This was my favorite Rubart book so far, and that's saying a lot.  I have been harsh on this author in the past (and by harsh, I mean 4 stars instead of 5) for leaving too many questions unanswered after the last page is read, but in a surprise twist, this book actually tied up some loose ends from his first offering, "Rooms".  Hmm... I may have to go back and change my rating on that one...

Rubart does a wonderful job developing the characters in this book.  They feel so authentic and relatable that you can connect with their emotions on a deeper level.  It's easy to see why they are upset or confused - he conveys their feelings and passions so well. I was in awe of the way the author takes individual story lines about Allison and her brother and skillfully weaves them together to form one seamless tapestry. Beautiful.

My only complaint with this one is more theological than literary - it is considered "Christian Fiction" after all.  I don't feel like the author does an adequate job pointing the reader to the source of true Christianity - salvation found only through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).  He aptly notes that there is a vast difference between "religion" and "Christianity", but in the end I feel like we're left with the former and not much of the latter.  A pseudo-Christianity with warm fuzzy feelings, but no Christ.

We see two examples of this false Christianity within the pages of this book.  Allison's boss and his secretary are the worst sort - hypocritical Pharisees who lead Bible studies about honesty and integrity, while lying to your face about simple facts.  I've never had such a visceral dislike for characters in a book before.  I'd like to reach through the book and smack that smug smile right off their faces.

The second example is more subtle than the first, but I just can't shake the feeling that a pseudo-salvation is still there.  It may be unintentional on the part of the author, but I find it concerning that the main characters are not pointed to Jesus as the source of their strength and salvation.  Instead they are given some self-help platitudes and told to look inside themselves.  We are left with this anti-climactic answer to Allison's problems:

"...there was one thing that could never be shaken. One thing that was as everlasting as eternity. And it was at the core of her being. She was a warrior. Had always been one. Would always be one. And it was time for her to breathe life back into that warrior. Time for the bones to grow flesh around them. Time for flesh to rise and come alive. Time to banish fear from her heart, her mind, her soul, and allow the Spirit of truth to be her strength. Time for her to fight again. Time for her to be Allison Moore."

Her brother's life answers were no more promising:

“I’m starting to know who I am. Live from the deep part of me that’s been there all along, I just didn’t know it. And it turns out that person has worth. More than I knew.”

Does a person have worth? Absolutely! Can God use supernatural means to strengthen, protect, and sustain us? Yes! But can we make ourselves right with God by discovering who we were meant to be? No. Not apart from the work of Jesus. Solo Christo.

I have a friend disagrees with my take on this book.  In his opinion, Rubart does a good job at causing the reader to examine themselves. Perhaps that is his purpose for the ambiguity. Christianity is offensive, but perhaps if he poses the questions, the reader will begin seeking out answers and find Jesus along the way.

However, I feel like the author intentionally shied away from the Truth - salvation in Christ alone - which could be considered offensive to some.  Ironically, all of the 1-star reviews that I have read consider this book either too religious (because of the supernatural), or not religious enough (i.e. not about Jesus).  Sometimes if you try to straddle the fence, you're going to land on a post.

Having said all that, please don't let my negative attitude toward the author's conclusions deter you from reading this amazing book.  I did give it 4.5 stars after-all, and it's worth every point.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is another one of those books that follow along on David Gregory's Lunch with a Total Stranger. It's a bit of angels interacting with humans and a bit of watching James 1:2 woven into the mix.

Allison is having difficulty with her career. She quit one architecture firm to form a partnership with her best friend, but the partnership is not working out. Allison prays for a specific solution to the dilemma and it falls right into her lap. A friend offers her a partnership, and another architect wants to merge with Allison and her friend. She works out all the details an Biggs begins working for Derrick, her friend who offered the partnership, but things are never what they seem.

The Pages of Her Life has a key character in the form of a journal with butter-soft leather cover. At first Allison doesn't know what to do with the journal, and then finally agreed to use it. Using the journal brings about the changes she was truly wanted for her life.

James L. Rubart has written a five-star book with two thumbs up, and a leather bound journal for the pages of your life.

Muy thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.com for allowing me to read and review this book.

Her father whom she loved so dearly has a secret and his secret left her mother in great debt. Then while trying to help her mother she is given a journal that makes her question everything she once knew.
I didnt bond with the characters and I felt as though there was character development missing and just an overall introduction to what was happening. We sort of just start and I didnt feel like I was brought into the story correctly...

Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson via netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of pages of her life by James Rubart . This will be released on May 21, 2019.
All opinions are my own.

