Celtic Books

Teresa de Ahumada born in Spain on March 28, 1515, died October 4, 1582 at the age of 67.

A woman of warmth, generosity and spiritual awareness. As a young child Teresa was made aware of God's presence and throughout her lifetime made it her mission to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to as many as she encountered.

She journeyed throughout Spain and laid many Foundations to do God's work. St. John of the Cross was one of her spiritual directors as she went forth to build God's kingdom.

Volume One has two books: " The Book of Her Life" and "Her Spiritual Testimonies. Other collected works of Saint Teresa which are found in Volume Two are " The Way of Perfection" and " The Interior Castle and in Volume Three " The Book of Her Foundations" and " Minor Works".

Spirituality development and growth can be difficult in these modern times. St Teresa's life and spiritual journey can easily be taken in small doses and applied daily. Her mystical visions can be understood personaly - a rare treat.

St. Teresa of Avila is a great writer of the spiritual life, especially regardingg prayer and striving for mystical union. I liked that the book conatins a few of her writings in one book, especially when you want to cross-reference when you read and study her works.

St. Teresa of Avila, who lived in sixteenth century Spain, was a woman as complex as those turbulent times; yet also, she was simple, as only the greatest saints can be.

Her writings are discursive, immediately engaging, written in a warm and sometimes disjointed style, like conversation. If you have read "about" Teresa but put off reading the works of the saint herself, feeling it might be too formidable a task, have no fear. She speaks of the highest mystical experiences in terms accessible to 21st century readers. There are some cultural references and attitudes to be filtered, but over all, Teresa's tremendous pleasure in her loving relationship with God, shines through. Do not be put off by the distance of centuries; don't feel that Teresa is too holy to be comprehended. Read the story of her life, and read her descriptions of the stages of a mystical spiritual journey leading to a marvelous knowledge of God, and an ineffable sharing with God.

Teresa speaks to all of us, wherever we are in our faith journeys, whenever we live, whatever our state. Her writings are classic outpourings of a soul sometimes desolate, sometimes ecstatic, but always, dedicated to God. Teresa defies category or analysis. You must read her to experience her.

Teresa of Avila has three popular books in print that continue to aid the spiritual development, which is impressive, considering she lived during the 1500s. A Christian mystic, the knowledge that she imparted in her writings was esteemed so highly, that she was the first woman to receive the title of "doctor," by the Catholic Church. Religious and political leaders sought her advice. Her ideas revolutionized religious life, particularly with the emphasis on equality of all members of the order, and her teachings on cultivating a spiritual life focused on prayer, transform lives to this day. Other popular works she wrote and that are still in circulation include "The Interior Castle," and "The Way of Perfection," but it is best to start with her autobiography, since these both of other works refer to ideas mentioned in her autobiography.

There are many interpretations of her writings available on the market, but I have always found Kieran Kavanaugh's editions to be the most insightful. He prefaces the books with a background with background information about Teresa's life, the atmosphere in which she lived, and ideas of her contemporaries. The translations he provides are clear and he adds notes to explain religious and cultural practices which might seem alien to the modern reader. The fact that his work is published through the Institute of Carmelite Studies adds an air of authenticity, since it was the order with which Teresa was affiliated and strived so hard to reform, that other editions lack.

This is no ordinary autobiography, as Teresa was no ordinary woman. Despite her extraordinariness, the book is written in a conversational tone, which makes her ideas easy to understand and remember; one feels as if she is talking to the reader personally. She also conveys ideas and struggles that ordinary people confront, such as not being sure if she has a calling for the religious life (in the beginning, unlike most Christian writers, she say that she never wanted to be a nun), wondering what God's plan for her is, and experiencing spiritual dryness - in which the great teacher of prayer admits to lacking the motivation to pray regularly. How she discerns solutions for these questions is inspirational for any reader.

The extraordinary aspect of her life revolves around her commitment to trying to learn better ways to speak to God and seek God in her life, which was the basis for her prayer life. Witnesses attended her church with the hope of seeing her rise off the floor in an ecstasy, and she does devote some of the book to defining differences between different states of ecstasy and rapture. She also lists different ways in which people may hear God speak to them; some relate to apparitions, which may interest the reader who is interested in these phenomena as they are claimed to exit in the modern day.

