The Girl's Still Got It Book Review

Take a Walk with Ruth

and the God Who Rocked her World

SUMMARY:  You know Ruth's story.  Now meet her in person.  And prepare to be changed.

     Walk with Ruth as she travels from Moab to Bethlehem, certain of her calling, yet uncertain of her future.  Hold Naomi's hand and watch love put the pieces of her broken life back together.  And hang out with Boaz, their kinsman-redeemer, who blesses both women and honors God, big time.

     With best-selling author Liz Curtis Higgs by your side, you'll tarry in the corners of their homes, listen to their conversations, and consider every word of every verse until you can say, "I totally get the book of Ruth.  And I see what God is trying to teach me through this rags-to-riches redemption story - he has a plan for my life."

     Girl, does he ever!

     Think of it as time travel without gimmicks, gizmos, or a DeLorean: a novel approach to Bible study that leaps from past to present, gleaning timeless truths that will draw you nearer to the One who knows you fully, loves you completely, and holds you close to his heart.

REVIEW:  Liz Curtis Higgs opens up the book of Ruth in a way I've never seen before except in a full bible study.  She takes the reader back in time and stands with our main characters, explaining events in a detail not normally seen.  The author includes maps, word studies, details about daily life, traditions and some of the restrictions and explains them in a very easy to understand manner.  Also included are short snippets from "Ruths In Real Life" showing modern-day Ruths.  At the end of the book are discussion questions, a study guide you can do on your own or with a bible study group or book club, a list of great reads if you are interested in digging around on your own AND a detailed list of references, scriptures and notes she used in her research.

     This book is awesome and I HIGHLY recommend!!

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah for review without compensation.

Liz Curtis Higgs is a popular conference speaker and the author of nearly thirty books, with more than three million copies in print, including her best-selling non-fiction series, Bad Girls of the Bible,  Really Bad Girls of the Bible, Unveiling Mary Magdalene, and Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible and her award-winning Scottish historical novels inspired by the biblical book of Ruth, Here Burns My Candle and Mine Is the Night, a New York Times bestseller.  Liz and her family live in Louisville, Kentucky.

Children of Angels Book Review

Book One of the New Nephilim Series

SUMMARY:  "Not my iPod!" yells Jeremy Lapoint as his day plunges to record lows when Sid Lundahl and his crew stomp on the only nice thing he owns, and Jeremy gets in trouble for fighting.  With Dad in prison and Mom struggling to scrape by, Jeremy's life seems hopeless.

     Until he has this urge to . . . fly.

     One leap and Jeremy soars through the air; with this and his other newfound powers, life is suddenly amazing and wonderful - until - a real-live demon chases him through the school hallways, terrifying him, and making him a freak to his schoolmates.  Because Jeremy is the only one who can see the monster, he wonders if being able to fly is worth it.

     As Jeremy tries to fight off demons, he is relieved to get help from Asiel, his guardian angel, who wields his sword and fiercely comes to his defense.  Asiel explains that Jeremy is a Nephilim - half human and half angel.  After his initial shock, Jeremy's quest to uncover how he got like this sends him to the Higher Humanity Institute where he meets other Nephilim like him along with a slew of friends and enemies - both human and not.

     In the midst of his strange and dangerous struggles, Jeremy also receives the peace and love he has always longed for but never knew.  When called to lead an angelic battle for the truth, Jeremy must decide whether or not he will cling to the one who can win the war or let his old doubts and fears overtake him.

     Fun, danger, friendship, mystery, and faith fill the pages of this exciting book about angels and demons.  This is a must-read for kids (and grown-ups) craving adventure with a life-changing message.

REVIEW:  Since this book was geared towards young adults/juveniles, I had my daughter read it when I was finished to see what her thoughts were.  We both enjoyed the story and my daughter is looking forward to the rest of the series to come out.

     To me, at first I thought the story was missing something (especially since the story develops really fast) but, as it progressed, I understood what was occurring and why at that time and not earlier in Jeremy's life.  I thought it was interesting how the author explains how Jeremy and the other Nephilim got their powers and why only them.  There are many possibilities for future stories and events so it will be neat to see what the author does with this series.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

Kathryn Dahlstrom is the author of the Good News Club, a six-book fiction series for tweens and teens.  As a screenwriter, Kathryn was named a quarter-finalist in the American Zoetrope Screenwriting Contest and subsequently had that script, a Western biopic, optioned by a film company.  Her current production team is on the verge of filming a live-action family fantasy.

