Heaven is for Real for Kids - Non-fiction

Heaven is for Real for Kids

By Todd & Sonja Burpo

Heaven is for Real is the amazing story of a little boy’s journey to heaven while his physical body was being operated on in a hospital.  This bestselling book has been re-vamped for kids.  With a simplified storyline and colorful illustrations, this book is now easy for kids to understand.

I thought this book was very well done.  I thought it was very comparable to the “normal” picture books available for kids; however it contains an extraordinary story.  I love how the illustrations add to the text and keep the book interesting.  I just wish my e-reader had a color screen!  (I was still able to enjoy the illustrations on my computer.)  This is a great book for parents who want to talk to their kids about heaven.  Thanks God for letting Colton go get the “inside scoop” for other kids!  Book grade: A+ - a must read for parents and kids!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Pirate Queen - Fiction, Modern

The Pirate Queen

By Patricia Hickman

Everyone thinks Saphora lives the perfect life – gorgeous house, handsome husband, money to spare.  Little do they know Saphora is longing to escape her troubled marriage and life of privilege for a simpler life of solitude.  Suitcase packed, Saphora is headed out the door when her husband comes home and announces he is dying.  Instead of escaping to her beach house for solitude, Saphora finds herself there with her dying husband, surrounded by family.  Will Saphora find the peace for which she longs even in the midst of trying circumstances?

I liked this book overall.  I thought the storyline was great.  I found the middle of the book to be a little boring, and lost some interest in the book.  I’m glad I finished the book though because the last few chapters were completely unexpected.  So glad the author emphasized peace with God being true peace!  I am giving the book an A – not a must read, but good for a lazy day, pajamas, and a crackling fire. 

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

His Steadfast Love - Fiction, Historical

His Steadfast Love  - Fiction, Historical

By Golden Keyes Parsons (One of my favorite authors)

A nation torn apart by Civil War.  Lovers torn apart by family conflict.  Can their love survive? 

Amanda Belle is a lady of Southern upbringing, charged with caring for younger siblings after losing her mother.  Kent Littlefield is a Union army officer, quickly rising in rank.  The two meet just before the Civil War and quickly fall in love.  However, when the war starts, Kent must take his place in the Northern army – taking him away from the woman he loves.  Amanda’s own brother soon joins the Southern Rebel army – tearing her allegiances: family and slavery; or true love and freedom?  When the war ends, will Kent come for Amanda and win the blessings of both families for marriage?  What will become of Amanda’s brother, her siblings, and her convictions? 

I loved this story told superbly by Golden Keyes Parsons.  This book gave me a small glimpse of the heartbreak of our nation torn apart by war.  I was moved to tears several times as I read about the horrors of the war – brother fighting brother, families torn apart.  Many details of actual events were seamlessly woven into the story.  The story flowed from beginning to end.  Really, this could have been a 2 or 3 book series with all the years covered.  I give this book an A – read it and love it!

The publisher provided a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  Thanks BookSneeze.com!

Judgment Day - Fiction, Modern

Judgment Day – Modern Fiction

By Wanda L. Dyson

Suzanne Kidwell is an investigative reporter with shoddy research tactics who is about to get herself in major trouble.  She finds herself framed for murder and stuck in jail.  Suzanne’s lawyer recommends hiring an excellent private investigator to look for evidence to prove Suzanne innocent and find the person responsible for the murder.  It turns out the best PI for the case is Suzanne’s ex-fiancé, Marcus Crisp and his family fortune heiress partner, Alex Fisher-Hawthorne.  As the investigation begins, they uncover pieces of a black-market operation that puts all of their lives in danger.  Will they survive long enough to interlock the puzzle pieces and bring the perpetrators to justice?  “I’m Suzanne Kidwell.  And this is Judgment Day.”

I thought this story was well written and entertaining; however I didn’t find myself engrossed in the book.  I found the character development to be a little lacking which I think contributed to the detachment from the book.  The storyline was understandable with twists and turns.  I think faith in God should have been a much bigger focus in the book.  It was mentioned here and there, but not expounded upon.  The main character Suzanne is pictured as an egotistical woman who is totally self-reliant.  Toward the end of the book she has a slight change of heart, but I feel the author missed an opportunity to have her find real faith in God.  Overall, I would give the book a B -  good read, but not a must read.

I received a free e-book copy of this novel from the publisher for my honest review of the book.