But more helpful, for the majority of us, she outlines paths of spiritual development, how sometimes the best of use can only muster enough strength to mouth prayers in difficult times, but that we should continue to persevere, because perseverance will bring spiritual development if out intention is pure. She believes that fundamentally, prayer is nothing more than a conversation with God, and through our practice of talking to God, we will learn how to hear him more clearly and speak to him with more respect and ask better questions. She outlines different sages to prayer that exist, with vocal prayer being the most basic, and mental prayer being the most developed. She articulates that people's approach to the path may vary; different passages inspire people differently, and some religious practices offer more help for some than for others, but this is appropriate, and there are many paths to the same mansion. Through all her advice, she encourages a joyful approach to living one's religion, because we should be happy to serve God with love as he loves us.

In the peaceful land of the Riddaer, Jahdo the ratcatcher's son stumbles upon a meeting between a city councilman and a dangerous, mysterious woman. Suddenly the boy is tangled in a web of intrigue and black magic that drags him far from his beloved home. In the company of Meer, a blind bard of the Horsekin, Jahdo must travel to Deverry to unravel the evil that binds him. Gut there the boy is caught up in dangers far greater than any he has ever known. Two powerful sorcerers--the human Jill and the elven Dallandra--are battling to save the country from a goddess gone mad. Their strongest ally is the mercenary soldier Rhodry Maelwaedd, a berserker bound to both women by fate and magic...and to the dragon upon whom all their lives may depend. For fantasy lovers who have never read the novels of Deverry before, Days of Blood and Fire is the place to begin.

Katherine Kerr's writing takes a bit of getting used to, but it's worth the effort. She approaches her stories with a Celtic storytelling mindset, which means she conveys events according to their significance to the story, as opposed to chronologically. Consequently, while the stories begin in the "present" (which is an elastic concept, anyway, in a fantasy setting), the events unfold, chapter wise, both in the "present" and in the distant past. This can be frustrating, at first, but Kerr's writing is heavily steeped in Pagan and Western Mystery tradition, and the Celtic setting (and mindset) of her characters means that time, or chronological time, is not essentially relevant. To be honest, I found the first book infuriating, as I spent a lot of time trying to adjust to the writing style. However, I found the story engrossing enough that I persevered, and by the second book was so hooked I've read all ten in her three series.

Kerr's story evolves around the concept of reincarnation, and unfinished business, and "karma", and fate. The same souls recur again and again, just in new bodies, over the course of the centuries over which the story unfolds.

Kerr's world is one of High Fantasy, populated by Elves, Men, and Dwarves, as well as faeries/elementals, which she terms the "Wildfolk". However, hers is a slightly more dark, dangerous and less clear cut world than the works of other High Fantasy authors, not the least due to the fact that someone who was your friend in a former life can re-emerge in the story centuries later as a foe, and vice versa. There is a tremendous amount of magic, but it's the magic of the Western Mystery tradition (quite a bit of Golden Dawn and even Enochiana), and that of R.J. Stewarts Faery tradition. There are dragons, and giant beast men.

The Elves are a fallen race, driven out of their magnificent and palatial cities centuries before by invaders, and who now roam the plains as primitives. They possess the potential to be superlative magicians, but the knowledge was lost in the fall of their civilization. Humans, though warlike and shorter lived, have preserved this knowledge, but guard it jealously. The Wildfolk, basically magic incarnate, are unhinged from the effects of "karma", but lack permanence of personality, and cannot grow or develop, cursed to stagnation. The Dwarves are a secretive mystery, entrenched within the earth. Each has something to offer the other, and the story that unfolds is the story of this "technology" exchange, of sorts, between them.

Fans of Marion Zimmer Bradley, who clearly influenced Kerr, will be enraptured by this series, as will fans of Kate Eliott, who Kerr, herself, clearly influenced. It's phenomenal! Devotees of the New Age, Esoteric or Occult will find themselves nodding and smiling as they read, and sincerely hoping Kerr's writing will do for the Western Mystery and Faery traditions what Bradley's has done for Wicca.

I found this book to be quite enjoyable, though I think that I would have liked it more if I had read the other books in the series. It stood on it's own rather well, but there were a few things that I didn't understand as well as I think I could have if I'd read the other books.

