Book Review: Angels Walking

Angels Walking by Karen Kingsbury
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Publication date: September 2014
Source: Netgalley review copy

I find Karen Kingsbury's books to always be very easy reading. You never have to think a whole lot because the writing style is so light and fluffy. That's not to say that the subject matter is always light, though.

Angels Walking is very typical of her writing. I didn't love the book, but it was fairly enjoyable. I was never bored. It was very sweet; almost too much at times. Christian fiction is often that way.

As for whether I'd recommend this book or not, I'd say if you like the author, you'll probably like this. If you're looking for very easy to read Christian fiction, this would also be a good bet.

View all my reviews

Book Review: One Thousand Gifts

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: library (but I will buy this one)

 Just like you, Ann Voskamp hungers to live her one life well. Forget the bucket lists that have us escaping our everyday lives for exotic experiences. 'How, ' Ann wondered, 'do we find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties? What does the Christ-life really look like when your days are gritty, long---and sometimes even dark? How is God even here?' In One Thousand Gifts, Ann invites you to embrace everyday blessings and embark on the transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling God's gifts. It's only in this expressing of gratitude for the life we already have, we discover the life we've always wanted ... a life we can take, give thanks for, and break for others. We come to feel and know the impossible right down in our bones: we are wildly loved --- by God. Let Ann's beautiful, heart-aching stories of the everyday give you a way of seeing that opens your eyes to ordinary amazing grace, a way of being present to God that makes you deeply happy, and a way of living that is finally fully alive. Come live the best dare of all.

This book is going high up on my favorites list. It really was a life-changing book for me, and one that I will read again and again. I would highly recommend this book. Ann Voskamp has a style of writing that is almost like a flow of thought, and it's honestly not for everyone. The message in this book is for everyone, though. It's not really anything new: being thankful for what you have, and expressing that thankfulness. But Ann Voskamp puts a new perspective on it all. It is real, raw, and fresh, and if you let it, it could change your life too.

Book Review: The Bridge

Publication Date: October 2012
by Howard Books
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: netgalley

Number one New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury delivers an instant classic with this heartwarming Christmas story about a hundred-year flood, lost love, and the beauty of enduring friendships.

The Bridge is a love story set against the struggle of the American bookstore, a love story you will never forget.

So, the above description comes from goodreads.  I took out the overly long middle description, because it seemed just about as long as the book itself.  I can say with confidence that this is not a love story you will never forget.  It is utterly forgettable.  It's like every love story in every cliche-ridden romance novel you've ever read.  

I have really liked Karen Kingsbury's novels in the past. Yes, they can be a bit cheesy and overly sweet. But they are good enough to keep me reading. This one didn't live up to her normal levels, though.

I wish she would have focused more on the book store aspect, and less on the lost love.  That was easily the silliest part of the book.  I can't say I'd recommend this one.

Book Review: The Secret Keeper

Publication Date: June 5, 2012
by Howard Books
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Source: Review copy from publisher

Juliana St. John is the daughter of a prosperous knight in Marlborough. Though her family wants her to marry the son of her father’s business partner, circumstances set her on a course toward the court of Henry VIII and his last wife, Kateryn Parr.
Sir Thomas Seymour, uncle of the current heir, Prince Edward, returns to Wiltshire to tie up his business with Juliana’s father’s estate and sees instantly that she would fit into the household of the woman he loves, Kateryn Parr. Her mother agrees to have her placed in the Parr household for “finishing” and Juliana goes, though perhaps reluctantly. For she knows a secret. She has been given the gift of prophecy, and in one of her visions she has seen Sir Thomas shredding the dress of the king’s daughter, the lady Elizabeth, to perilous consequence.
As Juliana learns the secrets of King Henry VIII’s court, she faces threats and opposition, learning truths about her own life that will upset everything she thought she once held dear.

I don't read a whole lot of historical fiction.  It's not that I don't like the genre, it's just that I prefer the fantasy world a little more.  But Sandra Byrd is one of my favorite authors, and someone I consider a friend, so regardless of the genre, I will happily read whatever she writes.  With that said, you can bet that I'll probably be a little biased in my opinion of her books.  But I think she's a wonderful writer, and that's what caused me to seek her out (on Facebook and such) in the first place.

So, on to The Secret Keeper.  I'll be honest, it took me a little bit of time to get into this book.  It seemed there were so many characters, and I couldn't keep them straight.  I had no idea who was who, and I wasn't connecting with the main character.  

