Saturday, December 31, 2011

First Date by Krista McGee

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through their booksneeze program.   This was a cute story.  I enjoyed the main character and a lot of the other characters in the book.  I felt like the main character was very real.  The story was light.  It is intended to mirror the story of Esther in the bible.  I felt that some of the things added in for this were a bit of a stretch.  It was nice to see the girls trying to win a date with a boy who was genuinely nice.  Overall I quite enjoyed the book.  I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through there BookSneeze program.  I really enjoyed the characters in this book.  They were a little zany, and you never quite knew what to expect from them.  I liked how the book dealt with forgiveness.  The father may not have "deserved" forgiveness, but Tucker couldn't move on until he had given it.  Some of the situations in the book seemed a little to contrived, but over all I quite enjoyed the book.  Tucker and Mutt both had to come to terms with their feelings for their father before they could start healing.   I would give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Friday, December 9, 2011

The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall

I have read and enjoyed several books by Cindy Woodsmall. I think that The Christmas Singing would make the perfect gift for Christmas.  Find out more about the book below.

You can also offer 30% off and free shipping on The Christmas Singing (and any other title) when you use promo code CHRISTMAS11 at checkout on WaterBrookMultnomah.com. The coupon code expires on December 20th, 2011.







The Christmas Singing (Chapter 1 Excerpt)

Sunday, December 4, 2011

The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook through their blogging for books program. I enjoyed this book. I was able to read one of the other books in this series and I enjoyed seeing some of the same characters again. I thought that it was very well written and the characters were well fleshed out. Sylvia is a spunky girl who knows what she wants and is willing to do what she needs to to get it. She loves deeply and takes care of those that she cares about. I would recommend this book. I would give it 4/5 stars.

Dry as Rain by Gina Holmes

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers. I did not enjoy this book. The main character is trying to save his marriage, but the only thing he says about his wife is how crazy she is. She has thrown him out because she thinks that he has cheated on her. He makes it sound like the last several years of their marriage have been awful, and I have a hard time understanding why he wants her back. Then he has an affair. I have a hard time understanding why he would have an affair if he really wanted to save the marriage. I did not enjoy the book or the characters. I would give it 1/5 stars.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Mercy Come Morning by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Krista has been running from home, her mother, and her one love for years. Now her mother is dying, and she is being called home. What will happen when she discovers an old journal of her mothers? As Krista comes to understand her mother she is able to let go of the anger that she has towards her. As she lets go, so is also able to turn to the one man that she has ever loved. Krista is able to experience a homecoming. I enjoyed the characters in the story. My heart ached for the young Krista and all that she had to go through in her life. It was wonderful to see her finally forgive her mother, and accept the love that Dane has for her. I would give this book 3/5 stars.

Treasuring Emma by Kathleen Fuller

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through their BookSneeze program. The only man that Emma has ever loved has chosen to leave the faith. Then her father dies, followed by her mother. She has a strained relationship with her sister. How can life be so hard. Emma must deal with all of her losses in order to move on with her life. When Adam suddenly returns she is very confused. She can't let him hurt her again. Then a mysterious stranger moves in with her sister's family and acts very interested in her. This was a quick, fun read. The characters are interesting. There were some twists in the story. Each of the characters must find their way back to their faith before they can repair their relationships with each other. I would give this book 3/5 stars.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Safely Home by Randy Alcorn

I received a complimentary copy of the is book from Tyndale House Publishers. This book is the story of two men that were college roommates who meet again 20 years later. One has embraced his christian faith, even though it has cost him much, while the other has turned completely away from his. I thought that this book sounded intriguing, but when I started reading it, I had a really hard time with it. I don't feel like there is much of a story in the book. It mostly felt like I was getting preached at. I found the character of Ben Fielding very annoying. He seemed like a know it all. He kept lecturing his friend about how things worked in China. When his friend was the one that lived there, while he just visited every now and then. I did not like this book at all, and would give it one out of five stars.

