THE SERENITY GATE

The Food Lover's Guide To Wine

2011-12-22T19:35:00.000-08:00

Author: Karen Page
Andrew Dornenburg
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company;
1 edition (November 3, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316045136

Book Description:

A wine book unlike any other, THE FOOD LOVER'S GUIDE TO WINE offers a fresh perspective via the single aspect of wine most compelling to food lovers: flavor.

At the heart of this indispensable reference, formatted like the authors' two previous bestsellers The Flavor Bible and What to Drink with What You Eat, is an encyclopedic A-to-Z guide profiling hundreds of different wines by their essential characteristics-from body and intensity to distinguishing flavors, from suggested serving temperatures and ideal food pairings to recommended producers (including many iconic examples). The book provides illuminating insights from dozens of America's best sommeliers via informative sidebars, charts and boxes, which complement the book's gorgeous four-color photography. Another groundbreaking work from two of the ultimate culinary insiders, this instant classic is the perfect gift book.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Twitter

2011-12-22T09:31:00.000-08:00

I am now on Twitter. Please follow: TruthInAll

Nearing Home by Billy Graham

2011-11-09T08:28:00.000-08:00

Author: Billy Graham
Hardcover: 192 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 18, 2011)

Language: English
ISBN-10: 0849948320

My thoughts:

I received my book, Nearing Home; Life, Faith, and Finishing Well by Billy Graham a few days ago and I have been absolutely absorbed by this great man's testimony, and depth of spiritual wisdom. Rev. Graham has lived on a higher plain than most of us and imparts, in his new and possibly his last book, what he has learned and witnessed over a 92+ year life-span.

As always, Rev. Graham tells the story with vast Biblical knowledge, grace, integrity, and beautiful simplicity. The book is filled with wisdom from this spiritual giant of a man, the most celebrated and followed minister of our time. His complete love and devotion to his Lord, Jesus Christ, and his family are totally evident as he remembers life-events and gives simple, loving advice to the reader. Since I am a grandmother, I especially liked the emphasis he puts on the role of a grandparent.

I am so glad I got the chance to read Billy Graham's story and would recommend it to readers of any age. I will pass my copy on in hopes that it will inspire someone else as much as it did me. May God bless this wonderful man who many of us have followed for most of our life...a living example of a true Christian disciple. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publisher for my free review copy.

Heaven Is For Real

2011-11-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

Author: Todd Burpo
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson;
Reprint edition (November 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0849948363

My thoughts:

I first bought the CD version of Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo, so I could listen while I drove in my car. After listening to it, I agreed to do a review of the hardcover edition. Young Colton’s story is so real and so innocent that one cannot help but be inspired by it. It is about his experience in Heaven and seeing people and things he could not possibly have known unless he was actually there. The book is certainly Biblical and told with simplicity and heartfelt sincerity.

Four year old Colton Burpo is very near death when he has his Heavenly experience with Jesus and sits on the knee of Jesus while they talk. When he doesn’t die, he starts to tell his family about the things he has witnessed and the dead family members that he met while on his exceptional journey. How could he know such things if he had not seen them? His parents were amazed as Colton’s story began to unfold, little by little, through the innocence of a child’s eyes and speech.

The book is well-written, believable, and inspiring. I am so glad to know Colton’s story. It was a real blessing to me. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers for my free hardcover review copy.

Easy Entertaining at Home by Sandra Lee

2011-11-04T21:52:00.000-07:00

Author: Sandra Lee

Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Hyperion
(November 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 140131080X

Cookbook Description:

Television and cookbook star Sandra Lee offers her best ever at-home entertaining book, full of fabulous recipes and ideas for making year-round gatherings fun and simple. This month-to-month go-to guide features fast favorite cocktails and canapés for everyday entertaining, and every holiday and special occasion. In this book you will find your favorite libations and scrumptious appetizers, as well as tips for hosting a successful get-together.

In Easy Entertaining at Home, Sandra Lee has created the perfect party primer and resource for the modern, busy homemaking host. The recipes include a long list of margaritas, martinis, sangrias, punches, coladas, and cosmopolitans--all your favorites are here.

You'll also find savory and sweet recipes for party foods such as deviled eggs, steak skewers, sliders, jalapeno poppers, cakes, and cupcakes sure to please. Cocktails and canapés guaranteed to make stress-free at-home entertaining fast, fun, and fabulous.

Thank you to Hyperion for my free review copy.

THE RUNNER'S DEVOTIONAL

2011-11-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
(August 17, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414348126

Book Description:

Find inspiration and meaning while excelling at the sport of running!

Ever wonder if your running has a purpose and how it connects to your relationship with God? The Runner’s Devotional will inspire you in your faith while encouraging you to excel at the sport you love! This book is for runners of all levels—casual and avid, competitive and recreational—who want to improve their running skills, attain personal running goals, and grow in their faith.

The Runner’s Devotional features:

Weekly devotional readings to keep you motivated and inspired

Personal stories of faith, challenge, and victory

Scripture explanation to help you apply the Bible to running and your life

Health and fitness tips

Weekly runner’s logs

Race training schedules for 5k, 10k, half marathon, and marathon

Journaling pages

(thank you to Tyndale for my review copy.)

MY SO-CALLED LIFE AS A PROVERBS 31 WIFE

2011-11-01T08:51:00.000-07:00

Author: Sara Horn
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(September 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736939415

Book Description:

Author Sara Horn always admired the Proverbs 31 wife, but when she became a busy writer and mother, she deemed this model to be dated and impossible. Or is it? Join Sara as she heads into a one-year domestic experiment and offers full access to see if this biblical model can be embraced by a modern woman—even one who can’t sew.

With humility and humor, Sara sets out to pursue the Proverbs 31 characteristics through immersing herself in all things domestic, but when her family's situation changes and she must return to a full-time job, she's forced to look at the Proverbs 31 woman with a whole new viewpoint. Through it all, she and readers discover:

what it means to be a godly woman and a wife

how investing in family and faith refines priorities as a spouse and a parent

how mistakes are opportunities for growth

This thought-provoking, surprising, and entertaining personal account will inspire women to try their own experiments in living out God’s purpose for their lives.

Thank you to Harvest House for my review copy.

A Home for Christmas by Deborah Grace Stanley

2011-10-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

Author: Deborah Grace Stanley
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
(November 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982175671

Book Description:

A HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is a feel-good community tale in the best tradition of storytellers like Debbie Macomber. Romance Junkies Dr. Janice Thornton has been lonely for too long, especially at Christmas. But Angel Ridge, Tennessee, the one place that holds the key to what family should be, is offering her a chance at a new life. Could she find happiness by taking over her uncle's small town practice? Local contractor and carpenter Blake Ferguson comes from a big family. He'd like to fill his rambling old Victorian with one of his own. But there's one problem. He needs a wife! When Janice shows up at his house, Blake sets a course to win her, but soon finds she's built a wall around her heart this master carpenter finds difficult to dismantle. Can the magic of an Angel Ridge Christmas bring hearts home or will old hurts create an obstacle even the town's legendary angels can't overcome?

Thank you to BelleBooks for my review copy.

Only You by Deborah Grace Staley

2011-10-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

Author: Deborah Grace Staley
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
(May 8, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982175639

Book Description:

A charming romance about the lives and loves of people in a small Tennessee town. In the tradition of Debbie Macomber. "Hey, ya'll. Dixie Ferguson here. I run Ferguson's Diner in Angel Ridge, Tennessee. Population three hundred forty-five. It's a picturesque town in the valley of the Little Tennessee River, established in 1785. In the early days, its first families--the McKays, the Wallaces, the Houstons, the Joneses, and, of course, the Craigs--staked their claims on hundreds of acres of the richest bottom land anyone had ever seen. After all the years I've spent behind the counter at Ferguson's, I could probably tell ya'll a story about near everyone in town. But we only have so much time, so I'll narrow it down to just two for now. This is a story about coming home. It's also a story about acceptin' folks for who they are. You could say it's a story about Josie Allen, a librarian, and Cole Craig, a handyman, but I say it's a story about finding love where you'd least expect to."

Thank you to BelleBooks for my review copy.

What The Heart Wants by Deborah Grace Staley

2011-10-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

Author: Deborah Grace Staley
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
(August 9, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1935661973

Book Description:

Candi Heart is layers of mystery in a very appealing package. A lethal combination for Sheriff Grady Wallace. With a nickname like "Candi Heart" and a plan to open a frilly lingerie and perfume shop called Heart's Desire, Lark Hensley knows she may raise some eyebrows by moving to quiet little Angel Ridge, Tennessee. She hopes no one remembers that the women in her family were once accused of being seductive witches by townsfolk, and that decades ago her moonshiner grandpa committed a deadly crime. Lark has questions she can't answer and secrets she doesn't want to share, especially with Angel Ridge Sheriff Grady Wallace, even if Grady is hard to resist. Grady falls hard and quick for the new mystery woman in town, though he's determined to find out what she's hiding. Angel Ridge's one-woman Welcome Committee, Dixie Ferguson, has taken a liking to Candi Heart, and Dixie's instincts about newcomers are rarely wrong. But maybe not this time . . . Grady never intended to follow the Wallace family tradition of lawmen, but when his father died young, rebellious Grady grew quickly into the role of staunch town defender. Candi Heart may not have meant to bring trouble to his town, but she has. Someone does remember her family. That someone wants her to leave . . . or to die. An unknown driver tries to run her down. Her shop is broken into. Rumors begin to swirl. Suddenly Grady is caught between his duty and his heart's desire for Candi Heart. Deborah Grace Staley has written three books in the Angel Ridge series and is hard at work on a fourth.

Thank you to BelleBooks for my review copy.)

UNSAID by Neil Abramson

2011-10-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

Author: Neil Abramson
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Center Street
Import edition (August 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1599954109

Book Description:

As a veterinarian, Helena had mercifully escorted thousands of animals to the other side. Now, having died herself, she finds that it is not so easy to move on. She is terrified that her 37 years of life were meaningless, error-ridden, and forgettable. So Helena haunts-- and is haunted by-- the life she left behind. Meanwhile, David, her shattered attorney husband, struggles with grief and the demands of caring for her houseful of damaged and beloved animals. But it is her absence from her last project, Cindy-- a chimpanzee who may unlock the mystery of communication and consciousness-- that will have the greatest impact on all of them.

When Cindy is scheduled for a research experiment that will undoubtedly take her life, David must call upon everything he has learned from Helena to save her. In the explosive courtroom drama that follows, all the threads of Helena's life entwine and tear as Helena and David confront their mistakes, grief, and loss, and discover the only way to save Cindy is to understand what it really means to be human.

My thoughts:

If you like a book that moves right along, is well-written, and will make you cry, then UNSAID is for you. I loved it!!!

Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.

HELP! FOR WRITERS by Roy Fetter Clark

2011-10-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

Author: Roy Fetter Clark
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company;
1 edition (September 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316126713

Book Description:

The craft of writing offers countless potential problems: The story is too long; the story's too short; revising presents a huge hurdle; writer's block is rearing its ugly head.

In HELP! FOR WRITERS, Roy Peter Clark presents an "owner's manual" for writers, outlining the seven steps of the writing process, and addressing the 21 most urgent problems that writers face. In his trademark engaging and entertaining style, Clark offers ten short solutions to each problem. Out of ideas? Read posters, billboards, and graffiti. Can't bear to edit yourself? Watch the deleted scenes feature of a DVD, and ask yourself why those scenes were left on the cutting-room floor. HELP! FOR WRITERS offers 210 strategies to guide writers to success.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my free review copy.)

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

2011-10-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

Author: Nicholas Sparks
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing;
Reprint edition (August 2, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446547603

Book Description:

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my free review copy.)

The One Who Waits For Me by Lori Copeland

2011-10-19T09:28:00.000-07:00

Author: Lori Copeland

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(August 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736930183

Book Description:

Bestselling author Lori Copeland (Walker’s Wedding and Outlaw’s Bride) sets her brand-new story in North Carolina the months after the Civil War. In the midst of chaos, there is also a sense of possibility and the hope of love when:

Sisters Beth and Joanie run from a vindictive uncle toward healing

Trella, a pregnant young slave, leaves a plantation for freedom

Gray Eagle, a Cherokee military scout, finds refuge for the young women

Captain Pierce, a quiet man of faith, heads for a plot of land and a new life

Samuel, a black soldier, longs to follow his father’s preaching legacy

The intersecting lives and tales of these engaging characters and those they meet along the way create an uplifting story of tested faith, growing seeds of love, and the challenge and gift of believing God’s promise of a future.

My thoughts:
Lori Copeland has written a good, clean, fun read with The One Who Waits For Me. I can't say that it is on par with Gone With The Wind, but it is an entertaining Civil War/old South novel. It is a spiritual adventure book which reminds us that God has a plan for our lives--a plan that we may not see at the moment.

(That you to Harvest House for my free review copy.)

Money Saving Meals & Round 2 Recipes by Sandra Lee

2011-10-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Author: Sandra Lee
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Hyperion
(October 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1401310818

Book Description:

In Money Saving Meals and Round 2 Recipes, Sandra Lee helps readers save more money than ever before one meal at a time, as she does in her highly popular Food Network show.

These dishes are easy, quick-scratch style, and include dishes such as Slow Cooker Short Ribs, Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Salsa, Chicken Tacos with Cucumber Salsa, Beanless Beef Chili, S'mores Pudding Parfait, and much more.

Each recipe combination offers money-saving pricing and total savings for delicious healthful, quick, easy meals so that readers see what they save with every dish. The savings, and your repertoire of tasty, effortless meals, quickly add up on cooking. In these budget-conscious times, Sandra's Money Saving Meals truly hits home, offering "the maximum joy with the minimum kitchen and grocery shopping stress."

My thoughts:

Love this new cookbook! I have other of Sandra Lee's previous books, and I often watch her show. I have long been a fan. I have used many of her recipes and find them generally simple to make, budget-conscious, and delicious.

After I received Money Saving Meals & Round2 Recipes a few days ago, I spent a couple of hours pouring over the recipes and photographs. I marked many of the 149 that I wish to try right away, like: Zucchini Cakes; Asparagus and Tomato Tart (using a frozen store bought pie shell); Blueberry Scones with Lemon Glaze. My husband and I like veggies, so the Asparagus dish is one that will make a nice meal for two people, with leftovers.

As a reviewer and cookbook collector, I try to look at the cookbook from a buyer's perspective. What would I find if I opened it physically in the bookstore or library. What type of recipes would I find; who is the cookbook directed toward; are there nice photos; are there charts, etc.; what are some unique aspects of the cookbook. As an experienced cook and having won my share of awards, I feel that I am able to judge whether the book is worth buying and I try to impart this to the reader.