The only thing that really bothered me about this book was the name of the Sorceress. Jill just didn't fit in with the other names in the book, and the excuse that was given wasn't a very good one, or at least it wasn't to someone who had only read that book. It was alluded that there might have been a better explanation in another book, something to do with who her father was, but it was not satisfactory to me.

I did, however, find the characters to be vibrant and the plot to be engaging, so that little complaint really isn't much of a complaint at all. This was, I thought, a rather decent fantasy novel and if I stumble across more of her work, I will likely pick it up.

Similar to "The Dragon Revenant" Kerr again returns to a linear plot previously set up in "Time of Omens," again abandoning her usual interaction of stories set within differing time periods. Obviously by now I am an enthusiast of the tale and world begun in "Daggerspell" and would recommend fans of better fantasy fiction take a look. Despite the positive response of the previous reviewer, however, Kerr's books are not written as stand-alones, and without the information provided by the earlier works, one's enjoyment of this book will be greatly limited. Despite the fact that it was the weakest book in the series, start with "Daggerspell": By the time you reach "Days of Blood and Fire" I'm sure you'll conclude that the considerable time invested was enjoyably well spent.

I do however have one reservation regarding this book: The introduction of a dragon. It may be a personal quirk on my part, but rarely have I found the active appearance of dragons in a tale either satisfying or credible. Often anthropomorphised in manner either typecast or silly - McCaffrey's romanticized and laughable wyrms are but the most notable examples - their inclusion as characters almost invariably fails to be convincing (At the risk of sacrilege I would include Tolkein's Smaug). Though the dragon here is present for only a few pages, it is apparant that it will play a large role in the next book, and it talks, which may not bode well for the conclusion of the series. Those of you who delight in clever wyrms, carry on. I will reserve final comment for completion of the next book.

This is the best fantasy book that I have ever read, and possibly one of the best books overall. Anyone who is a fantasy reader should definately pick this one up. It kept me on the edge of my seat right up until the end, where I immediately ran out to pick up "Days of Air and Darkness" to find out how this chapter in the Deverry saga ended. Full of action, intrige, and emotion, this book is sure to give anyone a good read. I am about to order the rest of the series to see what else has gone on.

Whether or not you started with Daggerspell or if you have just recently started reading the works of Katharine Kerr, you should definately read this. I found the book entertaining with all the old characters mixed with the new and their wonderful skill at getting wound up in problems that seem to large to remedy. You get to see parts of her world that you do not see in the other books which is always exciting with this author. She transends into the world "high fantasy" well and the ending is rather different from most of her others because it is sudden and leads into the next book.

This outstanding book took me to Ireland with the turn of each page. What a great gift this makes for the lovers of both Irish history and poetry. KB adroitly weaves the story of Ireland's past and present in a way that makes Gathering Stones better than chocolate. I want more!

KB's artful use of words draws us behind the scenes. Her rare gift is to draw us into the souls of wounded and resilient characters. We smell the misty air, rejoice in rugged coasts, embrace warm tears, rejoice in their land and history, and brood with them through troubled times. Read it to experience Ireland; study it to learn the art of soul-telling!

Within this beautiful book, the Irish heart beats with the cadence of the bodhrán, and wind and stone are recurrent themes of both loss and discovery. Ballentine's remarkable knowledge of history comingles with her unique poetic style to create a harmony of past and present. The complex enigma of a country and its people resonates especially in her poem, "Rosaleen's Dark Harbor": "No matter how bright the sun, the rain still falls./We dream of another place, resign ourselves to leaving this one." Gathering Stones is a richly-balanced book with the somber undertones and lit brilliance that so satisfies the reader's appetite, it makes her hungry for Ballentine's next book.

Gathering Stones is a collection of lyrical poems that allow the reader to emerse him/herself in the mystery of Ireland's past and present. KB Ballentine's talent shines through in these poems as they are crafted skillfully in the music of the Irish language. I can recommend this beautiful collection of poems to anyone.

Gathering Stones encapsulates the beauty and mystery of Ireland. The exquisite language of Midsummer's Eve captures and holds my memory of just such a night spent over there.

This poet captures the stark painful reality of starvation, love, and loss. These pages brought me deep into Ireland and held me there. This is worth the read!

