"Blue Moon Promise" Review

Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble was sent to me as an advanced review copy by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Lucy Marsh is facing limited options after the death of her father, which was under suspicious circumstances. With two younger siblings to care for, no job, and no place to live, she accepts a proxy marriage to a rancher in Texas.

Nate Stanton is none too happy to discover that his father has married him off to a complete stranger. When he sees Lucy, her small stature has him thinking that ranch life will be much too hard for her. He is convinced she will be taking the first train back East.

But as the days go on, both Nate and Lucy must come to terms with their arrangement. Life on the ranch and the danger that has followed Lucy to Texas create a bond between the two newlyweds. The circumstances give each of them the opportunity to realize what is really important in life, both in their faith and in their relationship with each other.

The storyline in Blue Moon Promise is eventful and more complex than the usual Christian historical romance. The addition of a mystery and a little suspense helps take this novel past what the genre usually portrays. While it seemed as if an awful lot happened to the people in this book in a short period of time, the characters and situations were still fairly believable. I also liked how the relationship between Nate and Lucy developed over the course of the book - it might have happened quickly, but it didn’t seem rushed considering their circumstances.

While there was suspense and mystery in this novel, to me that wasn’t the main focus of the story. The adventure and circumstances helped move things along, but the focal point was the relationship between Nate and Lucy. I think that is what gave the book a more realistic feel. The mystery was there in the plotline, it was very important, and I enjoyed it. But I experienced the conclusion to the story more through what happened between Nate and Lucy, not necessarily with the solution to the mystery (which seemed to be a bit of an afterthought).

This multifaceted storyline was written well and kept me interested throughout the entire book. I did think, though, that some of the dialogue was a bit stilted at times. The words the characters were saying seemed natural, but the overall flow of the conversations was sometimes lacking in continuity. Maybe this was because of all of the strange circumstances that kept coming up. Or maybe it was because this newly married couple was trying to get to know each other with two kids running around. I know well how kids can easily change the flow of a conversation!

What drew me in most in this novel was how much I related to the character of Lucy. She wanted to control the situations and people in her life, even when deep down she knew that she could not. She also had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that someone could love her just the way she was. She put unrealistic expectations on herself and then felt like a failure when she didn’t live up to those expectations. There were times when I felt as if the author was putting my words and thoughts down on the page rather than Lucy’s. I rarely connect so much to a character, and reading how Lucy learned to fully rely on God and to be loved for who she was (instead of what she did) was encouraging.

This book is the beginning of the "Under Texas Stars" series, and I am looking forward to visiting these characters and setting again.

Listen to the interview that Melissa Willis (fiction edititor at The Christian Manifesto) and I did with Colleen Coble here!

The interview was so much fun - thanks to Colleen Coble, Thomas Nelson Publishers, and The Christian Manifesto for the opportunity.


I will give Blue Moon Promise … 4 BookWorms.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Heart of Gold" Review

Heart of Gold by Robin Lee Hatcher was sent to me as an advanced review copy by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Shannon Adair does not know what to think about the way her life has turned out. Raised in a comfortable Virginia home, she now finds herself accompanying her minister father to the gold rush town of Grand Coeur in Idaho Territory. To Shannon, everything in this small western town is uncivilized, including the people. But things were taking a turn for the worse for the Confederacy, and this is where her father feels led to be.

Matthew Dubois can’t imagine doing anything else with his life besides being a Wells Fargo driver. He feels the best place for him is out in the wide open spaces where he is not tied down. But when Matthew learns that his sister, Alice, is very ill, he invites her and her son, Todd, to live with him for a while until she recovers. What he doesn’t realize is that Alice is much sicker than he realized, and he feels unprepared to raise his nephew alone.

When Matthew meets Shannon, he thinks he has found the answer to his prayers– someone to help him with Todd. What he doesn’t expect is his growing affection for this Southern Belle. Shannon is determined to remain true to her Southern roots, and since Matthew doesn’t have any loyalty to the Confederacy, she is bothered to even be slightly attracted to him. When the reality of their situations comes to light, both Shannon and Matthew will have to grow in their faith before they can follow their hearts.

