The Air We Breathe

Hanna watched her father die in a bank robbery and we kidnapped by the robbers, escaping two weeks afterward.  Molly Fisk has not been outside of the wax museum she and her mother run for three years.  Her mother has sacrificed everything to protect Molly but Molly only feels safe sharing who she is with the inanimate wax figures--until Claire.  Claire has lost everything--her children,  who died in a car accident that she takes responsibility for and her husband.   Each of these females have grief from their past that is keeping them from living a full life.  Molly hides away in the wax museum while Claire escapes through crossword puzzles. 

Honestly, I found each of these  "stories" that eventually intertwined very interesting and well written.  The thing I found frustrating is trying to keep everything straight. For the most part, the "stories" are written in two different years, 2002 and 2009 so perhaps I would find the jump in time from chapter to chapter confusing no matter the author.  Each chapter is written about one of the characters but I had to reread the beginning every time I put it down just to remember who each character was and that didn't stop even half way into the book.  The book does hold surprises and, while I have never read any other titles by award winning Christa Parrish, I would like to in order to see if this writing is typical for her. The Air We Breathe provides the reader with a fictional reminder that God places people in our lives at just the proper time, some for us to help and other that will help us through difficult times.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Three Amish short stories in one volume

When Abram Fisher's parents are away for amonth and he is in charge of all the Fisher kinner (children), he has one opportunity after another to need the help of Fern Zook.  Married to the land, Abram has no need of a wife.  However, the attraction that begins to form between him and Fern leads him on a path he doesn't expect.

Hannah King runs a bed and breakfast, Paradise Inn.  When Stephen Esh chooses to leave his Ohio home and travel to Paradise, PA, he settles in at Paradise Inn uncertain how long he will stay or where life will lead him next.  There is definitely an immediate attraction between the two but memories of Stephen's past haunt him and he must deal with those before he can love again.

Eve Bender, at 38, is forced to move her family (including three teenage boys going through rumschpringe) back in with her parents when her home is damaged in a storm.  It has been 20 years since Eve has been under her mother's roof and there are some hard feelings between the two.  Although uncomfortable at first, this time together might be just the answer to healing.

Each of these short stories is set in Paradise, Pennsylvania but each is written by a different author.  Each was entertaining if predictable.  Because they were short, character development was brief.  However, each could be read in an hour or two which is sometimes refreshing.  Since most of the Christian Amish fiction seems to be written in series, it was sort of nice to be able to delve into these lives and not have to wait for another in the series to see what happens.

The book also includes a reading group guide with questions for book discussion groups as well as 45 Old Order Amish recipes you'll be sure to want to try.  I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.  My thoughts--3 out of  5 stars.  Good read but not great.

God Gave Us Christmas

When Little Cub begins to question Mama Bear about the invention of Christmas, Mama Bear patiently and lovingly explains that it didn't come from Santa but from God.  Together, they look for God in the northern lights indicating that Jesus is the Light of the World, in an iceberg showing God's might, and in the sky showing that Jesus is the Morning Star.  Mama Bear also guides Little Cub's understanding that, while Santa reminds us of many good characteristics, it is Jesus that is the reason we have Christmas.

If you're looking for a book that is a children's version of Luke 2, this isn't it but I think the author, Lisa Bergren, does an excellent job reminding us to look for God in all of creation and what the true reason for Christmas is.  The illustrations are simple but colorful.  I would recommend this precious story for children ages 3 - 7.    For additional information on the author or to see other books she has written, visit http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight.php?authorid=75646.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Another great story by Robin Lee Hatcher

Julie Grace moved to Wyoming years ago as a young bride.  Recently widowed, she finally feels free to run her cattle ranch the way she sees fit and to enjoy life as never before--free from an abusive husband or any man for that matter.

Hugh Brennan finds himself in Wyoming searching for his sisters he was separated from 18 years ago when they were declared orphans.  He longs to fulfill his dying mother's wishes to locate and take care of his sisters regardless of the time that has passed.  When Hugh shows up at Julie's ranch hungry and with a lame horse, Julie agrees to allow him to stay and work for her until he is able to move on.  When the welfare of Julie's ranch is threatened, Hugh agrees to stay on for a few weeks to help out.

Both Julie and Hugh have been betrayed by those who should have loved them so are wary of trusting others.  But both of them need the other.  While they can't change the past, will they each be able to forgive, move beyond this past hurt and pain into the joyful life God wants for them?

Betrayal: Where the Heart Lives is the second in the series, following Belonging.  While I typically will never begin a series without reading the first book, I did in this instance for the purpose of reviewing Betrayal. Having read it, I am anxious to go back and read Belonging (which focuses on Hugh's sister, Felicia) and look forward to Beloved,  the next book in the series.  I had no difficulty following the storyline of Betrayal as I was expecting.  Ms. Hatcher fills the reader in with details that are necessary to understanding the history behind the characters, making this an easy stand-alone story but I am certain others will feel as I do and want to read the entire series, if only to find the answers to questions left unanswered in this volume.  Ms. Hatcher also has a writing style that is easy to read and flows perfectly.

Simply put, as a lover of historical fiction, I loved this book.  The characters were interesting and multi-dimensional, adding to the story's appeal.   Their ability to move beyond their past and "betrayals" makes them so real and easy to identify with.  You won't want to put this one down.  It is a wonderful story of forgiveness and God taking something ugly and making something beautiful from it.

I did receive this book free from Zondervan Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.  To order directly from the publisher:  http://zondervan.com/9780310258094.

Three novels from Karen Kingsbury

What can possibly be better than one novel by Karen Kingsbury?  How about three novels in one?  A Kingsbury Collection contains Where Yesterday Lives, When Joy Came to Stay, and On Every  Side.  Each "book" has a main character who is dealing with challenge in their life and their faith in God:  One from issues and secrets in her past, one dealing with depression primarily due to the choice she made in giving an infant up for adoption years ago, and one trying to stand for what they thinks is right in a church and state issue facing their town.  The thread that remains the same though is that each portrayed the importance of prayer and laying your struggles and doubts at the feet of Jesus.




As I mentioned above, this is three novels in one volume.  Depending on your perspective, this could be a positive or a negative.  It is a good value but, personally, I think I prefer one story per volume due the size of the book.  Also, the stories didn't really build on each other.  I think a compilation of novels may be more appropriate when the characters remain the same people or at least the same family.

Karen Kingsbury has been a long-time favorite of mine and these books don't disappoint yet I would question if they are my favorite. If you have never read One Tuesday Morning  by Karen, you may want to start there as I think that is her best but make sure you have the tissues ready.  Another favorite is Even Now followed by the sequel Ever After.  She's has written enough to keep you busy for a year so don't stop with those. One thing I love about Karen's books is the fact that you have no doubt about her intent to write Christian fiction yet she never comes across preachy.

Might I recommend A Kingsbury Collection as a good Thanksgiving weekend read?  I did receive this book free from Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

If you love historical fiction, All Things New is for you!

Three women, all walking through the same war, but seeing things through very different eyes.  The year is 1865 and the American Civil War has taken just about everything from Josephine Weatherly--her family, her home, and perhaps her faith.   Now Richmond is burning and the Confederate soldiers are fleeing.  Is there any hope?

When the war ends and Josephine, her mother Eugenia, and the free slaves who chose to remain with the Weatherlys return to their Virginia plantation, they resolve to restore White Oak to what it was before the War.  That may prove to be  pretty difficult task without Josephine's father and brother who were both casualties of the war though through different causes.  And the newly declared freedom of the slaves is pretty hard to accept if you were once their owner.  Eugenia feels that her slaves should still be waiting on her and that she shouldn't need to change the way she has treated them her entire life. In essence, Eugenia refused to give up her way of life prior to the War even though the entire country has changed and nothing will be the same again. 

At the same time, the story of one of their newly freed slaves, Lizzie, is artistically woven into the book.  Life is different for her as well but it is hard to trust and move beyond the only thing she has known. What does freedom mean for Lizzie and her children?

While each of these characters view the end of the war a bit differently, their stories are intermingled into one.  Each of them must learn to live with the changes the war brought and it affects each of them in a much different way.  The fact that this story is written from the perspective of those who totally lost their way of life may open your eyes to how difficult this was for them. Wrong as it was, slavery was a way of life for Southerners that had been passed down for generations. Their livelihood was now gone and they must learn to rebuild both their homes and their way of thinking.

