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​book reviews

Lost and Forgotten: Book Four – Toward the Unknown Region by Maurice Barkley

8/28/2023

31 Comments

 
Multi-genre, multi-volume author Maurice Barkley introduces us to the fourth volume in his fantastic series, Lost and Forgotten, “Toward the Unknown Region”:
THE PAST IS NEVER DEAD, IT ONLY HIDES.
It all began a few miles from his home, but now he measures his travels with his comrades in light years, to places they were never meant to find.
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I love this story, indeed, I love the series and hope the story continues. Since I am committed to not spoiling the story for the next readers, I can only say this fourth volume is an amazing conclusion now. I am even happier to think about the possibility of the story continuing! The author has a phenomenal imagination and his plotting keeps me on the edge of my Kindle. I love his dialogues, the characters shine in their conversations. Action sequences have just the right amount of detail to stimulate my imagination and I see the action unfold on the screen in my mind.
Wonderful to read, a fabulous story!

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/LOST-FORGOTTEN-BOOK-4-TOWARD-UNKNOWN-REGION-ebook 
https://www.goodreads.com/-lost-and-forgotten 4-unknown-region 
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/lost-and-forgotten-4-unknown-region-barkley 
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/MauriceBarkley 
https://www.facebook.com/Maurice Barkley 
 
The author has many other books in other series.
Here is the review of the first book: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/lost-and-forgotten-discovery 
Here is the review of the second book: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-secret-path 
Here is the review of the third book:
https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/enigma 
 
teleportation, galaxies, Nazis, aliens, quest, adventure, AI, artificial intelligence, science fiction
 
Copyright @ 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

31 Comments

The Lion of Galloway: A Historical Novel of Scotland (Archibald the Grim Series Book 4)     by J. R. Tomlin

8/13/2023

0 Comments

 
Multi-genre, multi-volume, historical fiction author, J. R. Tomlin introduces us to her latest book about early Scotland, “The Lion of Galloway”:
An uneasy truce. A threat of rebellion. A knight’s loyalty is tested to the limit...
Scotland and England have signed a truce, but a peaceful life is not to be as Archibald Douglas faces threats from nobles rebelling against King David. Meanwhile, the old enemy, England, plots with Scots in Galloway to hang onto pieces of Scotland they still control. Archibald, faithful to his vow to the king, fends off one enemy while he battles to destroy the other in a rousing adventure of blood, battle, love, devotion, and treachery...

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The story of Archibald Douglas has been very exciting in all of the books, thus far. I love learning about the customs of knighthood and heraldry in Scotland and England.
This story is full of political intrigue and action! The battle and jousting sequences are perfect for me. I love the dialogues between friends, lovers, spouses and enemies.
I love this world that the author has provided, it comes alive for me through her pen. Thank you, J. R.
Historical fiction is such a pleasure to read. It's a close third place to fantasy and science fiction as my second and first favorites genres to read.

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Galloway-Historical-Scotland-Archibald-ebook 
https://www.goodreads.com/-the-lion-of-galloway 
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/the-lion-of-galloway-j-r-tomlin 
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/TomlinJeanne 
http://www.jrtomlin.com 
http://jeannetomlin.blogspot.com 
 
Here is my review of the first book in the series: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-douglas-bastard 
Here is my review of another Tomlin book: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/the-wayward-alliance 
Here is a review of another Tomlin book:
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/on-a-swords-edge 
 
Copyright © 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction
0 Comments

Clerical Errors by Peter Murnane

8/5/2023

28 Comments

 

How Clericalism Betrays the Gospel and How to Heal the Church 

Dominican Friar and author, Peter Murnane introduces us to his call for reformation of the Catholic church, “Clerical Errors”:
The Catholic church is in serious decline. This book claims that the corruption of the institution derives from various “clerical errors,” especially clericalism, which assumes that clergy are superior and deserve privileges. Clericalism divides the church into two unequal classes, betraying the gospel, which teaches that all people are equal. Clerical privilege makes the sexual abuse of children more likely, and has led most bishops to conceal it.
Clerical Errors begins by examining the trials and acquittal of Cardinal Pell. Was it the jury who made a grave error—or was it the cardinal? Other chapters look at worldwide sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy and traumatic impacts on survivors.
What might have caused this tragedy? The institutional nature of the church? Defective Canon Law? Misuse of the sacrament of Confession? Compulsory celibacy? Homosexuality?
The book’s last, hopeful chapter proposes a radical but simple model for restoring the Christian church.

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First, I am not a member of the Catholic church but I have followed Messiah Jesus for more than 50 years
 
Second, this shocking, well-documented, less-than-graphic detailing of the Child Sex Abuse perpetrated by some clergy, at all levels, and lay members makes my blood boil. So many innocent lives were destroyed and the guilty continued abusing children for decades, in some cases.
While this is a scholarly book complete with lots of footnotes, index and bibliography, all of that can be ignored when reading this book. Those tools are available if you want more information.
I agree with the recommendations the author makes. So much needs to be transformed. Oversight and accountability need to be established and clearly defined. Offenders need to be defrocked and turned over to the secular authorities on the first offense. There must not be a safe haven for pedophiles in any quarter!
The problem of CSA is not limited to the Catholic church or any church, it exists in nearly every large institution involved with children and must be rooted out.
 
Read this book and become part of the solution.

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You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Clerical-Errors-Clericalism-Betrays-Gospel-ebook 
https://www.goodreads.com/-clerical-errors-peter-murnane 
https://wipfandstock.com/clerical-errors 
This book is available at many other fine retail sites.
 
You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/emutree40 
https://www.facebook.com/peter-murnane 
https://findingthetreasure.wordpress.com 
 
Copyright @ 2023 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

28 Comments

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