When I first began reading this novel, I was enjoying it, but I wasn’t quite sure if it was going to be exciting enough to capture my complete attention. While I thought the middle portion of the book was a little slow and most of the events were fairly predictable, the novel as a whole was satisfying. I actually think that it was mostly the author’s skillful writing that kept me engaged and interested in the story.

One thing I have especially noticed and appreciated in Robin Lee Hatcher’s novels is how the characters live their lives according to God’s Word. This is highlighted so well through Shannon, who, at the beginning of the book, chafes under her father’s admonition of using Scripture. But, by the end, she realizes the wisdom of listening to her father’s counsel from the Word.

Since I felt the story part of this novel was conventional, I was glad that I liked the characters. I enjoyed getting the viewpoints from Matthew’s sister, Alice, and Shannon’s father, Delaney, in addition to Shannon and Matthew’s points of view. Usually I don’t enjoy this because it is hard to keep up with who is ‘speaking,’ but in this novel it was nice to gain a little more perspective.

Shannon’s father was by far my favorite character in the book. He was so bold in his faith, especially during this time of Civil War, which was so difficult for ministers from the South. I liked how he kept his focus not on North or South, but on God.

As for the pace of the romance between Shannon and Matthew, it felt right, even though it happened very quickly (May – August). I think this is a credit to the author, since normally I would feel that this was too rushed.

Although there are some serious issues that are dealt with in this novel, I was glad for the fact that it wasn’t depressing – I didn’t feel as if I had been through the wringer after reading it. Maybe this is because overall it was just a pleasant read. Or maybe it was because the issues of death and prejudice were dealt with from a biblical perspective and with an attitude of hope. Whatever it was, Heart of Gold came across as an honest, enjoyable novel for one dealing with such weighty themes. Overall, it was engaging while also giving the reader some things to think about.

I will give Heart of Gold … 3 ½ BookWorms.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Song of My Heart" Blog Tour

About the book:

Sadie Wagner has always been devoted to her family. So when her stepfather is injured and can't work, she decides to leave home and accept a position as a clerk at the mercantile in Goldtree, Kansas. Goldtree also offers the opportunity to use her God-given singing talent--though the promised opera house is far different from what she imagined. With her family needing every cent she can provide, Sadie will do anything to keep her job.

McKane comes to Goldtree at the request of the town council. The town has been plagued by bootlegging operations, and Thad believes he can find the culprit.

After he earns enough money doing sheriff work, he wants to use it to pay for his training to become a minister.

Thad is immediately attracted to the beautiful singer who performs in Asa Baxter's unusual opera house, but when he hears her practicing bawdy tunes, he begins to wonder if she's far less innocent than she seems. And when Sadie appears to be part of the very crimes he's come to investigate, is there any hope the love blossoming between them will survive?

Buy the book: here

About the Author:

Kim Vogel Sawyer is the author of nineteen novels, including several CBA and ECPA bestsellers. Her books have won the ACFW Book of the Year Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time, she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her husband, Don, reside in central Kansas, and have three daughters and six grandchildren.

She invites you to visit her Web site at http://www.kimvogelsawyer.com/ for more information.


My Take:

Song of My Heart is the type of book that drew me to the genre of Christian fiction in the first place. While I do like when authors break out of the mold a bit, I still really enjoy reading a novel like this one:  a nice, sweet story with endearing characters that ultimately rely on God for everything in their lives. I also like happy endings!

I have read one other novel by this author, and I have to say that it wasn’t my favorite. I got a little bored with it, and it wasn’t what I was expecting. However, the writing and the plot in Song of My Heart was very good. The novel had an excellent flow to it, even though the story was told from four different points of view. I also enjoyed the plot, which had a little more to it than just the romance.

Even though I really enjoyed the characters in this novel, some of them did start to grate on my nerves towards the end. But, most of the characters went through significant growth throughout the novel, and that is something that I really appreciate in a book.

This type of novel is not for everyone. I understand if others need a bit more in their books. Maybe people sometimes get tired of reading about perfect happy endings. (I know I sometimes critique contemporary novels for having everything go perfectly for the characters, which goes too much outside of reality). But in Christian historical fiction, I want to be entertained. And what I find entertaining in these novels is a good story with a happy ending.