Lynn Austin has written a number of historical fiction novels and I have not been disappointed in any of them.  All Things New  is a wonderful story of restoration, forgiveness, renewed relationship with the Father, dealing with change, hope, suffering, and faith.  Once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down!  Ms. Austin always adds enough historical detail to make the reader feel like they are right there in the midst of the story but not so much that it bogs you down.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.  As always, two thumbs up for Lynn Austin's newest, All Things New.

Lovelier Than Daylight

Susanna Hanby is ready to go off to college soon but plans to spend some time with her sister and her children on her way to Westerville, Ohio and Otterbein College.  Upon arriving at her sister's home, she finds the house in total disarray and her sister and children gone.  Her husband claims she has left (with another man) and put the children in an orphanage but only his drunkenness could drive her to do such a thing.  George had been a good man until whiskey claimed him.

Back in Westerville, Mr. Corbin is attempting to open a saloon in perhaps the town in Ohio where the temperance movement has been the strongest.  Having seen the destruction of her own sister's home due to alcohol, Susanna will stop at almost nothing to keep the liquor away from Westerville.  However, she is befriended by Johann whose family supplies the new saloon.  Johann even offers to help Susanna find her sister and rescue her "orphaned" children but can she put aside her feelings for Johann's family business to accept his help and his friendship?  Can she also ignore the attraction that begins to develop between the two?

This is the third book in the Saddler Legacy Series by Rosslyn Elliot.  All the books center around the Hanby family of Westerville who truly lived there.  Lovelier Than Daylight centers around the Westerville Whiskey War of 1875 which is also an actual historic event. This is the second of the series I have read but don't let the fact that it is part of a series prevent you from reading it.  Each of the books is set in a different time period and stand alone even if there is that family connection.  Ms. Elliot's treatment of the time period and attitudes about temperance are, in my opinion, well researched and accurate.  I can find some of my self in the main character of Susanna which is unfortunate because she does come across as a bit self-righteous and judgmental.  But, again, from my understanding, this is exactly the way the women of the late 1800s would have reacted and felt.  I found this story to be an excellent mix between romance, historical accuracy, and suspense. 

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive review.

Twice a Bride

Willow Peterson has to begin again.  By this time on her life, she expected to be the mother of several of Sam's children but when tragedy strikes, the only reason she felt God left her on this earth was to help nurse her father when he developed consumption but now he is gone.  Not wishing to place the burden of her care on anyone, Willow strives to find her own path yet near her brother and his bride.

Photographer Trenton Van Der Veer never thought he'd end up settling in Cripple Creek, Colorado to begin his business after having spent time in places like New York.  When a patron suggests he find someone to paint portraits from the photos he shoots, that gives him something to consider.  Might Willow's desire to be an artist fit into Trenton's dreams for his studio?  Trenton also has an interesting past which makes it difficult to trust any woman.

Twice A Bride is the fourth book in the Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek series.  Picking up only the fourth book did make it a bit more difficult to get into even though the author does provide enough background to make it possible.  I think the author assumes you have read the other three so doesn't develop the characters as fully as she might have had this been a stand-alone title.  However, each of the main characters are fun and personable.  The secondary characters are a bit more difficult to pick up on except the Sinclair sisters who were sent to Cripple Creek to find husbands and are the main characters of the previous books.

As a  lover of historical fiction, I did enjoy this book and would like to read the three preceding it.  Miss Hattie, the owner of the boarding house that seems to be the centerpoint of each of the  novels in the series, is absolutely delightful!

This book was provided free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  To read the first chapter of  Twice A Bride, go to http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/blog/2012/03/02/sneak-peek-twice-a-bride-by-mona-hodgson/.  

You Can't Make Me: But I Can Be Persuaded

Do you ever wonder if your child is strong-willed or just stubborn and defiant?  While defiance can be seen as a heart issue, having a strong will can be quite beneficial in our world, if channeled properly.  Being the parent to a strong-willed child is quite the challenge, but it doesn't have to be so frustrating that you want to throw up your hands and quit.  Cynthia Tobias, parent of a strong-willed child herself, offers strategies and and tips to keep you from doing so as well as insight into the benefits of their strong will.  As she states, "(your) child may change the world--after all, it's not likely that the world is going to change them"!

I ordered this book because I am the parent of a strong-willed child.  I felt like I was reading a book written by some other mom about my child.  I never realized that my child might feel as if I were taking all the power away from them or that they may not resent authority but may resent how that authority is communicated.  I also felt like it was too late for me.  After all, my children are both in their late teens.  If you find yourself thinking the same thing, there is hope. Tobias offers strategies which will preserve your relationship with your child while also helping them to use that "gift" God has given them to accomplish great things.  Like many parents, perhaps you may disagree with your spouse regarding how to deal with your child.  Tobias has advise for these situations as well. 

This book can easily be read in half a day making it something you can begin to put into practice immediately whether your child is a toddler, teen, or adult.  Even if you feel you have blown it with your child, it isn't too late. To read the first chapter, check outhttp://waterbrookmultnomah.com/blog/2012/04/28/sneak-peek-you-cant-make-me-but-i-can-be-persuaded-by-cynthia-ulrich-tobias/. 

I did receive this book free from Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Those Wonderful Sunday Dinners

Do you have childhood memories of  a special Sunday dinner at Grandma's like I do?  It was at those Sunday dinners that we finally took a minute to slow down and simply enjoy one another's company.  What I wouldn't give for just one more Sunday lunch at Granny's!

Do you long to create a similar tradition or memories for your family but through the hustle and bustle of life, it just hasn't happened?  Or do you tire of trying to figure out what vegetables or dessert compliment your pork loin?

Return to Sunday Dinner by Russell Cronkhite (a professional chef himself) is filled with twenty-four managable menus that will bring back the wonderful tradition of those Sunday dinners.  None of the recipes have a list of 30 ingredients nor do they contain ingredients you've never heard of and few (if any) spices that you have to buy just for this recipe.  Another piece that adds interest to this cookbook is that each recipe has a brief history given.  Each menu has a story of the meaning includes easy time-saving and do-ahead tips for tasks you can complete the day before and the morning of the day you plan to serve your special meal.  I think you'll also enjoy the personal touch added to the menus when you read the brief stories of the signficance of Sunday dinners in another's life.

If you aren't hungry when you pick up this book, you will be within minutes and it will leave you looking forward to making your next "Sunday dinner". While I originally ordered this book as a gift, I don't think it is going anywhere.  Whether for a gift or something for yourself if you love to cook for your family, you can't go wrong with Return to Sunday Dinner.

What should I fix this Sunday?  Grandma's Fried Chicken? Sage-rubbed roast pork loin with cranberry-apple cider Glaze?  Warm pear strudel with vanilla sauce? Amish potato rolls?  Spiced pumpkin mousse cake?  Is Sunday dinner more about the food or making memories?  You decide.

I did receive this book free from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

His Love Endures Forever

Danielle Kent grew up in an abusive situation and knew little of God and the security of a stable home until she moved in with Martha and Arnold.  Living close to the Amish, Danielle was probably the least likely person to fit in with their lifestyle but she fell in love with an Amish boy who wants nothing more than to leave the Amish faith and Canaan. Thinking he loves her, she is frightened but knows Matthew will stand beside her when she finds herself pregnant with his child. However, that isn't the case. Matthew tells her he never loved her and leaves his family to move to Indiana to live with his uncle.  Danielle is 18, pregnant, and alone except for her best friend, Levi, also an Amish boy.

Levi is convinced God is telling him to marry Danielle but she has no desire to become Amish nor does she want to ruin Levi's life.  Nor does Danielle have a clear picture of the God Levi loves and worships.  After all, very little has ever gone well in her life. Where was God in all those times?  Can God use their unlikely friendship to help Danielle through the circumstances she finds herself in?

Although His Love Endures Forever is the third book in the Land of Canaan series by Beth Wiseman, you will have no difficulty picking this book up even if you haven't read any of the others.  While some of the characters in this book have been introduced in the previous books, the story you find here is complete and Ms. Wiseman does an excellent job of filling in all the holes you might typically find if you begin in the middle of a series. His Love Endures Forever is a beautiful story of friendship, love, and sacrifice.  While I expected a typical Amish story, I got much more than that.  Rarely does an author mix the worlds of the Englischer and the Amish so skillfully.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

To Love and Cherish

Melinda Colson was once a young woman of means and ran in the same social circle of the woman, Mrs. Mifflin, she now serves as a lady's maid. Everything changed with the death of her parents, leaving her and her brother almost penniless.  Melinda is fortunate to find a job with Mrs. Mifflin rather than having to serve as a house servant but she longs for something more.

