Stand by Me by Neta Jackson was not what I expected based on the publisher's description. Maybe because I recently read Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Hartman which depicted a "real" radical Christian. Kat was more of a baby Christian who desperately needed spiritual grounding. This book shows what happens to people who accept Jesus as Lord and savior, but don't put down any roots or grow as a Christian. What does living green have to do with being saved? You can't help but feel bad for her. I did like how the book showed her questioning and growing - especially when she got a burden for her parents salvation.

Since I haven't ever read any of the Yada Yada books, I wasn't familiar with Avis. The author, Neta Jackson, does a great job showing real life struggles Christians face with their families through the character of Avis. However, Avis was not really likeable. The joy she got from worshiping God and the awful way she treated the college kids just didn't reconcile.

Also, I thought it was a little strange how they kept mentioning a multicultural church, but maybe that's because I was saved in a multicultural church which was never called a multicultural church to begin with and has never felt the need to distinguish between different cultures since we are all under the blood of Jesus Christ. 

Overall I liked the book, but not enough to continue the series.

Publisher's Description

Sometimes the person you most need is the one least like you.

Kathryn Davies is a bright young woman from a prominent Phoenix family. But after making a leap of faith at a Christian music fest, dropping out of med school, and moving to inner city Chicago, her family all but disowns her.

When Kat discovers SouledOut Community Church, she longs to become a part of the multicultural church family. But her tendency to immediately say whatever she's thinking steps on the toes of nearly everyone she meets-especially Avis Douglass.

Avis has a strong faith, is the principal of one of Chicago's highest performing elementary schools, and is a founding member of SouledOut. But the country's economic downturn has thrown both her and her husband's jobs in question. And Avis hasn't heard from her youngest daughter in months-an estrangement that gnaws at her every day. Where is God in this?

Kat's flamboyant zeal for living a "radical" Christian life is a stark contrast to Avis's more reserved faith. But in God's timing, the two women discover they need each other in ways neither of them expected.

Net Galley recently provided Catch of the Day by Jimmy Houston for review. Since my husband is an avid fisherman, I asked him to write the review for me.

I have always enjoyed watching Jimmy Houston Outdoors. Ever since I was a teenager, I would search for his program, so I could learn fishing tips and  become a better fisherman. When my wife came across his devotional gift book Catch of the Day, it drew my interest immediately. Now not only can I get great fishing tips, but I can also get helpful spiritual tips for my daily living as well.  Anyone who loves Gods word and catching fish will really find this book a source of help.

It was a good surprise to know that Jimmy Houston is a dedicated Christian. Many religious books today only focus on feel good issues. It is very obvious to me that though he really enjoys fishing, his first priority is his service to God. The world needs people with Godly convictions to challenge their lives.  I can see how this book could minister even to unbelievers. Because of the way he illustrates facts, knowledge, and experiences through fishing, he is able to show people's need to believe and apply the word of God to their lives.

This book would be a terrific addition to anyone who is looking for an inspiring devotional and who enjoys fishing and the outdoors.

I woke up this morning at 5:25am and decided to start Couch25K...again. I've been thinking about it, but I always get up too late around 6:30am. And in Belize that is too late, lol. Sunrise is around 5:30am and by 7am it's HOT! Another thing that stops me is that I'd rather sit at the computer and plan starting than actually starting. But today I did it! No more excuses. It felt really good! I didn't get tired or anything.

I've done C25K twice before, so I know I can finish. It's just the the motivation to continue running that I need. So here goes!!!! I'll be putting some C25K playlists together and posting them. I hope you'll join me. Here are some links if you want to learn more:
Couch25K
http://www.c25k.com/

Great Book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Hart. The book started slowly, so I'm glad I was reading it in order to write a review, or I might not have kept at it. But it was definitely worth it. The author does a great job building the background story and making it believable. I liked reading the story from all the different characters point of view. My favorite character is Jackson. I love to read books about genuine conversions. His conversion is so similar to the conversions in my church fellowship. I was so happy to read a book that wasn't scared to mention REAL life changes that we must make as born again believers in Christ.