Fifteen year old Getorix, the son of a Celtic leader, is captured and is eager to be sacrificed with honor. To his horror, he is selected as a slave to a boy his age. Talk about a major attitude adjustment! The setting is Rome, a hundred years before Christ. The time is before Julius Caesar. Geary's storytelling weaves history and details of the city of Rome into an easily read adventure story of two boys forced to be together who navigate a relationship through culture clashes, status expectations between owner and slave and the bull-headedness of youth. Getorix even takes you through the sewer system of ancient Rome.

This is the type of book you recommend to friends.

Getorix is a teenage son of a Cimbri ruler who is captured, along with his father, and taken to Rome for a triumph and eventual execution. His father is killed, but he is spared and becomes a slave in the household of Quintus Lutatius Catulus, a Roman general and official. The story concerns the developing relationship between Getorix, Catulus' son, Lucius, and Keltus, a Celtic slave of the household. The author gives us a taste of what the life of a Roman household slave would be like, plus a description of some of the politics existing in the time before Julius Caesar becomes absolute ruler. An excellent appendix gives the neophyte reader a list of Latin and 'barbarian' words and what they mean. This book may be boring to adults, but is quite good for pre-teens and teenagers. It is fortunate that the activities and perversions of Sulla are not discussed fully, or it would not be suitable for young readers. The story ends without a satisfactory ending, leading me to believe there will be a sequel as Getorix deals with his status as a slave and his vow to make his father proud of him.

Getorix: The Eagle and the Bull is a story of a young boy's adventures in Rome that is comperable to the Harry Potter novels in that the concept is equally as fascinating. Geary's attention to historical detail paints a vivid image of Rome during a time period that is educational as well as entertaining. Getorix's incessant stubborness in fufilling his promise to his father emphasizes the cultural difference between the Celts and Romans and is the foundation of an unlikely friendship in the end. This book leaves the reader awaiting a young adult adventure series that has the potential to be brilliant.

This is a beautifully written, riveting tale of a Celtic boy on the cusp of manhood, who along with his father, was captured in battle by the Romans. The boy, Getorix, is determined to honor a vow to his father made just before the father is executed. He is spared by General Catulus and given to his son, Lucius, as a slave. However, Getorix will be no one's slave, especially not a slave to a Roman enemy. His growing friendship to a boy who would be his master, and his desperate need to become a man his father would have been proud of sends him on a journey of pain and self-discovery which will ultimately chart his course in life. I see this book as a young adult book only in that there are no scenes of sexuality or obscene language. It is a wealth of insight into the life and politics of Rome before Julius Caesar and has been meticulously researched. The author, Judith Geary, speaks to an intelligent reader with language that propels the reader to another time and commands the reader to experience a slice of history along side her richly developed characters. I was hooked from the first page to the last and can not wait to read it's sequel.

Judith Geary's debut novel, Getorix: The Eagle And The Bull is set in the days of the Roman Republic (rather than the later Roman Empire) and is the story of a young Celt named Getorix. Following the adventurous life of Getorix which includes the depressing defeat of his father in a battle with the Romans, Getorix: The Eagle And The Bull deftly carries readers through a Celtic family struggles and Getorix befriending a Roman soldier who has spared his life. A superbly written novel whose author has taken great pains to be as historically accurate as possible in the little details so important to background settings and plot developments, Getorix: The Eagle And The Bull is very strongly recommended as a thoroughly captivating and intimate story of a young man's struggle with identity and pride. Written for a young adult readership, Getoix: The Eagle And The Bull is the first installment of a three volume trilogy and will leave the reader looking eagerly toward the next two titles in this superbly crafted and original series.

One moment Taylor will have you pondering a simple yet astounding truth and the next you'll be laughing over the sad state of his family's car rental. His style of writing is very approachable and endearing. In this book you will not have to deal with a self-righteous narrator on his way to tell you how to reach his level of spirituality. Rather, Dan Taylor openly admits his doubts, concerns, and failures. But, he also gives us something to aspire to and helps us to seek out our own pilgrimages not only when we're abroad, but also when we come home again.

I've visited all three of these places and, at least for me, Taylor has captured a good bit of their magic. His writing is easy to read and entertaining and leavened with just the right touch of humor.

