What a difference a mom makes

Out of all the books I've read recently, I think this one has had the biggest impact in my life. As the mom of a boy, I struggle like many others to develop and hold onto the bond we have. In a house of all boys, there are struggles to really understand what my son is going through, and how I as a mom can be there for him.
This book gave some great advice and really gave me some absolutely wonderful insight into the role I play in my son's life, and the importance of fulfilling that role for him!
My son is almost 11 and on the verge of hitting the teen years, so I was mostly interested and excited to get my hands on the section of the book that talks about their teen years. In all honesty I've been slightly dreading the coming years, as I see the teens of today I worry that perhaps I haven't done enough for my child, that I haven't prepared him enough. With this book however I feel I am better equipped at helping my son through these years. I loved the insight Leman gives into the lives of boys, its something that I've not easily found, nor understood!
I HIGHLY recommend this book to any mom of a boy, it is invaluable!!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

My Journey to Heaven

I struggle with these types of books, with the Bible mentioning so little on what Heaven is completely like, I have a hard time finding it believable/reliable to trust that what the person experienced is truly 100% legit.
I didn't find a lot scripturally wrong with this book (but like I said, there isn't much written on what Heaven is like or fully looks like) So I'm inclined to give at the very least a consideration to what the author has written about. I did enjoy the book, and it gave me pause to think of what Heaven may be like, but more so (and what I really did appreciate about it) was that it caused me to look even deeper into the scriptures. In an effort to make sure what I was reading lined up with the Bible, I found myself learning more about God's word and developing more a passion for it too. So on that level I really did enjoy this book.
I do think I would recommend it, I would just caution the reader to make sure they know the Scriptures and test everything they read against them, just so you're not caught up in the story without knowing if the Bible speaks (or doesn't speak) on that subject.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

With Every Letter

I love the books by Sarah Sundin that are set in the WWII era, I love this history of the time and the struggles and fortitude that the people of that time showed! This is the second book I've reviewed of Sundin's and I absolutely love the books she writes. While the books are a type of romance, she includes enough "danger" and historical aspects of it, that you aren't overloaded with it. Plus she stays away from the cornier type of romance writing that so many Christian books fall into, so I really appreciate that!
In "With Every Letter" Lt. Mellie, ( a nurse) is roped into writing into an anonymous mail exchange with some of the soldiers overseas. She's weary about having to make friends with a stranger as that takes her out of her comfort zone, but is willing to give it a try. Tom in a roundabout way becomes the recipient of Millie's letter and they begin to forge a friendship that quickly escalates into something much stronger. But with both of them holding on to secrets, neither can see a way of truly "knowing" each other.
The book is fantastically written, great flow and easy readability!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Love's reckoning

I adored this book, it took me through a wide range of emotions while reading the story. We read about Eden, who struggles to help keep their family's household running, even when it seems like members of her own family are against her. When a new apprentice blacksmith arrives to work under her father, he cooks up a plan to try and force him into staying on indefinitely. Eden then struggles with the choice of disobeying her father or following her heart and the Lord's guidance.
This book just kept flowing straight till the end, it was one of those books that's horribly hard to put down once you pick it up!
I really loved the historical aspects of the book (I love historical fiction!) and reading about the lifestyles of the people of the time. I found the book highly believable and very entertaining. The book contained and presented well God's love, but held itself back from being overtly preachy. So I would be more than comfortable with sharing this with my non-Christian friends.
Highly recommend!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

A hidden truth

I've read a few of Judith Miller's books now, and I'm quickly becoming a fan of her! From my recollection I've only read one other book about the Amana culture/people, so I was really looking forward to reading more about this group in this novel!
One of the things I truly appreciated about this book was that one of the characters (Dovie) was from outside their group/religion, so as she was introduced to the Amana way of life, we the readers were also able to learn more about this group of people! Dovie travels to the Amana colony to discover more about her mother's family and why she (her mother) left the Amana to marry Dovie's father. Karlina her cousin is fearful that with the arrival of a new shepherd that she will no longer be able to work with her beloved sheep. The book takes us through their struggles in both finding themselves and dealing with the challenges of falling in love in a strict religious setting.
I found the book highly interesting, the story had a really great flow to it, and the characters were personable and believable. You could feel the emotions coming right off the pages at some points of the story.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

The Bridesmaid

I'm a big fan of Beverly Lewis, I really love the Amish themed books that she writes, and I especially love when she intermingles characters from previous books she's written.
This book was fantastic, true to her style, Lewis takes us on a journey with Joanna Kurtz, as she struggles with a passion towards writing, and staying within the orders of the Bishop and laws of the church. When she  has a chance meeting with a young Amish man from another colony she tries hard to grasp to the faith that God will work things out for their good.
I really enjoyed reading this book, the story hooked me straight to the end. The characters were so well written that I found myself at times feeling angry towards the ones in the book that were behaving poorly!
I'm very excited to continue on in this series and see where the lives of the other characters are taken!
Highly recommend!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favorite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

