The Long Awakening

This was a hard book to read, and while it is well worth it, it is also very emotional. As a parent I can't imagine the journey Lindsey had to go through while in the coma and the struggle to regain her old life after it! And as a spouse I can't even begin to fathom the difficulties her husband lived through while seeing his wife in that hospital bed. I loved the book, I could hardly put it down. And while I can't claim to love the story of what happened to Lindsey (Who could love that someone's health could take that turn!) I love her faith through it. And I love her openness and honesty during her struggles as well. I dislike books that try to paint the author as a hero in their faith. I want realness, I want to know how they struggled and how they got through it. And this book provides that! Honestly, I'll be making  a recommendation to our church library to get this book, I think it'll help a great deal of people in their own struggles.

"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". 

He wins She wins

I've been married a little over 11 years now, so I have to say, I wasn't overly expecting to get too much out of the book, I figured we've done well this far, so we've got it figured out! However I was happily surprised to see that this book had so many practical ideas and insights into marriage. It has given me the tools to improve a marriage that I wasn't worried about improving. (not to say that the book made me worry! It just showed ways that a good marriage can be made better!)
I found that the author, Willard Harley, had a down to earth manner in how he brought forth the issues in marriage that many couples face. The ideas in the book were practical and easy to implement. My husband and I both very much enjoyed this book and believe it has strengthened our marriage as well!

"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". 

An Untamed heart

I've read many books by Lauraine Snelling, so throughout the book I kept feeling like I knew the characters, and already understood in some ways their life styles as well.
This book, I enjoyed the read, but it was so sad at times. (Not that that takes away from it, its one of my favorite books this month) For the main character to be so young and to deal with so much heartbreak, it gives you an empathy for her.
Ingeborg struggles to find her niche at home, she desires to be a midwife like her mother, but feels held back by her as well, and her heart longs for the summer months she can spend in the mountains. During their mountain times, Ingeborg meets and falls for a young man badly hurt on the mountain. As the story develops we can see a love develop between the characters as well. Its a heart warming story with a rather surprising ending. 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". 

Return to me

I can't even begin to describe how much I really loved this book, I'm already a big fan of Lynn Austin's writing so I knew the book was going to be good, I didn't realize it would be THIS GOOD though!
The book tells the story of Zechariah's journey into his place of prophet, Of his travels with his grandparents back to their homeland, and of the struggles once they arrived. Honestly, though this was a fiction based on a very real biblical story, I found that spiritually this book really spoke to me about my walk with God. Its a profound book, and I hope to see many more like it by Austin!
I will highly recommend this to my friends and church members, and it's one that will be a well read addition to my library!

"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". 

A Bride for Keeps

I love historical novels, especially when they revolve around a frontier type setting. So I was already looking forward to reading this book when it arrived! And I wasn't in the least disappointed, I truly enjoyed the book (although at times I did feel frustration at the dense-ness of the characters, that they couldn't see what the reader knew was obvious!). I did really like this book and was left wanting to know more about the Characters and their pasts and futures.
The book focuses around Everret Cline and his hunt for a wife to help him on his farm. Having sent away for mail order brides a few times and having had all of them not work out, Everret wasn't overly excited when some well meaning friends brought Julia into the picture.
the book is heart warming, it tells a nice sweet story with a few moments of suspense or disturbance in it. Its enough to keep the reader's attention without taking it too far. I very much enjoyed the book and would highly recommend 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". 

Blessed Child

I adore reading any book by Ted Dekker, I love his writing style and the suspense/horror he adds to the stories he writes while still keeping them acceptable for a Christian audience. He is one of my absolutely favorite authors ever, and I am on constant look out for when he puts out a new book!
In his latest series we're beginning with the book Blessed Child, where we're introduced to the character of Caleb. Caleb has lived in a monastery since he can remember, and until an invasion had never stepped out of it. A relief worker and a nurse are tasked with the job of getting him safely out of harms way, in the midst of the invasion. But neither of them are prepared for the discoveries they'll make about Caleb during their journey!
This book was full of suspense and intrigue, I could barely put it down! It was so good, I had it read within two days and cannot wait to get my hands on the next book of this series! I highly recommend this book, if you're a Dekker fan, You'll love it! And if you're not, you'll soon become one!!

