Awards

The Disorderly Parables received the Readers’ Favorite 2019 Silver Medal for Christian Devotion/Study and the 2021 Silver Medal for Christian Books. Each book was also awarded a prestigious Readers’ Favorite Five Star Review.

James in the Suburbs Five Star Review by Ruffina Oserio for Readers’ Favorite

James in the Suburbs: A Disorderly Parable of the Epistle of James by Dr. April Love-Fordham is a devotional plus inspirational book that picks powerful lessons from one of the Epistles that focuses on the theme of faith: The Epistle of St. James. In fact, James states that faith without works has no substance. In this book, the author draws powerful lessons from James and shows how a group of men and women have been able to transform their faith into something tangible by translating it into service. April redefines faith and helps readers understand its application in contemporary society.

It is interesting to see how many lives get changed when we allow our faith to lead and guide us. In this book, we are introduced to a group of faith-filled people using their gifts to positively influence the lives of people around them. There are lessons on dealing with the challenges they face as a group, the spiritual and physical benefits of worship, and how the message in James can be applied to contemporary society. James is one of the biblical letters that is very practical when it comes to understanding and practicing faith and this book offers readers the path to making their faith a living testament in the eyes of the world.

James in the Suburbs: A Disorderly Parable of the Epistle of James is written for Christians who want to deepen their faith and it shows the link between faith and charity and how surrendering to the demands of faith transforms us into people who make a difference in our communities. It is beautifully written, inspiring and filled with engaging stories. A book that offers great material for Bible study and personal reflection. This book teaches you what to do when it is challenging living the faith.

Dismantling Injustice Five Star Review by Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite

Dismantling Injustice: A Disorderly Parable of the Song of Solomon by April Love-Fordham is an engaging and fascinating book that makes the voices of everyday characters audible. It reveals how the threads of racism that plagued Congressman Caleb Morgan, the main character in the book in his early years, still continue to exist in America. The author brilliantly and seamlessly weaves together the story of Caleb Morgan along with the story from the Song of Solomon. This will make readers look at the scriptures from a modern perspective and is a good combination of biblical studies, Christian ethics, and spiritual development. The author’s words reiterate the power and presence of God and speak about the one tool that can heal everyone; God’s love.

Dismantling Injustice by April Love-Fordham has a lot to offer readers in terms of stories and instructions that will draw them closer to God. This is the story of everyday people and shows the spiritual truths found in the Song of Solomon. The spiritual discipline will help readers open up to God and experience a complete relationship with God. Caleb’s words will also make readers think about their own spirituality and assess their relationship with God. This modern-day story with biblical commentary is a good way for readers to understand the Scriptures and Bible stories in an interesting and different way. The book is not only about good messages but also about encouraging readers to ponder their connection with God. The instructions of spiritual practice at the end of every section are helpful to draw readers closer to God.

St. Francis and the Christian Life Five Star Review by Kimberlee J Benart for Readers’ Favorite

If you’ve ever asked yourself how best to lead a Christian life, you may find that St. Francis and the Christian Life: A Disorderly Parable of the Epistle to the Galatians by April Love-Fordham is for you. Author Jon M. Sweeney notes in a foreword that, “(Love-Fordham) does here what we desperately need spiritual books to do: she prompts questions in us.” If you’re studying the missions of St. Francis and St. Paul, you’ll find this an interesting comparison on how they approached the establishment of religious communities in their respective times. If you’re looking for an engaging and thought-provoking subject for group or personal study, you’ll find this to be an utterly approachable and readable presentation that includes lesson plans, suggested spiritual practices, illustrations, and a bibliography.

I enjoyed St. Francis and the Christian Life. For all that it’s a non-fiction work on a serious question (“how are we to live the Christian Life?”), it reads with the easiness of an adventure novel set in the Italian countryside and laced with history, mystery, and suspense rather than as a purely academic treatment. The result is enjoyable. Love-Fordham crosses three timelines—the Early Church, the Middle Ages, and the modern world—as she and her husband end a hiking pilgrimage on the Camino di Assissi with a month’s stop at an agriturismo a day from Assisi. While there, April Love-Fordham works on a lesson regarding St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians and draws comparisons between the two saints. The descriptions of the Italian countryside, the religious sites, and the people that she encounters, including the mysterious Brother Giovanni, add color and interest to the historical and religious themes.

All of April’s books can be purchased in hardback, paperback, and Kindle on Amazon.