Melinda travels each winter to Bridal Veil Island, off the Georgia coast, with the Mifflins. Over the years, she had fallen in love with the assistant gamekeeper, Evan. This year, she planned a different ending to the season. She thought Evan would propose and ask her to stay at Bridal Veil but that didn't happen in spite of the obvious hints she gave him when she was forced to make an early departure for the season. Assured of Evan's love in the letters that passed between the two of them, Melinda resigns her job and is determined to travel back to Bridal Veil and discover if Evan is even still alive after a devastating hurricane hits the island and the death of a young man is reported. Finding Evan alive, Melinda finds a job on the island but still has no offer of marriage.  Was it a mistake to come back to Bridal Veil?  Will Evan ever be willing to ask Melinda to be his bride?

Neither Melinda or Even react to each other as the typical love story portrays.  Melinda's attempts to manipulate her circumstances to turn out the way she thinks they should only result in frustration for her.  Could there be a lesson in that for each of us?  How many time do I forge on ahead without asking God what He wants for my life or do I tire of waiting for His timing?

I have read a number of books by both Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller.  I must admit that To Love and Cherish didn't grab me as I expected it to.  While it is number two in a series, I didn't have any difficulty understanding the entire story even though I hadn't read the first in the series.  However, I thought the plot moved a bit slow.  The setting and time period are quite charming and take the reader back to the late 19th century when social classes were a big deal and the wealthy had little get away cottages on lovely islands.  That part I did enjoy.   And, the storyline did pick up a bit in the second half of the book.  I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy the story but I have read better by both authors.

I did receive this book free from Bethany House Publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a postitive review.

A Christmas Journey

Two journeys, two continents, one grieving couple.

It has been a year since Amanda and Chris Vance lost their child and the same amount of time since Amanda has been able to perform her job as an Ob-gyn nurse. When her neighbor, Emily, unexpectedly suggests Amanda join her on a trip to Israel, Amanda agrees in spite of her reservations.

Left at home, Chris Vance is dealing with life.  He misses the girl he married since Amanda has changed so much in the last year as she tries to deal with her grief.  His job is on the line since the company he works for is hanging by a thread.  And, he is helping his neighbor, Emily's husband.  In Amanda's absence, Chris' life takes on some pretty big changes.

Little did Amanda dream that the true beginning of her healing would take place in the land of her Savior's birth. Through reaching out to help another in need, Amanda begins the journey of  mending both her heart and her marriage.  Could the prayer of a stranger she met at the Wailing Wall be the answer to her prayers?

Prayers of a Stranger by Davis Bunn is a sweet, simple story that captures the spirit of Christmas.  It did take me a bit of time to get into the story but, by the middle, I couldn't wait to see how the relationships would resolve themselves, or if they would.  I would recommend Prayers of a Stranger for a Christmas read this season.  Make certain you check out Davis Bunn's other work as well.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to leave a postitive review.

Be Still My Soul

Musician Gideon O' Riley is a ladies' man.  Every time he is seen, it is with another girl.  One evening after a community gathering, Gideon chooses Lonnie Sawyer to walk home.  Her abusive father watches through the window as Gideon kisses Lonnie goodnight and assumes much more has happened than a kiss.  When he forces Gideon to marry Lonnie, Lonnie has only her faith to hold on to.  She doesn't love Gideon nor does he love her.  Polite strangers is how they might be described.  What will it take for them to open their heart to the other?

The story is set in the early 1900's Appalacia which is what first drew me to the book, having grown up there myself.  However, debut author,  Joanne Bischof did an excellent job making me love Lonnie from the beginning.  Lonnie has always felt that her "Pa" was a harsh uncaring man and she looks forward to turning 18 so she can go live with her Aunt Sarah and learn to make soap.  Her aunt is her escape place when her father is abusive and what a wonderful place to go--a home where she is loved, reminded of her Father's love (even on the day of her unwanted wedding), and God's word is read.  In spite of her upbringing, Lonnie is tender and loves her siblings and mother even though she failed to protect her from her father.

And Gideon.....not the kind of man anyone would want their daughter to marry and hard to like from the start.  By the end of the book though, you will find something that will endear him to you.

Be Still My Soul is the first book in the Cadence of Grace series and will be released in October 2012.   I typically shy away from reading a series until they are all released but this is one I am going to be anxious to read any books that follow.   Also included is a Reader's Guide series of questions ready for a book club setting.

I received this title free from the pubisher in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect legal thriller

Several weeks after her father's death, Erin Larson finds a deposit slip in his safety deposit box which had been dated three years before.  Not just an ordinary deposit slip but one for over 10 million dollars. Erin only wants the truth.  Where did the money come from?  Was it her father's?  Why was her father threatened with foreclosure until the month of the deposit?  If it isn't hers, why was the deposit slip in the box with her mother's death certificate, her report cards, the deed to the farm, and other items her father treasured? 

Finding the truth proves quite difficult.  The bank denies that the bank account existed and that the deposit was made. Newspapers are reporting that, if the bank has to turn over the money, the small town of Ashley Minnesota will be destroyed.   Erin also finds it difficult to find a lawyer to represent her and suspects each one she approaches is being threatened in some way. Or could it be that no one wants to go against the powerful well-known law firm representing the bank?  Erin is also being threatened.  She receives threatening notes and phone calls,  her tires are being slashed and her windshield smashed.  Who is behind all this? 

Jarred Neaton is a young lawyer who has taken one case too many that he didn't win, leaving him on the edge of bankruptcy.  Bills are piling up and some of his smaller cases are being ignored.  When his mentor asks him to take Erin's case, Jarred knows that, to win this case, many of his financial problems would disappear.   He is given very little evidence--a deposit slip and no witnesses who will speak up.  Jarrod must also return to his hometown of Ashley and face his father who he has yet to forgive.  As the case begins to unfold, Jarrod must determine if the cost is too high.

The Deposit Slip is Todd Johnson's first novel but I don't think it will be his last.  The story is suspenseful and intriguing, provides enough detail without bogging you down with legalese, clean, and refreshing that it isn't all about romance.  If you are a fan of legal thrillers, check out The Deposit Slip!

I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Short-straw Bride

Twelve years ago Travis Archer came into ten year old Meredith's life for just a day when she was being bullied and daringly stepped onto Archer land and was captured in an animal trap.  She saw something in him that has stayed with her and she has compared every male to him since.  The problem is, she hasn't seen him since that day and well-to-do Roy Mitchell has proposed. Marrying him would please her family and strengthen the family business but she has nothing in common with him and feels nothing for him.

When Meredith overhears a conversation that reveals Roy's true nature, she sets out to make certain harm doesn't come to the Archer family.  Riding out to warn them, Meredith risks her reputation and her home.  When her reputation does come into question, there is only one solution. One of the Archer brothers must marry her.  Travis draws the short straw. 

I was taken in with Meredith and Travis in the prologue.  Meredith is a feisty girl who desires to know God's will for her and is willing to risk all she has to do what is right.  Travis is a strong yet tender man whose love for his family guides everything he does.  What's not to love about them both?  I also enjoyed watching how their relationship begins to develop and grow into something very special and desirable.

Five stars for Short-Straw Bride!  I have never read any other Karen Witemeyer books but hope to do so.  She does an excellent job developing her characters, adds a lot of humor (some laugh out loud), and develops a plot that is fast-paced which makes you not want to put the book down.  Travis isn't the only interesting Archer brother in the story so it makes the reader wonder if there will be additional stories about the other three.  I will definitely be placing this book in the church library to share with other readers.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B15ATNlSxI8

I did receive this book free from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Understanding World Religions in 15 minutes a day

When I was growing up, it seemed there were Baptists, Methodists, Assemblies of God, Presbyterian, ....you get my drift.  I know part of that was because I was young and didn't truly see the world as it is and I lived in a small town but I think our little corners of the world are becoming more diversified in the religious realm.  Today, it is nothing to have a Muslim, a Mormon, a Hindu, and a number of various denominations of Christians all in one place whether it be a school classroom, clubs and organizations, or the workplace. 

