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Red Pen Redemption
What if God took you up on a dare? Helen Bancroft's led a good life and feels no need for her daughter's Savior. When God accepts Helen's dare to edit her autobiography and prove her righteousness, she's in for a lesson in her own history. One woman's journey from unbelief to acceptance turns into the Christmas Eve adventure of a lifetime beneath the red pen of Christ's mercy and grace.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2015
8 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Lori Stanley Roeleveld
9 books99 followersLori Stanley Roeleveld is a disturber of hobbits who enjoys making comfortable Christians late for dinner.
Her new book, Graceful Influence: Making a Lasting Impact through Lessons from Women of the Bible, https://www.amazon.com/Graceful-Influ... is available wherever fine books are sold.
Jesus lover. Speaker. Coach. Writer. Wife. Mother. Omi of boys. Part-time giant-slayer. Not available for children's parties.
You’ll find Lori at her website http://www.loriroeleveld.com or on her front porch writing.
Her new book, Graceful Influence: Making a Lasting Impact through Lessons from Women of the Bible, https://www.amazon.com/Graceful-Influ... is available wherever fine books are sold.
Jesus lover. Speaker. Coach. Writer. Wife. Mother. Omi of boys. Part-time giant-slayer. Not available for children's parties.
You’ll find Lori at her website http://www.loriroeleveld.com or on her front porch writing.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 16, 2016
I have not read a book this powerful and life changing in a very long time. I have always thought my relationship with God was good. After reading this very emotional story, I realize I have a lot of work to do. I don't think I would be as brave as Helen and challenge God like she did. Her family always prayed that she would someday know Him. One Christmas Eve , Helen will find her life unfolding before her eyes.
As the evening progressed Helen was preparing her gift to her grandson. It was a manuscript written by her about her life. A mysterious package arrives for her and she takes it upstairs to open it. What is inside the package? Will it change the way Helen thinks about God? As she tries to understand her gift , she boldly tells God to "edit" her story. She doesn't believe in Him and feels like her life story has nothing to be ashamed of or need to ask forgiveness for. I loved the journey the author takes us own as we glimpse into Helen's life. We see images of her growing up and being reminded of things that perhaps were not good decisions. I felt like I was on a journey through history as the author took us to the sixties. We see Helen experiencing Woodstock and watching as God shows her through scripture the things she had done that did not line up with the Word of God. I especially liked the mention of 911. That was a time of grief for a nation and the worry that many people faced when they were frantic about the safety of their loved ones. Helen's life was not perfect, but God is a forgiving God. The more she spent with Him that evening, the more her heart began to soften towards Him. Will Helen give her heart to Jesus?
I know that if my life story were in front of me , I would have red markings all over the pages as Helen did. My tears flowed as I came to end of the book. I appreciate the author writing a book filled with scriptures that touched my soul, words that healed me and hope that my relationship can grow stronger with God.
A big thank you to The BookClub Network and the author for a copy of this book and allowing me to give an honest review of an amazing book.
As the evening progressed Helen was preparing her gift to her grandson. It was a manuscript written by her about her life. A mysterious package arrives for her and she takes it upstairs to open it. What is inside the package? Will it change the way Helen thinks about God? As she tries to understand her gift , she boldly tells God to "edit" her story. She doesn't believe in Him and feels like her life story has nothing to be ashamed of or need to ask forgiveness for. I loved the journey the author takes us own as we glimpse into Helen's life. We see images of her growing up and being reminded of things that perhaps were not good decisions. I felt like I was on a journey through history as the author took us to the sixties. We see Helen experiencing Woodstock and watching as God shows her through scripture the things she had done that did not line up with the Word of God. I especially liked the mention of 911. That was a time of grief for a nation and the worry that many people faced when they were frantic about the safety of their loved ones. Helen's life was not perfect, but God is a forgiving God. The more she spent with Him that evening, the more her heart began to soften towards Him. Will Helen give her heart to Jesus?
I know that if my life story were in front of me , I would have red markings all over the pages as Helen did. My tears flowed as I came to end of the book. I appreciate the author writing a book filled with scriptures that touched my soul, words that healed me and hope that my relationship can grow stronger with God.
