Soul's Gate by James L. Rubart

This is a really thought provoking, spirit stirring adventure. The book deals with four people chosen by God to war against the fallen angels that try to control and destroy people's lives. They are being trained by a man who is experienced in spiritual warfare but hides a tragic past that makes him reluctant to return to the fight after so long. All of them need healing from past experiences that bind them from fulfilling God's will in their lives, but none more than the man who is training them. This is a story about spiritual freedom in Christ. It is fictional but brings with it many truths and promises of the Bible. 

The concept of entering another person's soul to heal and help that person was of course not scriptural, however it did illicit a spiritual response. The author in his notes admits that he doesn't believe that entering a soul is possible, but other concepts cited are very scriptural.

Soul's Gate kind of makes you wonder what your soul would look like if you could wander in and look around. What would someone else see? What walls and lands have we built up as defenses to try to keep God from breaking through and setting us free? I like the way the story moved right along and kept returning to challenge me with the question: If this happened during Biblical times, why can't these things be possible now? I understand that James L. Rubart has written other books that deal with the spiritual warfare that goes on around us all the time. I feel like God was using the hand of this author to challenge us to be free and tear down the strongholds of the enemy. I am looking forward to reading other books from Mr. Rubart soon. Soul's Gate (A Well Spring Novel) Kindle Edition

My Rating: 5 Star

Garden of Madness by Tracy L. Higley

Young Tiamat is the Daughter of Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon. The story begins seven years after he has become mad and lives like an animal hidden away in the Hanging Gardens. Tia's husband of seven years has died and there is political pressure from her mother to remarry a prince of the Medes. All that she has been taught is now being questioned in her heart and soul as she discovers the belief in this One God. This Yahweh of the Jews may have merit after all. A murder of a nobleman in the Garden begins an investigation by Tia and opens up a story of intrigue and mystery that threaten to turn her world upside down.

Tracey L. Higley's historical fiction Garden of Madness is a wonderfully vibrant story of a period of time that most of us are not familiar with. Taken from the bible in the book of Daniel, Tracey has written a well researched book that brings the period alive and puts you right in the setting. I love the detective like abilities given to the character Tiamet. She is as adamant as Columbo and deductive as Sherlock Holmes! The story progresses at a good pace introducing interesting characters and interactions. The historical context flows amidst descriptive prose that brings reality from imagination. I highly recommend Higley's Garden of Madness. It is a great read! Garden of Madness at Amazon.

My Rating: 5 Star