Rating: 
Summary: Great Book
Review: I thought this was a very well done book. I loved it for the story line and execution, but it also (as all her books do) made me look at my own life and how I'm guilty of so many of the things her characters do. I'm not a pastor, but you don't have to be a pastor, or in any position of power, to lose sight of the simple truth of the gospel when you start focusing on the wrong things. Riveting stuff... I couldn't put it down. Thanks, Francine... keep 'em coming!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome Read!!!!!!!!!
Review: I was hooked after the reading the first few lines. I doubt anyone has read this book and gave a bad review. It is wonderfully written and the storyline is just simply awesome. Reading this book will force you to stop blaming others for your short-comings and take a hard look in the mirror. It teaches you that what seems wonderful at first can easily become a burden if you don't keep you focus on Jesus and prayer you don't stray into the arms of selfishness and self-independency. I thank God for leading me to read this book. This is the first book of Francine's I have read and I plan to read all of them as soon as I can scrape up some ducats *smile*. Thank God for grace and mercy for He reigns!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I was so looking forward to a wonderful Francine Rivers novel.
This book wasn't anything like the past four novels written by Francine Rivers. I couldn't put those books down. This novel
seemed predictable and bland. I didn't really like the characters, except for Samuel the older family friend.
I didn't think the author developed her characters so we could be sympathetic to what they were going through. Stephen was a pretty good character but we didn't hear enough about him. Eunice, the wife could have had more depth. I just didn't like this book.I loved Leotas Garden, The Sin Eater etc. and I would without a doubt take a chance on any new novel she would write in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Francine Rivers does it again!
Review: I'm a Francine Rivers fan, so I eagerly awaited her latest work. She hasn't disappointed me yet! "And the Shofar Blew" is a powerful book that shows how subtle the pursuit of success can be, and how devastating it is when this pursuit leads us away from God. I, too, would have enjoyed another 100+ pages detailing Paul and Eunice's reconciliation; I wanted details, not an epilogue. Francine always challenges me while, at the same time, provides a great read. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent story, great moral issues ; I ripped through it!!
Review: I've posted before that I am not a huge reader of novels. Sure, I read a lot, but I've never really gotten into fiction much. I may have to reconsider this policy, though, having just finished Francine River's very engrossing book And the Shofar Blew. I picked this book out for myself; I had never heard of it until I saw it, decided it looked cool, and bought it.
I started the book Thursday, and finished it last night after a marathon 100-page session. Mrs. Rivers, best known for romance novels, has broken new ground in this fast-paced story of Paul Hudson, son of a well-known television minister who comes to California to take over a dying church in a small town. The congregation of Centerville Christian Center had been declining for years, with no youth and a tiny, elderly group in the pews each week.
Paul, who brings his wife and young son with him, decides that he wants to bring new people into the church. He asks around and finds out what is needed: people don't want to feel guilty, they don't want stale old hymns, and they don't want hard-hitting messages. So, Paul waters down scriptures, brings in new songs, and enlivens the youth group. His fast changes alienate many elders, most of whom resign. Yet Centerville Christian Center thrives, and soon a new building is needed. Paul enlists the help of Steven Decker, a divorced father and recovering alcoholic, to design the new church building. Samuel Mason, former pastor of the church, and his wife Abby can only watch helplessly as they see the old, Godly church fall away, and a false "Christian in name only" church take its place.
Of course, there are various subplots: Paul and his father never have gotten along, nor have Paul and his son. Paul has ticked off many old members of the church. He also has falling-outs with a few other important people (I don't want to give anything away) and, eventually, does something that can potentially shatter his ministry--and his family. The story of a man's redemption--with himself, with his family, with his friends, and with God--is fascinating. The lessons that Paul, Stephen, and others learn can also teach us something. Pay attention to their mistakes, and see if you can find yourself in the book somewhere. I know I sure did!
I also like the fact that the novel takes place in Northern California, with the cities of Sacramento, R**eville, and Granite Bay playing a prominent role. Two other local communities are also in the book, with their names disguised: I am fairly sure that "Centerville" is Galt, and "Rockville" is Lincoln, based on descriptions of the towns, highways, and roads in these ficticious communities. I have no idea why Rivers would use some real names and change the names of other towns, but it doesn't matter. I feel as though I'm right there in the car with the characters as the author describes such local places as "The Grapevine," "Highway 99," "Sacramento Airport," and "Arco Arena." I'd have enjoyed the book even if the setting were elsewhere, but it's always nice to romp around in the same places as the people in the story.
And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers. Highly recommended. Go out and buy it now!!!
Rating:
Summary: Gulp!
