Forget Me Not (+giveaway)

Title: Forget Me Not
Author: Vicki Hinze
Genre: Christian Suspense/Thriller
Page Count: 329
Why I read it: blog tour for publisher
Grade: C+

Synopsis:
Crossroads Crisis Center owner Benjamin Brandt was a content man—in his faith, his work, and his family. Then in a flash, everything he loved was snatched away. His wife and son were murdered, and grief-stricken Ben lost faith. Determination to find their killers keeps him going, but after three years of dead ends and torment, his hope is dying too. Why had he survived? He’d failed to protect his family.
Now, a mysterious woman appears at Crossroads seeking answers and help—a victim who eerily resembles Ben’s deceased wife, Susan. A woman robbed of her identity, her life, of everything except her faith—and Susan’s necklace.
The connections between the two women mount, exceeding coincidence, and to keep the truth hidden, someone is willing to kill. Finding out who and why turns Ben and the mystery woman’s situation from dangerous to deadly. Their only hope for survival is to work together, trust each other, and face whatever they discover head on, no matter how painful. But will that be enough to save their lives and heal their tattered hearts? 

My review:
I spent a lot of the time while reading this book being confused.  I couldn't quite figure out what was happening, or who was who, or much of anything, to be honest.  There seemed to be too many characters doing too many different things.  Most of the time I'm not a fan of books that slowly unveil what's going on, layer by layer, leaving me feeling lost and confused for a good share of the book, and this was no exception.

That being said, the writing was good.  It was suspenseful, even if I didn't quite buy a lot of the things that were happening.  I'm okay with that in fiction, though.  Sometimes it's okay to suspend belief for awhile, and just go with the story.  This one was very fast-paced with a lot of stuff going on.  The story switches viewpoints almost constantly.

If you're not a fan of religion in your books, skip this one, because it does tend to get rather preachy and in your face.  The Christianity in this book is not subtle at all.  On the other hand, if you like your characters to rely heavily on God, and to have their whole character shaped around their faith, then you might really enjoy this book.

I don't read a lot of Christian suspense type novels, so I can't really say how this compares to others of it's genre, so it's hard to recommend this one or not.  I'd say it relies heavily on personal preference here.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.  To find out more about this book, click here.

And lastly, I've got one copy of this book to giveaway to one of my readers.  To enter, just leave a comment here.  You must be a follower of this blog to enter (that way I can easily find you if you win).  This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and will end on April 19th.

This Little Prayer of Mine (+giveaway)

Title: This Little Prayer of Mine
Author: Anthony DeStefano
Genre: Children's picture book
Why I read it: blog tour for publisher
Grade: B

Synopsis:
I know you're up in heaven, God,
and can hear my voice from there.
I'm just a little child.
Will you answer my short prayer?
So begins this delightful book that affirms God's readiness to answer our prayers, no matter what our age.
With engaging rhymes and beautiful illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine assures children that God is always near--watching, listening, caring, and eager to respond to their requests. They'll also learn that prayer isn't just about asking for things, but about sharing their feelings of sadness and uncertainty as well as of thanksgiving and joy.
Most importanly, This Little Prayer of Mine reminds children—and those who love them—that they can trust God to tenderly care for them, no matter what the future holds. 

My review:
This is a really cute book.  I loved the illustrations; very sweet, and my kids liked them too.  What I really like about this book is that it can help kids learn how to pray.  It can help them learn that prayer isn't just a rehearsed repetition of the same things over and over.  They learn that we can talk to God as we would talk to anyone.

Usually when my kids want a more involved story, we reach for their children's Bibles, but sometimes it's already bedtime, and the kids are asking for a story, and we need something shorter.  I would recommend this one to Christian parents, if you're looking for a quick picture book to read with your kids before bed.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.  To find out more information about this book, click here. 

I have a copy of this book to give away to one lucky reader.  To enter, just leave a comment here.  You must be a follower of this blog to enter (that way I can easily find you if you win).  This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and will end on April 16th.

An Absence So Great (+giveaway)

Title: An Absence So Great
Author: Jane Kirkpatrick
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Page Count: 367
Why I read it: blog tour for publisher
Grade: C

Synopsis:
While growing in confidence as a photographer, eighteen-year-old Jessie Ann Gaebele’s personal life is at a crossroads. Hoping she’s put an unfortunate romantic longing behind her as “water under the bridge,” she exiles herself to Milwaukee to operate photographic studios for those owners who have fallen ill with mercury poisoning. 

Jessie gains footing in her dream to one day operate her own studio and soon finds herself in other Midwest towns, pursuing her profession. But even a job she loves can’t keep painful memories from seeping into her heart when the shadows of a forbidden love threaten to darken the portrait of her life.

My review:
This is book two in a series, and since I didn't read the first one, I can't say how much it would have affected my enjoyment with this one.  I think reading the first one may have given the reader a fuller appreciation of the characters and what they are currently going through, and what they went through in the past.

