I Waited So Long For This Book

Jesus A Theography by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola

I love the concept of putting all together how Jesus shows up throughout the Bible. He doesn’t just show up somewhere in the middle; He is there from before the foundations of the earth because He is God.  When I first saw this book I knew that I wanted to read it.  I haven’t read anything by either of these authors before but have heard good things about their other books.

I cannot explain what it is that surprisingly disappointed me about this book I had so longed to read.  I’m not sure if it is because the concept is not new to me having grown up in a really good church that taught Jesus as the Alpha and Omega.  Maybe it was the flowery prose that turned me off.  I just know that within a few pages I could hardly stand to read more.  There are some good parts but I’m not sure it’s worth the effort of getting through the rest.  I really wish that I had liked this book.

For more information about this book--click here--or the title above!

I received this book free of charge from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.

Oliver!

Focus on the FamilyRadio Theatre  Oliver Twist

Somehow I made it through my schooling without having read Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist.  Not only have I not read it but I have also managed to miss every movie version there is.  I wasn’t sure about getting the radio adaptation but I am very glad I did.  The five disk production is well done, exciting, and keeps you wanting to know what will happen next.  For those not familiar with radio productions—that does not mean it is a musical—there is no singing.  It is an adaptation of the original story.

My family has been listening to the cds as we drive around town.  I have a six, four, and three year-old children with me most of the time.  My six year-old listens most of the time and will ask what is going on in the story.  Much of it is over his head yet.  The story is violent in places, so you want to keep that in mind when listening with little ones.  All my children like when Mr. Bumble shows up.  I think they like to hear people say his name! 

It is a great story well done and something I will look forward to listening again and again.  The cds also come with a dvd with behind the scenes look at the making of the program.

For more information about this production--click here--or on the title above!

I received this audio set through Tyndale House Publishers free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Trying To Rise From The Ashes

 

Tangled Ashes byMichele Phoenix

What a great story.  First of all, I had no idea of the history of the Nazi Lebensborn project so this new bit of historical information was intriguing.  Part of the book follows two teenage French girls in WWII working in one of the Lebensborn manors.  The rest of the story is modern day, well 2001, and revolves around the restoration of an ancient castle that had once been used by the Nazis.

Alcoholic Marshall Becker, to avoid an “intervention” by friends, agrees to oversee the renovation of the castle—which is located in France—to see if he can get past the demons that have plagued him for years.  He is forced out of his self-imposed emotional exile by those who are a part of the castle’s life.  He also comes to see that he is not the only person in the world that something terrible has happened to but that everyone is grappling with something that haunts them.

I normally prefer a story that clearly shows God’s hand at work in people’s lives.  This story does not do that, but yet, I think it is a very real picture of what some people go through on their way to finding their life in Christ, especially if they have spent a good part of their life denying Him.  The story is very well told and the intertwining of the years works well to keep you guessing just who made it through the Nazi years and who didn’t.  Well worth the time!

For  more information and to read an excerpt from this book--click here--or on the title above!

 

I received this book free of charge through Handlebar Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Required Reading

John Locke; Philosopherof American Liberty by Mary-Elaine Swanson

Remember when you had to take U.S. Government as a senior to graduate high school.  They should probably use this book as the beginning textbook for the class.  This is no light read.  The author begins the book as a biography of Locke; how his upbringing influenced his views, many letters showing his views on God, government, etc.  Mrs. Swanson proves that he is not the Deist that modern scholars present him as, but a man who had a deep faith in God, a faith that influenced how he believed government should work.

After this bibliographical ground work is laid the author then shows how his ideas and writings went on to influence nations sixty to seventy years after his death.  We are given an extremely in depth look at how his ideas went on to shape the British and American governments and how they were rejected and twisted by the French.  The abundance of notes let you investigate the facts on your own.  This is a good, very informational book, one you are going to want to keep and reread throughout the years.

For more information about this book--click here--or on the title above!

I received this book free of charge from Nordskog Publishing through BookCrash in exchange for an honest review.

Little Blessings Are Always a Pleasure

 

What About Heaven by Kathleen Long Bostrom

My family has picked up a few of these books over the years.  My 5 and 4 year old boys really enjoy them.  In fact, my youngest had to hear God Makes Nighttime Too at bedtime every night for the longest time.  The easy to understand rhyming text appeals to children greatly. 

The book starts out with a series of questions posed by the children, adorably illustrated by Elena Kucharik.  Each question is then answered in turn.  The address of each Scripture used is located at the top of the page so you can look it up to check its validity in answering the question. 

Super cute and super sweet, this is an absolutely great book to add to your children’s library!

For more information about this book--click here--or on the title above!

I received this book free of charge from Tyndale Kids in exchange for an honest review.

Short But Sweet

The Bridge by KarenKingsbury

Ryan and Molly were college sweethearts who, not necessarily by choice, went their separate ways.  They have completely lost touch with each other in establishing their lives on opposite sides of the country.  A tragic incident at their old hangout, The Bridge bookstore, brings the two back together.  Their feelings from long ago are brought back to the surface and yet they fight hard against.

The Bridge is a nice little Christmastime story that will bring you to tears but leave you happy in the end.  If you have read any of Karen Kingsbury’s novels before you will notice this one is a bit light on the faith aspect, most likely due to the short novella styling of the story.  Having read it on my Kindle I was a bit shocked at how quickly I read through it, but I realize now that it is a “gift” sized novella.  It is perfect for a holiday plane ride where you might want something quick and easy to read, as long as you don’t mind tearing up in front of strangers!

For More information and to hear an excerpt from the audio book--click here--or the title above!  You can also check out the prequel to this story, The Beginning.

I received this book free of charge from Howard Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Spoiler Alert!

 

The Baron’s GovernessBride by Deborah Hale

Well, the title takes away some of the suspense, so you already know what is going to happen in the end.  That being said, it does not take away the enjoyment of reading the story.  We start with an interview between Lord Steadwell, a widower with three daughters, and Grace Ellerby, a down-on-her-luck governess desperately in need of employment.  Grace hides her beauty because it has caused her nothing but misery.  Lord Steadwell is looking to hire someone who has no hope of marriage so she will stay with his girls until they no longer need her.  It is a perfect match.  Grace and the daughters come to love one another; they stick-up and look out for each other.   Grace also comes to care for Lord Steadwell even though she distrusts men because of past experiences.  The more she comes to know Lord Steadwell the worse she feels for living in a disguise and deceiving him.  She fears what he will think and do when he finds out.  But she needn’t fear; the title says it all! J

Despite my obvious derision for the title, the story is entertaining, it tugs at your heartstrings, and leaves you satisfied in the end—just like a good book should.

 For more information and to read an excerpt from this book--click here--or on the title above!

I received this book from Love Inspired Harlequin free of charge through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.