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Out of North Korea: The Suspense Book That Taught Me Something

August 20, 2018 by Esther Filbrun · 6 Comments

20 Aug

There are certain books you look forward to for quite a while before they finally come out. This book was one of them. And when I saw that a blog tour was being set up for it, I knew I wanted to be on it. So today, I’m pretty thrilled to share one of my more recent reads with you—and what a goodie! Completely different from what I expected, but sometimes those are the best ones, right?

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About This Book:

Author: Alana Terry
Genre: Christian Thriller/Suspense
Release date: June 25, 2018

A single photograph could cost his life…

Ian McAllister has searched the world over, hunting for that all-elusive perfect photograph.

He finds it on a tourist trip to North Korea when he stumbles upon a young street kid foraging for roots.

Unaware that this single act will brand him a spy and cost his freedom, Ian takes the shot.

Now he must pay the penalty.

A true-to-life novel about an American imprisoned behind North Korea’s closed borders.

A gripping tale of courage, faith, and hope from award-winning Christian novelist Alana Terry.

My Thoughts:

I was somewhat disappointed when I got into Out of North Korea—I was expecting a heart-racing read, and it turned out to be a slightly slower, more thoughtful book. Then, I fell in love with the story, and finished it fairly quickly after all.

Mrs. Terry wrote this book in first-person, present-tense. I’ve rarely ever seen a book from this perspective, and I know how difficult it can be to write like that. So I started off pretty impressed. I was also very impressed with how she kept the story moving at a good clip, while giving the main character time to reflect and make some pretty profound realizations.

One of my favorite parts of the book was when the main character began realizing there was more to life than the American dream of becoming rich and famous. I’ve rarely seen that in other books, but how it was displayed here was thought-provoking and very relatable. That isn’t the point of my life, either, I realized. I want to live for others—help them have happier, more fulfilling lives instead of just building up my own sandcastle that’ll one day fall apart.

I loved the humor in this story. It came through now and again—not so often that it was distracting, but just at the right moments to help liven up an otherwise sad situation.

I also loved the thought that God has His children all over the place. We may not recognize it, may not ever be able to see it, but He is working in our lives and the lives of those around us. That’s a beautiful thing. And seeing how He can bring the right people through at the right time is also encouraging.

Out of North Korea: More than a tale of how an American accidentally ended up behind bars because of one mistake. To me, this story had a lot deeper lessons. It showed me something about a country I don’t know much about. It showed me the power of prayer. It showed me how some of the things I focus on in life are actually a waste of time.

I hadn’t thought a book about a prisoner could do that. But it did.

Yes, this book didn’t strike me as being as much of a suspense novel as I thought it would be. But balanced out with all the different thoughts I’ve had since reading it, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a different perspective on life, or wants an intriguing read about an American trapped in one of the world’s most closed countries.

I requested a review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

About the Author:

Alana is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, and more. Alana’s passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.

Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Alana is giving away a grand prize of a $30 Amazon gift card!

Go here to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

Let’s discuss: Have you read a book lately that surprised you by being different than you thought it would be—and yet made you think a lot? What was it, and what did you learn?

#KnotForgotten

July 18, 2018 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

18 Jul

Maybe a month ago now, I came across a mention on Open Doors NZ’s website about a project called Knot Forgotten. Interested, I clicked through for more information—and immediately signed up to be part. It’s taken me a while to collect supplies, but now I’m nearly done with my first project—and what fun!

The main idea behind Knot Forgotten is to make stuffed animals to send to children overseas, especially refugee children or others in similar situations. I saw the other day that several Open Doors/Knot Forgotten workers were delivering two huge garbage bags full of handmade toys to Syrian refugee children!

While it might not seem like the most practical use of time and resources (after all, wouldn’t things like clothing and food be a better option to send them?), there are a few reasons why I’m excited about this particular project.

The children will have something to call their own—something they can hang onto when they’re frightened, and something to play with that doesn’t involve more fear and sadness. (And hey, if they already lead happy lives, this will just add to it!)
I can pray for the children while I make them. I often feel like there are too many things to pray about (aack! this world is so needy!), and feel somewhat stymied when it comes to prayer, but this is one way I can direct my prayer.
Slightly selfish, perhaps, but I have an excuse to crochet! For other people! And I know it will be appreciated!

