
Mercenary Mediterranean: Sovereignty, Religion, and Violence in the Medieval Crown of Aragon
Book
Sometime in April 1285, five Muslim horsemen crossed from the Islamic kingdom of Granada into the...

Cheaper by the dozen (2022)
Movie
The raucous exploits of a blended family of 12, the Bakers, as they navigate a hectic home life...

Saved by the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match #2)
Book
Sullivan O'Brien, a steamboat captain committed to aiding enslaved people on their path to freedom,...
Historical Christian Romance Fiction

The Red Ribbon (True Colors #8)
Book
An Appalachian Feud Blows Up in 1912 Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories...
Historical Fiction History True Crime Christian Fiction Romance

Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2001)
Movie Watch
Corelli is the leader of the Italian invasion force that control the Greek island of Cephalonia....

TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated The Conqueror (Constantine's Empire, #1) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
Bryan Litfin is a new to me author with a very great writing style. He pulls you in with vivid characters, drama, battles, and dreams. I loved the period and setting, and I am so thankful for the research Bryan Litfin put into making this book believable and accurate. The characters were pretty realistic, and they chose believable courses of action. Although at times I marveled at their courage! The Religious aspects of the book were spot on for the period (but more on that in a bit), and I truly felt like I was back in time facing off against the lions with the characters. Both Flavia and Rex captured me from the first page, and I enjoyed getting to go on their journey (But I am curious to see what happens to them next).
On the religious aspect. I usually only review Christian Fiction. This is not your normal overtly Christian Fiction. It does not mention God in the sense of having a personal deep abiding relationship with him. He is thought of more as a deity and mostly mentioned in passing. He is not the focus of this story, as most people expect from Christian Fiction. Yet to clarify it is not primarily listed as Christian Fiction, but Ancient, Historical, Romance with a Christian fiction genre thrown in there. Personally, if this book were to be marketed directly to a non-Christian audience, I could see it doing very well (maybe even having a movie made of it) but directing it towards Christians… I do not think it will go well. Also, because it has sexual connotations throughout the story, as well as taking an odd (period correct though) stance on women.
Overall, I give it 2 out of 5 stars for the great research, interesting story plot, and vivid characters. But I would NOT recommend it to anyone who is not sure of their faith, has problems with reading sexual references, or an impressionable audience. I would also recommend the publisher Revell not label it as Christian Fiction.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Oct 29, 2021

Pocahontas (1995)
Movie Watch
This is the Disney animated tale of the romance between a young American Indian woman named...

An Inconvenient Beauty
Book
Griffith, Duke of Riverton, likes order, logic, and control, so he naturally applies this rational...
christian fiction historical fiction romance regency romance