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.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
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.
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.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, January 2, 2012
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.
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.
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.
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