Let Dan Taylor take you to unplanned destinations, traveling with a family grouping of seven in an unreliable Toyota van over forbidding roads and through staggering vistas. Perhaps not your idea of a relaxing vacation; but Dan (an English literature professor friend) in his "...Search of Sacred Places" doesn't intend to make the reader comfortable. However, his sense of humor is evident in facing unscheduled, difficult obstacles as is his awe at the devotion of Celtic extremists and frustration over his own frailties along with those of spoiled 21st century Christians. He smoothly blends Celtic biographies and historic Christianity along with insights from loved English poets, leaving the reader - and himself - with more questions to answer than when the Taylor clan first set out on pilgrimage. A thoughtful book to reread and give to others.

Literature and writing professor Daniel Taylor presents In Search Of Sacred Places, the testimony of his spiritual quest and journey toward understanding in his experience among islands once considered holy to the ancient Celts. Part history, part memoir, part travelogue, part spiritual quest, and part personal introspection, In Search Of Sacred Places ponders both the unknowable and the mundane, and brims with the author's abiding insights and wonder. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this deeply respectful and spiritual account.

Although the sacred places Taylor shares with us are moving, it is his personal honesty, humility and his wry humor that make sacredness and pilgrimage, commitment and faith, accessible. I am grateful to the author for voicing the questions and the doubts that I have as he (and I and many others) try to live our lives in ways that keep us awake to the wonders and blessings of our world in the midst of what often seems hopeless.

An absolutely incredible facsimile of the Book of Kells (BoK). An essential for those who study Celtic Illumination. Pages are (very close to) original color and size and the detail shown is wonderful. Also the author's commentary is very good. I can't rave enough about this book, well worth the money.

The Book of Kells is one of the great masterpieces of early illuminated manuscripts. This book involved special colour photography of the manscript of all the major illustrative carpet pages - and a good sample of some of the "ordinary" illuminated script pages.

The images are reproduced at very close to the original size of the manuscript - which makes the detail in the carpet pages all that more astonishing when you realise how fine they really are. True minature work on a large scale.

The back of the book also includes close ups of illuminated page details which is very handy. If you can't afford to buy one of the full manuscript reproductions (and most of us can't) then this is probably the next best thing. The original 1970s edition of this book is published in hardcover with a slipcase making it that much more durable and attractive.

One must actually see large color plates or the Book of Kells itself to know what all reviewers are talking about, when they, like myself, call this book "the most beautiful book in the world." It is really incredible, a most fascinating and comprehensive piece of work from an ancient period of time. And has life changed so very much since then? Reading this book with many descriptive illustrations, one might know.

To really understand the incredible drawings, also purchase the newly released video "The Book of Kells - The Work of Angels?" which tells what the illustrations were about and how they were created... many of the designs date from the Celtic gold work that was done at the time, and there are many interesting stories about life in the abbey, political intrigues, and other goings-on during this period of time.

This has been a favorite gift of mine to give to many people, who have seen the book in person in Ireland, but never really knew what it meant, until they saw the tape. The two go hand-in-hand together, and are worth any price.

There is also a new CD out with Kells images as well, which may well be worth purchasing ...

The original 1974 large edition book in a fabric slip case is the one I saved up all year for when I was a very poor college student, and started my life-long love of calligraphy.

This book is well worth any price, when Inspiration is your need or your calling.

Though it is now out of print, this book has over 100 color prints from the Book of Kells and is one defininitely looking for. The essays raise some interesting points, though not the most current points of dispute among scholars. The book would be wonderful for students, copyists, or anyone interested in a beautiful presentation of information on the most ornate of insular manuscripts.

A beautifully illustrated book, finely detailed, a wonderful source of inspiration for those interested in illuminated manuscripts and Celtic decorative art. Author Henry's years of research are evident: she knows her subject well. A lovely study of this original c. 9th century manuscript, often described as "the most beautiful book in the world."

The Last Celtic Witch by Lyn Armstrong is delightfully delicious from beginning to end. Very erotic, this story is not for younger teens.

Adela MacAye is a witch with a mission. After seeing the persecution of her family and hearing of the witch hunt is in full frenzy, Adela is determined not to let the MacAye witch blood line disappear. The exact same dream being played over and over again with increasing urgency sets Adela off on a journey plagued with danger.

Laird Phillip Roberts is every woman's fantasy of a delectable Scot. Ever wonder what they wear under those kilts, you'll surely find out here. Yumm!