In my opinion, this is a very nice cookbook with lots of color photos, and which offers tips on how to be a smart shopper and coupon user. The recipes also appear to be simple to recreate, as most of Sandra Lee's have been in the past. If you are looking for a cookbook that offers quick, but unique and tasty meals, this is one that I recommend.

(Thank you to Hyperion for my review copy.)

Living Beyond Your Feelings

2011-10-17T14:40:00.000-07:00

Author: Joyce Meyer
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: FaithWords
(September 6, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446538523

Book Description:

The average person has 70,000 thoughts every day, and many of those thoughts trigger a corresponding emotion. No wonder so many of us often feel like we're controlled by our emotions. Our lives would be much improved is we controlled them.

In LIVING BEYOND YOUR FEELINGS, Joyce Meyer examines the gamut of feelings that human beings experience. She discusses the way that the brain processes and stores memories and thoughts, and then - emotion by emotion - she explains how we can manage our reactions to those emotions. By doing that, she gives the reader a toolbox for managing the way we react to the onslaught of feelings that can wreak havoc on our lives.

In this book, Meyer blends the wisdom of the Bible with the latest psychological research and discusses: the 4 personality types and their influence on one's outlook, the impact of stress on physical and emotional health, the power of memories, the influence of words on emotions, anger & resentment, sadness, loss & grief, fear, guilt & regret, the power of replacing reactions with pro-actions, and the benefits of happiness.

My thoughts:

How many times each day do we ladies get our feelings hurt or respond in some hurtful way to family, friends, or co-workers? If you are like me, it is difficult, at times, to control emotions and live in a God-centered way. Joyce Meyers is someone we can count on to set us on the right course so that we can live the life of joy that God has designed for us. In her new book, Living Beyond Your Feelings, Ms. Meyers offers us tools for our Christian journey. She explains the basic personality types, old memories, stress, fear, etc, and how those things play into our everyday experience and relationships. Finally, we can learn to control our emotions and live in peace with those around us. This is another home-run book by Joyce Meyers!

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my free review copy.)

How To Defeat Harmful Habits

2011-10-17T14:17:00.000-07:00

Author: June Hunt
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(October 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736923292

Book Description:

Respected Christian counselor and founder of Hope for the Heart ministries June Hunt knows that countless lives are impacted and detoured by addictions. People are desperate for answers. They are hungry for hope.

In this insightful book, June provides compassionate biblical guidance to help readers recognize addictive impulses and habits, set boundaries, seek help, and trust the power of Christ and God’s Word to release them from the hold of addictions including:
overeating
alcohol and drug abuse
sexual addiction
codependency
anorexia and bulimia and more

For those struggling with addiction or watching a loved one caught in its destructive cycles, this is an encouraging resource of lasting answers and a path to healing God’s way.

My thoughts:

This would be a very helpful book for any Christian pastor, or councilor. The information is written in simple to understand terminology and based on Christian principles. It contains over 400 pages of excellent advice on common addictions, from anorexia to gambling addiction. It is also filled with question and answer sections and inspiring scriptures.

(Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for my free review copy.)

Why Men Hate Going to Church

2011-10-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

Author: David Murrow
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishing

My thoughts:

Why is it when we look around us in many churches, we see women, children, and elderly persons, for the most part? Since I have wondered this, myself, many times, it is good to see someone make an attempt at answering the puzzle. David Murrow in “Why Men Hate Going to Church” asks this important question, “What is it about modern Christianity that is driving men away?" What is it that men need from their church leaders and the church environment? What are the outreach methods that pastors, perhaps, are missing? While many churches are going strong and are filled with fathers and husband, sons and brothers, in many churches seats go unfilled by the men of a community. “Why Men Hate Going to Church” contains chapters like: Who Are the Missing Men; Men and Contemporary Worship; Twelve Things Men Fear About Church; How Churches Feminize Over Time; How Churches Drive Boys Away From the Faith; Why Megachurches Are Mega; Teaching and Men; What About Women; How Men Minister to Others; and many more interesting chapters. This is an important book for anyone who would minister to men, especially. I highly recommend it as food for thought. (Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for my free review copy.)

The Lament (Selected Poems and Prose_

2011-10-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

Author: Ercell H. Hoffman
Paperback: 118 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press
(June 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1432743465

Book Description:

The Lament captures the full range of emotion that whirl around human relationships. Here are dozens of poems examining the profound joy of those deeply in love, the incredible longing of the separated partner, the intense loneliness of modern working life, and - above all - the indisputable necessity of connecting with people around us. Poet Ercell H. Hoffman casts a penetrating gaze on our everyday emotions, revealing our extraordinary capacity for feeling, empathy, and love.

In "Lost to the Moment," the speaker relishes the irreplaceable first blush of fledgling love that sweeps through her body "like a cool summer breeze." "This Afternoon" explores the painful possibilities of a love that might have been - that "I knew could not blossom." "Stay Heart Stay" is about the undying fire for another that refuses to be extinguished despite considerable hurdles. Meanwhile, other poems examine relationships in the contemporary workplace, revealing a deeply unsatisfying existence: "The Factory" looks at the peculiarly disconnected relationships among underappreciated factory workers, while "On the JOB" tackles the boredom of a career that's anything but busy.

Chock full of penetrating insights into the heart, The Lament is about our most basic needs: finding and keeping love and obeying your inner truth.

My thoughts:

I tend to approach books of poetry with a bit of trepidation, knowing that the poet's soul lies bare within the pages of their collections. I wasn't sure what I would find in The Lament or how I would write a positive review if I didn't enjoy or relate to the work. But I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised with this author. The Lament (Selected Poems and Prose) is insightful; beautiful and emotional; intense yet humble. Ercell H. Hoffman understands the human condition and is able to put into words the feelings most of us are unable to articulate. I especially liked The Birth of a Poem. I will proudly keep this volume alongside more prominent poets. If you enjoy poetry, I highly recommend The Lament. 5 stars*****

(Many thanks goes to the author for my free review copy.)

Rumor Has It

2011-10-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

Author: Jill Mansell
Paperback: 416 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
(May 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402237502

Book Description:

Would you be tempted?

Newly single, Tilly Cole impulsively accepts a job offer in a small town as a "Girl Friday." Fun job, country house, fresh start, why not? But soon she finds herself in a hotbed of gossip, intrigue, and rampant rivalry for the town's most desirable bachelor-Jack Lucas.

Rumors of Jack's "love 'em and leave 'em" escapes abound, and Tilly decides to do the mature, sensible thing... avoid Jack at all cost. But the more time Tilly spends with Jack, the more the rumors just don't make sense. Tilly doesn't know what to believe... and Jack's not telling.

(thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for my free review copy.)

Miranda's Big Mistake

2011-10-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

Author: Jill Mansell
Paperback: 496 pages

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
(June 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 140221832X

Book Description:

Miranda's track record with men is horrible.

Her most recent catastrophe is Greg. He seems perfect—gorgeous, witty, exciting. And he and Miranda are in love… until Miranda discovers he left his wife when he found out she was pregnant.

With the help of her friends, Miranda plans the sweetest and most public revenge a heartbroken girl can get. But will Miranda learn from her mistake, or move on to the next "perfect" man and ignore the love of her life waiting in the wings…

Even the worst mistake of your life can lead to true love in the end…

(thank you to SourceBooks Landmark for my free review copy.)

Cyber Meltdown

2011-10-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

Author: Ron Rhodes
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(August 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736944176

Book Description:

Respected Bible scholar Ron Rhodes, author of The Coming Oil Storm, addresses another timely issue with integrity in this exploration of how over-dependence on technology puts the nation at risk for cyberattacks and sets the stage for the end times.

With up-to-date information, Rhodes prepares readers for the possibility of technology-based warfare and helps them view it in a biblical context as he addresses the following hot topics:

what Christians need to know about cybercontrol and the Antichrist

what technology and security experts have to say about the risks

the validity of the threat of cyberterrorism

what a cyberattack against the U.S. would look like

the possible role of cyberattacks in end-time wars

Both captivating and helpful, this compelling resource provides the truth behind the technology and its likely role in God’s plan for the future.

My thoughts:

This is a terrific read for those who are following Bible prophecy and the end-times. It covers end-times wars and the dangers in modern technologies. For anyone who has ever wondered how computer viruses spread or how terrorists can use cyberspace against the USA and our countries, this important book gives us the answers. Christians are warned in Holy Scripture to watch the signs of the times and to use them as a way of recognizing the end days. Cyber Meltdown will certainly open the eyes of the reader. There is not a lot serenity in this book, though, so be aware that it may be upsetting to sensitive readers. Highly recommend. Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy.

Keys to the Castle

2011-10-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

Author: Donna Ball
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade
(January 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425239306

Book Description:

The author of the Ladybug Farm series delivers an exhilarating new novel of a middle-aged woman who follows her heart to love and happiness.

When a dashing French poet swept forty-something workaholic Sara Graves off her feet, she did something completely unexpected: She married him. Then three weeks later he died, leaving her a house she can't afford to keep in a country she's never been to. Traveling to France to settle the estate, Sara is shocked to discover that her husband wasn't the impoverished poet he claimed to be- and that the estate he left her is a 400-year-old crumbling castle in the Loire Valley. Now Sara must sell Chateau Rondelais before it (not to mention her late husband's disarmingly handsome lawyer and best friend) makes her question her decision to leave-and opens her heart to change and all its unexpected possibilities.

My thoughts:

Sara Graves has fallen in love with and married a man that she knows very little about, other than he is a handsome French poet. Shortly after the marriage he dies and leaves her with the responsibility of settling his estate in France. Upon arriving in France, where the laws and customs are foreign to Sara, she finds that her deceased husband was the owner of a castle which she must sell. This story is about lost love, finding a new romance, and an unexpected mid-life decision.

Like other Donna Ball novels, this one is well-written, delightful with unexpected twists and turns, and moves along swiftly. Ms. Ball has become one of my favorite authors! Thank you goes to her for my review copy. 5 stars*****

Night Night Blessings

2011-10-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

Author: Amy Parker
Illustrator: Marijan Ramljak
Reading level: Baby-Preschool
Board book: 20 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Brdbk edition
(October 11, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1400318254

My thoughts:

Night Night Blessings by Amy Parker, illustrated by Marijan Ramljak, is a delightful and colorful board book for little ones to have read to them as they go to sleep at night. It helps children realize and understand that God has provided blessing for them throughout their day; that God is loving, giving, and personal, caring about his children. It teaches them at an early age to look for and appreciate the wonderful things they freely receive, that the important things are the free gifts from their Creator. It is a book of gratitude above all else. What a pleasant way for little ones to go to sleep at night! The child in Night Night Blessings thanks God for various blessings like the food we eat; the games we play and the fun we have; our pets and how much they love us; favorite toys; home and family; little things like a bubble bath; daddy’s prayers and mommy’s kisses; and the beautiful world God has made and His love for us. It is written in rhyme and the illustrations are very sweet. The popular children’s book Night Night Prayer was also written by this author. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers for my review copy.

Every Day A Friday (How To Be Happier 7 Days A Week)

2011-09-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

Author: Joel Osteen
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: FaithWords (September 13, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0892969911

Book Description:

The title comes from research that shows people are happiest on Fridays. Pastor Joel Osteen writes how we can generate this level of contentment and joy every day of the week.

Known as a man who maintains a constant positive outlook in spite of circumstances, Osteen has described this message as a core theme of his ministry. Combining his personal experiences with scriptural insights and principles for true happiness, he shows readers how every day can hold the same promise and opportunities for pure joy that they experience at five o'clock on Friday.

My Thoughts:

When I started reviewing Every Day A Friday, it was my intention to read it all the way through like any other book, but once I read a page or two I decided to use it as a devotional. I would read a chapter or so each day. I got so excited about the universal truth of it that every morning after my reading I would post something about it on my FaceBook status! I couldn't help shouting about what a wonderful life this is. Joel Osteen just brings that out of the reader. I couldn't help it.

If you are looking for something uplifting, this is it! I could almost hear Joel's voice while I read his words. I could hear his laughter and imagine his bubbly personality. His message of positive thinking is infectious. The book is all about setting your mind on happiness and not letting negative people and feelings take over. It's about laughing at life, celebrating yourself, and living as Christ intended. I HIGHLY recommend it!!

(Thank you goes to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Right From The Heart: Turning Your Day Toward God Devotional

2011-09-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

Author: Bryant Wright
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Gift edition (August 9, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1404190023

My thoughts:

Right From the Heart is a devotional book written for busy people who have limited time to devote to daily reading of the Scriptures, etc. It can be read in small inspirational doses and would be appreciated by both men and women alike. It helps the reader focus on the word of God and how it applies to life today. It is brief and each devotional can easily be read in a matter of 5 minutes or so. It is perfect for reading before going to sleep or in the morning hours before starting the day. Right From the Heart inspires us to live a life for Christ and to follow his example.

Right From the Heart is beautifully bound and would make a lovely gift for anyone, especially someone who is going through a rough time at the moment. After perusing my review copy, I gave it to my husband who is going through a difficult period. He tells me that he has enjoyed it very much and reads it daily.

I absolutely believe that Right From the Heart can possibly be a life changer for the person who is struggling with their health, faith, or any difficult life situation. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for my review copy.

Burnt Mountain

2011-09-01T15:01:00.000-07:00

Author: Anne Rivers Siddons
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
(July 19, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446566950

Book Description:

From one of our most acclaimed writers comes this dramatic tale of a well-born Southern woman whose life is forever changed by the betrayal of her mother and by the man she loves

Growing up, the only place tomboy Thayer Wentworth felt at home was at her summer camp - Camp Sherwood Forest in the North Carolina Mountains. It was there that she came alive and where she met Nick Abrams, her first love...and first heartbreak.

Years later, Thayer marries Aengus, a Irish professor, and they move into her deceased grandmother's house in Atlanta, only miles from Camp Edgewood on Burnt Mountain where her father died years ago in a car accident. There, Aengus and Thayer lead quiet and happy lives until Aengus is invited up to the camp to tell old Irish tales to the campers. As Aengus spends less time at home and becomes more distant, Thayer must confront dark secrets-about her mother, her first love, and, most devastating of all, her husband.

My thoughts:

Thayer Wentworth, beautiful, independent, mischievous, and talented has always felt like the black sheep of the family. After her father's death, the only person she is truly close to is her grandmother, until she meets Nick Abrams, a love she will never truly forget. After Thayer and Nick's break-up, Thayer meets the eccentric Aengus, a professor of Irish lore, marries him and moves into her late grandmother's lavish home. Is Aengus the man Thayer is hoping for?

