Sunday, January 31, 2010

'Songs of Deliverance' by Marilynn Griffith - Book Review and Giveaway

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In my adventures in the blogosphere and book reviewing, I am being exposed to a lot of wonderful authors.  The latest is Marilynn Griffith.  She is a freelance writer and author, speaker, and a wife and mother to seven children who lives in Florida.  She is also the compiler of stories on a site called SistahFaith, which features true stories of hope and healing.   

Her latest book, ‘Songs of Deliverance,’ is an emotional and intense tale about characters who live in Testimony, Ohio – Zeely, Ron, Grace, Brian, Jeremiah, Sean, Quinn and many more.  These characters were first brought to life by Mrs. Griffith in ‘Rhythms of Grace’ which took place prior to the events of ‘Songs of Deliverance.’     

The opening scene of ‘Songs of Deliverance’ features Zeely during her college years, fifteen years prior to the current events.  She is forced to make a difficult decision which will impact her life forever (don’t want to give away this plot point!). 

Each of the chapters is written in the first person point of view of the different characters.   It is a wonderful technique which makes each character come alive.  In fact, I could easily see this book come to life in the form of a movie.  Many movie stars came to mind as I read the book.

I loved the fact that many of the characters were constantly in prayer and constantly aware that they needed the Lord’s help in order to become better people – and more like Him.  Sin abounded, but God’s grace abounded all the more.  It was a very powerful portrait of faith and grace. 

I found this book to be beautifully written.  A couple of my favorite lines are: ‘the love he wanted was still packed in boxes on the floor of my heart’ (p. 122) and ‘even though my life had come undone, God was still tending to the stitching.  I was just seeing the underside’ (p. 159).

This book is full of twists and turns and real life episodes.  I was constantly surprised by the latest revelations.  Each new twist made the world smaller and brought the characters closer together.  Most of the characters in this book are Christians, but they also, as do we all, live in the world.  They have made mistakes and lived full lives, and each is coming to the Lord for deliverance and redemption in his/her own way and on his/her own terms.  In the end, the Lord delivers and redeems many of them  (not all of the storylines were resolved in this book, so I am patient!).   Although I did not read ‘Rhythms of Grace’ (which might have made this one easier to follow), I do want to follow the people of Testimony, Ohio, to see how lives turns out for all of them, and therefore hope there is another book on the way.    

This book was provided to me for review purposes by Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

_________________________________________________________________


I would like to pass along this gently read book along to one of you.  It is in perfect condition; it is covered in clear contact paper, which is a great way to extend the life of your paperbacks!

You can receive entries in several ways; please use a new comment for all entries, if you don’t mind!:
1) Leave a comment on this post – please make sure to include your email address in this format –    sample[at]gmail[dot]com.

2) Become a Follower of this blog – please make me aware of that ‘follow’ in your blog comment!  You can also receive an additional entry if you are already a follower.

3) Follow me on
Twitter; I will probably follow you back!  Please make me aware of your ‘follow’ in your blog comment!

4) Become my friend on Facebook.

5) Follow my blog via NetworkedBlogs on Facebook (you can find that on my Facebook page after we’re friends!).

Or any combination of the five!  Please limit one entry per option!

Each separate entry will be assigned a number. The winner will be chosen by the 
Random Number Generator.  

Please limit entries to U.S. residents.  The deadline for entry is Tuesday, February 16, 2010, at 9:00 pm Eastern Time. The winner will be notified on February 17 via email. So please be sure to leave your email address in your blog comment! Thanks for participating!

28 comments:

upwords said...

Andrea,
Thanks so much for your thorough and honest review and for passing your copy along. Be blessed! Mari Lynn

Andrea Schultz said...

Mari Lynn -
Thanks for stopping by! And for the kind words! Thanks for using your gifts for Him!
Blessings -
Andrea

Linda said...

I love books that contain prayers. I've only read one other book that specifically spells them out. It's one reason it's a keeper set. Please enter me for this one. It sounds great. Thanks.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I became a follower of your Blog under LW
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I'm following on Twitter under onedesertrose.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I applied to be a friend on FB under Linda Wagner. Awaiting your reply.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

Am following via NetworkedBlogs on FB under Linda Wagner.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the chance to win. Sounds like a great book.
Marissa
smrogi at att dot net

Andrea Schultz said...

Thanks to everyone for dropping by! Mari Lynn did a wonderful job with this book! : )

Martha A. said...

Sounds interesting! martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Casey said...

Looks good, please enter me. :)

caseymh18(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a good book-I'd love to read it! Thanks for the chance,
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

HereBeDragons said...

I'm following the blog and on twitter! (I'm @photogjenn)

apple blossom said...

Looks like a book I'd love to win Thanks.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I love books with twists and turns, they keep me reading till the end. Please enter me!
Beth
bethnaf at hotmail dot com

Trinity Rose said...

Greetings,
I would love to win this book.
sounds very good.
Have a blessed day.
Wanda C.
wandaelaine AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

would enjoy reading this book...thanks for the opportunity

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Martha A. said...

Sounds interesting! martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Judylynn said...

Thanks for the giveaway!

Judy - seizethebookblog@gmail.com

Judylynn said...

I am now a follower!

Judy - seizethebookblog@gmail.com

Carole said...

I'm very interested in reading one of Marilynn's books. Thank you for the giveaway, Andrea.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Carole said...

I'm a follower of your blog.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Carole said...

I also follow you on Twitter.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Carole said...

And, last but not least, I'm a Facebook friend.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Carole said...

Okay, here's another one, Andrea. I now follow your blog via NetworkedBlogs on Facebook. I've still got to learn how all this works, but it's great to be a part of a Christian online community.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Unknown said...

This sounds like such a wonderful book. I look forward to reading it.

Blessings,
Deb

Emma said...

‘Songs of Deliverance,’sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway. augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

Andrea Schultz said...

Hi Friends -

Please note - the Random Number Generator chose.....

Trinity Rose!

Congrats!

Blessings -

Andrea

 
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