"Christmas Roses" Blog Tour

Christmas Roses

by Amanda Cabot

 

Amanda Cabot invites readers to cozy up with a romantic, heartwarming tale of the greatest gift of all--love.

Celia Anderson doesn't need anything for Christmas except a few more boarders, which are hard to come by in this small mining town. She certainly doesn't have a husband on her Christmas wish list. But when a wandering carpenter finds lodging at her boarding house, she admits that she might remarry if she found the right man--the kind of man who would bring her roses for Christmas. It would take a miracle to get roses during a harsh Wyoming winter. But Christmas, after all, is the time for miracles . . .

 

 

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

 

Amanda Cabot is an accomplished author under various pen names and a popular speaker. The author of Paper Roses, Scattered Petals, Tomorrow's Garden, and Summer of Promise, she is also a charter member of Romance Writers of America, the cofounder of its New Jersey chapter, a member of the ACFW, and an avid traveler. She lives in Wyoming.

 

My Take:

This is the second Christmas book I have read so far this  year, and Thanksgiving was just yesterday!

Christmas Roses is a nice novella set in the late 1800's in Wyoming. The setting of this book really made it feel like the holiday season with the descriptions of the cold and the snow.

While I enjoyed the setting, I didn't completely connect with the characters. It is hard to really get in touch with the characters in a novella since it is so short. There is a lot of telling of their backgrounds instead of showing, so it is harder to really connect. Also, Celia's romantic notions were at times just too 'fairy-tale' for me, so I didn't relate to her very well, either.

I did like the story and the circumstances through which Mark and Celia are brought together. There is a good message of God's leading and His plan, even though I thought the salvation scene that was presented was incomplete. (There was no mention of Christ's sacrifice for our sins or of the character's repentance of those sins).

While there are a few things in this novel that did not necessarily resonate with me, it was still a heartwarming and enjoyable read for the Christmas season.

I will give Christmas Roses ... 3 BookWorms.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishing through their blog tour program. 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."

"To Whisper Her Name" Review

Only a year after the end of the Civil War, Olivia Aberdeen finds herself alone and destitute after her husband is shot for being a traitor to the South. Not willing to leave her beloved Nashville, Olivia fortunately takes up residence with her “Aunt” Elizabeth, wife to the wealthy owner of Belle Meade Plantation, Confederate General William Giles Harding. Belle Meade is famous for its thoroughbreds, and the General is widely known for his horsemanship and his loyalty to the South.

Ridley Cooper, a young man from South Carolina who chose to fight for the Union, has spent the last several years in a Confederate prison camp. Upon his release at the end of the war, Ridley seeks a former slave whom he encountered right before he was captured. All Ridley knows is that the man’s name is Robert Green and that he does incredible work with the horses at Belle Mead Plantation. Ridley hopes to learn all he can from Bob Green so that one day he can venture to the West to pursue his dream of owning thoroughbreds of his own.

But all is not as it seems upon Olivia and Ridley’s arrival at Belle Mead. Olivia finds that the position she was promised has already been taken and that the General has other plans for how she will spend her time. In addition, Olivia is terrified of horses, and yet she finds herself working alongside Ridley Cooper in the heart of the plantation – the stables. And even though Ridley has been granted the opportunity to work with the thoroughbreds, the General doesn’t know Ridley’s secret – that he fought for the Union.

As Olivia and Ridley spend more and more time together, they feel a connection that they never expected. Each has their own fears and secrets, and only time will tell if these will come to light.

Set at Nashville’s historic Belle Meade Plantation, To Whisper Her Name is a story of the post-Civil War South that will take you on a journey of betrayal, love, and redemption.

When I started reading this book, I was very interested in a story taking place at Belle Meade Plantation. I lived in Tennessee for nine years, and I had heard of it as an interesting historical place, though I have never visited it. I also enjoyed the previous book by Tamera Alexander, A Lasting Impression, which took place in Nashville at the Belmont Mansion. Admittedly, I am not usually a fan of Civil War stories, but since this one actually takes places after the war, I thought I would give it a try.