Book Description

Now that she’s arrived at the ultimate address, can Mary Lynn’s view of the harbor – and success – satisfy the deeper longings of her heart?

After decades of carefully working their way up the social ladder, Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are living their dream: a life of luxury and ease in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina. Jackson made a small fortune selling low country real estate, so now the couple is determined to provide for their three daughters the life they both longed for as kids.

But lately the long-forgotten God of Mary Lynn’s childhood has been trying to get her attention in ways so unusual that she can no longer deny His presence. When she prays for Jackson to open his heart to God, something radical happens. Jackson has a dramatic conversion that leads to street witnessing, giving away money, and inviting less-than-reputable people into their home.

Starring out into the harbor, Mary Lynn ponders whether or not she is willing to give up her life of luxury to join Jackson in his new-found faith. What would it look like to go “all out” for God…to allow Him to lead their family regardless of the cost? Just when Mary Lynn felt she had all the desires of her heart – she finds herself being called into a much bigger story of true faith and love.

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Voice New Testament almost reminds me of the Amplified bible or a teen study bible. I like the format as well as all the extras. This bible version has been criticized by others because it's a paraphrase, but since I like to read from several different translations this bible version works well for me. I wish I could buy some for the new converts in our church, but they don't sell it in Belize. Maybe when I go to the U.S. for conference.
I think it's a good bible to start with as long as you have a King James version or a New King James version to study with as well.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The Voice™ Bible translation is a faithful dynamic translation of the Scriptures done as a collage of compelling narratives, poetry, song, truth, and wisdom. The Voice calls the reader to step into the whole story of Scripture and experience the joy and wonder of God’s revelation. Created for and by a church in great transition, The Voice uniquely represents collaboration among scholars, pastors, writers, musicians, poets, and other artists, giving great attention to the beauty of the narrative. The heart of The Voice is retelling the story of the Bible in a form as fluid as modern literary works yet remaining painstakingly true to the original manuscripts. This translation promotes the public reading of longer sections of Scripture—followed by thoughtful engagement with the biblical narrative in its richness and fullness and dramatic flow.

This is an updated and revised version of the New Testament edition, now at an even more affordable price.

Features include:

• Italicized information added to help contemporary readers understand what the original readers would have known intuitively
• In-text commentary notes include cultural, historical, theological, or devotional thoughts
• Screenplay format, ideal for public readings and group studies
• Book introductions

Don’t Check Your Brains at the Door by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler is a great book. It covers six major topics, but breaks them down into bite sized pieces. The topics are Myths about God, Myths about Jesus, Myths about the Bible, Myths about the Resurrection, Myths about Religion and Christianity, and Myths about Life and Happiness.
This book is aimed at Christian youth not necessarily unbelievers. I like the way it's set up giving an illustration and then bible verses and questions to help you dig deeper and think. (Brain Food) 


I really liked the Myths about Jesus section! This is a great book to read and discuss with your teenager.

I was recently given "Temptation" by Travis Thrasher to review. Since I have not read the previous two books and my 15 year old daughter has, I asked her to write the review for me. I do plan on reading the whole series, but I have to start with book one. My daughter said I wouldn't understand it without reading books one and two first. So here is her review:

The Corruptible by Mark Mynheir is a great mystery book with the hope of salvation. I'm excited to read the next book in this series and find out how detective Ray Quinn gets saved and redeemed. Even though this book is book two in the Ray Quinn Mystery Series, you don't need to start in book one of the series to understand book two.

The main character, Ray Quinn, is a retired police detective who has his own private investigation company, Night Watchman Detective Agency. (If you're like me and enjoy a little sarcasm in your characters, you'll like Ray Quinn.) In our story Ray Quinn is hired by a wealthy (germaphobe) businessman to find company information stolen by an ex-cop. The story gets interesting when the ex-cop, Logan is found murdered. 

When I first started the book I felt like I was in an old Colombo t.v. episode, but as I kept reading the characters took on a life of their own. Having said that, I have to admit the book did start off slowly for me. Since I did enjoy this book, I'm glad I persevered and continued reading until the story picked up.


