This author has a knack for writing stories that seem almost too real to be simply fiction. She has done just that again in this book - making characters that display true human character and conflicted natures. The lead characters in this book are believable and equal - one does not out shine the other nor does any seem to "perfect" to be real.
Adriene is anything but the typical woman - in fact she reminds me of my child hood heroine Nancy Drew. Determined to be the best at her profession she will go to any length to snoop out the truth behind a story. In the year in which this book is based this is considered an unladylike characteristic and it leads her to trouble. The daughter of a newspaper owner she has reporting in her blood - even if it means sneaking out in the middle of the night.
From the opening page the reader is drawn into a story that is filled with adventure and excitement. Quickly the pace picks up when the competing paper in town is bought by someone new and equally as driven as Adriene. The question then becomes who will be the top dog in the town and the paper industry.
However as competition heats up so does the relationship between Adriene and the new guy in town.
This is a delightful read.
Thanks to the publisher Revell for this review copy.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Not In The Heart, Chris Fabry
This is one of those books that you pick up thinking you will get a heart warming story all neatly tied up. However, this story is one that resonates in the human spirit in such a way that it is sure to make a deep impact on you - leaving you contemplating the redemptive love of Christ.
Truman Wiley is a conflicted, sarcastic, deeply troubled man that is plagued with an addictive past that has held him bondage and has ultimately led to the loss of things he once held dear. This hard-nosed reporter who had once been on the mountain top of success now lived hiding from creditors and other more dangerous and notorious men. His love of the casino has wreaked havoc on his life. I could not help while reading this man's story to contemplate the truth of the scripture 1 Corinthians 6:12 (...All things are permissible for me but I will not be mastered by anything.) for this man truly has become mastered by many things. This very fact has locked him into a pessimistic outlook on life.
Truman is living an existence of sadness and remorse covered by a hard shell of sarcasm. His daughter has little or nothing to do with him. His wife has walked away after years of trying to pull him through his addictive behaviors and pessimistic attitude. His son lays dying of a congenital heart defect in a nearby hospital. His life is a perfect picture of defeat and despair. It is difficult to feel too much sympathy for him as it is the human nature to look on the outside of a man and say "You made your bed" or "just change". However, to truly understand one must realize the power of the enemy over people in bondage. Though the door of freedom is set open before them - they must take the first step. What we see in Truman is a man defeated by his past mistakes, unable to forgive himself for his failures as a man, father, husband, friend, reporter her avoids all responsibility. Unable to accept his son's illness or the fact that he is powerless in correcting it he avoids it - somehow - I believe attributing his own failures and sins to the illness of his son and bearing this responsibility deeply in his heart.
When his ex-wife calls with a proposal for him Truman agrees. He will cover a story of a convicted death row felon. He will put into print this man's story and how he is giving his heart upon execution to Truman's son who has suffered from a deadly heart defect since birth. Little does he know that God has set into motion a plan to "call heaven and earth as a witness against [Truman], that He has set before him blessings and cursing" and is asking him to "choose life, that [he] and [his] children may live" (Duet. 30:19). This story will offer the road of redemption that Truman has long sought after but been too afraid to walk.
Truman quickly discovers that this is no simple story to right. What do you do when the man on death row - tried, convicted and sentenced by the court of law - is really innocent? What more do you do when that man's desire is not to prove his innocence but to speak a more powerful truth of love, forgiveness and redemption through Christ? For Truman the least likely of people is about to show him the greatest character of all - forgiveness. This man that has lived on death row for so many years is about to start Truman out on the pathway of self-discovery where man comes face to face with who he truly is in the presence of a righteous God. There in that place he is faced with the ultimate question - will he step through the door of the prison he has lived so long in and accept the freedom he has been given? Will he take this chance to redeem that which was lost through the power of Christ's forgiveness?