So far, I’ve only managed to make the main body of one bear, and have its nose and one ear ready to attach. I need to figure out how to sew features on (hello again, embroidery!), and then I can work on the finishing touches.

This first one is for my dear little sister. I thought it would be good to try out the pattern before I actually properly make it, so it’s been fun to create with her in mind—aka, as many pinks and purples as I can comfortably put on there!

It’s also a very simple pattern, so that makes it easy as this is the first stuffed toy I’ve ever made (unless you count the time I rescued a broken china doll…). I’d be excited to try to create my own versions eventually after I’ve had the practice of making the other two crochet animals in the pattern set I was sent.

For now, I will finish this cream-and-pink bear, and dream up other color combinations. I’ve come across several gorgeous variegated balls of yarn lately (watch out, yarn selection in our local home and living store!), and can’t wait to start using them. I also have quite a few odds and ends that I’ve picked up from different thrift stores over the years, so I’m hoping I can use some of those, as well. We’ll see! The opportunities are endless!

Let’s discuss: Do you enjoy doing handicrafts? What have you made recently (handmade or otherwise)?

Trust and Obey: A Book After My Own Heart (Book Review & Blog Tour)

June 30, 2018 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

30 Jun

Years ago, I started a short story that was supposed to be based in ancient Israel. Later that year, I did NaNoWriMo for the first time, and re-wrote the story plus at least 10,000 words of a very long sidetrack involving a cave and hiding from the enemy (oh, fun!). Hey, it helped me win that year, anyway! Over the following year, I didn’t even look back on that draft—I knew it was so bad it needed a complete re-write. Since then, it has gone through several revisions, although I haven’t touched the story for three or four years now.

Even so, the setting in 66-67 AD Jerusalem has gripped my heart and I still remember the hours of research and figuring out story tidbits fondly. It was a fascinating time in Jewish history; not very pretty, but also containing some truly amazing things.

Some links in this post are affiliate links. Your purchase through these links helps to support this blog—thank you!

Fast forward to a month or so ago when I saw the announcement of author Faith Blum’s new book, Trust and Obey. After reading the synopsis and seeing the cover, I knew I wanted to read it, too. Turns out it has a good amount of similarities with my story, so I felt like I had come home when I opened the book and sat down to read!

About the Book

A wicked priestess, a morally corrupt king, and two children stuck in the middle…

Hadassah and Gidal love their parents and will do anything for them. When Priestess Basmat tell Ehud and Jerusha to pay their debt, they cannot and she takes Hadassah and Gidal as her slaves for two years.

The priestess works them hard, but there are two other servants to divide the load with, so they cope as well as they can. Then King Saul comes in disguise requesting the priestess’s other services—as a medium.

Will Hadassah and Gidal trust Adonai to take care of them? What will happen after Priestess Basmat comes face-to-face with the prophet Samuel?

Buy a copy on Amazon / Add it on Goodreads

My Review

Trust and Obey was one of those books you pick up, expecting a fairly light read, and find yourself sucked into right away. I don’t know if it was because I was on a reading binge (pre-test jitters, anyone?), or if it was because the story was just that good, but I had a hard time putting this book down.

I loved the setting for this story. David, not-quite-yet king of Israel, is still dealing with Saul, trying to respect him as God’s anointed. Saul is struggling with no connection with God—and he’s scared about the future. And Hadassah and her brother are slaves to an evil woman who claims to be God’s priestess but often does other things that seem to contradict that claim.

I’ve loved settings in ancient Israel ever since I wrote my story. So seeing another author’s idea of what that may have been like a few hundred years previous to that (although still roughly in the “same” culture) was very intriguing.

This book stuck pretty close to the Biblical narrative, which I appreciated. I did enjoy the details that were added to help the story flow better, even though at times I wondered if the characters would have really done what they did in the situation in real life.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and glimpse into Biblical history. The theme of obedience even when it seems unnecessary came through very well, and was a good reminder that even when I don’t understand why God wants me to do something, I should step out in faith. Another great book from Faith Blum!

