Book Spotlight:Sodom On Its Knees by Pam Funke

Book Blurb:

3,902 years ago, there was a city so evil, corrupt and filled with sin that God saw no other choice, but to completely destroy it. The city of Sodom was completely destroyed by a rain of fire in a single day.

The great nation of the United States of America, a nation founded and built on God, has since turned its back on God. The people have allowed the government to remove Him from our schools, our jobs and are trying to remove Him from our churches. Many have chosen to remove Him even from their homes. Why is this happening to us they ask as they helplessly watch the nation's wickedness increase? How much longer will God allow us to continue in our sinful ways? Will He destroy us as He did Sodom?

God said that if His angels can find 5,000 righteous in our nation that He will spare us. When His angels walk our nation will they find even one righteous? Will there be enough righteous found to spare our great nation? 

                                                                   

Excerpt from book:

The Year 2012

The Kingdom of Heaven

In the beautiful courtroom of God Almighty, God sat on His throne with Jesus sitting on His right hand. Gabriel and Michael were also in attendance, along with other angels, cherubim and seraphim. They were all quietly watching the events taking place on the earth. Jesus waved his right hand and they could see various events play out before them from the past, the present and the things yet to come.

Jesus stopped as they were seeing the scenes prior to the destruction of the city of Sodom. He smiled as he remembered eating a meal with Abram. It had been pleasurable despite the reason He was there. He remembered how Abram had pleaded with Him to not destroy the righteous along with the evil when He told Abram of his plan.

Jesus had allowed his angels to lead Abram’s nephew Lot and his family out of Sodom minutes before He rained fire and brimstone down on the city. It had been painful to Jesus to destroy the people of Sodom. He had not wanted anyone to perish. Jesus closed his eyes in thought. If only they had repented for their sins and turned from their wicked ways. I loved them yet they loved their wicked ways more. He sighed as he opened His eyes. His heart broke as he heard the screams of the people dying in the city. He watched as Lot’s family was fleeing toward the city of Zoar. All but one had obeyed the orders of  His angels. Lot’s wife, Talia, turned back to look at Sodom. It had been the last thing that she ever did as she was turned into a pillar of salt.

Gabriel looked over at Jesus, the Master was truly disturbed by the events that have taken place over time. He watched as Jesus waved His hand again and the scene before them changed once again. He turned to watch.

Michael could sense the Lord's displeasure with man. He watched as man continued in his sinful ways. It saddened him to see so many choose their worldly ways instead of the Father. All through time, each generation seemed to behave worse than the generation before them.

One nation in particular seemed to sadden the Father more so than the others. Michael watched as Jesus seemed to focus on The United States of America. They watched the birth of the great nation. God seemed to take great delight in the birth. Here were a group of men working together to make for themselves a land in which they could freely worship God without the fear of persecution. Here was a nation that realized that they owed everything including their very lives to God. God smiled as they signed the Declaration of Independence. He smiled as they sang praises and worshipped Him.

Jesus waved his right hand again and they saw the progression of the United States. They were now involved in a war amongst themselves. They had forgotten one of their reasons for becoming a new nation; the equality of every man, woman and child. God frowned as He watched them kill each other; not once thinking of turning the situation over to Him and allowing Him to handle it. Jesus waved his right hand again and they watched as this great nation fought alongside many other nations in an effort to protect the freedom of others in a global dispute. When will they learn to trust the Father completely? Michael shook his head as they watched a new global battle take place against those that they had previously fought for. When will it ever end?

Again Jesus waved his right hand and they watched as horrifying acts of violence erupted and passed one right after the other. The Korean War, the assassination of the President of the United States,  the Vietnam War, the legalization of abortion, the assassination of Martin Luther King (1968), the legalization of abortion (1973), the assassination attempt on another US President, the outbreak of the Aids virus, the bombing in Libya, the Gulf Wars, the attacks on the world trade center and the pentagon, the rise of blasphemous cults, riots in the streets, the rise of gangs, the increase of gang violence, sexual predators and serial killers, the bombing in Oklahoma city(1995), the list went on and on. It was all very depressing. Why have they not cried out to the Father? Do they not know that He alone is all powerful? I don't understand them. Michael looked at Jesus, but said nothing.

Once again Jesus waved his right hand and they saw the present state of the United States. Things have not changed for the better. At least, not that Michael could see. The people of the United States have fallen from the grace of God. They have completely turned their backs on Him. They have removed Him from their homes, their schools, their places of work and from their very lives. They return evil with evil instead of turning it all over to the Master. Each and every day their sins overpower the good. Michael lowered his eyes in sadness.

He slowly turned towards Jesus, "They have become like the city of Sodom. How long Lord, will you allow them to continue down this path of destruction?"

