Saturday, January 19, 2013

Review of Refocus by Jim Daly

Refocus by James Daly

Refocus is written by Jim Daly.

This book is written by Jim Daly who is with Focus on the Family.  In his writing he is trying to get across our responsibility as Christians to show the love of Christ to those around us.  His approach is one of looking at Christ and following His example to those who disagreed with Him or who were not people most around Him would associate with.

I gave this book 4/5 stars.  Overall this was an average book and I thought his writing came across a little too preachy.  I did not agree with all he said and did put the book down and do some Bible searching of my own to compare his notes with what I read.  That said I did like parts of the book.  There were some great examples and thoughtful paragraphs that if you really study them could help you in your struggles with loving those around you. 

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.

 

A Simple Autumn Book Review

A Simple Autumn by Rosalind Lauer


A Simple Autumn is written by Rosalind Lauer.

This book is part of the series called Seasons of Lancaster.  You do not have to read the others to enjoy this book.  This story is about two brothers and one girl.  The girl has to decide which brother best fits with what she wants for her life.  Will she choose the brother who always gets her attention or wills he finally notice the brother who is always there for her?

I gave this book 4/5 stars.  The story was a little slow.  I have read many Christian Fiction Amish books so I was hoping this would be as good as the others.  The story was believable but the plot took awhile to move along.  The characters also were not that enjoyable.  You just did not really want to pull for any of them!  That said if you like stories set in the Amish community you will probably enjoy this book.

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.

Straight Talk With Your Kids Book Review

Straight Talk with Your Kids about Sex


This book is a must read for parents!  This is the best book I have read on this subject.  It is easy to read and filled with helpful tips on having a great relationship with your child so any talk you have with them is beneficial.

I gave this book 5/5 stars.  As I read this book I could tell that the authors really have a heart for helping families grow together.  I liked how they approached this subject and wrote about it with honesty.  The tips were helpful and easy to implement in your conversations with your children.  I recommend this book to all parents no matter the age of your children.  You will find this book helpful and it is well worth your time in reading!

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.

Manners that Matter Book Review

Manners That Matter for Moms


 Manners That Matter For Moms by Maralee McKee.

This author, Maralee McKee, does an excellent job of showing how important manners are in the home.  Written in a funny and helpful manner you will really enjoy reading this book.

I gave this book 5/5 stars.  I thought the writing style was open and non judgmental.  I liked her helpful hints on how to have the proper manners in your life so your children can learn by watching you.  I also liked that she reminds the reader that all children and families are different but there are some basic manners to instill in all children.  I would recommend this book for a Mom’s group to read together or really for any Mom who wants a refresher on how important manners are in a child’s life. 

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.

A Heartbeat Away Book Review

A Heartbeat Away by Harry Kraus
 

 A Heartbeat Away is written by Harry Krause.

This is a very well written suspense novel.  It is in the medical field but the writer has made the language very simple to understand.  The story moves quickly and will keep you interested from the first page.  I gave this book 5/5 stars.  It is an excellent story.  The Christian aspect comes into play but is not over the top.  I liked the characters and thought they were believable.  The setting really helps in making the suspense in the story intriguing.  I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a Christian suspense novel.

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.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Help Wanted Devotionals Book Review

Help Wanted: Devotions for Job Seekers


 Help Wanted:   Devotions For Job Seekers is written by Aaron Basko.

This is a very encouraging book written by Aaron Basko.  The devotions are all well written and filled with positive words that direct you to look to the Lord during this difficult time in your life.  I gave this book 5/5 stars.  I liked the author’s style of writing.  He was very open and light hearted yet serious when the principle he was writing about needed to be serious.  The main constants in this book are Bible verses and Biblical principles.  I think whether you are looking for a job or just going through a difficult time you can learn from and enjoy these devotionals.

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.

 

A Mother's Promise Book Review

A Mother's Promise


A Mother’s Promise is written by Anna Schmidt.

This book is part of the Women of Pinecraft series.  You do not have to read the others in the series to enjoy this one!  This book is about a Mennonite named Rachel and her son.  She moves hoping for a better life and definitely gets a more exciting one.

I gave this book5/5 stars.  I liked how real the main character Rachel seemed.  You could really understand why she made the decisions she made. As you read her story you will see how she changes and matures after each incident in her life.  If you enjoy Christian fiction set in the Amish community you will enjoy this book.  If you like meaningful characters and story lines you will really enjoy this one!

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.

 

A Cascades Chrismas Book Review

A Cascades Christmas


 A Cascades Christmas is written by multiple authors.

I enjoyed each story in this book published by Barbour Publishing.  Each story is enjoyable on its own but I love that they are all connected and in one easy to read book.  Barbour Publishing is known for publishing these kinds of books with three or four stories that intertwine but are written by different authors. 