I love James Rubart's books....they make you think and evaluate your own life and where you are on your faith walk. In this book Allison Moore is given a journal, not just any journal, one of the seven seraph journals. As she begins to write in it, words change, completely changing what she wrote and sometimes they disappear altogether. Allison is on a journey to discover who she is with Christ. I really liked this book because I'm going through something similar in my life. If you're ready to evaluate your own life and where you are with God then I recommend any of James' books.

This book was very interesting! To me, it shows the power of words to both hurt and heal. The underlying theme that struck me the most was that of moving beyond what other peoples' words have made you believe about yourself and learning to accept God's view of who you are, if you are a believer. First book I've read of this author and I asked for it because of the unique story line.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. What a way to weave stories in the Bible to present day problems. Allison is given a journal at a crossroads in her life. As she begins writing, mysterious writings show up. The Biblical stories were told so well throughout the book. I loved watching Allison grow and finding her inner strength. Very enjoyable.

To be quite honest, I couldn’t make it past the first 5 chapters of the book. The storyline seemed a little scattered, the characters’ dialgoue (Internal And external) was quite cheesy, and it wasn’t a book that grabbed me and made me want to stay with the story.

I've come to consider James L. Rubart's books to be the ideal version of what Christian fiction should look like. The Pages of Her Life is similar to his other works in that it is unapologetic in its portrayal of genuine faith, interesting in a way that doesn't rely on the lesson being taught, and shows characters dealing with real situations readers can relate to. The main character, Allison, has multiple trials in the book, but I found her struggle with the people she worked with to be relatable on an intense level. There was also a really lovely link between The Pages of Her Life and another of Rubart's novels, which happened to be my favourite. I won't spoil it in this review, but it was a fun surprise. I wouldn't say that The Pages of Her Life is necessary my favourite of Rubart's works, but it hits a lot of the same points I expect from him as a writer, and the interpersonal conflicts between characters had me coming back to it whenever I had a free moment, eager to discover how it would all conclude.

James L Rubart's newest book is an amazing story about how easy it is to accept lies about yourself. We all have ideas about the kind of person we believe ourselves to be and we limit ourselves when we allow others to tell us who we are. This could be a great philosophical debate but the author tells the story in terms of how one family struggles with a debt left by their husband/father. The characters are interesting in their triumphs and failures. I felt their heart aches and was cheering for them by the end of the book.

I'm always happy when I find a new book by James L Rubart because I know what a great storyteller he is. He is one of the authors I know will deliver an interesting story with great characters. The Pages of Her Life is a wonderful introduction to his work if you've never read any of books. I strongly recommend every book he has written.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
#ThePagesofHerLife #NetGalley

I received a complimentary copy of The Pages of Her Life from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Allison is an architect in Seattle, Washington - she has her own business with her business partner, Kayla.
Allison’s life changes when her mother gets injured, tells Allison her husband had a gambling debt of over half of a million dollars which has to be paid back in 12,000 a month payments.
Allison receives a job offer from Derrek Wright, a business associate who promised her a partnership in one of the top 10 architectural firms in Puget Sound-and a huge salary which would help to pay her mothers’ debt.
While Allison is considering the job offer, she goes to a coffee shop and she overhears two men discussing a book that changed one man’s life. Allison is intrigued by the book - it is a thick leather journal with the imprint of a tree on it.
Allison prays about the situation, and the next day she and her partner Kayla are asked if they want another business partner. Allison tells Kayla that she has an opportunity to make a lot of money and the new business partner and Kayla join up, but Kayla warns Allison that her new employer is a snake.
Allison goes back to the coffee shop and she is given a note from Mike and the a box , inside it was the thick leather journal she had noticed the two men discussing! The journal had a name and address on the inside of it, but when Allison shows it to her mother, the name and address disappear and the pages are blank!
Allison thinks this is odd, and when she opens the journal again, her name and address are there and a poem about seeking truth and walking through deception is there.
Allison writes an entry about needing to be strong, and the next time she opens the journal it says she has power, she is in control, and she has choices, along with some of her own words.
You will have to read the book for yourself to discover why Allison was warned about her boss, and how the journal changes her and her family’s life!

It took me a little bit to get into this story as I didn’t quite understand where the author was headed. I knew from reading all this authors memorable, through-provoking, amazing novels, he would bring all the pieces together and it would be a great “aha” moment. So, I hung in there.

Readers first get to know Allison and Kayla who have been BFF’s for years and decided to go into business together two and a half years ago. Their business and their relationship were going through tough times. They were working hard but hadn’t reached their goals. Each takes a stole down memory lane talking about their different accounts, etc. When the phone rings.