A big thank you to The BookClub Network and the author for a copy of this book and allowing me to give an honest review of an amazing book.
July 29, 2017
Red Pen Redemption by Lori Stanley Roeleveld is a captivating story set on Christmas Eve. Lifelong journalist, Helen Bancroft, endeavors to leave her autobiography for her family, especially for her grandson. Independent and self-made, she has no need for a belief in a Savior, unlike the rest of her family. Even her late husband at the last of his life began a relationship with Jesus.
On Christmas Eve the rest of her family attend church services, but Helen opts to remain home alone to reflect upon what she has written and her good life. During this self-imposed quiet time, Helen receives a mysterious gift at her door and embarks on an examination of her life, focusing on proving to God her good acts in life and the utter senselessness of a need of salvation.
With the assistance of her autobiography, a Bible that mysteriously lights up key verses, scenes of her life displayed on her grandson’s computer, and a special red pen for editing parts of her story that do not measure up to God’s standards, Helen sets out to challenge God , to show Him that she is good enough for Heaven. What ensues is a very engaging, enlightening story that captures the reader’s interest and teaches a pertinent truth for all mankind. Not just a Christmas story, but a story for all time.
I received this wonderful book through TBCN in exchange for an honest review. It is one that I want to reread at Christmas time and revisit several times. I highly recommend this book.
On Christmas Eve the rest of her family attend church services, but Helen opts to remain home alone to reflect upon what she has written and her good life. During this self-imposed quiet time, Helen receives a mysterious gift at her door and embarks on an examination of her life, focusing on proving to God her good acts in life and the utter senselessness of a need of salvation.
With the assistance of her autobiography, a Bible that mysteriously lights up key verses, scenes of her life displayed on her grandson’s computer, and a special red pen for editing parts of her story that do not measure up to God’s standards, Helen sets out to challenge God , to show Him that she is good enough for Heaven. What ensues is a very engaging, enlightening story that captures the reader’s interest and teaches a pertinent truth for all mankind. Not just a Christmas story, but a story for all time.
I received this wonderful book through TBCN in exchange for an honest review. It is one that I want to reread at Christmas time and revisit several times. I highly recommend this book.
December 7, 2017
What if God took you up on a dare? Red Pen Redemption is a poignant retelling of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Lori Roeleveld does a masterful job in opening Helen's eyes to the truth about her own life. Her characters are truly lifelike. I loved the practical and fresh ways she used Scripture to slowly turn Helen from her own arrogance. The ending brought tears to my eyes, but it was so beautiful. A lovely Christmas read!
December 27, 2023
Rich and Engaging and Gospel centered
Lori leads us through decades of history with a family of real-life characters with strengths and challenges anyone can relate to. Nothing sappy here. Real life and real Gospel truth. The scriptures she weaves against a cold-hearted woman’s disgust of religion gives an excellent defense of the Gospel and the hope for all, no matter what stage of life.
Lori leads us through decades of history with a family of real-life characters with strengths and challenges anyone can relate to. Nothing sappy here. Real life and real Gospel truth. The scriptures she weaves against a cold-hearted woman’s disgust of religion gives an excellent defense of the Gospel and the hope for all, no matter what stage of life.
December 18, 2024
A Delicious Read.
As an editor and Dickens's lover, this story was like chocolate to s'mores. I recognized myself in the characters as many do in Dickens's A Christmas Carol. Roeleveld's skill as an author who's honed her craft with admirable talent and practice whets my appetite for more of her work. I can hardly wait to see how she's grown as a writer since she wrote Red Pen Redemption. Highly recommended.
As an editor and Dickens's lover, this story was like chocolate to s'mores. I recognized myself in the characters as many do in Dickens's A Christmas Carol. Roeleveld's skill as an author who's honed her craft with admirable talent and practice whets my appetite for more of her work. I can hardly wait to see how she's grown as a writer since she wrote Red Pen Redemption. Highly recommended.
February 27, 2018
Like the Author - Storyline Okay
This one is a quick read. While there are some potentially gritty, situations, it just fell a bit flat for me. Felt like the story needed to be fleshed out a bit more. Love redemption stories, so glad I read this one but don't expect more than an easy feel-good read.