But somewhere along the way I got sucked in.  I really started to care about what happened to Kateryn Parr, and to Juliana.  Which, as you know if you're familiar with the time period, isn't always a good thing.  Women didn't seem to have it so great during the time of Henry VIII.  Especially queens.  It can all get a little depressing.  For all the beauty and grandeur, I certainly don't envy any of these women.  Give me my calm, peaceful, even boring life any day.

One thing I do like about historical fiction, and that Sandra Byrd does really well, is that it makes me interested in the time period.  I'm not a history buff by any means, but when I read these books I want to know more.  And I am always quite impressed with the authors and the research that must go into writing books like this.  The Secret Keeper delves into a bit of history that I really knew nothing about, and makes it interesting and entertaining.  

The religion was woven throughout the book in such a way as to not be obtrusive or heavy-handed.  It seemed a natural part of the story, and was appropriate for the setting and time.  I would definitely call it Christian fiction, but not fiction that would turn off anyone who isn't religious.

By the end of this one, I was so hoping for a happy ending for someone.  You'll have to read it yourself to see if I got my wish.  I would very much recommend this book to historical fiction readers and lovers of Christian fiction.

Review: The Scroll

Publication Date: September 2011
by Waterbrook Press
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: review copy from publisher

Dr. David Chambers, leading archaeologist, has spent his professional career uncovering the facts in the artifacts. His work sets the standard for biblical research in the Holy Land. But surrounded by the evidence, David has sunk into an abyss of doubt. A painful experience with a seemingly unresponsive God has left him without hope.  The Old Testament scriptures that used to fi ll his mind with wonder now drive him to frustration. His unanswered questions have ripped him from both his academic pursuits and the love of his life, his fiancée, Amber.
   An old friend and mentor reaches out to David, enticing him with the riches described in the enigmatic Copper Scroll. Losing ground with his peers, his love, and his faith, David Chambers has a choice to make. Will he undertake one final dig to unlock a secret that could alter the course of history? Do the mysteries of the Old Testament hold the key to the political turmoil of the Middle East?
  In a world where faith has been eclipsed by the allure of doubt, The Scroll offers a different journey: a gripping adventure to fi nd truth worth dying for.

This one just wasn't for me. I couldn't get into the story and never warmed up to the characters. There was also clunky info-dumping that I have a hard time getting past in any story. I really thought I'd like this book because I've always been really fascinated with archaeology. I've taken college courses in archaeology and anthropology, so it's definitely not that the subject matter didn't interest me, the story just wasn't told in a way as to keep my interest. I don't think I'd recommend this one.

Review: Night of the Living Dead Christian +giveaway

Publication Date: October 2011
by: Tyndale House Publishers
Genre: Christian Urban Fantasy
Source: review copy from publisher

What does a transformed life actually look like? In his follow-up to the critically acclaimed Imaginary Jesus, Matt Mikalatos tackles this question in an entertaining and thought-provoking way: with monsters! As Christians, we claim to experience Christ’s resurrection power, but we sometimes act like werewolves who can’t control our base desires. Or zombies—90 percent shambling death and 10 percent life. Yet through it all, we are longing to become fully human, the way Christ intended . . . we just can’t seem to figure out how. Night of the Living Dead Christian is the story of Luther, a werewolf on the run, desperate to find someone who can help him conquer his inner beast before it’s too late. By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, this spiritual allegory boldly explores the monstrous underpinnings of our nature and our quest for Christlikeness.

I'm not sure that this book knows quite what it wants to be. At times it was a fun, light romp, and then it would turn super preachy. I guess I would say the flow just wasn't very good.

For the most part, I enjoyed the story. The zombie parts were probably my favorite. The author got pretty creative with his zombies, and it was just fun. I think if he had just let the monsters be a metaphor, and not got quite as heavy-handed, the book would have been better. But then, that's just my personal preference, and of course everyone likes different things about books.

If you're looking for a Christian fiction story where the religion is subtle, this is definitely not the book for you. I felt like I was jarred right out of the story and was reading a different book, like a non-fiction Christian book, at times.