I will say, though, that I would have enjoyed a little epilogue at the end of this one, just to see what happens a few months/years down the road. I could also envision a sequel to this book focusing on the character Sid. Just a thought.

Song of My Heart is a novel that has what I truly like in Christian historical fiction – a sweet story with a good message and a happily ever after.

I will give Song of My Heart … 4 BookWorms.

Read what other reviewers are saying here.



The Contest:



Celebrate with Kim by entering to win a Nook Tablet and connecting with her at the Book Chat Party on 3/29!



One "songbird" winner will receive:

• A Nook Tablet
• Song of My Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/28/12. Winner will be announced at Kim's Book Chat Facebook Party on 3/29. Kim will be hosting an evening of chat, fun trivia and more! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and much more!

So grab your copy of Song of My Heart and join Kim and friends on the evening of March 29th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group through Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Sixty Acres and a Bride" Blog Tour

She's Finally Found a Place to Call Home... How Far Will She Go to Save It?

About the book:
With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to their Texas family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have just three months to pay.

Though facing eviction, Rosa falls in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. They welcome her vivacious spirit and try to help her navigate puzzling American customs. She can't help but stand out, though, and her beauty captures attention.

Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, Rosa must decide to what lengths she will go to save her future.

Read an excerpt: here.
Buy the book here

About the Author:

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children. Meet Regina here.

Learn more about Regina by visiting her website, http://www.reginajennings.com/.


My Take:

After reading the synopsis for this book and starting to read the first few chapters, I really had no idea that this book was loosely based on the story of Ruth and Boaz. Once I figured that out (OK, maybe I’m a little slow…), the story became much more interesting. I loved the parallels between Rosa leaving her family and her culture to what Ruth did for Naomi in the Bible. Rosa’s love for her mother-in-law shined through the darkness that they had faced in Mexico and would help them in the trials to come in Texas.

While I thought the overall story was extremely interesting and engaging, the writing style was just not to my liking. Maybe I am missing something, since almost every review I have read has not mentioned this, but I felt lost on the details surrounding the main story many, many times. Even after completely finishing the book, l couldn’t sit down and explain to you exactly what happened in Mexico with Louise and Rosa and the death of their husbands. I definitely couldn’t tell you precisely what happened to Weston’s first wife. But, maybe that was what the author was going for. To me, though, most of the time things just felt too vague.

As for the romance between Weston and Rosa, I enjoyed their relationship while they were getting to know one another. The dance scene in the barn was amazing. But then I just got frustrated with them. They seemed to act like junior high kids there towards the end. (Does she like me? Is he looking at me?) I will say that even though they started to annoy me, the conclusion was still satisfactory.

I guess I just don’t know how I feel about this book. The story was such a great idea. I really enjoyed having a Mexican young women as the main character – her adjustment to American culture was sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but very endearing. The characters had their faults, but they did grow in their faith along the way. I just thought the book was hard to read, since it was so vague with it’s wording a lot of the time.

The story in Sixty Acres and a Bride was good, and if you read it, that’s what you should focus on. And then go read about Ruth and Boaz – always a good reminder of the faithfulness of our great God.

 

I will give Sixty Acres and a Bride … 3 BookWorms.

See what others are saying about the book here.


The Contest:

Celebrate with Regina by entering to win a Kindle Fire and coming to her
Author Chat Party on 3/27!

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/26/12. Winner will be announced at Regina's Author Chat Facebook Party on 3/27. Regina will be hosting an evening of chat, fun trivia and more! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and some beautiful silver jewerly!

So grab your copy of Sixty Acres and a Bride and join Regina and

friends on the evening of March 27th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends
via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your
chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 27th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Children's Books from Zonderkidz

Zonderkidz (part of Zondervan Publishing) was kind enough to send three new children's books to me for me and my daughter to review. My daughter loves to have books read to her (she is now three), and I love having new books to read to her (so I don't have to read the same ones every day...)!

 

Little Lamb’s Bible/Little Lion’s Bible

The Little Lamb’s Bible and Little Lion’s Bible are new Storybook Bibles from Zondervan Publishing that are made for little ones up to around age five. These board books have a plush exterior with an appliqué of a lamb or a lion on the front. The lion and the lamb also have ears the stick up of the front cover, making this storybook Bible really cute.