Erotic scenes that would make any women wet with envy, I found this story to be more than quite entertaining. It's not a put down book until you get to the very end. Light but informative, accurate in scenes and storyline, this author has woven a spell of pure delight.

The Last Celtic Witch is a charming historical with a determined, brave heroine and a powerful Scottish Laird. Adela MacAye is a good witch who only yearns to pass on her gift to a child. But when she meets the man destined to be her true love, he's tempted by an evil sorceress who lures him to her bed. Adela and Philip must face this evil force together or else forfeit their future. Hot and spicy, this historical romance is a fast, easy read.

Erotica is not usually my favorite romance genre, and I usually stick to darker paranormals. But what I liked about this debut novel was that the sexy, steamy scenes were all character driven. The villains were brought to life better by their 'deviant' sexual actions and the innocence of the heroine by hers. If you haven't read much erotica yet, I would highly recommend the Last Celtic Witch. It's a great introduction to the genre, and the sex really makes the story richer.

The Last Celtic Witch is an erotic-paranormal-historical about a beautiful reclusive witch named Adela who has a vision of her own death. Being that she is the last of her kind, Adela decides she must produce a child before she is killed. With the help of a fertility spell, Adela is led to the man who is to be the child's father... the handsome Laird Phillip.

I will stop here as to not give any more of the story away.

The Last Celtic Witch is a book about hope, love, passion and magic. It gets my recommendation because the author managed to write a story that felt real to me. Her characters were cool and the story believable, even with all the magic and stuff. Plus, I happen to like reading erotic romance.

When visions of a painful death continually haunt Adela, she recognizes her days are numbered and must act quickly to find a man that will provide her with a child that will inherit her magical powers. Casting her spell, she is led to a handsome and irresistible chieftain who is more than willing to fulfill her needs.

Although his feelings for Adela are heartfelt, there is unrest in the land and Phillip knows the only way to attain peace is by making a marriage alliance with Lady Torella. But Lady Torella is not what she seems to be. An evil witch hungry for power, Torella is determined to eliminate Adela and break the agreement of peace between the two clans. Will it be too late to stop the treacherous witch?

The Last Celtic Witch is a magical and gripping tale of good versus evil. Alliances, treachery, love and smoking hot sex scenes make this story intriguing, seizing the reader's attention from start to finish. A very well crafted plot and as the first book in Ms. Armstrong series, The Last Celtic Witch is impressive and the author did a good job dazzling this reader with its magical charm. I anxiously await the arrival of her next offering and can only hope to be charmed once again.

reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This dramatic new fairy tale, in which a gentle prince and an angry fire-breathing dragon are born on the same day and share a unique destiny, shows that a powerful belief in yourself and your purpose can help to overcome life challenges.

In reading advertisment for this book, I've seen it refered to as a good book for those not old enough to read Harry Potter. As a true "Muggle for Harry Potter," I would whole-heartedly agree with that statement. This is a wonderful story with beautiful illustrations and a great message. It is the perfect sequel to Bergsma's Dragon, while still being a unique and wholly enjoyable story on its own. I highly recommend this to old and young alike!

If your young child likes wizards, dragons, etc., this is a wonderful fairytale to read aloud- I read it to my 4-year-old daughter in sections at night. It is not too scary and has a inspiring message to all children. The vocabulary is rich- my daughter asks me what some of the words mean. The only setback for young readers is the way the dragon speaks (i.e., By ancient words, thou hast called me forth to be thy servant.)- which may be hard for them to understand so I usually paraphase it. The illustrations are beautiful! If you like unique books, this one is at the top of the list.

During a time of shadows, the young and fledgling wizard Kevin embarks on a perilous, mystical journey in search of a cure for his dying mother. Together with his companions, Greystone the dragon and Tomas the cat, Kevin unravels a curious prophecy in an enchanting adventure of self-discovery. Learning to trust his inner wisdom, the little wizard saves not only his mother, but the entire kingdom as well. Jody Bergsma's completely entertaining picturebook story for young readers is beautifully illustrated throughout with gorgeous, full color artwork.