This is the story of an undying love and the tragic betrayal by one's own flesh and blood. It has elements of the supernatural and is a feast of lyrical pleasure. From beginning to end, the tale is told with elegance and power by an author who knows how to pull us in and make us feel as if we are a part of Thayer's story. I'm giving it 5 stars*****

Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.

Exposure / Review

2011-08-10T14:34:00.000-07:00

Author: Donna Ball
Paperback: 408 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (June 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1463618166

Book Description:
Have you ever done anything you’re ashamed of? For popular talk show host Jessamine Cray, it started as just another piece of slightly weird fan mail: a single typed line on an unsigned sheet of paper that reads: Have you ever done anything you’re ashamed of? No one takes it as a threat until the second communication comes, and then the third… a blood-stained prom dress, a disfigured photograph from a high school year book, copies of private papers to which no one but Jess should have had access. Every celebrity’s worst nightmare has come true for Jessamine Cray: she is being stalked, and shame is her terrorist’s secret weapon. Old friends, former lovers, guests on her talk show, colleagues and family members… no one is safe from suspicion, and everyone has a motive—even Jess herself. As the police investigation turns its spotlight on Jess herself and uncovers her most deeply buried secrets, Jess can only watch in helpless horror as her tormentor’s diabolical plan unfolds. First he will shatter her trust, then he will shake her peace of mind … and then he will come for her. And by the time she sees him coming, it will be too late.

My thoughts:

Jessamine Cray, a popular talk show host, is receiving weird notes from an unknown stalker. His question: "Have you ever done anything you are ashamed of?" As she tries to dismiss the person as just another creep, Jess receives a prom dress stained with what appears to be blood. Then when she finds herself trapped in a dark stairwell with someone who obviously is out to get her, she realizes that some people are more than just talk. What connection does the dress have with her? Does this person know her personally? Who are they? How much do they know about her life history? Is she in serious danger? EXPOSURE hits the ground running, keeps moving, and ends strong. Donna Ball's novel is brilliant; it made my heart race; I could feel the fear. The entire book is very well written and kept me on the edge of my seat! I highly recommend it. Thank you to the author for my review copy. And congratulations Ms. Ball on a job well done!!

The Power of a Praying Wife Devotional

2011-08-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

Author: Stormie Omartian
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Deluxe edition (September 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736927573

Book Description:

New from bestselling author Stormie Omartian in a beautiful padded hardcover edition is a book close to her own heart—The Power of a Praying® Wife Devotional Deluxe Edition. Following up on the insights and prayers of The Power of a Praying® Wife (more than 3.5 million books sold) 100 brand-new devotions, prayers, and supporting Scriptures offer a praying wife fresh ways to pray for her husband, herself, and her marriage.

These easy-to-read devotions will increase any wife’s understanding, strength, and peace, as well as provide her with perspective on the situations and challenges she faces. And each prayer will help both husbands and wives be more attuned to the Holy Spirit so they can do what’s right without allowing negative emotions or unclear thinking to get in the way.

My thoughts:

How many problems in marriage could be diverted if wives (and husbands) prayed daily for their relationship? In The Power of a Praying Wife Devotional, the reader is led on a daily spiritual journey through insightful thoughts, scriptures, and prayers. Ms. Omartian shares what the Lord has shown her through her own asking for guidance in her marriage. As with her other writings, this one shows a deep understanding of Godly principles.

Chapters include: When I Have To Confess Something to My Husband; When He Needs to Understand the Power of His Own Words; When We Want Freedom From Depression; When I Find It Difficult to Trust Him; and dozens of other topics we ladies all face from time to time. This POWERFUL book is a must read for women!! It just may change a life/marriage. Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

2011-08-06T10:45:00.000-07:00

I'm giving away one brand new copy of ONE SUMMER by David Baldacci. To enter the contest, go to my book community on Facebook. Search: Books, so many books. Join and leave a comment or if you are a current member leave a comment. Hope to see you there!

The New Comfort Food Cookbook

2011-08-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

Edited by: James Oseland
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 20, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0811878015

Book Description:

From the pages of Saveur magazine, one of the world's premier food publications, comes a celebration of the enormous range of regional American and international dishes that have shaped the classic comfort foods of today. A steaming bowl of udon noodles, a bubbling serving of macaroni and cheese, a hearty helping of huevos rancheros, a perfectly browned grilled cheese sandwichthese are just some of the 100 mouthwatering recipes in this extraordinary volume that highlights the pleasures of comfort food in all its diversity. Brimming with more than 200 stunning photographs and memorable sidebars that present the people, ingredients, and techniques involved in the recipes, Saveur The New Comfort Food is an unforgettable journey behind the scenes of our favorite heartwarming dishes

My thoughts:

As a reviewer, I try to look at the cookbook from a buyer's perspective. What would I find if I opened it physically in the bookstore or library. What type of recipes would I find; who is the cookbook directed toward; are there nice photos; are there charts, etc.; what are some unique aspects of the cookbook. As an experienced cook and having won numerous awards, I feel that I am able to judge whether the book is worth buying and I try to impart this to the reader.

The New Comfort Food is definitely a beautiful 5 star, gift quality creation. I am amazed at the many full-page color photos and the simple but impressive recipes. It is a cookbook that could easily go on your coffee table as well as in your kitchen. As I mentioned, the recipes are not too complicated and look delicious. Recipes include: Spring Rolls with Chile-Garlic Sauce; Golden Potato Latkes; Mushroom and Herb Crostini; Herbed Tomato Tart; Creamy Corn Chowder; German Split Pea Soup; Fettuccine Alfredo; Vegetarian Lasagne; Grilled Lobster with Cilantro-Chile Butter; Zucchini Fritters; Key Lime Pie; and much more. There is also a section on mixed drinks in the back of the book!

The New Comfort Food would make an excellent gift or a beautiful, informative addition to one's personal collection. Thank you to the author for my review copy.

Psychic Intelligence

2011-08-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

Author: Terry and Linda Jamison
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Life & Style
(June 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446563420

Book Description:

The Psychic Twins have amazed audiences all over the world with their eerie predictions that have proven to be true, including the events of 9/11, the Times Square Terrorist incident, natural disasters and more. They've also worked with countless clients who report that their predictions later came to be true. Although the Twins have an undeniable gift in this area, we all have psychic capabilities-- and in this book they show you how to strengthen your own, look into your future, and change your destiny.

In PSYCHIC INTELLIGENCE, Terry and Linda Jamison explain, step-by-step, how to dissolve the blocks that can prevent you from using and trusting your own intuition. By exploring what they call the Four Clairs: clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, and claircognizance, you will be able to tap into these feelings and in turn:

--Create strong and worthwhile relationships, including finding true love
--Attract wealth and abundance
-Know when to make a career change, and what the new path should be
--Experience vibrant health
--Discover your authentic self and life's purpose

Now, at a time of real economic and social uncertainty, when hope is needed and so many are feeling confused and fearful, PSYCHIC INTELLIGENCE will show readers that we all have the power to tap into and control our own destiny.

My thoughts:

Psychic Intelligence is a 5 star book by most reader standards. It is filled with down-to-earth truth, helping the average person to understand that we can all have our own special intuition. It is a book that gives hope when fear is all around us. It is well-written, easy to read, and full of wisdom. I've always thought of the psychic gift as something rare, but here the authors encourage us to develop new ways of looking at our own abilities. Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy!

Silver Girl / Review

2011-07-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

Author: Elin Hilderbrand
Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books
1 edition (June 21, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 031609966X

Book Description:

Meredith Martin Delinn just lost everything: her friends, her homes, her social standing - because her husband Freddy cheated rich investors out of billions of dollars.

Desperate and facing homelessness, Meredith receives a call from her old best friend, Constance Flute. Connie's had recent worries of her own, and the two depart for a summer on Nantucket in an attempt to heal. But the island can't offer complete escape, and they're plagued by new and old troubles alike. When Connie's brother Toby - Meredith's high school boyfriend - arrives, Meredith must reconcile the differences between the life she is leading and the life she could have had.

Set against the backdrop of a Nantucket summer, Elin Hilderbrand delivers a suspenseful story of the power of friendship, the pull of love, and the beauty of forgiveness.

My thoughts:

Meredith seemingly had it all, but life has a way of running amuck when you least expect it. Now, because of her husband, she has lost it all and must find a way to rebuild her life. Enter Connie, an old friend who has a world of problems of her own. Meredith decides to spend the summer with Connie in Nantucket and together they begin to find answers to the tragedies they face.

This is the perfect summer beach read; it explores female friendship; misery; true happiness; love and forgiveness. It was a pleasure to read Elin Hilderbrand's latest novel. Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.

One Summer by David Baldacci

2011-07-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

Author: Davis Baldacci
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
(June 14, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446583146

Book Description:

It's almost Christmas, but there is no joy in the house of terminally ill Jack and his family. With only a short time left to live, he spends his last days preparing to say goodbye to his devoted wife, Lizzie, and their three children. Then, unthinkably, tragedy strikes again: Lizzie is killed in a car accident. With no one able to care for them, the children are separated from each other and sent to live with family members around the country. Just when all seems lost, Jack begins to recover in a miraculous turn of events. He rises from what should have been his deathbed, determined to bring his fractured family back together. Struggling to rebuild their lives after Lizzie's death, he reunites everyone at Lizzie's childhood home on the oceanfront in South Carolina. And there, over one unforgettable summer, Jack will begin to learn to love again, and he and his children will learn how to become a family once more.

My thoughts:

When things can't get much worse, they do. Jack is terminally ill with cancer when his wife, Lizzy, is suddenly killed in a car accident. But miracles do happen and Jack takes a turn for the better. Can Jack rebuild his life without Lizzie? Can he find love again? Can he put his family back together?

Davis Baldacci tells Jack's story with beautiful sensitivity and the skill for which he is known, primarily as a writer of suspense. This is a story of hope and the determination of the human will to survive in the worst of circumstances. It also has its share of humor. I found it to be a pleasant summer beach read. Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.

A Woman's Walk in Truth

2011-07-25T20:42:00.000-07:00

Author: Vonette Bright
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(August 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736939296

Book Description:

Award-winning radio host Vonette Bright is the founder of Women Today ministries and co-founder with husband, Dr. Bill Bright, of Campus Crusade for Christ International. She speaks regularly to thousands of women about the importance and joy of walking in the truth of God’s Word.
In this beautiful padded hardcover filled with refreshing devotions, select verses, “This I Believe” statements, and stories of women modeling remarkable faith, Vonette encourages all women to:

choose God and His character as their foundation of truth
move forward with renewed confidence in Christ
demonstrate their faith convictions in their daily ways
make God the center of their life
experience God’s remarkable purpose for them

Through each meditation, Vonette leads women to give every area of their life to God’s control and experience the blessings of a daily journey lived in Christ’s love.

My thoughts:

This devotional for women is scripturally sound, easy to read, and uplifting. Each page includes a scripture, message, and affirmation. The devotions are short (will probably take no more than 5 minutes to read) and to the point--a quick way to start the day in a positive way. Topics address areas of interest to women: faith, self-confidence and insights for a Godly walk.

This is a beautiful little padded volume that would fit into a tote/purse and would also make a lovely gift. Many thanks to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy.

Getting Back Up When Life Knocks You Down

2011-07-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

Author: Jeremy Kingsley
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Bethany House (July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764209086

Book Description:

This uplifting book meets people when they are down, helping them to transform their lives. In each chapter the author explores a response to a crisis and shows how working through crises can lead to strength, peace, forgiveness, and hope. Kingsley offers snapshots of different people and their responses to difficult situations, including his own tough times and how he has overcome. This faith-based book will appeal to a wide range of readers, both Christians and non-Christians.

My thoughts:

Getting Back Up When Life Knocks You Down is a concise little handbook for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed by life, which is most of us! It is an excellent tool for helping one work through the crises which hit unexpectedly. Written is simple layman terms and offering practical help, it offers a blueprint for maneuvering through the maze of emotional pain and uncertainty. I am going to pass my copy around. Thank you to Bethany House for my review copy.

The Civilized World

2011-07-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

Author: Susi Wyss
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Holt Paperbacks;
First Edition, Second Printing edition (March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0805093621

Book Description:

A glorious literary debut set in Africa about five unforgettable women—two of them haunted by a shared tragedy—whose lives intersect in unexpected and sometimes explosive ways...

When Adjoa leaves Ghana to find work in the Ivory Coast, she hopes that one day she'll return home to open a beauty parlor. Her dream comes true, though not before she suffers a devastating loss—one that will haunt her for years, and one that also deeply affects Janice, an American aid worker who no longer feels she has a place to call home. But the bustling Precious Brother Salon is not just the "cleanest, friendliest, and most welcoming in the city." It's also where locals catch up on their gossip; where Comfort, an imperious busybody, can complain about her American daughter-in-law, Linda; and where Adjoa can get a fresh start on life—or so she thinks, until Janice moves to Ghana and unexpectedly stumbles upon the salon.

At once deeply moving and utterly charming, The Civilized World follows five women as they face meddling mothers-in-law, unfaithful partners, and the lingering aftereffects of racism, only to learn that their cultural differences are outweighed by their common bond as women. With vibrant prose, Susi Wyss explores what it means to need forgiveness—and what it means to forgive.

My thoughts:

Ms. Wyss weaves together the stories of five women in this very warm and relatable novel. Janice; Adjoa; Ophelia; Comfort; and Linda, Comfort's American daughter-in-law all have stories to share. The Civilized World is a complex telling of the common bonds between women. Well-develped and absorbing, this was a good read.

The Amish Nanny

2011-07-18T18:54:00.000-07:00

Author: Mindy Starns Clark and
Leslie Gould
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736938613

Book Description:

Bestselling author Mindy Starns Clark and coauthor Leslie Gould offer readers The Amish Nanny, Book 2 in the Women of Lancaster County series, which tells the stories of young Plain women as they explore their roots, connect with family, and discover true love.

Amish-raised Ada Rupp knows it’s time to make a commitment to the faith and join the church, especially if she wants a future with the handsome Amish widower Will Gundy.

But when she has the chance to travel to Switzerland as the caregiver of a young child, she leaps at the opportunity.

Anxious to learn more about her forebears, Ada enlists the help of a young Mennonite scholar named Daniel, but even as she develops feelings for him, she cannot get Will from her mind—or her heart. At a crossroads, Ada must decide what she is willing to give up from the past in order to embrace her future.