One thing that I definitely have to say about this book is that I felt totally absorbed in it as I was reading. The writing really helps you to get to know the characters, and the descriptions made me feel as if I was really there at the plantation throughout the entire book. One reason for this might be that, at 480 pages, the book is quite long for a fiction novel. I can’t say that I ever got bored with the story necessarily, but it sometimes did feel long and stretched out. This novel is not a quick read but one that takes its time and leads you on a journey that is thorough but enjoyable.

I really like the relationships between the characters in this novel, even when they were not so good. This made for a more realistic story that focused on actual struggles that would have taken place at this time. The part of the story dealing with the former slaves was fascinating in and of itself and adding more post-war issues on top of that reinforced just how difficult this time in history actually was.

I also liked the relationship between Olivia and Ridley and how well-developed it was. They really spent time together and slowly got to know each other instead of falling in love at first sight. Their relationship had depth which made the characters come alive even more. I really enjoyed how Ridley was able to help Olivia come out of her shell a bit and how it seemed as if Olivia kind of gave Ridley greater confidence in his abilities and in his future. As with many Christian novels that I have read lately, I wish that there had been more said about Christ as the way to have a relationship with God, but the characters did at least take some steps of spiritual growth over the course of the novel.

To Whisper Her Name is a captivating novel that, though lengthy, is a worthwhile read, especially if you enjoy novels that are rich in historical details and realistic struggles.

I will give To Whisper Her Name … 4 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."

"Courting Cate" Blog Tour

Courting Cate

by Leslie Gould

 

When This Couple Gets to Courting, Sparks Will Fly!
 

In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Her sweet and flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County!
 

But the sisters' wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast rule: older Cate must marry first, before younger Betsy can even start courting. Unfortunately, untamable Cate has driven away every suitor-until Pete Treger comes to town, that is.
 

Prodded by the men of the area, Pete turns his attention to winning Cate's hand. But is his interest true or is there a scheme at play?

Book 1 in The Courtships of Lancaster County series.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/eSNfb
 

 

About the Author: Leslie Gould is the co-author, with Mindy Starns Clark, of the #1 bestselling The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny. She is also the author of numerous novels, including Garden of Dreams, Beyond the Blue (winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006), and Scrap Everything. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct professor. She resides with her husband and four children in Portland, Oregon.

Learn more at www.lesliegould.com.

 

 

 

My Take:

 

Courting Cate is a modern (and yet Amish) take on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. In many ways, this made for a very interesting and cute story.
 

However, since it so closely followed the play (instead of just being based on it), some parts of the story went way over the top. Cate’s sister, Betsy, is a good example of this. Her character was so out there. Her behavior, especially at the end was unrealistic. I can’t imagine anyone saying the things she did or acting the way she did.
 

That being said, I still liked this book. It was very entertaining, and I enjoyed seeing this story unfold so similarly to Shakespeare’s play. I also enjoyed Cate in this novel. Although she seemed too preoccupied with herself, she did experience a tremendous amount of growth throughout the novel.
 

I didn’t feel much of a connection to the other characters in this book, possibly due to the first person telling. I would have liked to know more about Pete and his side of things.

 

My favorite part of the book was how much Cate and Pete like to read. I can definitely relate to that! The librarians knew me very well when I was growing up!
 

Overall, Courting Cate is an entertaining story that fans of Amish fiction (and Shakespeare) will enjoy.
 

I will give Courting Cate … 3 ½ BookWorms.

 

Read what other reviewers are saying here: http://litfusegroup.com/author/LGould 

  

A retelling of the Taming of the Shrew!

 

Leslie Gould is celebrating the release of Courting Cate with a fun Kindle Fire Giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party (11/20)!

One lucky winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Courting Cate by Leslie Gould

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 19th. Winner will be announced at the "Courting Cate" Author Chat Facebook Party on 11/20. Connect with Leslie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at an Amish trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Courting Cate and join Leslie on the evening of the November 20th for a chance to connect with Leslie and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 20th!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers and 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."

"The Christmas Pony" Blog Tour

The Christmas Pony

By Melody Carlson

 

The queen of the Christmas novella, Melody Carlson pens another magical tale of expectation and excitement as one little girl dreams big and the impossible becomes possible.