Welcome to last chance

This is the first book I've read by Cathleen Armstrong and I was looking forward to reading a book by an author I haven't read before! Right away from the beginning of the book I was quite intrigued about this story and by Lainie's history as well! I have to say, this was quite the book! It took me only a couple of days to get through it, the story was so good that I really struggled to put it down!
In this book we're introduced to Lainie who is running from her past and happens to end up in Last Chance, New Mexico after experiencing some car troubles. As someone who's trying to keep a low profile, Lainie really struggles to adjust to being in a small town, with people who notice everything! As time goes on Lainie finds herself drawn into this small town life, and into the life of its residents.
I truly enjoyed this book, and very much would recommend it to anyone! Its a wonderful story!!

"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 Letters

as always, Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a wonderful story that while it isn't without its struggles is still full of hope and love! I'm a big fan of Woods-fisher's books so I was immediately excited to review this book! I love the simplicity of the Amish fiction genre and love to learn about a culture that is so different from out own!
In the book "the Letters" we're introduced to Rose, after the death of her husband, Rose must find a way to support not only herself and children but also her late husbands cranky mother. With very few options Rose decides to open a small bed and breakfast style inn in the basement of her home as a means to bring in some income. The simple life of the Amish along with a pair of eagle who decided to call her land home prove to be a draw to those outside of the community. And the people who are drawn in also find themselves experiencing the love and restfulness found in this Amish inn.
I love this book and highly recommend it.


"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 spiritual danger of doing good

I wasn't too sure about this book, from looking at the title I was a little hesitant to buy too quickly into what Greer and Haggard were going to say!
However I was quite pleasantly surprised to see that more times than not I agreed with what was being said in the book.
I appreciated so much what Greer had to say in regards to be careful and mindful of your relationships. As a pastor's wife I've seen so many families in ministry who strive to minister to others, yet allow things on their homefront to fall apart. I appreciated Greer's practical response to these kind of situations, he used both humor and personal examples throughout the book to get these lessons across. I found the book to be full of common sense that is applicable to so many aspects of our lives.
I am highly recommending this book for my husband to share with other in leadership within our church!

"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". 

A Simple Change

I very much enjoy Judith Millers books, so I was really looking foward to reading this one as well. I've only had the opportunity to read a few books regarding the Amana colonies, so I was pretty interested in reading this book!
Right away (as it is with Miller's other books) I was able to settle into a nice easy flow while reading the story. Miller has a knack for getting her reader to to feel at home with her characters, and her characters are portrayed  in a very likable and straight forward manner.
Due to the health issues of her mother, the Rhoder family all move back to the Amana colonies (where Jancey's mother and father were from) where Jancey's mother wishes to spend her final days among a simpler people and a simpler lifestyle. For Jancey it's bittersweet, while she wants to spend her mother's remaining days together, she knows it'll be quite hard saying goodbye to the children at the orphanage she teaches at. Jancey also struggles to learn the customs and rules of the colonies and what she's expected to do while on the colony.
I enjoyed this book! It was really well written and had such a great flow to it. Like always Miller's book was heart felt and heartwarming! As well there was a measure of a message in there that didn't come across as preachy!
I would  100% 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". 

Rules of Murder

I have to admit that while the book was entertaining, I found it a bit corny for my tastes, but perhaps that's the style of the genre. I haven't read many murder mystery type books so I'm a little out of my knowledge area in this one. However, I did still find it to be an entertaining book, and I enjoyed the read quite a bit. I imagine that many who are familiar with this genre will enjoy this book quite a bit!
This is the first book I've read of Deerings, so I was looking forward to checking out this new author! The book had a pretty good flow to it, and the author was able to explain and introduce her characters in a way that makes them quite memorable and (for the most part!) likable.
In this book we're introduced to Drew Farthering who happens upon a body and from there his word starts spinning. With both a mystery to solve, a murder to find, Drew also is getting to know Madeline Parker who he is quickly falling for!
I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to those who are into the mystery type genres!