I can honestly say I appreciate the author's portrayal of Truman. In most of the book he is completely unlikeable in a way that is so real to life. In fact the reader can probably think of someone very much like Truman. In this aspect of failing, falling, stumbling blindly, pushing away angrily, grasping at hope eagerly, praying earnestly, and begging for forgiveness - one can easily fall into the story. The reader can relate personally to the tight ropes of bondage, the heavy burden of self-conviction.
This journey opens into something that changes the lives of everyone involved and God's redemptive love ultimately shines through. Each of us has been in bondage - albeit to varying degrees - and each of us has sought the road to redemption. This book explores how difficult this road can be at times but ultimately how rewarding it is in the end.
Many would venture to say that they do not know any person with an addiction. However, I would challenge each person to look beyond the addiction of gambling presented here, or drugs and alcohol. There are so many more things that people can be addicted to or driven by - that one thing they can not let go of. In the ministry I have seen the devastating effects of many kinds of addictions. Though the truth of freedom is set before their eyes it seems that letting go of the addiction is overwhelming - the fear that they have strayed too far to come back. This story is excellent. Be blessed reading it.
Thank you for this beautifully written story. Praying that it touches many lives and that those in deep bondages of addiction find that the truth of Christ will set you free.
Thanks to B&B Communications for this review copy.
Truman Wiley is a conflicted, sarcastic, deeply troubled man that is plagued with an addictive past that has held him bondage and has ultimately led to the loss of things he once held dear. This hard-nosed reporter who had once been on the mountain top of success now lived hiding from creditors and other more dangerous and notorious men. His love of the casino has wreaked havoc on his life. I could not help while reading this man's story to contemplate the truth of the scripture 1 Corinthians 6:12 (...All things are permissible for me but I will not be mastered by anything.) for this man truly has become mastered by many things. This very fact has locked him into a pessimistic outlook on life.
Truman is living an existence of sadness and remorse covered by a hard shell of sarcasm. His daughter has little or nothing to do with him. His wife has walked away after years of trying to pull him through his addictive behaviors and pessimistic attitude. His son lays dying of a congenital heart defect in a nearby hospital. His life is a perfect picture of defeat and despair. It is difficult to feel too much sympathy for him as it is the human nature to look on the outside of a man and say "You made your bed" or "just change". However, to truly understand one must realize the power of the enemy over people in bondage. Though the door of freedom is set open before them - they must take the first step. What we see in Truman is a man defeated by his past mistakes, unable to forgive himself for his failures as a man, father, husband, friend, reporter her avoids all responsibility. Unable to accept his son's illness or the fact that he is powerless in correcting it he avoids it - somehow - I believe attributing his own failures and sins to the illness of his son and bearing this responsibility deeply in his heart.
When his ex-wife calls with a proposal for him Truman agrees. He will cover a story of a convicted death row felon. He will put into print this man's story and how he is giving his heart upon execution to Truman's son who has suffered from a deadly heart defect since birth. Little does he know that God has set into motion a plan to "call heaven and earth as a witness against [Truman], that He has set before him blessings and cursing" and is asking him to "choose life, that [he] and [his] children may live" (Duet. 30:19). This story will offer the road of redemption that Truman has long sought after but been too afraid to walk.
Truman quickly discovers that this is no simple story to right. What do you do when the man on death row - tried, convicted and sentenced by the court of law - is really innocent? What more do you do when that man's desire is not to prove his innocence but to speak a more powerful truth of love, forgiveness and redemption through Christ? For Truman the least likely of people is about to show him the greatest character of all - forgiveness. This man that has lived on death row for so many years is about to start Truman out on the pathway of self-discovery where man comes face to face with who he truly is in the presence of a righteous God. There in that place he is faced with the ultimate question - will he step through the door of the prison he has lived so long in and accept the freedom he has been given? Will he take this chance to redeem that which was lost through the power of Christ's forgiveness?