Overall, though, the story was quite fun and very silly, and if you don't mind some preaching in your stories, you'd probably like it a lot.
Grade: C+ 

watch on tyndale.com

Would you like to read Night of the Living Dead Christian?  I have a certificate for a free copy of the book for one lucky winner.  To enter, just leave a comment on this post.  The giveaway will end on December 31st, and I will draw a winner on the 1/1/12.
 

Review: The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall

Publication Date: August 9, 2011
by Waterbrook
Genre: Christian Fiction
Source: Review copy from publisher 

Although Sylvia Fisher recognizes that most Old Order Amish women her age spend their hours managing a household and raising babies, she has just one focus—tending and nurturing the herd on her family’s dairy farm. But when a dangerous connection with an old beau forces her to move far from home, she decides to concentrate on a new start and pour her energy into reviving another family’s debt-ridden farm.

After months in rehab, Aaron Blank returns home to sell his Daed’s failing farm and move his parents into an easier lifestyle. Two things stand in his way: the father who stubbornly refuses to recognize that Aaron has changed and the determined new farmhand his parents love like a daughter. Her influence on Aaron’s parents could ruin his plans to escape the burdens of farming and build a new life.

This is book 3 in the Ada's House series, and I hadn't previously read the first two.  Although I didn't feel lost or confusing having not read the first two, I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had.  There were a lot of characters from the previous books, and I wasn't invested in them as much as I would have been had I read about them before.

The Harvest of Grace is not just about Sylvia and Aaron's story, although I do think theirs is the central story.  Told in third person, each chapter rotates to a different characters point of view.  I definitely like this style, as we get to see what both Sylvia and Aaron are thinking, as well as other characters in their community.  I really enjoyed reading about the Amish lifestyle, and these kind of books always feel cozy to me.  They're just nice, light, and sweet.

I would definitely recommend this to fans of Amish fiction, and pretty much any Christian fiction reader.  I haven't read a book by Cindy Woodsmall that I haven't really liked, and will definitely be going back and reading the first two in the series.
Grade: B+

Review: Dragons of the Valley

With an invasion of her country imminent, Tipper Schope is drawn into a mission to keep three important statues from falling into the enemy’s clutches. Her friend, the artist Bealomondore, helps her execute the plan, and along the way he learns to brandish a sword rather than a paintbrush. 
As odd disappearances and a rash of volatile behavior sweep Chiril, no one is safe. A terrible danger has made his vicious presence known: The Grawl, a hunter unlike any creature encountered before. 
To restore their country, Tipper, Bealomondore, and their party must hide the statues in the Valley of the Dragons and find a way to defeat the invading army. When it falls to the artistic Bealomondore to wield his sword as powerfully and naturally as a paintbrush, will he answer Wulder’s call for a champion?

If I were giving away an award to an author with the most imagination, I would probably give it to Donita K. Paul. I've read all of her books so far, and have never failed to be amazed at how imaginative and just plain amazing her world-building is.

Dragons of the Valley is no exception, and I enjoyed myself the whole way through. These are characters you come to love and a story with enough action that you'll want to keep reading. There's not very much Christian fantasy out there, and I really appreciate Christian authors who put out good books like these.

The religion is not too heavy handed, which I always watch for and try to warn other readers of in my reviews. This can be read and enjoyed by anyone who's looking for a fun fantasy. It's part of a series, but I think it can be read on it's own just fine. I would recommend all of Donita K. Paul's books, though, starting with the Dragonkeeper Chronicles and then continuing on from there

Review: Inside Threat

After taking two football seasons off, Riley Covington is attempting to make a comeback in the league while trying to forget Khadi Faroughi, now on security detail for a prominent senator.
But a new attack turns both of their lives upside down yet again. During a state funeral, terrorists overrun the National Cathedral and take senators, congressmen, and their entourages hostage, including Khadi. This new generation of The Cause is made up of homegrown terrorists—an inside threat to the security of the nation. They release most of the hostages, but Khadi and several others are kept behind as significant bargaining chips.
The Cause pledges to behead one member of Congress each day throughout the month of Ramadan as a punishment for their own country’s rejection of Islam. Despite the protests of Counter-Terrorism Division director Scott Ross, Riley races to CTD armed with a plan and a fierce determination to rescue Khadi at all costs.

This isn't my normal genre, and I don't often read books of this type, but I liked this one pretty well.  This is part of a series (Book four, I believe), and I hadn't read any of the previous books.  I don't think it's necessary to have read them, except for maybe having a better feel of the characters.  I wasn't as emotionally invested in these characters as I might have been had I read the other books.