With Every Letter Book Review

Wings of the Nightingale Series

Book One

SUMMARY:  They know everything about each other - except their real names

     Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse.  She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she's never met - even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program.  Lt. Tom McGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence - he's been trying to escape his infamous name for years.

     As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other's true identity.  When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time.  Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?

      Combining a flair for romance with excellent research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing - and true love.

REVIEW:  Mellie and Tom both have difficult pasts they prefer stay hidden.  Tom's father murdered two famous people and was executed for it; his crimes following Tom wherever he goes.  When people hear his last name, they automatically assume Tom has the same killer nature as his father.  As the child of an American father and a half Asian/half American mother, Mellie grew up in both Asia and America, but always felt like she never fit in in either place.  Never having any childhood friends due to her father's work, Mellie is finding it difficult to make friends as an adult.
     This is a great book.  I like how Mellie and Tom were honest with each other, even though they had never met and how they they keep writing when everyone else in their group stops.  They both overcome many obstacles and change in a positive way through each other's support and encouragement.  I like how when Mellie really screwed up and almost ruins some friendships, she admits her mistakes and lets her friends take their time to heal.  This says a lot of someone who never had a friend before.  The author did an excellent job and has done a TON of research.  I would highly recommend this book and can't wait for the other two books in this series to come out.

This book was provided by the author for review without compensation.  I am also reviewing it for the publisher, Revell, without compensation.

Sarah Sundin is the author of A Distant Melody, A Memory Between Us, and Blue Skies Tomorrow.  In 2011, A Memory Between Us was a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards, and Sarah received the Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference.  A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist.  During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England.  Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.

Unending Devotion Book Review

SUMMARY:  Michigan, 1883
     In her darkest hours, is he the man she needs?
     Lily Young longs to find her lost sister or will die trying.  Heedless of any danger, she searches logging camps and towns, posing as a photographer's assistant.  And then she arrives in Harrison, Michigan - and into the sights of Connell McCormick.
     Connell is determined to increase the fortune of his lumber-baron father and figures as long as he's living an upright life, that's what matters.  But when Lily arrives in town she upends his world, forcing him to confront the truth that dangerous men have gained too much power while good men turns a blind eye.
     Vexing but persuasive, Lily soon secures Connell's help, drawing them ever closer to each other.  Will standing for what's right cost them both everything?

REVIEW:  Lily and her sister Daisy lost their parents and were sent to live in an orphanage.  After doing all she could to keep them together, she sends Daisy off to live with a couple while she goes to live with Oren, a photographer, and his wife.  Daisy runs away after sending Lily a letter and ends up working in a brothel.  In the guise of helping Oren photograph the logging camps and with his help, Lily also looks for Daisy to help free her and others wanting out of prostitution.
     All Connell wants to do is increase the number of logs his camps are harvesting and keeping out of the way of the local crime boss and on his dad's good side.  But when Lily starts raising eyebrows while searching for her sister, Connell realizes he needs to make a decision - keep doing what he's been doing or help Lily and confront James Carr about his corrupt business dealings and forcing girls into prostitution at his brothels.
          This book was only difficult to read because of the subject matter.  It was based on real events in the real city of Harrison, Michigan when prostitution was found in all the logging areas.  I loved Lily.  She was determined to find her sister and rescue her no matter what it took.  Along the way, she risked her life numerous times helping other girls escape their life of prostitution and starting "Red Ribbon Societies" in the town to help end the taverns and brothels.  Connell finally decides to help Lily and stand up against James Carr when the brothel owner destroys the local newspaper office and almost kills his friend and newspaper owner Stuart. When he does make a stand, he finds that he is not alone as men in his camp along with townspeople are willing to support him.
     This was a good book but wouldn't recommend it to anyone under the age of sixteen due to the subject matter (my 11-year old daughter likes to read some of my books but will not be allowed access to this one for a few years).

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of The Doctor's Lady and The Preacher's Bride, which won the 2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award and the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers, and was a finalist for Best Debut Novel in the 2011 ACFW Carol Awards.  She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog at JodyHedlund.com.

An Addition to The Reunion Book Review

For the for the next week, starting today and running till next Monday, September 17^th, Dan Walsh is celebrating the release of his new novel, The Reunion, with a 10-book giveaway contest! Five winners will each receive a signed copy of The Reunion, as well as his third novel, The Deepest Waters. (He’s  including this book because it was named a finalist for an ACFW Carol Award for book-of-the-year). Click on the link below to see how easily you can enter the contest!