My thoughts:

Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould have done it again! They have created a beautifully believable story based on the Amish culture. Told with authenticity and sensitivity it is another success for the authors. I found it to be a fascinating story of faith and love. Thank you to Harvest House for my review copy.

A Baby For Hannah

2011-07-18T15:18:00.000-07:00

Author: Jerry S. Eicher
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736943366

Book Description:

In Jerry Eicher’s final, never-before-published book in the Hannah’s Heart series, Jake and Hannah Byler are adjusting to life in their Amish community in rural Montana. While Jake works long days as a furniture maker and newly appointed minister, Hannah stays busy keeping their home in order. Both anticipate their baby’s birth with joy.

When word of the Mennonite tent revival spreads and worry about losing church members mounts, Hannah’s sister arrives and quickly catches the eye of the young bachelor whose brother left the church during the last revival. At the same time, Jake and Hannah’s neighbor—an Englisha—announces his interest in one of the Amish widows.

Drawing from his own Amish experiences, Eicher tells this rich story of colliding cultures and gives his growing readership one last glimpse at Jake and Hannah’s determination to stay faithful to God and the traditions of their church.

About This Series: The Hannah’s Heart series follows Hannah Byler’s quest for true love within the traditions of the Amish faith. Although life in rural Montana is unfamiliar and at times dangerous, Hannah learns to thrive as she shoulders new responsibilities, deals with sudden hardships, and embraces her place in this small community of believers.

My thoughts:

Well-written and tender. Thank you to Harvest House for my review copy!

Wish You Were Here

2011-07-11T20:47:00.000-07:00

Author: Phillipa Ashley
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
(June 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402241445

Book Description:

Jack Thornfield, new CEO, is shocked to see his long lost love, Beth Allen's resume come across his desk. After 8 years apart they have a second chance at happiness in this romantic story about love and secrets.

My thoughts:

Beth is heartbroken when the man she loves disappears. Thinking he has dumped her, Beth goes back home to England where she gets a new job with a travel agency. This is where the action starts: the man she lost is CEO of the company. She agrees to stay on if Jack agrees never to talk about their previous relationship again.

The story is light, contemporary, and can easily be read in a couple of days. It is funny, sexy, romantic. Delicious! Thank you to SourceBooks Landmark for my review copy.

Mr. Darcy Goes Overboard by Belinda Roberts

2011-07-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

Author: Belinda Roberts
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Original edition (June 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402246935

Book Description:

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a yacht must be in want of a female crew...
The balmy seaside resort town of Salcombe boasts the best in bikinis, sandcastle contests, and a fiercely competitive squad of buff local lifeguards as Regatta Week approaches. And if that weren't enough excitement, Mrs Bennet hears that the splendid villa Netherpollock has been rented by a young man of great fortune. She is determined he'll go out with one of her daughters, until Mr Darcy glides in on his stunning yacht Pemberley and she decides he would be the better catch...
Jane Austen has never been so hilariously recreated as in this modern seaside retelling of Pride and Prejudice, complete with a Mr Darcy you won't soon forget!

What readers say:

"A wonderful read-inspiring, intelligent, and quite hilarious."

"Hugely entertaining. It made me laugh out loud many times."

"I am mad on Austen and loved this book! I am sure Jane would be very happy to know her creations are alive and kicking on the English seaside!"

(Thank you to SourceBooks Landmark for my review copy.)

Billy Graham In Quotes

2011-06-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

Author: Franklin Graham
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 19, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0849946492

My thoughts:

Billy Graham In Quotes by Franklin Graham and Donna Lee Toney is a large compilation of quotes by one of America's greatest and most loved evangelist. Rev. Billy Graham is known worldwide for his great biblical wisdom and eloquent speaking abilities. Personally, I have watched his evangelical crusades for more than fifty years and have always been very moved and inspired by them. When I had a chance to review this book I immediately agreed and have thoroughly enjoyed perusing it. Any reader will find hundreds of scriptures, sermon and personal life-view quotes by this unmatched spiritual mind in the book Billy Graham In Quotes. I believe Franklin Graham (Rev. Graham's son) has done a big favor to the church community in general by putting together this reference material, which represents a devoted Christian life that was well lived. The reader will find a treasure trove of statements on topics like: age; anger; commitment; convictions; money; human nature; lust; grief; I could go on and on. The book includes almost 400 pages of quotes. I will keep my copy in my personal library and recommend Billy Graham In Quotes to my friends. This could be a helpful resource to Sunday School teachers, ministers, and layman alike. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers for my review copy.

Giveaway on Facebook

2011-06-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

I'm giving away a brand new copy of The Red Tent on my Facebook Community Group. Search Books, so many books on fb, join us, and leave a comment mentioning your favorite Biblical heroine. Book will be sent to the lucky winner after July 4th.

I hope to see you at Books, so many books.

Millie's Fling

2011-06-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

Author: Jill Mansell
Paperback: 512 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark;
Reprint edition (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781402218347

Book Description:

He's the best thing that ever happened to her. He's also the worst. He's Millie's Fling.

From one of the premiere contemporary authors in the UK, here is a fun and romantic tale that proves the road to matchmaking hilarity is paved with good intentions.

Bestselling novelist Orla Hart owes her life to her friend Millie Brady, whose rotten boyfriend has just left her. So Orla invites Millie to Cornwall, where Millie looks forward to a summer without any dating whatsoever. But Orla envisions Millie as the heroine of her next novel and decides to find Millie the man of her dreams. Except the two women have drastically different ideas about what kind of guy that should be.

With Orla and Millie working at cross-purposes, and a dashing but bewildered hero stuck in the middle, the summer will turn out to be unforgettable for all concerned...

My thoughts:

I loved this book! I ran the gammat of emotions while reading it. It is imaginative, laugh-out-loud funny, sad at times, romantic, sexy, filled with great characters. Millie's Fling is very well written; absorbing. I couldn't put it down! Thanks to SourceBooks Landmark for my review copy.

Grandmas Are Special People / Review

2011-06-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

Author: Susan Winget
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736938478

Book Description:

Nobody compares to a grandma. Now her children, spouse, or grandkids can give her an unforgettable thank-you to be enjoyed time after time. Artist Susan Winget’s soft florals, sweet bluebirds, cheery porcelain teacups, and ruby apples join engaging reflections about the unique heritage a grandma creates for her family. Each section reminds a woman that she is, among many things, a model of wisdom, faith, beauty, and love.

Special occasions and ordinary days present the golden opportunity to honor a grandma for the joy, prayers, and generous acts of devotion she graciously gives to her family.

My thoughts:

I read this book in one evening and thought it to be a beautiful tribute to grandmothers. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the quotes and meditations are truly inspirational. I absolutely love it. I highly recommend it as a gift or as a "grandma gift" to self. (Thanks goes to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy!) 5 stars*****

Grandpas Are Special People / Review

2011-06-22T19:04:00.000-07:00

Author: Susan Winget
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736938486

Book Description:

For the many ways that grandpas show love and care for their families, this book is a tribute to each unique man for his example of goodness, encouragement, wisdom, and much more. Among reflections about how a grandpa shapes a meaningful legacy, artist Susan Winget’s attractive, rustic images of enduring pine trees, watchful birds, and grazing deer bring to mind the peace and strength of nature—and of these men of honor.

Daughters, sons, grandkids, and grandmothers will enjoy giving this handsome tribute to the man they call “Grandpa.” An ideal gift for a special occasion or the surprise thank you for any occasion to tell a remarkable man that he is admired, adored, and one of a kind.

My thoughts:

My husband, who is the grandfather of nine, read this book in one evening and loved it! He thought it was very inspirational and is a welcomed addition to his personal library. The illustrations are beautiful, too. Wonderful gift quality. (Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for our review copy!)

The Evolution of Charlie Darwin / Review

2011-06-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

Author: Beth Duman
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace
(May 26, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1461153891

Book Description:

Do you want to learn to train your dog using the gentlest dog-friendly methods but you get overwhelmed reading long, complicated training books? If so, this is the book for you! Trainer and educator, Beth Duman, Takes you step-by-step through living with and training your new dog by chronicling her first year's experience living with a fuinny little rescued dog. She named him Charlie Darwin in hope that he's evolve into a dog she could enjoy as a personal friend and an ambassador for the use of positive training methods. Black & White Edition

About the author:

Beth Duman is a biologist and environmental educator who has been doing wolf education in Michigan since 1972 and has been the Michigan Representative for Wolf Park since 1974. She is one of the core trainers for Dog Scouts of America, is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and an affiliate of Victoria Stilwell. Her business, Earth Voices, LLC is committed to teaching compassion, fostering a world that works for everyone, with no one, human and nonhuman, left out. She lives in Michigan with her husband Bob and four very smart dogs.

My thoughts:

Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog that needs a little training, this book is an excellent resource. The directions are simple to follow with black and white photos as added instructions. Chapters include: Puppy Training Worksheet; Socialization vs. Sensitization; Your Dog's Name; "Come!"; The Basics of Positive Training; and much more. Thank you to the author for my review copy.

On The Path With God / Review

2011-06-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

Author: Erwin W. Lutzer
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736939369

Book Description:

Inspiring meditations from the heart of popular pastor and author Dr. Erwin Lutzer join breathtaking photographs of winding country paths, inviting doorways, and meandering European cobblestone streets and invite readers to take time to walk with God.

Brief, engaging devotional offerings and “Help for the journey” questions for reflection offer refreshment for those longing to be in God’s presence and—

create meaningful fellowship
progress toward purpose
build trust and honor
patiently nurture belief
turn toward eternity

The joy-filled promises of faith await those who treasure an enriched relationship with the Creator.

My thoughts:

This book is just gorgeous. It is filled with quality nature photos, scriptures, quotes, and meditations. It would make an ideal gift for anyone who needs to be lifted up. 5 stars***** (Thanks to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy!)

Prayers for My Baby Girl / Review

2011-06-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

Author: Angela Thomas

Hardcover: 48 pages

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

(July 1, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0736939377

Book Description:

Bestselling author Angela Thomas is a sought-after speaker, gifted story-teller, and adoring mom. Her prayers, presented as letters to God, beautifully reflect a mom’s gratitude for the everyday moments with a newborn daughter. These universal expressions of love and the desire to be a good mom are bundled with Julie Johnson’s heartwarming photos of sweet babies that are sure to spark smiles for everyone who has loved a little girl.

From the very first page, readers are reminded of the many joys and privileges of raising a child and will be led to times of prayer and thanksgiving. This tender tribute to the wonder of new life and the divine gift of motherhood will be a keepsake for all moms, grandmas, and anyone who delights in little ones.

My thoughts:

This is a beautiful book for new mothers. The photos are darling and the prayers are powerful. It would make a wonderful shower gift.
(Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy)

THE WINNER IS...

2011-06-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

The winner of the new poetry book, "The Bouquet" by A Lady is Ipswich Garden Club- P. Jones. Congratulations! Please email your address so I can put your book in the mail.

Thanks everyone for entering. We will have another giveaway soon. Keep watching.

Prayers For My Baby Boy / Review

2011-06-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

Author: Angela Thomas
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736945660

Book Description:

Bestselling author Angela Thomas is an adoring mom whose prayers, presented as letters to God, celebrate a mom’s delight in everyday moments with a newborn boy. Each expression of hope, gratitude, and purpose is beautifully bundled with Julie Johnson’s heartwarming photos of sweet babies that are sure to spark smiles for everyone who has loved a little boy.

From the very first page, readers are reminded of the many joys and privileges of raising a child and will be led to times of prayer and thanksgiving. This tender tribute to the wonder of new life and the divine gift of motherhood will be a keepsake for all moms, grandmas, and anyone who treasures little ones.

My thoughts:

As a grandmother of a 10 month old little boy, I found this book just delightful and will give it to my daughter (his mother) to read. It is filled with wonderful prayers, artful photos of baby boys, and is keepsake quality. It would also make a very nice baby shower gift.

(Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy.)

When Someone You Love No Longer Remembers

2011-06-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

Author: Cecil Murphey
Hardcover: 64 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(July 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736938710

Book Description:

Bestselling author Cecil Murphey, creator of When Someone You Love Has Cancer, shares another inspired offering. With a caring spirit, he provides comfort, advice, and prayers for those who journey alongside a loved one whose memory is fading.
Tranquil paintings of popular artist Michal Sparks provide a sanctuary for caregivers, friends, and family members as they draw strength from firsthand stories of those who have walked a similar path. Murphey offers simple, invaluable guidance on how to:

take care of themselves and seek assistance
shape new ways to communicate with their loved one
help others connect with the person
introduce activities and exercise to enhance health and mobility

For those walking a sometimes lonely journey, this gift offers a gentle voice of support and is a hopeful reminder of the moments of peace that they and their loved one can still experience together.

My thoughts:
We all hope we will never need such a book, but throughout the course of our life we will either find it necessary to be a caregiver or we will know someone who is. When Someone You Love No Longer Remembers is a beautifully insightful book that addresses the frustrations and pain that come with watching a loved one lose their world. The artwork is gorgeous and the book is filled with stories and prayers of inspiration for any caregiver who needs strength and comfort. This would make a thoughtful gift.

(Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy.)

The Waiting Place / Review

2011-06-07T21:52:00.000-07:00

Author: Eileen Button

Paperback: 240 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 7, 2011)

Language: English
ISBN-10: 0849946255

Book Description:

A collection of essays describing the beauty and humor that can be found in what often feels like a most useless state-The Waiting Place.
We all spend precious time just waiting. We wait in traffic, grocery store lines, and carpool circles. We wait to grow up, for true love, and for our children to be born. We even wait to die. But amazing things can happen if we open our eyes in The Waiting Place and peer into its dusty corners. Sometimes relationships are built, faith is discovered, dreams are (slowly) realized, and our hearts are expanded.
With humor and heart-breaking candor, Eileen Button breathes life into stagnant and, at times, difficult spaces. Throughout this collection of essays she contends that The Waiting Place can be a most miraculous place-a place where beauty can be experienced, the sacred can be realized, and God can be found working in the midst of it all.
Includes stories on waiting for:
the day to end
a place called home
the fish to bite
a baby's healing
church to be over
a husband's return
children to grow
a mother's acceptance
a loved one to die
As Eileen says, "To wait is human. To find life in The Waiting Place, divine."