Inside, each book tells ten stories from the Bible, written in rhyming form. There is a little bit of variation between the stories told in the lamb book versus the lion book. Here are the stories told in each book:

 

Lion

God’s Wonderful Work
God’s Friend Noah
Baby Moses in a Boat
David Fights a Giant
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
Jonah Learns a Lesson
God’s Greatest Gift
A Prayer
It’s a Miracle
Jesus Opens Heaven’s Doors

Lamb

God’s Wonderful Work
God’s Friend Noah
Baby Moses in a Boat
David Fights a Giant
The Lord is with Me
God’s Greatest Gift
A Prayer
The Real Neighbor
The Lost Lamb
Jesus Opens Heaven’s Doors

These books tell great stories from the Bible, and the rhyming is done fairly well. (I did get tripped up on a couple of the rhymes). The illustrations are colorful and good for children without being too much like a cartoon. I also like that each story has the scripture reference for where to find it in the Bible.

My almost three-year-old daughter said that she likes the animals on the front, and she also likes the angels (in the story “Jesus Opens Heaven’s Doors,” about Jesus being risen from the dead).

These little Bible storybooks are nice for a quick read of stories from the Bible. I think they would make a cute gift for a baby shower or first birthday as well.

We will give the Little Lamb's/Little Lion's Bible ... 3 ½   BookWorms.

 

   Hugs & Kisses, God from Kids Around the World

Hugs and Kisses, God, written by Allia Zobel Nolan and illustrated by Miki Sakamoto, is a part of the “Kids around the World” series, and is also a lift-the-flap book. It shows various children and the different ways that they recognize the daily little blessings from God.

While the ‘moral of the story’ of this children’s book is good (thanking God for everything, even the little things) I thought the delivery of this message was lacking. I stumbled several times when reading this aloud because the rhyming meter was just off. Plus, to call it a ‘lift-the-flap’ book is a misnomer based on what I consider a ‘lift-the flap’ book to be. Every right-side page has an extra fold-out section that just extends the picture on that page. It is not the same as other ‘lift-the-flap’ books where you lift different sections of each page to discover something new.

I am also a little confused by the “Kids around the World” part of this book. While there are lots of different races of children depicted on the pages, the scenes in which they are portrayed are most definitely American. Maybe the book is just trying to depict children of different races, but I would have enjoyed it more if the story and pictures actually represented different countries, since it is called “Kids around the World.”

Even though I have these issues with this children’s book, the point of the story is very good. It brings to mind the fact that we should count our blessings and continually be thankful to God for the things in our lives. My almost three-year-old daughter said that she liked the page with the daddy making pancakes. I am not surprised that she liked this, since her daddy does this on a regular basis!

While the method of delivery left something to be desired, the message of this book rings true and is something every child (and parent) should keep in mind.

We will give Hugs & Kisses, God ... 2 BookWorms

   Every Which Way to Pray

Do you have to be dressed in your Sunday best to pray to God?

Is the only way to pray kneeling down and using a quiet voice?

Does God expect you to use big, fancy words?

Hayley and Harley Hippo look for the answers to these questions and more in a new children’s book by Joyce Meyer, Every Which Way to Pray.

Joyce Meyer is well known for her non-fiction inspirational books on a variety of subjects, including prayer. This is her first children’s book, and it introduces a quirky cast of Everyday Zoo characters who help Hayley and Harley Hippo learn the truth about prayer.

What I liked most about this book was that it was just fun. The characters are so wonderfully wacky, and the illustrations by Mary Sullivan are some of the best parts of the book. We actually laughed out loud at a couple of the pictures, especially one where Miss Bimble, the sheep, is shown knitting from wool coming directly off the top of her head! So clever.

Through all of the humor, though, this book teaches a great lesson. Hayley and Harley think that the only way to pray is by doing what they have learned in their book, The Rules of Prayer. The friends at the Everyday Zoo, however, show them that praying is talking to God and that you can do it anywhere you want and in many different ways – at church, at the ice cream shop, in a quiet voice, in a loud voice – the point is that you just pray and that it comes from the heart. I think this is a good lesson for adults as well. The children in our lives will learn about prayer from us, and we need to be modeling what it looks like to have a relationship with Christ that is focused on prayer.