Monday, July 25, 2011

The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook through the Blogging for Books program. I really enjoyed this story. It is historical fiction. It is the story of Clara Estby. Clara and her mother embark on a journey to walk across the country in order to earn enough money to save the farm from foreclosure. The arrive after the deadline and do not earn the money that they had expected to. They have to struggle to find a way home. When they finally arrive home they are met with anger. Two of the children have died while they were gone, and the remaining family blame their trip. Clara has a falling out with the family and goes out on her own. She finds employment and a new family with two women. She is estranged from her family for over 20 years before she finally is able to reconnect with them. I really enjoyed this story. It was fascinating to hear about what these strong women were able to endure, and how they were able to lean on each other for the help that they needed. I would give this book 3.5/5 stars.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck by Kathleen Y'Barbo

I received a complementary copy of this book from Water Brook through their Blogging for Books program.  The main characters are fun, and the story is interesting.  The surrounding characters are very flat, and I felt like there were plot points that I was missing.  Charlotte has her heart set on getting an education and the working in her fathers business, but her father wants her to get married.  They come to an agreement wherein they are both satisfied.  Charlotte must marry Alex if she is to work for her father.  The two know and like each other, but both enter the marriage for business purposes. The story was a little far-fetched in that they obviously like each other quite a bit, but they don't want to be married, and are doing everything they can to avoid the marriage.  Overall it was a light, fun read.  I would give it 3/5 stars.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

When Sparrows Fall by Meg Moseley

I received a complementary copy of this book from Multnomah through their Blogging for Books program.  I enjoyed this book.  The characters were interesting.  I was interesting to see inside of the religious group.  I felt that a lot of things were glossed over, that could have been better explored.  My heart was so sad for Miranda and all that she had gone through.  I found some parts of the story a little to convenient.  It seemed that Miranda would have put up more of a fight to some of the changes that Jack introduced into the family.  Also, I had a hard time understanding why Jack fell for Miranda.  It seemed to happen much to fast.  I would give the book 3/5 stars.

A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf

I received a complementary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through their BookSneeze program.  I enjoyed this story.  It is based on the biblical story of Esther.  It is fun to see how the author imagined the story.  There were some parts that seemed a little to contrived to me, but overall it was a fun read.  The author talks about the love between the king and queen, but I don't feel that she shows that love developing.  She just tells us that it is there.  The characters are enjoyable.  I would give it 3/5 stars.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Desert gift by Sally John

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale.  Jack and Jill have been married for 24 years, and have what seems to be a perfect marriage.  Then one day Jack informs Jill that he wants a divorce.  The announcement sends Jill on a soul searching journey.  She discovers a lot of things about herself, most things that she doesn't like.  She also learns how to trust in God and have faith.  The characters in this story were interesting.  I would give it 3/5 stars.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Dragons of the Valley by Donita K. Paul

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Water Brook through there blogging for books program.   Both I and my husband tried to read this book.  We both found it confusing, and hard to read.  There were new races that we did not understand.  Also the names used in the book are hard to read and hard to remember.  This made it hard to get into the story.  I generally enjoy sci-fi/fantasy novels, but could not get into this book.  I would give it 1/5 stars.

Beyond all Measure by Dorothy Love

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze program.  Ada has recently lost everything.  Her father and Aunt suddenly died, leaving massive debts.  She had to sell almost everything to pay them off, and now she must find a way to support herself.  Her desperation has lead her to take a job in Hickory Grove Tennessee.  When she arrives she discovers that her job as companion to an ailing older women is not everything that she was lead to believe.  She also finds a man that she could love if she let herself, but she feels to broken from her last love.  This is a well written story.  Interesting characters and dilemmas.  I would give this book 3.5/5 stars.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

This was a very sweet story about learning to overcome the obstacles and trials that we have in our lives.  There are a couple of romances in the story.  Issy has been struggling ever since her mother died in a car accident.  She has been slowly making progress.  When she meets her new neighbor she starts to realize that maybe she doesn't have all the answers and sometimes she just needs to let go.  It is fun to watch the characters grow and heal in this story.  It was a very good read.  I would give it 4/5 stars.

Monday, April 18, 2011

The Lightkeeper's Ball by Colleen Coble

This was a very light read.  It was a bit of a mystery as well as a romance.  Parts of the book were a little cheesy, but overall it was a fun read.  Olivia Stewart wants to be loved for who she is inside, not for her status in society.  When she finds out about her sister's death, she is determined to find out more about it before she agrees to a marriage that her mother has arranged.  She finds out some heartbreaking things, but also finds the kind of love that she has always wanted.  I would give it 3/5 stars.

Monday, March 21, 2011

The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook through their Blogging for Books program.  This is the second book in the series and I found myself wishing that I knew more of what had happened in the first book.  Most of the characters were very good and interesting.  There were several things that happened that seemed a little to coincidental.  I enjoyed reading the story and had a hard time putting it down, but there were parts that I had a hard time believing.  I did like the theme of the story about building bridges, and how it takes two people to try.  I would give this book 3/5 stars.

