Tag: Christianity

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The Story Peddler

What If You Had to lie for a living?

Tanwen is gifted at telling stories and weaves colorful tales about the godesses and King Gareth, crown-approved stories. In the end, her tales produce pretty crystal trinkets, which she sells. Her goal is to become the royal storyteller. There is a problem. Her stomach twitches as she tells these approved tales. Something about them about doesn’t quite ring true and threads of white light glitches out of her. The royal guards take notice. Tanwen’s cruel mentor abandons her. She returns home and is promptly kidnapped by a group who may very well be her salvation. Or until a bounty is placed on her head.

Pros

  • The imagery is gorgeous, especially how Tanwen’s stories spin colored threads into the crystal figurines related to the story she tells.
  • The Story Peddler is a Christian story and there are threads (pun intended) of this throughout although it’s not stated. I love that. Tanwen’s culture is based on godess worship, but she’s having doubts about their religion. Other characters come along and mention a solitary Creator.
  • There are some themes that will make for great inward reflection or good discussion topics for a book club or reading in class.
  • There isn’t a strong romance theme.

Cons

  • It took me a couple of chapters to feel fully engaged in the story.
  • There was a bit of drawing of information, especially related to Tanwen’s questions about her father.

Personal Opinion

I honestly didn’t get too engaged in the story at first. This is likely because straight up fantasy isn’t my favorite genre. Tanwen’s storytelling was intriguing. Once I got into the story, I was hooked and I really enjoyed it. This is a book I enjoyed more for theme than plot. One of the characters is literally going mad because she’s had to supress her talent. There’s a lot packed into the various characters’ backstories. It’s almost an ensemble cast even though the story is primarily told through Tanwen’s eyes. I like that. The book is well-written and the writing is creative and engaging. Also, there is so much to discuss, that this is a perfect book club read.

Discussion Questions

  1. Tanwen questions the truth in the stories she tells. What would you do if your job or school assignment forced you to lie?
  2. Tanwen has the chance to choose adventure or a stable life with Brac. Which would you choose and why?
  3. Braith must choose between honoring her father or doing what she thinks is right. What would you do if you had an immoral parent or authority figure in your life?
  4. Gryfelle’s health is suffering because she’s had to suppress your talent. How do you think this relates to using your gifts and talents to honor God?
  5. Are you Team Brac or Team Mor? Or do you like both or neither?
  6. What do you think of Cameria’s choice to serve King Gareth? [Answer this one after you’ve read the entire book]

Purchase Links

Amazon — Barnes & Noble — Books-A-Million — ChristianBook.com

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36327140-the-story-peddler

Giveaway Link & HTML

About the Author

Lindsay A. Franklin is an award-winning author, award-winning freelance editor, and homeschooling mom of three. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. She spends a lot of time in made-up worlds, and she’s passionate about sparking imagination through stories of infinite possibility. Her debut fantasy novel, The Story Peddler, releases in 2018. When she’s not exploring the fantastical, she’s exploring the Bible and encouraging young women through her devotional books (click here for more information on Adored).

Lindsay lives in her native San Diego with her husband (master of the dad joke), their awesomely nerdy kids, two thunder pillows (AKA cats), and a stuffed wombat with his own Instagram following (@therealwombatman). You can find Lindsay on social media, too, if Wombatman hasn’t hijacked all her accounts. She’s @LinzyAFranklin on Instagram and Twitter, and she Facebooks at www.facebook.com/LindsayAFranklin.

Email list sign-up link: http://eepurl.com/bwF64j

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, April 24th  

 

Wednesday, April 25th  

 

Thursday, April 26th  

 

Friday, April 27th  

 

Saturday, April 28th  

 

Monday, April 30th  

 

Tuesday, May 1st  

 

Wednesday, May 2nd  

 

 

 

Want to dive into a new world or in need of a good book? Use the link below to enter to win a signed print copy of The Story Peddler (not pictured), a blue strand book sleeve (not pictured), custom Story Peddler bookmark, a fluffhopper sticker, and a set of five mini Story Peddler art prints! (US only.)

 

Link: giveawaytools2.com/giveaway.php?sk=57705600234

Facebook Party Information

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/162545804573276/

 

Calling all book readers! Join authors Lindsay A. Franklin and Sara Ella to celebrate the releases of their novels, The Story Peddler and Unbreakable, on May 1st!

Grab your favorite drink and snack and be prepared for a fun time of chatting with Lindsay and Sara, games, and giveaways.

The party starts at 8 PM EST (7 PM CST and 5 PM PST). Can’t wait to see you there!

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Killing Jesus by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard

 

Killing Jesus is an excellent historical account of the time surrounding Jesus’s life. While not a religious book, it puts the Bible, specifically the Gospels in historical context. I’m categorizing this as young adult, but it’s suitable for middle grade up with the caveat that some parts of the crucifixion might be a bit graphic for sensitive children.

Pros

The book goes into detail about the Roman occupation of Israel, the religious and political climate of Israel, and several of the key historical figures such as Augustus Caesar, Herod, Tiberius, and Pontius Pilate. O’Reilly and Dugard go into great detail to put Jesus’s life into historical context, which helped me understand parts of the Bible even better. O’Reilly and Dugard are Catholic and while they keep this book historical, the authors hint that they believe the Bible to be true. Bill O’Reilly narrates the audio version, and I highly recommend it.

Cons

Not too many. There are parts that are a bit graphic when describing the crucifixion. This might preclude families from listening to the audio version or allowing sensitive readers to read this book until they can handle this aspect.

Rating

5 Stars. Overall, the book is well-written and engaging. I found the historical detail to be a nice supplement to reading the Bible. My husband and I listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend. Bill O’Reilly narrates and has an engaging voice.

Personal Opinion

My husband and I have listened to all of the O’Reilly-Dugard “Killing” books, and I’m going to do a series on these books because I think each of them offers fantastic insight into the social and political climate at the time. However, not all will carry 5-star ratings even though the writing quality and level of detail are the same. Not all are family friendly due to varying degrees of objectionable content especially in the books covering more recent events.

Discussion points for parents & teachers:

  1. Jesus of Nazareth
  2. The Roman Empire
  3. Pontius Pilate
  4. King Herod
  5. Caesar Augustus and Tiberius
  6. Pontius Pilate
  7. The Jewish Religion of the first century
  8. The beginning of Christianity

For parents, especially those who are Christians, will appreciate the historical account of Jesus’s life, which is a different way of proving the Bible is true from a different perspective. For teachers and librarians in public or secular schools, this is not a religious text and could be a good way to introduce the history of Christianity into the classroom. The authors are Roman Catholic and at the end hint that they believe Jesus is the Messiah, but they make it clear that the book is meant to be a historical account of Israel in the years approximately 1-33 AD.