I requested a review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

About the Author

Faith Blum is a small-town Wisconsin girl. She’s lived in, or outside of, small towns her whole life. The thought of living in a city with more than 60,000 people in it scares her, especially after some interesting adventures driving through big cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Faith currently resides in the middle of the state of Wisconsin with her husband and their cat, Smokey. She is blessed to be able to have writing as her full-time career with household work and cooking to do on the side. She loves to paint walls as long as she doesn’t have to do hallways or ceilings.

When not writing, you can find her cooking food from scratch due to food allergies (fun), doing dishes (meh), knitting, crocheting, sewing, reading, or spending time with her husband (yay!). She is also a Community Assistant for the Young Writers Workshop and loves her work there. She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to contact her on her website.

Let’s discuss: What was the last historical fiction you’ve read recently? Have you ever written a story, only to abandon it later?

Winter Wondering

June 28, 2018 by Esther Filbrun · Leave a Comment

28 Jun

The sun has just set behind the mountains. It’s going to be another cold one tonight. These days, we often wake up to hoar frost outside and wish we could cuddle under the covers for another couple hours until the bedroom grows a little warmer.

Now is the time of year when sunsets are dusty pinks—not a huge amount of color, but beautiful all the same. It’s the time of year when few birds flit around, but the ones that are still here are precious and welcome. They carry the promise that winter will not always be here—that just as cold has slowly settled onto the land, warmth will follow with a riot of color and mud come spring. This is the time when multiple hot drinks are the norm on chilly days, and soft, fuzzy blankets are a must. When reading in a cozy spot is an absolute delight. When candles burn brighter, and we let them go longer, because their soft, hazy glow is such a delight on chilly evenings.

As much as I used to hate winter, I’m learning to embrace it. Yes, it’s cold in the mornings—but when the sun breaks into the world, you feel like cheering. There’s a beautiful view of the mountains from the kitchen where I work, and I’ve grown to really appreciate seeing the sunrise reflecting in oranges and pinks on their peaks first, then fuller in paler yellows as the sun gets higher, before it finally touches the high board fence around the garden and the green fern trees within it and voila! another day has begun.

Winter has put me into a meditative mood.

I wonder about why it’s so hard for me sometimes to be thankful, to see the blessings around me, when it used to come naturally like a needle in a seamstress’s hand.

I wonder why I don’t blog very much, even though I still enjoy the idea and used to love sharing my musings on my own online platform.

I wonder why my sourdough bread is turning out with consistent results, and my yeast bread isn’t—with the same recipe, week after week.

I wonder what the gardens of our souls will be like in another ten or fifteen years. Are there things I’m not watering and feeding that I should be? Or things that I’m over-emphasizing right now?

I wonder what simple, childlike faith really looks like. When encrusted with do’s and don’ts and preoccupations and misconceptions, life can get muddly (is that a word? probably not…I’ll go with it anyway).

I wonder at the beauty and simplicity I see in bare tree branches with little buds prepared, just waiting for the whisper of warmth to breathe through their twigs and announce “life has come!”

And I wonder…when that same Voice whispers in my heart, do I listen?

So while I continue catching glimpses of sunrises and sunsets, and birds talking in the trees outside, I will wonder. I will live each day with hope of being able to serve my Savior more. I will keep seeking for beauty, reaching for stars. And maybe—in the looking, wondering, and trusting—I will find that though I may wish for parts of my life to be different, the life I’ve been given is already more enough. Even in winter.

Like Spurgeon so ably put it,

“Beloved, it is not the office, it is earnestness; it is not position, it is grace which will enable us to glorify God. […] [B]e not discontented with your calling. Whatever God has made your position, or your work, abide in that, unless you are quite sure that he calls you to something else. […] Fill your present sphere to his praise, and if He needs you in another He will show it you.” (From Morning & Evening by Charles Spurgeon, June 27 evening reading)

Let’s discuss: What are you pondering right now? What are you appreciating about your season right now?

Kiera: Worst. Distraction. Ever. (Book Review & Blog Tour!)

June 20, 2018 by Esther Filbrun · 4 Comments

20 Jun

One of the most fun things I’ve done in the internet world for the last few years is following authors, really enjoy reading their blogs, and then getting to read their books. I don’t think there’s anything quite as special as finding your newest favorite authors that way! Most recently, I saw a signup form for a book tour for a book called Kiera coming from a blog I read on a pretty regular basis. I figured I’d probably like it, so I signed up—without reading the synopsis, or anything (rather dangerous, yes!).