My thoughts:

The Waiting Place is a book for everyone-- we can all identify with it. The problem starts in childhood-we can't wait to be a teenager; can`t wait to date. Afterward, we can wait to get out of school or can't wait to get married. We can't wait to get a good job; can't wait until we have children; wait for our children to grow up and find a nice life of their own; wait from paycheck to paycheck; wait to retire; so on and so forth. At last, we find ourselves in the winter of life and are riddled with the feeling that we have wished and waiting our life away; waiting for the future! We have always been waiting on something, but have not taken the time to appreciate the moments of our life or appreciated those we love. The Waiting Place is a collection of insightful essays that deal with this issue. We can find the joy of the divine in our waiting. We can learn to celebrate each and every day; celebrate today. The author has written a very enjoyable book, which also gives us some big reality checks. Disclaimer: I have received a review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Becoming a Man of Unwavering Faith by John Osteen / Joel Osteen

2011-06-05T14:55:00.000-07:00

Author: John Osteen
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: FaithWords
(May 24, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0892968893

Book Description:
During the course of his 60-year ministry, John Osteen combined an extraordinary love for people with a vision for ministry best described in his own words: "No limits." In this hardcover volume not only includes content from John's sermon transcripts, but also a foreword and commentary written by his son, Joel; the principles of this "no limits" faith come alive again for a new generation.
For the moments of struggle and temptation that every man faces, and the times in life when he feels surrounded and under attack, John's message is profoundly simple-those moments are precisely the time for an unwavering faith. In this book, John schools today's believers in seven qualities of unwavering faith:
1. It hears and sees what the world cannot see or hear.
2. It prays earnestly even though it has already heard the answer.
3. It is strong when there is no evidence of the answer.
4. It always says, "Go Again!"
5. It goes on when there's just a little evidence.
6. It believes for the big when it sees the little.
7. It begins with nothing but ends up doing mighty things for God.
Osteen also provides principles for those times when faith doesn't seem to be working. BECOMING A MAN OF UNWAVERING FAITH is a guidebook to stronger faith, from a man who spent a lifetime testing its limits.

About the author:
The late John Osteen served as a pastor, evangelist, author, and teacher for 60 years. He founded the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas in 1959, and hosted the weekly "John Osteen" television program for 16 years, reaching millions in the U.S. and extending to 100 countries. He also traveled extensively throughout the world, taking the message of God's love, healing, and power to people of all nations.

My thoughts:

John Osteen was a man of faith which the reader will see in this book. Becoming A Man of Unwavering Faith is a compilation of serman transcripts and previous writings with a foreword by his son, Joel Osteen. The late John Osteen talks to every man about the temptations and struggles each is sure to face in life. This would make a nice Father's Day gift. It is compact and can be carried easily for daily devotion or to a men's study group. (For the sake of disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Hachette Book Group.)

Washington, Legacy of Leadership

2011-05-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

Authors: Paul Vickery and Stephen Mansfield
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 19, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1595552804

My thoughts:

Once the most popular man in America, General Washington was great in many ways-- “Father of Our Country”; a statesman, a hero and a gentleman. Serving for many years in the service of his country, he was a man of courage and principle. He was a man that went far above and beyond what would be required of or expected of a soldier and leader. Although, he was flawed, he was a man of honor who stood up for what he believed to be right. Washington, A Legacy of Leadership is an intimate look into his life and the decisions that made him so loved by his country.

It is well-written and packed with information about George Washinton‘s life. The reader will come away with a new, enhanced regard for the man who fought so diligently for America. If you love biography and history, this is definitely for you. I personally enjoyed the way the author helped the reader travel back in time, to meet and understand this American hero and genius.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Georgia Bottoms / Review

2011-05-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

Author: Mark Childress
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
1 edition (February 23, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780316033046

Book Description:
Georgia Bottoms is known in her small community of Six Points, Alabama, as a beautiful, well-to-do, and devoutly Baptist Southern belle.

Nobody realizes that the family fortune has long since disappeared, and a determinedly single woman like Georgia needs an alternative, and discreet, means of income. In Georgia's case it is six well-heeled lovers-one for each day of the week, with Mondays off-none of whom knows about the others.

But when the married preacher who has been coming to call (Saturdays) decides to confess their affair in front of the whole congregation, Georgia must take drastic measures to stop him. In GEORGIA BOTTOMS, Mark Childress proves once again his unmistakable skill for combining the hilarious and the absurd to reveal the inner workings of the rebellious human heart.

My thoughts:
I'm not going to do a book report here since you can find that above in the Book Description, but I will say I loved the small town feel of the book. A charming southern read!

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

The Language God Talks (On Science and Religion)

2011-05-23T09:14:00.000-07:00

Author: Herman Wouk
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Back Bay Books (May 30, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316078441

Book Description:

"More years ago than I care to reckon up, I met Richard Feynman." So begins Herman Wouk's trenchant and exhilarating book on navigating the divide between science and religion.

Told by Feynman in that first meeting that he must learn "the language God talks"-calculus-Wouk set in motion the lifelong inquiry that has culminated in this rich, compact volume. Wouk draws on stories from his own life, on key events from the twentieth century, and on encounters not just with Feynman but with other masters of science and religion to address the eternal questions of why we are here, what purpose faith serves, and how scientific facts fit into the picture.

About the author:
Herman Wouk's acclaimed books include The Will to Live On, This Is My God, Pulitzer Prize winner The Caine Mutiny, The Winds of War, and War and Remembrance.

My thoughts:
TLGT is a thought-provoking work by one of our great authors. Although, more for the intellectual than for the casual reader like myself, The Language God Talks is a humble, wise, and contemplative read. I did not come away with anything earth shaking, but I did feel I had just had a personal visit with the legendary Mr. Wouk.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Garden Poetry Book Giveaway

2011-05-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and it's time for a giveaway! The Serenity Gate is giving away one brand new copy of "The Bouquet" by A Lady. If you love gardens and gardening you will love this beautiful book of poetry, featuring the hidden language of flowers. Our giveaway will take place on June 1st, so be sure to enter. It's easy! Enter now!!

Easy rules:
1. Must be a follower of The Serenity Room or Everything Victorian and More.
2. Must leave a comment telling us about your favorite flower and leaving your email address

Book Description:

A beautiful collection of 117 flower meanings, each accompanied by poems, that will inspire you in your garden. The crocus, lily, rose, jasmine, geranium, daisy, and many more are included in this beautiful book. It would be a wonderful addition to your library or an excellent gift. If you enjoy flowers and gardening, you will delight in the language of flowers revealed in, The Bouquet. This is an all new edition of the book published in 1844. It is not a photocopy or OCR. It has been meticulously edited and reformatted to meet modern standards.

My Review:
I received my book today and I'm thrilled with all the beautiful poetry relating to flowers! Did you know that once there were secret meanings connected to various flowers and that family, friends, and lovers understood those meanings? I've read many times about the Gilly Flower in Victorian literature, but didn't know it means "bonds of affection." To understand those non-verbal expressions is one thing that makes this book so beautifully intriguing. It not only unlocks those secrets, but also acquaints us with the poetry surrounding it. Reading "historical romance" will never be the same with this helpful book on my nightstand.

With the onset of Spring, what perfect timing for the entrance of this new edition of the first copy published in 1844. THE BOUQUET would make the perfect gift or addition to any gardener's library. And again, don't forget how helpful it is to understanding the floral aspects of Victorian literature. What a treat!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway and good luck to all!!

The Fearless Baker / Review

2011-05-18T14:37:00.001-07:00

Authors: Emily Luchetti

and Lisa Weiss

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (May 4, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0316074284

Book Description:

What could be more satisfying than presenting friends and family with a perfectly crafted homemade dessert, fresh out of the oven? Yet for many, the idea of baking is intimidating; rolling out pie dough or making a cake from scratch is akin to climbing Mount Everest.

THE FEARLESS BAKER is a beginner's baking guide written to empower home cooks with spot-on advice and a cache of go-to recipes. Renowned pastry chef Emily Luchetti guides novice bakers through her amazing recipes to troubleshoot their most common pitfalls. Charming color illustrations and photographs of real-life beginning bakers in action complete the instruction, turning even the most tentative baker into a fearless one.

My thoughts:

Written for the beginner-cook, The Fearless Baker is packed with easy, yummy recipes: cookies, bars, and bites; cakes; pies and tarts; fruit; no baking required; dessert sauces; and breakfast treats. I especially like the 3:00 PM Chocolate Pick-Me-Up Cookies that are made with chopped pecans and dark chocolate. Each recipe also comes with question and answers for the cook who may be just a bit lost in the kitchen setting. I definitely give this one 5 stars*****

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

A Crowded Marriage

2011-05-18T13:44:00.000-07:00

Author: Catherine Alliott
Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (May 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1402253192

Book Description:

'Til death do us part jut might cause you to wring someone's neck...

Imogen Cameron can't quite figure out how she and her husband, Alex, have plummeted from living in their beloved London townhouse to scraping by in his exgirlfriend's guest cottage. But although the scenic pastures might inspire her flagging artistic career, and getting out of the city might do their son good, Imogen wonders if all the country air in the world could calm the crowds that are invading her marriage.

There's a gaggle of psychotic chickens, an infuriatingly bossy vet, that oh-so-sweet ex-girlfriend-and the feeling that her husband is preoccupied with more than just his job. International bestselling author Catherine Alliott delivers an "intelligent, acutely drawn picture of a difficult marriage" (Daily Telegraph), crafting a witty, sophisticated, and poignant exploration of relationships and family.

My thoughts:

Just in time for a light, summer beach read. The book starts off a bit slow, but it does pick up speed and becomes quite hilarious in time.

(thanks to Sourcebooks for my review copy.)

Join Us On FaceBook

2011-05-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

We are now on facebook under the "community" title "Books, so many books"....

Join us by typing the title into the fb search program and hitting "like". Please join us so we can talk about the books and authors we like!

Only You Can Save Your Kids: Teen Drug Use and How to Stop It

2011-05-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

Author: Dr. Michael J. Reznicek

Paperback: 46 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace
(February 16, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1460924177

Book Description:

Dr. Reznicek is a clinical psychiatrist who offers radical advice for parents who want to keep their teens away from drugs: take complete control of your child’s life. He says parents have all the tools they need to keep kids drug-free: clear expectations, close supervision, home drug-testing and swift consequences for drug use. He is a harsh critic of the disease model of substance abuse and drug rehab, which he says enables drug use. Rehab teaches teens that drug abuse is a brain disease and that quitting is so complicated it requires trained experts. Neither is true. The disease model also makes parents think they are inadequate for the job. This is an iconoclastic, thought-provoking 9600-word essay that will unsettle anyone who thinks the medical profession holds the keys to solving the drug problem. It is full of common sense and hope—it shows that real help for teens is much closer to home, and much less complicated than many think.

My thoughts:

Drug use among teenagers is epidemic. This 40+ page booklet may very well be the most important literature a parent, grandparent, teacher, minister, or mental health professional will ever read. It gives concise, easy to understand, surefire ways to prevent drug abuse before it starts. A copy should be given to each new parent as they leave the hospital with their infant (it's never too early to start). It should also be available through ministers and other community leaders.

Only You Can Save Your Kids is a must read for those who wish to prevent problems before they start. It is definitely the best I have read on the subject. I agree with Dr. Reznicek's advice and will give copies to my friends and family. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars*****

About the author:

Dr. Michael J. Reznicek is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience. He has practiced in the military, in hospital-based community settings, in prisons, and in state hospitals. He currently practices in the Department of Corrections in Washington state. Dr. Reznicek has extensive experience in the field of substance abuse. He has written for The Weekly Standard, the Omaha World Herald and has had letters in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other publications. He has been a guest on numerous talk-radio shows at the local, national and international levels where he has discussed drug abuse. He is an outspoken critic of the way psychiatry over-medicalizes human behavior.

The Bouquet (Containing the Poetry and Language of Flowers)

2011-05-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

Author: A Lady
Paperback: 132 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (May 1, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1461094577

Book Description:
A beautiful collection of 117 flower meanings, each accompanied by poems, that will inspire you in your garden. The crocus, lily, rose, jasmine, geranium, daisy, and many more are included in this beautiful book. It would be a wonderful addition to your library or an excellent gift. If you enjoy flowers and gardening, you will delight in the language of flowers revealed in, The Bouquet. This is an all new edition of the book published in 1844. It is not a photocopy or OCR. It has been meticulously edited and reformatted to meet modern standards.

My Thoughts:
I received my book today and I'm thrilled with all the beautiful poetry relating to flowers! Did you know that once there were secret meanings connected to various flowers and that family, friends, and lovers understood those meanings? I've read many times about the Gilly Flower in Victorian literature, but didn't know it means "bonds of affection." To understand those non-verbal expressions is one thing that makes this book so beautifully intriguing. It not only unlocks those secrets, but also acquaints us with the poetry surrounding it. Reading "historical romance" will never be the same with this helpful book on my nightstand.

With the onset of Spring and Mother's Day, what perfect timing for the entrance of this new edition of the first copy published in 1844. THE BOUQUET would make the perfect Mother's Day gift or addition to any gardener's library. And again, don't forget how helpful it is to understanding the floral aspects of Victorian literature. What a treat! 5 stars*****

Nerve

2011-05-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

Author: Taylor Clark

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

(March 6, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0316042897

Book Description:

Nerves make us bomb job interviews, first dates, and SATs. With a presentation looming at work, fear robs us of sleep for days. It paralyzes seasoned concert musicians and freezes rookie cops in tight situations. And yet not everyone cracks. Soldiers keep their heads in combat; firemen rush into burning buildings; unflappable trauma doctors juggle patient after patient. It's not that these people feel no fear; often, in fact, they're riddled with it.

In Nerve, Taylor Clark draws upon cutting-edge science and painstaking reporting to explore the very heart of panic and poise. Using a wide range of case studies, Clark overturns the popular myths about anxiety and fear to explain why some people thrive under pressure, while others falter-and how we can go forward with steadier nerves and increased confidence.

My Thoughts:

Although fear and anxiety can be appreciated by every human and is a part of our nature, I thought the book would be a bit boring. But the author has written this with skill and humor, giving mere mortals the tools and insight to navigate life with confidence and success. It is well-written, bringing understandable science to the layman's table. Finding serenity in a world of stress can bring joy into our lives--this book helps find a way to achieve that state of being.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Mothers and Daughters

2011-05-03T15:12:00.000-07:00

Author: Rae Meadows
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
(March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780805093834

Book Description:

A rich and luminous novel about three generations of women in one family: the love they share, the dreams they refuse to surrender, and the secrets they hold...
Samantha is lost in the joys of new motherhood—the softness of her eight-month-old daughter's skin, the lovely weight of her child in her arms—but in trading her artistic dreams to care for her child, Sam worries she's lost something of herself. And she is still mourning another loss: her mother, Iris, died just one year ago.