Have you ever wondered what some other religions, different from yours,  believe?  Garry Morgan, in Understanding World Religions in 15 Minutes a Day admits that explaining our world's religions isn't a simple task.  While each religion may have certain key principles from which it was founded and is practiced, there are exceptions found in every religion.  Consider Christianity.  Do we all take communion at the same frequency or in the same way?  Are we baptized in the same manner?  No.  Yet we are all Christians who place our faith in Jesus Christ.

Religion drives who we are and "guides our daily life".  If you are curious about the basic beliefs of any number of world religions, this books would be a good place to begin.  Each chapter is three to four pages in length, fairly easy to read and understand, and will give you the foundation of many of today's religions including, but not limited to, Islam, various forms of Christianity, Buddhism, Mormonism, Christian Scientology, and Jehovah's Witnesses.  In less than 15 minutes a day, you can gain a basic understanding of today's religions.  For those faiths that are older such as Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism, a chapter is devoted to the history of the religion while at least one other chapter is devoted to the current day teaching and school of thought.  I could even see using this book in a small group study setting.

I did receive this book free from Bethany House Publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

The Choice

The year is 1974.  Sandy Lincoln has it all.  She is a popular cheerleader, has a wonderful family, and is dating a star athlete from her school.  When Sandy discovers she is pregnant, she must choose the road to travel.  Looking at all the options--abortion, keeping the baby, or adoption--she is pulled in different directions because the ones she loves have differing opinions.  Unwilling to abort, Sandy moves in with her spinster eccentric aunt in Atlanta, enrolls in a school for troubled teens, and sets out on the task to choose her child's parents.  A chance meeting with an odd old lady in a convenience store makes doing the right thing even more unclear than ever.  What if this woman's prophesy becomes reality?

Thirty-four years later, Sandy is teaching at the same place she attended High School.  When another pregnant unwed teen seeks her out for help, Sandy is once again faced with making choices that could change so many lives.

I thoroughly enjoyed Robert Whitlow's latest,  The Choice.  I think Mr. Whitlow dealt with the issue of abortion in a moving way and I didn't find the pro-life stance taken with the text preachy at all.  It is clear in the book that regardless of the choice, it will be something you live with the rest of your life. 

The book is broken into two parts, the first of which is Sandy's story as a pregnant, unwed teen.  The second half of the book finds Sandy as an adult dealing with the decision she made thirty something years ago and using her experiences to help another teen regardless of the sacrifices she must make.  I did find the introduction of new characters at the beginning of the second half a bit challenging to keep straight for a few pages but it was nothing that kept me from enjoying the storyline. The characters are believable, if predictable. I can't imagine anyone not being able to relate to them. 

 The book also includes discussion questions perfect for a book club setting.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Second chances

Macy Dillon grew up going to the beach with her family to the North Carolina seaside home, Time in a Bottle.  Such fond memories she has competing with her brother to find the best seashell, sitting atop her father's shoulders, and leaving special drawings for an unidentified little boy in the home's guestbook. For the years that followed, each year Macy would return to the beach to find her friend had left her a drawing and she, in turn, would leave him another.  She always hoped they would have an opportunity to meet.  All that came to a close ten years ago when her father died.  Since then, her mother has maintained a "shrine" in their home, celebrated her father's birthday, and refused to move on.  Macy has also given birth to Emma and been abandoned by Emma's father.  In order to support her little family, she works at a local grocery store which has become her artistic outlet as she paints signs and the store windows.

When her mother suggests a two week vacation to Time in a Bottle, Macy can't help but look forward to it.  Her mother begins to take some of the photos down in the home and Macy thinks perhaps they might be able to deal with their ten year old grief and  live outside the shadow of her father's ghost. 

Macy longs to find the little boy who left drawings for her all those years.  When her family vacations at  Sunset Beach, she finds not one but three now grown men that may have been the one who left the drawings.  Throughout the story, Macy deals with grief, learns to open her heart, and renews the faith she left behind after her father's death.

The Guest Book by Marybeth Whalen is the first I have read by her.  I found it quite entertaining, an easy light  recommended summer read, especially if you happen to have a beach vacation planned.  I think you will be surprised at the ending even if Macy doesn't go down the path you think she should.

I did receive this book free from Zondervan publishing in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated leave a positive review.

The widow of Saunders Creek

Corrie Saunders had grown up having all the world could offer and married the man of her dreams, Jerrod Saunders. She always dreamed of becoming an artist but laid that dream aside to marry. Jerrod was always a bit impulsive and proved he was such the way he died in Iraq, hailed as a hero. For months after Jerrod's death, Corrie lives with her mother in Dallas then decides to move to Missouri to the old home place Jerrod inherited from his grandmother. Jerrod's cousin, Eli, is hired to fix up the old place. When Corrie arrives, she experiences some strange things around the house. The small town is deep into mystic, including Jerrod's aging aunt who assures Corrie that Jerrod hasn't truly left her. Eli, a strong believer in Christ, realizes that in order to save Corrie from falling into trap of believing in such thing, the battle for the Truth has just begun. If I need to sum up my initial thoughts on this book, I might have to say "strange". While I am fully aware that spiritual warfare exists and that mountain people may have some odd ways of thinking, I must say that I have never met anyone like Jerrod's extended family and people of Saunders Creek believing in ghosts and haunted houses. Even Eli, who is the strongest Christian in the book says in his mind that there is no evidence from the Bible or from reality.....Isn't the Bible and reality the same thing? Since those wonderings occur on page 15, it left me wondering about the theology of the whole story. Overall, I did enjoy watching the friendship develop between Corrie and Eli but all the supernatural thinking sort of got in my way. This probably won't be a title I will add to our church library. I did receive this advanced copy free from the publisher, Waterbrook Press.

Feeling like an outsider

Author Ken Gire, like all of us at times throughout our lives, has spent much of his life feeling like an outsider. Why? He isn't quite certain but he did grab my attention when he mentioned that he thought part of the issue might be that he was a redhead and wore glasses. For those of you who are not a redhead, that blessing isn't perceived as such until much later in life. And being a child with glasses, well that can really make you stand out so having both those characteristics is a recipe for insecurity. Anyway, I have long wondered if I were the only one with those feelings of being on the outside looking in. Why do we tend to feel that way? We are flawed and don't feel worthy of love and belonging. However, we all long for a place to belong, where we fit in and are valued. Well, the wonderful news is that God wants us and He will go to whatever measure necessary to get us to turn our hearts toward Him. Need a still small voice? He can be the gentle breeze. Need to be shaken? He can be the roaring lion. Regardless, God is persistent and patient. Just as in Jesus' parable of the one lost sheep, the Shepherd will leave the safely kept 99 to find and bring into safety the one that is lost. If 99% of your life you have given to God, he loves you enough to pursue the 1% you haven't turned over to Him. Perhaps you don't find that comforting but I certainly do! So what happens after you turn to God? Does He cease to pursue? Not at all! His purpose for pursuit is just different but His pursuit has actually just begun. He works in our lives in ways we often can't see to help us become the person He created us to be and making us more like Christ. Using examples from his life as well lives of several well known Christians such as CS Lewis and Francis Thompson, Gire demonstrates how God loves us too much to allow us to be on the outside looking in. He is gentle and loving in His pursuit but He doesn't give up. Each relatively short chapter is followed by several discussion questions perfect for personal reflection or small group discussion. This is my first read by author Ken Gire but I don't plan for it to be my last. He was able to uncover for me why I have those feelings of being on the outside looking in but he didn't stop there. Through his examples and testimony, he helped me discover how much I am loved by my heavenly Father. I did receive this book free from Bethany House Publishers and was not required to leave a positive review.

Through Rushing Water

Sophia Makinoff has the perfect teaching job and dreams to match.  She is certain to become the wife of Congressman Montgomery.  Her world crashes around her when the Congressman proposes—to her roommate.  Unable to bear what she knows will be (the pity of her acquaintances and Annabelle’s prattling about the wedding she thought would be hers), Sophia signs up with the Foreign Mission Board to be a missionary to China.  In order to escape, she takes the first available position and begins her journey to teach in the Dakota Territory—not exactly China!  Her charge is to teach and bring Christianity to the Ponca Indians and others are already in place to “Americanize” the Indians and make them into farmers.  When she arrives at her destination, there was no one to greet her and the landscape showed little but a few run-down buildings and sparse vegetable gardens.  How soon could a replacement be found?  Sophia isn’t certain this is the place for her.  Is there anything that might keep her here?