Eight-year-old Lucy Turnbull knew better than to wish for a pony that Christmas in 1937. Her mother had assured her in no uncertain terms that asking for a pony was the same as asking for the moon. Besides, the only extra mouths they needed at their boarding house were the paying kind. But when an interesting pair of strangers comes to town, Lucy starts to believe her Christmas wishes might just come true after all.

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


Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several Christmas books from Revell, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington's, which is being considered for a TV movie. She is also the author of many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, Double Take, The Jerk Magnet, and the "Diary of a Teenage Girl" series. Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books in 2010 and won the award in 2011. She and her husband live in central Oregon.

For more information about Melody visit her website at www.melodycarlson.com.


My Take:

Around my house, Christmas music can be heard starting in October. One reason for this is that my husband plays in our church's orchestra, and they begin rehearsing then for the Christmas musical. But the other reason is that my husband loves Christmas and Christmas music and would celebrate it/listen to it year 'round if he could!

So it's not much of a stretch for me to already be into Christmas books this year. I am reviewing a couple of novellas this year, starting with this one, The Christmas Pony.

From the start I was drawn to the characters in this story, which is a good thing since it is not a full novel. Since you don't have the pages to really get involved with the characters, you need to be able to relate to them and connect with them right way, and this novella did that very well.

What I liked most about this novella was that it was told exclusively from the point of view of Lucy, the eight-year-old girl in the story. Her voice was sweet and curious and even a little mature for her age, which gave the story a lot of depth. I loved how her perspective changed throughout the novel in relation to the other characters, especially toward Victoria, one of the guests at the boardinghouse.

Even though this story was fairly predictable, it was still enjoyable.

The Christmas Pony is a sweet story complete with romance, family, answered prayer, and Christmas surprises. What more could you ask for at Christmas?

I will give The Christmas Pony ... 4½ BookWorms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell 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."

"Placebo" Blog Tour

Placebo

 

by Steven James

 

 

Pharmaceutical Cover-Up Turns Deadly in New Jevin Banks Series

 

While investigating a controversial neurological research program, expose filmmaker Jevin Banks is drawn into a far-reaching conspiracy involving one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms. He seeks answers about the questionable mind-to-mind communication program – and answers to his own family tragedy.

Rooted in groundbreaking science, Placebo explores the far reaches of science, consciousness, and faith. This tau, intelligent, and emotionally gripping new thriller from master storyteller Steven James will keep you flipping pages late into the night.

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

 

 

About the Author: Critically acclaimed author Steven James has written more than thirty books, including the bestselling Patrick Bowers thriller series. He is considered one of the nation's most innovative storytellers and versatile authors, and is a contributing editor to Writer's Digest. Steven lives in Tennessee with his wife and three daughters.

 

My Take:

Since this book is more my husband’s type of novel, I asked him to write the bulk of this review!

Jevin Banks is a successful magician who blames himself for the death of his wife and twin sons.  After quitting the stage, he starts a new career as an expose filmmaker who uses his expertise to expose charlatans for what they really are.  He and his stage assistant, Charlene, are working on a new story investigating a clinic doing studies on mind-to-mind communication.  As they dig deeper, they uncover a conspiracy involving the clinic, a pharmaceutical company, and the military.

This is the first book I have read by Steven James, and I have been told by those who have read his other books that this is very different from his previous series.  I enjoyed the fast paced thriller aspect of this story.  There wasn’t much mystery involved, but perhaps that is because I have read too many novels like this and was just able to see where it was going.  I still enjoyed watching how our characters figured out what was going on and seeing how it all fit together.

I also really enjoyed the two main characters in this book.  Jevin (Jev) and Charlene started the book as close friends with a long history.  But, with Jev’s wife and sons being dead only 13 months, it was a strained relationship.  It was great watching them grow closer together as the book progressed.  It felt like a very natural progression, too.

But, one of the biggest problems I had with this novel was how dark it was.  The book starts out telling the story of the death of Jev’s wife and twin sons, and it is told in very graphic detail.  And then of course Jev kept reliving it throughout the book.  In addition to that story, there were several characters in the book who would best be described as psychopaths.  They have no conscience or feelings at all.  Reading the descriptions of the child abuse and torture that took place in their lives was just too much for me.  I found it way too disturbing at times, especially for a Christian novel, and if the remainder of the series is to be as dark, I might not continue with it.