I gave this book 4/5 stars.  You can read the summary on the detail page to see what each story is about.  For me each story was worth reading.  I thought each author did very well.  I did find parts of the stories dragged which is unusual when they are so short.  That said if you are looking for a Christian romance book that will be a quick read this one will do!

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.

The Tutor's Daughter Book Review

The Tutor's Daughter
 

The Tutor’s Daughter is written by Julie Klassen.

I enjoyed the suspense the most in this book by Julie Klassen.  The characters are not that memorable really but the story had its strong points.  The main character Emma just seemed lost to me, like she was just not that smart.  It is hard to cheer for a character when you don’t really like them.

I gave this book 4/5 stars.  I thought the setting was great and the authors’ descriptions were definitely strong and well written.  I did not especially enjoy the characters though.  They had no depth and were a little boring to me.  The story itself had suspenseful parts and without that part I would not have enjoyed this book that much.  If you like books by Jane Aiken Hodge you will enjoy this book as that is what the writing style of this story reminded me of.

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 The Freedom Answer Book

The Freedom Answer Book: How the Government Is Taking Away Your Constitutional Freedoms
 The Freedom Answer Book by Andrew Napolitano.

 This is a very informative book.  You do not have to agree with all the author, Judge Napolitano, says but you will have your eyes opened to all the government does control.  It is also helpful to see what you can do to change how the government is currently run.   I gave this book 5/5.  I thought the explanations were very easy to understand.  I liked the authors’ style of writing as it was not overly wordy or hard to understand.  I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to learn more about our constitution or our government.  I think it would be great for a high school or college age student to read for government class! 
 
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 What The Amish Can Teach Us

What the Amish Can Teach Us...
 

 What the Amish Can Teach Us About The Simple Life by Georgia Varozza

 The subtitle to this book is Homespun Hints for Family Gatherings, Spending Less and Sharing Your Bounty.  The title and subtitle describe exactly what this book is all about.  From ways to enjoy time with your family without the electronic devices being on to ways you can share with others around you this author offers the Amish lifestyle to the normal American family.

I gave this book 4/5 stars.  I liked the idea of the book, hints about how to make your life simpler.  Some of the hints you will read about are ones you have heard many times.  Other hints come from the Amish lifestyle.  Although most of the book was helpful some of the ideas just aren’t practical.  I will say that I enjoyed reading this book.  The author is engaging in her writing style.  It is an organized book and if you are interested in the Amish community and ways their lifestyle can help you simplifier yours, you will enjoy this book.

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.

A Couple After God's Own Heart Book Review


 A Couple After God's Own Heart: Building a Lasting, Loving Marriage Together
A Couple After God’s Own Heart by Jim and Elizabeth George

What a great book for couples to read!  The husband and wife author team write an information filled book to help couples grow together as they grow in their spiritual life. 

I gave this book 5/5 stars.  I liked how this book was not just about furthering your relationship as a couple but also broken down to individual advice for the wife and individual advice for the husband.  With tips on how to better communicate with each other to learning how to rely on each other during difficult decision times this book offers great advice.  Using couples from the Bible and incidents in their relationships the authors show what we can learn by how they handled their rough spots.  This book is written in a loving and sometimes even humorous manner.  It is not judgmental in any fashion and the tidbits of advice are well worth reading.  I highly recommend this book to all couples and even soon to be married couples!

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 Time Has Come

Time Has Come is written by James Baker and is published by Worthy Publishing.

This book starts with a dramatized interpretation of the author John getting the information he received to write the book of Revelations.  The big part of the book is the author’s interpretation of the end times.

This is a very interesting and straightforward book.  I thought the writing flowed very well and helped make the book an easy read.  The author’s explanations of the verses in Revelation will help you to better understand this complicated book of the Bible.

I gave this book 5/5 stars. I read this book in one sitting and found the explanations very enlightening.  I did not agree with all that was written but do respect the authors views and thought he did well at explaining why he thinks what he thinks.  I would give this book to anyone wanting a better understanding of the book of Revelations or just wanting to understand the end times better.

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 90 Days Thru the Bible

90 Days Thru the Bible: A D...

 90 Days Thru The Bible by Chris Tiegreen.

The subtitle to this book is A Devotional Journey From Walk Thru the Bible.  It is a book with a way to read thru your Bible in 90 days.  It also includes an explanation of how the Bible all works together.

I gave this book 4/5 stars.  It is a helpful book for those who need the challenge of reading through the Bible in a short period of time.  The devotional part is easy to read and helpful when trying to understand the significance of the part of scripture you are reading for that day.  I would recommend this book for those who want to read through the Bible in a short period of time.  I would also recommend this book for those who need help understanding how the Bible all flows together.

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.