Yes, it is MONDAY, and yes, that typically brings a Coffee with Paula Marie post with and author interview…but today we are going out of the box, so hold on to your hats I am actually posting a REVIEW today on a fantastic work of Biblical non fiction!
Copyrighted and reprinted with author’s permission:
Naomi had a lot to be bitter about. Moved from her home to God’s “scrub bucket,” she lived for years in a foreign and idolatrous land. She experienced several devastating losses before she made the first of a number of huge decisions.
Join Shirley as she eases Naomi out from the shadow of her daughter-in-law, Ruth. If you’ve faced tragedy, felt afraid for the future, or been faced with decisions that seemed overpowering, this is the book for you.
Written in creative non-fiction, the story stays close to the biblical story, but is brought alive in a way that will help you identify with Naomi. Just as this lady of old faced life-changing decisions, so we too can face threatening situations trusting in Naomi’s God.
Reflections after each short chapter will enable you to walk in Naomi’s sandals as well as your own.
my point of view
Okay, yes – I know this book technically does not fall in to the “Fiction” part of this ‘Fiction Full of Faith’ blog, but it certainly hits on every other aspect! I cannot thank Marion Ueckermann enough for putting me in touch with Shirley Corder, and I fully intend to read all of her “Out of the Shadow” books. No one has ever been able to bring the individual Bible character to life to me as much as this book has.
I must have read the Book of Ruth at least a dozen times, if not more, and I always felt like I was missing something, like there should be more to Naomi’s story. What she felt, how was she so close to Ruth, why did she go back, etc, etc. Shirley has filled in those blanks for me in a big way! Not only do you get the feeling you are truly reading a woman’s life story, but Shirley includes the Bible passages to follow along with the story, and the creative narrative as well. I read it through the first time (yes, I said first time) as if it were a fictional novel and enjoyed every moment of it.
For the second go round I read all the chapters from the very beginning, and then all of the follow up Bible verses and reflections that the author provides. Shirley’s ministry and insight is so heartfelt to me, and women of truly any age can relate to the journey of Naomi! I found myself honestly reflecting on how Naomi’s story could be viewed in today’s world, and what all of it means to me and my life in the here and now.
I feel as though I can highly recommend this book to any woman I know, and honestly, I think it would make for an amazing women’s Bible study!
You can your own copy right here:
https://www.amazon.com/Naomi-Beloved-Mother-law-Shadow-ebook/dp/B01I22D1CG/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
About the author:
In her previous life, Shirley Corder was a registered nurse and busy minister’s wife and mother. Following a confrontation with aggressive cancer in 1997, she turned her hobby of writing into a life-style, and has been writing for publication ever since. She has currently five books published on Amazon.
“Strength Renewed: Meditations for your Journey through Breast Cancer,” is available in paperback format, or as an eBook.
“Naomi ~ Beloved Mother-in-law” is also available as a paper-back and as an eBook. It is the first of a four-book series titled, “Out of the Shadows”. In this series, Shirley brings lesser-known Biblical women out of the shadow that hovers over them and reveals them as real flesh-and-blood women. The remaining three books are currently only available as eBooks, but they will be coming out as paper-backs in the foreseeable future.
Shirley is contributing author to thirteen books to date including four Guideposts anthologies and some Chicken Soup books. She has published hundreds of devotional and inspirational articles internationally. She is also group director of CWOSA, an internet writers’ support group for Christian writers of Southern Africa.
Shirley and her husband of over 50 years live a few blocks from the sea in beautiful Port Elizabeth, South Africa. She has a daughter and two sons, all happily married, and is the proud grandmother to four boys and two girls, covering an age span of 21 years. When she’s not working, she and her husband enjoy long walks on the beach. She plays several musical instruments and is co-director of a local choir.
For more information about her writing, visit her writing website at www.shirleycorder.com. If you or a loved one is at any stage of the cancer journey, please visit her cancer website, http://riseandsoar.com, for inspiration and encouragement.
Shirley has GENEROUSLY offered to have a free ~*Giveaway*~ to one of our blog members!! Simply comment on this post to be entered to receive the ebook of Naomi! Giveaway is open for seven days from today and winner will be notified via email!
Thank you so much for this lovely write-up, Paula Marie. I am also grateful to Marion for putting us in touch. I love your blog and will continue to visit it on a regular basis.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Shirley! God always manages to put the right people in our lives at the right time, doesn’t He? ,💕
Yes He does. It’s very exciting!