I will also say that the main concept behind this book was a bit farfetched.  I personally do not buy into the concept of affecting other people with our thoughts.  And, trying to explain away prayer or miracles by saying that we are influencing others with the connections of quantum particles that we all share was just too much.  However, it was cool how it made the skeptic main character evaluate the things in which he believes.  The process of his path toward God was very realistic.  He didn’t get all the way there, but hopefully he will in the next few books.

So, I am torn.  I enjoyed most of the story and the two main characters.  I would really enjoy reading another story based on these two characters.  However, if the next book in the series is anywhere near as dark and disturbing as this one, I probably will not be reading it. 

I will give Placebo … 3 BookWorms.

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell 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."

 



 

"A Promise to Love" Review

Ingrid Larsen finds herself in the woods of Michigan in 1871 after emigrating from Sweden. She and her twin brother, Hans, have plans to make a great life for themselves in America. But Ingrid has not been able to locate her brother, who is in one of the many lumber camps throughout the state, and she is currently employed by a harsh taskmaster.

Joshua Hunter faced many battles during his time in the Union army, but nothing prepared him for the loss of his beloved wife. With five young children to raise and many in the town questioning his wife’s mysterious death, Joshua does not know where to turn.

When Ingrid and Joshua impulsively decide to get married, they think that many of their problems will be solved. But their challenges are only beginning.

Will Ingrid be strong enough to fight for her new family, and will Joshua ever feel more for his new wife than just gratitude? Ingrid and Joshua will both have to rely on their faith in God and their promise to each other to find their way to love.

Marriage of convenience or mail-order bride novels seem to be favorites among historical fiction authors, but they are also some of my favorite stories to read. A Promise to Love started as a marriage of convenience story but turned into so much more.

I especially liked how the plot partially incorporated Joshua’s late wife, Diantha. Many marriage of convenience books barely mention the first wife or if they do, they portray her as a saint. I thought it was genuine that Joshua’s first wife would have a major role to play in his new relationship with Ingrid. The investigation into her death also added dimension to the plot. It was interesting that Diantha was portrayed as a less-than-perfect wife and mother which stood in stark contrast to Ingrid’s instant love for the children and excellent work ethic. I appreciated how Joshua and Ingrid handled the things that came to light about Diantha, but I wish they had been a bit more compassionate when thinking about her.

This novel was a bit gritty at times and difficult to read because of its straightforwardness and because of its emotion, but this made the characters and the situations seem very realistic. Ingrid’s Swedish ‘accent’ was hard to read and follow at times, but I soon got used to it and it lent to the credibility of the novel. While Ingrid’s way of speaking was convincing, I kind of wondered why all of these people who were from Michigan spoke in what read like Southern accents. Maybe most of the people had migrated from the South after the war or maybe the accent was supposed to be more ‘country’ than Southern, but it just felt a little out of place.

I thought this novel was engaging and, aside from the accents, I thought the characters were written very well. I really felt the emotions of the main characters, and the secondary characters came alive (the evil characters were really evil) without overshadowing the two primary characters.­ However, I thought that some of the sentence structure was awkward. Occasionally I would have to read a rather long sentence two or three times to get its meaning. I also thought that the scene changes (from Joshua’s thoughts to Ingrid’s thoughts) were frequent and sometimes abrupt. I am hoping some of this was due to the electronic copy that I had – there was nothing to note scene breaks – and not to the style in which the book was written.

The romance between Joshua and Ingrid was fairly typical for a marriage of convenience story, but it was still interesting to read. I thought that Ingrid fell in love a bit too quickly but that Joshua’s side of things was more true-to-life. Even though I thought Ingrid’s infatuation was not quite convincing at first and that she was trying too hard to earn Joshua’s love, I loved the moment in the book when she gave all of her work over to God. That was really a touching moment.

The spiritual side of this book kind of went back and forth a lot. Sometimes it would come across really clearly, and other times it would be really vague. But I guess this once again contributed to the realism that was portrayed in this book. When the main characters were struggling, then their faith did not shine through. But when they turned to God and relied on His strength, then His love shone brightly.