The cover says "A Riley Covington Thriller", but I wouldn't say he was necessarily the main character.  He was a main character, but there were others who got equal time, which is a good thing because for most of the book I didn't care for Riley.  He seemed hot-headed, a bit self-centered, and just overall not very likable.  Maybe my view on him would have been different if I had more background on him.  Or if I had read the other books and connected with him as a character I would have been more likely to excuse his faults.  That said, he did turn out okay in the end.

We really didn't dig too dip into the minds of any of the characters, and mostly it was the plot that drove the story.  And it was a pretty good plot--fast moving, and it kept me turning pages.  I think this would definitely be a good one for men to read, as well as women who are into thriller-type books.  This was Christian fiction, and there is religion sprinkled throughout, and it may have even gotten a little heavy handed at times, but it wasn't bothersome, to me.  I give this one a B.

This book was provided for me to review by Tyndale publishers, and I was not compensated in any way for the review.  

Fame by Karen Kingsbury

The first novel in Karen Kingsbury's Firstborn series stars two world-class actors. After his shocking discovery in Kingsbury's Redemption series, Dayne Matthews returns to Hollywood. Meanwhile, young thespian Katy Hart receives the opportunity of a lifetime: a lead part opposite Dayne in a major motion picture.

  

Karen Kingsbury is really good at what she does, which is cheesy Christian fiction with a little bit of romance thrown in. It's very "sweet", and at times a little too much. I'm sure there are people out there like these characters, but I don't know any.

But the writing flows smoothly, and is a style that is easy to read. I liked the book, and was left wanting to read the next in the series at the end. I would definitely read the Redemption series before this one, though, because this book constantly refers to things that happened there, and I think you'd feel a little lost and wouldn't be able to connect with or care about most of the characters.

 Book Details

Title: Fame (Firstborn Series-Baxter 2, Book 1)

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Genre: Christian Fiction

Page Count: 354

Publishing Info: May 2005 by Tyndale

Why I Read It: trying to clear off my shelves

Grade: B- (liked it, a little annoyed by the cheese-factor)

Cover Thoughts: My cover was different than the one shown above.  The one above is okay, but on my copy the "man" looked like a sixteen year old boy instead of a Hollywood actor who is in his 30's.  It was silly.

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball

Book Details:
Genre: Christian Romance
Page Count: 226
Publication Date: Oct. 5, 2010
Why I read it: received for review
Grade: B+

The plot:
In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.

This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

My review:
I've only ever read fantasy books by Donita K. Paul, and she's one of my favorite authors. This book was another hit for me. It was a sweet romance that was perfect for this time of year. The thing I love most about this author's books are that they are just so cozy. They're just right for reading while cuddling under a blanket with a cup of tea or cocoa.

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball wasn't very fast paced. It seemed to cover a very short amount of time, and honestly not a lot happened. I really would have liked to see the story a bit more fleshed out and more things explained. It was pretty short, and had a bit of an abrupt ending. We never really got to know exactly what was going on or why or how. That being said, I think that it was meant to be a quick holiday read, not a long detailed story.

I quite liked the characters here, and would love to read more about them. I didn't want to the story to end. There is definitely a Christian message in the book, and religion is sprinkled throughout. Pretty much what you'd expect from a Christian publisher and author. All in all, I would definitely recommend this if you're looking for a sweet holiday read that you can squeeze in between all your busy times. This is an author that I'll continue to read.

Favorites: Mark of the Lion Trilogy

I haven't blogged about some older favorites for awhile, so I thought it was time to do one. If you're a fan of historical fiction, my absolute favorite is The Mark of the Lion trilogy.

The first book in the series is A Voice in the Wind, and it was my favorite of the three. For a book description and some other goodies, visit the author's website here.

And for a little preview, here's a quote from the book:
"We bear the consequences for what we have done to ourselves, and for the sin that rules this world. Jesus forgave the thief, but he didn't take him down off the cross."

Obviously from the quote, you can see that there is some Christianity in this book. It is set in the time just after Christ, and the main character is one of the early Christians. I was deeply inspired by this book, and it just really resonated with me. If you read and enjoy A Voice in the Wind, continue on to An Echo in the Darkness, followed by As Sure as the Dawn. All very wonderful books that I highly recommend.

