Twice a Bride: A Novel by Mona Hodgson

Twice a Bride: A Novel is the fourth book in the Sinclair Sisters series. Since I was given this book to review without having read the other three, I can only review the book based on not having the full picture of information from the other three books. This book is a historical romance, and a very easy read. The story is fairly predictable (but aren't almost all romances this way?)and the characters are developed adequately for a light and easy read. For a full picture, it may be wise to read the other three books in this series first.The theme of this book is loss, discovery, and restoration. Some of the behaviors of the characters are quite entertaining, and this book gives the reader a nice respite from the daily cares that sometimes consume us. The main character, Willow, is likeable and relatable. The author interweaves Christianity in a easy to understand way, and uses Willow and the "hero" and the main character to show that Jesus does indeed love us, and has a plan for everyone. If you like historical romance with a Christian message, this is the perfect book for you. I received this book from the publisher. 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".

Darkness Rising by Lis Wiehl

This is the second book in the East Salem trilogy. Sadly, I was given this book without having read the first, which would have probably cleared up quite a few questions that I had while reading it. Sometimes in a trilogy, an author gives enough back story to give the reader an understanding of what is currently happening. The author did do this, but not to the level that I would like. This story follows a plot line of good vs. evil- with a strong supernatural element. Although there is a strong demonic element, this is not glorified. The author does a great job of causing the reader to feel tension and possibly fear, as some of the scenes did cause me to become a little ancy. If you are not bent toward reading about areas that you are not familiar with (in this book that would be the strong medical references) then you may become a little frustrated or irritated. Although other readers have suggested that it was not critical to read the first novel, I would strongly suggest that you do so. Overall the story was good, and the characters were good - but with a little bit more detail and a little less confusion this story could have been great! I enjoy Lis Wiehl as an author, and will certainly buy the next one and the first one in this series to ensure that the author is given a chance to completely round out this trilogy. If you have read the first book and liked it, then you will most likely appreciate this book and will not regret the purchase of it! I received this book from the publisher. 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".

Love isn't supposed to hurt by Christi Paul

If you have experienced emotional and verbal abuse, this book will speak to your heart and soul. I recognized the author from when she was a newscaster in Boise, ID. I had always admired her, and was sad to see her leave Boise for Arizona. I was aware that she was married to a fellow newscaster at the station, and I thought they were a cute couple. It is so revealing to me that appearances truly are deceiving. Christi's account of abuse and her dysfunctional marriage were eye opening. This book will speak to your heart. Christi is honest, and self reflective about what transpired during the four years she was married - and why she endured the abuse for so long. She makes lists for the readers, and presents information about abuse and why a person allows it in their life in a non judgmental and reasonable way. She is a successful wife, mother, and news anchor, and her life is a testimony that even abuse can be overcome, and a person can live a full and prosperous life with the correct tools and mind-set. I really applaud Christi for being so honest with a topic that sometimes is not comfortable to talk publicly about. I read this book in a day and a half, as I could not put it down. It is well written, and well thought out. Don't pass up this book, you will be sorry!

Micah by Dani Ramsey

This book was so heartfelt! The events of this story are almost unbelievable, but yet it is all true. Micah was an amazing teenager, full of God, and full of life. Then, the unthinkable. Micah was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, one that would take his life in only three short months. This book is written by his mother, who does a wonderful job of describing Micah's life, and his battle with death. The amazing thing about this book, and what makes it unique, is that Micah shows supernatural understanding and peace regarding his situation. His mother shows the reader the amazing life and personality of this boy, and how he "finished well." I was blown away by the stories about his understanding of God and of life, even at a very young age. It is very obvious that this boy was unlike no other, and not just because his mother thought so. This book shows the reader that you can experience God in an amazing, over the top way - and have total peace and joy in the life that God has planned for you (even if it means a very short life). There are so many words to describe this story and this book - inspiring, eye opening, convicting, amazing... and I could go on. This book is not just another grieving parent recounting a life lost - this is a story of hope. This book will make you re-evaluate your own life. How you live, speak, and think will all be re-analyzed once you finish this book. Don't pass up this book. Read it, and be transformed!

Lighten Up (Body and Soul Series) by Angela Ruth Strong

I was bracing myself for a raw, gritty novel about adultery and the ramifications of adultery in a christian setting. This was not the case with this novel. The story is focused primarily on the daughter of a fallen pastor, who struggles with forgiveness and finds herself understanding the issues surrounding adultery/wanting someone else's spouse througout the book. The e-book format was very easy to read, and I enjoyed the story and the characters. The author did a great job of showing the reader that we are all human and we all fail to some degree. I think that this would be a wonderful book for a teen or young adult, because it is so clean. Teens and young adults would benefit from the message presented in this book - the subtle statements about dating and not trying to steal someone else's boyfriend/spouse etc. are great! The subject matter can be raw in and of itself, but there is nothing in this book that even gets close to being inappropriate. If you want a fast, easy, and very clean read with a christian message this is the book for you!

Where God Finds You by Anita Higman

Where God Finds You (40 devotions bringing Bible characters to life) by Anita Higman, is a very unique, and well written book. The author does something I have never seen before. She has hand picked forty characters out of the Bible, and has created a fictional account of their circumstances (making sure to not write anything into the stories that do not line up with the Bible). At the end of each brief story, she then inserts the bible passages where she created the story from so that the reader can fully read the verses, and gain a more comprehensive and thought provoking perspective. As an example, she has a chapter titled, "Pilate's wife." This is based on the scripture from Matthew 27:19, "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man." The author then creates a fictional account of what could have happened in Pilate's wife's bed chamber regarding her reaction to the dream she had as stated in the Bible. The author then has a section within the chapter that speaks to the reader about how this particular incident is applicable in our lives today.For instance, she points out that we all have dreams and possibly some supernatural things that may happen in our lives so that God (or possibly the Devil) can have opportunities to influence us. She finishes each chapter with questions regarding the reading that are truly thought provoking. I read in the author's notes in the back of the book that she smelled myrrh to get her mind and senses into the times that these characters lived in. As you can see from this statement, this author is trying to excite all of the senses as she tries to create an atmosphere of reality for the reader. I really believe this book breaks the mold of the typical devotional. Sometimes devotionals all seem very similar to me in the way that they are written, but not this one. If you want a creative, thought provoking devotional based on characters in actual scriptures, then this is the book for you. If you want to think out of the box, this is a book you will enjoy. It is around 233+ pages, so it is a nice size, but not overwhelming. I received this book from the publisher. 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".

Graceful (Letting go of your try-hard life) by Emily P. Freeman

I had read the adult version of this book, and my teenage daughter saw this title and wanted to read it. She then chose to do a book report on it, which I thought was fantastic! This book is based on the fact that (pre-teen and teenagers) base their self worth on how others perceive them,and how they themselves feel based on other's expectations etc. My daughter conveyed to me that she really enjoyed how the author kept telling the reader that they are valuable just as they are, are there was no need to create a false self, and/or wear a false mask to portray someone that you're not. My daughter doesn't have a self confidence issue, but she expressed to me that some of her friends do, and that this book would be extrememely helpful to them is showing them their self worth. The book is very good at directing the reader to focus on their identity in Christ, not on what the world thinks and expects. I was very proud of my daughter that she chose to share this book with her classmates, and I believe she made an impact with the poster she made about this book and it's message. I would recommend that parents or grandparents or youth group leaders buy this book. It would also be a great small group study book for teenage girls. I received this book from the publisher. 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".