My almost 3-year-old daughter liked the picture where all the animals are putting their ‘hands’ (and paws and wings) into a circle. (The Rules of Prayer book says to fold your hands when you pray, and the animals say, “That could be a problem!”) This book is ‘age-graded’ for 4-7, but younger ones can also enjoy the pictures and the story.

Every Which Way to Pray is a great first foray into the world of children’s books by Joyce Meyer, and we look forward to more trips to see the friends at the Everyday Zoo in the years to come.

We will give Every Which Way to Pray ... 5 BookWorms!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Zondervan Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."



"The Maid of Fairbourne Hall" Review

Regency Romance and Mystery from Bestselling Author Julie Klassen

From the Publisher: To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

Brimming with romance and danger, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall takes readers inside the fascinating belowstairs world of a 19th-century English manor, where appearances can be deceiving.

To read an excerpt from this book, please click here.


My Take:

Even though one of my favorite books of all time is Jane Eyre, I am not a huge Regency Era/English novel fan. I’ve liked some of those type novels, but the endless names of Lords and Ladies (they have their birth name which is different from their titled name) and servants named Will and Mary just make my head spin.

But The Maid of Fairbourne Hall had a different feel to it. It was still Regency, set in England in 1812, but it wasn’t confusing. There were many characters, but not so many that I felt lost. The story was involved, but not so convoluted that it got ridiculous.

I enjoyed this novel very much. I was immediately drawn to the story – a genteel lady having to hide out and live as a servant – and it only got better from there. I appreciate a good “fish-out-of-water” story, and this one was done very well. The reader gets to see the struggles of the main character, but the entire book isn’t based on that one part of the story.

I enjoyed the growth of the characters in this novel as well. I appreciated Nathaniel’s desire to learn more about God, to grow in his faith, and to do what was right, even when society didn’t agree. I also liked how much Margaret changed through the course of her time as a servant.

My one grievance with this novel was that I felt it was too long. I didn’t necessarily get bogged down, but it did take me longer to get through than I thought it would.

After not really enjoying the previous novel by Julie Klassen (The Silent Governess), I was pleasantly surprised with this one.

I will give The Maid of Fairbourne Hall … 4 BookWorms

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"River's Call" Review

River’s Call by Melody Carlson was sent to me as an advanced review copy from Abingdon Press through NetGalley. It is the second in the “Inn at Shining Waters” series by this author.

At the end of the first book in this series, River’s Song, Anna finally found peace: on the river, and with her life. She had a new husband and a newly opened inn on her beloved Siuslaw River.

But now Anna’s peace will be somewhat disturbed with the arrival of her college-age daughter, Lauren, and the coming turbulent era of the 1960s. Lauren has been spoiled her entire life by Anna’s mother-in-law, and that lack of discipline is about to rear its ugly head.

Lauren returns to the river to live with Anna and seems to be making improvements, but some romantic entanglements bring out anger and resentment in Lauren, who returns to her mother-in-law, leaving Anna wondering where she went wrong.

As the years pass, Lauren deals with her own defiant teenager, and a new crisis will cause everyone to rethink what should be most important in life.

When I read and reviewed River’s Song, the first in this series, I enjoyed it. The novel grew on me as it went along. The peaceful setting and Anna’s growth throughout the book caused me to be fond of it, and I gave it a pretty good review.

But for some reason, I didn’t enjoy River’s Call as much as I did the first book. Although most of it takes place on the river again, it just didn’t have that peaceful feel to it. There was so much tension and anger among the characters. The first half of the book moved along at a good pace, but the second half seemed a bit disjointed since it jumped ahead years at a time rather randomly.

