The Widow of Saunders Creek - a Review

The Widow of Saunders Creek
A Novel
By Tracey Bateman

Another novel from Tracey Bateman - a veteran author with more than 30 novels in print.  I believe this was the second book of Bateman's that I've read.  While she's not my favorite author, nor have the two books I've read (Tandem & A Widow of Saunders Creek) been written in my favorite fictional genre, I think she is a talented and creative author.

This book tells the story of Corrie Saunders - a widow haunted by her husband, Jarrod's, ghost?  Does Jarrod visit Corrie in his family home?  Does Jarrod mind that his cousin, Eli, is helping Corrie restore the home?

For anyone enjoying a little more "super natural" or perhaps even "less plausible" fiction, with a little love mixed in, I think this could be the book for you!



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

Finding Our Way Home - Blogging for Books Review

Finding Our Way Home
A Novel
Charlene Ann Baumbich

I really enjoyed this book!  The two main characters couldn't be more different, although they end up having many similarities.  The book is set in MN which is fun since I'm a MN girl!  The plot was interesting, heart-wrenching and heart-warming.  Although there's no mystery or intrigue (really a favorite of mine - especially in contemporary literature) I highly enjoyed this story of renewal.  The story may not have overtly Christian messages (the women try to lean on their own strength, they have a "good luck charm" they put "faith" in, etc.) but it was light, clean, and easy to enjoy.

Not This Time - Blogging for Books Review

Not This Time
A Novel
By Vicki Hinze

This is the third book in the "Crossroad Crisis Series" (which I had never heard of), but since it's called "a novel" I hoped I'd be safe starting in the middle of the series.

Although the book started off a little slowly for my taste (likely because I didn't recognize any of the characters and was busy playing "catch up" to the history), after about the 10th chapter I was sucked in and couldn't get enough.

I ended up staying late to finish the book (which has a much stronger/intriguing ending than its beginning) which says a lot these days when I'm still not sleeping through the night thanks to an adorable 9 month old who also doesn't sleep through the night...

The plot was thick. The story wasn't unbelievable. The element of surprise was good.

I will be requesting the earlier books from our local library soon!

If you wouldn't mind taking a second to "rank" my review, that will help me to continue to receive books! Thanks :)
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review

God Gave Us Two - A Children's Book Review

This sweet little picture book covers the days leading up to Little Cub's family having a new baby. Little Cub is a little nervous about the new baby - will she still be special, will the baby bug her, what will she do....?! Her parents always reassure her that "God gave us you and now we'll have two!"

Although Bekah (our three year old) is already a big sister, she really loves reading the story about Little Cub waiting for her baby. The pictures are sweet, the text isn't too long or involved and she finds the little surprise at the end super exciting.

The binding of the book and the artwork are well done. All in all, even though it's a little children's book (so a little corny for grown-ups) the story is sweet and reassuring.

For more information:
Lisa Tawn Bergen (author) Website
Waterbrook Multnomah Site (book information)
Buy Now
Author Spotlight

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

A Sound Among the Trees - A Book Review

A Sound Among the Trees
A Novel
By Susan Meissner

I LOVED this book. It was full of enough intrigue (are there ghosts? is everyone crazy?) and history to really keep my attention through the entire book.

I do enjoy Christian Fiction - Romantic/Historical/Amish... I like the fact that these types of books are easy to read, clean, and often believable. "A Sound Among the Trees" was the first Romantic/Contemporary/Historical Fiction book I believe I've read in a long time that was all of these things.

Way to go Susan Meissner, I really enjoyed this book!


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

No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, A Review

No Wonder They Call Him the Savior
Discover Hope in the Unlikeliest Place
Max Lucado

I don't think I've ever read a Max Lucado book before (well, at least not an adult book, my daughter loves his kid's books). I'm not a big non-fiction fan. Reading is a great way for me to relax and usually non-fiction isn't my favorite relaxation technique. I was pleasantly surprised by this book, though. I found it easy to read and thought provoking. Although other reviewers have been disappointed in the "happy, God loves you, grace for all, tolerance" message they claim the book holds, I didn't feel that way. I don't think this book was written for a non-Christian audience who is seeking a Savior. I found it an encouraging and interesting way to see what my Savior did for me and all of us on the cross. If you are looking for a way to keep the cross real in your life, for encouragement, or for an interesting look at our Lord, I would highly recommend this book!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Life Everlasting - A Review

Life Everlasting
An Alexia Lindale Novel
By Robert Whitlow

It's been a LONG time since I read the first Alexia Lindale novel so I figured that this would be a good test to see if they're truly "novels" or if they're really part of a series where you need to read them in order...