The ending of this novel was very exciting and almost completely satisfying. I would have liked a little bit more detail on where Joshua and Ingrid went from there – maybe even an additional chapter showing us what happened rather than an epilogue telling a bunch of facts about what would happen.

In this novel, there was a lot going on. It seemed to have more meat to it than the typical historical romance and marriage of convenience story. The events and the characters – both their strengths and weaknesses – all contributed to a realistic story that was knitted together with faith, hope, and love.

I will give A Promise to Love … 3 ½ BookWorms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell 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."

"The Measure of Katie Calloway" Review

The Civil War has ended, but Katie Calloway is still struggling with battles of her own. Fleeing the ravaged South and an abusive husband, Katie ventures North with her young brother, where she hires on as a cook for a lumber camp deep in the woods of Michigan.

Robert Foster is not quite sure what he is doing when he hires a young widow named Katie Smith to be the cook for his lumber camp. All he knows is that she makes the best apple pie he has ever tasted. Having a good cook brings the best lumbermen to your camp, and Robert needs all the help he can get.

Working in a lumber camp is harder than Katie could ever have imagined, but she is determined to make it work. As camp life gets underway, Katie and Robert find themselves becoming more and more intrigued with each other. But they both have secrets that would get in the way of any kind of relationship.

Set in the rugged yet beautiful north woods of Michigan, The Measure of Katie Calloway, tells the story of a lumber camp in 1867, and that even in this remote place, hope – and love – can be found.

I seem to be reading a lot of books lately that are set in lumber camps in Michigan during the second half of the 1800s. I’m not sure why these novels ended up clustered together, but it has definitely given me greater knowledge and appreciation of the history of America during this time.

One thing I liked about this novel right from the beginning was that it didn’t take long to get into the story. The beginning started right off with Katie having to flee her home, and it just kept going from there without really letting down anywhere throughout the novel. There was always something going on that kept the story moving.

Even though things started off quickly, I still felt as if I was able to get to know Katie and Robert very well as characters. Once all of the people started to come into the camp, I got a bit lost at times with who was who. But later on I was able to settle in and enjoy the many personalities of those who worked in this particular camp.

As I said earlier, I have read several books lately related to lumber camps. This book in particular spent a lot of time describing the goings on in a camp and the work and such. While this is very interesting from a historical standpoint, sometimes the descriptions of the lumber business seemed more like a lesson rather than a plot to the story. It was interesting, but sometimes I felt like I was being given information rather than being told a story.

There were several spots in this book where the spiritual aspect shined through. While I would have liked for the book to have gone into a bit more detail about salvation, the spiritual things that were portrayed were done well. Katie’s prayers during surgery on one of the lumbermen was a moving moment as was the fact that it was so obvious that God had brought Katie to the camp in order to protect her.

There are a lot of deep things that are pursued in this book that I wasn’t expecting when I first started to read it. The issue of slavery was still dividing the country at this time, even though the war was over; Katie was fleeing an abusive husband; the dangers in a lumber camp were very real. All of these things and more led to a well-rounded story overall. At times the book was gritty and intense, but there was still a sense of hope.

Something amusing about this book was that there were so many descriptions of food. Since Katie has to prove herself as a cook, this is to be expected, but sometimes I would get so hungry reading about all the wonderful things that she made!

The ending of this book for some reason seemed a bit contrived, but I still found it satisfying. It was one of those things where I knew where it was going, I wanted it to go there, but the execution was only okay. I like endings that are wrapped up nicely, so I was not disappointed there. Again, I’m not sure why I felt as if everything came out a little too easily in the end, but I still liked it.

The Measure of Katie Calloway ended up being more than I expected - more history, more intensity, and ultimately, more of a happy ending.

I will give The Measure of Katie Calloway … 4 BookWorms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell 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."

"Man Up!" Blog Tour

Man Up!

 

by Jody Burkeen

 
The church is dying because of lukewarm Christian men. With the world infiltrating slowly through the church doors, Christian men are being swept away at an alarming rate.