The plot of the novel was fine, even interesting, but I kept getting tripped up by the apathy displayed by some of the characters. The main point of the novel seemed to be that we all have to learn to “paddle our own canoe.” I agree with this to a point. When children grow up and leave home (and to some degrees before they are out of our homes), they need to learn to be self-sufficient and to make decisions for themselves. However, they need to be taught how to do this before they have to go out and do it themselves! It seemed as if the parents in this novel just left their kids to their own devices. Or they left them to be raised by an overindulgent mother-in-law, and then they wondered where they went wrong when their kids went astray. One parent in this novel even says this (referring to a teenager becoming pregnant before marriage): “These things happen, Anna. Usually there’s nothing a parent can do to stop it. Kids will be kids.”

I realize that I am making a big deal over something that maybe should not be such a big deal in a fiction book. I also realize that you can do everything right as a parent, and your children can still make bad decisions. It just seemed that the parents in the novel felt as if they had nowhere to turn to raise their children. While I don’t expect Christian novels to preach on every page (sometimes it’s more enjoyable when they don’t), it just seemed as if there was a real disconnect between the characters’ faith in God and their everyday lives. They prayed when they needed help, but they didn’t turn to God and the Bible to learn how to live their lives. Therefore, they felt they had nowhere to turn for help in raising their children, and they pretty much just left them adrift. This apathetic attitude toward God and parenting greatly decreased my overall enjoyment of this novel.

One part of the story that I did like was the restoration of the relationship between Anna and her mother-in-law. The selflessness on the part of Anna was remarkable, and it was an excellent example of forgiving as Christ forgave us. I also really appreciated the relationship between Anna and her granddaughter, Sarah. I like how they felt a kinship to each other, to the river, and to their Native American ancestry.

I enjoyed the main plot of this novel, but, unfortunately, I did not like the way it ended. It was abrupt and left too much open to be completed in the next novel.

While there were some things that kept me from fully enjoying this novel, the main plot was enough to keep me going and to want to see what happens in the next chapter of the “Inn at Shining Waters” series.

I will give River's Call ... 2 ½ BookWorms.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Abingdon Press through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"God Gave Us Love" Review

About The Book: 
As Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question why we must love others…even the seemingly unlovable.

“Any time we show love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of His love.”

In a sturdy format, ideal for the littlest hands at storytime, bedtime, or anytime, God Gave Us You assures each child that he or she truly is a treasured gift from the Lord.



 About the Author: 

Lisa Tawn Bergren is a best-selling author of more than thirty books, including The Captain's Bride, The Busy Mom's Devotional, and the God Gave Us children's book series. She and her husband, Tim, live in Colorado Springs, Colorado with their three children. Visit her website at http://www.lisatawnbergren.com/

About the Illustrator: 
Laura J. Bryant studied painting, printmaking, and sculpture at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She has illustrated numerous award-winning children’s books, including God Gave Us You, Smudge Bunny, and If You Were My Baby. Laura lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

 My Take:


The concept behind God Gave Us Love is excellent. Grampa Bear teaches Little Cub all about love – the love we should have for each other and the ultimate love that God showed when he sent His Son to die for us.

However, the execution in this board book fell a little flat. There was no real story to it, and the flow of the dialogue is disjointed, even for a conversation with a young child/cub. I thought that it read more like several lessons strung together rather than like a storybook.
The pictures of the bears are colorful, and my 3-year-old daughter likes them.

Ultimately, this book delivers a great message that we all need to understand.

“God gave us love, all kinds of love. The love of mamas and papas, friends, family. And His love, too.”

I will give God Gave Us Love … 3 BookWorms.
For more information and to read an excerpt, please click here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."



Bible Study on 1 Peter: Week 9

Week 9:


1 Peter 5:1-14


"Strengthening the Sacred Kin"


Here we are at the final week of the study through 1 Peter! I have been encouraged by this study, and I hope you have, too. It was great to do this through my blog because it held me accountable to do my Bible study every week!

For this last week, here is the question from the publisher that I will answer:

1 Peter 5 speaks to two generations: the elders and younger people. How important do you feel it is for the older generation to encourage the younger generation on their faith journey? Does your church offer resources for its members to mentor others? If so, how have you participated? If not, what can you do to help your church develop a mentor ministry?