I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Book Description

The Homelanders are attacking—and it's Charlie's last chance to stop them.
Charlie West was an ordinary high school kid who went to bed one night and woke up in the clutches of terrorists and wanted by the police for murder. He also woke up with no memory of the events of the last year.

His memory is returning now and has brought the terrible realization that he knows when the terrorists are going to strike next.

Whatever it takes, Charlie knows he can't give in or give up until they're stopped . . . even when the final hour is ticking away.

-a closing prayer

Beyond All Measure by Dorthy Love was not a quick read for me. Even though it was hard for me to get into the story, I did enjoy reading all the historical background information. The racial prejudice as well as North vs. South prejudice depicted in the book helped me see what a long way we have come since the Civil War. Also, I'm glad the characters in the book were able to believe and trust in God again. Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description

Unless she can trust God's love to cast out her fears, Ada may lose the heart of a good man.

Ada Wentworth, a young Bostonian, journeys to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, in the years following the Civil War. Alone and nearly penniless following a broken engagement, Ada accepts a position as a lady’s companion to the elderly Lillian Willis, a pillar of the community and aunt to the local lumber mill owner, Wyatt Caldwell. Ada intends to use her millinery skills to establish a hat shop and secure her future.

Haunted by unanswered questions from her life in Boston, Ada is most drawn to two townsfolks: Wyatt, a Texan with big plans of his own, and Sophie, a mulatto girl who resides at the Hickory Ridge orphanage. Ada's friendship with Sophia attracts the attention of a group of locals seeking to displace the residents of Two Creeks, a "colored" settlement on the edge of town. As tensions rise, Ada is threatened but refuses to abandon her plan to help the girl.

When Lillian dies, Ada is left without employment or a place to call home. And since Wyatt’s primary purpose for staying in Hickory Ridge was to watch over his aunt, he can now pursue his dream of owning Longhorns in his home state of Texas.

With their feelings for each other growing, Ada must decide whether she can trust God with her future and Wyatt with her heart.

I enjoyed reading A Vision of Lucy. Even though it was book three in a series, I was able to follow along and not feel lost at any point in the story without having read any of the prior books. A Vision of Lucy contained a lot of the story elements I am looking for when I read a book - salvation, a moral, and humor. Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description

Trouble may follow Lucy wherever she goes, but with the help of God and the rugged, reclusive David Wolf, she'll never face adversity alone.
Lucy Fairbanks dreams of working as a photographer at the Rocky Creek newspaper. If she can earn money making photographs, then maybe her father will see that what she does is worthy, more than just a distraction. And her deepest hope is that he’ll see her as an artist, the way he thought of her deceased mother, a painter. But trouble follows Lucy on every photo shoot: a mess of petticoats and ribbons, an accidental shooting, even a fire.

When Lucy meets David Wolf, a quiet, rustic man who lives on the outskirts of town, she thinks she can catch the attention of the town with his photograph. She doesn't count on her feelings stirring whenever she's near him.

Two things happen next that forever change the course of her life: Lucy meets someone who sees her as no one else has—as the compassionate, creative young woman that God made in His image. And Lucy helps David uncover a secret that forces him to change his perspective on an event that left him deeply-scarred.
God’s arms are around this unlikely couple as they discover the truth about long-held assumptions and the importance of forgiveness.

Saving money, garage sales, thrift stores - some of my favorite topics. No wonder I enjoyed reading Money Secrets of the Amish. Since author Lorilee Cracker has a wonderful sense of humor, her book was a quick and easy read. Even though I already know and practice most of the Amash suggestions, the book was not a disappointment.

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wouldn't let my daughter read Spring For Susannah until she got married, (might awaken or stir thoughts of sex) and then I'm not so sure I'd recommend it because of the bias. As I read Spring For Susannah, I kept thinking this is a feminist book disguised as a Christian romance. Not only does Susannah's husband, Jesse, say women are smarter than men, but Jesse is missing for one third of the book while Susannah conquers all.

The author, Catherine Richmond, has a gift for adding humor to a story. This book had so much promise; I really wanted to like it, but it dragged after Jesse disappeared. I wouldn't recommend this book for young impressionable unmarried ladies.