Complacency, continual sin, and disobedience are tearing men away from God. Families, churches, and communities are suffering because so many Christian mena are “spiritual sissies.”

Jody Burkeen writes candidly about the seven areas in a Christian man’s life where he needs to Man Up!

Man Up! Becoming a Godly Man in an Ungodly World is a call to arms for lukewarm Christian men.

About the Author:

Jody Burkeen is the founder and president of MAN UP! Gods Way Ministries. This ministry was birthed out of a desire to change the way Christian men “do” Christianity.

Jody's self-described "Damascus Road Transformation" led him on a journey to search the Scripture to find what he had been missing his whole life, which was Jesus Christ. In this journey, the Word of God took over in a way he never expected. Searching for men in the church to help him in his walk, he found very little help. What he did find was men that needed the same kind of help he did.

Through MAN UP! Gods Way Ministry it is Jody’s hope that he can challenge men to live a separated life on fire for God.

Jody has been married for 21 wonderful years and has two beautiful children ages 8 and 11.


Author Interview:

Why another book for Christian men?
This is not your normal “let’s try to do better” Christian men’s book. This is more like the “you already know what to do, now start doing it” Christian men’s book. Christian men are inundated with the “how to”, I felt God was telling to write a book that would challenge them to just “do it”. Stop being spiritual sissies and Man up the way God intended them to. This is why our ministry uses Revelations 3:16 “So because you are lukewarm neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth”. Christian men have become lazy, complacent, and disobedient to Gods words.

Who should read this book?

Any Christian man that is not living up to the potential God has for his life. The Christian life is not easy, but it’s harder without God and His Word. This book lays out 7 areas in a Christian man’s life where he need to apply certain disciplines to better his walk.

Have you always been a man that Man’ed Up in his walk?

By no means. Most of the book talks about the struggles I have had and how I worked on making myself disciplined to reading the scriptures, praying and applying what God was teaching me. Each day I do all I can to stay a man that God will be proud of.

Why do you discuss “7 areas in a Christian man’s life”?

As I look at my own life, the process I took and am still taking, involved 7 specific areas.

1. My personal relationship with Christ. With this in the forefront, the remaining 6 can be obtained with His help.
2. My marriage.
3. Being a father.
4. Church.
5. Work.
6. Accountability
7. Discipleship.

I believe that is you follow these step or 7 areas, you will become a godly man in this ungodly world.

How can we find out more about you and the book?

You can check out our website www.manupgodsway.org . We are on Facebook www.facebook.com/manupgodsway and twitter @manupgodsway1. I also travel the country speaking to men’s groups, conferences and seminars. You can book me at info@manupgodsway.org . Send us an email and we can give you more details.

As part of this book tour, how can we find out where more free copies of Man Up! will be given away? Visit http://ChristianSpeakersServices.com.



My Husband's Take:

In our culture, men are often portrayed as incompetent fools incapable of running a household.  The sad thing is that many men in our society, while capable of running a household, often don’t.  And worse, this is often the case in the modern church.  Many Christian men are willing to let their wives lead their households, which usually translates into letting them lead the church.  Too many times I have seen women and children serving in the church, while the men take a back seat and stay at home. While everyone should be serving in the church, of course, men especially are not doing what they should.  Man Up attempts to explain to men how to rectify this situation.  Unfortunately, I feel that this book is a weak attempt to fix a very serious problem in our culture.

I must applaud the author for trying to tackle such an important matter as leadership in the home and at church, but he often isn't clear.  After being called a sissy multiple times per chapter (and sometimes multiple times per page), you get the idea that the author is trying to shame men into becoming what they should be.  For me, it would have been more effective to convince me using scripture instead of shame.

Scripture is used in the book, but not always well.  Many times, simple platitudes are used instead, which is vague and not helpful.  If someone is struggling with leadership, telling them to be a leader isn’t going to help.  They need to know how to do so and why they should.   

When scripture was used, it was often confusing and sometimes just inappropriate.  The author would come close to the right point, and then stop.  An example is when he was discussing Ephesians 5. He referenced that many men read the verse about wives submitting to the husbands and skip the part about the husbands.  He says that when we as husbands love our wives as Christ loved the church, it will help our wives to submit to us.  This is an excellent point and one that should be made. 

