiety and horror experienced by Daniel as he watches the events unfold. But, for Daniel the story doesn’t end there, there is a learning of things to come. 

Seventh Dimension - The Castle is a strong account chock full of historical significance. It is filled with action and drama. It contains a lot of historical detail, sci-fi, fantasy, and even time travel. The story is technically well written. The fictional characters are strongly developed and the plotting allowed the story to build up at a steady comfortable pace. The dialogue is sharp, well done, and period-specific. All in all, a good story very nicely done.


To purchase from Amazon, click here.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

BOOK REVIEW: “Seventh Dimension – The Castle: A Young Adult Fantasy,” Five Stars from Literary Classics Book Awards and Reviews



 

Seventh Dimension - The Castle: A Young Adult Fantasy in the Seventh Dimension Series, by Lorilyn Roberts, is a fascinating book which immerses the reader into life during the time of Christ. Daniel has been trapped in the seventh dimension for years now. When he first found himself trapped in time, living in 1st century Israel he was just seventeen years old. Now he’s a man and he has gotten himself into serious trouble. Accused of being a runaway slave, a thief and a murderer, the Romans are on the lookout for him. It doesn’t help that he’s easily recognized for being the greatest Jewish charioteer in the world.

Author Lorilyn Roberts portrays the characters and scenes in this book with such depth and clarity that one can nearly feel the dust on their feet as they travel along the streets of Jerusalem alongside Daniel. Seeing this world through Daniel’s eye’s is an enlightening way to experience life from a Jewish perspective during one of the most pivotal times in the history of mankind. Seventh Dimension - The Castle is highly recommended and has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.



LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval and Gold Winner http://www.clcawards.org