Book Review: The Wonders of the First Christmas by Andy McGuire

I was given the opportunity to review a children’s book, and since I have a four year old grandson, I opted in. This is not a paid review. The book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review posted on my blog and on my social media accounts.

Christmas is now right around the corner, and the month of December will fly by as we add in the sweet sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the season. I have always been a fan of Christmas media in the form of books and movies. I have a bin in my house that is just filled with holiday books, including Halloween, and Easter, but mostly Christmas.

The Wonders of the First Christmas by Andy McGuire is a beautiful book revolving around the birth of Jesus. Andy doesn’t just tell the typical Christmas story, he includes all sorts of interesting details about the culture and the times surrounding Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the birth of the Son of God.

Throughout the book, the author includes short paragraphs inset on the picturesque story pages that give information about the Hebrew and Roman culture of the time, as well as interesting facts about words used in the Biblical text, and details about materials used by the Romans to build roads and cities.

Andy McGuire’s book includes beautiful pictures, illustrated by Andy himself, readable text, interesting historical facts, a map, and a bibliography of the sources he used for his details.

“Andy McGuire is the author and/or illustrator of eighteen books ranging from picture books to middle grade fiction....his nature illustrations have been included in The World Book Student Encyclopedia....”

— Author flap on book jacket - The Wonders of the First Christmas by Andy McGuire

The Wonders of the First Christmas is the perfect Advent/Christmas book addition for families with young children ages 4-8. This is also great for grandparents to read to their grandchildren during the Christmas season. This book could also be used by churches in their children’s ministry programs.

If you are interested in adding this beautiful, Biblically based, easy to read book to your children’s Christmas story collection just click on the link to purchase.

Have a great day!

Book Review: The Ghost Writer

(This is a paid book review. I was gifted the book and a small monetary payment in exchange for an honest review.)

“ Darnathian cupped his hands together. When he opened them again a glowing orb sat in his palm. A smile spread across his face as he studied the colors within the circle.
‘Mene ru’ach tsava yara,’ he uttered and tossed the orb at the boy. It exploded over the bed, and diamond-like dust settled on the boy. The particles sank into his pores, luminescing under his skin before the light disappeared completely.”

— The Ghost Writer p. 16

Thus, begins the second installment of three in the the teen/young adult Issachar Gatekeeper series by L.G. Nixon. You can see my review of the first book, The Ghost of Darwin Stewart here.

Lucy Hornberger and her best friend Schuyler Williams are more mature and a little older since their introduction to the reality of a spiritual world by Iam Reynard, a flea market vendor, who ends up selling Lucy an old trunk full of ancient, otherworldly artifacts. Lucy has been chosen by Iam, who is really the High King of Ascalon. These old items end up being tools and weapons for fighting ghosts, daemons and other dark entities from the spirit world. The two friends learn how to wield the weapons through trial and error, Iam’s help and the support of Bill and Vivian McGoo, who turn out to be more than just good neighbors.

Another academic year has commenced and the teen girls find themselves battling numerous ghosts in their school, causing all sorts of damage which Lucy get’s blamed for. In addition, Lucy’s mom looses her aunt and might also lose her job creating addition stress and difficulties at home. What Lucy and Schuyler don’t realize is the difficulties are just beginning.

The hauntings become more frequent, and with each encounter, battle and vanquishing the girls learn these ghosts are not specifically trying to obtain the ancient Spectrescope she uses to see them, but are somehow connected to several people in their school. The mystery is who, and why is it happening.

Throughout the book we see Lucy growing, not just in her compassion for others, but in her love for the High King. She helps her mom as she maneuver’s her impending job loss by making meals, and taking on tutoring at school to help earn money. She also learns the importance of orison (prayer), and abnegation (self-sacrifice). Lucy helps Schuyler gain the seal of the High King, and helps break the curse another friend is under. Even after a terrible personal loss, Lucy learns the High King and His son Ishi, are always there for her.

L.G. Nixon weaves an interesting tale of mystery, friendship, and resilience while threading the truth of the Bible and the reality of the spiritual world throughout. She also uses the realities of the difficulties of life to show how God is for us, not against us, and how He always provides just what we need. Through ghostly details, lighthearted moments and the comfort of food, family and friendships we are ushered through the story, leaving us anxious for the final installment in the series.