I can honestly say I appreciate the author's portrayal of Truman. In most of the book he is completely unlikeable in a way that is so real to life. In fact the reader can probably think of someone very much like Truman. In this aspect of failing, falling, stumbling blindly, pushing away angrily, grasping at hope eagerly, praying earnestly, and begging for forgiveness - one can easily fall into the story. The reader can relate personally to the tight ropes of bondage, the heavy burden of self-conviction.
This journey opens into something that changes the lives of everyone involved and God's redemptive love ultimately shines through. Each of us has been in bondage - albeit to varying degrees - and each of us has sought the road to redemption. This book explores how difficult this road can be at times but ultimately how rewarding it is in the end.
Many would venture to say that they do not know any person with an addiction. However, I would challenge each person to look beyond the addiction of gambling presented here, or drugs and alcohol. There are so many more things that people can be addicted to or driven by - that one thing they can not let go of. In the ministry I have seen the devastating effects of many kinds of addictions. Though the truth of freedom is set before their eyes it seems that letting go of the addiction is overwhelming - the fear that they have strayed too far to come back. This story is excellent. Be blessed reading it.
Thank you for this beautifully written story. Praying that it touches many lives and that those in deep bondages of addiction find that the truth of Christ will set you free.
Thanks to B&B Communications for this review copy.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
ESV Grow Bible, Published by Crossway
I was excited the day the box containing this bible landed on my front porch. This has quickly become one of my favorite translations because of it's easy readability.
I really liked this children's bible because it is set up like a study bible with extra information in it. It is designed for children between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. This is a great bible for those in-between years when children want a "big person's" bible but they still enjoy colored photos and extra neat stuff. I especially liked that this bible is separated into the sections of the bible. For instance 'The Books of Wisdom and Poetry' on this page it lists the books that would be included (Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) then gives a brief overview of these books. This overview includes: Themes in these books, Two Paths of Life, Biblical Wisdom, Biblical Poetry, and style. The children are then introduced into a broad overview of this section giving them a deeper understanding of these books.
At the beginning of each book there is also an overview of that book. This overview points out key stories or themes of the book, the author, date, places, people, God's love, and God's special message. On this page is a time-line to give a visual reference point of the book. I think this is very helpful for children to be able to visually see as well as read the date of the scriptures. This allows for them to put into context what is going on at the time the book is written and what had happened prior to and after the book was written.
Another neat aspect of this bible is the "wh" questions that a sprinkled among the text. These questions of who, what, where, why, when offer children another opportunity to dig deeper into the meaning of God's word and develop a stronger understanding of scripture. There are also "4U" sections that give a deeper explanation of different scriptures. These even sometimes show examples in modern history of this scripture in action for good or the effects of the violation of the scripture. I think this section helps children to see the absolute relevance of scripture to daily life.
I would like to give special thanks to the publisher for this free review copy. As a mother of 4 children ages 10, 8, 5 and 4 (and one due any day) I appreciate the opportunity to get my hands on material that will cause my children to be excited about opening the Word of God. This bible has opened the door to many discussions on different topics as the 4U sections and "Wh" questions cause them to ask more questions and discussions.
To see more great resources from this publisher please visit http://www.crossway.org/blog
Thanks again Crossway to you commitment to print quality resources for families!
I really liked this children's bible because it is set up like a study bible with extra information in it. It is designed for children between the ages of 8 and 12 years old. This is a great bible for those in-between years when children want a "big person's" bible but they still enjoy colored photos and extra neat stuff. I especially liked that this bible is separated into the sections of the bible. For instance 'The Books of Wisdom and Poetry' on this page it lists the books that would be included (Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon) then gives a brief overview of these books. This overview includes: Themes in these books, Two Paths of Life, Biblical Wisdom, Biblical Poetry, and style. The children are then introduced into a broad overview of this section giving them a deeper understanding of these books.