But the Ponca Indian children and their families begin to pull at her heartstrings.  Their need for the basic necessities of clothing and food is so great and the government doesn’t deliver anything they promised.  Combine the children with the local Agency carpenter, Will, and perhaps Sophia can stick around and pour her life into making a difference here.  Will teaches her to “ignore the rushing water” that could completely suck her in because there are so many needs and simply focus on the issues that she can change and improve.  Could there be a lesson in that for me?  I think so!

Author Catherine Richmond does an excellent job capturing the time period and forms a story not so familiar in the bookstores and to readers.  Having read several novels set in the same era, most that I have read are more the mail order bride, searching for riches kind of story.  Not so with Through Rushing Water.  Sophia was a well developed character you can’t help but love.  Through all her experiences, her faith becomes more than head knowledge and memorizing prayers.  Just as God uses the circumstances in our lives to draw us to Him,  Sophia’s position and the people she has been placed with are used to make her more into the person God created her to be.  I also had never had such a clear picture of how the Indians were treated when white European descendants began moving into their homeland. Your heart will be moved to compassion if not anger for the way they were cheated and ignored.  I look forward to reading other books by Ms. Richmond.

I did receive this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  I was not obligated in any way to leave a positive review.

Cleaning House--getting rid of the Me generation

As parents, we long for our children to be the best they can be but are we hindering them from becoming that by doing things for them and giving things to them constantly?  Why do we try so hard to make their lives easy?  How can they grow up to be strong adults if we are consistently treating them like children rather than helping them find the strengths God has gifted them with to use serving the world which includes their very own family? Our role as parents is to teach, not to do for.  If we don't change our ways as parents, giving our children more responsibilities, not rescuing them every time things don't go exactly as hoped, allowing them to determine our family schedules, and manipulating circumstances to insure our children's success just to name a few, we are simply raising a generation who wishes to be served rather than serve nor ever reaches their full potential.  Who is at fault?  In the instance of my own children, I am! 

I don't know about you, but I want my children to be productive, responsible citizens with a strong work ethic and think of others first rather than thinking the world revolves around them.  I hope I have been successful but only time will truly tell.  Kay Wills Wyma in Cleaning House:  A Mom's 12-month Experiment to Rid Her Home of Youth Entitlement offers good, practical suggestions to help me (and you if your goals are similar) accomplish my goal.  There were no earth-shattering WOW kind of suggestions.  Just good practical tips and reminders. Mrs. Wyma decided there were twelve essential skills her children needed before leaving home, and she was determined they would have those skills by introducing a new task each month that would help them reach their full potential. While she doesn't consider her job complete after the 12 months passed, she feels that her "experiment" was well worth her time and gained her far more than her children simply knowing how to cook and clean, run errands, get a job,  complete odd jobs around the house, and host a party.  The book isn't at all about her children learning to do things for themselves so that she didn't have to.  She desires to prepare them for adulthood and the real world.  The added benefits of having a more close knit family, confidence, creativity.... perhaps even outweigh the essential skills.  To read the first few pages, see
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307730670/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img#reader_B007WKFM7C.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mrs. Wyma's book.  Her humor and wit are evident and makes it an easy and fun read.  I do wish I had the opportunity to employ some of her ideas years ago but perhaps it isn't too late.  After all, my kids are home for the summer!  We might just have to complete the crash course and introduce one task a week!

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

The Fiddler

Amelia Devries wishes so much to please her father who had an early ending to his career when he was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease.  He wants only what he feels is the best for her and pushes her to be the best violinist she can be.  Amish born Michael Hostetler feels the same pressure from his family.  They too want what is best for him and, for him, that means joining the Amish church.   Both are struggling for answers regarding what is truly the path they need to take rather than the path others think they need to take.   As a pleaser myself, I found it very easy to relate to both characters.

When a flat tire on a mountain road throws the unlikely pair together, they find a very comfortable friendship.  Even though raised worlds apart, there is an ease in their conversation and perhaps the opportunity to help each other find who God made them to be.

I have been reading Beverly Lewis books for almost twenty years and none of them have failed to leave me with a sense of  "all is right with the world".  While some readers may find that a bit frustrating to have a simple story without a long rise in action, I don't mind it at all.  Life is full of conflict and stress and so, when I read, I prefer something that doesn't make me tense but has a sweet interesting story as presented here.

For over ten years, Ms. Lewis has authored books based around the Pennsylvania Amish.  Having visited there, I could almost see some of her fictional characters working in the shops and restaurants we visited.  Nothing in my visit surprised me because Ms. Lewis has done an amazing job of painting an accurate picture of the Amish lifestyle.  The Fiddler is no exception.  While this book does appear to begin a new series, this story is completed in The Fiddler which I love.  I rarely enjoy reading a series that leaves the reader hanging to see what happens to the  main characters, sometimes having to wait more than a year before the next volume in published.  I suspect that Amelia and Michael may appear in future Home to Hickory Hollow stories but only as minor characters.

I did receive this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review and was not require to leave a positive review. 

The Girl's Still Got It

Well, the first question has to be, what is "it"? "It", as defined by author Liz Curtis Higgs, is value, significance, worth. Not only does she claim Ruth still has "it" but so do I and every woman. God formed us, picked us up when needed, carries us when necessary, and loves us unconditionally and knows every detail of this story we refer to as life. He finds us worthy. Why do we, as women, find that so difficult to accept? So, what does God intend for us to learn from Ruth's life? Higgs claims that through studying about Ruth and the other everyday people in scripture, we can learn of God's character--steadfast, compassionate , patient, faithful, and merciful. Walking the reader through the book or Ruth (a short book of only four chapters), Higgs reveals to the reader all of God's traits listed above and then some. Ruth certainly didn't live an easy life so perhaps she really isn't so different from you and me. God simply chose her and included her by name in Scripture to demonstrate His character. Just like Ruth, we are "never alone and have Someone powerful in charge and looking out for us". I am typically not a big fan of non-fiction but I am a big fan of fellow Louisvillian, Liz Curtis Higgs so my love of her previous fiction pieces led me to order this book. Was it what I expected? No! This book reads so much like a work of fiction that it is hard to put down and grabs you as early as the introduction. It is almost as if written like a conversation, as if Mrs. Higgs was sitting here in my family room talking to me. Or perhaps it is Ruth and Naomi that are the ones that seem as if they have been brought to life in a way I've never seen them before. Higgs has such a sense of humor which is seen throughout her writings on Ruth. I guarantee you won't be able to read this book, even the first chapter without at least a chuckle. Included in the book are discussion questions if you are part of a book club, a chapter by chapter study guide sufficient for a 12 week book study, and suggestions for further reading. I will be recommending this book to my book club and also think it an excellent book for a more in-depth Bible study group whether it be a Sunday School class or a multi-age group of women getting together for a book study. Perfect for adult women of all ages. To read the intro, go to http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product_slideshow?sku=564484&actual_sku=564484&use_onix=1. I did receive this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review and was, in no way, obligated to leave a positive review.

The Messenger

Hannah Sunderland was raised a Quaker in Philadelphia.   Quakers are peacemakers and, therefore, don't believe in war or conflict.   She and most of her family were quite content to remain neutral even though most around them were taking sides as a Patriot or Loyalist, even her own twin brother when he chose to side with the Patriots.  When a British officer makes the Sunderland home his headquarters in 1778, the officer forces them to move into a relative's home because of his unacceptable behavior.  When Hannah's twin, Robert, is thrown into prison, she can no longer sit idly by and do nothing.  She will stop at almost nothing to save her brother from the fate of death that surely awaits him if he remains in General Howe's prison.  The circumstances Hannah finds herself in during these days of British occupation cause her to question everything she has known as "truth".  

Jeremiah Jones, a Colonial spy, wounded war veteran, and local tavernkeeper, has a plan but he can do nothing without access to the same prison Hannah's brother is in.  He needs a messenger.  Jeremiah is able to convince Hannah that she can aide her brother and help him pass information into the prison. What Jeremiah isn't prepared for is Hannah's level of moral truth and honor toward her parents and her faith.

Jeremiah and Hannah make an unlikely pair.  Hannah's Quaker faith is ingrained in her and Jeremiah has long ago surpassed his need for God. However, they find in each other just what the other needs.