It was okay reading this book without remembering much of the first (although I remembered more and more as the book went along), but I'm not sure if I'd qualify it as a "novel" though. Many references go back to the first book, but they're not really that important...

This book is a good mystery with Whitlow's signature legal plot (although there's less courtroom action than other books he's written.) There's also a lot of musical information in this book - which I loved - but which could be a bit over the head of someone who's not interested in classical piano literature.

All in all I thought this was a fun, relaxing read and if you enjoy Whitlow's other books, you'd probably like this one too!

I received this book for free from Booksneeze for this review

Blogging for Books Review #2

The second book I reviewed for Blogging for Books was

Mine Is the Night
By Liz Curtis Higgs

As a huge fan of Christian fiction (and often I find myself a huge fan because it tends to be "light" or "easy" reading) I thought this book would be right up my alley. When it came I was surprised that the book is 442 pages long! It also has a lot of Scottish vocabulary written throughout the pages. The length and unfamiliar language made it a more difficult read for me, but I still greatly enjoyed it (even though it took my brain power to read!)

This is a novel, but I believe you could meet the characters in other of Higgs' books. I didn't feel that it was necessary to read the other stories, but sure would like to now!

The story is believable, the characters are so very lifelike, and the tale is one of beautiful detail.

All in all, if you enjoy a bit heavier Christian fiction, this is the book for you! If you're interested in Scottish traditions and history, this is also the book for you!

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

Blogging for Books Review #1

I have recently joined another book review program (since I love to read, like to blog, and love to get free books, why not, right?!

Tandem
Tracey Bateman

This is a vampire book.

I've never read a vampire book.

I enjoyed this vampire book.

Actually, it's not at all what I expected. When I started into the book and learned that it had a vampire character (or two or three or none... hmmm....) I was a little concerned. But, the story, the plot, the intrigue were quite good. And there were no gory vampire parts!

I would recommend this book if you're looking for a lightly suspenseful, easy read in the coming days and months!

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

Billy Graham, His Life and Influence by David Aikman

I just finished reading Billy Graham, His Life and Influence by David Aikman last night.

This is a thoughtful book that looks at Billy Graham's ministry critically - Aikman gives a thorough look at Graham's views, thoughts, and statements throughout the years.

I enjoyed this book as it helped me better understand the world I live in today - thanks to the background about Communism, the Cold War, our Presidents (Truman-Bush), and other pressing social matters - as well as helped me to feel like I understand Graham (a past president of my alma mater!) a bit more.

I also enjoyed the way this book didn't seem to "pick sides" when explaining remarks or statements Graham made. While not necessarily written from a Christian view-point, this book makes a clear case for the gospel without being a "turn off" for someone who is not a believer in Jesus Christ but is interested in America's Pastor Billy Graham.

I would recommend this book to Christians and non-Christians alike - to anyone who is interested in Billy Graham's life and/or ministry.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Isaac Newton - a Christian Encounters book - by Mitch Stokes

This little book is a quick introduction into the life of Issac Newton.

At first when I received this book I was hesitant to start reading it. The author, Mitch Stokes, has a Ph.D. in philosophy, an M.A in religion, and an M.S. in mechanical engineering. I do not have any training in the high sciences, nor do I ever want to! I was worried that perhaps the book would be stuffy and difficult for me to read.

After I began reading I was quickly surprised! It was an easy read (at only 168 small pages) and written for a layman (such as myself) to get a quick grasp of Isaac Newton's life - both his faith and science!

Mitch Stokes does an excellent job of conveying scientific items in a way that, although I don't understand them, I was able to "get" while reading.

Isaac Newton felt that "to be constantly engaged in studying and probing into God's actions was true worship (page 44)." Although I may not be able to study and probe in the way a genius such as Newton could, I was encouraged by his diligence towards learning about the world we live in.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the great scientist Newton, or anyone curious about how many of the beliefs we hold as fact came to be.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”