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck - Fiction, Historical

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck

Kathleen Y’Barbo

Charlotte Beck is a beautiful, affluent, and capricious young lady of both British and American society in the late 1800s.  She is continually causing social faux pas that embarrass her family.   Charlotte finds herself thrown into company with a young man she considers insufferable – Viscount Alex Hambly.  Charlotte’s dad thinks Alex is the perfect match for his impetuous daughter - Alex needs Mr. Beck’s money to preserve his family’s holdings – Charlotte wants to get a college education.  Alex and Charlotte broker a deal with Mr. Beck to satisfy what everyone wants – Charlotte gets her education, Alex gets his money, and all they have to do is GET MARRIED!  The impulsive Charlotte immediately beings devising a plan to have what she wants, but dissolve the marriage contract.  Initially cooperative, Alex soon changes his mind and is determined to make this marriage work.  But marriage takes 2…..will Charlotte get her annulment, or will Alex woo his bride?

This book is both entertaining and engaging.  A great Christian romance read.  Though not strongly stated, I was glad to see the author maintain that it takes God and faith to make a life and a marriage.  The point was also made that even when you start down the wrong path, Christ offers redemption and new direction if you are willing to come to Him.  It is so refreshing to see the male characters portrayed as both manly men, and Godly men – willing to be Godly family leaders.  My only criticism of the book would be a story spoiler, so I won’t detail it.  However, I will say a subplot of the story was not resolved in a clearly stated manner (maybe I’m just dense!).  I finished the last chapter still pondering the meaning of the next to last chapter…..and it is still bothering me.  Please read this book and explain that part to me!!!  Great read overall.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  You can get free books too!  Follow the link on the right to get your own free books!

Indelible - Fiction, Modern

Indelible

By Kristen Heitzmann

In her newest book featuring the resort town of Redford, CO, Kristen Heitzmann weaves a tale of intrigue and suspense as the town’s local hero, Trevor McDaniel, is challenged by an evil adversary.  From the first page I was engrossed in the story of Trevor versus the wicked opponent.  We get alternating views of the protagonists and antagonists purposes and thoughts.  Trevor struggles to overcome guilt from his dark past.  The evil one strives to draw the hero out as he commits a string of crimes.  Back and forth we see them labor against one another and against themselves.  With a cliffhanger climax, this is a book I couldn’t put down.  Will good triumph over evil?  You have to read it to find out!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Primal - Christian Living

Primal – A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity

By Mark Batterson

“What would your Christianity look like if it was stripped down to the simplest, rawest, purest faith possible?....  This book is an invitation to rediscover the compassion, wonder, curiosity, and energy that turned the world upside down two thousand years ago.”

This little book reexamines the Great Commandment of Jesus – “AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.” Mark 12:30 (NASB)   The focus is on the 4 elements of loving the Lord: heart, soul, mind, strength.  The author points out that along the way Christianity has become more focused on and known for that which we DO NOT approve, rather than the radical way Jesus taught us to love.  We are supposed to loving God with our whole self – head to toe, inside and outside- and loving others the same way too.  

“What do you think brings more joy to the heart of our heavenly Father – singing songs or caring for the poor?”  I think you know the answer.  And that’s the heart of Christianity – loving as He loves.  The soul of Christianity is rediscovering the wonder of it all – from the awe-some nature that God created, to the beauty and mystery of our Creator.  Loving with our mind is renewing our curiosity for the world around us, and wanting to know our God through discovery.  As the author puts it, “…one way we glorify God is by exploring and educating ourselves about everything He has created.”  Finally, loving God with our strength is just what it sounds like – hard work for kingdom causes.  It means breaking a sweat to serve the world a heaping helping of Christ’s love.  Loving with our strength is not about finding the perfect place to serve, it’s about serving.  Christ told us to “Go.”

This book is simple and easy to understand, yet very challenging to put into practice.  However, I believe it is God-inspired to help Christians to get back on their feet and get back to the basics – Loving God: Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

When Sparrows Fall - Fiction, Modern

When Sparrows Fall

By Meg Moseley

When Sparrows Fall is the engaging story of a young mother and widow, Miranda, struggling to break free from her controlling and deceptive pastor. She strives throughout the story to hear God’s voice as she struggles to make a way for her young family.  When Miranda suffers an accident, she is forced to call in an estranged brother-in-law, Jack, to care for her six children.  Jack is shocked by the ultra-conservative and controlling way the children have been raised.  He grapples with his own faith in God as he tries to mix his mainstream views with the children’s upbringing.  Miranda’s prayers are answered in unexpected ways as she and Jack labor to raise children and fight a common enemy. The secrets from both of their pasts could either destroy their budding relationship or bring them closer.

I found this book well written and engaging.  I was drawn to read it as fast as I could to find out what would happen to the sweet family depicted.    Mrs. Moseley paints a clear picture of the struggles both Miranda and Jack are facing as they seek God’s will for their lives.  A great read!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.