Venom and Song

Book Details:
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 384
Publication Date: August 17, 2010
Why I read it: received for review
Grade: B

Cover thoughts:
I don't like this cover quite as well as the first book. It's the same style (hardcover with picture right on the cover) that I really like, but there's just something about it that I don't love. It could possibly be the red writing.

About the author:
Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper are joint authors of this one. Check out their websites!

The plot:
The seven elf lords have returned to their home world of Allyra. Here they begin training for the inevitable war with the spider king. As more prophecies are revealed, they realize that their training is not enough, so they set off in search of a mystical item from the prophecy. Not quite as good as the first one, for me, but still very enjoyable.

Characters:
There are still a lot of characters. The focus is still on the seven elf lords, and to be honest, even in this second book I had a hard time keeping track of who was who (especially with the secondary, non elf-lord characters), what their special powers were, etc. We do get to know and care about the characters more in this book, and I still think younger teens and tweens will really connect with these characters.

Setting:
We're in Allyra in this one, which is a made up world that isn't too different from Earth in some ways, but when you look deeper there are some scary differences. The world building in Venom and Song is great, and I'd love to read more set in this world, but I'm not sure if there will be more books in this series or not.

Notable quotes:
They would never meet her, and she would never meet them. But somehow, they would connect over the ages of time and share life together: one looking forward to hope, the other looking backward to love.

Read this if you're in the mood for: a fairly light young adult fantasy that is not focused on young love (although there is a few crushes here and there, they are very mild and in the background). This one is more heavy on the religion, I think, than the first one.

Continue or part ways? I'll keep reading more by these authors, and if there's more in the series I'll continue on.

Curse of the Spider King

Book Details:
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Count: 384
Publication Date: Nov. 3, 2009
Why I read it: have 2nd one for review
Grade: A-

Cover thoughts:
I really like the cover for this one. The picture is pretty cool, the font is good--it's all good. Plus it's a hardcover, without an annoying dust jacket; the picture is right on the cover. I really like that.

About the author:
Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper are joint authors of this one. I've never read anything by either of them, but they've both got other books out that I will be looking for.

The plot:
Curse of the Spider King introduces us to seven young elven lords. The thing is, none of them know they are elves from another world, Allyra. They're all just living normal 13 (or nearly 13) year old lives when we are introduced to them. But, because they have reached the age of reckoning, they are all starting to display certain powers (they all have different powers), and will soon be hunted by the enemies of the elves. Luckily, there are sentinels that were sent there to look for, and protect them. But now they all must return to Allyra. There is a great website for the Berinfell Prophecies here.

Characters:
This would be a great book for a pre-teen/younger teen to read, because there is someone here for everyone to like. We get to know lots of different characters, and young people will connect with them. Some of the characters were much more present than others. But they're all interesting and varied.

Setting:
The flashbacks throughout the book to the world of Allyra were probably my favorite part. Otherwise, the world was pretty much just like ours today, except for the addition of these elves hiding out. I'm excited to read more of Allyra in the second book.

Read this if you're in the mood for: a young adult fantasy that isn't your typical paranormal love story. I'm really sick of those, so if you are too, this one is different. It does have the formula of a young person (in this case, people) finding out that they're not human, they're something more, but the rest of the book is pretty different from the standard formula. Also, as this is written by Christian authors, it's very clean.

Continue or part ways? I'll definitely continue on with the series, especially since I have the second one on my bookshelf waiting for me to read and review it.

Priceless

Book Details:
Genre: Christian Fiction
Page Count: 275
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
Why I read it: Review copy from author
Grade: A

Cover thoughts: The cover on this one is absolutely gorgeous. Seeing a picture of it doesn't do it justice. I think this may actually be my favorite cover on any book I've ever read.

About the author: Tom Davis is the president of Children's Hopechest. He is also a tireless advocate for orphans, those living with HIV/AIDS, and just about anyone who is suffering. He is an all around great guy, and you can see the love of Jesus shine through him. Makes it hard to write an unbiased review of his books, but I'll try.

The plot: Stuart Daniels is a photojournalist who is visiting Russia on assignment for his job. While there, he is persuaded by a friend to help two young girls who are caught up in the sex slave industry. From there things snowball until he finds himself right in the middle of it all, helping a group who is working to free as many girls as possible from the nightmare they are living in.