When a box of Iris's belongings arrives on Sam's doorstep, she discovers links to pieces of her family history but is puzzled by much of the information the box contains. She learns that her grandmother Violet left New York City as an eleven-year-old girl, traveling by herself to the Midwest in search of a better life. But what was Violet's real reason for leaving? And how could she have made that trip alone at such a tender age?

In confronting secrets from her family's past, Sam comes to terms with deep secrets from her own. Moving back and forth in time between the stories of Sam, Violet, and Iris, Mothers and Daughters is the spellbinding tale of three remarkable women connected across a century by the complex wonder of motherhood.

About the Author

Rae Meadows is the author of Calling Out, which received the 2006 Utah Book Award for fiction, and No One Tells Everything, a Poets & Writers Notable Novel. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Visit Rae Meadows' website at www.RaeMeadows.com.

My thoughts:

As a mother and daughter, I loved how Rae Meadows wove together the story of three generations of women. It is rich in character development and story line. Very well-written. I enjoyed it very much.

(Thank you to Henry Holt and Company for my review copy.)

Hawks Mountain

2011-05-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

Author: Elizabeth Sinclair
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books (January 31, 2011)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 9781611940107

Book Description:

Rebecca Hawks has come home to remember who she was before the lure of life as a social worker in a big city nearly destroyed her-and might, still. She's moved back to her family's namesake mountain in West Virginia, where Granny Jo Hawks can help her forget the horrors she'd seen and been unable to prevent.

Ex-Navy Corpsman, Nicholas Hart, has moved to Hawks Mountain in hope that its timeless Appalachian serenity will help him overcome his painful war memories.

Now Rebecca and Nicholas must find each other-and their chances of a life together after putting the past to rest-on Hawks Mountain.

Elizabeth Sinclair is the award-winning, bestselling author of numerous romance novels and two acclaimed instructional books for writers. Her novels have been translated into seven languages and are sold in seventeen countries. She lives in St. Augustine, Florida, with her husband and two dogs.

My thoughts:

Since one of my favorite settings is the West Virginia hills and the Appalachian area, I found Hawks Mountain serene and enchanting--romance at it's best. The writing is clear and flows with ease. I was taken by the down-to-earth characters. Hawks Mountain left me begging for more! Ms. Sinclair is a superb writer.

(Thank you to Bell Bridge Books for my review copy.)

Once In A Lifetime Dog

2011-05-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

Author: Chantelle Hildreth
Paperback: 318 pages
Publisher: Outskirts Press
(November 26, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1432754599

Book Description:

For anyone who has ever loved, and lost, a dog.

Once In A Lifetime Dog, My Borisangel, is the true, heartwarming story of Chantelle Hildreth's journey into adulthood with her dog, Boris, a massive, elegant white beast with more personality, grace and charm than most people you'll ever meet. He was her companion, best friend and, at her side, every step of the way. Boris was Chantelle's study partner through the rigors of law school, her backbone in her first teaching position, the inspiration for the purchase of her first home, the first child of her marriage and an infallible source of comfort and strength through the trials of her pregnancy.

Boris was all-things good. He was the embodiment of love, friendship, happiness and hope. He was gentle and kind, but strong. Boris possessed the keen ability to know a person's true character. He was her protector always, even when she did not think she needed it. And, he was always right.

Once In A Lifetime Dog, My Borisangel, is a true story of unconditional love, the heartache of loss and the astonishing and uncanny ability of the special animals in our lives to teach some of the most profound life lessons.

It is a love story. A story of how much a dog loved his owner and just how much she loved him, a love that changed her forever.

Boris stood by the one he loved, so in the end, when he left her, she could stand-alone.

For anyone who has ever had that one special dog, this touching story will rekindle both the joy and the heartache we experienced and take us back to the unconditional love we felt for that ever so special friend, the one who truly was, a once in a lifetime dog.

My thoughts:
If you have ever loved a dog, you will love this true story. It will touch the heart--a story of unconditional love and loyality, friendship and heartache, loss and hope. It is a story that gave me some sadness and much joy. Highly recommended.

(thank you to the author for my review copy)

Johann Sebastian Bach

2011-04-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

Author: Rick Marschall
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
(April 12, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781595551085

My Review:

Johann Sebastian Bach by Rick Marschall (part of the Christian Encounter series) is a highly inspirational book that goes into the life of one of the greatest composers in history. It gives us a peek inside his life, faith, and musical genius--showing us how his faith and music were absolutely interconnected. Although, it is bent toward the more musically inclined, it nevertheless is a work any reader will appreciate. The areas which relate to his personal life, his knowledge of the Scriptures, his family background, his library, his personality, his devout determination that everything he wrote was to the glory of God, make this a fascinating reading experience.

The book is not lengthy and can be read in a short time. It would make an excellent edition to a musician’s library; school or home library. It is pocket sized which can be carried in a tote or notebook and would make a nice gift for student or teacher. I have very little training in music, but did enjoy reading about a man who had written many of the songs I have listened to over my entire life.

The book also includes a chapter of notes and a bibliography. I highly recommend this read.

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson for my review copy.)

We All Fall Down (Living with Addiction)

2011-04-22T14:55:00.000-07:00

Author: Nic Sheff
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (April 5, 2011)
Language: English

Book Description:

In his bestselling memoir Tweak, Nic Sheff took readers on an emotionally gripping roller-coaster ride through his days as a crystal meth and heroin addict. Now in this powerful follow-up about his continued efforts to stay clean, Nic writes candidly about eye-opening stays at rehab centers, devastating relapses, and hard-won realizations about what it means to be a young person living with addiction.

My thoughts:
In a world where drug addiction is on the rampage and hardly ever talked about head-on, We All Fall Down is desperately needed. I hope it will be an inspirational read for young and old alike.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Dragonfly, A Book of Love Letters

2011-04-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

Author: Ed Pilolla
Paperback: 80 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (December 31, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1456471406

Book Description:

"I want to drop into your eyes and catch the wind from your childhood, tear a chunk from my soul and plant it in your garden, hang paper lanterns from your sky, climb into your deepest well and touch the holy water lightly with the back of my hand. Then I'll think about what to make for lunch."

My thoughts:

Poetry is a difficult genre to review, since it is written from the author's soul. As a reviewer, I am forced to dig around in the soil thereof, while completely respecting the effort, emotion, and creativity that has gone into each project. It may also be understood and embraced by one reader, though discarded by another. Each reader of poetry expects and appreciates that which speaks to their own heart and experience--a few pages here spoke to mine. This is a book of love letters written as poetry. I found it interesting and at times touching.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

Alpha Male

2011-04-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

Author: XX and XY
Paperback: 222 pages
Publisher: Perennial Press (December 10, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780615175096

Book Description:

Hundreds of hours of interviews with Alpha Males tell in their own words exactly what attracts them to a woman, how they feel about the women they sleep with, what they think about women at work. You can even make an Alpha Male fall in love, propose marriage (these skills can actually be learned) and with training become a great husband. Warning! book is NOT politically correct; does not agree with common thinking today re hook-ups, dating, marriage. Some of what Alpha Males say about women, sex, and finding someone to love and commit to may astound you.

My Thoughts:

This book is so cool! It understands men, how they think, and how to get them to fall in love with you and stay that way. If you have had a difficult time with that guy that you are interested in, just follow clearly written directions in this book for romantic success. All the 5 star reviews can't be wrong. Truly awesome reading. Get goin' girls!!

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

The Twelfth Insight (The Hour of Decision)

2011-04-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

Author: James Redfield
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (February 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446575968

Book Description:

On December 21, 2012, the Mayan calendar will end. Many see it as an apocalyptic sign.

But is it?

In The Twelfth Insight, the long-awaited fourth book in the beloved Celestine Series, we again follow our Hero and his close friend Wil. They have just received a portion of another ancient and mysterious manuscript that describes a secret approach to spirituality that is silently arriving in the second decade of the 21st Century. But the manuscript is only available in fragments.

To understand its full meaning for mankind, our Hero and Wil begin an urgent search to find the message in its entirety. As they embrace the power of Synchronicity and begin their search, they are confronted by powerful political forces and religious extremists that stand in the way of these spiritual revelations.

Utilizing what he calls the "parable effect," and based on his own sources, James Redfield explores the similarities and differences that exist among the world religions, revealing the essential messages contained within them that can energize our experience of spirituality-- and produce a new wave of integrity and reform that can transform our lives and our world.

My thoughts:

This timely book will surely interest those who are following world events and the rumors of devastation which some are saying will occur on December 12, 2012. Also, if you have read other books in the series, you will want to read The Twelfth Insight.

As are James Redfield's other writings, this one is interesting and insightful. If you are a pilgram on the spiritual road, I would recommend this as a guide for thought, at least.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy)

And I Shall Have Some Peace There (Trading in the fast lane for my own dirt road)

2011-04-14T14:26:00.000-07:00

Author: Margaret Roach
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
(February 23, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780446556095

Book Description:
Margaret Roach worked at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia for 15 years, serving as Editorial Director for the last 6. She first made her name in gardening, writing a classic gardening book among other things. She now has a hugely popular gardening blog, "A Way to Garden." But despite the financial and professional rewards of her job, Margaret felt unfulfilled. So she moved to her weekend house upstate in an effort to lead a more authentic life by connecting with her garden and with nature. The memoir she wrote about this journey is funny, quirky, humble--and uplifting--an Eat, Pray, Love without the travel-and allows readers to live out the fantasy of quitting the rat race and getting away from it all.

My thoughts:
Here's a book that feeds the fantasy of most city dwellers. Dreams about having that little quiet place out in the country and living an unhurried life-style have hit most of us from time to time. But how many of us would actually leave a well-paying, glamorous job for that dream? Author Margaret Roach tells us what it's like to do just that.

Although, the title and message seem compelling, I could not get excited about the writing style. I'm sorry to say, it did not pull me in.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

The 5 Dreams of Every Woman

2011-04-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

Author: Sharon Jaynes
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736929398

Book Description:
Sharon Jaynes, author of the popular Becoming the Woman of His Dreams (more than 65,000 copies sold), shares how God can restore a woman’s dreams when loss, heartbreak, and trials have changed her journey.
With stories of biblical and contemporary women’s paths to renewed hope, Sharon sheds light on the desires of a woman’s heart—love, marriage, friendship, motherhood, personal purpose, and more. With compassion and practical wisdom, she leads readers to

embrace the dreams they’ve left behind because of disappointments
give their longings and brokenness to their heavenly Father
evaluate their desires from a godly standpoint and move forward
receive strength and inspiration by witnessing transformation in other women’s lives
believe in wholeness, unconditional love, and God’s sovereignty

Readers will discover the delight of God's unique and remarkable dreams for them. Bible study questions for each chapter are ideal for individual or group discovery.

My Thoughts:
Five dreams of every woman? What are the common dreams that connect us? What are my own dreams? Have I ever stopped to examine them? Have I achieved those dreams? If I haven't, where do I start? What is God's plan for me?

This book helps us understand our inner-most longings and how we can come to terms with them through God's faithful love. 4 stars****

(Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy.)

I Love My Mother, But....

2011-04-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

Author: Linda Mintle
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (March 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780736930598

Book Description:
For any woman who would complete this title with “she drives me crazy!” this book is a goldmine of guidance from nationally recognized author, speaker, and family life expert Dr. Linda Mintle.
Many grown daughters struggle to find balance and perspective with their mothers, and they don’t realize that this emotionally charged relationship greatly impacts the health of all others in their lives. With expertise, great examples, and biblical insight, Dr. Mintle reveals how women can reinvent their connection with their mothers by

practicing the spiritual acts of prayer, empathy, and forgiveness
making new connections to break old patterns
letting go of guilt and shame and finding peace
applying anger management techniques
discovering ways to honor their mothers and themselves

This resource offers practical and spiritually powerful ways for women to find wholeness as they seek healing and renewal in their relationships with their mothers.

My Thoughts:

My first thought on receiving this book was, "at last, a book on the complex relationship between mother and daughter!" How many times have we heard 'you drive me crazy!' from one or the other--mother or daughter?

I Love My Mother, But... should be mandatory reading for every woman. It is packed with inspirational and common sense approaches to understanding and preventing the hurt and misunderstandings that come with the close female vs female dynamic.

Chapters include: Now, Let's All Just Stay Calm; Anger at Our Impossible Mothers; Handling Conflict; I Am My Mother?; Families: The Ties That Define; and more.

Sometimes our expectations are unrealistic. This book will help sort out those expectations and open our eyes to healthy possibilities. 5 stars*****

(Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy.)

All That's True / Review

2011-04-13T16:59:00.000-07:00

Author: Jackie Lee Miles
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
(January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9781402240850

Book Description:

"My life was close to being perfect until my brother Alex got killed. Then my mother started drinking and my father started having sex with Donna, my best friend's stepmother. She's not even thirty years old."

With an equal mix of joy and sorrow, All That's True follows Andi's poignant-and sometimes laugh out loud-journey to young adulthood, where she struggles with the elusive nature of truth and the devastating consequences of deception.

My Thoughts:
A brilliant author has produced another brilliant novel. All That's True is southern fiction at its best. Poignant; wise; witty; and entirely human--it finds a voice the young female audience will connect with. Congratulations on a work well done!

(Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for my review copy.)

The Time-Traveling Fashionista

2011-04-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Author: Bianca Turetsky
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Poppy (April 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316105422

Book Description:

What if a beautiful vintage dress could take you back in time?Louise Lambert has always dreamed of movie starlets and exquisite gowns and longs for the day when she can fill the closet of her normal suburban home with stylish treasures. But when she receives a mysterious invitation to a vintage fashion sale in the mail, her once painfully average life is magically transformed into a time-travel adventure.

Suddenly onboard a luxurious cruise ship a hundred years ago, Louise relishes the glamorous life of this opulent era and slips into a life of secrets, drama, and decadence. . . .

Dreamy and imaginative, The Time-Traveling Fashionista features thirty full-color fashion illustrations to show gorgeous dresses and styles throughout history.

My Thoughts:

What young lady hasn't dreamed of living in a Cinderella world of beautiful clothes and luxury? In The Time-Traveling Fashionista dreams come true.

The star of our book, Louise Lambert, receives a mysterious invitation which propels her back into time--into a world of glamour and drama; a world in which she finds herself in the lap of luxury. How does she respond?

