Rave Reviews

I have finished reading Lisa Bergren's two latest novels, The Begotten andThe Betrayed. For avid readers of Christian historical fiction, you will not be disappointed as this epic unfolds.

And when you read the last lines of the second, you will wish that the third was already in print. You will be transported to a century in which the Church as you know it did not exist, but the forces of good and evil battle to the death to bring enlightenment to the masses. "The Gifted," as they are called, are a wondeful mix of colorful characters that include a priest, a knight, a lady, a fisherman, a servant, a child, and a gifted one yet to be revealed.



I must admit, I was a bit skeptical when I began reading. I was wondering if the book was a pro-Catholic slant. However, after a few chapters, you begin to realize that Lisa's portrayal is that of the only Church that existed at the time, and that the Gifted are on the very cusp of the winds of change. The revelations and gifts that each of the Gifted are blessed with are new to even themselves, and it is a marvelous thing to watch the gifts unfold in their lives. The evil they are fighting is a very real stronghold with very real powers. I love the way Lisa has portrayed evil as a very concrete force in our lives that we must determine to conquer with God's help.

Lisa paints her scenes in vivid imagery and has the ability to hold you, dare I say "spellbound" with her plot. As a rule, I read not only for pleasure, but I read to garner lessons on writing. My inner critic emerges, but I must say there was little found, if anything, to be improved upon. Overall, I give Ms. Bergren's novels a 4-star review, and I trust you will also enjoy these works. They can be found at Amazon.com. For more reviews, go here to take the blog tour. You might find some new blogs that you enjoy and make some new friends along the way.


Quick Synopsis of The Begotten: When the Church compiled wrote the Christian canon, it is possible that they left some of Paul's letters out. Now, in Book 1 of The Gifted series, in 1339, a letter that is half a millennium old has resurfaced, telling of a group of people with special spiritual gifts called the Gifted. Now the Gifted must find each other and band together against the people who wish to destroy them out of fear, as well as the deadly Sorcerer, Satan's minion. While they struggle to stay alive, they work to uncover a secret that will determine the ultimate fate of the world. Paperback


Quick Synopsis of The Betrayed: A religious thriller. An epic historical. An award-winning author with one million books in print. Second in the breathtaking trilogy. The first book in Lisa T. Bergren's Gifted trilogy, The Begotten, was hailed by Library Journal as "a full-bodied, absorbing tale that combines authentic historical detail with a universally appealing and gripping story that will have readers cheering." Now the breathtaking quest of the spiritually empowered Gifted ones-prophesized in a long-lost illuminated letter from the apostle Paul-continues as the healer, the priest, and the knight gather together to fight a battle in a profound new war. For the enemies of the Gifted are gathering, led by an evil lord who will do anything to destroy their unwavering faith. Hardcover