Allison answers. It’s her mother’s neighbor. Her Mom is in the hospital. Fell off a ladder. What was her mother thinking? “A Sixty-two-year-old women did not get up on fifteen-feet ladders…especially a woman with frequent vertigo.”

Then the story unfolds. Allison’s father died four months ago, and her mother’s just discovered his secret life which has her deep in debt. Selling the family home won’t even come close to satisfying the loan. When it’s all said and done Allison is astounded by the unimaginable situation her mother finds herself in. Allison is scrambling to help her mom. She first tries to track her nomad brother and tell him the news. After that she gets an unexpected call from Derek a friend from long ago. He wants to make her a partner in his firm. Could this be the answer to her prayers?

Life hands her some twists and turns when a beautiful journal is mysteriously given to her. She soon discovers this journal is like no other. Each of her journal entries tells and/or teaches Allison something new about herself and life. Was this really happening or was she just seeing things? Stress can do that to a person. Allison needs answers, so she tracks down the person who gave her the book.

This is an engaging story filled with flawed characters I could relate to. There was a strong spiritual message, as the author shows a woman’s struggle with juggling family, friendship, career, making decisions, courage, self-discovery, trust, grace, forgiveness, and walking in the truth of God’s word. There are some surprises too – like having two characters from a previous book show up and meet Allison. I enjoyed this novel and really wanted to go to the coffee shop he talks about in the story. It was a fun place to be. Just like reading this book. Grin! This is a book that would make a good book club pick. There is so much to talk about.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine https://www.bookfun.org/page/past-iss...

Rubart’s books always give the reader something to think about, and this one is no exception.

Allison Moore and her brother both discover that what they thought was true in their lives was not as it seemed. They embark on journeys of self-discovery and learn that God has a bigger hand in their lives than they ever realized.

Lots of spiritual truths are woven throughout the story, and it may lead the reader to re-examine some things in their own lives, including their relationships with God and others. The ancient journal Allison has provides an interesting angle to the story. The book reminds the reader that God communicates with us in a variety of ways, and the God of the Old Testament is the same God of today. There is a lot to digest in this book, but it is definitely worth it.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

James L. Rubart creates mind-bending stories of faith and takes the ideas to a new level. Rubart takes what appears to be a simple story on the surface and creates something much, much deeper to the characters. All, at least the ones I have read, of the characters transform completely by the end of the novel. With Pages of Her Life, Allison is no exception. The plot dug deep and had me questioning why Allison kept working for Dexter, who I couldn't stand from the moment I met him. He was a very unlikely villain. I enjoyed the story, and I couldn't wait to see how the ending happened. As for the element with the money that was due by their mother, I believe, Allison, Parker, and her mother should have hired a lawyer and taken them to court. There is no way I would have paid that money. Unless the contract proved them liable, not just their deceased father, the money people had no leg to stand on. As a bonus, there is a couple of characters who appear from Rubart's previous novels. What a nice surprise. Overall, James L. Rubart's Pages of Her Life showed how trusting in yourself and God can change your perspective on life. I enjoyed this novel. I anxiously await what Rubart creates next.

I received a complimentary copy of Pages of Her Life by James L. Rubart from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

The Pages of Her Life is another great read by James L Rubart. I give it four and a half stars. I recommend it.

James Rubart is a gifted author and speaker. I have always enjoyed how his way with words makes me think outside the box. However, I was disappointed in his latest book, <i>The Pages of Her Life</i>.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I firmly believe, as Allison's mom said in the book, that, "God hasn't lost his power of creativity. He can still reach people in extremely unusual ways."

Thus it was disappointing that a character like Allison, who was so obviously searching for more, was instead constantly told to look deep inside herself to find "a strength inside her that she’d never known and yet had always known."

Allison's brother was given the same advice: "All you needed to do is see what has always been inside you."

<i>The Pages of Her Life</i> reminds us, “There’s a vast difference between religion and Christianity." A character says, "We’re talking about a God who can create a universe so vast we cannot comprehend it, a God who makes blind eyes see. This is a God who raises people from the dead, a God who makes lame men walk. You think he isn’t capable of putting things in motion to change a word or two in an ancient journal?”