This one is a quick read. While there are some potentially gritty, situations, it just fell a bit flat for me. Felt like the story needed to be fleshed out a bit more. Love redemption stories, so glad I read this one but don't expect more than an easy feel-good read.
November 13, 2017
I find this author's blog very touching and on point most times so I looked forward to this book even never having read any reviews. While it's an interesting approach to an old plot (Scrooge vs the Ghost of Christmas Past) I was disappointed in it. I'm sure others will find it more compelling.
December 25, 2020
Wonderful Christmas
Excellent. A wonderful Christmas story that isn't syrupy sweet but makes you think and reflect about your own life. I enjoy all this author's works. Another gift giving book.
Excellent. A wonderful Christmas story that isn't syrupy sweet but makes you think and reflect about your own life. I enjoy all this author's works. Another gift giving book.
December 14, 2024
I enjoyed this book so much that I’m reading it again this Christmas! This is definitely going to be a Christmas tradition for me. I’m also excited to give copies of Red Pen Redemption as Christmas gifts this year. Excellent novella!
December 8, 2025
One of the best Christmas books I've ever read
My favorite trope is the Christmas Carol story, and this one is one of the best. Have tissues handy. I could not put this book down. It's a must-read!!
My favorite trope is the Christmas Carol story, and this one is one of the best. Have tissues handy. I could not put this book down. It's a must-read!!
July 16, 2019
Loved it! Didn't want to stop reading. Wanted to see what was going to be revealed to the main character next.
February 29, 2024
An outstanding book. A wonderful book about slowly teaching others about God and Christ and watch the progression in a person life bringing them to Christianity. Highly recommend.
August 7, 2016
What would you do if you received a challenge from God? You thought you had lived a good enough life to get into heaven, if there really was such a thing. In fact, you had just written a memoir of all the good parts of your life. It would be a gift to your favorite grandson. But then on Christmas Eve you receive a strange box. Inside are a Bible, a pen that writes in red, and a note challenging you to evaluate your life against the Bible.
That's what happened to Helen. She had been a successful reporter. Words were her thing. And now she was being challenged to put her life to the test.
This is a good story after the style of A Christmas Carol. Helen sees vignettes from her life on the tablet her grandson had left on her desk and she reads verses in the Bible that mysteriously light up. She spends a Christmas Eve facing the reality of her life and she finds out she has not been nearly as good of a person as she had thought.
This is an entertaining and well written story. It is also a challenging one. Like Helen, we may need to face the reality of our life, that we are not as good as we'd like to believe. Like Helen, we may need to come to the realization that we are not “good enough” to get into heaven. The salvation message is clearly presented so readers will have no doubt as to what determines their destiny.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through The Book Club Network for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
That's what happened to Helen. She had been a successful reporter. Words were her thing. And now she was being challenged to put her life to the test.
This is a good story after the style of A Christmas Carol. Helen sees vignettes from her life on the tablet her grandson had left on her desk and she reads verses in the Bible that mysteriously light up. She spends a Christmas Eve facing the reality of her life and she finds out she has not been nearly as good of a person as she had thought.
This is an entertaining and well written story. It is also a challenging one. Like Helen, we may need to face the reality of our life, that we are not as good as we'd like to believe. Like Helen, we may need to come to the realization that we are not “good enough” to get into heaven. The salvation message is clearly presented so readers will have no doubt as to what determines their destiny.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through The Book Club Network for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
May 27, 2016
Would you be bold enough to challenge God with your life? Helen Bancroft did in Lori Roeleveld’s, Red Pen Redemption
It’s a story of Helen’s self-justification and self-indulgence. She is both hero and villain. I loved her and hated her. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake her by her shoulders, then I wanted to hug her close to protect her. Ironically, it wasn’t until I was closing into the end of the story that I realized I had seen myself—my own life—reflected in parts of this story.
Roeleveld’s use of scripture soothed, guided, and enticed me as a reader. She also expertly offered example after example how Helen tried to look God in the proverbial face, only to blink and turn away. Just as I had tried in the past, and if you dare to read this, you may see yourself, too.
I rarely give five stars ratings. I think five-stars are reserved for mothers to give their children. But this book has what it takes to change lives. A tall order for a piece of fiction. Lori Roeleveld’s, Red Pen Redemption is slated to be a beloved Christmas Season staple for years to come.