Right now L.G. Nixon is running a special on her website where you get all three books in the series plus and additional book free. Click on the following link to purchase.

To learn more about the author follow this link to view her podcast appearances. You can also read more about her thoughts on Christians reading ghost stories here.

If you are looking for a fun story with mystery, ghosts, fearsome daemon creatures, otherworldly battles, and real world struggles this series is perfect to take along on vacation, or give as a gift to your daughters, granddaughters or nieces. With strong female characters, clean dialogue and action, the Issachar Gatekeeper series is a must read.

Book Review: The Ghost of Darwin Stewart

I decided to move this book review over to my Fluff page since it is not a Bible study or Christian self-help book. This is the first fiction book I have done a review on. Once again, this was presented to me by FrontGate Media. I was gifted the book and will receive a small monetary reimbursement for my time.

The Ghost of Darwin Stewart is the first in a three part mystery fantasy series called the Issachar Gatekeeper by L. G. Nixon, and is published by Fitting Words. You can learn more about the author on her website - L. G. Nixon. The intended audience for this book includes teens and young adults. The Ghost of Darwin Stewart is both a mystery and a ghost story written with a Biblical foundation.

Lucy Hornberger and her bestie Schuyler Williams are looking forward to a fun filled, sun soaked summer, completely unaware that both of their lives are about to change in ways they never would have imagined. Unbeknownst to them the forces of good and evil are about to drop right into Lucy’s lap and they will both play an integral part in a battle that has waged for centuries.

We meet Lucy and her single mom at a flea market where Lucy is perusing the wares at a vendor’s booth. Lucy finds an old looking magnifying glass along with a few other items in a trunk. When she looks through the glass she is terrified to see a world of dark spirits swirling and following people. She is mesmerized by it, until one of the hooded beings turns and points his boney finger directly at her.

Lucy learns from the vendor, whose name she finds out later is Iam, that the magnifying glass is actually an ancient tool and it has chosen her to wield its power. Lucy is skeptical, but within the trunk is a bracelet that she knows would be a perfect present for Schuyler’s birthday. The trunk and all its contents, both visible and hidden, including the Spectrescope, end up going home with Lucy. Thus begins an adventure for her and Schuyler that keeps the reader turning the pages to find out what happens.

The girls meet creatures who were present at the foundation of the world from Malpar, the bird-like Hayyothalan, to the Irredaemon, a fallen angel that poses as the ghost Darwin Stewart. All of them want to take the Spectrescope away from Lucy to give to their Master, Darnathian whose ultimate goal is to find The Life Tree and become more powerful than the High King of Ascalon.

Lucy and Schuyler learn to use the weapons and tools contained in the trunk and together work against, not only the evil that Darnathian unleashes upon them, but the frustration and misunderstanding of their parents. Will they be able to close the portal that allows the creatures to transverse back and forth between worlds before the evil steals the Spectrescope from Lucy? You’ll have to read the book to find that out.

When I first started reading the book, like Lucy, I was skeptical. L. G. Nixon does a good job of exploring the idea of the existence of ghosts, and what that looks like for us as Christians. You can read more about her thoughts and hear her interviews by clicking on the link. I personally agree with her in that Satan and his demons can pose as otherworldly entities, and in today’s world can appear to be “good'“. The Bible tells us that Satan himself poses as an angle of light (see 2 Corinthians 11:12-15), but we know his motives are only evil and meant for the downfall of God’s people and His creation.

The Ghost of Darwin Stewart is a great book, especially for young to middle aged teen girls. It reinforces the ideas that girls can be smart, brave and extremely strong even when they face criticism, false accusations, and evil itself. It provides heroines who are real and who struggle to grow up while still being under the headship of their parents. They are not perfect and that makes them easier to relate to. The book is free of bad language, innuendo or sex.

I do feel that due to the innocent nature of the main characters that this might not be as appealing to young adults. Let’s face it, we live in a world where 12 year olds can get an abortion. I appreciate that Nixon may have geared it towards young adults because of the horror aspect to it. However, having seen plenty of horror movies back in the day, I think this is mild by today’s standards. That being said, I strongly recommend The Ghost of Darwin Stewart for teens, especially those who like a mystery with lots of action and plenty of ethereal vibes. I also recommend this series for anyone who likes a good, clean read where good overcomes evil. I will definitely be investing in the other two books soon.