Review: If you love the Church, prepare to squirm as you read this compelling novel. Francine Rivers paints an unforgettable portrait of a multi-generational minister's family beset by familiar conflicts and struggles-- submission vs. conviction; outward quantitative church growth vs. inward spiritual growth; problems of pride, brokenness, authenticity, substance abuse, sexual temptation and moral failure. Despite the almost unrelenting tension and conflict over growing a church, the hope comes as the underlying God-part of the story is revealed. We begin to see that He is the one who prunes and steadies, plucks out the weeds and waters the fledgling plants-- despite the best efforts of church growth gurus. These characters are not likely to be soon forgotten, but it is the clarity of the light Francine Rivers shines on the potential pitfalls of growing a church that may be the real shofar for us. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Origination, Separation, Restoration
Review: Isn't it amazing what a prayer can do? Throughout the novel, Francine Rivers used an innovative writing technique that enabled we the readers to examine the minds and thoughts of the characters as they lifted up countless prayers to God as different situations unfolded, simultaneously reiterating a forgotten duty - to pray without ceasing. Weaved in and through each family represented in the story, Rivers slowly, but in just the right timing, unfolds God's "vision" for each of them, and by God's grace and patience, long suffering and love, showered upon just the right people at the right time, we witnessed the Lord's uncompromising promises come to fruition. One family in particular witnessed to me, and that was the relationship between Stephen Decker, his daughter Brit, and his ex-wife Kat. From desolation to delight, how amazing is God's love as a once broken family reunites, solely by the grace of God. Just like a cat, they land back on their feet by story's end. Returning to God's origination of dignity, purpose, and equality; fleeing from Satan's attempts at separation through fear, shame, unforgiveness; accepting Christ's restoration through peace, forgiveness, and relationship. We see this in the way the Lord began weaving Stephen's pursuits from building the "Majestic" of his dreams to considering priesthood, learning compassion, he showers patience, peace, and unconditional love upon his ex-wife and daughter; reuniting Brit's ambitions from rebellion, to establishing relationship with her father, her new friend Jake, and interestingly, I forsaw a hope that her relationship with her mother would one day be reestablished; and finally, bringing Kat's self-centered lifestyle to repentance, as she returns to God's origination for herself and her family, treating herself and them with dignity, purpose, and equality. A lesson for us all!
Rating: 
Summary: I like her books, but...
Review: It seems like the author has an axe to grind in this one. I was left with the impression that a church would have to compromise its beliefs in order to grow large, and that ONLY a faithless pastor could be successful when it comes to numbers of people. It also seemed that a major point was that church music had to be old in order to bear the gospel. As a fan of her other work I wanted to benefit from this book, not have to strain to get past what seems to be gratiutous bitterness.
Rating:
Summary: Good read, but...
Review: Like some of the readers below, I am a huge fan of Francine Rivers. This was a good book, but it lacks credibility in the final chapters. We'd like to think that Paul would turn his life around that quickly, but would it be likely? Otherwise, I loved the book. One thing that Rivers does successfully is portray Christians battling real things, real problems, and the real world. I'll always read her books, but I wished for a more believable ending.
Rating:
Summary: The Forgotten Truth
Review: One of the realizations of this book that drew me in deeper was the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, opening my eyes to the forgotten truth - Jesus Christ. This realization brought to life through the lives of Samuel and Abby. I like how Samuel and Abby drew in Stephen Decker into the Wednesday evening Bible study. It truly opened Decker's eyes to experience the scriptures in a more abundant way - moving from milk to meat. I look around the "church" today and see the stories and lessons of the Bible heading toward distinction because they don't relate to the modern times. Too many "other" things seem to be interfering with the simple truth like 20-acre, ground-breaking picnics, 4-bedroom homes, and new cars, as revealed in this novel. In a word: clutter! I was intrigued how Francine Rivers weaved the various plots together forming a foundational truth that we would be wise not to lose sight of. A foundational truth that Paul Hudson's congregation began to lose sight of. A contemporary Christian group wrote a song that talks about the problems facing Paul Hudson's newly arising congregation - in a lyric, "A traveler quietly slips into the back row...but the weight of their judgmental glances, tells him that his chances, are better out on the road...If we are the body, why aren't his arms reaching..." I believe God is using people like Francine Rivers to awaken His people to the truth that is, Himself. 'And the Shofar Blew' is yet another eye-opening, heart-opening reality that spoke to my soul - indefinitely. I believe the Lord is preparing to usher us in to the grand wedding, and the "Shofar" is sounding in our souls, like in Eunice Hudson's soul, if we'll just let Him.
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