Thursday, May 10, 2012

Women Will Save the World is written by Caroline A. Shearer.

What a perfect book for all women to read! Each page will encourage you and uplift you as a woman doing the best you can every day to juggle all your responsibilities.

The book is divided into subjects. Each subject has a couple of profiles of famous women and some essays from well know and not so well known women. A few of the subjects touched on are creativity, strength and wisdom.

The profiles under each subject are of women who changed the world. These profiles are short but will help you see these special women in a unique way. From Anne Frank to Harriet Tubman each woman’s life story will encourage you to be a better person.

Each essay relates to the subject they are listed under. These are amazing pieces of work! A different person wrote each one. They tell of a certain circumstance that changed their life or outlook on life. These essays are each a few pages long and are definitely worth reading. I found this book to be a real encouragement and because of that I gave it a 5/5 stars.

I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.


Tales of the Congo Review

Celestial Fire, Tales of the Congo is written by D.L. Mumpower and published by Dorrance Publishing Company. This is a fiction book but reads like a personal story of a true missionary. The author’s forward is a must read before delving into the book. In it he explains how some of the characters in the book are based on real people and he also gives a little background on the reason behind why he wrote this book.

The book itself is action packed with ten stories told about happenings in the Congo. Some of the stories are really interesting and read quickly while others take some time to get through. I did like that it had basically the same main characters in each story. Writing the book this way helped the stories flow well.

I did have a couple negatives that led me to only give this book 4/5 stars. The cover looks like a child’s drawing and does nothing to entice you to pick up the book. I also thought some of the stories went on and on a bit and could have been edited better. You can tell the author enjoys writing though and hopefully he has more stories in the process.

I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.



 I received a complimentary copy of Celestial Fire as a member of the
Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com

to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Church Behind the Wire

Church Behind the Wire is written by Barnabas Mam and published by Moody Publishing.

Wow what a moving story! This book is not a light read but is definitely worth your time. The author of this book retells his story in an engaging manner. You will not be bored while reading about his journey from a member of the Communist party to a follower of Christ.

The details of his life will change how you see your own life. You will read about how the Christian’s he was ministering to moved from one location to another. This was so the authorities would not get suspicious. Reading this part and others will really help you be more thankful for your own religious freedoms.

There are parts of this book that were hard to read and yet you see the Lord’s hand in this man’s life. You understand that although times were difficult, the Lord had a purpose and He has a purpose for your life too. I gave this book 4/5 stars because some of the writing just did not flow well. I had to stop numerous times and reread a sentence to make sure I understood it right. This book would be good for anyone wanting to learn more about the life of a Christian in a foreign country.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.


Pastoral Graces: Reflections on the Care of Souls, is written by Lee Eclov and published by Moody Publishers.

Even though this book was meant to be read by pastors I think it is an excellent book for all church members to read as well. I enjoyed the personal examples and felt the author wrote this book with love in his heart towards pastors. It is a very uplifting book and will be an encouragement to everyone who works in the ministry.

As a church member reading this book will help you better understand all your pastor goes through each week to bring you the message you need from the pulpit. The author shows how pastors go through battles of their own every day. From learning to turn to God for all they need, to letting the Lord work in their own hearts a pastor goes through some of the same struggles we do.

After reading this book you will have a better understanding of how alone a pastor can feel. You will also have a better understanding of how to pray for your pastor. As a pastor reading this book, you will realize you are not alone and have some great principles to learn from and be encouraged by. I gave this book 5/5 stars because it was short, easy to read and a real eye opener of what pastor’s can encounter during their ministry.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.

Review of Rainbow's End

Rainbow’s End contains four stories and they are written by Valerie Comer, Annalisa Daughety, Nicole O’Dell and Cara Putman.

These stories take place around the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri and center on a geocache hunt. A geocache hunt is when you use a GPS to find a location where someone else has hidden something. You use your GPS to find that location and once you are at the location you look for the hidden object.

The first story, Topaz Treasure is about Lyssa and Kirk. Their previous interaction sets up this story. Will Lyssa be able to move past Kirk’s harsh words? Will Kirk be follow his brother down a road of bitterness or be willing to admit he was wrong?

Beneath the Surface is about Madison and Grant. Madison is going through a transition in her life and falling in love with Grant will only make it more complicated. Will they come together before Madison moves on?

Welcome Home, Love is about Hadley and Noah. They have a history but will that help them grow closer or further apart?

The last story is about Reagan and Colton. Their interactions are made interesting by the reason behind their summer connection. Will he be able to protect her? Will they find love with each other?

I liked how each story was separate and how they all took place around the same time and in the same location. All the stories were easy to read and follow. Even though they stories were short the relationships of the main characters were believable and enjoyable!

I gave this book 5/5 stars as each story was good on its own and all the stories together made for a great read!

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.

Before the Scarlet Dawn

Before the Scarlet Dawn is written by Rita Gerlach and is published by Abingdon Press.

This book is the first in a new series called Daughters of the Potomac. The year is 1775 and the story follows Eliza Bloome. Her life is changed when she and Hayward Morgan decide they must go to America to get away from a troubling situation in England.

The story does not end in this book. This series is one that continues from one book to another. That is not to say you will not enjoy the story but just know going into it that the story is not over when the book is. The story itself flows well and the characters are all intriguing. The circumstances in the book vary and even include the Revolutionary War.

I did have some issues with the book and that is why I only gave it a 4/5 stars. The main character, Eliza is confusing. She says one thing and then turns around and does different then what she said. She is not a well-developed character. The character is not one I could get behind and cheer for, which is important when that character is the main one the story is about! Still the story kept me entertained and I will be reading the next book in the series to see what happens with all the characters.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.

Prize of My Heart

Prize of My Heart is written by Lisa Norato and published by Bethany House.

Captain Brogan Talvis is in search of his son. Searching has consumed him for years and now he is looking right into the boys’ eyes! What comes after is the heart of the story. Lorena Huntley is not sure why but she finds herself wanting to spend more time with the Captain. As the story continues you find these two characters bonding over the young boy, Drew. This story is definitely more of an adventure then a romance. There is even a kidnapping and house fire!

I enjoyed the story but wish the romance had been more predominate. There is a connection between the two main characters but the central story is about the Captains life. I thought the author did a great job of bringing together the past and resolving all questions that were brought up during the story. The development of the relationship between the Captain and his son was well written and realistic. I even enjoyed the character of Lorena, and felt like the author developed her well as a strong women although a little naive!

I enjoyed the adventure in this book and gave it a 4/5 stars. The lower rating is only because I felt like the romance could have been more of an exciting and intricate part of the story.

I would like to thank the publisher for the copy of this book I enjoyed reading. I gave an honest review based on my opinion of what I read.