Rating: 
Summary: For whom does the Shofar blow?
Review: Although I've been a Christian for years, I'm kind of new to the Christian fiction genre. This was the first book by Francine Rivers I've read. I just finished "Shofar," and I'm scratching my head over it. Who is this book for? Rivers writes with real conviction -- obviously she feels her message deeply. But I'm afraid the people who most need the message of this book probably never will read it. Rivers is careful to weave a gospel message into her book. And I appreciate the fact that she wants to communicate living truth in this fiction format. But she also fills the book with church-isms and Christian-speak that might be offputting to a reader outside the church -- someone who might benefit the most from the gospel message. The story itself is somewhat predictable, but it has a merry way of pulling you along and keeping you turning the pages. The unfolding relationship between Eunice and Stephen was intriguing and kept me glued to the page. My biggest complaint with the characters is that some seem quite one-sided (Paul in particular). I appreciated and learned from the characters that showed more of a struggle -- Samuel especially. I found a lot to admire in Samuel. Really -- I guess my concerns are less about Francine Rivers' writing, and more about the genre of Christian fiction itself. Who's it for? Who's it helping? What's the point? After reading this book, and carefully considering these questions, I have no idea what the answer might be.
Rating:
Summary: And the Shofar Blew
Review: As a long time fan of Francine's work, I was disappointed in this story's ending. I am the daughter of a Baptist minister. My family experienced many struggles related to the ministry which included several affairs on my father's part. While I could completely identify with much of this story, and the thought processes of a pastor, I felt like Francine got tired of writing and just stopped short. Suddenly David get's caught and struggles a bit and then he "get's it" and turns his life back in the right direction. While this seems too easy, it could happen. If it did happen, this is just the beginning of the story and not the end. I truly wish that Francine had written another 100 pages so that the reader could understand exactly what this pastor and his wife go through after he gives up his pulpit and remains in the city as a teacher. My parents divorced and I ended up in the same small town. It was quite a struggle to say the least.
Rating: 
Summary: God's Will Be Done
Review: AS THE SHOFAR BLEW takes a look into the life of a small church who is under new leadership. It focuses on the life of a Pastor both personally and professionally. As a Christian, all decisions and the way you live your life are to be made by the leading of God's voice. You will be enlightened by how easy it is for a Pastor to lose sight of God's will when his eyes and heart are far from God. What I enjoyed most about this book was the realism in which it was written. It was easy to understand without being preachy. The characters are very well developed and I could see people I knew in several of them. Some people put Pastors on a pedestal as though they can do no wrong. But they are human and fleshly creatures just as we are. Take a look inside this book and see what happens when a Pastor is lead by his flesh and not by his spirit.
Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
Rating: 
Summary: Not her best...
Review: Francine Rivers could have done a lot better with this book. I literally look online at least once a month to see if she has a new book out, and when I saw the Shofar Blew was thick and had an interesting title I got excited. I have read every single one of her books and this one wasn't even close to what I know her capable of. The ending of the book was too fast and not believable. Yes, God can do all things through anything, but one jack rabbit in the road is quite unlikely to bring healing and restoration to the Hudson family. Let's go back to Marcus Valerian and his father--people who really saw Christ and were change by Him! Artfully written, but not even close in comparison to her previous works.
Rating:
Summary: great story, troubling topic
Review: Francine Rivers delivers the goods on this engrossing story of love, ambition, and the compromises evangelicals are willing to make for their monster-sized churches. I found the characters to be well done, especially Eunice, whose inner struggles and rationalizations were painful and all too real. I only wish the book at been longer.
Rating:
Summary: Another winner from Rivers
Review: Francine Rivers never fails to deliver a book packed with spiritual truths that makes a reader take a close look at some area of their faith walk. *And the Shofar Blew* certainly continues that tradition. Many Christians have been part of churches where the leadership experienced moral failure, and we've been hurt because of it. This book looks at several sides of the issue through the eyes of different characters and helps us see the tiny steps that leads a man - and a church body - down a slippery slope. I appreciated that Ms. Rivers showed the hard consequences, too. No easy ending here. This should be required reading for all men and women involved in church leadership positions.
Rating:
Summary: I have waited for this book & I was not disappointed!!!
Review: Francine Rivers' latest work lives up to her reputation as a truly gifted Christian writer. I have found that most Christian authors, while meaning well, have stilted language and plotlines that that seem rushed or unbelievable. Not Francine! Her prose and style are poetic. The storylines vary dramatically from novel to novel but they all carry the same message about God's love. I have read all of her Christian novels - several times over. Her characters are flawed, imperfect and sometimes unloveable - like all of us are. I have anxiously awaited for this book since I found out in February that it was due in May and I was not disappointed. I have thanked God in my prayers for Francine because her stories are blessings to us all. Read this book and, if you haven't yet, all of her books! You will be glad you did.
Rating: 
Summary: Up all night again (SPOILERS)
Review: Here I sit bleary eyed, teary eyed and thankful. Ms. Rivers has provided me with another book full of mirrors, drawing me to look closer at myself, my relationships with the people I love and with God himself. A few things tied up too neatly for me, and I never recovered from the slap Paul gave Eunice partway through. NEVER. Eunice's reaction to that (or lack or a reaction) turned her back into character instead of a person. In fact, neither Paul or Eunice rang true for me in many sections--she was too good and he was too bad. It'd take more than a jackrabbit to wake that guy up. Well, maybe not, God can do anything or I wouldn't be writing this. I think Stephen came across as the most believable, which strange since I'm a woman and I've never been an alcoholic, but he, Samuel and a minor character, Karen Kessler came across as real. Stephen's ex-wife too and the blame game they played. But Lois and Eunice lived up to the biblical namesakes a little too much for me. Timothy turned out to be a great kid. The elder Hudson was a piece of work. The effect of parent's expectations on their children definitely hit home. But all in all, it was just Francine, doing her thing, being herself, being honest that I loved. She got preachy in spots but the real deal on other pages balanced the scales some. Why aren't there more "real" Christian books? Maybe these publishers should visit some of the churches in America and talk to their buying public. These people have real problems. And not just the parishoners--the leadership on down. Let art do it's job, to just be and let people take from it what God put there for each of them.
Rating:
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: I absolutely love Francine Rivers! I have found her other books to be quality Christian fiction; ones that have helped me grow in my faith and learn valuable lessons. I love her writing style. However... "and the Shofar Blew" was not what I was expecting. I actually got angry with Paul (the main character) and was almost so mad I couldn't finish the book. There was also a lull in the middle somewhere. I can't tell you what the story was even about then... Yawn! If you are a die-hard Francine Rivers fan, then this book would be one you should read. However, if this is your first experience with Francine Rivers, try "Redeeming Love" or "The Atonement Child."
Rating:
Summary: Great book-really makes you evaluate Who you are living for
Review: I always enjoy Francine Rivers. She is an excellent writer and she always gets to the heart of the matter-who is the Lord of your life-you or God? I read a review that said that the plot is unbelievable because of a turning point involving a jack rabbit. However, if God can change a man who was killing and persecuting Christians on his way into town (Paul) I think he could do it to Francine's Paul Hudson with a jack rabbit if He chose to. I never underestimate the power of God to radically change lives and He often does it in an unexpected way. I always enjoy how Francine Rivers uses her characters in her novels to illustrate Biblical principles, bring to life Bible stories, and to bring us face to face with our own sin and our desperate need for Jesus.
I recommend this book and any other book by Francine Rivers. You won't be able to put it down until you have read it from cover to cover.
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