Only the River Runs Free

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely fantastic
Review: A brilliant tale of Ireland in the 'old days'. If you are an American of Irish-Catholic descent this wonderful story will not only keep you spell-bound but show you why your ancestors decided to leave Ireland. The best fiction writers around, and it all done in a clean Christian manner to boot.

Rating:
Summary: Something for everyone.....
Review: As a decendent of Irish-Catholics I found this book enlightening. Never realized the strife entailed in the course of religious freedom in the 1830's and 1840's Ireland and never realized that one could be exiled to America or Australia for infractions against the Protestant landlords.
This book has it all, history, mystery, love, sorrow and intrigue. Also brings the challange of keeping ones christian faith in difficult times. Good book for Catholic and Protestant to read.
Can not wait to read the next book in the series.

Rating:
Summary: Something for everyone.....
Review: As a decendent of Irish-Catholics I found this book enlightening. Never realized the strife entailed in the course of religious freedom in the 1830's and 1840's Ireland and never realized that one could be exiled to America or Australia for infractions against the Protestant landlords.
This book has it all, history, mystery, love, sorrow and intrigue. Also brings the challange of keeping ones christian faith in difficult times. Good book for Catholic and Protestant to read.
Can not wait to read the next book in the series.

Rating:
Summary: Five stars are not enough for these stories!
Review: Bodie Thoene convinced me fifteen years ago that there was hope for Christian fiction. The Zion Chronicles and Covenant are some of the most memorable books I've read--and I've read numerous volumes, secular and Christian. Unfortunately, I've found something missing in her last few novels. Where's that loving feeling, that passion that overwhelmed her stories in the past? She has not lost the desire to communicate the hope of God for the hopeless--whether Jews, African-Americans, Irish, etc--but the method has become formulaic. Please, don't be put off by my remarks, reader or author...The Thoenes are exceptional writers. But I believe it's time to stretch, to put new wine in new wineskins, and pour out the intoxicating possibilities so evident within the artful writing. The Galway Chronicles are heartfelt, if not harder to get into, and I'll read them all; I'm waiting, though, for that loving feeling to return. I know it's there. The Thoenes are some of the best going.

Rating:
Summary: Losing that loving feeling?
Review: Bodie Thoene convinced me fifteen years ago that there was hope for Christian fiction. The Zion Chronicles and Covenant are some of the most memorable books I've read--and I've read numerous volumes, secular and Christian. Unfortunately, I've found something missing in her last few novels. Where's that loving feeling, that passion that overwhelmed her stories in the past? She has not lost the desire to communicate the hope of God for the hopeless--whether Jews, African-Americans, Irish, etc--but the method has become formulaic. Please, don't be put off by my remarks, reader or author...The Thoenes are exceptional writers. But I believe it's time to stretch, to put new wine in new wineskins, and pour out the intoxicating possibilities so evident within the artful writing. The Galway Chronicles are heartfelt, if not harder to get into, and I'll read them all; I'm waiting, though, for that loving feeling to return. I know it's there. The Thoenes are some of the best going.

Rating:
Summary: Five stars are not enough for these stories!
Review: I eagerly devoured all four of the Galway Chronicles novels! I have to say this story is touched my heart deeper than any other. Each book gave me fresh new insight into the hearts and lives of my Irish ancestors. The series defined Irish history and 'The Troubles' like nothing I have ever read. The writing is emotionally powerful, incredibly skilled and intelligent in presentation. It is brim full of their evident passion for the people and the times they portray. Brock and Bodie Thoene are authors for our time! Fifty years from now people will still be reading and marveling over their work. They are the best historical novelists of their generation. Compared to the Galway Chronicles and their Zion and Shiloh books all else pales.

Rating:
Summary: Possibly the greatest authors and stories I ever read!
Review: I have never read a series so full of heart as this. The characters are vibrant and alive, funny and real in their emotions. Any thing I write is a pathetic reflection of how truly great these writers are. How can I even begin to say what an impact the Galway Chronicles have had on my life? This is the most perfect Christmas story I have ever read. Just read the book and you'll be hooked too! Incredible!

Rating:
Summary: A good book
Review: I have read most of the Zion Covenent Series also written by the Thoene's and greatly enjoyed it. When I came across this book I expected to enjoy it very much. I must say I was slightly disappointed because I found the book hard to get into. For me a five star book is one I just can't put down and read quickly. As for Only the River Runs Free, it took me forever to get very interested in the story. I still have to give the book four stars though because it left me wondering what will happen to all the people in the story, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series

Rating:
Summary: Read in a day
Review: I majored in English Lit. in college and expected Christian fiction to be weak and soppy - like Thomas Kincaid art. I was happily surprised with this novel and found I couldn't put it down. I'll be checking out this author's other books as well.

Rating:
Summary: Only the River Runs Free
Review: I was hooked from the very first. I really felt like the characters were alive. The passages relating to the characters faith and where God is in the midst of pain and trouble are very real. I couldn't get the next book in the series fast enough.