This series is based on the life of the author's grandmother, and that definitely adds some interest to the story.  There are even photographs taken by her grandmother included in the book.

I found it a little hard to relate to the main character, and maybe the story in general, but I think that the writing was good.  The plot was fairly slow moving, and obviously in this kind of novel you're not going to get a whole lot of fast-paced action.

I would recommend this one to fans of Christian fiction, but I'm still on the lookout for something that will blow me away as much as Francine Rivers historical fiction did.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.  To find out more about this book, click here.

I have a copy of this novel to giveaway to one lucky reader.  To enter, just leave a comment here.  You must be a follower of this blog to enter (that way I can easily find you if you win).  This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and will end on April 10th.

Here Burns My Candle (+Giveaway)

Title: Here Burns My Candle
Author: Liz Curtis Higgs
Genre: Christian historical fiction
Page Count: 454
Why I read it: blog tour for the publisher
Grade: C

Synopsis:
Lady Elisabeth Kerr is a keeper of secrets. A Highlander by birth and a Lowlander by marriage, she honors the auld ways, even as doubts and fears stir deep within her.
Her husband, Lord Donald, has secrets of his own, well hidden from the household, yet whispered among the town gossips.
His mother, the dowager Lady Marjory, hides gold beneath her floor and guilt inside her heart. Though her two abiding passions are maintaining her place in society and coddling her grown sons, Marjory’s many regrets, buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, continue to plague her.
One by one the Kerr family secrets begin to surface, even as bonny Prince Charlie and his rebel army ride into Edinburgh in September 1745, intent on capturing the crown.
A timeless story of love and betrayal, loss and redemption, flickering against the vivid backdrop of eighteenth-century Scotland, Here Burns My Candle illumines the dark side of human nature, even as hope, the brightest of tapers, lights the way home.

My review:
You know how sometimes you're in the mood for a fast-paced, edge of your seat novel, and sometimes you want something a little quieter--a little more reflective?  Here Burns My Candle is the latter.  It deals a lot with character growth, and that's really the meat of the story.

There was a smattering of Scottish words throughout (with a glossary in the back, in case you have trouble figuring out what the words mean), and to be honest, that's not really my thing.  It distracts me and pulls me out of the story.  But I've read other reviews where the readers felt that it added to the story, so it's definitely a personal preference thing.

The religion in this one isn't overwhelming, and I think the book could be enjoyed by a person who is not religious.  On the other hand, I think a religious person would really enjoy what religion IS in there.  The story is somewhat of a retelling of Ruth and Naomi's story in the Bible.  I guess the nice thing about this story is that it could be enjoyed by anyone, and different people will get different things out of it, as with any good book.

I would recommend this to fans of historical fiction and Christian fiction.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.  To find out more information about this book, click here.

Would you like to win a free copy of Here Burns My Candle?  I've got one up for grabs!  To enter, just leave a comment here.  You must be a follower of this blog to enter (that way I can easily contact you if you win).  This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and will end on April 2nd.  

What's In the Bible (+Giveaway)

Tyndale House Publishers has a new video line out called "What's in the Bible".  I was lucky enough to be able to participate in a blog tour, and received the first two DVD's of the series to review.  They were a lot of fun.  Want to get an idea of what they're about?  Watch the preview:



I find it sad that so many Christians today don't really know very much about the Bible.  It's most likely because from the time we're kids, so much of our entertainment and free time is spent with other pursuits.  That's what's so great about these videos.  My kids can watch them and be entertained, all the while learning about the most important book there is.

And you know what?  I even learned a thing or two while watching What's in the Bible.  I'm definitely not any kind of Bible scholar, but since these DVD's are aimed at kids, I thought it would be filled with the really simple stuff that any Christian adult should know.  And a lot of it is that, but there are gems in there that were things I didn't already know.  These DVD's are a great resource for both learning and entertainment.

My kids loved all the different characters, and it never got boring because it bounced around from information to songs, with funny stuff sprinkled all throughout.  If your kids like Veggie Tales, they'll love this new DVD series from Phil Vischer.

Check out the What's In the Bible website for a lot of other goodies and information.

And lastly, would you like to check out these DVD's for yourself?  I have certificates for volumes 1 and 2 to give away (there will be 2 winners, 1 certificate per winner).  These can be redeemed at your local Christian bookstore or by sending the certificate to Tyndale Publishers (instructions for this is on the back of the certificate).  To enter, just leave a comment here.  Also, you must be a follower of this blog to enter (that way I can easily contact you if you win).  The giveaway will end on March 31st at 11:59 PM.  :)  

Start Here (+Giveaway)

Title: Start Here
Author: Alex & Brett Harris
Genre: YA Christian Non-fiction
Page Count: 160
Why I read it: blog tour for publisher
Grade: B

Synopsis:
You want to do hard things.  But you don’t know where to start.
You are changing the world around you.  But you are tired and burned out.