It’s a story of Helen’s self-justification and self-indulgence. She is both hero and villain. I loved her and hated her. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake her by her shoulders, then I wanted to hug her close to protect her. Ironically, it wasn’t until I was closing into the end of the story that I realized I had seen myself—my own life—reflected in parts of this story.
Roeleveld’s use of scripture soothed, guided, and enticed me as a reader. She also expertly offered example after example how Helen tried to look God in the proverbial face, only to blink and turn away. Just as I had tried in the past, and if you dare to read this, you may see yourself, too.
I rarely give five stars ratings. I think five-stars are reserved for mothers to give their children. But this book has what it takes to change lives. A tall order for a piece of fiction. Lori Roeleveld’s, Red Pen Redemption is slated to be a beloved Christmas Season staple for years to come.
June 13, 2016
Helen was a journalist from the beginning of her life. She worked hard and felt no need for God. In fact, she didn't really like God much at all. One Christmas Eve, as she sat alone in her study, she had her manuscript of her life story before her. She had written it for her grandson as a Christmas gift. She dared the God she did not believe in to "edit" her story. For the rest of the book we are taken on a journey of a life that looks so good at first glance, but with more scrutiny we find it wasn't a good life at all. This book will make you look at your own life with a more critical eye. You may believe that you've lived a good life and did nothing but kind things to others. After all, our perception is our reality. ~~ Isn't that how the old saying goes? But look into the dark crevices of each event, each word spoken, each deed done. Were you really the saint you convinced yourself you were?
I was given this ebook by The Book Club Network for an honest review.
I was given this ebook by The Book Club Network for an honest review.
May 27, 2016
In Red Pen Redemption, Lori Stanley Roelveld shares with the reader the captivating and thought-provoking story a woman's reflection on her life in light of her choices and behavior.
Roelveld's protagonist makes a brief reference to A Christmas Carol and the story does begin on Christmas Eve, but this book is far from a retelling of Dickens' classic tale. The plot is well-crafted, and the characters nicely developed and believable. I particularly appreciate Roeleveld's writing style; her use of language, the conversational tone, etc., all work together and result in a book that is a joy to read.
But this story is more than just a very pleasurable read; it is a book that can well cause a reader to stop and examine their own life, their actions, and their decisions in light of their beliefs and values.
Wonderful book!
Roelveld's protagonist makes a brief reference to A Christmas Carol and the story does begin on Christmas Eve, but this book is far from a retelling of Dickens' classic tale. The plot is well-crafted, and the characters nicely developed and believable. I particularly appreciate Roeleveld's writing style; her use of language, the conversational tone, etc., all work together and result in a book that is a joy to read.
But this story is more than just a very pleasurable read; it is a book that can well cause a reader to stop and examine their own life, their actions, and their decisions in light of their beliefs and values.
Wonderful book!
July 13, 2016
This was an easy read. Well written with good editing. It was written in the first person. The main character was very well developed. You got to know her well. The other characters were nicely developed as well, but I did not connect with them as much, except for one grandson. The story is a take on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. While I don't agree with some of what is written, the story over all is good. I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion/review from Bookfun.org.
September 4, 2016
Mysterious ways to the Father
For me, this was a difficult read until I got halfway through the book. I really enjoyed it once I understood what was going on and what the book was about. I received a free copy of this book from the author through a book club through Bookfun magazine in exchange for my honest review.
For me, this was a difficult read until I got halfway through the book. I really enjoyed it once I understood what was going on and what the book was about. I received a free copy of this book from the author through a book club through Bookfun magazine in exchange for my honest review.
December 14, 2016
Thoughtful & Thought Provoking
One of the best redemption stories that I have ever read. God never gives up & neither should we.... A lesson to take to heart & take to the throne of God as we lift up each of the unsaved we know.
One of the best redemption stories that I have ever read. God never gives up & neither should we.... A lesson to take to heart & take to the throne of God as we lift up each of the unsaved we know.
July 11, 2020
A page turner. Red Pen Redemption is a modern A Christmas Carol with a twist. Please don't wait until Christmas to read it. Lori grabs you on page one and does not disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews