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| Moonblood |
Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
Moonblood is the third book in the spectacular Tales
of Goldstone Wood series.
Once again I was astounded at the fascinating intricacies
of this clever epic allegory/fantasy. It was overflowing with unique and deeply-layered
characters, strange lands and even stranger paths, and an ingenious plot unlike
any other! I remain completely in awe of not only Anne’s brilliant imagination
but also of her beautiful and euphonious writing!
Journey with Prince Lionheart on his undertaking to
free his kingdom The Southlands from the Dragon, who is wreaking havoc,
destruction, and death upon Lionheart’s kingdom and people. Experience Lionheart’s
many struggles in this quest; in being humbled as a lowly servant, in falling
unexpectedly in love, and in the heart-breaking decisions he made that tore at
his soul. Though at times he is weak-minded and insecure, he is also a
character of a quiet strength and an integrity that is buried deep within him,
but not altogether extinguished. However, will this integrity and faith of his
surface in time? Or will he continue to make excuses for his mistakes and
terrible choices?
After betraying his beloved Una, in the most
terrible way, and then banishing his long-standing devoted and faithful friend
Rose Red to the dangerous Wilderlands, can Una and Rose Red ever forgive him?
And can he ever forgive himself as he discovers just how far-reaching and
dreadful the consequences of his actions are. What will it take for Prince
Lionheart to surrender to the Silver Thrush’s words of ‘Won’t you return to
me’?
We find out what became of Rose Red when she was
banished to the Wilderlands, and learn the true identity of this strange, ugly
girl. And we discover why she was so crucial to King Vahe and his evil plan to
awaken the sleeping dragons, on the night of Moonblood.
Right along with the charismatic cast of Moonblood,
we are taken on a journey of forgiveness and redemption, and learning that we
cannot absolve our own sin by works. We
discover we only need to accept the grace and forgiveness of our master.
While traveling our paths, we will encounter many
crossroads which may require us to make a difficult choice. How do we choose
the road to take? Along the way, we will detect the signposts of trust and
faith, and this is where patience is vital to stay on course.
But will it all be too late for Rose Red and
Lionheart, and for their kingdoms? The Moon is already beginning to turn blood-red…
Anne's books can be found at Amazon, CBD, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores.
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GIVEAWAY: We are giving away a copy of any one of Anne Elisabeth's books this week (ebook only for international winners.) Leave your email address and answer the question.
QUESTION: There is a strong message of the
importance of choices in this novel. Is there a difficult choice you have had
to make that was for the good of someone?
Hmm...nothing is coming to mind n that question--I guess I will have to think some more about that one--maybe after reading some of the answers by some others, Isomething will come to my mind...
ReplyDeleteVicki OWG
Quite alright VICKI, thanks for your comment. Always nice to see you here!!
DeleteWell, I've gotten a glimpse into all 3 books and now I want all 3. But, I will settle for winning the first one. :)
ReplyDeleteI have always been there to help my son when things got tough for him, but recently I have had to step back and let him make his own decisions....even though some were bad ones. It has been so hard, but I know that he needs to learn from his own mistakes. I still tell him my concerns, but I have pretty much put him into God's hands..........so hard, but for his own good.
debsbunch5[at]jesusanswers[dot]com
Hi DEBBIE, a wise choice lol, if you've haven't read the first one! There's just so much more to be gained from reading them all in order.
DeleteI can fully relate to your difficult choice to do that DEBBIE, this really can be one of the hardest things to ever to do! Thankfully we have prayer to cover our children when we can't have as much control over their decisions anymore.
Thanks, Noela, that is so true....I have to let him grow up and trust God to guide him. He is a great kid, just a bit mixed up right now. No drugs and alcohol, just some other bad decisions that have had some consequences.
DeleteOh and thanks for sending me a friend request on Facebook. :)
I know what you mean Debbie, and there's a lot to be said for praying often for our children in the spiritual battle that surrounds their lives! As well as that parental guidance you mentioned... whenever we can sneak it of course! ;) I'll keep your son in my prayers too.
DeleteLooking forward to getting to know you more, God bless!!
Another terrific review, NOELA! I really want to read Anne's books to get to know this clever writer.
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you MARIAN! I really hope you get a chance to read Anne's books!
DeleteClever is right... If C.S. Lewis were still alive, I believe he would be seriously impressed with ANNE'S writing!! :)
A really awesome review, NOELA! But then all of your reviews are!
ReplyDeleteIt was a really hard decision whether to stay in California (we lived 10 minutes from the beach and Disneyland and hubby would have to leave his fantastic paying job!), or move 2,000 miles away to an unknown land called the South (lol) where my hubby was raised. We were advised by a professional person that it might be good to get one of my children away from that area and we made the move and the sacrifice for that child. We'll do anything for the betterment of our kids!
DIANA, thank you for your kind words! You're sweet!!
ReplyDeleteHow right you are that we'd do just about anything for our children! And wow, I can see that decision you guys made sure would have been a tough one too, not only because of that amazing location but it would have been a huge thing to move so far away!
Just recently we used up half of our holiday savings (something we rarely have!)so that we could buy a leather lounge suite as our son's dustmite allergies were getting worse and the fabric lounge wasn't helping! But I fully believe God is in control and He can still bless us with the holiday we were planning! :)
Very inspiring review, Noela, as well as divinely written. Oh yes, having to make difficult choices in my life for someone else's welfare has been ongoing for years. Only with God's help can these decisions be made for the mercy of another's care and needs. It is sad to my soul to see the decisions of others ruin their lives and cause havoc to others through their own sin. Thanks for asking and for this giveaway, as well as the chance to win a terrific read.