Young Arianna has recently been crowned the Queen of Lugin, and has inherited the kingdom, which is currently in great turmoil. Her only hope is from an ancient prophecy which speaks of a young wizard. In a remote area of Lugin, young Kevin is grieving at his ill mother's bedside. He is told that the healing water from the well belonging to Queen Arianna can bring his mother back to good health. So he, along with his brave cat Tomas, set out on an adventure to the Royal City. Along the way, Kevin and Tomas are joined by a small dragon named Greystone, who becomes not only their friend, but their guide as well. Kevin soon finds a wizard's cloak, and enters the Royal City as just that, a wizard, and is quickly placed before Queen Arianna.

Once again, Jody Bergsma has created a lovely new tale of magic and morals. Her lyrical writing is lovely, as are her gorgeous full-color illustrations. Children who read THE LITTLE WIZARD at a young age, are sure to grow up to become fans of both the HARRY POTTER series, and THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

This is an excellent study in 1 John. Very indepth review. This author is always 5 stars.

Received my book in PERFECT condition. Shipped
FAST, I was very pleased with my purchase and
with this seller. I would buy from this seller
anytime - I highly recommend!

I recommend this series highly. Every chapter is a five star sermon that not only informed and enlightened, but called me to a closer walk with God and His Son Jesus Christ. I have been mightily impacted forever by what I have read here.

Here is a God-centered exposition set that does not use any Greek words, nor difficult jargons. It is layman-friendly, but solid, powerful, heart-and-soul-searching by which I have been greatly blessed. Though the audio version of Dr. Jones' sermons are available online through their recording trust website, but due to poor-quality technology, considering these were recorded in the 1930's and 40's, I tend to lean toward the text version for clarity purposes.

The first epistle of John contains some redundancies to emphasize how exceedingly important the points being repeated are to ensure the audience truly understands and embraces them; namely, the doctrines of the Lord Jesus Christ, who he is, his nature, his accomplishment on the cross, as well as the goal of Christian life, that is, a joyful "fellowship with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ". It exposes the reality of Christians, who are "of God" living in a fallen world that "lies in wickedness", the reality of spiritual warfare against 'the world', 'the flesh' and 'the devil' within which false doctrines are included. John, often called "The Apostle of Love" also covers exquisitely the test of the existence of true grace in a person by hammering over and over the importance of embracing the right doctrines, keeping the commandments, loving the brothers. Pastor Jones clarifies several times, from the redundant nature of the epistle, the true meaning of the Apostle's exhortations, being aware of the danger of the two extremes resulting from a misinterpretation, whether intentionally or not; namely the antinomianism and legalism or perfectionism, as well as the false doctrines that are still pertinent today, particularly mysticism, which I believe the Pantecostal denominations need to heed. Some verses that Dr. Jones preached are particularly encouraging to me, among which are when he covers what the "world" means in ch.2 v. 15-16, the test of a Christian in ch.5 v.19, idolatry in ch.5 v.21, in addition to the exposition on some parts that I had a hard time understanding, as in ch.3, v.6-9, 20, and ch.5 v. 16.

I can tell Pastor Jones is the kind of preacher I wish I had the privilege sitting under. Though I may not have the preaching experience of what Prof. JI Packer describes as "with the force of electric shock, bringing to at least one of his listeners more of a sense of God than any other man" but I would agree with Pastor John Piper's comment that "many of us have felt this shock even through the written form of Lloyd-Jones' sermons."

There are several tests as to whether one is a Christian, and it would be wise for a person to examine their profession with referance to the true doctrine of Biblical assurance. The Apostle John wrote these things that we may know we have eternal life and a Christian should know how they stand with the Lord, and the style and careful detail of MLJ unfolds the message that was inspired by The Holy Spirit even for us today .

This book is the best in the series so far. The mystery was very good and kept me guessing until the end. In fact, I had picked another murderer and plotter entirely. Also, Fidelmaa is much more likeable in this series. My main complaint so far was that I really did not like her. She was too haughty and full of herself with an acid tongue. In this book, that seems to change. We meet a much more vulnerable Fidelma, but one who is still as smart as a tack. She finds her way through the morass and one or two red herrings to discover the murderer and to thrwart a very dangerous plot against her brother's kingship. She sets out to find out who arranged an assisination of her brother and a rival king who is supposedly trying to make peace with her brother's kingdom, and discovers a missing monk from a neighbouring abbey, an illegal mining operation and a very dangerous political plot. Great stuff!