Ms. Mitchell has tackled a time period where very few historical novels have been written. I chose this book for this very reason.  Colonial history is fascinating and yet I find few fictional books written around the time period.  The Messenger opens from Hannah's point of view and Jeremiah's point of view follows in the next chapter.  The entire book is written in the manner and makes the transition from the two perspectives wonderfully woven together.

I must admit, that at first, I found the book a bit difficult to get into.  I reread the first two chapters a couple of times because I would read them and not be grabbed by the storyline and put it down only to pick it up weeks later to reread.  However, once I got past the first couple of chapters, the characters of Hannah and Jeremiah begin to endear themselves to me and I didn't want to put the book down.  As Jeremiah struggles with the man he has become and grieves the man he once was, you can't help but love him and feel for him as his insecurities surface.  Hannah, longing to be the faithful and dutiful daughter, struggles with her choices and decisions.  Her feelings, both loathing and kind toward Jeremiah, make her a woman you want to keep reading about.  Watching their friendship and attraction toward one another slowly unfold was beautiful.  I loved the fact that it was gradual and not another love at first sight kind of relationship and that both of them made the other a better person.  Isn't that what love is about?

I did receive this book free from the publisher and was, in no way, obligated to leave a positive review.  If given the opportunity.  I would love to read another of Siri Mitchell's books.

Love is more than just the spoken word

Have you ever stopped to ponder what love looks like?  What it involves?  The sacrifices that take place when you love?

How often do we misuse the word love?  "I love that pasta." OR "I love that house".  Personally, I wish I could erase that verbiage from my vocabulary.  Love is so much more than just words that come out of our mouth or a feeling.  Love takes action and that action typically involves at least a bit of sacrifice either of your pride, time or finances.

Love Does is a collection of thirty-one true life examples of love in action.  Author Bob Goff recalls example after example of how others have demonstrated love to him and then he, in turn, has demonstrated love to others.   Each of us plan to "do something" that shows people in our lives how special they are but, if we aren't intentional about doing something, life gets in the way and time slips away.  Every day we get up with the potential to live a life where love does.  Don't wait for all the circumstances to be perfect to act on love.  Be there physically for someone.  Forgive someone who has wronged you, without fanfare and quickly.  Accept the "invitation you receive every morning to live a life of complete engagement, a life of whimsy, a life where love does...to participate in this amazing life for one more day."

Each chapter is independent of the others except for by theme, easy to read, whimsical, and humorous.  Each challenge the reader to take action in their own lives and not just think about love but "do love", not only within our family unit but truly loving friends and strangers as well.  He lives the kind of life I want to live, willing to step out in faith, take risks, show agape love, and encourage others to do the same.  I would recommend this book to any adult.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life

Each of us long to make a difference and make the most of the life God has given us.  Too many times we are waiting for the right time to come along to do so. What if that time never does come and circumstances are never perfect?  All we are promised is the moment we are living in right now.  Today is the day we can begin living the life God created us to live and make the most of every moment we have left.

The authors begin with encouraging the reader to truly live the dash (the mark that will be on our headstone between our birth and death), making the most of each day and living our lives with meaning. In the first chapter, the author asks a pointed question--why can't we all live our lives more like we are dying?  If you knew you only had thirty days to live, you would make contact with those you love and make certain those relationships were on solid ground.  You would forgive those who had wronged you and not worry about what tomorrow may bring.  You would find joy in the everyday little things you do (well, maybe not cleaning the bathroom!). Why do we wait until we are dying to live this kind of life?  Would our lives not be much more joyous and fulfilling if we looked at every day as if it might be our last?  We each can choose what we do with the days God has given us and we also choose the attitude with which we perform those tasks and activities.

There are hundreds of self-improvement books on the bookstore shelves.  What makes this one different?  The book is divided into four sections--one for each week of the month:  Live Passionately, Love Completely, Learn Humbly, and Leave Boldly.  Each section has  7 - 8 chapters which focus on the topic and each challenge you to examine your life and give practical ways you can begin to live a transformed life.  While no book is a fix-all, I do like the way the authors chose to set it up so that one chapter applies to each day of the month and could be used as a suplement to your devotional since not a great deal of scripture is used.   Nothing in the book is "new under the sun" but each thought is a good reminder to the reader to live each moment as if it were your last, love others in a way that will make a difference in your life and theirs, and living a life that will make the world a better place. 

While not one of the best I've read, this book does provide reminders of what is truly important in life we need at times and is an easy read.  That may bother some readers who are looking for more depth and meat than One Month to Live may give them. 

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was not obligated to provide a positive review.

Interrupted

Allie Everly has to grow up way too quickly when her mother is diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Allie refuses to let anyone else care for her no matter how difficult it is even when her mother is irrational and doesn't seem to know who Allie is.  Allie's mother had taught her that Christians are foolish and that there is no God.   If her childhood friend, Sam, hadn't shown up at the door when he did, Allie thinks she might have been able to save her mother.  Her father left them years ago so Allie has no one. 

Following the funeral, Allie is taken from her home in Tennessee with only a few of her belongings and placed in a home in Maine with Miss Beatrice Lovell, an older woman whose children are grown.   Miss Beatrice tries for years to break Allie's hard heart but Allie makes it quite difficult and clear that Miss Beatrice is NOT her mother.  The best each of them hope for within Miss Beatrice's home is  polite strangers, even though I do feel that Miss Beatrice tried everything she knew to get through to Allie and to show her love.  The only joy Allie seems to find is in the writing she does to her mother and sketching.

Several years later, Sam shows up visiting his aunt in Maine. Sam has always been there for Allie even though her treatment toward him when they were children was less than ideal as well.   When he heads off to war, Allie realizes she may never see him again.  Might this be the tool that will wedge open the small crack in her hard shell?  Is it too late for Allie to love and be loved?  Will she ever move beyond her bitter attitude?

Set just prior to WW II, Interrupted is the first Young Adult published writing by sixteen year old Rachel Coker.  As a middle school teacher, I can say that Rachel's writing far exceeds the ability of most sixteen year olds.  While Allie did frustrate me due to her lack of desire to even be kind to the woman who was reaching out to her, does that not indicate that Ms. Coker did a good job in her portrayal?  Her writing evoked that frustration in me.  I enjoyed all the different facets of Allie's personality that Ms. Coker revealed throughout the story.  Just the opposite of Allie, Sam is an endearing young man who continues to turn the other cheek.

I have no doubt that Interrupted is the first of many books written by Rachel Coker which will grace the bookstore shelves.  I look forward to reading the story she comes up with next.  I did receive this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Need You Now

Darlene and Brad Henderson have recently made the move from Houston to the family farm near the small town of Round Top, Texas.   Their son, Chad, had made some poor choices in Houston and this is the chance for everyone to begin fresh.  But the move that was intended for the good of all is taking more time to adjust to than anyone thought, especially for the children.  Grace, their oldest daughter, is coping in a way that is very dangerous and has difficulty changing regardless of her resolve to do so.  Chad is still tempted to continue in the choices he made in Houston.

Darlene has been a stay at home mom her entire marriage.  Now that the children are a bit older, Darlene decides to join the work force as a teacher's aide at a nearby special needs school.  This, too, means a number of changes in the Henderson household which, of course, causes tension and things seem be begin to unravel.  At this point, their faith is about all they have to lean on.  Will it be enough?

I have always enjoyed Beth Wiseman's books, who typically writes about the Amish, and this is no exception.  Writing outside the Amish genre, Wiseman has shown her readers that she is very capable of writing contemporary fiction. I did feel that Darlene was portrayed a bit on the naive side though when her daughter was wearing long sleeves no matter the weather and didn't pursue questions when Grace's arm was bleeding through the sleeve.  My husband has always described me as naive but I think even I would be checking that out if my daughter exhibited such behaviors.  That being said, cutting is a topic I don't believe I have ever seen addressed in Christian fiction so I applaud Ms. Wiseman for having done so.  In spite of the trait addressed above, Darlene is a woman who has the same struggles as all mother of teens and trying to juggle being a mom, wife, and working outside the home.

The end of the books contains a listing of questions perfect for a book discussion group.  While not listed as a part of the series, perhaps Ms. Wiseman will consider adding to the Henderson's story or that of their neighbor Layla who is an interesting character herself.

This book was provided to me free by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  I was, in no way, obligated to write a positive review.