You feel called to do the extraordinary for God.  But you feel stuck in the ordinary.
 Do Hard Things inspired thousands of young people around the world to make the most of the teen years.  Now Alex and Brett Harris are back and ready to tackle the questions that Do Hard Things inspired: How do I get started?  What do I do when I get discouraged?  What’s the best way to inspire others?  Filled with stories and insights from Alex, Brett, and other real-life rebelutionaries, Start Here is a powerful and practical guide to doing hard things, right where you are.

Are you ready to take the next step and blast past mediocrity for the glory of God?

START HERE.

For this review, I have a guest blogger--my daughter, Kaitlyn (who is 12).
Kaitlyn's review:
I liked this book, it was a great way to grow closer to God. I think this is a good book for any teen that just wants to do something hard for God. I really liked how they had other peoples stories included in it to kind of give you an idea of what doing hard things is like. I like the points in this book. This book explained how to get started with doing something hard. It showed what you need to learn and do before you do something hard. This book is excellent  for doing in a youth group. It includes a discussion at the end to talk about in a youth group. I think the worst part in this story is there was some words I could not understand but besides that it was a good book. :)

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.  To find out more information about this book, click here.

***I have a copy of this book to give away to one lucky reader.  To enter, just leave a comment here, including an e-mail address where I can contact you if you win.  Giveaway ends, and a winner will be chosen on March 22nd. *** 
 

Mother Daughter Duet (+Giveaway)

Title: Mother Daughter Duet
Author: Cheri Fuller & Ali Plum
Genre: Christian non-fiction
Page Count: 212
Why I read it: blog tour for the publisher

Synopsis:
Written by a mother and daughter who have successfully navigated the minefield from distance and tension to acceptance and friendship, Mother-Daughter Duet helps moms open wide the door of communication so that daughters want to walk through it. Filled with personal anecdotes and based on proven principles, each chapter offers timeless wisdom as well as a daughter’s perspective. Often these principles apply to daughters-in-law as well.

My review:
I'm not really the target audience for this book.  I do have a daughter, but she's not an adult.  With that in mind, I read this thinking about the future, and the relationship I want to have with my daughter when she is an adult.

There is some great advice and ideas in here, and I think any mom with a daughter would benefit from reading Mother Daughter Duet.  Even if, like me, you're not the target audience, you can get something out of it.  There is a chapter on connecting and bonding, and most of the ideas there will work for a daughter of any age.

Here's a favorite quote from the book:
I stayed at the altar and continued to pray, this time asking God to forgive me for trying to control it all.  While I was on my knees, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart.  Trust me.  I love your daughter even more than you do.  And if you died today, I would see to it that she ends up in my kingdom for eternity.  It will be in her timing and mine, not yours.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.  To find out more information about this book, click here.

***I have a copy of this book to give away to one lucky reader.  To enter, just leave a comment here, including an e-mail address where I can contact you if you win.  Giveaway ends, and a winner will be chosen on March 12th. *** 

Dancing With My Father (+Giveaway)

Title: Dancing With My Father
Author: Sally Clarkson
Genre: Christian Non-Fiction
Page Count: 206
Why I read it: blog tour for the publisher

Synopsis:
When trusted author and mentor Sally Clarkson noticed a lack of joy in her own life, she realized how easy it can be, especially for women with overloaded to-do lists, to feel weighed down by drudgery and disappointment. But rather than slogging through her days, Sally wanted to know the delight of God's presence. She began prayerfully exploring how to cultivate deep-rooted joy even in the midst of difficult seasons.

My review:
How many times have you asked yourself why everything has to be so hard?  I know I've asked myself that.  As I go through the day to day drudgery of being a stay at home mom, sometimes it's hard to find the joy in life.  But joy doesn't depend on our circumstances, it's found in loving and trusting God, and this book was a beautiful illustration of that.

Through stories from her own life, Sally Clarkson tells us how we can find joy--through trials, through experiencing God's creation, through His word . . . God has given us endless things to bring us joy.  Each chapter ends with questions so that you can reflect on what you've read.  This book would be wonderful for a small group or womens Bible study.

One of the passages from the book says, "When I intentionally asked God to open my eyes to his provision of joy, I began to notice even small, everyday occurrences as a gift, such as the sunrise and sunset."  I've realized I need to not only enjoy the beauty of things, but take the time to stop what I'm doing and recognize that those beautiful things I'm seeing are part of God's love letter to me.  Dancing With My Father gives wonderful examples of ways to find joy in all things.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.  To find out more information about this book, click here.


***I also have a copy of this book to give away to one lucky reader.  To enter, just leave a comment here, including an e-mail address where I can contact you if you win.  Giveaway ends, and a winner will be chosen on March 10th. ***