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

Official Book description
When Susannah goes to Dakota territory as a mail-order bride she finds something she never dreamed she would—true love.

With no prospects for marriage and her parents recently deceased, Susannah Underhill agrees to go west to the Dakota territory to marry her minister's homesteading brother, Jesse. But Susannah is painfully shy, doesn't see herself as worthy of love from either a husband or from God, and lives in constant fear that Jesse is going to ship her back to Detroit.

In spite of her petite size and the fact that Susannah doesn't look like she could survive on the prairie, Jesse quickly discovers that his new wife is a greater blessing than he even hoped for. The years she spent as her father's veterinary assistant allow her to save Jesse's ox and twin calves and to help neighboring farmers with their animals.

But Susannah's feelings of unworthiness are deeply rooted, and she can't believe that Jesse's praise—or the tenderness and love he shows—could possibly last. The thawing of her heart seems almost as distant as Spring in the midst of the winter blanketing the Dakota prairie.

The Reluctant Queen is a fictionalized version of the book of Esther. Immediately, upon reading the book I noticed the departures from the biblical account, however since I already knew it was a fictional book I enjoyed the story. Author Joan Wolf has a wonderful ability to transport the reader into another time and place. I enjoyed reading and thinking about the reasons an Israelite would marry a pagan and the reasons Haman acted as he did. It was a little amusing to see how the author gave Esther and Ahasuerus such modern time sentiments and attributes. But hey, it's a love story so what do you expect. On the other hand, it was disturbing how the author portrayed Esther as someone who so quickly was willing to leave the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

From the publisher: “See the story of Esther in an entirely new way—with all the political intrigue and tension you remember, but told as a passionate and tender love story between a young man and woman. Misunderstood by many, King [Ahasuerus] was a powerful but lonely man. Esther’s beauty caught the eye of the young king, but it was her spirit that captured his heart.”

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review. 

No Place Like Holmes is a great book for young children. Truthfully even as an adult, I enjoyed reading it and look forward to the next book. The main character, Griffin, is a wonderful example of a christian. I hope his uncle gets saved in the next book.  No Place Like Holmes is a mystery with a redemptive message of forgiveness. It will help your child look beyond peoples bad attitudes and have a redemptive heart.

Book Description
The new resident in 221A Baker Street is about to give Sherlock Holmes a run for his magnifying glass!

When Griffin is sent to stay with his detective uncle at 221A Baker Street for the summer, he is certain that his uncle must be the great Sherlock Holmes! But Griffin is disappointed to discover that Holmes lives at 221B Baker Street and his uncle lives unit 221A. His uncle is a detective, just not a very good one. But when Griffin meets a woman with a case that Holmes has turned away for being too ridiculous, he and his uncle team up to help her. Along the way, Griffin shows his uncle just what it means to have true faith in God, even when the case challenges that. The woman claims that her husband was eaten by the Loch Ness Monster, but monsters aren’t real—or are they?

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

Reading The Promise of an Angel by Ruth Reid was an enjoyable experience. The Promise of an Angel is about an Amish girl, Judith, and how her faith is strengthened. Ruth Reid, a great writer, weaves a story full of conflict and emotion. The story does start off a little confusing because I was left to guess exactly how her younger brother got hurt until near the end of the book.

This book is definitely faith based and speaks about salvation. I liked how the idea of an angel speaking to her was balanced by Andrew. It was made clear how Satan also masquerades as an angel of light, so we must be careful who or what we give heed to.

Also, it doesn't really make sense why she saw the angel to begin with. I know Tobias, the angel, tells her someone is praying for her, but it leaves one to infer it was Andrew praying for her because we find him staying up all night praying for her on several occasions. However, when the story starts Judith and Andrew don't have any kind of friendly relationship, and it's not until after she sees the angel that they get to really know each other. Personally, I would have enjoyed the book more without any reference to an angel as there was plenty of other conflict with her sister and Levi that could have still lead to her learning forgiveness and the strengthening of her faith.

Book Sneeze provided this book in exchange for an honest review.