I love Shrley’s writing. She brings people from the Bible to life!
Totally agree with you, Tracy! Thank you for sharing with us today!
Thanks so much, Tracy. I appreciate your encouragement.
Wonderful review, Paula. And you ladies are both welcome LOL 🙂
Aw, thank you, Marion! ♥️
🙂 Appreciate you, Marion! And love your writing too.
Hi! Would love to win a print book, if possible! Thank you so much for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! Sounds like a great book! Lual Krautter krautter12ATbresnanDOTnet
Hello, Lual! Thank you so much for stopping in to this special review today! It is always a pleasure to hear from you!
Great to hear from you, Lual. Thank you for your enthusiasm.
I really liked this review on you and love your books. I would appreciate winning one of your giveaways. I think your book Naomi will be one of my favorites since I really enjoy the story of Ruth.
Hello, Barb! Thank you for being here! I hope you get to read all of Shirley’s books, they are great!
Hi Barb. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm. I wish you well in the draw!
This book sounds wonderful! Please enter me in the drawing!
Thanks, Edwina! You are so entered!!
Hi Edwina, I do hope you get the chance to read it. Naomi’s one of my favorite characters.
I LOVE Ruth, this is one if my Favorite Bible Chapter i’ve done 3 study’s on it so far , each study gives different insight of Ruth. But my heart was always for Naomi and the lost one woman had to suffer and didn’t feel worthy to even be called Naomi. This would be an amazing book to read. I personally never read any of the authors books.But would be honored to read this. Thank You for a awesome giveaway.
I know, Amanda! I felt the same way. Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Amanda. Great to “meet” you. I do hope you get the opportunity to read about Naomi. Your reasoning is part of why I wrote the story. I so feel for the many women in Scripture who get lost in the shadow of another character or situation, Hence the title of the series, “Out of the Shadow”.
This sounds like a lovely book. I have always thought that Naomi was a special person to warrant such devotion from her daughter-in-law. Thanks for sharing your review and giveaway.
Thank you, Connie! I am so glad you enjoyed the review! I always had a special feeling about Naomi too, and Shirley really brought it together with this book!
Hi Connie! Yes, we hear so many negative stories about mothers-in-law, it was a pleasure to write about one who was beloved!
Great review and loved the way you described the book. It looks interesting. Will check it out.
Thanks for your visit, Deepa. I hope you enjoy the book. I loved writing it.
Thank you for sharing, Deepa, I hope you have a chance to read it!
This review is right on target. Shirley Corder’s book is beautiful, filled in the gaps for me, and made me want to read more.
Shirley has a gift for writing and is definitely a creative person.
That is so kind if you to say about the review! Sometimes I worry that my opinion may not be the way others see it, so thank you for sharing that!!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Yvonne. I’m glad you were blessed by the book.
Thanks for introducing me to this book, Paula! I know Shirley and how beautifully and inspiringly she writes, but somehow I missed this one!
Oh, Autumn, thank you so much for stopping by! I know you are so busy! I so appreciate your support!!
Autumn, thanks for your kind words. Enjoy Naomi! I lived writing about her.
Thank you for being open and sharing your story. Your book sounds awesome!
I am so glad to introduce you to Shirley! She has been a true blessing in my life since meeting her! Thank you, Rose!
Thank you for taking the time and effort to read and reading to this post, Rose.
This book sounds fascinating!
It really is a unique perspective,Tammy! Thank you for dropping by!
Thanks for visiting, Tammy. Have a great week.
Sounds like a wonderful story!
The best part, Barb, is that it comes right from the Bible! I appreciate you stopping by and sharing!
Thanks for your visit, Barb. Have a blessed week.
Sorry for the delay, folk. Paula Marie and I were both waiting for one another!
And we have a winner!
Congratulations to BARB ECK. Your copy of Naomi ~ Beloved Mother-in-law will be on its way to you just as soon as Paula Marie sends me your email! ENJOY!
Congratulations, Barb! I have just emailed Shirley your address….remember, she is in South Africa, so not sure about the time difference!
Thank you to Shirley Corder for the giveaway, and thank you to everyone that participated!
Stop back often, as we are always having new reviews and interviews and Giveaways!!
I love your blog about Naomi. I know I’m too late for the free giveaway, but I like to hold a book in my hands anyway, so I’ll probably order a copy from Amazon.
I am so glad you found it! Please keep checking back, as Shirley Corder is going to be joining me for coffee soon….with a different giveaway too!♥️