• I think it is very important for the older generation to encourage the younger generation on their faith jouney. People who have already been through your stage of life can be an excellent resource for advice with a given situation, especially if they help you with that situation based on the truth from the Bible.
• I think our church does an excellent job of this. We have all kinds of studies and mentoring and teaching that takes place that gives the younger generation or those who are new to the faith help and hope to live for Christ in your every day life.
• I have participated in these things at my church from the 'younger generation' side ever since we joined our church in 2003. I am beginning to see ways that I can also be a  mentor, and I hope to have more opportunities for this in the future.

That wraps up our 9-week study of 1 Peter. I will leave you with some verses from chapter 5 that I think sums up the book of 1 Peter very well:

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:10-11 (NIV)

You can read my thoughts on previous weeks of this study here:


Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8

"The Mercy" Review

The Mercy by Beverly Lewis was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers as a review copy. It is the conclusion to “The Rose” trilogy by this author. You can read my reviews of the first two books in this series, The Thorn and The Judgment by clicking on the titles.

Rose Ann Kauffman is determined to move on with her life with or without a beau. Since coming to a mutual agreement with Silas Good about breaking off their relationship, she is content to stay at home and care for her ailing mother and the work that is to be done around the farm.

But even now she has lingering thoughts of the rebellious Nick Franco, who fled their Amish community after a strange accident involving his foster brother. Now Nick’s foster father, Bishop Aaron Petersheim is facing a “silencing” because of Nick’s rebellion. Rose wonders if Nick will ever return to set things right with the community, with his family, and even with her.

Meanwhile, Rose’s sister, Hen (short for Hannah), after returning to the Amish way of life with her daughter, is facing a difficult situation with her English husband. Brandon has been in a car accident, and needs constant care. He reluctantly joins Hen and Mattie Sue on her family’s Amish farm. Will Brandon’s physical needs cause him to think of his spiritual needs as well?

Both sisters long for new beginnings. They will have to rely on God’s strength, wait on His timing, and trust Him for what the future holds.

To begin, I will say that this third offering in “The Rose” trilogy is definitely not a standalone novel. Some series books can be read by themselves because they have different plots involving the same characters or involving characters in the same family. If you tried to read this novel by itself, you would be hopelessly confused. So, if you plan to read it, start with The Thorn and then go to The Judgment before reading this one.

There were a few things that I liked about this last book in “The Rose” series. I was glad that this novel brought out the fact that you can have a relationship with the Lord without being a member of the Amish church. I actually felt the opposite during the first book, The Thorn. It was refreshing to see an Amish community accepting of those who were not Amish, unlike some novels I have read.  I also was able to appreciate Rose Ann’s dedication to her Amish faith. She was devoted to the Amish way of life and to her baptism into the faith, even though she was confronted with reasons to leave.

With Hen’s story, I liked how she and her husband resolved their issues. I will try not to completely give it away, but I was glad that Brandon, though English, wasn’t seen as completely in the wrong, as he had been in the previous books. While I still didn’t really like Hen as a character, I did like the way she was willing to compromise. Because of her complete stubbornness in the previous books, I was actually pretty surprised at the ending to her story.

While the ultimate conclusions to the plotlines in this series were satisfying to me, I found The Mercy to be pretty dull most of the way through. It was just too drawn-out, with only a few blips of action here and there. (By ‘action’ I mean an event happening to keep the story moving, not ‘action’ as in non-stop action like in a movie.) Most of the novel was just telling and re-telling the daily events in the lives of the characters. I don’t remember the first two in the series being that tedious.

The plot just seems to flounder in the final book. A random character is introduced, presumably just to give Rose Ann another “crisis point” if Nick ends up returning. Then, after spending so much of the book saying basically nothing about Rose’s main storyline, the ending just races toward you, and it’s over in a few pages. It felt as if ¾ of the novel was just filler instead of wrapping up the two main storylines in a compelling manner.

Maybe this book would have held my interest more if we were able to see firsthand the reasons that made Nick come back to town. He tells Rose why, but the plot would have been a lot more interesting if we could have gone through that transformation with him, either from Rose’s point of view or from his.

While I thought the story was too drawn out over three books (and especially in the third one), I enjoyed the conclusions to the stories of Hen and Rose Ann.

I will give The Mercy … 2 ½ BookWorms.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."



"Sweeter than Birdsong" Review

Sweeter than Birdsong was sent to my by Thomas Nelson Publishers as an advanced review copy. It is the second in the "Sadler's Legacy" by Rosslyn Elliott.