Jesus nodded sadly to Michael and Gabriel giving them authority over the land. "If you can find 5,000 righteous I will spare the land," Jesus said.

Author Bio:
Pam Funke is the grand-daughter of a Pastor and was brought up in the church. Her love of reading led her to write for the enjoyment of others. She lives in Hinesville, Georgia with her son and daughter.

BOOK TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtaf4_zsNaA

Where to download the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords

HER BLOG:
http://thenationofsodom.blogspot.com/

Her Website:

http://authorpamfunke.weebly.com/

Operation Dark Angel--Book Review

I just finished reading Operation Dark Angel by Pamela Michelle Funke. It is the first in her Apocalypse series and she is working on her third one now. The second is World at War. If you are going to read the latter, I suggest you start with Operation Dark Angel---That is, if you like reading about about bad things happening to the world and people. If you are like me, you might end up slightly disappointed, but this is no happily ever story. Even in real life, after the rapture, the world will get worst and experiences tribulations of its own! The Anti-Christ will come and there will only be one world religion. Most people believe that religion will be Islam.  Pam's book is about the rise of an Anti-Christ way before he became a man or world leader-- It began in a young woman much the same way Mary conceived Jesus except that instead of the Holy Spirit impregnating the woman, It was an unknown but evil being which is known as "the voice." I would conclude that it is the voice of the Evil One, Satan himself. And unlike Mary, the young man was killed sometime after she gave birth.

I had some questions has a read this book. My understanding of when all these events will happen or when the Anti-Christ comes to power is after the church is taken out of the way. In other words, when the church is raptured. So my question is: these people like Hallee, Katy, Bryon and Dr. Ezekiel, were they true Christians and if so why were they still there? The writer doesn't say that there are still Christians in the world are not, but later China blames the Christians for the missiles attack so that would mean  they must have been there. The story in that case doesn't seem realistic enough to me.  I understand the whole book is not  about the trials and tribulations of post rapture, but about the evil schemes of Nicolaitanes who wishes to destroy most of the world just so he can rule the world.

If you are into this kind of writing, then I would encourage you to read it inspite of my questions. See for yourself. One person's opinion may differ from another one. I am just sadden by so much wickedness. There are no happy endings in this book.

Over all I give a four star rating.

Matchmaker Matchmaker by Sherry Chamblee

Taking a short hiatus from writing, I decided to offer to do reviews, and one book I have read and reviewed is a book called Matchmaker Matchmaker written by Sherry Chamblee.

In this book, a new teacher arrives at a church located in Paradise California, but the new teacher isn't just any teacher. No, the teacher is a young and attractive single man with no woman attached to him! His name is Jack Adams and as soon a steh a couple of the church's older ladies notice him, the matchmaking begins!

Jack didn't come to Paradise to be matched to a woman--that was the furthest from his mind yet when the two women found that food was a way ti his stomach, they started cooking meals from him, not giving him a break!

Melissa found this all too amusing, especially when he saw him entering the church kitchen and hiding from the two  women trying to match him up with their daughters! Both definitely had something in common--they weren't looking for love. He was more interested in being a school teacher and she had no interest in dating school teachers. Yet they bonded as friends and soon discovered that God had set them up together, not mothers of young girls.

There is a lesson for us as all and that we should leave the matchmaking up to God. God knows whos is best for us, not eager mothers who wants their daughters to marry a good looking man. When people play matchmaking, trouble comes as you will find in Sherry Chamblee's book!

In my own life, God matched me up with a  wonderful man. Just like Melissa I wasn't looking and neither was Mark, but God was at work.

How to Write a Review

I am not saying this for myself. I have author friends who needs reviews for their books too. Book reviews are important for an author, just a review for any product-- it helps people decide if the product or book is worth paying for. Without them, no one knows how good or bad a product is.
Here is how you review a book:

1) First make sure the book you are going to read is something you read. If you are not a sci fi fan  then don't download or order one because chances are you will not give it a review.  I had bought a few books or downloaded them only to find out that it goes against my beliefs. I felt trapped. I couldn't lie and say "I love this book! I wish I could write like this..." because it would not be honest.

2) Read the book. I understand we don't have enough hours in a day to read. Some of us work and have families, but I think us authors don't expect the book to be read in one day. Just whenever you can, sit down and read.

3. There  are places where you can go to write a review: Goodreads, is a good place, but if you go there, you need to there when you begin to read the book because you will be adding it to your shelf and updating how far you have read (if you like) then  when you are done, you update it by clicking "I'm finished." That takes you to reviewing the book. Other places are where you download or purchase the book. When you go there, type in the name of the book in teh search box and it should take you to a page where you can review.

