This was an interesting read. I was surprised by a few things. There are several things I plan on looking up. Which is what we should do.

I’ve read through Revelation several times and studied it twice extensively. Once with Kay Arthur.

I have also read the entire Left Behind Series. As I did with that series you search the scriptures and pray for discernment. Filing things away. Knowing this is fiction based on scripture interpreted by research of the author.

I do plan on reading the next two books.
Other Books in the Series:
Book 2: The Day of Ezekiel’s Hope
Book 3: Daniel’s Final Week


I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

The Time of Jacob's Trouble by Donna VanLiere encapsulates what it might be like when the great "snatching away" takes place (AKA The Rapture). It allows you a peek into the lives of several fictional families, their reactions, their feelings, how their lives desperately worse as things escalate. The characters we are following have been leading sinful lives, or have not believed in God, up to the point at which the Rapture takes place. For some of these people, it changes them and makes them turn to God amidst the tumultuous times they face.

About 60% of the book is the story, and the other 40% is Donna VanLiere's notes and scriptural resources to guide you on how to read about the Rapture and Tribulation straight from the Bible.

The Time of Jacob’s Trouble, a young woman called Emma Grady woke up to find herself all alone in the city finding that many people have disappeared. This apocalyptic events are not just in her hometown but worldwide and she begins to find out what is happening. A very interesting story regarding about the end of the world which is the return of Christ who takes his people dead and alive with him; leaving those behind who have not accepted Christ into their lives. This story is about on what happens to the non-believers and how they survive and creating a safe haven for themselves. A book recommended for people who like to read and learn more about Jesus Christ and his next coming with a twisting theory on what might occur when Christians leave their families who don’t believe are left alone to survive and defend themselves. Definitely a book to read again and leave on the bookshelf to delve back into the theory.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from via NetGalley for my honest review of the book . The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own thoughts, feelings and viewpoints of the book.

Review run date was set for 17 Mar 2020 for Netgalley, unfortunately life stood at a standstill as I finished the final semester and three subjects of my studies. On 28 March 2021 I was set to write the review and my health became an emotional roller coaster so here I am today 17 October 2021 review will be post on my WordPress blog, Facebook blog, Instagram, LinkedIn, Amazon.com.au, goodreads, along with the non-linked retail online stores that sell the book is at:

My WordPress blog link is http://bluefalkon95adorationofallgenres.wordpress.com I have 27 followers. My Facebook reader blog page link, is https://www.facebook.com/BlueFalkon95-Readers-blog-104660277776984 I have 27 followers
My Amazon link is: Sorry I do not have any followers, I have a reviewer ranking #10,871

Not what I was expecting

I would absolutely love to say that I wasn’t the intended audience for this book, but unfortunately I would be wrong. The author’s intent is that everyone reads it, no matter their background, to better understand Revelations and the end of times, and by so doing come to Christ…

As soon as I opened the first pages of the book, and saw which Bible each character was reading, I should have walked away right then. Seriously, being a non-Christian, I couldn’t care less! So it soon became obvious that it wasn’t what I hoped for – a literary exploration of some Biblical ideas. Why can’t someone write something like that without being religiously involved?!

I really tried to see the story amongst the pages, to appreciate the limited amount of actual storyline, trying to ignore the postscript telling you nearly every page to refer to the Biblical explanation of the events that were happening. Some of it did actually have me hooked, but some of the rest was droning, repetitive, and just uninteresting. For the rest, the truth is the overly pushy nature of all the Christian stuff just got to me.

Put it this way, the book actually ends at page 185/63%. The other 37% is entirely dedicated to explaining the Bible (and why am I nice enough to capitalise that word?!) and, oh, that’s where it’s revealed what the author’s true intentions were with this story. After the first couple of pages of the last part, I just skipped the rest. The story was done, there was a cliffhanger waiting for the next, and the rest was just uninteresting babble.

So, as I said, this book was entirely not for me. I’m not a Christian, I don’t want to be preached at. And for that reason, despite what could be good about this author’s works, their purely Evangelistic aim of this book has put me off reading anything else of theirs. Despite all that, well, I didn’t dislike it completely, which surprises me no end. Yet that is still not enough to encourage me to read the sequels. It would need to be far sturdier, and lose all the Biblical and preachy stuff, for me to even consider it.

