Friday, January 12, 2018

Dance, Dance, Wherever You May Be . . .


Psalm 149:3
Let them praise God's name with dance; let them sing God's praise with the drum and lyre!

There are few novels I've read in my adult life that begged a second go round.  These are Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, and Glynn Young's first two books in his Dancing Priest SeriesDancing Priest and A Light Shining.  So imagine my excitement and sheer delight when I learn Young has written a third book in this series, Dancing King.

It is everything I could have hoped for, and then some!

The novel continues the story of Michael and Sarah Kent-Hughes, with their families and friends, as they embark upon the most challenging journey of their lives:  Being crowned King and Queen of Great Britain.  While Young provides ample background information, allowing Dancing King to stand on its own merit, I cannot stress enough to my readers the value of engaging in the preceding novels first.  They will provide a rich and complex tapestry of understanding that allows one to deeply appreciate Dancing King for the outstanding novel it is.

So instead of simply reviewing Young's latest and greatest, the "crowning glory," if you will, I wish to share with you the reasons I'm head-over-heels enchanted by his writing in the first place.

Young is a masterful storyteller.  He creates three-dimensional characters, who are believable in every way, and who face many life-changing choices and decisions.  I fell in love with chief protagonist, Michael Kent, the moment he appeared on the page, and later with the beautiful Sarah, with whom Michael is smitten.  Then there are literally hosts of other richly crafted players, who add depth and drama to the story, some good, some downright evil, but all well-developed and unique.

And the plots?  Young keeps you guessing as he leads you brilliantly from one scenario to the next.  The reader is treated to love and laughter, mystery and intrigue, tears and fears, and all-too-real dangers that loom in all three novels.

But the overriding theme I find in all of Young's masterpieces is the unabashed testament to Christian faith and the power of prayer.  Again and again, we witness Michael, an Anglican priest, showing others the love of Jesus through his acts of kindness, forgiveness and forbearance.  He embodies perfectly what it means to be a Christian in the world, but not of it.

If you are a believer, these novels are guaranteed to jump start your faith walk, and breathe new life into your prayer practice.  And if you are not a believer?  Father, and now King Michael, might speak directly to your heart and soul in ways you never imagined possible.

And you just might find yourself dancing along with Michael, in praise to the Father.

Amen!

You can purchase all three of Glynn Young's novels at his blog, Faith, Fiction, Friends.  And for further accolades for his books, and to order them, visit his dedicated website:  Dancing Priest.

24 comments:

  1. Oh, Martha, thank you so much for this lovely post. I'm left rather humbled and something at a loss for words (imagine a writer saying that!).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glynn, I am so, so glad you liked it! I can't tell you how much I prayed about doing right by your books. God came through!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  2. Wow! these sound very interesting indeed! Thank you for the book review. I will have to check them out... I love these kinds of books!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, yes, Pamela, you will absolutely love Glynn's novels, guaranteed. They are right up your alley!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  3. Thanks for the reviews! I will visit the links you gave us!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please do, Terri. You will really enjoy Glynn's books.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  4. Thank you for this review. I will check out the links you provided.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Victor, I think you'll be intrigued by Glynn's writing, especially as you live in the U. K. His research into the British monarchy and history adds such dimensions to his novels.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  5. isn't it fun to find and get lost in a great story?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's the most fun, Jean! Glynn's stories take the cake.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  6. I am absolutely buying this one Martha! I thoroughly enjoyed Glynn's first two and was hoping he would complete his trilogy. Thanks for letting me know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Bill, you are making the absolute right decision to purchase Glynn's latest. I'm so glad we are on the same page for reading his first two!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  7. Martha,
    It appears that you've crafted a solid review of all of Glynn's books. The story line sounds quite interesting and that it is full of inspiration to live for Jesus is a huge plus.

    Love and blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I cannot state enough, Kim, how transforming Glynn's books were for me. He does, indeed, capture what it means to live for the Lord, even when all obstacles seem to defy one. You would love these!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  8. These sound exactly like the books I love to read. In the world but not of it. I will need to get the first one to enjoy. Thank you for sharing such a great book review

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You won't be disappointed, William, I guarantee it!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  9. Hi Martha! I'm going to see if our library carries this author. Thank you for the recommendations and the powerful words in praise of the work!
    Have a wonderful week my friend,
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do hope they do, Ceil! But they are well worth purchasing, too.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  10. With your recommendation for such a great book, I most certainly want to look for this series to read. You wrote an excellent review, and it sounds like a book that would be a blessing to read! Many blessings to you today dear friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Marilyn, Glynn's books have truly blessed me, and I know they will bless you, too!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  11. I'm going to check this out!!! Thank you for this excellent review...<3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do check out these books, Marla. You won't be disappointed!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  12. Thanks for the info about this book. Appreciate your insight and recommendation. Reading more with these cold winter days, so I'll have to check this one out. I trust you're doing well in the new year! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trust you are doing well, too, Karen! Don't miss out on these amazing novels. Once you start, it's almost impossible to put them down.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete

I Weep

  Jesus wept. ~John 11:35 I weep for hurting souls  Who never saw the coming Of travesty, now mourning The ones who suffered I weep for the ...