At the beginning of each book there is also an overview of that book. This overview points out key stories or themes of the book, the author, date, places, people, God's love, and God's special message. On this page is a time-line to give a visual reference point of the book. I think this is very helpful for children to be able to visually see as well as read the date of the scriptures. This allows for them to put into context what is going on at the time the book is written and what had happened prior to and after the book was written.
Another neat aspect of this bible is the "wh" questions that a sprinkled among the text. These questions of who, what, where, why, when offer children another opportunity to dig deeper into the meaning of God's word and develop a stronger understanding of scripture. There are also "4U" sections that give a deeper explanation of different scriptures. These even sometimes show examples in modern history of this scripture in action for good or the effects of the violation of the scripture. I think this section helps children to see the absolute relevance of scripture to daily life.
I would like to give special thanks to the publisher for this free review copy. As a mother of 4 children ages 10, 8, 5 and 4 (and one due any day) I appreciate the opportunity to get my hands on material that will cause my children to be excited about opening the Word of God. This bible has opened the door to many discussions on different topics as the 4U sections and "Wh" questions cause them to ask more questions and discussions.
To see more great resources from this publisher please visit http://www.crossway.org/blog
Thanks again Crossway to you commitment to print quality resources for families!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Summer of Promise, Amanda Cabot
Content with her life as a schoolmarm at Mrs. Drexel's school in Vermont Abigail had her life planned out - even the man she would marry. Life was secure, happy, stable and predictable. However, nagging her were her concerns for her older sister who's letters held a certain not of melancholy in the carefully worded letters she sent from Wyoming.
Urged by these feelings that something is terribly out of place with Charlotte Abigail makes a decision to spend the summer with her sister in Wyoming at Fort Laramie. Little did she know that when she stepped onto the stage coach headed out West that the perfectly layed plans she had for her life would slowly disappear for a new road that God had planned.
Abigail has a set time and purpose for being in the dreaded baron landscape of Wyoming. Her distaste of the West is apparent to a fellow stage coach member who finds this very amusing. To keep her focus Abigail constantly reminds herself of the beautiful state she left and the steady, reliable man that she plans to marry upon return. However, another man, an Army Lieutenant, makes an undeniable impression on her.
Upon arriving at her sister Charlotte's house Abigail finds her sister saying all the right words about happiness with none of it reflected in her eyes. Abigail is determined to fix this for her sister. However, this proves to lead to more than what Abigail thought.
This big-hearted, forgiving woman touches the lives of everyone at the fort before the story ends. Her spirit of forgiveness and extending God's love softens every heart and changes those around her. This gentleness is just what Ft. Laramie has needed.
In this beautifully written story of love and redemption and following God's plans the reader is invited into a world of adventure, love and forgiveness from past pain. I especially like that though this story does have a love story threaded through it that is not the most dominant point of the story. This makes the unfolding love story all the more believable and likable. The author spends much time with character development, looking at the heart and and thoughts of the characters instead of focusing on an outward love. So the love the reader sees developed is one that is based on a mutual journey into God's plans and and acceptance of His grace and forgiveness.
Thank you Revell for this review copy.
“Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
Urged by these feelings that something is terribly out of place with Charlotte Abigail makes a decision to spend the summer with her sister in Wyoming at Fort Laramie. Little did she know that when she stepped onto the stage coach headed out West that the perfectly layed plans she had for her life would slowly disappear for a new road that God had planned.
Abigail has a set time and purpose for being in the dreaded baron landscape of Wyoming. Her distaste of the West is apparent to a fellow stage coach member who finds this very amusing. To keep her focus Abigail constantly reminds herself of the beautiful state she left and the steady, reliable man that she plans to marry upon return. However, another man, an Army Lieutenant, makes an undeniable impression on her.
Upon arriving at her sister Charlotte's house Abigail finds her sister saying all the right words about happiness with none of it reflected in her eyes. Abigail is determined to fix this for her sister. However, this proves to lead to more than what Abigail thought.
