Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Meet the Priest!


Matthew 23:11
The greatest among you will be your servant.

My friend, and fellow blogger, Victor S. E. Moubarak, is a prolific and talented author.  His many books range from the zany and humorous to thoughtful reflections on what it means to be a Christian in a world which seems intent on downplaying the importance of faith.

I've chosen to highlight three of Victor's works here.  They are novels whose main character, Father Ignatius, a Catholic priest, faithfully serves at St. Vincent's Church in a rather economically depressed town in Great Britain.  He is a humble, amiable servant and shepherd to his parishioners, dedicated in his faith, and living a life that shines the love of Christ to all and sundry.  Fr. Ignatius has become one of my most beloved literary figures to date.  I am so pleased and honored to introduce him to you in these brief reviews.

Visions

When three children encounter an apparition of Christ Jesus on their way to church, they eagerly and excitedly tell Fr. Ignatius about it.  It isn't long before the entire town is abuzz with this incredulous news.

People, unsurprisingly, react to this vision in a variety of ways.  Some readily accept it as truth.  Other mock and scoff in disbelief.  Still others react violently toward the children and their families.

Parishioners seek guidance from Fr. Ignatius, whereas the church tries desperately to hush the story up, hoping it will simply go away.  Yet, as if in holy defiance, Jesus appears again and again.

As a reader, you are challenged to ask, "What would I do in a similar situation?  How would I react?"  This novel truly provides Christians with a reality check of what they actually believe.

The Priest and the Prostitute

Now that I have your attention with this ominous title, Fr. Ignatius finds himself in a world of hurt.  He is suspected of murder!  The church is rattled to its foundations, and his parishioners are all too ready to jump to multiple conclusions, judging their mild-mannered priest before any real facts are known.

Fr. Ignatius' faith is sorely tested as he tries in vain to plead his innocence.  And through this grueling ordeal, he discovers who his true friends are.


To Love a Priest

This is by far the most poignant and controversial book in the Fr. Ignatius series.  When a long-lost love from his less-than-discretionary youth reappears in his life, the priest finds himself wrestling between conscience and dogma, questioning the centuries-held belief that priests should never marry.

Traveling with Fr. Ignatius on this journey will touch your heart and your soul, and have you praying mightily that everything will have a positive outcome.


Christmas is right around the corner, my friends, so don't miss out on ordering Victor's amazing books for a loved one or for yourself.  You can visit his entertaining and inspiring blog, Time for Reflections, to get your novels, or simply type Victor Moubarak in the search bar at Amazon.

These wonder novels are sure to make your Christmas merry and bright!

Amen!

29 comments:

  1. Wow ... I am overwhelmed and humbled. Thank you so much Martha for your very kind and generous review of my books. You are one of my most loyal and encouraging supporter and I am so grateful for keeping me going.

    My intention in writing Christian books is in then hope that someone somewhere might read them and get encouraged to find out more about God and His love for us. There are so many people in the world who just have not experienced God's presence in their lives and it is Christian writers like you who might just be the prompt that they need to find out more. Your Blog, which I have been following for some years, has been so effective in this way and has often encouraged me when feeling really down and my faith somewhat shaken. Thank you most sincerely.

    http://timeforreflections.blogspot.com/2019/12/thank-you-martha.html

    God bless you and your family always.

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    1. Victor, it was my honor and pleasure to review your books here, my friend! I do hope more people will come to know God and Jesus through your wonderful writing. That is my prayer for my blog and books, too. So many lost and lonely folks out there in need of the love and grace only the Lord can give them.
      I will be sure to check out your "thank you" blog. :)
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  2. Went to his blog to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation Martha. And thanks for the book recommendations. I will have to check them out as well.

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    1. Please do check them out, Bill! Fr. Ignatius is an amazing and inspirational character, I'm sure you will love him as I do.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  3. 2 of my blogging buddies in one place, lifting each other up and encouraging each other.

    This is what it's all about ...

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  4. Thanks for highlighting these books!

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    1. You are so welcome, Beckie! They are so worth the read.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  5. What a timely, heartfelt share, Martha. I, too, love Fr. Ignatius!

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    1. And we are both so fortunate to call Victor a friend, aren't we, Myra? Fr. Ignatius is a love!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  6. Victor's books are great reads and you have high-lighted him and his work so well here!

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    1. Thank you, Terri! Yes, these are not only great reads the first time around, but worthy of a re-read, too.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  7. Victor's books sound very intriguing! Thanks for this glimpse into them, Martha Jane.

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    1. You are so welcome, Lisa! I know you are more of a non-fiction reader, so you might enjoy Victor's Reflections for the Soul and More Reflections for the Soul. They make great devotional companions!
      Love and blessings!

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  8. Aw, what a nice thing for you to do, Martha! I will go over and check out Victor's return blog post. God bless you both!

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    1. Cheryl, I must say that God placed it on my heart to promote Victor's work. I've been so enchanted and enlightened by his writing, I simply had to share.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  9. Thank you for these reviews and highlighting Victor’s books. These look amazing and really intriguing! Merry Christmas, Martha!

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    1. You are most welcome, Karen! Yes, these are all great reads and the perfect gifts for the book worm in your life.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  10. Oh I read The Priest and the Prostitute. It was such a fun read. I even promoted it on my blog a while back. Here:
    https://ashesfromburntroses.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-priest-and-prostitute-by-victor-s-e.html

    I can't believe that it was five years ago! My how time flies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, Manny, all the way back to 2014? I guess I'm late to the party, but it's party on with all of Victor's books, no matter when you encounter them.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
    2. Thank you. God bless you too.

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  11. These three books look wonderful! Thank you for sharing with us. I will have to check them out.

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    1. Please do, Laurie! You won't be disappointed. :)
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  12. Definitely worth looking into. Thanks for the reviews!

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    1. Valerie, they definitely are worth looking into. Victor is a most talented author.
      Love and blessings!

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  13. wow sounds so interesting. Thanks for sharing these, Martha!

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    1. Oh, yes, Jean, all three are wonderful reads.
      Love and blessings!

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  14. Martha, thank you for sharing about Victor's books and web site. The books you shared sound amazing.

    Love and blessings!

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    1. They are excellent, Kim! I think you would enjoy them.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete

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