After those statements, it was disappointing to be left with this anti-climactic answer to Allison's problems: "...there was one thing that could never be shaken. One thing that was as everlasting as eternity. And it was at the core of her being. She was a warrior. Had always been one. Would always be one. And it was time for her to breathe life back into that warrior. Time for the bones to grow flesh around them. Time for flesh to rise and come alive. Time to banish fear from her heart, her mind, her soul, and allow the Spirit of truth to be her strength. Time for her to fight again. Time for her to be Allison Moore."

Her brother's life answers were no more promising: “I’m starting to know who I am. Live from the deep part of me that’s been there all along, I just didn’t know it. And it turns out that person has worth. More than I knew.”

Romans 3:10 tells me, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one." Luke 18:19 says that no one is good except God alone.

Without Him, I can do nothing. It is only in Christ that I can do all things (Philippians 4:13). My salvation is not my own doing: it is only by His grace (Ephesians 2:8). 

Ephesians 6:10-18 commands me to be strong in the Lord, in His mighty power; to put on the full armor of God.

Galatians 2:20 tells me that if I am crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Jesus Christ who lives in me.

I was waiting for that truth to be revealed in <i>The Pages of Her Life</i>. It felt anti-climactic to be pointed to something "at the core of my being," told to live based on my own self worth.

In the words of the hymn, it's "Naught of good that I have done, nothing but the blood of Jesus."

I wish <i>The Pages of Her Life</i> had written into Allison's story the "mystery" of Colossians 1:27 that is Christ in us, the hope of glory.

4 1/2 stars. This book was a wild mystical ride for me. It was my first book by James Rubart, although it reminded me a lot of the writings of Frank Peretti, Some of which were life-changing for me. Mostly I guess the story is about finding our purpose and who God has really created us to be . . . but it’s also about the extreme measures God sometimes takes, and the people who cross our path by whom He might be directing these changes.

There were a couple of storylines going on at the same time, which makes me wonder if there will be a followup book to this one. If so, I’m sure I will be reading it. Hebrews 13:2

4.5 stars

James Rubart does it again! In his unique style, he takes a completely unbelievable sounding story and brings it to life. Allison Moore finds herself in some sticky situations - some of her own doing and others that happened to her. She comes into possession of a journal that changes the words she writes in it and it further throws her into confusion as she seeks answers from God on why things are happening and what she can do about it. As the story progresses, she finds strength with some new friends that bring her closer to God. Full of spiritual depth and a story-line that keeps you intrigued, this is one I would definitely recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

James Rubart won me over with Rooms, but until this novel, his others haven’t really captured my full attention. The Pages of Her Life, however, was another winner! I loved the main character’s (Allison Moore) journey as she discovered who she really is and what was truth in her life. Rubart fans will enjoy the mystery of the journal entries and what they reveal. Recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was in absolute shock when I finished reading this book! The whole plot was totally unexpected and so engaging that I could not stop and had to know what was coming. Coming from someone who journals a lot I know that many people journal to write down secrets they just want to get out even if it is something that will change your life just like how Allison felt when she read her father's journal for the first time. This book also reminded me of Inkheart a little bit and the gift of the scribe when words disappear and are re-written just when Allison reads the journal to save her mom and apparently herself. Usually if the book seems redundant, I tend to stop and wait to keep going and start a new one but this one will definitely make you not want to stop and continue on.

We will consider adding this title to our Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

As a Christian writer, I have always enjoyed James Rubart's books as they touch on the supernatural side of miracles. In The Pages of Her Life, we meet Alison who is about to discover that her mother's life isn't as rosy and happy as she had imagined and that in learning about her mother's demise it will set her life on a completely different track that will change it eventually for the best, though it won't appear so for a wee while. She will go through trials and tribulations. The story starts when Alison learns of her father's debt that he lumbered her mother with after he died, she then prays to God and is offered by an old friend an opportunity to become a partner in his architecture firm. She accepts but as life will have it, it isn't what she had imagined, and she will learn that her so-called friend's experience of integrity is built on a pile of lies. One day at a coffee shop, she is handed a gift. A journal with a leather bound cover and a picture of the Tree of life on the cover. That journal Alison will soon discover is a gift from an angel, and as Alison writes in it, the words change and as she goes on a journey to learn the truth about the journal. She will be opened up to the world of God speaking to her through the written word. I liked this book as writing and journalling is somewhat a passion of mine and having a journal where God speaks through to you- would be a fantastic gift to be given. One of my favorite things about The Pages of Her Life was that we were reunited with Micah , Sarah and the mechanic Rick who featured in James Rubart's earlier book "Rooms" If you love edgy Christian fiction and authors like Ted Dekker and Randy Alcorn, you will enjoy James L. Rubart and his book The Pages of Her Life.