 

http://danwalshbooks.com/the-reunion-book-giveaway-contest/

 

The Reunion Book Review

SUMMARY:  Everything lost can be found.
     Aaron Miller knows a thing or two about loss.  He's lost love.  Dignity.  Second, and even third, chances.  Once honored for his heroism, he now lives in near obscurity, working as a handyman in a humble trailer park.
     But God is a master at finding and redeeming the lost things of life.  Unbeknownst to Aaron, someone is searching for him.
     With deep insight into the human heart, consummate storyteller Dan Walsh gently weaves a tale of a life spent in the shadows but meant for the light.  Through tense scenes of war and tender moments of romance, The Reunion will make you believe that everyone can get a second chance at life and love.

REVIEW:  Second chances is the theme of this book and flows through every character involved.  War buddies getting a second chance at living.  War heroes getting a second chance after royally messing up life.  A second chance at love, in personal romance and with a long-lost family. 
     This is an awesome book!!  Dan Walsh did not disappoint but just raised the bar even higher for his next project.  BE WARNED - Aaron's story will touch you deep inside so you will need to read this book with a big box of tissues close by and preferably alone.  I was bawling my eyes out during the last few chapters of this book and was SO GLAD I was home alone because my crying was so bad.  This is a great book and would HIGHLY recommend this and any other Dan Walsh book.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of several books, including The Unfinished Gift, The Deepest Waters, and The Discovery.  A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years.  He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel.

Abducted Book Review

Pacific Coast Justice Series

Book 2

SUMMARY:  After solving the mayor's murder and exposing corruption among the top brass in Las Playas, Carly Edwards is happy to be back on patrol with her partner, Joe, putting bad buys behind bars.  For once, everything in life seems to be going right.

     But then everything starts going wrong.  Slow to recover from an injury, her ex-husband, Nick, begins pulling away just as they were starting to get close again.  Meanwhile, when Joe's wife lands in the hospital with a mysterious illness, their baby is kidnapped.  As Carly chases down every lead in a desperate search to find the baby, her newfound faith is pushed to its limits.

REVIEW:  Carly is a strong woman whose Christian faith is new when she is confronted by problem after problem.  She doesn't let her circumstances get her down and tries to do the right thing, even when it is not popular. Andrea, Carly's best friend and roommate, does not agree with her belief in God but starts to become more open to the idea after some rough circumstances occur in her own life. I really like how the kidnapping incident ends and where Carly and Nick's relationship ends up.  This book is a great follow-up to Accused, this first book in the Pacific Coast Justice series. I really enjoyed getting to follow these characters through this recent publication and can't wait to read more.  The third and last book of this series, Avenged, is due out in April 2013 and I can't wait to see what happens next and how the series will end.  If it is anything like the other two, it will be a great read.

This book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers for review without compensation.

 

Janice Cantore is a retired Long Beach police officer who now writes suspense novels to keep readers engrossed and leave them inspired.  Her years of experience on the force lend authenticity to her stories.   Abucted is the second in the three-book Pacific Coast Justice series.

Love's Reckoning Book Review

The Ballantyne Legacy

Book One

SUMMARY:  On a bitter December day in 1784, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of blacksmith Leige Lee in York County, Pennsylvania.  Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship quickly and move west.  But because he is a fast worker and a superb craftsman, Liege endeavors to keep him in Lancaster by appealing to an old tradition:  the apprentice shall marry one of his master's beautiful daughters.

     Eden is as gentle and fresh as Elspeth is high-spirited and cunning.  But are they truly who they appear to be?  In a house laced with secrets, each sister seeks to secure her future.  Which one will claim Silas's heart - and will he agree to Leige's arrangement?

     In this sweeping family saga, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come.  This is the Ballantyne Legacy.

REVIEW:  Silas wants to finish his apprenticeship and head west with no delay.  But, if Leige has his way, Silas will marry one of his daughters and continue to build his blacksmith business.  Elspeth, the oldest daughter is manipulative, conniving, loose with her morals and lies.  Eden is like her name: a little piece of heaven in the chaos of her household but abused by her father and sister and left to manage the house and help their mom take care of her younger brother and Elspeth's illegitimate son.  Silas and Eden fall in love and decide to leave to start a new life together in western Pennsylvania, but they are forced to face even more problems and revelations which changes everything. 

     This is an awesome book!!!  It is the first in a series with many possible storylines to tie into future volumes.  My heart went out to Eden and Silas and the many difficulties they had to face and soared when they finally find each other again.  I can't wait for the rest of the series to be completed and published!

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

 Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Laura Frantz is the author of The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, and The Colonel's Lady.  A two-time Carol Award finalist, she is a Kentuckian living in the misty woods of Washington with her husband and two sons.  She enjoys connecting with readers on Facebook and at LauraFrantz.net.