Final rating: ★★★☆☆ – Sort of liked/OK

*I received a free digital ARC via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

This book was just not appealing. The author has the story skipping around between the characters, countries, etc. I typically enjoy Christian books, but this was not well written. The characters were not well developed and I did not develop an interest in them.

Just a dry read that never made me invested in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I loved this book. The story had me gripped right from the start. I didn't know anything about it prior to reading and really enjoyed it. I will be highly recommending it.

I’ve read other books by this author and enjoyed them. However, this book is not my favorite of hers. I actually liked the storyline and reading her view of the Rapture. However, I thought the writing style seemed somewhat stilted, and I never quite connected with the characters. I think I would have liked it better from a first-person point of view. It’s an “ok “ book, and I believe that there are readers who will really enjoy it.
I think I’ll give it a little bit of time and take another look at it to see if I feel the same way.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed " The Time of Jacob's Trouble." This book is in a similar vein to the "Left Behind" series. This book is a great depiction of the end times.

Set in New York and Israel at the time of the Rapture, seen from the eyes of a few different people who were not taken. There is much confusion as people try to sort out what has happened. One of the characters is in a cemetery and sees the graves around him burst open, the person being buried disappears. Others have people they know, including some family, disappear. These people had tried to give them the message that Jesus would be coming, but they didn't believe. Now they can see they were being told the truth. Two of the men are Jews and are visited by witnesses and told they are chosen as part of the 144,000 messianic Jews. Interesting story that is excellent at showing prophesy. I ate this right up, greatly looking forward to picking it up again each time. The story is a quick read, the rest of the book is very detailed information with scripture that explains how the Bible tells the prophecy in Revelations and many other passages. A fabulous manual for now and for those who will be left behind. I'm ready! Keep looking up, the time is close. It could happen at any time! Donna shows how many of today's world events fit right into the end times prophecies. Looking forward to future stories!

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#TheTimeOfJacobsTrouble #NetGalley

The Time of Jacob's Trouble
by Donna VanLiere

Harvest House Publishers

Christian , Mystery & Thrillers

Pub Date 17 Mar 2020  



I am reviewing a copy of The Time of Jacob’s Trouble through Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley:





One of Emma Grady’s Favorite patients and several of her colleagues vanishing right in front of her turns a typical day at work into a nightmare. Emma frantically makes her way from New York to Queens, praying that her boyfriend is safe. The subways have closed, graves have opened up and a countless number of people have simple vanished. New York City erupts in Mayhem as terror grips the remaining residents.



Why did everyone vanish in a moment, not only in New York but worldwide? Emma can’t help but wonder if this was the end of the world that had been predicted. And finds herself in a desperate search for answers.



In this story that will leave you turning the page, you will be transported From New York to Isra’el and in the Final pages the author backs her plot line up with Biblical references.




I give The Time of Jacob’s Trouble five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

This is listed as a Christian fiction book. It begins with an unmarried couple, Emma and Matt who are living together. Two of their closet friends, Rick and Brandon are homosexual males. I’m putting that out there because these aren’t typical Christian fiction relationships. I am hoping that other authors who write inspirational books don’t feel the need to add scenarios like this just because it’s the latest fad in books.

The book itself is a rather dry read. If you’ve ever read a book in the past that tries to inform, but the fictional characters are fairly lifeless, you will know how I feel. I didn’t particularly care for any of the people in this one; the connection wasn’t there at all, and part of the enjoyment of reading is feeling a sense of caring what happens to the characters.

Perhaps things improve as the book goes on. I couldn’t finish this. The author has written some other wonderful books, but in my opinion, this isn’t one of them.