This is a well-written, fairy-tale story that I think every young woman will enjoy reading as much as I did. I also absolutely loved the many beautiful full-page fashion illustrations.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

Dewey the Library Cat (A true story)

2011-04-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

Author: Vicki Myron
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Reprint edition (April 12, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780316068703

Book Description:
Now everyone's favorite library cat can inspire a new audience of young readers with his story of courage and love. Like the hardcover, this paperback edition of the middle-grade adaptation of New York Times bestseller Dewey features an 8-page photo insert of the Dew!

In the tradition of Marley: A Dog Like No Other, this is the story of a cat who was more than a pet, and the amazing effect he had on the people around him. Abandoned in a library book drop slot in the dead of winter, this remarkable kitten miraculously endured the coldest night of the year. Dewey Readmore Books, as he became known, quickly embraced his home inside Spencer's public library, charming the struggling small town's library-goers, young and old. As word of Dewey's winning tail, or rather his tale, spread, the library cat gained worldwide fame as a symbol of hope and proof positive that one small cat could change a town, one reader at a time.

My Thoughts:
A kitten is dropped into a book return slot at the local library. It is found tucked into a corner, under one of the books. Scared, weak, and cold, it is nursed back to health by library friends.

This is the true story of a handsome, orange male tabby named Dewey; his love for the library and everyone around him. Everyone also loves Dewey. The story takes the reader through Dewey's life and adventures and ends with his death, which is handled in a gentle and inspirational way by the author.

I am passing this book on to my granddaughter who loves cats. I think she will love Dewey as much as I did.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

1001 Unforgettable Quotes About God, Faith, & The Bible

2011-04-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

Author: Ron Rhodes
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (April 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736928480

Book Description:
Bible scholar and avid reader Ron Rhodes gathers his favorite quotes from classic and contemporary Christians about Scripture, belief, God, and life. For added spiritual insight, Rhodes provides Bible truths behind each presented quote.
Topical selections can be read in order or as areas of interest arise for a reader.

This rich collection will be a must-have for home and church libraries and will be a great gift for those who love gathering words of wisdom for their Christian walk.

My Thoughts:
1001 Unforgettable Quotes About God, Faith, & The Bible is a treasure trove of inspiration by the world's great religious thinkers. It not only offers the reader Bible verses, but also quotes and poems by the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Francis Schaeffer, Charles Swindoll, Martin Luther, James Dobson, Corrie ten Boom, and many other great leaders.

This is a nice reference book for the pastor, church school teacher, or layman. It contains the best of the best, laid out in an easy to find topical format.

(Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy.)

13 rue Therese / Review

2011-04-09T12:05:00.000-07:00

Author: Elena Mauli Shapiro
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books; 1 edition (February 2, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316083283

Book Description:
American academic Trevor Stratton discovers a box full of artifacts from World War I as he settles into his new office in Paris. The pictures, letters, and objects in the box relate to the life of Louise Brunet, a feisty, charming Frenchwoman who lived through both World Wars.

As Trevor examines and documents the relics the box offers up, he begins to imagine the story of Louise Brunet's life: her love for a cousin who died in the war, her marriage to a man who works for her father, and her attraction to a neighbor in her building at 13 rue Thérèse. The more time he spends with the objects though, the truer his imaginings of Louise's life become, and the more he notices another alluring Frenchwoman: Josianne, his clerk, who planted the box in his office in the first place, and with whom he finds he is falling in love.

My Thoughts:

I love the cover art for this book. It is as captivating as the story it represents. The art doesn't stop with the cover; it is also carried throughout the novel, along with old photographs.

The story itself is a romantic fantasy which the author tells with breathtaking skill. It is surprising, mysterious, heart-breaking at times, romantic, and definitely unique. 4 stars****

(Thank you to Hachette Books for my review copy.)

Transforming Prayer / Review

2011-04-09T11:35:00.000-07:00

Author: Daniel Henderson
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: Bethany House (January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780764208515

Book Description:
Praying Christians are hungry to learn how to connect with God in a way that takes them beyond the typical grocery-list approach. Transforming Prayer explores the profound difference between seeking God's hand (what he does for people) and seeking God's face (who he really is).

With captivating stories of the transformative power of personal worship and its connection with prayer, this book equips readers with practical tools for a more effective personal and corporate prayer life.

My Thoughts:
When ask to review this book by the publisher, I was more than happy to read about 'Transforming Prayer'. I had recently read a fasinating article in our local newspaper about a man who was healed from a crippling disease through seeking only the love of God. This book seemed to go along with that concept.

Topics addressed in 'Transforming Prayer' include: Beyond a "Grocery List" of needs; What is Blocking the Breakthrough?; All Prayer List Are Not Created Equal; Go For the Glory; Pray This, Not That; The Bible and God's Glory.

This handbook on prayer is practical, doable, and has the potential to take one's prayer life from mediocre to fantastic. It also includes a section of chapter by chapter questions for reflection and discussion in the back of the book.

(Thank you to Bethany House for my review copy.)

100 Great Poems for Boys

2011-04-04T11:17:00.000-07:00

Edited by: Leslie Pockell

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (April 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780446563826

Book Description:
Reading any great poem for the first time is always a thrilling discovery, even if it's only four lines long, and this collection brings together some of the best ever to read, memorize, or recite. Boys of all ages will enjoy reading poems catered specifically to them, whether it means discovering great heroes and dangerous animals, or simply laughing at pure nonsense and hilarious rhymes. The book is divided into seven sections: Animals, Fun to Read Aloud, Battlefields and Heroes, Things to Think About, Limericks, Tongue Twisters, Just for Laughs.

100 BEST POEMS FOR BOYS is a perfect introduction for those encountering poetry for the first time, but readers who grew up with poems will also cherish this treasury of classics.

My thoughts:
I am very excited about this book. Leslie Pockell has compiled 100 of the most loved poems of childhood into one volume. I found in it poems about nature and life; poems that made me laugh; poems that inspire me; and poems to read aloud. This is a good poetry beginning for any young person, especially boys. If you are thinking of giving a gift, this is one that can make a difference in a child's life. I highly recommend it.

(thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

100 Great Poems for Girls

2011-04-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

Edited by: Celia Johnson

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Paperback: 208 pages

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (April 4, 2011)

Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446563846

Book Description:
Reading any great poem for the first time is always a thrilling discovery, even if it's only four lines long, and this collection brings together some of the best ever to read, memorize, or recite. Girls of all ages will enjoy reading poems catered specifically to them, whether it means envisioning adventures with princesses and witches, or laughing at the antics of mischievous little girls. The book is divided into eight sections: Nature, Imagination, Love & Friendship, Inspiration, Animals, Nursery Rhymes, Limericks & Tongue Twisters, and Fun & Nonsense.

100 GREAT POEMS FOR GIRLS is a perfect introduction for those encountering poetry for the first time, but readers who grew up with poems will also cherish this treasury of classics.

My thoughts:
I am very excited about this book. Ms. Johnson has compiled 100 of the most loved poems of childhood into one volume. I found in it poems about nature and life; poems that made me laugh and poems that inspire me. This is a good poetry beginning for any young person, especially girls. If you are thinking of giving a gift, this is one that can make a difference in a child's life. I highly recommend it.

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

The Final Summit / Review

2011-03-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

Author: Andy Andrews
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 12, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 078523120X

Book Description:

David Ponder is back. This time the fate of mankind is in his hands.

This is mankind's last chance. Centuries of greed, pride, and hate have sent humanity hurtling toward disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship, and it consists of only two words.

With time running out, it is up to David Ponder and a cast of history's best and brightest minds to uncover this solution before it is too late. The catch? They are allowed only five tries to discover the answer.

Readers first encountered David Ponder in The Traveler's Gift. Now, in The Final Summit, Andrews combines a riveting narrative with astounding history in order to show us the one thing we must do when we don't know what to do.

Many years have passed since David Ponder discovered the Seven Decisions during a divine journey through time. Now 74 years old, Ponder has lost the one thing that mattered to him most: his wife, Ellen. Despite his personal and professional success, he now sits alone at the top of his 55-story high-rise contemplating the unthinkable, just as he did 28 years ago.

However, just as things are looking their darkest, Ponder is informed through divine channels that he is needed now more than ever. Together, with the help of hundreds of his fellow Travelers, from Winston Churchill to George Washington Carver to Joan of Arc, he must work to discover the one solution that will save humanity. Time is running out, and the final summit of Travelers must work quickly to avoid dire consequences.

The Final Summit explores the historically proven principles that have guided our greatest leaders for centuries, and how we might restore these principles in our own lives...before it's too late.

My Review:

Best selling author Andy Andrews has written another hit novel. The Final Summit finds 74 year old David Ponder in a personal crisis after losing his beloved wife; remembering her is almost too much to contain. But just when he, seemingly, can't go any further, divine intervention shows him that he must find a way to save mankind. Along with fellow life-travelers, he seeks out that one principle.

The Final Summit is complete with a Reader’s Guide in the back of the book. The reader will find chapter questions to ask one’s self which include areas like: looking back on your life; what does adversity mean to you; memory successes; have you ever lived without hope; what is your definition of wisdom; wisdom vs. knowledge; courage vs. cowardice; and much more.

Andy Andrews is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Noticer and The Traveler’s Gift. In keeping with his past successes, this wonderful book is inspirional and very well-written. It is one that you will read many times over and perhaps want to give to others.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and will read it again. It would make a good gift for Mother or Father’s Day. I highly recommend it. 5 stars*****

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson for my review copy.)

Francine Rivers

2011-03-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

I would like to invite my friends to visit author Francine Rivers website http://www.francinerivers.com/ I think you will like the books you find there. Happy reading!

My Reading Life / Review

2011-03-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

Author: Pat Conroy
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Nan A. Talese
(November 2, 2010)
ISBN-10: 9780385533577

Book Description:
Bestselling author Pat Conroy acknowledges the books that have shaped him and celebrates the profound effect reading has had on his life. Pat Conroy, the beloved American storyteller, is also a voracious reader. He has for years kept a notebook in which he notes words or phrases, just from a love of language. But reading for him is not simply a pleasure to be enjoyed in off-hours or a source of inspiration for his own writing. It would hardly be an exaggeration to claim that reading has saved his life, and if not his life then surely his sanity.

In My Reading Life, Conroy revisits a life of passionate reading. He includes wonderful anecdotes from his school days, moving accounts of how reading pulled him through dark times, and even lists of books that particularly influenced him at various stages of his life, including grammar school, high school, and college. Readers will be enchanted with his ruminations on reading and books, and want to own and share this perfect gift book....

And, come graduation time, My Reading Life will establish itself as a perennial favorite, as did Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

My Review: Before reading My Reading Life, I had never read Pat Conroy. After reading this book I am now a great fan of his. What beautiful prose! Mr. Conroy confides his life story with the touch of a master writer. I was spell-bound throughtout the entire book and afterward gave it to my daughter to read. His chapter on The Military Brat was absolutely insightful. I have never read anything like it before, and being from a military family, I could relate to every word. I'm afraid I completely ruined the value of my personal copy with an abundance of highlighted passages, but it is just that good. It is a book I will read multiple times. Thank you Pat Conroy for giving this reader a couple of days of complete reading enjoyment! 5 stars***** all the way!

The Amish Midwife / Review

2011-03-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

Author: Mindy Starns Clark; Leslie Gould
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(February 1, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0736937986
Book Description: A dusty carved box containing two locks of hair and a century-old letter regarding property in Switzerland, and a burning desire to learn about her biological family lead nurse-midwife Lexie Jaeger from her home in Oregon to the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country. There she meets Marta Bayer, a mysterious lay-midwife who desperately needs help after an Amish client and her baby die.

Lexie steps in to assume Marta’s patient load even as she continues the search for her birth family, and from her patients she learns the true meaning of the Pennsylvania Dutch word demut, which means “to let be” as she changes from a woman who wants to control everything to a woman who depends on God.

A compelling story about a search for identity and the ability to trust that God securely holds our whole life—past, present, and future.

My Thoughts: If you are looking for a page-turner, this is it. It is a beautifully well-written story about one's search for the past and the discovery of understaning and forgiveness. I found this book so compelling and real--I could hardly put it down. A book club will find discussion questions in the back of the book for group activity.

(Thank you to Harvest House for my review copy.)

Hatteras Girl

2011-03-19T19:13:00.000-07:00

Author: Alice J. Wisler

Paperback: 310 pages
Publisher: Bethany House

(October 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780764207327

Book Description:

There are two things twenty-nine-year-old Jackie Donovan asks God for: an honest, wonderful man to marry, and to own a bed-and-breakfast in the Outer Banks region. In the meantime, Jackie works for Lighthouse Views magazine, writing articles about other local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives. There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: the Bailey Place, a fabulous old home where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons, a place that has now fallen into disrepair because of its outrageous price tag. When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Bailey Place, Jackie is sure God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to question her own motivation. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?

About the Author:

Alice J. Wisler is a public speaker, advocate, fundraiser, and the author of two contemporary novels, How Sweet It Is and Rain Song, a Christy Award finalist. She has been a guest on several radio and TV programs to promote her self-published cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle. She has a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Mennonite University and has traveled the world in jobs that minister to people. Alice and her family live in Durham, North Carolina.

My thoughts:

First of all, I'm not a big fan of first person tense in novels. It reminds me more of a screenplay than a novel and usually takes a very seasoned writer to pull this style off well. Nevertheless, Hatteras Girl was entertaining, taking this reader to an area of the country that I know I would enjoy visiting. I also liked the idea of questions in the back of the book which would go well with a reading group. There were also a few recipes, included, that sound good. All in all, it is a good beach read, if you like the style (first person). 4 stars****

(Thank you to Bethany House for my review copy.)

Making Life Rich Without Any Money

2011-03-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

Author: Phil Callaway

Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Gift edition (February 1, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0736926615

Book Description:

A simpler, more meaningful life is a puddle jump, a snowball fight, a family gathering away. In this delightful treasury, award-wining photojournalist Kevin Rivoli captures special life moments in his intimate black and white photographs while author Phil Callaway shares engaging, humorous stories from his popular book Making Life Rich Without Any Money (more than 75,000 copies sold).

Rich themes of family, gratitude, faith, and joy are explored alongside uplifting quotes, clever top-ten lists, and a remarkable parade of scenes that will evoke laughter, tears, and many personal memories.

This is wonderful gift for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and every occasion in between to help anyone and everyone celebrate the best investments of all—the treasures of the heart.

My thoughts:

This book may be small, but it is packed with wisdom and inspiration! Chapters include: Simplicity Makes Life Rich; Family Makes Life Rich; Giving Makes Life Rich; and more. I also enjoyed pages that were dotted with sweet photos, holy scripture and famous quotes. The author has created a little treasure trove of spiritual light, giving meaning to life in lean economic times. Very nice gift idea for anyone.

