A Passionate Hope Book Review

I'll spare you from my words for a little longer.... but here's a book review!

And, of course, the requisite disclaimer..... I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review....

With that out of the way, here's the description from Goodreads!

Hannah and her husband, Elkanah, share a deep and abiding love, for each other, for their God, and for his tabernacle at Shiloh. Greatly disturbed by the corruption of the priests, they long for restoration and pray for a deliverer. But nothing changes as the years pass. Years that also reveal Hannah to be barren.

Pressured by his family to take another wife, Elkanah marries Peninnah, who quickly begins to bear children. Disgraced and taunted by her husband's new wife, Hannah turns again to prayers that seem doomed to go unanswered. Do her devotion and kindness in the face of Peninnah's cruelty count for nothing? Why does God remain silent and indifferent to her pleas?

Travel back to the dusty streets of Shiloh with an expert guide as Jill Eileen Smith brings to life a beloved story of hope, patience, and deliverance that shows that even the most broken of relationships can be restored.

I've read many of Jill's books in the past and enjoyed every single one of them.
This one didn't let me down.
Oh, the emotion!

I suppose I should have expected that, due to the nature of the Bible story, much of the book would focus on the relationship triangle between Elkanah, Hannah, and Peninnah.
I didn't expect it to be done quite so well!

The tension and strife between Hannah and Peninnah are handed expertly, and somehow, Jill is able to portray the stress without everything descending into a soap opera. Elkhanah's personal discomfort with the whole situation is very realistic and poignant as well.

One of the things I most appreciated about this book was how Jill created a vivid backdrop of the time. The moral decline of the era, and especially the depravity of Eli's sons is show in a colorful, yet tasteful way. Overlaid above this sinful backdrop is the contrast of Hannah and Elkanah's virtue.

The spiritual lives of the characters is shown clearly, and everything is very close to normal Orthodox Jewish spirituality. Everything is close to the Scripture, and God is the One who is lifted high through the story.

The theme of the book has to do with trusting and waiting on God throughout excruciatingly painful times, and it is clearly put forward. The emotions and faith of Hannah are both heartbreaking and inspiring, and when she finally holds the promised child under her heart, all anyone can do is cheer for her.

The book is fairly clean, and although there are some discrete references to sexual activity and physical violence, and a murdered body is found, nothing is gory or explicit.

All in all, and wonderful book that shows beautifully the pain and wonder of Hannah's life.

Top Five Books of 2017

Because I'm a total, helpless book nerd, I thought this would be a good first "Real Post."

Please note that I don't think any of these books were actually written in 2017, only that I read then in 2017.

So, while it's cold and snowy, here's some good books to pair with that hot chocolate:


#5 Hello, My Name Is Single-- Adriane Dorr--
        The minute I heard about this book, I knew I had to read it, and it delivers!
If you're single, like me, or you want to better understand the singles around you, this book does a very good job of getting into the single Christian's mind. I personally felt that the book focused too much on above mid-twenties singles who had already left home, but that's probably because I'm still an under-twenty something living at home. All in all--- Love the book. One of those books that makes you happy because you realize you're not alone.

#4 Eyes of E'veria-- Serena Chase--
        I think this is cheating, but I couldn't bare to separate the series. It's a four book series, although the books are sorta paired within the series. It's Christian fantasy with a touch of allegory, which I love. Plus, books 3 and 4 talk about human trafficking, which is extra points in my book. Wonderful, suspenseful books with rich, realistically flawed characters, and a happy ending.

#3 Blades of Acktar-- Tricia Mingerick--
       It took me a while to really get into this series, but once I did- Wow. Just... so Wow! A deep, strong plot, characters that remind me of real people, suspense and drama. AND a very string theme of redemption, forgiveness, and putting your past behind you. Really, really enjoyed it.

#2 Ilyon Chronicles-- Jaye E. Knight--
       One of those series that you fall in love with by chapter two and can't put down afterwards. The characters progress and develop in marvelously true to life fashion, the villain is deliciously evil, the good guys are strong and noble without being perfect, and..... I just love Leetra. Read the series, and I dare you to not fall in love with Leetra. Ok, I like Kyrin too.............

#1 Tale of Two Cities-- Charles Dickens--
           Finally got around to reading the whole, unabridged version this year. It is a really long book, and he tends to ramble on descriptions-- telling us what things look like for seemingly endless paragraphs. Or he throws out random details, expecting you to be about to store, for example, the knitting scene in your head for nearly half the book. However, for historical strength, majestic prose, artistic imagery, writing style and a strong substitutionary atonement theme.... Wonderful. Bravo.

Bonus-- Doon-- Carey Corp and Lori Langdon--
             Combine medieval Scotland, time travel, paranormal fiction, and a discrete but powerful message. What's not to love?


Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2018

#1- Melanie Dickerson is writing a new novel, this one based on Ten Thousand Nights/Aladdin that looks wonderful.. If it's anything like her other books, my waiting patiently until spring is doubtful.

#2- Hopefully, Jaye E Knight will write the last book in the Ilyon Chronicles this year. Still not sure I really want her to finish, I just want the next book.

#3-- Maybe Frank Peretti will decide to write fiction again? Just a suggestion..... nudge nudge.....

Have you ever noticed that nonfiction authors don't tell us when they're going to release a new book like fiction authors do? I just thought of that when I realized that I don't know if any on my favorite nonfiction authors is going to release a book this year.

Teaser:  Just got the new Joel Salatin book from the library. Looks great, but I haven't read it yet. If it's anything like his other books, it'll be really, really good.


So-- You have any nominees for the list? Feel free to throw me a line in the comments of your favorite books from 2017!