Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler

Growing up Amish by Ira Wagler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Sad. Fascinating. Heavy. Intriguing.

I grew up visiting Amish country often and for 4 years of my early married life we lived in an area filled with Amish and Mennonite families. My family also had an Amish family that we were friends with and spent time in their home as I as growing up. I have always had an appreciation for the Amish community and enjoyed reading the occasional Amish fiction. However, all this said, I think our English views of the Amish community are shaped on quaint ideas of happy-ending fiction books and tourist interactions. Reading Growing Up Amish displays an accurate view of the average and ordinary life of the Amish. While I appreciated the life story of Ira Wagler, I set this book down with an overwhelming sadness. Honestly, after the first few chapters I wanted to put the book down because it was depressing. Yet at the same time the inside look at raw Amish life was so fascinating that I couldn't put it down. (Plus it was a review book and I needed to finish!)

I liked this book for it's inside look at real Amish life versus our quaint, tourist view. However, I feel that the end fell flat. It was an abrupt ending to a very dramatic and emotional story. If this had not been a review book, I would not have finished it. The reason I give it 3 stars is that if you are hooked on Amish fiction I think this would be a good dose of reality for you.

If you have lot of time to read and are curious about Amish life you would probably enjoy this book.

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This review book was provided courtesy of NetGalley but the opinion expressed is my own.

My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife by Sara Horn

My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife: A One-Year Experiment...and Its Surprising Results by Sara Horn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

This is one of those books that I had such mixed emotions about. First I liked it, then I didn't, then I did again. It's also a bit different than any other book I have read - not fiction, not really biography, not Bible study...more like reading someone's diary which in turns make you think about your own life.

I recommend this book for those who want another perspective on the Proverbs 31 Woman or for those who think that she's too old fashioned to apply to their lifestyle. While I don't personally agree with every thing that Sara said or concludes with...I appreciated her light-hearted, yet very thought provoking, and personal look at this unnamed woman and how we can learn from her even in today's culture. It was a fun read and made me feel like I had a new friend as I eavesdropped on Sara's life for a whole year. For women looking for a relaxing yet thoughtful read, this is for you.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

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.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of NetGalley but the opinion expresses is purely my own.

Double Take by Melody Carlson

Double Take: A Novel by Melody Carlson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

It's a familiar storyline with a new twist as NYC collides with rural Pennsylvania. The characters are likeable and fun and seem to deal with issues that most of your average teen girls also have to work through. I personally enjoyed the comparison of the life of the rich versus the life of the Amish from a teen girl's perspective.

Double Take was a fun book to read in a few hours of down time. It also has a neat message about the blessings of living life simply no matter what your life is - rich, poor, Amish, or English. I would recommend this for any 13-year-old and up to read as a great "beach book". However, I was disappointed in the weakness of the scriptural and gospel message. There was really nothing that set this book aside to make it clearly a Christian book except for mentioning God and "experiencing Him" a few times. My advice is to read and enjoy, just make sure it's not the only book your teen girl is reading this summer.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

It's spring break of her senior year and Madison Van Buren is fed up. Stressed over Ivy League pressure, her parents' marital problems, and her boyfriend's neglect, Madison gets in her car and drives west. Meanwhile, eighteen-year-old Anna Bronner wants to escape the so-called simple life--which for her consists of caring for younger siblings, sewing, cooking, and gardening--and she's well aware that her future will simply be more of the same with a man she doesn't love. Suddenly, worlds collide when Madison and Anna meet in a small town, realize they look uncannily similar, and decide the grass is definitely greener on the other side. Readers will love this funny and provocative tale of switching places from bestselling author Melody Carlson. As they get a glimpse into two very different worlds, they may find themselves happy to be just who they are, where they are.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

The River Queen by Gilbert Morris

The River Queen: A Novel by Gilbert Morris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MOM'S REVIEW:

Book One in Gilbert Morris' new Water Wheel Series takes place in the mid 1800's along the Mississippi River during the river boat era. Julienne Ashby has been raised in a wealthy lifestyle, but when her father dies, the family is left with nothing but a run-down river boat. She finds a man to restore the boat and hopes to also restore the family fortune. When they face losing the boat to the mortgage holder, they take desperate measures to win a race and the prize money.

