After entering my book in the Readers’ Favorite Award Contest in September of 2023, I received the following 5 star review by K. C. Finn. I couldn’t be more thrilled with her comments!!!!
Title: Reflections in Rhyme
Subtitle: Meditations on Holy Scripture
Author: G. E. Stroud
Genre: Christian – Devotion/Study
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite Review Rating: 5 Stars
Reflections in Rhyme: Meditations on Holy Scripture is a work of devotional Christian writing based on personal reflections on the Bible. It is suitable for readers of all ages and was penned by author G. E. Stroud. The work is a profound collection of 365 meditations that beautifully capture the essence of the Holy Bible. Through lyrical and thoughtful reflections on both the Old and New Testaments, Stroud provides readers with a unique and captivating way to engage with sacred scripture. Each reflection offers a fresh perspective on familiar passages, encouraging readers to contemplate the profound wisdom and spiritual guidance found in the Bible.
Author G. E. Stroud’s ability to distill the messages and stories from the Bible into poetic and meditative form is commendable, and it’s clear that the author cares very deeply about the message of each and every moment crafted for the book. What sets this work apart from other devotionals is its diverse range of meditations, covering everything from the stories of the Pentateuch and the Gospels to the Psalms, Proverbs, and the letters of the Apostles. Stroud’s writing is both sensitive and reverent, making it accessible to readers of all backgrounds and levels of biblical knowledge, yet it contains plenty of depth for those who are already well-versed in the Bible to learn more. A work like this is not just a book to read once but a daily companion for spiritual growth and reflection. It encourages readers to engage with the Bible on a regular and bite-sized basis, providing insights that inspire and uplift. Overall, Reflections in Rhyme is a valuable resource for anyone seeking a deeper connection with the scriptures and a more profound understanding of their meaning and relevance in today’s world. I would certainly recommend it to Christian readers everywhere.
Appearance: 5
The appearance of a book can make a significant impact on the experience of a reader, whose enjoyment is often enhanced by an enticing cover, an intriguing table of contents, interesting chapter headings, and when possible, eye-catching illustrations.
Plot: 5
The characters of a book should be well defined with strengths and flaws, and while they do not have to be likable, the reader does have to be able to form a connection with them. The tone should be consistent, the theme should be clear, and the plot should be original or told from a unique perspective. For informative books — those without plot and characters–this rating refers primarily to your concept and how well you presented it.
Development: 5
Development refers to how effectively you told your story or discussed your topic. The dialogue should be realistic, the descriptions should be vivid, and the material should be concise and coherent. Organization is also a key factor, especially for informative books — those without plot and characters. The order in which you tell your story or explain your topic and how smoothly it flows can have a huge impact on the reader’s understanding and enjoyment of the material.
Formatting: 5
Formatting is the single most overlooked area by authors. The way in which you describe scenes, display dialogue, and shift point of view can make or break your story. In addition, excessive grammatical errors and typos can give your book an amateurish feel and even put off readers completely.
Marketability: 5
Marketability refers to how effectively you wrote your book for your target audience. Authors may include content that is above or below the understanding of their target reader, or include concepts, opinions or language that can accidentally confuse or alienate some readers. Although by its nature this rating is very subjective, a very low rating here and poor reviews may indicate an issue with your book in this area.
Overall Opinion: 5
The overall starred rating takes into account all these elements and describes the overall reading experience of your reviewer. This is the official Readers’ Favorite review rating for your book.
The following message was received from Laura at the Tri-state Homeschool Conference in West Virginia, April of 2023. She was the winner of my 5-volume set of devotionals, 30 Days of Prayer & Praise.
Message:
Hi! THANK YOU! I won the raffle yesterday at The Homeschool Conference and I LOVE the Devotionals. I’m stunned that I received this beautiful gift that allows me to start my day beautifully because of the guidance these pages have given me. I am so grateful. I feel so blessed you have no idea what you have done for me. You have a new lifelong customer too!