Balancing your Priorities

I have family who attended Andy Stanley's church, North Point, in Atlanta when they lived there. Our family still catches his podcasts when we can. You won't find another man of God who speaks the truth and makes it relevant to today any more than Andy Stanley. I vividly remember my brother-in-law recommending a sermon series entitled Choosing to Cheat. Well, here it is in print format.

Andy begins by accusing us all of cheating. He's right. All of us choose to give up one thing in hopes of gaining something better or of greater value. This is especially true of our time. We live in a world where there are so many things vying for our attention. Our to-do list is never ending and full of necessary tasks. What usually suffers from our being pulled in so many different directions? Our families. Why? As Christians, are they not our priority? Do our actions reflect that? What is the motive behind our spending so much time at work? Is it only to provide for our family or are there other more deep seated reasons? If parents are always at work, who is providing for the emotional needs of their children? I'm convinced God did not create nor does He approve of this all exhausting whirlwind we now call "life".

Whether you are are the one who is unknowingly choosing your career or to-do list over your family or are the spouse or child feeling cheated, Andy's words will strike home and lead you in the direction you need to go, using real life examples of current day to illustrate. There is never enough time to get everything done you think is important but God gave us 24 hours in a day for a reason. Choose the spend our time in the role only we can fill--that of spouse, father, mother... Easier said than done, I know. I believe there is plenty of time to get the things done HE wants you to do. Our calendar clearly shows our priorities. What does you calendar illustrate?

But Andy doesn't just give us the facts about how we cheat our families when work draws us, he also gives us practical steps to take to change our way of living in When Work & Family Collide through the Old Testament character of Daniel. The book is a quick, easy, practical read but you may find yourself needing to stop after each chapter to consider his words and how they apply to you. The book also includes a four week discussion guide making it perfect for small group discussion or an accountability group. I haven't ever read anything of Andy's that I didn't love and find to be life changing and this is no exception. Whether you are a mom, dad, parent, work outside the home, or within the home, this book will most likely convict and speak to your heart.

I did receive this book free from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.

What's Next?

Change is inevitable.  Whether you are 18 or 70 or anywhere in between, we all go through transitions in our lives.  Some are joyous and anticipated for years such as weddings and births. Others are very painful. Some of that pain comes from letting go of the previous stage of your life.  Can we prepare ourselves for the transitions that come in our lives, making those transitions easier?  H. Norman Wright believes we can and even goes so far as to say that "transitions are opportunities to apply our faith".

Written with the baby boomer generation in mind, What's Next?: Navigating Transitions to Make The Rest of Your Life Count  gives the reader wonderful guidance regarding how to not only make the best of but actually thrive and excel in the second half of your marriage,  midlife, an empty next, becoming a granparent, retirement, and even loss among other things.  I have always considered my parents to be more in this stage of life than I am.  However, I'm approaching these events in my life and long to do so with joy and anticipation, not dread and tears.

I particulary enjoyed Mr. Wright's suggestions regarding the second half of marriage having been married to the same man for 26 years and nearing the point where it will be just the two of us again.  Mr. Wright states that it is "far more important to be the right person than it is to marry the right one", and "our marriage is like a car that every now and then needs a tune-up".  Too many times, especially in the midst of careers and caring for children, we neglect our marriage and find ourselves not really knowing who it is we're married to.  Unless we have truly committed ourselves to that marriage, we will run the danger of not seeing marriage for what it truly is and, instead, will be looking for someone to satisfy all our needs, ignoring the needs of our spouse and running the risk of never having a vital marriage.

Again, whether you are a young adult or older adult, there is much to be thought about throughout this book.  As a young adult, by reading, you will be better prepared for life's transitions and better understand the transitions your parents are experiencing.  As an older adult who may be experiencing some of these life changes, Mr. Wright gives you the steps and Godly wisdom he has gained in making it through those experiences.  While I did get the book to add to the church library, I think I've changed my mind and will keep it to refer back to again and again.

I did receive this book free from the publisher and was not obligated to leave a positive review.

Secrets to a happy life

Just as Luci Swindoll's mother, when giving instructions to her children, began every request with a verb that required action, so does Luci in her newest book Simple Secrets to a Happy Life.  The title of each chapter begins with an action verb.  While she doesn't claim to have all the answers regarding how to "live happily ever after", she does claim that there are some secrets she has learned through her life that make living richer and more enjoyable.  Each of those fifty secrets require action on our part, whether physical, mental, or spiritual.  The book is broken down into five section but Ms. Swindoll begins with the basics such as honoring your Mother and Father, how to treat other people, having a daily devotional, and organization.  She then goes on to discuss topics such as focusing on the here and now, integrity, thankfulness, celebrating milestones, and the importance of friends and community.  Each chapter contains somewhat of a "memoir" of her life as an illustration.

There are times when all of us need the words Ms. Swindoll has recorded as they do take us "back to the basics" and just some good common sense, moral living.  However, don't look to this volume as a perfect fix when your life isn't as you wish it was.  Only God can make us truly happy and fill the emptiness in our lives. While the thoughts in this book may make your life and the lives of those who know you a bit more pleasant and joyful (if you act on them), I would be hesitant to say that they will bring you true happiness.

For me, I think this book is a good reminder of  habits that I should have in my life and could be a wonderful chapter-a-day book.  Each chapter is very short--I don't think any one of them was over 3 pages. So, when I re-read it, I think I will read a chapter, pondering it throughout the day and then determine how I need to act on what I've read to bring joy to my own life as well as joy to those around me.

I did receive this book free from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review and was not obligated in any way to leave a positive review.

Where Lilacs Still Bloom

German immigrant, Hulda, lives in Washington just a short distance from Mt. St. Helens in a time period where little more was expected or a woman other than taking care of her family.  Hulda had a dream though.  From an apple orchard that would produce large easy-to-peel apples to bake pies for her family to daffodil bulbs to flowers, Hulda longed to make improvements on the plants she nurtured and was encouraged to do so by none other than her father.  One of her great desires was to hybridize a lilac, creating a creamy white color with twelve, not four, petals. She painstakingly pollinates the plants with a turkey feather and nurtures them.  Through natural disasters and death itself, Hulda perseveres and overcomes.

I originally ordered this book because of the title.  Lilacs were everywhere in my grandmother's yard and, therefore, became one of my favorites which now grace my yard.  Like the author has two lilacs from Hulda Klager's garden, so I have planted a number of them from my grandmother's collection.  While the title was the first thing to catch my attention, what I found was much more than a novel featuring my favorite flower. I found a story immersed in history and gardening--two of my favorite topics--and found a woman whose strength and vision were truly amazing.  And who could make a facinating story pour from a woman who was a gardener and perhaps a woman before her time?  None other than Jane Kirkpatrick, just as she did with A Daughter's Walk.

While based on fact, this is a story of fiction.  However, the story does make Hulda's life come alive in a way that makes me anxious for the blooming of my own plants and long for the scent of lilacs wafting through the air in the spring breeze.  If you are a gardener and lover of historical fiction, you will certainly enjoy Where Lilacs Still Bloom.

I did receive this book free from the publisher through Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.  I was, in no way, obligated to provide a positive review.

Three Hearts

Cissie Graham Lynch, Franklin Graham's daughter, has just begun an internship with a branch of Samaritan's Purse, Children's Heart Project.  Hundreds of children in Mongolia are awaiting medical help and will die without it.  In this film, three children are chosen to receive the surgeries they so desperately need and travel to the United States where they are welcomed into homes and receive the gift of life. Along with their medical needs, they each have a need for a Savior, having been raised Buddhist.  In some ways, their lives are saved in several ways, both medically and spiritually as the Gospel is shared with them repeatedly during their seven week stay in the states.

I must admit that, when this film first started, I was a bit disappointed.  My family looks forward to weekend movies together and this was our Saturday night choice.  However, that disappointment didn't last long at all.  Just like the children and their mothers wove their lives together with their host families, I felt drawn in and became part of their lives.  I could feel their mother's pain as they watched their children being wheeled into surgery, knowing the risks involved and that they may never see their child alive again.  I could feel the joy when one of them prayed to receive Christ as if it were someone I had known for years.  It was a wonderful reminder of the preciousness of live, the awesome privilege I have of growing up in a country that is Godly, and the need to reach out to those who doing have at their disposal the wealth of advantages I have living in the United.  States.  This film left me thankful and wanting to do more to save these children all over the world who need both physical and spiritual healing.