"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 Mercy Prayer

I was really looking forward to reading "The mercy prayer", I think our culture in general forgets that God desires to give mercy to His children. That He desires to give good gifts to them, we're surrounded by such loud (and wrong) voices out there that scream about God's hate, its nice to be reminded of His love.
Gelinas did a great job of conveying the message of mercy in his book, I love that while he was abundantly clear about God desiring to give out mercy, that He also included the expectations that God has for His children as well! I think there's too many times where people only get half that message, and what a disservice it is to them, not to know how to live fully in the way that God intended!
To me the centeral theme of the book was found in Psalm 103:8 "The Lord is compassionate, and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love". I also love that the author included the example of practical ways for us to show God's mercy to the world, many authors/preachers love to say we need to show mercy, but don't usually adequately explain how to do that. So I really appreciate Gelinas willingness to really teach his readers not only that they need to show mercy, but how to do so too!
I believe this is one of those life changing books, that will leave you seeking more of God and a willingness to do the work of God in turn.
I highly recommend this book!

Surviving an Affair

When I got the book for review, I was a little weary about it. I haven't had to live through an affair, and wasn't sure what benefit would come of me reading the book.
However, as a PW and someone who has had friends go through this, I thought that this would be a great resource to have.
While I found that the advice and help in the book was certainly geared towards the victims and perpetrators of affairs, a lot of the advice was good solid advice that would help any marriage, no matter the circumstances.
I did find it interesting to read about why affairs begin and end, it gave some pretty great insight to what all parties are going through. Plus it gave the reader (at least to me it did) a glimpse into what we need to pray about and work on within a marriage that has not gone through adultery.
I know that this will be a valuable book to have in general, especially for my husband when he is counselling couples, but I think its a great one that will benefit all of its readers!

"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". 

Small Town Girl

I cannot even begin to describe how absolutely thrilled I was to see the continuation of the story we first read about in Angel Sister. I adored the first book (Angel Sister) it has been well read and one of my very favorite books. So after reading a few pages in and realizing that this book gave us another glimpse into their lives I was so excited to get through this book!
Honestly, it doesn't disappoint at all, just like within the first book, "Small town Girl" develops even more on the characters, who are very well written and easy to emphasize with.
Kate is an easy character to like, she was well written and had that air of "goodness" about her that didn't come across as annoying or condescending. I really appreciated that about the character.
I love that Gabhart had such a strong lead female in her book. That while she was independent and strong, was still written to show regular emotions and problems. She wasn't presented as a "wonder woman" type of character.
I highly recommend this book, its one of the best books you'll have a chance to read, and I highly recommend the first book too (angel sister). (although if you haven't read it, this book will still make sense and will still be enjoyable!)

"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". 

Angels in the fire

I love books that are true stories that show God's hand in peoples lives in a supernatural way. It encourages me (and I'm sure other readers) that God is faithful to His children, and still intercedes in their lives!
I was looking forward to reading "Angels in the fire" Dann Stadler was a new author to me and I was looking forward to seeing what his story was all about!
I have to say, I'm very impressed with this book, the writing was very well done and the entire book had a good flow to it! (which sometimes isn't the case when reading about a true story, I find they usually are a great story that's poorly or far too simply written. I loved that this book wasn't like that!)
Within the whole book, I think that the part that encouraged me the most and spoke to me the most wasn't the initial rescue (which was an amazing story on its own) but the continuation of God's faithfulness to them throughout the months and years afterwards. I was encouraged by the fact that God continued to help them even when the "Immediate" danger was over. He didn't leave them to recover alone.
I highly recommend this book, I would even recommend it to a non-Christian reader. The story on its own is well enough written that it would be an enjoyable read, and while Stadler certainly speaks about God and shares about God, it isn't overly preachy!


"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".

Trouble in store

I had a chance to read another book by Carol Cox not too long ago, and very much enjoyed it, so I was really looking forward to reading this latest book of hers!
I have to say, that I think this one was even better than the last! I've mentioned in a number of reviews that I very much enjoy books with a strong female lead, so for the most part I very much enjoyed reading this book! I think the only parts where I didn't fully love the book were when the character had to neumerous times be rescued by the men (man) in her life. I would have loved to have seen the character be a little more independent.
 Melanie, after being let go from her previous employer, heads out west to her last resort, her portion of the store she inherited from her uncle. She's faced with the surly current owner who doesn't believe nor want, her to have any ownership in his store. As both face strong opposition within the town, they also struggle to undercover the mystery that seems to surround both the store and their late uncles.
I  enjoyed this book very much and would  highly recommend it to any reader who enjoys Christian fiction!


