Book Review - The Patmos Deception

Davis Bunn is one of my favorite authors of Christian fiction.  When I learned about his new book, “The Patmos Deception,” I could hardly wait for my copy to arrive and get busy reading.  And as expected, I was not disappointed.  After all, Patmos, a part of the Greek islands, is where the Apostle John was exiled in AD 95 and where he had his Apocalypse vision and wrote the book of Revelation.  It was fascinating to read a story that took place on an island that has so much biblical history.

Nick Hennessy, an investigative reporter, is secretly hired by the assistant director of an organization called World Heritage Sites, to investigate the disappearance of historical and artistic icons from the Greek islands.  Needing an expert in Grecian antiquities, Nick hires Carey Mathers, a forensic archaeologist who is also a long-time friend.

The third main character is Dimitri Rubinos, who lives on the island of Patmos, owner of a charter boat business that is about to go under, as most of the other businesses on Patmos already had, due to the economic crisis in Greece.  Desperate to earn enough money to support his aging father and grandmother and to save his business, Dimitri agrees to use his boat to pick up and deliver cargo for an extremely wealthy English man.  At the time, Dimitri thought that what the cargo actually was made little difference to him.  By accident, he discovered that it made a great deal of difference because this cargo made him a smuggler.  What could he do to make good come of this?  He didn’t know, but he would figure it out; he would make a plan.  Then, Dimitri discovers that the investigation by Nick and Carey has led them to him!

Davis Bunn is a real storyteller.  I really like how this story starts out with mystery, then danger creeps in, and then the level of suspense grows and grows with every turn of a page.  I got so caught up in the story that I just could not put the book down until I knew the ending!  I would recommend it to anyone.  Also, it is appropriate for church libraries.

Bethany House Publishers provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

Thank You! - One Sheet Wonder Mini Pocket Folder

I am one happy gal and excited about how this little project turned out!  While I was brainstorming for an idea to make an unusual thank you card, this little folder is what came together. 

I used the “one sheet wonder” pattern (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uGGdpT_vG0) which gave me 8 pockets to fill and decorate. 

The first 6 pockets are individually lettered from the word “THANKS. 

Each of these 6 pockets holds a tag that has the matching letter at the top over a Bible verse that starts with that letter.  The 7^th pocket holds a tag on which to write a message and sign my name.  The 8^th pocket holds a gift card.   I used a border/edger punch on the tops of all the tags. 

The front of the folder has a stamped and layered sentiment attached over the length of ribbon, which holds the ribbon in place.  So fun - I hope you will give it a try!  Let me know if you would like to have the Bible verses I used and I will email them to you.

Blessings,

Annie

Supplies

12 x 12” double sided decorative paper (card stock weight)

3 or 4 sheets of coordinating decorative paper (card stock weight)

1 solid color sheet of coordinating card stock

1 sheet of white card stock

2 feet of coordinating ribbon

1 package of coordinating flower stickers

Tim Holtz Alterations – Vintage Alphabet 656623

Sizzix Die – Tickets 657569

Spellbinders Nestabilities  Decorative Elements – Romantic Rectangles S5-090

A Border/Edger Punch

A Story About Ezra

Keepers of the Covenant, by Lynn Austin

Absolutely wonderful – I love this story.  Lynn Austin has written several series of books, which include Gods and Kings and Refiner’s Fire.  This is the second book in the Restoration Chronicles.  In her series books, each book is its own story and stands alone, and does not have to be read in any order.  I really like that! 

Keepers of the Covenant is a Biblical fiction story about Ezra, a brilliant Jewish scholar who lived in Babylon during the rein of Persian King Xerxes.  Although this is a work of fiction, it holds many truths straight from the Old Testament.  As I read this book, I also did daily reading and Bible study on the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.  This was a special time of blessings as I delved deeper into the wonderful history in the Old Testament and of spiritual growth as I read of God’s everlasting faithfulness to His people and to all who trust and believe in Him.

In the opening of the story, the exiled Jews receive a decree from King Xerxes that all Jews would be annihilated on the thirteenth day of Adar in that year.  The King had been deceived by Haman, his most trusted advisor and second in command, into believing that the Jews were plotting against him and planned an uprising.  Out of this devastating decree, God raises up Ezra to be a leader of his people, and eventually Ezra is able to lead his people out of exile and to return to Jerusalem. 

Through the lives of Ezra's family and two other families, we see that they faced the same struggles “of faith and doubt, love and loss” as we do today.  As the story develops, the lives of the three families intersect and shows us how God amazingly works His purpose in each of us.  Ezra faithfully studied the Torah to learn as much as possible about God’s ways.  He became an outstanding leader of his people and was greatly loved, not just in this book, but in reality – in the Bible.

Bethany House Publishers provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

Happy New Year to one and all. 

Annie