I receive this DVD free from the publisher and was not in any way obligated to share a positive review.

God Gave Us Love

In a sturdy board book, just the right size for toddlers, Grampa Bear shares God's love with Little Cub and how it is God's desire that we share His love with everyone even when we don't feel like it.  Grampa explains that showing love to others is like showing them just a little bit of God's love.  Grampa Bear is quick to add that nothing we can do can separate us from the love of God and then shares how much God loves us by sending His son.  Just like Little Bear is loved and oh so special to God, little ones who read this book will sense that same feeling of being loved and treasured by God.

The colorful simple watercolor illustrations by Laura J. Bryant are eye catching and add to the pleasure of the short story. While the board book will be a nice addition to any child's library, I do feel that the concepts of loving the unlovely and the different kinds of love spoken about in the book (Mom and Dad kind of love, loving the unlovely) may be a bit over the heads of those children who will be reading a board book.  However, the other side of me says that it is never too early to begin instilling these thoughts and concepts into our little one's heads. This book is also available in hardcover which may be the format I would choose due to the depth of the concepts as mentioned.  Having not read the other books in the series, I am going to find a way to do so.  Thank you, Lisa Bergren for providing God centered reading material for our children that allow them to begin to learn the nature of God.

The book was provided to me free for the purpose of an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to provide a positive review.

Unlocked

I have just read a book that brought about every emotion I have--laughter, tears, anger.....Holden Harris is locked inside the world of autism.  Every day is the same with the same routine which includes watching a movie of his childhood.  He hasn't touched or spoken to his parents since he was three.  However, his world begins to change when he responds to the music of his High School's production of Beauty and the Beast  starring his childhood friend, Ella whom he also hasn't seen since he was three years old.   Even locked in his own world, Ella understands Holden more than anyone has since he was diagnosed.  Does Ella hold the key of bringing a sense of "normalcy" to Holden's life?

Thank you, Karen Kingsbury, for yet another touching story.  I must say I have never read a Kingsbury book that I didn't love and Unlocked is no exception.  If you are a teacher or the parent of an autistic child, this is a must read. 

Sweeter Than Birdsong

Kate longs to flee from her parents, a mother who is difficult and controlling and a father who is prone to drunkeness.  Her path away takes her to Otterbein College where she is training to teach but is painfully shy and therefore has great difficulty speaking in front of an audiene which is a basis requirement for graduation.  However, her escape does not invoving marrying or as she puts it, going from one prison to another.  Her mother, however, has plans which differ from Kate's so she is determined not to wait around and allow her mother to ruin her life.

Ben Hanby is also a student at Otterbein and is known as a musical genius. When Ben hold auditions for his musicale, Kate sees the audition as an open door and a cover for her escape.  However, there is more to Ben than Kate realizes.  

Based on an authentic historical family from Westerville, Ohio, Sweeter Than Birdsong is a historical fiction book that brings in a number of elements from music to romance to historical events that shaped our nation.  While I do wish I had read the first book in the Saddler's Legacy series prior to reading this one, the story line was pretty easy to pick up on.  If you are a music lover or simply enjoy a historical romance, Ms. Elliott has written a thoughtful story about standing up for your beliefs and doing something about the injustices in the world, not just accepting them.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Then Sings My Soul: Book 3

Perhaps you have listened to and sung hymns your entire life.  They may even evoke some very pleasant memories of your childhood or days gone by.  But do you have any idea the story behind the authors and composers of those hymns? 

In the last of a series of three volumes, Robert Morgan shares with the reader the lives of those who wrote the songs that, for centuries, have graced our worship services and served to lift up and admonish worshipers of the living God.  Along with the story behind the song, a printing of the music is included. Unlike the previous volumes, book 3 opens with a roughly fifty page history of hymnody including Biblical,  ancient, medieval, German, English, and American hymns as well as more current contemporary praise and worship music.   I must admit, even having been in church my entire life, there were a number of songs I had never heard of.  Mr. Morgan closes this book with suggesting ways to use hymns in your own life and worship such as memorizing, praying, quoting, meditating, and starting each day with a hymn.  He challenges each of us to embrace some of the new songs and yet not allow the old hymns of our faith "fade away".

If you are a lover of church music, there is nothing not to love about this book.  I already owned book one and jumped at the opportunity to own this volume.  Even the pages are rugged at the edge which make it seem old and well-loved.  I have not doubt that, after you read this book, the words of your best-loved hymns such as Victory in Jesus, Grace Greater Than All Our Sin,  Shout to the Lord, He Touched Me, and In Christ Alone will mean more than ever before.  You may want to consider using this book as a devotional and uncover the treasure of one hymn a day.

I did receive this book from Thomas Nelson publishers in exchange for an honest review.  I was not required to write a positive review.

What a Son Needs From His Dad

Our children are imitators of everything they see and hear but especially of us as their parents.  A bit scary, huh?  It sure makes me wonder if I've passed on to my children everything they are going to need to serve the Lord the way they should during their teen and adult years.  The outside world longs to get ahold of our kids.  As a parent, we must be there for and with them in order to counteract what the world is telling them.  We must be intentional about entering into conversations and providing examples which will create the pattern for Godly lifestyles.  Our relationship with our children sets the stage for the relationships they will have with their own children and families.

Michael O'Donnell in What a Son Needs From His Dad encourages us to do just that. Among other topics, he delves into how to instill in your child the integrity, self-discipline and motivation to be successful in whatever career he chooses, learning how to enjoy life--both you and your child, and helping your child choose the right friends.  O'Donnell even helps out with huge task of sharing the birds and bees with your son.  Be aware that you may find some controversial thoughts in this chapter.

Along with each chapter, Mr. O'Donnell provides several questions which would make easy discussion starters for a group of fathers who are looking for a book study that will give them tools to be better dads or for the reader to help them think through the reading and apply it to their life.  While obviously written for dads, the principles laid out in this text are very applicable to both parents.  The book can easily be read in a day but I would encourage you to take time to digest each chapter.  While I think fathers of children ages 2 through 18 would benefit the most from reading this book, it is never too early of late to provide a Godly example of manhood to those you have influence on in your life.

I did receive this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

Everything Romance

If ever there was a romance "handbook", this is it.  From scripture and prayers to short stories, poems, and quotes to recipes and trivia--this book has it all!   You'll even find inexpensive but meaningful date ideas. Whether you are married or dating, you'll find all sorts of ideas to show that special someone that you care.  And there is a wonderful index to find that idea you may have read about days ago but can't seem to find the page.  Written by David Bordon and Tom Winters, this book makes a great gift idea for Valentine's Day or any day you want to celebrate your love for one another.

This book is easy and fun to read.  One of my favorite date night ideas was trying to find the best cookies in town--going to all the local places that sell cookies and rating them trying to find your favorite.  What fun!  And you don't have to spend a fortune!  And, have you ever wondered what the top 100 most romantic movies were or what the guidelines are for romance in the digital age or how to make lip-smackin' spicy lime popcorn?  Look no further than this book.

I received this book from Multnomah Press in exchange for an honest review.

The Promise of Provision

Have you ever wondered what Jesus meant by an abundant life?  Do you ever feel as if everyone else is favored by God but you've been left out?  In The Promise of Provision, Derek Prince points out that in order to experience God's abundance, we must first have an understanding of our sinful condition and exactly what abundance is.  God is a God of blessing, abundance (giving us more than enough), and promises kept. If we are not seeing and feeling God's abundance in our lives, it is most likely because of our own motives or actions, not because God is withholding all good things from us.

Mr. Prince has broken the book down into five principal parts:  Understanding Abundance, Five Principles of Provision, Three Practical Steps to Take, Five Conditions for God's Abundance, and The Right Investment.  He uses scripture throughout the text and expounds on it, letting the reader know that his writing is based on the truth of God's Word.   While the first two sections are necessary for all readers to be on the same page with the author, I think you will find the later three sections will speak to your heart and cause you to examine your own heart and life.

Not being so much of a non-fiction reader and usually reading at night before retiring, I did find the text a bit difficult to read at times.  However, as I stated above, there are sections in the last half of the book which will encourage any reader to closely examine how they are spending their time and money as well as encourage them to step out in faith to accept the inheritance Christ has bought with the ultimate price.

I did receive this book from Chosen Publishers in exchange for an honest review.