This book opens with the rapture of the saints and follows the lives of two Jewish men along with other assorted characters. I loved it. I think it is better than Left Behind. My only problem is that it ended halfway through the book and I have to wait for book 2. The second half of this one is called Where in the Word and is a detailed guide to the scriptures. I liked this but was not expecting the abrupt end to the book. (I was reading on kindle so thought I had almost 40% of the book left.)
So settle in for a thrilling story.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

I have loved Donna VanLiere's novels, especially enjoyed her Christmas stories. This apocalyptic story, with its accompanying research, In the time of Jacobs Trouble, is quite a departure from what she is known. She has immersed herself in scholarly Biblical research, which is impressive. I, however, am not persuaded by her reasoning and thus am not recommending it. I am grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC for this my honest review.

This is one of the best novels I've ever read on the end times!! Donna has done an incredible job weaving scriptures and real life events together. I love that she switched back and forth between what is happening in New York and what is happening in Israel. I highly recommend it!!

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Unfortunately I didn't really enjoy this book as it was too scriptured for me. If you are very religious you will probably really enjoy this book. I found the characters very cardboard like and I just couldnt take to them or the story sadly.

Emma Grady is with a patient in her Physical Therapy office in New York when her patient suddenly vanishes before her. Elliott Hirsch, a Jewish young man in New York, is in a cemetery attending a funeral when he hears a loud explosion and witnesses graves open and urns overturn, all empty of their contents. Dr. Zerah Adler, a research physician in Jerusalem, Israel, is on his way to a meeting with a colleague when she disappears from behind him. The world is thrown into chaos as millions of people vanish.

Pandemonium prevails in the streets of every nation, and anarchy is rampant. Several theories abound as to what is happening: entomological warfare, a virus or bacteria has consumed these people, alien abductions and more. The military in many countries is debilitated, including the United States, stock markets crash across the globe; there is chaos and looting everywhere. And middle eastern countries begin firing on Israel in an effort to destroy the country.

Emma, Elliott and Zerah all had good friends who are gone. But those friends left impressions on these young people, so they each search for a Bible and seek out the scriptures. They all come to the same conclusion … Jesus has snatched away his true believers from the earth. They each begin to make their way through this new world of uncertainty and give their lives to the Lord in the process. Will they make it through the next day, the next week or the next year? What will life be like for them in a world now filled with hate and disbelief? Will they see the pages of the scriptures they now hold so dear unfold before their very eyes?

Donna VanLiere brings us a riveting fictional account in THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE of an event recorded in the Bible. Although this event is not referred to as The Rapture in the scriptures, this is the beginning of the end times of the earth as we know it. Ms. VanLiere’s characters are very realistic and each deal with what has happened in their own way. The story line toggles back and forth from New York to Israel chronicling the lives of the three main characters and describing what is occurring in both countries. It was hard to put this book down, but I was delighted to learn that this is just the first of a series of three novels Ms. VanLiere will write on the topic of Bible prophecy and end times. At the end of the book, she devotes several pages to “Where in the Word?”, giving facts about Bible prophecy, discussing questions and misunderstandings about end times and sighting scripture to back up her fictional story. I can’t wait to read the next installment!

I have read a couple other books by this author and enjoy books written about the End Times so thought that this would be a home run. It's an enjoyable read but not in the same level as her other books. Perhaps it's because I'm used to reading books of a certain style/genre from her. In any case, I may give it another try in a few months.
I do give her kudos for tackling a tough subject that given the state of the world in general, should make people think about their eternal destination.
I received a digital copy of this book from netgalley. All opinions are my own. #bookstagram

I must be completely honest here. I did not care for this book at all. It didn’t even read like a novel. The characters seemed like paper dolls with no real life. And 36% of the book was VanLiere’s notes and scripture that went nowhere. I have always enjoyed her books but this was absolutely nothing like her previous work.

*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is my own.

I have read every book by Donna Van Liere, I consider myself a fan
I was excited to red this book.

I was not thrilled by this book, I am unsure if the other parts will help me like it more.
I have recently been baptized and I have been studying a lot of scripture; I thought
that I would love this book and sat down to take notes as I read it.
I was looking for
Scripture based fiction, to dig deeper into scripture, as I want to to walk closer
with Jesus and to spread the word.

This book was on a different path than that, with more parts to come.

Troubling tale surrounding the end of the world and the followers of Christ. Enough to make you think and more than enough to give cause for concern.