It’s 1855 in Westerville, Ohio, and Kate Winter has one thing on her mind: escape. She is hoping to graduate from Otterbein College in order to leave the town of Westerville, and her family’s dark secret, behind forever. When Kate hears of a musicale that is to be presented at the school, she sees it as a possible chance to flee, regardless of her own fears.

Ben Hanby, a gifted musician, attends Otterbein College as well.  After hearing Kate sing, he is resolved to cast her in a leading role in the musicale, even though he knows of her terrible stage fright.  Despite his newfound feelings for Kate, Ben must guard his own secret involving his role in the Underground Railroad.

Ben and Kate find themselves thrown together under some unusual circumstances; circumstances that will hopefully help Ben discover his path and Kate find her voice. They will both need courage and faith to also help others find the way to freedom.

After reading the first novel by Rosslyn Elliott, Fairer than Morning, and finding it one of the best novels I read in 2011, the bar was set fairly high for this second offering in the Sadler’s Legacy series.

Fortunately, Sweeter than Birdsong met and perhaps exceeded my expectations.

The characters of Ben and Kate had such depth and were crafted so elegantly that I truly cared about them. The writing flowed seamlessly without distracting from the story itself, and the plot was very well thought out.

The historical aspect amazed me as well. This book is based on the lives of real people in history, and the balance between their true lives and the fictional story was exceptional. I am always encouraged by those who were a part of the Underground Railroad, who saw every person as a soul who matters to God and who stood up for God’s law rather than man’s.

A critique that I mentioned in my review of the first novel, Fairer than Morning, was that it was very wordy. I sometimes got bogged down in the descriptions. Although I am no expert, I thought that Sweeter than Birdsong was much improved in this area. The descriptions and word pictures were still there, but I didn’t get that bogged down feeling throughout the book.

I will say, though, that this book, for me, got off to a slow start. Since I knew the story would eventually revolve around the Underground Railroad, I got a little impatient with the first few chapters involving the college and the musicale. Fortunately this didn’t last long, and the remainder of the story more than made up for the somewhat sluggish beginning.

I greatly enjoyed this novel, but what really impressed me were the last few chapters. I was so drawn into the events and to the characters that there was a point where I was practically leaping out of my chair and cheering! And one minor character, because of the things he was saying about African-Americans, had me wanting to reach through the pages and throttle him! Powerful writing can elicit powerful emotions, and for me, Sweeter than Birdsong did just that.

Rosslyn Elliott, in my opinion, has written another winner, a novel that I would recommend just as highly as her first. I look forward to more from her in the future.

I will give Sweeter than Birdsong … 4 ½ BookWorms.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Bible Study on 1 Peter: Week 8

Week 8:

1 Peter 4:7-19

"Persevere with the End in Mind"

Here is the question from the publisher that I will answer this week:

Peter offers instructions on how to live with the end in mind. Placing a priority on prayer is of utmost importance. What two characteristics greatly enhance an authentic and consistent prayer life? Check yourself. How do you demonstrate these two characteristics?

• The two character qualities that enhance an authentic and consistent prayer life are to be alert and to have a sober mind.
• To be alert could mean to be aware or to use good judgment. I think this means to realize and be open to the things around us that need to be taken to the Lord in prayer. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to " pray without ceasing." We always need to take noticed of situations and people who need prayer.
• Since in this passage Peter is referring to living with the 'end in mind,' then being alert can refer to watching and waiting for the coming of Jesus. Pray for those who do not yet know Christ that they might find Him before it is too late.
• Having a 'sober mind' is another thing Peter mentions when referring to prayer. I think this can refer to taking your prayer life seriously and also trying to find to pray without distractions. Make prayer a discipline and take it seriously, knowing that God will hear and answer, instead of making it something that you just check off a list.
• Prayer is something that my women's group has been working on a lot lately. We have committed to pray for one another and to grow in this area. I am already seeing the fruits of this discipline in my life.

Join me next week as we study 1 Peter 5:1-14:  "Strengthen Your Sacred Kin."

You can read my thoughts on previous weeks of this study here:


Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7