"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".

A Most Peculiar Circumstance

I read Turano's previous book "A change of fortune" and enjoyed it immensely so I was pretty excited to be reviewing her newest one as well! For the most part I did really enjoy this book, the characters were witty and well written. There was lots of mystery and suspense throughout it that kept me reading on!
I think my one main complaint would be that at the beginning of the book the banter between the characters was a little to forced (does that make sense?) it didn't seem natural and to me felt like the author was trying too hard to establish the intelligence and wit of the two main characters. However that feeling dissipated within a chapter or so, and I did very much enjoy the entire book! I love that it was a continuation from her last book, and enjoyed catching up on some of the characters we'd come to know!
In this book we focus on Zayne and Harrison's sister Arabella, and her penchant for trouble as she seeks to help out those less fortunate while she also fights for the rights of women.
I enjoyed this character, I like that she wasn't a simpering wimpy female, but that she was strong and independent. Its not often that you find that in a historical romance!
All in all, I would highly recommend this book! An excellent read!


 "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".

NIV Leadership Bible

My original interest in this Bible was to pick it up as a tool for my husband to use in his ministry (he is a Pastor).
I really liked this Bible, I found the layout very easy to follow, the devotionals while focused on the idea of Godly leadership, were also beneficial and relevant to me, an average Christian. I think the only complaint I would have about it, is that I wish the devotionals were referenced somewhere, (as in a table of contents of sorts?). It was a bit of an adventure to try and find where the beginning of the devotional started! (If there was a table of contents for it, I was unable to find it. I looked a fair bit for it and never did find one!)
But as I said, that would be my only complaint. I'm a big fan of the NIV version of the Bible, I find its the one that is easiest for me to read and understand. As well, the two tone leather cover is absolutely gorgeous, it looks great and is quite soft too!
This would be a perfect gift for our pastors, or others in leadership as well! It both looks great, and is full of Godly principles on being a leader.
Its been a bit of a fight to get my hands on this Bible now, my husband looked over it after I had finished giving it a good look in order to review. He loves the devotionals, but also loves how professional and sturdy the Bible is. Also its one that's made to lay flat, which for him is such a bonus. When he's preaching, or just leading someone through the Scriptures, its always a nuisance to constantly be loosing his page.
This is a perfect Bible for him, and an awesome one for me too (when I can get my hands on it!)

That Certain Summer

I've been used to reading Hannon's crime books, so upon seeing that she wrote a romance novel I was pretty intrigued! And I was surprised that I enjoyed this topic of writing just as much (or more so) than I did her crime novels!
Her laid back style really draws me in, and even in the beginnings of the story I find myself settling in like I'm reading about an old friend! Hannon certainly has a talent in bringing her words to life!
In "That Certain Summer" we read about the stories of two sisters, Val and Karen who are not on the best of terms. Both grew up with feelings of resentment towards each other, and the years have not done much to change that. When Val needs to return to her hometown to care for her sick mother, we begin to learn of her secrets that first drew her away.
This was a great book, I highly recommend this book, it was such a wonderful read!

"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". 

Deadly Devotion

I adore a book that showcases a strong female lead, and doesn't lend its-self to whimpering women throwing themselves on the mercies of the "strong men" in their lives. So right away from the look and description of this book, I figured that I would be fan of Orchard's writing style! (and I am!)
One thing I really adored about this book, was how the author continually kept me on my toes, as soon as I though i'd figured out one character, she'd throw another twist in that would completely surprise me!
When Kate's Mentor and research partner is killed, she throws herself into finding out who is responsible and the reasoning behind her friends death. As she delves deeper into these mysteries, we're drawn with her as she uncovers some surprising information! (I'm trying so hard to not give anything away, its such a great book, you really should read it for yourself!!)

"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".