 

However, he then says that when we don’t love our wives as Christ loved the church, our wives don’t have to submit to us.  This is just plain wrong.  The scripture doesn’t have a caveat in it.  Our wives are to submit regardless of whether we husbands are doing our part. (See 1 Peter 3:1-2) And, vice versa. We husbands are to love our wives as Christ loved the church whether our wives submit to us or not.  This is not a 50%-50% proposition.  It is a 100%-100% deal.

This is just one example of the author making a valid point and then stating it poorly or just flat out making it wrong.  It is a shame, because I know this author means well and has some very good points.  He is just does so in a vague way using platitudes and cliches instead of scripture and practical application.  I recommend that if you read this book, exercise caution and discernment. 

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview and/or book review on my blog. CSS Virtual Book Tours are managed by Christian Speakers Services (http://ChristianSpeakersServices.com).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and Christian Speaker Services. 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."

"Against the Tide" Review

Until recently, Lydia Pallas lived a life of chaos and turmoil. Her childhood was filled with tragedy and disappointment. But now Lydia finally has control over her life. With a wonderful home and a great job as a linguist for the U.S. Navy, Lydia settles in to a life of normalcy.

Until Alexander Banebridge (“Bane”) enters her life and turns it upside down.

When Bane asks her to translate a series of seemingly harmless documents, she reluctantly agrees. Lydia needs the money, but she soon realizes that she is in for more than she bargained for.

As the circumstances escalate, Lydia is drawn into a crusade with Bane against some of the most powerful people on the East Coast. And Lydia must draw on everything she knows – and strength she didn’t know she had – in order to save and protect those who are innocent.

Against the Tide continues the story of Bane, a criminal who turned to God, from Elizabeth Camden’s first novel, The Lady of Bolton Hill.

For me this book got off to somewhat of a rocky start. The beginning of this book was just heartbreaking, and it was hard for me to continue reading, but I did have hope that surely things would get better for Lydia. Also, something about the first half of the book felt drawn out to me. Once the characters and setting were set up, the story slowed down until a little over halfway through the book. But then it picked up and was exciting until the conclusion.

I really liked the setting of this book. We took a trip to Boston several years ago, and it is a fascinating city with history around every corner. It was interesting to see the city through the eyes of those in the 1890s, and the naval aspect added to the appeal as well.

I also really liked the two main characters in this novel. I was especially fascinated by Lydia’s job translating for the Department of the Navy, and I absolutely loved the witty banter between Lydia and Bane. The characters were written in such a way that even if I didn’t necessarily relate to them, I still felt as if I knew them very well. Lydia’s fastidiousness and Bane’s determination came through loud and clear and gave them dimension on many levels – almost to where they sometimes seemed to be a bit over-the-top. But, this made them more realistic as well. They weren’t perfect and both characters experienced significant growth over the course of the novel.

The main bad guy in this novel is also a carryover from the previous novel, and he was even more diabolical in this one. Again, I felt the character was kind of exaggerated to the point of disbelief, but it made for a great and suspenseful story.

One thing that I thought was presented well was the topic of drug addiction. This was especially true because of the time period. More and more was being learned about medicine and about the human body at this time, but there was still so much that was not known. Things that were seemingly innocuous at the time (putting opium in medications for children) were then found to be extremely harmful and addictive. It was interesting that a character had become addicted to opium without completely realizing it. It also showed the strength it takes for someone to admit that they have an addiction and to go through the necessary steps, both physical and spiritual, to overcome that addiction. I do wish the descriptions of the withdrawal weren’t quite so detailed, but it was definitely realistic.

Another theme that ran through the course of this novel was the predicament between obeying the law and “doing what is right.” The characters several times did things that were technically against the law, such as sneaking into a government building to search for proof of fraud, in order to fight against something they felt was morally wrong. They consistently lied and did other things that were contrary to God’s law, but they did these things in order to rescue children who had been kidnapped and to stop the sale of opium to unsuspecting people.