The gospel shines through in this story of restoration; and I enjoyed the setting of the story as they traveled between St. Louis and New Orleans on the river. However, the storyline is predictable as usual in his books. But the history that he brings alive is worth the read.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of B&H Publishers but the opinion expressed was in now way influenced.

dot.com Dating by Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott

dot.com Dating: finding your right someone online--avoiding the liars, losers, and freaks

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

In this culture where the look of dating is changing, dot.comdating is an almost-pocket-sized handbook to help you work through the myths of online dating, the decision of whether online dating is for you or not, and the questions to ask prior to dating online. I appreciate that this book has helpful information for those looking to date and those like myself who are parents and friends of those dating online. Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott effectively debunk the myths surrounding the online scene and I liked the way the shed light on the truth so that the fear of online dating is removed. The advise they have to offer about how to use the online sites is very helpful and will hopefully enable many singles to have a better experience, saving more heartache and frustration.

Although I found this book very helpful, there were a few points that I flat out disagreed with - specifically their description of true love found on page 36. I would encourage adults to read this book for it's helpful hints, but hope that they filter it through the Word of God and not establish the foundation for their beliefs about relationships on man's relationship techniques. Look to the gospel to see what love looks like and how it should be fleshed out in our daily lives. Then read this to find out how to use a dating site more efficiently.

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This book was provided for review courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers but the opinion expressed is my own.

The Radical Disciple by John Stott

The Radical Disciple by John Stott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

I have heard so many men and women, whom I highly respect, quote from John Stott's books that it was with great anticipation that I listened to this audio version of his book. And at first, despite the depth of thought, I readily nodded in silent agreement as I listened. However, after a few chapters I was nodding less and less and and spending more time tilting my head to the side as I paused to try and "get" what he was saying.

While much of this book is wonderful, and Biblical, his presentation is lacking greatly. I don't think this is a book that is best suited for audio digestion; it's easier to intake when given time to read a phrase, grasp it, and then move on to the next. In this audio format it moves too quickly for one to truly glean from - unless maybe they have read all his other books and are already very familiar with his thoughts. I also found that while I agreed with his outline of radical discipleship on the big picture scale, I am left not really agreeing in totality on how it fleshes out. There were parts that it sounded, to me at least, almost too radical. Because of the difficulty of reading this book via audio, I am left still unsure if it sounded too radical due to his wordy wording or because it truly is...and that will have to be decided by each individual reader.

My final thoughts are that even if I did agree 100% with everything that Stott wrote, I would still recommend other books first due to their content being easier to read and digest - Radical by David Platt being the first of those books. The quality of sound and the narration were fine, but this book and an audio format or not a marriage made in heaven!


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This review copy was provided by christianaudio.com but the opinion expressed is my own.

Parent’s Guide to the Spiritual Mentoring of Teens

Parents' Guide to the Spiritual Mentoring of Teens by Jim Weidmann
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

This is a very full, very comprehensive look at mentoring a teen spiritually which as a result will overflow into every aspect of their lives. It's broken into five sections - Vision, Relationship, Discipling, Success, and Conclusion - and is rather daunting to read. However, the reading is easy and enjoyable and most definitely practical. While I appreciated this book very much, there is a lot of it that is really just a reminder of common sense parenting for those of us raised in solid Christian homes. It's a great reference tool, but I think that most people may want something with a little more meat to chew on. Or in the least, combine it with another book such as Age of Opportunity or Sacred Parenting.

Leaving by Karen Kingsbury

Leaving by Karen Kingsbury
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Once again Karen Kingsbury has written a captivating story that sucks you in within the first few pages. It's well written with deep characters who share their lives with us to both encourage us and challenge us in our walk.

While I enjoyed the book and the new story that still weaves in past characters I also have a reservation about this book. It is a great relaxing read to unwind with, but you can also get so caught up in the storyline and so attached to the characters that you find yourself wishing you were them or had them in your life. Be careful that this fiction series stays fiction and doesn't become a Christianized soap opera.

Leaving is clean and wholesome in that there are no scenes I feel the need to warn anyone about. However, it is an adult novel and I would advise caution and great supervision in allowing teens to read this book and series. Not because of anything outright wrong, but rather because it addresses issues of life that adults deal with and that teens - especially younger ones - should not.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

The Bailey Flanigan series begins with Bailey leaving Bloomington for the adventure of a lifetime. She has won an audition for the ensemble of a Broadway musical in New York City.

She's determined to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but is she really ready to leave family and friends for the loneliness of the city? And what of Cody? His disappearance has her worried about their future and praying that their love can survive. In order to be closer to his mother in jail, Cody takes a coaching job in a small community outside Indianapolis. New friends, distance, and circumstances expose cracks in his relationship with Bailey Flanigan.

Facelift by Leanna Ellis

Facelift: A Novel by Leanna Ellis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MOM'S REVIEW:

I enjoyed this story about a recently divorced mother of a teenager who struggles in knowing God's will in the details of her life. She wants reconciliation with her ex-husband who is only interested in pleasing himself; but God uses unexpected circumstances to teach her to trust Him.

The author uses today's real-life situations in the lives of her characters which makes the book very readable. I wish Leana Ellis had been more explicit in dealing with faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to having a personal relationship with God. Some of the characters seemed genuine in their faith, but others seemed to just use prayer in times of trouble.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

In life and love, we could all stand a few nips and tucks . . .

Kaye Redmond, a "can do" kind of woman, has the magical touch when it comes to staging houses to attract buyers. Her ability to make things "perfect" has served her well in her career. If only it could transform her personal life as well. With a failed marriage, an angry teenage daughter, and an ex-mother-in-law who is no fairy godmother, Kaye's life is about as imperfect as it gets.

But sometimes blessings come in the strangest packages. Like her ex-mother-in-law landing on Kaye's doorstep after a botched facelift. Could caring for the impossible woman help Kaye get what she wants most: her husband back? Isn't that what God would want? And what her daughter needs? But no fairy princess ever faced such obstacles: an ex-husband's surgically enhanced mistress, hormonal teenagers, and--worst of all--an extra handsome prince! How's a woman supposed to find happily-ever-after with all that going on?

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This review copy was provided courtesy of B&H Publishing but the opinion expressed is my own and was in no way influenced.

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False Pretenses by Kathy Herman

False Pretenses: A Novel by Kathy Herman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Intrigue, suspense, twisting plots, and just a dash of romance for good measure make this a fun beach read book. I enjoy Kathy's fiction writing that makes the character real and deeper than the written page. And it is fun to read about an entirely different area and group of people with still the hint of old friends from past books. In the end, this book is wrapped up with a bow of grace and you can close the book feeling settled and encouraged. However, I only give this book 3 stars because while it's all good, it's not great. The writing is enjoyable, but the spiritual message is weak. It makes a great relaxing read for when you just want to "chill" and not have to work physically or mentally. If you are looking for a good summer vacation read, and enjoy moments of suspense, this is for you.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Zoe Broussard loves the life she and her husband Pierce have built in her beloved Louisiana hometown—especially their popular brasserie Zoe B’s, to which folks drive all the way from Lafayette for lunch or dinner. It seems like heaven.
But it’s about to become hell. A series of anonymous notes is making her life a misery—because Zoe has a secret so terrible it could leave the business in shambles and tear her marriage apart. Can she find the courage to face her past?
The first in a new series from Kathy Herman, False Pretenses is a gripping suspense novel that leaves a lasting impression about honesty and accountability.

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This book was provided for review courtesy of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance but the opinion expressed is purely my own and was in no way influenced by the publisher or any other person.

The Life Ready Woman by Shaunti Feldhahn & Robert Lewis

The Life Ready Woman: Thriving in a Do-It-All World by Shaunti Feldhahn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

I appreciated the concept of this book and I enjoyed the overall theme and aim. It was easy to understand and the message flowed together through each chapter. I also appreciated the wisdom and experience that Shaunti and Robert brought to this book. There were some great examples and neat ways of presenting ideas in this book.

While I liked the basic outline of The Life Ready Woman, I was also left feeling like something was missing. It's a deep topic and yet I closed the book feeling shallow. The book is based on Scripture, yet it is my opinion that it is weak in showing how Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection effect and apply to our moment-by-moment life. There were points - like the issue of what the Biblical home is - where I cheered and said "Amen", and then other moments where I was uncomfortable with the idea presented.

I am sure most any woman could read this book and glean from the many truths presented. However, I must be honest and say that there are other books written on this same topic that are consistently stronger from cover to cover.

The catchy cover certainly makes the book inviting and intriguing, but my recommendation is to read a library copy before you purchase a copy for your own bookshelf.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Are you a 'Doing it all' or 'Do what matters' woman?

Whether a stay at home or working mom, an airplane-hopping executive, an empty-nester caring for multiple generations or a single juggling high demands of career and personal life, today's fast-paced modern world leaves women gasping for balance. We as modern Christian women want to look to the Bible for guidance on how to manage our lives -- but because the world of women looks so different today than it did when the Bible was written, it is hard to find chapter and verse that seems to apply to our situation today.

Thankfully, God has given us exactly that timeless, unchanging guidance for how to find peace, clarity, and God's best for our lives once we know where to look! The Life Ready Woman: Thriving in a Do-It-All World, reveals a profound biblical roadmap for how each of us can find the abundant life we are longing for, rather than the stressful, torn, how-do-I-balance-it-all life we often feel like we are trying to keep up with today. Actually being a LifeReady Woman means that you are clear about your life, bold in your faith, and able to find God's best for you, and the end result will be that you not only survive but thrive in our do-it-all world.

God has given every wonderfully unique woman different skills and abilities, different desires, and different temperaments -- and every woman around the planet and through the ages is certainly living in different circumstances. But no matter what a woman's life looks like, the Bible says that God has an individual mission and plan that He's carefully designed for each of us. And He wants us to find it. Starting January 2011, The Life Ready Woman and the Life Ready Woman Video Series will help every wonderfully unique woman to thrive as she identifies and courageously pursues God's unique design and callings for her. LifeReady Woman puts you on a roadmap to make decisions that will lead to relief, delight, and fulfillment instead of regret.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of LitFuse Publicity but the opinion above is my own and was in no way compensated.

Made To Crave by Lysa TerKeurst

Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire With God, Not Food by Lysa TerKeurst
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Lysa Terkeurst is one of the most enjoyable authors to read and she does not disappoint in Made To Crave. Her way with words makes you feel like you are sitting down for comforting conversation with a dear friend and sister. And not only is this an enjoyable read, but also a challenging one that takes you to the heart of the matter.

Made To Crave is not a "how-to" book on healthy eating, but rather a book about satisfying your cravings the right way - with the only thing that will ever satisfy. Using the Bible as her foundation, and sharing from her personal journey, Lysa shows us how we were made to crave.

I enjoyed the overall style and content of this book, DVD, and participants guide. It easy to read and understand and digs deeper into the "why" of eating healthy. While at times the whole program used together seemed a bit simplistic or redundant, it didn't make it less enjoyable or take away from what I did learn.

While I highly appreciated the message and truth in this book, I would also highly recommend the book Because He Loves Me to read in conjunction with Made To Crave.

One thing to keep in mind about the DVD curriculum and participants guide is that it is a lot of material to go through. While this is really a good feature, I would highly recommend this be used in small groups rather than in larger groups (Sunday Schools) for better interaction and less confusion. And due to the amount of material, accountability is important and small groups are better to cultivate that interaction.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Just because a woman finally fits into her skinny jeans doesn't mean she's won her battle with food. Too often, women overlook the spiritual component to their physical struggle with healthy eating. Made to Crave taps into the desires God gave you to consume food without letting food consume you!

Made to Crave is the missing link between a woman's desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. The reality is we were made to crave. Craving isn't a bad thing. But we must realize God created us to crave more of him. Many of us have misplaced that craving by overindulging in physical pleasures instead of lasting spiritual satisfaction. If you are struggling with unhealthy eating habits, you can break the "I'll start again Monday" cycle, and start feeling good about yourself today. Learn to stop beating yourself up over the numbers on the scale. Discover that your weight loss struggle isn't a curse but rather a blessing in the making, and replace justifications that lead to diet failure with empowering go-to scripts that lead to victory. You can reach your healthy weight goal - and grow closer to God in the process. This is not a how-to book. This is not the latest and greatest dieting plan. This book is the necessary companion for you to use alongside whatever healthy lifestyle plan you choose. This is a book and Bible study to help you find the "want to" in making healthy lifestyle choices. 224 pages. Companion Bible study DVD set also available. http://madetocrave.org/purchase-resource...

DVD OVERVIEW:

If you want to maximize your experience and bring these teachings to life in a way you’ll never forget, you’ll want to order the full set of resources. Adding the DVD teaching series and the workbook will motivate you to get healthy without feeling deprived, lose the weight in a permanent way, and find the peace your body, mind and soul desires. This DVD study can be done in a group or by yourself.

The Bundle is only available through Proverbs 31 Ministries, so click here to order! http://madetocrave.org/purchase-resource...

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This book, DVD, and participants guide was courtesy of Litfuse Group but the opinion expressed is my own.

Marriage Forecasting by Tim Muehlhoff

Marriage Forecasting: Changing the Climate of Your Relationship One Conversation at a Time by Tim Muehlhoff
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Marriage Forecasting is all about the conversations you have, and how you have them, as a married couple. Tim will guide you through some of the biggest troubles that we encounter when trying to talk with our spouse and show you some great ways to improve your conversations - the easy ones and the hard ones.

I appreciated this book for how Tim challenges us to look at marriage through the lense of Scripture and understand that a marriage is not a stepping stone but a one-time commitment. Muehlohoff writes with clarity, humor, and reality. I found this book easy to read and easy to understand. It contained some great practical application along with his philosophy rather than bore you with just another opinion.

Most couples who have a "good" relationship will both enjoy and learn from this book and be able to change the climate of their conversation and communication skills for the better. However, I recommend caution in that if you are part of a marriage that is struggling at the moment to seek the counsel of a Biblical Counselor before reading this book. While this book can help with some great principles, it is important to first correct the foundation of your marriage before trying to fix more "cosmetic" issues.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

What’s the forecast for your marriage? Marriages are as variable as the weather, and every marriage has a climate. Some are chilly and lack intimacy. Others are stormy and filled with conflict. But while the weather outdoors is beyond our control, the communication climates within our homes can be changed--for the better. Communication specialist Tim Muehlhoff offers simple strategies for improving the climate of a marriage. Our individual words and actions always take place within an overall atmosphere of expectations. Without a healthy climate of trust, we are prone to miscommunication and misunderstanding. Muehlhoff shows how to take an accurate climate reading of a relationship and explains what causes climates of poor communication. With current research on marital communication, listening skills, empathy and conflict resolution, Marriage Forecasting provides practical ways for couples to rebuild a warm relational climate. Don’t just talk about the weather. Break the cold front, clear the fog, and change the extended outlook for your marriage.

You can download a excerpt of this book by clicking here.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of IVP Books but the opinion expressed is strictly that of my own.

The Snowflake by Jamie Carie

The Snowflake by Jamie Carie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MOM'S REVIEW:

This 1897 romance takes place during the Alaska gold rush. Ellen and Buck overcome incredible obstacles to survive a wilderness trek after their steamship can sail no more. It is a good look into life during the gold rush with good spiritual lessons, but too predictable for me.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Christmas 1897. Ellen Pierce and her brother are determined to reach the Alaska gold rush. But when ice stalls their steamship, all seems lost, until Buck Lewis makes a decision: he'll lead all who dare to follow on foot toward Dawson City.

Buck is determined to leave behind a heartbreaking past. No amount of ice or weather will stop him. But he never counted on a woman joining a dangerous wilderness trek--or on falling in love with her.

As their journey unfolds and Christmas approaches, Ellen and Buck discover that the greatest gift of all can't be wrapped in paper and tied with a bow. It comes from, and is received in, the heart.

Come share in a soul-deep romance that gives a joyful reminder of a redeeming God who makes us each unique, yet loves us all the same.

Adventures of Rusty & Ginger Fox by Tim Ostermeyer

Adventures of Rusty & Ginger Fox by Tim Ostermeyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

A cute tale - literally! - and wonderful photography collide in this unique book about two young foxes. It's fun to read and the photos are a delight. My 5-year-old daughter enjoyed both the story, photographs, and especially all the fun facts about the specific animals seen in this story. I highly recommend it for the fun learning it provides. The only downfall is that the end is so strange in comparison to the first half of the book and seems almost out of place in the book. However, despite the strange finish it is still an adorable children's book.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

Join Rusty and Ginger as they travel through the woods. Author Tim Ostermeyer’s beautiful wildlife photography provides a fox’s-eye view of the forest. With a charming story to guide the way, and a fact page of wildlife information for every animal introduced in the book, readers can explore nature alongside Rusty and Ginger.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Phenix & Phenix but the opinions expressed are my own.

A Warrior Prince for God by Kelly Chapman

A Warrior Prince for God by Kelly Chapman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

This book is recommended for ages 3 to 8 but there was no way my 3-year-old was going to sit through the entire reading of this book. While it has great pictures that are bright and fun, the storyline is just a little too long for the younger ages. However, for older boys - 5 to 7 - this might be the perfect book. It's baseball, warriors, knights and horses, and all about being a warrior for Christ.

A Warrior Prince For God takes the rough and tumble and gives it a purpose and a place in a little boy's life. And what boy won't like the dog named "Burpie"?! This story helps boys understand their purpose in life and how they can be strong warriors for the Lord.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

“Once upon a real time there lived a boy named Luke. He dreamed of being a mighty warrior who was brave and courageous. But there was just one problem. He was afraid…”

In a lively story about baseball, camping, and facing your fears, author Kelly Chapman helps readers see that, no matter what they are afraid of, they can be strong in the Lord and in God’s mighty power. A Warrior Prince for God is all about finding out that a warrior prince is a Christian who lives a life worthy of his calling and enters into battles only when he is called, and then relying on God’s strength and not his own.

For ages 3 to 8 years

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This book was provided for review courtesy of the Harvest House Publishers but the opinions expressed are my own.

Grace by Shelley Shephard Gray

Grace: A Christmas Sisters of the Heart Novel by Shelley Shepard Gray

MY REVIEW:

GRACE is a simple story that will warm your heart!

I enjoyed the simplicity of the story as well as the characters with stories to be told. Gray's writing is truly enjoyable and the story is uplifting. There were a few parts that were a little hard to believe as, but not so much so that it took away from the story. Despite any weakness in that area it still remained a light, yet touching, read for pure enjoyment.

My favorite part was the multiple story lines going on between various couples.  It was not overly complicated, yet kept me on my toes as I turned the pages.

Due to a bit of the content I would recommend this for older teens (16 & up) and women only.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

It's Christmastime at the Brenneman Bed & Breakfast, and everyone is excited about closing down for the holiday.
Anna and Henry will be celebrating their first Christmas as a married couple, and for Katie and Jonathan Lundy, it's their first Christmas with baby Stefan. Winnie and Samuel Miller plan to stop by as well for a wonderful two weeks of family and rest.
But when two unexpected visitors show up, hoping to stay for Christmas, the family must test their commitment to hospitality. Levi is a widower who lost his wife four years ago and can't bear the thought of another Christmas alone. And Melody is a young pregnant woman who won't open up about how she ended up on her own at Christmas at almost nine months pregnant.
Anna, who knows a thing or two about keeping secrets, doesn't trust her, and strives to find out the truth about these two strangers who have disrupted their holiday. But as the Christmas spirit descends on them all, as well as snow that traps them in the inn, a healing and hopefulness takes over, allowing new relationships to be built, and the boundaries of family to be extended.

To purchase this book, click here.

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This book was provided for review courtesy of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance but the opinions expressed are my own.

View all my reviews

The Jesus Movie: Read & Share DVD Bible

My Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

MY REVIEW:

This is 80 minutes of entertainment and teaching based on the life of Christ.  It is a good overview of the life of Christ in a format that kids – specifically ages 3 to 6 – will enjoy.  The cartoon style will capture their attention and the story format of the movie – vs telling of events – will draw them in.

I like the way that the Read & Share Bible series puts things on a child’s level.  However the only draw back I have is that some of the stories are added to.  They take a few verses and use them to create a story board for the DVD.  While I do not have a problem with thinking about what it might have been like back then, I also think it’s important that we – especially young children – don’t get fiction confused with fact.  This is not necessarily a “don’t watch”, but rather a “watch with discernment”.  Used in the proper context – personally I say not in a church setting – it would make for a great way to read the Biblical passage – or portion thereof – and then watch the story acted out on this sweetly animated DVD.

DVD OVERVIEW:

Based on the art style of the Read and Share^® Bible, The Jesus Movie transports children to Nazareth for the story of Jesus’ birth, follows his life and miracles along the shores of Lake Galilee and ends in Jerusalem with his arrest, crucifixion and resurrection—all in one dramatic 80-minute movie. The excitement and joy of Jesus’ life, the danger and conflict with the Pharisees, the challenge and growth of the disciples—it’s all here in a simple, straightforward narrative.

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This review DVD was provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson but the opinions expressed are my own.

Always by Melody Carlson

Always: A Teen Devotional by Melody Carlson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Always is the perfect devotional for a teen girl to tuck in her backpack to gain fresh perspective and realign her focus through out the day.

I appreciated how all 90 days are based on the Words of Christ. Melody sandwiches a challenging thought between scripture and tucks in a prayer starter as well as a one-line thought that wraps up the devotional in one sentence. This is a devotional book that will help teen girls to apply the truth of the Word of God to their daily life and see how it can impact there life now.

My only caution is that this not become the only means of digging into the Bible for girls. This is a great starter book, or additional book, but I hope not their only book.

BOOK OVERVIEW:

It can be difficult for teenagers to understand how Jesus’ words hundreds of years ago relate to their lives today. To help teens dig deeper, bestselling author Melody Carlson releases Always, a devotional for teens that focuses specifically on helping teenagers take the teachings of Christ and apply those to their own lives, actions, thoughts and faith.

With 90 days’ worth of devotional readings in Always, Carlson takes key passages of Christ’s teachings, commands and promises from Scripture, and unlocks them, verse-by-verse for teens.

The devotionals address topics including:
• Living with purpose
• Avoiding religious traps
• Understanding the true character of God
• Learning to cling to Christ
• The power of prayer
• Living as an example to others
• Setting the right priorities
• Embracing servanthood

Each devotional includes a short passage of Scripture followed by insightful explanations, ideas for application, and accompanying prayers that encourage readers to start studying the Bible for all its worth.

“I became a believer during my teen years,” Carlson says. “One of the things that I did was take my Bible and read only the words of Jesus. It was awesome. I realized that Jesus’ words truly were words of life—and they were just the words that my life needed.”

Now, in Always, Carlson helps today’s teenagers discover those same inspiring truths in ways that they understand and can apply to their lives. Always is the third and final volume in her series of devotionals for teenagers “Words from the Rock,” following True and Life.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of Revell but the thoughts expressed are my own.

God Knows My Name by Beth Redman {GIVEAWAY!}

God Knows My Name: Never Forgotten, Forever Loved by Beth Redman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Beth Redman touches the heart of women with her vulnerability and deep biblical encouragement in this thought-provoking book. She shares what God thinks about us in light of scripture and how we can know that God KNOWS our name!

Her personal sharing ranges from down right hysterical to heart-wrenching. I appreciate her friend-to-friend approach and honesty through out this uplifting volume. While it is not the easiest book to read, and can seem a little disjointed at times, I still recommend it for those struggling with the love of God and their identity in Christ. Beth feeds women theology in a personal and applicable manner and anyone will find encouragement in these pages.

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This review copy was provided courtesy of The B&B Media Group but the opinions expressed are my won.

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GIVEAWAY!

I am giving away a copy of this book!  To enter leave a comment.  For the official rules click here.  A winner will be randomly drawn on Tuesday, October 12th.