This big-hearted, forgiving woman touches the lives of everyone at the fort before the story ends. Her spirit of forgiveness and extending God's love softens every heart and changes those around her. This gentleness is just what Ft. Laramie has needed.
In this beautifully written story of love and redemption and following God's plans the reader is invited into a world of adventure, love and forgiveness from past pain. I especially like that though this story does have a love story threaded through it that is not the most dominant point of the story. This makes the unfolding love story all the more believable and likable. The author spends much time with character development, looking at the heart and and thoughts of the characters instead of focusing on an outward love. So the love the reader sees developed is one that is based on a mutual journey into God's plans and and acceptance of His grace and forgiveness.
Thank you Revell for this review copy.
“Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Where Wildflowers Bloom, Ann Shorey
This is book one of a new series entitled 'Sisters at Heart' and seems to be a promising opener for this series. Ann Shorey has yet again created a story that is heartwarming and easy to read.
The Civil War has devastated a country - leaving families destroyed, homes lost, dreams shattered and lives forever altered. Towns are changed as young men, fathers and sons never come home and others that have lost everything and are seeking a new start stumble into towns looking for work. It seems that everyone is dealing with a grief of their own - trying desperately to make it all work out into something new.
The story is the same for Faith Lindberg who lost her father and brother to the brutal cruelty of war. In her small town she is constantly confronted with the memories that lurk on every street and around every corner. To add to this her fiance, Royal Baxter is presumed dead. All the dreams that Faith had held so dear prior to the outbreak of war and the onslaught of loss are shattered and she longs desperately for a new beginning.
Left with her ailing and aging grandfather, Faith looks to move west. The problem is how will she convince her grandfather to sell the family store and move with her. In the midst of all this comes an unlikely ally - a veteran of the war and his sister, a nurse. As Faith gets to know the two she becomes aware that what God has planned for her is not what she has planned. Add to this the unexpected return of her fiance and you have a mix of all kinds of emotions.
How far will Faith go to see her dream of leaving behind the small town with all the memories go - will she slow down and ask God what He would have her to do?
See the story unfold in the vivid imagery classic of Ann Shorey.
Thank you Revell for this review copy.
The Civil War has devastated a country - leaving families destroyed, homes lost, dreams shattered and lives forever altered. Towns are changed as young men, fathers and sons never come home and others that have lost everything and are seeking a new start stumble into towns looking for work. It seems that everyone is dealing with a grief of their own - trying desperately to make it all work out into something new.
The story is the same for Faith Lindberg who lost her father and brother to the brutal cruelty of war. In her small town she is constantly confronted with the memories that lurk on every street and around every corner. To add to this her fiance, Royal Baxter is presumed dead. All the dreams that Faith had held so dear prior to the outbreak of war and the onslaught of loss are shattered and she longs desperately for a new beginning.
Left with her ailing and aging grandfather, Faith looks to move west. The problem is how will she convince her grandfather to sell the family store and move with her. In the midst of all this comes an unlikely ally - a veteran of the war and his sister, a nurse. As Faith gets to know the two she becomes aware that what God has planned for her is not what she has planned. Add to this the unexpected return of her fiance and you have a mix of all kinds of emotions.
How far will Faith go to see her dream of leaving behind the small town with all the memories go - will she slow down and ask God what He would have her to do?
See the story unfold in the vivid imagery classic of Ann Shorey.
Thank you Revell for this review copy.
The Jerk Magnet, Melody Carlson
The ugly duckling turned swan, the wall flower turned center attraction. What if you could become something that you never were before? What if you discover first hand that beauty really is more than just skin deep - because you are the transformed one - the overlooked that becomes the looked upon? That is just what unfolds in this teenage drama.
Chelsea Martin has long been the one to fade into the background. She has managed high school by just blending into the crowd, where no one notices her. That is until her father decides to marry a woman that is both beautiful and fashionable. Kate, the soon to be step-mom sees herself in Chelsea. Wanting to connect with her step-daughter she offers to give Chelsea a make-over, and what better time than when they will be moving to a new state. Chelsea has the unique opportunity of truly starting over.