Characters: I liked Stuart. He seemed not to be the "perfect" Christian man, as is sometimes portrayed in Christian fiction. He was flawed, he had doubts, he wanted to go home and get out of the mess he found himself in (who wouldn't?), but he was also admirable. He knew that someone had to help these girls, and it might as well be him. Stuart is really the only character we get to know, besides Marina, whose story we get in bits and pieces throughout the book. Marina's story is heartbreaking, and it really makes you want to take action against the sex slave industry.

Setting: I've never been to Russia, but I know Tom Davis has been there many times, so there's no reason for me to believe his portrayal isn't authentic. I could really feel Russia come alive through the writing. I could feel the cold in the air, see the buildings and the people--it was very well done.

Notable quotes:
"My name is Marina, and this is my story. And it is also the story of my sisters, and many other girls in this world who are bound in slavery. This is for them."

Read this if you're in the mood for: something that will break your heart and make you want to do something (which I think is the whole point of the book). The good thing is that there are resources in the back of the book if you (like me) are compelled to take action and get involved.

Continue or part ways? I know this is the second "novel on the edge of the world" book, and unfortunately I haven't had an opportunity to read the first (Scared) yet. I've read a couple of other non-fiction books by Tom Davis, and I will continue to read his books as long as he is writing them.

Want your own copy? You can find this book at Amazon, Christianbook or Barnes and Noble.

The Last Christian

Title: The Last Christian
Author: David Gregory
Genre: Christian Science Fiction
Page Count: 416
Why I read it: received review copy from the publisher
Grade: B

Synopsis:
Missionary daughter Abigail Caldwell emerges from the jungle for the first time in her thirty-four years, the sole survivor of a mysterious disease that killed her village. Abby goes to America, only to discover a nation where Christianity has completely died out. A curious message from her grandfather assigns her a surprising mission: re-introduce the Christian faith in America, no matter how insurmountable the odds.

But a larger threat looms. The world's leading artificial intelligence industrialist has perfected a technique for downloading the human brain into a silicon form. Brain transplants have begun, and with them comes the potential of eliminating physical death altogether—but at what expense?

As Abby navigates a society grown more addicted to stimulating the body than nurturing the soul, she and Creighton Daniels, a historian troubled by his father's unexpected death, become unwitting targets of powerful men who will stop at nothing to further their nefarious goals. Hanging in the balance—the spiritual future of all humanity.

My review:
I got behind on my review reading, and to be honest, I put off reading this book because I wasn't sure I'd like it or be in the mood for it. The story was so different from what I was expecting, and moved at a fast pace that made it very hard for me to put down. I don't find that too often with Christian fiction. I found the plot to be very believable, and can actually see a future like the one in this book, especially where Christianity is virtually gone in America.

Abby was an interesting character, especially being from a remote tribe and never having lived in the modern world. I would have actually liked to read more about her and her experience living with an indigenous people, but I guess that would be a different story than what the author wanted to tell. Although I liked Abby well enough, sometimes it was hard to figure out exactly why other characters were so drawn to her, because it wasn't coming across in the story very well, to me.

This is truly one of those books that will bring up questions and would be great for book group discussion. What is the nature of a soul? Would it be a good thing to live forever? What would be the consequences? Could Christianity die out, and why? I enjoy books like this that cause me to think beyond when I close the last page.

To read an excerpt and for other information and extras, click here.

Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible

Title: Word of Promise New Testament
Genre: Bible
Page Count: Audio-20 CDs
Why I read it: received for review from BookSneeze
Grade: A+

Synopsis:
A 20-hour, 20-CD, diverse star-studded audio Bible production of The New Testament. This multi-voiced faithful rendering of the NKJV New Testament is presented in a compelling, dramatic audio theater format.



My review:
My thoughts on this one are going to be pretty straightforward and unsurprising. As a Christian, it's no secret that I hold the Bible close to my heart.

This particular rendition of the New Testament is just wonderful. Sometimes it's hard to find time to sit down and read the Bible. There are always other things to do--run the kids to sports games or dance class, laundry, house cleaning, driving to and from work, getting in some exercise. But the beauty of this audio Bible is that you can listen to it while doing any of the above mentioned things. My kids and I loved listening to this while we were in the car driving. I loved listening while I took walks.

It goes beyond regular audio books, with the dramatic format. Different actors for different characters, background music and noises--it's much more than just someone reading the Bible. This is a treasure in our home, and I would recommend this to every Christian.

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.