Monday, June 10, 2013

Review of Kick Start

Kick Start by Emmet C. Thompson II
This is an inspiring book and I cannot understand why more people are not raving about it.  The author, Emmet Thompson, is an excellent communicator.  You will find yourself wrapped up in his testimonial story right from the beginning.  I gave this book 5/5 stars.  I thought the writing style made for an easy read.  The story flowed very well and actually this book can be read pretty quickly.  I would recommend it to Christian sports fans, self help book fans, and even those needing a little encouragement in their lives right now.  This is an excellent book and a must read!

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.

Review of Twice Promised

Twice Promised by Maggie Brendan
I have read a lot of mail order bride stories!  This one has a few different twists to it and that is what makes it one of the better ones.  I gave this book 5/5 stars. I thought the plot was well written and thought out.  You could actually see real people reacting the same way these characters do as they meet each other and deal with deceptions.  I though the chapters flowed from one to the other with ease and helped make this book an easy and fast read.  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction, especially those who enjoy western settings.

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.

Review of A Flight of Fancy

A Flight of Fancy by Laurie Alice Eakes
Do you like Regency setting romances?  If so this book is for you.  I enjoyed the main character of Cassandra; I thought she was written to have an interesting personality.  Her interactions with the other main character, Geoffrey, were fun to read.  The backdrop to the story pertains to ballooning.  The author does a splendid job of incorporating this into the love story of the two main characters.  I thought the author wrote an entertaining story and that is why I gave the book 5/5 stars.  I would recommend this book to anyone interested in books with Lords and Lady’s.  It really was an easy read and I cannot think of anything negative to say!

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.

Review of What Christians Believe About The Bible

What Christians Believe about the Bible by Don Thorsen
The subtitle to the book is A Concise Guide for Students.  Although I do see how it could help students I would not call it concise!  I gave this book 4/5 stars.  There was a lot of information in the book about the Bible and ways to study and interpret what you read.  There was also helpful information about why we need to study and learn from it.  However, there were just too many words!  There were sentences that could have been shortened to maybe ten words instead of twenty!  Overall it had helpful information in it but was just too long and wordy for me.

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.

Review of A Quilt For Jenna

A Quilt for Jenna by Patrick E. Craig

I want to first say that I enjoyed the authors note at the beginning of the book.  In it he explains why the location and time period were chosen for the story and how they helped him create his characters.  I believe that explanation really aided in setting up the story itself to be more credible and enjoyable.

I gave this book 5/5 stars.  I thought the plot flowed well from one scene to the next.  The characters had intriguing personalities and helped the story be more interesting.  I liked the setting and time period, as they became a real part of the story.  Overall it was a quick moving and enjoyable story.  I would recommend this book to all who like Amish fiction and those looking for an enjoyable Christian fiction book to read.  

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.

Review of My Amish Childhood

My Amish Childhood by Jerry S. Eicher
This book is about the authors’ childhood.  The author, Jerry Eicher, is a well-known writer of Christian Amish fiction.  If you have ever wondered what directed the author to write about the Amish you will want to read this book.  I gave this book 4/5 stars.  The descriptions of his days as a child are well written without too much detail.  I liked that the author was willing to open up about his life growing up.  I also liked how he described his family members and their faith.  Although most of the book was interesting I found parts to just be boring.  Now that is just my opinion so don’t let it stop you from buying the book!  I would recommend this book for fans of Amish Fiction and followers of Jerry Eicher’s writings.

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.

Review of Love's Journey Home

Love's Journey Home by Kelly Irvin
This is the third book in the series called The Bliss Creek Amish.  The other books in the series are To Love And To Cherish and A Heart Made New.  You do not have to read the others in the series but I would recommend it as it gives you a better understanding of the setting and characters in this story.

I gave this book 4/5 stars.  Although the story moved quickly I just did not connect well with the characters.  I thought there was just too much sadness in their lives and it made their personalities sad and not upbeat. This book was not uplifting the whole time but was rather sad at times and just not a book I would enjoy reading again.  However, if you enjoy Amish fiction you will probably still enjoy it!

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.

Review of I'm Too Young To Be This Old

I'm Too Young to Be This Old  -     
        By: Poppy Smith
The title of the chapters alone will make you want to read this book.  Two of them are These Children Are Too Old To Be Mine and Who Is That In The Mirror!  As you can see the author has a sense of humor!  This book is filled with helpful advice as well as humorous stories to encourage you.  I gave this book 5/5 stars.  The author does a great job of making women not feel alone while going through those midlife years.  She does this by sharing her personal stories and stories from her friends lives.  Throughout the book she is consistent with pointing women to the Lord for dealing with difficult circumstances they may encounter while also dealing with the issues of middle age.  I thought the book was an enjoyable read and would recommend it for all women, whether you are over 40 or not!

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.

Review of Flora's Wish

Flora's Wish by Kathleen Y'Barbo
I gave this book 5/5 stars.  I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters of Flora and Lucas.  From the beginning you can tell there will be great chemistry between them.  I thought Flora was written as a strong and smart woman who was likable.  Lucas was written very well as the detective who fights his feelings for her and has very strong opinions of his own.  Overall this book had great characters and good conversations.  The events were believable and the story flowed from one scene to the next.  I would recommend this book for anyone looking for an adventure filled Christian fiction book to read and enjoy.