Little did she know how different her life would become when she changes her appearance just a little.
This novel brings about a very interesting topic that most girls will be able to easily relate to. The very question that most girls struggle with is inner beauty enough, and can you have outer beauty and still be just as beautiful on the inside?
Chelsea goes from being the one that people pity, avoid or overlook to the one that people flock to, drool over, and even envy and hate. She quickly learns that being beautiful on the outside isn't what it was cracked up to be when people don't even take the time to get to know who she is on the inside and being overlooked isn't great for the same reason. So, how do you find the balance - what is it that Christ has called you to do?
This is a great teen novel. Once again Carlson has done an excellent job of tackling the subject of self-esteem and the struggle of becoming who you were always meant to be.
Thank you Revell for this review copy.
Chelsea Martin has long been the one to fade into the background. She has managed high school by just blending into the crowd, where no one notices her. That is until her father decides to marry a woman that is both beautiful and fashionable. Kate, the soon to be step-mom sees herself in Chelsea. Wanting to connect with her step-daughter she offers to give Chelsea a make-over, and what better time than when they will be moving to a new state. Chelsea has the unique opportunity of truly starting over.
Little did she know how different her life would become when she changes her appearance just a little.
This novel brings about a very interesting topic that most girls will be able to easily relate to. The very question that most girls struggle with is inner beauty enough, and can you have outer beauty and still be just as beautiful on the inside?
Chelsea goes from being the one that people pity, avoid or overlook to the one that people flock to, drool over, and even envy and hate. She quickly learns that being beautiful on the outside isn't what it was cracked up to be when people don't even take the time to get to know who she is on the inside and being overlooked isn't great for the same reason. So, how do you find the balance - what is it that Christ has called you to do?
This is a great teen novel. Once again Carlson has done an excellent job of tackling the subject of self-esteem and the struggle of becoming who you were always meant to be.
Thank you Revell for this review copy.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Chasing Mona Lisa, Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey
This fast paced novel is set at the close of World War II in German occupied France just as France gains it's freedom. Four people are racing to save the beloved French artwork - the Mona Lisa while German Reichmarschall Hermann Goring sets out to claim it for himself.
From the first page the action and intrigue is non-stop. I was surprised at the depth of the characters since there were so many in the novel. Just as the reader thinks they have it all figured out - and have chosen the character they want to see win - things change. As it is in war time there are so many dynamics that the reader is torn between loyalty for certain characters and the greater cause.
What is it about this mysterious lady that makes her the most sought after piece of art - she truly is the most wanted lady in the world? Yet as each character takes their first look at this beloved piece of art they are captivated by her smile and poise.
I am forever amazed at the this particular period of history. Those living in this time were forced to make choices that I would never want be forced to make. Loyalty is constantly tested as black and white shifts to a hazy color of grey. Which side is the right side to belong to - and how should one serve to benefit the whole?
In this story you are invited into an exciting, life altering race that will forever change the lives of four individuals.
From the first page the action and intrigue is non-stop. I was surprised at the depth of the characters since there were so many in the novel. Just as the reader thinks they have it all figured out - and have chosen the character they want to see win - things change. As it is in war time there are so many dynamics that the reader is torn between loyalty for certain characters and the greater cause.
What is it about this mysterious lady that makes her the most sought after piece of art - she truly is the most wanted lady in the world? Yet as each character takes their first look at this beloved piece of art they are captivated by her smile and poise.
I am forever amazed at the this particular period of history. Those living in this time were forced to make choices that I would never want be forced to make. Loyalty is constantly tested as black and white shifts to a hazy color of grey. Which side is the right side to belong to - and how should one serve to benefit the whole?
In this story you are invited into an exciting, life altering race that will forever change the lives of four individuals.
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