Which brings up an interesting question - is it ever OK to break the law or even go against God’s law (i.e. lying, stealing) in order to do what’s ultimately right? I don’t claim to have the answer to this question because I don’t think it has a black and white answer. There are plenty of instances in history and even in the Bible when this has been the case. The people who worked for the Underground Railroad technically broke the law when they hid slaves and helped them escape to freedom. But they were showing Christ’s love to people who were unfairly in bondage. Rahab technically lied to the soldiers when she hid the spies before the destruction of Jericho. But she knew they were sent from the Lord and needed help, and she is even mentioned in Hebrews as having great faith.

Again, I don’t claim to have a firm answer to this question, but it is something to think about.

On the spiritual side of things, besides the excellent moral questions it brought up, I thought the novel was lacking. There were many times that God and salvation and the Bible (even New Testament references) were mentioned, but it was not completely clear to me where Christ fit into the picture. Christ is never mentioned by name. At least one of the characters claims to come to faith in God, but Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for forgiveness of sins is never mentioned.

I will give Against the Tide … 3 ½ BookWorms.

 

 

 

 

 

Info about the book:

 

Title: Against the Tide

Author: Elizabeth Camden

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication date: October 1, 2012

Genre: Historical fiction

 

 

 

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."

"At the Feet of Jesus" Blog Tour

At the Feet of Jesus

Daily Devotions to Nurture a Mary Heart

 

by Joanna Weaver

 

You were made for more than serving God; you were made to know Him.

Intimacy with God--to know Him and be known by Him. It is what our hearts desperately need, but somehow life conspires to keep us busy and distracted.

For anyone who struggles when it comes to daily devotions, At the Feet of Jesus extends an irresistible invitation to set aside your duties and find the amazing peace and incredible joy that come from time alone with Him. Drawn from Joanna Weaver's beloved Bethany trilogy, each reading in this 365-day devotional includes a Bible reading passage and reflection question. All-new material and "Going Deeper" sidebars are also woven throughout.

Discover for yourself the riches that come from spending a portion of each day alone with God. At the feet of Jesus--where true life begins!

Includes a unique One-Year Bible Reading Guide.

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/erC31

 

 

Meet Joanna:

Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit. Joanna has appeared on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. She is also a highly sought after speaker and shares her message at intimate gatherings and several high profile events each year. But Joanna's greatest joy is found in being a wife and mother and her role as a pastor's wife.

Find out more about Joanna at http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/.

 

 

My Take:

At the Feet of Jesus takes excerpts from Joanna Weaver's three books (see above) and turns them into a devotional for every day of the year. Each day's devotional has a corresponding set of verses from the Bible for further study. These short devotionals are really easy to read would be a great addition to regulary daily Bible reading and study.

There is also a Read-Through-the-Bible-in-a-Year Reading Plan in the back that is very easy to follow and has a great layout. Instead of reading straight through from cover to cover, you go back and forth between Old Testament and New Testament books, reading first one OT book through then reading a NT book through. This seems like a great way to read through the Bible, and I am looking forward to starting this plan at the first of next year.

Having not read Joanna Weaver's other books, this devotional book contained all new material for me. If you have read the other books, this might be a bit repetitive, but it might also be a fresh way to re-read those books. I have to admit that a few of the readings felt a little like I was missing something, and I attribute that to the fact that I haven't read the previous books in their entirety.

At the Feet of Jesus is a good reminder that we should be nurturing a Mary heart – one that sits at the feet of Jesus – every day of the year.

I will give At the Feet of Jesus … 4 BookWorms.

 

Read what other reviewers are saying here.



Celebrate the release of At the Feet of Jesus with Joanna Weaver by entering to win an iPad and RSVPing for the "True Life" Webcast Event on 11/8!

One blessed winner will receive:

• An iPad
• The Year in Bethany Trilogy (Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Having a Mary Spirit and Lazarus Awakening 
• At the Feet of Jesus for YOU and Five of your friends.

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 7th. Winner will be announced at the "True Life" Live Webcast Event on November 8th. Connect with author Joanna Weaver and her special guest for an evening of encouragement, laughter and a Q&A! There will also be gift certificates and books given away to participants.

So grab your copy of At the Feet of Jesus (or one of Joanna's other books) and join Joanna on evening of November 8th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the books - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 8th!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Press 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."