ReplyDeleteIn Christian Joy,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
Thank you BARBARA, it's great to see your lovely smiling face here! God indeed helps me with writing, and for that I am always thankful. I love how He can encourage and teach us all through all these entertaining books as well as His Word!
DeleteYes, when we are making difficult choices for others, we sure do need God's guidance and wisdom. And I'm glad there are caring people like yourself out there that care enough for others to want to help, because I know how hard it actually can be!
I will do just about anything for my children! in fact i just got home from going to help my daughter i cleaned most of her apt, as shes not able to right now
ReplyDeleteShirley Blanchard
jcisforme@aol.com
Thanks for stopping by to read the review SHIRLEY! And thank you for sharing also. God bless you for helping your daughter with cleaning and everything else you do!
DeleteI guess just having to confront one of my daughters about her decision to leave her husband and two toddlers was my most painful but it was done in love and concern for all. The final result was that because her family loved her she did come home and now some 16 years later it is a thing of joy. Had we not shown her God's and our love that might not have happened. A few words made the difference!!! Blessings! Darlene
ReplyDeletespangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks for entering DARLENE and I hope you've enjoyed reading about these fabulous books!
DeleteIt definitely is a difficult and painful choice to have to confront our children for the sake of their own happiness, but I'm so glad you did and what a fantastic end result!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
NOELA, great review! We're so happy you joined us on OWG! Isn't the cover lovely? I am praying they bring these out on audio.
ReplyDeleteAww thanks CARRIE, I'm so blessed to be a part of OWG!! I LOVE the covers of these books, they're all so beautiful and well done! Yes I agree it'd be great for them to come out on audio, I know you'd find them fascinating!
Deletehardest thing I have is letting my husband make the choices.
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
APPLE BLOSSOM, I'm not sure if you meant to be funny or not, but your comment made me laugh! I have difficulty in that area as well! ;)
DeleteThanks for your comment and good luck in the drawing!
NOELA So sorry I'm late coming by but as you know I'm sick and not thinking clearly today. lol
ReplyDeleteThis is another outstanding review.
In answer to your question I think the hardest thing I've had to do lately that was for the good of someone was putting my mom in a nursing home. She fell and broke her pelvis so the doctors didn't want her to live by herself any longer. This was a good thing because the neighborhood she lived in was getting very violent, lots of drugs and shootings. But it broke my heart to do this as Mom had always said she didn't want to be "put away". I have a very small house and my boys share a room, so I didn't have a place for her. I deal with a lot of guilt because of that but I do try to do things to make her happy and I'm glad most of the people there are very kind to her so that makes me feel a little better about things.
Haha that's okay TERESA, we'll just say you're having a blonde day, lol... although Diana might take exception to that! ;) Praying you get well quickly!!
DeletePlacing our parents in a nursing home is a difficult decision to make but one that was definitely for your mum's safety and well-being!
I found it extremely hard to put my Uncle in a nursing home too as he was VERY much against it, and we so held off as long as we could. I think by the time he got there, at times he thought he was still in a hospital which did make it easier.
In thinking more about the question, a thought finally came to mind (My dad still thought he could drive safely, even though he was not doing a good job of that, so my sister-in-law (who lived with them when they were at home), had to 'turn him in to DMV'(anonymously), so we made a decision as siblings to take turns--one driving them there and another driving them back. After they arrived, my SIL got a call from the manager of their RV park, saying she was concerned about their welfare, because he was going downhill so quickly. My SIL immediately wanted us to go get them & bring them back right away, but I stood up for them and said, I would go for a visit and take them to see docs, and see what the docs had to say 1st, because I felt they deserved the opportunity to stay if it was possible. It ended up that the docs decided that if they received home health care, while there and checked in with the manager each day, they could stay until their planned return, however that was the last time they were able to go. Sadly my father passed away about a yr. or two later, but I was glad I was instrumental in their being able to enjoy that last year there together. Now, my mom continues to live with my brother and SIL in the home I grew up in from Jr. high on...
ReplyDeleteVicki OWG
Thank you for coming back and sharing with us all VICKI, that was sweet of you to do so!
DeleteYes, turning in elderly people, especially parents, who can't drive safely is also a really difficult choice to make. Especially when so many feel they lose their independance once they can't drive anymore. And all we can do is to try and help them to see that with adjustments, they can still have a fruitful and happy life.
That was another thing my husband and I also had to do in regards to my Uncle.
I really want to win this book it sounds so good thanks
ReplyDeleteshirley Blanchard
Jcisforme@aol.com
I hope you get that chance SHIRLEY!! :) We have your comment above so you are definitely in with a chance! All the best and God bless x
DeleteYes I've had to make some very tough decisions that affected others. I try to pray and ask God to guide me to the right thing! OWG
ReplyDeleteThanks MEGAN, you're in the draw!
DeleteYou're absolutely right, the best thing we can ever do is to pray about the choices we have to make and ask for guidance!!
I don't think I've had to make a decision like that, at least not yet. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and reading the review of Anne's great book! You've been entered in the competition!
DeleteYup, to me, hard choices are sometimes part and parcel of life. So, we grow up doing things we really don't want to do, but after weighing the pros and cons, well you kinda let yourself do the right thing. Of course for me, I do also pray about it and wait for the answer
ReplyDelete