I also had another couple review books going at the time, so wondered how it would all work out—having four reading deadlines within a month isn’t always a great idea for me. BUT! I wanted to read this, so I signed up.

And I am so glad I did.

Legal jargon: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

My previous three stories leading up to this one involved ancient history, a modern-day Christmas story, and Biblical historical fiction—each excellent. So when I started Kiera and hit a “radiation storm”, my brain went reeling—until I found myself fully immersed in a futuristic America with some terrible problems!

After the first chapter, though, the action ramped up and I had quite the struggle focusing on work. I knew I wouldn’t have any time the following day to read, so that made it extra-tempting to keep going once I had started, aside from the fact that disentangling myself from the story for any length of time was well-nigh impossible (I’m sorry, family).

It was so bad—this trying to forget the book while I focused on writing and editing other reviews—that I sent a letter or so to the author complaining. I tell ya, it doesn’t happen often for this girl, so I was really enjoying it, despite not getting anything else done!

Anyway, this book. First of all, being set in a futuristic America was super neat. It took a little time for my brain to rearrange to fit that after the books I had been reading leading up to it—something like what happens when we play the card game Dutch Blitz the normal way, and then change to one of our crazier variations! But, once I had made the switch, I fell in love with the setting. And instantly began worrying for Kiera.

I don’t think I ever prayed for the characters throughout the day it took to finish this book—not quite. But oh, the temptation was there! (Is that wrong? I don’t know. I don’t think I’ll be asking, either.)

The characters in this story? Each one was special in their own right, and every single one came across very realistically. The plot? Deeper than I expected, and with a few perfect “I didn’t see that one coming!” twists that made me love it even more.

The thing I loved the most was the love shown in this book. I know that probably sounds convoluted, but that was one of the best parts to it, in my opinion. The characters showed genuine Christ-like love to each other, and that was beautiful. It wasn’t always easy—sometimes, it was really hard—but they made choices that would be better for everyone in the long-run. The results of their choices were beautiful.

I did struggle with a few things—like trying to figure out what was going on with the politics in the book, or what kind of technology they were actually using, or who the main character’s family was. I think I got most of it near the end of the book, but it wasn’t very clear—people were mentioned, but the connections weren’t necessarily explained. All of these things, while they aren’t huge problems, did make it a little harder to connect with the overall setting, because mentions were vague—but the plot and writing style carried the story so well that it didn’t matter as much to me as it could in other books.

One of the biggest things I enjoyed in this book was the depth of the main conflict—both physical, and spiritual. Several different major themes in this book were ones that could be applicable in many different situations, and it was good to see how they played out here. Whether it was choosing to do the right thing over having personal comfort, or loving expecting nothing in return, or being a good manager of what you’ve been given, there was a surprising amount of depth in this story. I loved the different applications of those themes—it was very encouraging!

In all, despite perhaps a few world-building issues, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I’m looking forward to re-reading it in the future, and hopefully getting my own print copy one day. It was that good! (And please, oh please, let there be a sequel soon, because I can’t wait!)

(Please note that this story isn’t for younger readers. There are a few things mentioned like abortion and death that, while handled very tactfully, could be disturbing to those younger than early-mid teens.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kate Willis has been homeschooled her whole life in a loving family that values the Gospel of Jesus Christ, creativity, and thoughtful conversations. She is inspired by red shoes, a good story, little children, and chai tea. It is her desire to serve God in the home having a family of her own in the future. She is the author of The Treasure Hunt, The Twin Arrows, Kiera, and two short stories Enjoy the Poodle Skirt and Red Boots.

GIVEAWAY!

Unfortunately, this book isn’t up for sale yet (otherwise, I’d be linking to it…because you really should check it out!). It will be releasing next Friday, Lord willing! BUT, there is a giveaway going! Enter here.

Other tour stops and extra-special things from author Kate Willis can be found on her blog here!

Let’s discuss: What was the last futuristic book you’ve read lately? Or, if it’s been a while, which one is your favorite?