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.

Review of A Promise to Love

A Promise to Love by Serena B. Miller
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and therefore gave it a rating of 5/5 stars.  The book starts with the character of Joshua and as you get to know him you can’t help but like him.  During his difficult circumstances his love for his family is evident.  The other main character, Ingrid, is harder to like.  As you read more of the story though her personality finally wins you over.  I thought the story was well written, flowed well and was a very easy read.  I will definitely read anything written by this author!  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction books set in the late 1800’s.

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.

Review of Captured by Moonlight

Captured by Moonlight (Twilight of the British Raj, #2)
This is the second book in this series by Christine Lindsay.  If you have not read Shadowed in Silk please go read it!  It is an excellent book.  This book is also a must read and I highly recommend it.

I gave this book 5/5 stars.  The characters are very well written and the setting is superb.  You will find yourself cheering for the right characters to be together.  The conversations are excellent and definitely fit the characters.  The settings were well written and you can really picture what she is writing about.  I would compare this book to a great movie where the story captures you and carries you away!  I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading great Christian Historical Novels.  I can not wait to read the next book in this Twilight of the British Raj series!

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

Review of Shadowed in Silk

Shadowed in Silk (Twilight of the British Raj, # 1)
I loved this book!  I started reading and had to force myself to put it down to get work done.  I picked it back up as soon as I could to find out how my beloved characters were handling things!  Yes I fell in love with the characters rather quickly as they were written with likeable personalities and had great conversations.

I gave this book 5/5 stars.  The story takes place in India and the setting is described with great detail.  This is a historical novel and the history parts of the story are written incredibly well.  I did not ever get bored or wonder why a part was in the story.  If only all authors could write so well!

I would recommend this book to all that love reading Christian historical novels taking place in intriguing locations.  The story stays with the characters till the end and finishes as a great story should!  I would call this the Perfect Christian Fiction Novel and make it a must read for all!

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

Review of Unshakeable Faith

Unshakeable Faith: One Family's Story of Loss and the Strengthening of Their Faith  -     
        By: Monroe And Jeri May
The best way to describe this book is a personal accounting of a journey with a child sick with cancer.  This particular book is filled with day to day entries of what the parents were going through.  Some of these entries are messages sent to friends and families via email and others via their website.  Other entries are from their personal journals or just thoughts on what they were going through at the time.

It is a long journey, which is something you may not think about unless it personally touches you.  You may think oh they have cancer that is a few weeks or maybe a couple months out of the year they are dealing with it, but it is actually a lot longer!

One major factor you will understand better from this book is how a family member’s illness changes the whole family dynamic.  Siblings and marriage relationships are changed as the focus goes to the member with the illness.  The authors are very open about this in their story of their own family life. 

There is section in the book where they describe a trip they received from the Make A Wish Foundation.  They were able to take their very sick daughter to Disney World.  It is a reminder of what a great organization that is and how it does help these individual families going through difficult times.

So what can you take away from reading this book?  First the authors stress how important prayer and communications are.  Praying is important but letting the family know you are praying is just as important.  Also having a church family that is helping with meals and house cleaning is a great stress reliever.  Finally you will see how the Lord will never leave you no matter what difficulties you or your family are facing! 

I gave this book 5/5 stars.  I am thankful families like this share their story so others have a better understanding of what goes on when illness touches a family member.  I would recommend this book to any family who has a terminally ill member.  You will find words of wisdom and a better understanding of what is to come in your journey. 

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

Review of Sheltered by Angel's Wings

Sheltered by an Angel's Wings

Although I enjoyed this story, it did take me awhile to get through it as it long.  I gave this book 4/5 stars.  I liked how the story covered a woman’s journey over a few years.  Most books choose one time frame and stick with it but this book carries the story over about seven years.  I also enjoyed that it was in a modern setting.  I thought the author handled the action and intrigue sections of the book very well.  You could feel the pressure the characters were under and could connect with the main characters via the emotions they exhibited. 

As to why the lower rating, I did not like the details in the violent scenes and felt the story was just too long.  There is a particular scene where a dog is killed and the author spent what seemed like a whole page describing it whereas a simple sentence would have sufficed.  I thought there was just too much description and that is why the story was too long.  The book would have been better had there been less description of the violence and an overall cutting back on all descriptions. 

If you are looking for a book about a strong woman character that covers major incidents in her life over a span of years you will enjoy this book!  If you like quick reads and short stories you will not enjoy it.  Overall I enjoyed the story and felt the author did a good job of writing an entertaining story.

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

Review of A Call To Faith

A Call to Faith: The Journey of a Cancer Survivor
 
At first I was confused by this story.  There was a lot of switching from one time period in the main characters life to another.  It felt like when you watch television with someone and they switch between shows the whole hour.  It takes you a bit to remember where you were at and to get back into that part of the story. 

I gave this book 4/5 stars.  This book does have some great parts in it.  There are scenes that will captivate you and keep you reading.  There are also times when you think why is this part even in the book!  On the plus side I liked the author.  I thought his personality showed through and made for some great moments that I really enjoyed reading about.  I also thought the story itself was overall a well thought out story that finishes well. 

I would recommend this book to someone who does not mind jumping from one time to another in a characters life as they read.  I would also recommend this to someone who is looking for a book that is entertaining yet deals with some heavy health issues in the characters life. 

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