The Monk who vanished is a mystery set in 6-7th century Ireland. It is very detailed and brings the reader easily to this ancient time without sounding like a history or anthropology lesson. The mystery stroy is very well developed and has unexpected twists and turns that are justified and well put together.

The stakes are high indeed in this seventh installment in the Sister Fidelma mystery series, because this time she is fighting to protect her brother's claim to the kingship of Murman.

The Ui Fidgente, a major clan of Murman, have been adversaries of Cashel for a long time, and indeed they have long challenged Cahsel's right to the kingship of Murman, refusing to pay tribute. Now however the current prince of Ui Fidgente, has decided to put all the bad blood between the two clans behind him and to negotiate a treaty of peace with Cashel. To this end, he and his retinue have come to Cashel in a gesture of goodwill in order to hammer out some form of an agreement. However, just as the two princes are about to exchange greetings, an unknown bowman shoots at them, wounding both men. He is later found dead, wearing the emblem of the Golden Chain, which identifies him as a member of Cashel's elite bodyguard. This proves to be a bad sign for Fidelma's brother, for if he is found guilty of the attempt of the prince of Ui Fidengente's life, the kingship of Murman would then be forfeit to the Ui Fidengente! Another bad sign: in the abbey at Imleach, the relics of the holy man Ailbe, has been stolen. Legend has it that if ever the relics were stolen then the kingship of Murman would fall from Cashel and chaos would ensue. It looks as if the two incidents are tied and that Fidelma will have to do some rather nifty detective work to discover who exactly is behind this move to take the throne away from her brother and start a war.

This historical mystery series is a really good one even if Peter Tremayne's writing style is a little to dense and dry. However he has struck gold in his creation of Sister Fidelma. In Fidelma, Tremanyne has created a brilliant and charming heroine, with a thirst to see justice done and set things right. The plot of this mystery novel is intriguing and a little convoluted, full of red herrings and sub-plots that have sometimes very little to do with the actual problem at hand. However the final denouncement where Fidelma finally lays all her cards on the table makes everything worthwhile: the somewhat dry and dense prose, the convoluted plot with all its red herrings, and the somewhat ranting style of communication that nearly everyone save Fidelma and Brother Eadulf seem to employ. A book well worth reading inspite of the few nit-picking problems I had with it.

As an avid reader of the Sister Fidelma books I was more than pleasantly surprised by The Monk Who Vanished. It kept me guessing from the start with unexpected twists and turns.

Fidelma's world is brought to life in this seventh installment in the mystery series. This is a highly personal adventure for her with her brother's kingdom at stake. As always there is more than meets the eye in this adventure. With all of the sub-stories Tremayne keeps you guessing as to whether it will all come together in the end or if they are separet mysteries unto themselves. With everything thrown at her, Fidelma keeps her cool and saves the day with her wit and incredibly sharp mind.

This was a story well worth waiting for. I eagerly await the next installment!

The seventh century in Europe became known as the Dark Ages yet Ireland remained a beacon of light where learning and enlightenment continued unabated. Rulers from around the known world sent their leading scholars to learn so that they could return home and educate the leaders. Women were treated as equals and even held office in the church. Sister Fidelma, daughter of a king and sister of the current monarch, is both a religieuse and an advocate of the law.

Long time enemies the Prince of Vi Fidgente and Colgu of Cashel the King of Muman seek a truce. As they near Colgu's home, an assassin hits both men with arrows. The Prince's men kill the culprit before anyone can question him. The King and the Prince accuse each other of duplicity and attempted murder. Unless Sister Fidelma can prove otherwise, her regal brother will be considered guilty and punished under Irish law. However, the clues take her to the Abbey of Imleach where a monk and relics connected to the case are missing with little hope of eminent discovery.

THE MONK WHO VANISHED is a fascinating mystery filled with unexpected twists that often lead to false clues and the wonderful Sister Fidelma, sleuth extraodinaire. However, the true beauty of the tale lies in the descriptions of seventh century Irish life as seen through the eyes of the religious and aristocratic leaders. Peter Tremayne is a gifted storyteller who provides his audience with a vivid view as if the reader is actually there. Even after a delightful decade of the Sister's stories, the latest entry remains fresh and hopefully means the start of another decade of tremendous historical mysteries from Mr. Tremayne.

Harriet Klausner