The River

This is the first time I've read a book by Michael Neale, but from the look of the book and what I had been hearing about it, I was pretty excited to get my copy in the mail! I have to say that the book more than met expectations, the writing style was easy to read/follow! I appreciate books that can draw me into a story and keep me there till the last page, its unique to find a book that is this enthralling and attention holding! I found that every time I had to put the book down (It was such a good book that there was no way I'd willingly stop reading, lol, so the only time it was put down was when I had no choice!) I would find myself wondering what would be coming next in the story.
I found it funny that this book was compared to "The shack" I read the shack and didn't like it at all, however I really enjoyed this story, so for me at least this book was better than "The Shack"!
If I had to offer one complaint it would be that the story was awfully sporadic/or jumpy at times. The flow of the story seemed a little off every once in a while, but not enough that it caused me to stop liking the book!
I've heard complaints that the book isn't "Spiritual" enough (or Christian enough), however I tend think that this is a positive not a negative. This is a book that does broach the subject/idea of Christianity/spirituality, but not in such a strongly "Preachy" way that I would be uncomfortable giving it to an unbeliever. For me that's important, especially if it draws out enough curiosity that the reader will follow through on their questions!
Its a good read, and one I'd recommend to Christians and non-Christians alike!

*I received this book from Thomas Nelson to review*

Mary Magdalene

This story drew me in completely, at the same time I was reading this book, I was also doing my devotions on the same timeline. The book gave a further perspective into the life and struggles of a Bible character that we know very little about. Throughout the book the author made known and clear the heart of the Savior, and his love, even for the "least of us"! Its not something that we usually consider when thinking on the people that were saved during Jesus time on earth. We know he drew the down trodden to himself, but when you consider the stories like Mary's (or others talked about in the Bible) who were possessed, you really start to grasp the heart of our Lord. It hadn't crossed my mind the absolute filth that these people would have lived in (Both in mind and physically). Yet Jesus draws them to Himself with open arms and absolute unconditional love. This book was interesting/entertaining, but more so it really opens your eyes up to God and His heart for us. Its easy to see the parallels between us and the main character Mary. How our sins my make us look to God, yet he looks past the filth and see's a beloved child of God.
I highly recommend this book, I don't believe that this was intended as a devotion/way to know God better, yet it effected me much more than many of the devotional books I've read. Do yourself a favor and get this book, you'll see a side to your Savior that you haven't understood!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

The Haven

I adore the Amish books written by Suzanne Woods Fisher, it always feels like you're meeting up with old friends. I love how she keeps some of the more obscure characters from previous novels and begins a new story with them. It really feels like you're getting to know the "community" when you read through her books!
Having read all the previous adult books she's written, I was very excited to delve into this one!
In this book we see a continuation of the Stoney Ridge season's series, and follow up on some of the Characters we came to know in the first book "The Keeper". However this time we're focusing more on the life and struggles of Sadie Lapp. As she struggles to find her place in the community as a healer, and to assert her wants/opinions she also finds herself drawn to an outsider even while being pursued by by one of their own. When a surprise lands at her feet (literally) Sadie becomes the talk of the community, and rumors start to fly!
I loved this book, I knew I would. I haven't yet read a book by Woods Fisher that I didn't instantly fall in love with!
True to the author's style, the book was very readable and the way its written really draws in the reader!
I highly recommend this book, and Very highly recommend this author!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Dying to read

This is the first time I've had a chance to read a novel by Lorena McCourtney, and I have to say I very much enjoyed it! She has a really relaxed kind of writing style that makes the book very easy to get into. Her characters are easy to relate to, and even though the book has this kind of far fetched/unlikely to happen kind of story line, the way the characters are written makes the book much more believable.
The story is about Cate Kinkaid, who is between jobs and goes to work for her uncle at his Private investigation company as an assistant while she looks for a more suitable job. What was supposed to be an easy to handle case had suddenly turned into a large mystery with the appearance of a dead body. Pairing that with an accident that befalls her uncle, Cate is thrust into this mystery which keeps getting stranger and stranger.
The book was cute, its not the usual style that I read, but I did still very much enjoy it. Its a nice easy read, that provided a lot of entertainment!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Whispers in the Wind