We Be Big by Rick Burgess & Bill "Bubba" Bussey

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson as part of their BookSneeze program.  I lived in the South for 4 years.  You can not live in the South and not know who Rick and Bubba are.  I admit that I only listened to their show a few times, but I enjoyed it when I did.  I was curious when I saw this book, and so I was excited to read it.  I really enjoyed this book.  It is written in a very readable way.  I would call it an easy read.  It was fun to learn how these two came together and how the Rick and Bubba show came to be.  I appreciate that they are willing to share their faith and acknowledge the help of God in their lives.  I would recommend this book to anyone.  I would give it 4/5 stars.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah through their blogging for books program.  I enjoyed this book.  I really like Susan Meissners writing style.  I found the information about the Salem witch trials fascinating.  It was fun to see how all of the characters lives were similar and yet so different.  Lauren comes to understand herself so much better through the events of the book.  She comes to see herself as she truly is, and not just as she wants to see herself.  I would give this book 3.5/5 stars.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Regret Free Parenting by Catherine Hickem, LCSW

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson's BookSneeze program.  I enjoyed this book.  It talked a lot about being an intentional parent.  It talked about building a strong relationship with your children while they are young, and then the relationship can continue on into their teenage years.  The book also talked a lot about being confident in your parenting.  Children can tell if you don't mean what you say, and they will take advantage of that.  She also talked about involving God in our parenting.  This book made me think about the way that I am parenting my children, and gave me some useful ways to improve my methods.  I enjoyed it.  I would give it 4/5 stars.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari

I received a complementary copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah.  I read it with my daughter.  She enjoyed the story.  I liked the pictures.  They were cute and colorful.  The story was cute, but parts of it were hard to read out loud.  I got a little tongue-tied.  I liked that the characters were using their imaginations.  I also liked that they were brave and helped out another creature even though they were scared.  I think that the book has some great lessons in it.  My daughter and I both enjoyed this book.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Journey to Riverbend by Henry McLaughlin

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers.  The idea was interesting, but I didn't not particularly enjoy it.  This is a Christian romance western.  When Ben Carstairs is hung for a crime he did not commit, Michael Archer agrees to contact Ben's father and try and reconcile the two.  When Michael arrives in town Sam Carstairs is away on business.  Sam never makes it back.  The town puts together a posse to try and find and save Sam.  Michael goes along.  There is also a romance between Michael and Rachel.  Rachel feels like she can never have a healthy normal relationship because of her past, but she finds out that Michael has a past as well.  The book was very readable.  I did enjoy reading it, but there were a lot of plot holes that I had a hard time with.  I would give it a 3 out of 5.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah through their blogging for books program.  I really enjoyed this book.  It is historical fiction.  The book starts out with a modern day Jane who is going through a rough time in her life.  She stumbles across a ring that is hundreds of years old.  We also get to hear the story of Lady Jane Grey.  The two women are tied together by the ring, and also by the realizations that they make in their lives.  I think that the story is wonderful, and that there are also some really good insights into making a marriage work.  I really enjoyed this book.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Invasion by Jon S. Lewis

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nielsons BookSneeze program.  It was a fun read.  16 year old Colt's parents are tragically killed and he goes to live with his grandfather.  Soon after moving strange things start happening, and Colt is introduced into a whole new world.  There are aliens everywhere and they are trying to take over the world.  An elite force of humans is trying to hold back the tide.  The book is science fiction, so you expect to see some unlikely things.  As long as you can suspend belief and just enjoy the story this is a good book.  There are some things that seem like a stretch even for this genre, but over all it was an enjoyable, clean story.

Friday, January 7, 2011

The Charlatan's Boy by Jonathan Rogers

This was an excellent book.  Grady is a young orphan boy that has been raised by a huckster named Floyd.  He doesn't know who his parents are or how he ended up with Floyd.  Life is difficult, and it is getting hard to make money, so Floyd decides that they need to create another Great Feechie Scare.  Floyd can be be very calculating, and mean but Grady stays with him because it is the only life that he has ever known.   We get to follow these two through the ups and downs of their trade.  The ending of the book is a wonderful wrap up and also leaves us wanting more.  I am very excited for the future books in this series.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.