(Thank you to Harvest House Publishing for my review copy.)

Lily Hates Goodbyes / Children's book review

2011-03-18T13:19:00.000-07:00

Author: Jerilyn Marler
Illustrated by: Nathan Stoltenberg
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace
(March 8, 2011)
ISBN-10: 146096070X

Book Description:
Sometimes Lily has to say goodbye to her Daddy for about a billion days. She feels a swirl of unhappy emotions that can be scary. And she aches to feel connected to her Daddy during his long deployments. Join Lily as she learns how to cope with her emotions and to be happy in her daily life while she looks forward to joyfully saying hello when Daddy gets home. "Lily Hates Goodbyes" is helpful for any child who suffers separations from a loved one. The charming illustrations will draw your child's interest immediately. Children appreciate the affirmation that scary emotions are normal and that they don't last forever. Parents appreciate the opportunity talk with their children about the scary emotions in a safe, non-volatile way. The author's suggestions at the back of the book provide guidance on how to use the book to help children understand and cope with what they're going through.....

My thoughts:
Lily Hates Goodbyes is a timely, well-written story of a little girl whose father is deployed in the military. She misses him and wishes he could be home with her and her mother. As the story moves along, Lily is given creative projects to help her adjust until he returns. As I listened to my daughter read the story to her son, I thought of how helpful this would be to so many children like Lily who find it difficult to cope with a parent who leaves home for an extended time. As I mentioned before, the book is well-written and very nicely illustrated. My only wish is that it had been directed more toward the non-commissioned, enlisted family (as there are many), and not exclusively toward military officers' children; otherwise, it would have been perfect. 4 stars****

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

God's Wisdom for Mothers

2011-03-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

Author: Jack Countryman
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
(April 5, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1404189564

Book Description:

The crown of a mother is found in her faithfulness and character as it's reflected in her children.

God's Wisdom for Mothers was created to give timeless wisdom and guidance for Scripture meditation and application with 11 categories (62 subjects) pertaining to motherhood. Topics include God's Wisdom with Children, God Delights in Mothers Who . . . , God Walks with Mothers Through Heartache, Adversity, Worry, and many, many more. Included are pages at the back for prayer lists and personal study notes.

This book is a spiritual pathway to help every mother become all she can be in the eyes of God and her family.

My thoughts:

God’s Wisdom for Mothers is a beautiful edition that would be a lovely gift for a mother on Mother’s Day.

Let’s start at the first page, which has a ‘to’ and ‘from’ space. From here we go on to a rather large Table of Contents section; included are God’s Wisdom; The Crown of an Excellent Mother; God’s Wisdom with Children; God Teaches a Mother to Walk in His Word by…; God Delights in Mothers Who are…; God Walks with Mothers; God Encourages Each Mother to…; God Teaches Mothers How to…; and God Gives a Mother…. Each chapter is a compilation of Bible verses, all of which point the way to scripture based motherhood and child-rearing.

This is a small, compact book which can be carried in a purse for casual reading; placed neatly beside one’s bed on a night table; or taken easily along with one’s Bible to a study group. The graphic art on the cover is colorful and inviting. Thomas Nelson Publishing, along with author Jack Countryman have done a wonderful job in the presentation of a little gem that will encourage mothers of all ages. I highly recommend it, especially, for young mothers who are just starting out on their challenging and exciting journey into motherland.

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for my review copy.)

Blind Hope

2011-03-16T09:25:00.000-07:00

Author: Kim Meeder, Laurie Sacher

Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Multnomah Books

(July 20, 2010)
ISBN-10: 9781601422804

Book Description:

An unwanted dog. An emotional rescue.Two lives forever changed.

Laurie's dreams had been shattered before she came to work at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch—the ranch of rescued dreams—where broken horses and broken children encounter healing every day. In an attempt to soothe her aching soul, Laurie reached out to save a dog in need. And she soon began to realize that the dog was rescuing her. An inspiring true story told through the engaging voice of Kim Meeder, Blind Hope reveals poignant life lessons Laurie experienced from her ailing, yet courageous canine friend. Despite the blindness of her dog—and her own heart—Laurie uncovered what she really needed most: authentic love, unconditional trust, and true acceptance, faults and all. As Laurie and her dog, Mia, both learned to follow the lead of a master they couldn’t see, Laurie discovered the transforming power of God’s grace even for imperfect and selfish people—and she experienced a greater love than she had ever known.

“Love is a bridge that stands firm through difficulties and connects one heart directly to another, not because of how it looks, but because of what it is.” --Kim Meeder, Blind Hope

My thoughts:

If you love animals, especially dogs, Blind Hope will touch your heart as it did mine. It is the story of Mia and Laura, and the life lessons that were learned as they both followed the power of God. It is story of unconditional love, great trust, and acceptance. I give 5 stars***** to this inspiring book. Note: please be aware that it is a heavily faith based story.

(Thank you to Multnomah Publishing for my review copy.)

The Me Project

2011-03-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

Author: Kathi Lipp
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(February 1, 2011)
ISBN-10: 9780736929660

Book Description:
Most women in the midst of careers, marriage, raising children, and caring for parents set their personal goals aside. The Me Project provides women with fun and creative ways to bring back the sense of purpose and vitality that comes with living out the plans and dreams God has planted in their hearts. Kathi Lipp’s warm tone and laugh-out-loud humor will motivate women to take daily steps toward bringing purpose back into their lives and give them the confidence they can do it in spite of busy schedules.

A woman who reads and applies The Me Project will discover the unique plan God has for her life and her role as a wife, mother, worker, or volunteer gather a community of like-minded women who want to make their goals a priority change her attitudes toward her roles in life, as well as how she approaches her personal goals.

This handy guide coaches women to do one simple thing toward achieving their goals each day for three weeks, bringing a sense of vitality and exhilaration back into their lives.

My thoughts:

The Me Project by Kathi Lipp suggests ways to help women become more confident in their daily lives. It helps change attitudes that may be keeping us down. The book is fun to read and its steps are also fun to apply. There is no drudgery here; only friendly, humorous modivational material.

(Thank you to Harvest House for my review copy.)

Party For Two

2011-03-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

Author: Bruce Cadle
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace
(January 19, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1456519182

Book Description:

Party for Two is far more than a cookbook. Yes, it is filled with Fun, Fancy, and Easy Romantic Recipes like:
Grilled Brie
Goat Cheese Truffles
Smoked Salmon Flatbread
Gorgonzola Bruschetta
Portobello Fries with Key Lime Aioli Salads
Shaved White Asparagus Salad
Watermelon Feta Salad
Arugula with Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette Entrees
Ancho Chili Cowboy Ribeye
Pad Thai
Grilled Scallops on Lemongrass Skewers
Chardonnay Chicken
Smoked Gouda and Apple Panini
Red Onion Confit/Arugula, Pizza Desserts
Grilled Pina Colada
Key Lime White Chocolate Margarita
Basil Cream Lemon Snaps

You will also find a recipe never seen in a cookbook before. Party For Two contains the recipe to a great marriage.

In Party For Two you will embark on a journey with Bruce and Valerie Cadle and discover how to establish your own weekly Date Night.

(Thank you to the author for my review copy.)

The Healing Code / Review

2011-03-13T18:40:00.000-07:00

Authors: Alexander Loyd, PhD, ND

with Ben Johnson, MD, DO, NMD

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Life & Style

(February 9, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1455502014

Book Description:

THE HEALING CODE is your healing kit for life--to heal the issues you know about, and the ones you don't.

In 2001, Dr. Alex Loyd discovered how to activate a physical function built into the body that consistently and predictably removes the source of 95% of all illness and disease so that the neuro-immune system takes over its job of healing whatever is wrong with the body. His findings were validated by tests and by the thousands of people from all over the world who have used The Healing Codes system to heal virtually any physical, emotional, or relational issue, as well as realize breakthroughs in success.His testing also revealed that there is a "Universal Healing Code" that will heal most issues for most people.

In this book you will get that Universal Healing Code, which takes only minutes to do. The book also includes:
The Seven Secrets of life, health, and prosperity
The 10-second Instant Impact technique for defusing daily stress
The Heart Issues Finder, the only test that identifies your source issues in a succinct personalized report.

My thoughts:

The Healing Code is, by far, one of the most interesting books I have ever read. Did you know that science has determined that not only our brain stores memory, but the cells throughout our bodies do, as well. The authors share story after story about new technology, and tell how many experts in the medical field believe that changing wrong beliefs can lead to better health.

I can give personal testimony that after using the healing code, my emotional health seemed to improve to the point that I could not think one negative thought for hours afterward.

The code is very easy to learn and seems to be one of the greatest discoveries to date. I highly recommend The Healing Code to anyone who is looking to improve health, success, and relationships.

(Thanks VERY MUCH to Hachette Book Group for my review) copy

A Little Book of Powerful Prayers / Review

2011-03-09T13:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Stormie Omartian
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
(February 1, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0736928561

Book Description:
Bestselling author Stormie Omartian (more than 13.5 million book copies sold) has helped men and women around the world embrace the power and joy of communicating with God. This attractive, padded hardcover volume provides a selection of heartfelt prayers from some favorite Stormie titles, including The Power of Praying® Through the Bible and The Power of a Praying® Life.

This gathering of prayers will lead readers to lift up to God areas of their lives including:
*health and healing
*love and relationships
*purpose, direction, and decisions

My Review:

This is a sweet book of daily prayers housed in a handsome padded hardcover of gift quality. It also has an attached ribbon for marking a favorite page. Ms. Omartian's prayers touch many areas of our lives. They are short (only around 8-12 lines long) and to the point. Each prayer includes an inspirational scripture reading to get us started. This beautiful little book would make a wonderful lady's gift.

(Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for my review copy.)

The Jesus Inquest / Review

2011-03-09T11:17:00.000-08:00

Author: Charles Foster
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
(January 11, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0849948118

Book Description:
The Jesus Inquest argues the case both for and against the resurrection of Christ. Point-by-point Foster, in turn as both barrister X and Y, leaves no theological stone or dissenter's rock unturned as he digs for answers and the truth.

In the end he is more convinced that Jesus is real, that He did rise again, and that He lives to offer forgiveness and hope to all who come to Him.

My Review:
This extraordinary book takes us through medical evidence, Jewish burial practices, ancient artifacts, gospel history, and biblical criticism. The author who is a practicing trail attorney looks at both sides in his attempt to uncover the real Jesus. Was he the much awaited Christ or a celebrated teacher or just a man? It gives compelling facts and challenges the reader to look at the entire picture with unbiased eyes. The Jesus Inquest has seemingly covered it all…life, death and resurrection. Author, Charles Foster, also covers the question of the Shroud of Turin, which I, like others, have been interested in for many years. Here I was able to get new facts on that subject, too, which were not disappointing!

The book also includes many photos as evidence to the case in question. It seems nothing has been spared here. Whether the debate is for or against Jesus being the Son of God, we as readers get a well-rounded picture, so that we can decide for ourselves…we are the jury! This is a good read for those looking for truth and are willing to accept the true historical facts. It is well-written, very layman-friendly, and compelling. I would highly recommend it.

(Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for my review copy.)

The Wolves of Andover / Review

2011-02-24T20:38:00.000-08:00

Author: Kathleen Kent

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books

(November 8, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316068624

Book Description:

In the harsh wilderness of colonial Massachusetts, Martha Allen works as a servant in her cousin's household, taking charge and locking wills with everyone. Thomas Carrier labors for the family and is known both for his immense strength and size and mysterious past. The two begin a courtship that suits their independent natures, with Thomas slowly revealing the story of his part in the English Civil War. But in the rugged new world they inhabit, danger is ever present, whether it be from the assassins sent from London to kill the executioner of Charles I or the wolves-in many forms-who hunt for blood. A love story and a tale of courage, The Wolves of Andover confirms Kathleen Kent's ability to craft powerful stories of family from colonial history.

About the Author:
Kathleen Kent is the author of The Heretic's Daughter. She lives in Dallas.

My Review:

The Wolves of Andover is a well-crafted tale of history, hardship, suspense, political revenge, and an unusual love between two desperate people.

Part adventure and part love story, it pulls the reader quickly into turbulent colonial America. It becomes somewhat complicated and a little slow at times, but still a good read. 4 stars****(5 being the highest).

(Thank you to Hachette Book Group for my review copy.)

The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman

2011-02-10T19:23:00.000-08:00

Author: Alice Hoffman

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Crown

(January 25, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0307393879

Book Description:

The Red Garden introduces us to the luminous and haunting world of Blackwell, Massachusetts, capturing the unexpected turns in its history and in our own lives.

In exquisite prose, Hoffman offers a transforming glimpse of small-town America, presenting us with some three hundred years of passion, dark secrets, loyalty, and redemption in a web of tales where characters' lives are intertwined by fate and by their own actions. From the town's founder, a brave young woman from England who has no fear of blizzards or bears, to the young man who runs away to New York City with only his dog for company, the characters in The Red Garden are extraordinary and vivid: a young wounded Civil War soldier who is saved by a passionate neighbor, a woman who meets a fiercely human historical character, a poet who falls in love with a blind man, a mysterious traveler who comes to town in the year when summer never arrives.

At the center of everyone’s life is a mysterious garden where only red plants can grow, and where the truth can be found by those who dare to look. Beautifully crafted, shimmering with magic, The Red Garden is as unforgettable as it is moving.

About the Author:
ALICE HOFFMAN is the acclaimed author of twenty-nine works of fiction, including The Story Sisters, The Third Angel, Practical Magic, Here on Earth, The Ice Queen, Turtle Moon, Illumination Night, and Blackbird House. Her work has been translated into more than twenty languages and published in more than one hundred foreign editions.

My Review:

The Red Garden is not only the history of Blackwell, Massachusetts, but it's also a collection of love stories--magical, mysterious, unforgettable, consuming. It is the story of family love; passion between lovers; the loyality of beloved pets. It tells the story of a pioneer woman who loved bears; a dog who would not leave the grave of his mistress; the ghost of a little girl in a blue dress; mismatched lovers who would never let go of the past.

Chapter by chapter I was pulled into the lives of the fascinating characters who lived along the Eel River from which the first families found food, profit, and romance. Poetic and haunting, this is a page-turner. I could feel the love Ms. Hoffman poured into her beautiful novel, and couldn't stop reading until it was finished. Excellent!

(Thanks goes to Alice Hoffman for my review copy.)

Did You Know?

2011-02-08T22:39:00.000-08:00

Did you know you can find more reviews at my four other book blogs? You can find the links in the right-hand column on this page. Happy reading!