What is a review?
A review is writing what you thought about the book. At Amazon.com, after the review section, you can add a title of your review: "An enjoyable  read" or  "Unlike any other books", anything that would interest curious readers about your review. Also you can rate it from one star (Poorly written book, it shouldn't have been published) two stars ( Could have been written better) 3 stars (It's okay) 4 stars (I love this book!) 5 stars (This book is fantastic! I can't wait to read the next book!) It's like one of those on the scale from one to ten with ten being the greatest.

It is sad when an author who is looking for  a review promised a free copy in exchange for the review and they never get it.  The least the reader can do is let the author know, that they haven't finished the book, but they will as soon as they can.

I hope that no one thinks less of me by writing this. As I said, it is not just for me!

Black Friday Deals

Starting today until the Fourth of December, you  can save  a bundle of  money by downloading the ebook for .99 cents and the paperback for $9.90  (The ebook was originally 2.99) Here is the link:

Black Friday Deals

What is A Second Chance at Love about?

It is about a woman who because of past hurts in her life, had become unfriendly and cynical in her heart. However after unusual circumstances, she has found new love through the saving grace of Jesus and renewed love of her former lover.

About Marge from a Second Chance at Love.

Just recently a beta reader told me she couldn't finish reading my book. Why? She thought that I was putting women in a bad light! Well, let me tell you about Marge. Marge does not represent women in general. There are women who have been hurt so bad that they just as well not date anymore. Marge has been divorced for 7 years. Her husband had two affairs while she was married to him. At one time, he asked her to dress plainly because he didn't need her to be pretty for him. AS a result it made it easy for him to have another affair. Now I don't know about you, but Marge had it. She gave him no more chances and divorced him. Resolving not to be hurt anymore, she put up a wall called cynicism and dressed plainly in the hopes that no man would come near her. Maybe you would move on. maybe you can heal from hurts, but she had no hope. Her friend Sam is the only man besides her twin brother that she trusted, but he is a Christian and with a good heart. He wants to see Marge happy and trusting the Lord and not men. However she has a closed heart and will not allow anyone to get close to her. I wish readers would see that I am not degrading women because if I am, I would degrade myself. IN a way, Marge is me or maybe was me. Marge is about a woman who was in need of a transformation. Let me tell you something: Sometimes God will use circumstances to bring us to him. Haven't you heard about people who in their most dire circumstances calling out to God? As a result, they have given their hearts to God. Marge had to go through a series of unfavorable circumstances in order to become a better person. If Marge had gotten her way, if those men would have left her alone then she would always be cynical, always dress like she doesn't care and she may never know the Lord. Would she date again? It has been seven years. She was set in her ways. What do you think? So yes. It took some illegal persuasions to bring her to the estate. Yes, they had to resort to kidnapping, but in the end, Marge had a heart of forgiveness because she met the Lord through her circumstances. She not only received a physical transformation, but a spiritual one. Not only that, but she got reunited with her Carliano. One last thing, my beta reader complained that Marge was in her underwear. It could have been worse. She was originally in her birthday suit. But I have decided that as a Christian author, she needed something on. Perhaps the beta reader and people like her would much rather have her dressed in a lingerie. Well, if you can't stomach a woman dressed in her underwear then this book isn't for you. of all the people I know who have downloaded my book, none of them complained to me about Marge's lack of apparell. And they are all Christians. Marge is mainstream romance, but I think I will just make a secular because the beta reader find it hard it to see my book Christian. What is your definition of mainstream?

The Cowboy Hunter--Denise Hunter

Since I have decided to turn my second book into a series, I  needed to do some research. Therefore I checked out a book called "The Cowboy's Touch." by Denise Hunter.

The book is about an overworked and zealous magazine writer Abigail Jones. The setting of the book is first set in Chicago, but when her concerned mother sees that Abigail needs rest and relaxation, she sends her daughter to Montana to stay with her great aunt (who is a bit eccentric and calls her dolls "her girls") and keep an eye on her. Abigail meets a young girl named Maddy and it is through Maddy that she meets the girl's father Wade Ryan and becomes a nanny.

Both Abigail and Wade is not looking for a relationship, but there is an attraction between the two that none will admit. They are both afraid of hurting each other for different reason.

I enjoyed reading this book and it has increased my desire to  move to Montana and hopefully meet a rancher. In my series, Eric is a rancher. And even though most ranches are inherited, Eric takes over his father's ranch because of his father's health and it eventually becomes his. (Not told in the story, but might be later) I have never experience ranch life nor do I have much knowledge on the subject. I wanted to do my readers justice so I researched on the subject: The Cowboy's Touch. Although fiction, it gives me an idea of how it is written.

I do not want to spoil the book for anyone who hasn't read The Cowboy's Touch, so that is all I will say about the book.