I have been waiting excitedly for this book to come out, the first book in the Wild west wind series, Valley of Dreams, was so good, that I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book!  Just like the first book, we follow the lives of 4 friends (three of whom worked together on a wild west show) as the struggle now to make themselves a home in the valley that Cassie is a partial owner in. They face plenty of obstacles, from hostile members of the ranch's other owners, to poor attitudes and danger from towns people. Now that they've got a home, Cassie struggles to find a way to provide for her makeshift family, with her only experience being that of a gun-show/horse show, she now flounders on how to provide a living. I love that we can follow through the book, and see the provision of God displayed throughout it. Even in the times where Cassie faces her greatest struggles, the author has very aptly woven a thread of faith through the story.
This is one of those Staying-on-my-book-shelf kind of books, that will be read for a long time to come! Its such a great book that I don't hesitate to recommend this to anyone wanting an entertaining read that also causes you to both think and be challenged!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

To love and Cherish

I love it when we have the opportunity to review books that are part of a series, and this one happens to be written by some of my favorite authors!
I loved the first book in the Bridal veil Island series, so I had high expectations for this one, and I wasn't disappointed at all! The book kept me turning from page one, and kept me guessing straight till the very end. The main characters in this book are Melinda and Evan, who met on Bridal Veil Island where Melinda acts as a lady's maid for a very wealthy woman. They've been close for years and have fallen in love with one another, yet Evan keeps holding off on asking Melinda for her hand until he has a more secure job.
When a severe storm hits the Island and cuts off communication, Melinda becomes anxious and decides to travel to the island to check on Evan. While there new opportunities arise and she becomes thrust into island life, and all it entails!
I really enjoyed this book, holding true to their writing form, Peterson and Miller put out a book that is both entertaining and thoughtful. Their characters show a depth and maturity that not many books portray.
I highly recommend this book!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

Mindful of Him

To be perfectly honest, within the first few chapters of this book I was completely disgusted with it.
I don't know if the author was just going with the frame of mind from the times (1950's) or what was behind the thoughts of those first few chapters, but when there were lines like "there were times in my past I sure thought of belting Eileen a couple of good ones. Might have done our relationship a lot of good if I had" or "I know she must have been hard to live with lately. And not many people ever have a run of misfortune like you've already had this year. Even if you did pop her one, I can see why; after all she did slap you."
At this point of the book, had I not received it in order to review I would have put it down. As it was, I did continue on in the book and while the book did get better, I failed to see a change in the attitude towards the "spousal abuse" aspect of the book.
I find it hard to wrap my mind around the idea that a Christian book would try to play abuse off as deserved or understandable.
I"m aware in the story that chances are the main character Rob didn't hit, but "merely" pushed his wife (I say "merely" sarcastically because any abuse, regardless of how "Small" it seems to be is completely and totally wrong and inexcusable. Her abuse of him, inexcusable, and his abuse of her is also.) but I struggle to move past the part where the characters in the story are continually trying to excuse it away, or worse insinuating that abuse would have made their relationship better.
Really the one redeeming quality of the book that I could point out was the level of remorse that the main character Rob felt afterwards. At the very least he didn't try to excuse his behavior or justify it, and that can be seen as a bit commendable.
In all, I cannot with a good conscience recommend this book, I find the ideas regarding abuse in it appalling and the defense towards abuse inexcusable. I rarely give out a negative review on a book, and I struggled to do so this time as well. However I can't recommend or "Get behind" a book such as this.

The Gifted

I am finding myself more and more drawn to and loving the Shaker novels that Ann H. Gabhart writes, she peaks my curiousity about the Shakers and provides such a solid description of them that I find myself now recognizing their ways when reading her books. This is only one in a series of books of Gabhart's that I've read and every time I find myself lost in the book and really enjoying it! One thing I appreciate about Gabhart's book is that she doesn't romanticize the Shaker religion and its confines, she presents it as it  is, and shows those who leave it as neither being in the wrong or in the right (just that they are in what's right for them).
This story is focused on Jessamine who after losing her grandmother is brought to the shaker community to be raised by the sisters. As she grows in the shaker ways, she also finds herself inexpliably drawn to the world and all its wonders. After a chance meeting with a stranger her world turns around and she finds herself thrust straight into this world that she's always wondered about. Fantastic book that was absolutely wonderful!
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

When Hope Blossoms

I've been a long time fan of Kim Vogel Sawyer and am on the constant look out for her books, so I was very happy to receive another one of her books for review! She (Sawyer) always does a great job and this time was also no exception, it was incredibly well written and really draws the reader into the heart of the story. The story focuses on Amy who after losing her husband to an accident moves to a new community to start over and give her children a new start as well. While caring for her three children (one of whom is special needs) two manage to slip away and enter into the neighbor's orchard. This is where we meet Tim Roper, a former member of an old order Mennonite community who after losing family of his own vowed never to return. As we go through the book we see the development of not only friendship between the two but we also see faith restored and growing in them as well. The book was very well written and quite encouraging. I very much enjoyed this story!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

Rare Earth

I read "Lion of Babylon" by this author and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was (I had figured this would be more of a guy's kind of book, full of fights and action, but little on suspense and thoughtfulness. This was not the case, it was a great book, one I've read over and over again). So I was more than happy to read another book by this author! I have to say that I was quite happy to see that this book was just as good if not better than the last.
The book focuses around Marc Royce who we met in Bunn's first book (Lion of Babylon) as he goes into Kenya to audit a relief organization. Using this as a cover he looks into the minerals (called rare earths) that are raising political tension to an extreme amount. As he sends his reports back to Washington Royce also takes the risk to do something about the squalor and utter chaos that surrounds the communities involved. One thing I absolutely love about this book (and the first one) was that Bunn wrote his character with so much integrity and kindness. While he (Royce) is not afraid to get into the muck and fight, he's also a man of his word, and a man of faith and action. I really enjoyed this book and because it does have those "manly" elements in it I'm happy too to be able to pass it along to my husband who I know will also enjoy it!


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

Inescapable

This book combined my two favorite genre's (Amish/old style Mennonite with Suspense) and it made for an absolutely fantastic book. I give plenty of positive reviews, its not hard to make me happy when reading, however if I could only have one fiction book with me It'd be this one. The story had so many turns and mysteries throughout it that it held my attention without distraction through the entire book.
Lizzie Engle left home at a young age to raise her daughter away from the strict and angry Mennonite order that was controlling her life and treating her (and her daughter) poorly. As Lizzie worked her way up after leaving home, she finds herself in a job she loves, but that is precariously balanced on the shoulders of a woman who dislikes her and is looking to get rid of her. After being falsely accused and having been harassed by a stalker she feels that she has no choice but to return home and go into hiding in order to save herself and her daughter.
The book was really well written, I  loved how descriptive it was of the Mennonite community of Kingdom that Lizzie came from, and how it really helped grow the readers imagination when learning about and reading about the different traditions that held this community.
Highly recommend this book!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

The Deposit Slip

I adored this book, it was very fast paced with plenty of twists and turns to it that kept me interested throughout the entire book. I really enjoy a good legal suspense novel and this one fit well into what I was expecting. (It very much reminded me of a Randy Singer type book, it had the same flow and readability)
At first glance the book looked like a typical legal drama type book, and I had figured it would have a few predictable twists and turns throughout it. But that idea was quickly dispelled and the story pulled me in! The book is based around Erin Larson, who discovers a deposit slip for 10 million dollars in her (deceased) father's deposit box. After fights with the bank, and losing her previous lawyer to legal threats, she turns to Jared Neaton as a last chance to find out where the money is and where it's come from.
The book had a quick paced flow to it, and I found myself struggling to put it down from the very first page. I will highly recommend this book, and will be seeking out any new ones by this author as well!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

The Director's Cut

Again, Janice Thompson is an author that I've read plenty of books from and have really enjoyed her writing style, so I was pretty excited to see a book by her up for review! The Director's cut was exactly the type of book I was expecting from her, with quirky characters (and plenty of familiar ones too!! Love it when there's characters from previous books in new books, it gives it a sense of home coming!) and such an outrageous sense of humor and writing style. It was impossible to not love this book! Par for the course, Thompson's leads (of the female kind) in this book were strong women with strong opinions and distinct personalities. The storyline ranged from outright hilariousness to thought-provoking moments. That's one thing I've found typical of Janice Thompson's novels, that you can't really pin down what will come next in the story, there's such imagination and flow to her stories that they keeping you going till the very last page. I really liked this book, and am looking forward to finding some more of this series!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Waiting for Sunrise

When I first started this book, it had a feeling of the familiar and something that I felt I could almost recall, So I looked up the author and found that she'd written a few other books that I've reviewed, and most specifically a book called "this fine life" that I've read probably a half dozen times. Her writing style is so unique and has an easy laid back feeling to it, while at the same time presents an intelligent well thought out story. So I was pretty stoked once I realized who wrote the book, I loved her previous ones and this one wasn't an exception!!
There are time that I don't overly enjoy a novel that deals with the harsher realities, I find them a little too depressing and generally read a book to get lost in a good story rather than read about the "real life" type problems. However with the way Everson wrote this book, and the way the story was shown, although it dealt with some strong emotions and some heavy topics it was an absolutely amazing book. I'm sure this'll be another one of those books that will be read and reread throughout the years!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".