Courageous Love ~ Review

Courageous Love
An Andrea Carter Book 
Circle C Milestones #4
By Susan K. Marlow

Andi (Andrea) Carter has finally grown-up, but she has a way of finding herself still getting into trouble with her not quite lady-like behavior. But when one could be out stunt riding on Shasta or helping out on the Circle C why should she bother herself with lady-like concerns? And learning stunt riding tricks with Riley is certainly better than spending her days filling a hope chest with her needlework.

But when a someone starts targeting the Carter family and the Circle C Andi is determined to help protect her family and her home. But who could hate the Carters enough to do all this? The answer will prove just how great their danger is. And unfortunately, Andi is about to come face-to-face with a man who is willing to go to any lengths to make her family experience his pain and more.

With her life on the line, Andi's only hope lies with Riley and God. But when all appears hopeless can Andi continue to trust that Riley will be able to find her?

This is another exciting addition to the world of Andi Carter. Andi is a delight to get to know even if she has an occasional issue with her impatience and her temper. But Andi is exactly the type of friend you'd want at your side when you're in need. This is historical fiction that is geared toward the YA audience but anyone from age 12 and up would be sure to enjoy this book. And for those who want a little touch of romance - Andi just may have a little come into her life.  Those who are searching for clean YA for their daughters and granddaughters will appreciate this book and this series.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Kregel with no expectation of a positive review ~ all expressed opinions are my own.


About the Book:
Andrea Carter is finally pulling her own weight on the Circle C Ranch she loves. The only thing she loves more than helping to run the ranch is spending time racing and stunt-riding on her horse Shasta, with the help of wrangler Riley Prescott. Little does she know that when she and Riley stumble onto a mysterious cut in the fence around her brother's prize calves, life is about to get far more exciting--and dangerous.

A cryptic warning tied around a brick crashes through the window at a family party. Then cattle begin to die. When the horse barn catches fire, Andi knows this is more than just coincidence. But who is trying to hurt her family--and why? Evidence begins to point to criminals from her brother Justin's past who want revenge. But that discovery may be too late to keep Andi and her brother's family out of danger.

Now Riley is her only hope of rescue. Can he find her before she disappears from the Circle C forever? Can she keep everyone else safe until then?

The fourth volume in the Circle C Milestones quartet, Courageous Love is high on action, danger, and drama, and full of appealing characters readers love. Andi's final adventure, sparked with a little romance, is sure to please Marlow's legions of loyal readers who want a happy ending for this frontier heroine. 

King's Blood ~ Review

King's Blood
The Kinsman Chronicles #2
By Jill Williamson

If you are looking for an epic reading experience look no further than this series from Jill Williamson. The first book King's Folly took the reader on a journey through a land in the midst of religious and cataclysmic upheaval. King's Blood continues the journey of the survivors who managed to make it to sea before their world was lost forever. One would think the worst was behind them but the evil and the treachery that walked their land has followed them to the sea and it is determined to consume those who would stand against them.

Wilek has taken on many of the duties of his father - Echad is ill and failing. Janek has been detained because his royal ties are suspect, And Trevn is recovering from the attack that nearly cost him his life as the Five Realms fell. The Heir War appears to have ended but appearances can be deceiving and there are many deceivers hidden amongst the ships and not all of them are human or of the physical realm.

As the remnant of the Five Realms searches for a new land to call home the old suspicions vie with the desire of Wilek and Trevn to return the people to the ways of and belief in Arman.  Meanwhile, the realms of the Mother are determined to assert their dominance over that of Armania and the Father.

But finding land will not end their troubles as they are bringing with them the evil that brought down their old home...

Often the second book in a series is a let down in both story and action, it's merely a bridge to the third book. But King's Blood is no such tool. The story is one that moves the story forward while building on what came before in such a way one would never feel as if the story was left behind. There are twists that one will never anticipate and at the end of the book, one will be going "No, you can't leave me hanging like this!" This is one series that I can see sitting by the side of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. Without giving too much away be ready for some shocks and some separations that will be interesting to see play out in the future.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own.

About the Book:

They Flee for Their Lives, But Will a New Home Be Found?

The Five Realms have been destroyed. The remnants of the population who escaped now find themselves confined only to several hundred ships adrift at sea. Guided by hope, rumor, and a promise, they sail north into the unknown, desperate to find land that might become their new home.

As the king's illness worsens, Sâr Wilek takes authority over the expedition and struggles to rule the disjointed people, while assassination attempts, vicious serpents, dangerous storms, and dark magic endanger his life and the survival of his people.

One prophecy has come to pass, but another looms dauntingly in the future. Who is this promised Deliverer? And if the Magonians have him, what might that mean for the realm of Armania?

This second volume collects parts four through six of The Kinsman Chronicles originally released as ebooks.
Part 4--Kingdom at Sea
Part 5--Maelstrom
Part 6--Voices of Blood

Finding Jesus: Faith, Fact, Forgery ~ Review with Giveaway

The second season of Finding Jesus: Faith, Fact, Forgery 
premieres on CNN Sunday, March 5.


Thomas is the disciple famous for his doubts, but his doubts, his skepticism resulted in him becoming the strongest kind of believer. The episode of Finding Jesus: Faith, Fact, Forgery entitled Doubting Thomas focuses on the life of Thomas after his doubts were laid to rest. Did Thomas found the earliest Christian church in India? This episode tries to determine whether or not he made his way to India. The church was in India before the Middle Ages - was Thomas the messenger who brought the Good News there?

Thomas was present in all four Gospels but after Jesus's ascension, he disappears from the Gospel record. Where did he go? Thomas missed the pivotal moment of Christian faith - he alone of the disciples was not present when Jesus appeared to them following His resurrection. His absence has marked him through history with the title of the doubter. Did he lose faith in everything? Had he abandoned the other disciples with Jesus's death? The word of the others was not enough to convince Thomas that Jesus was in fact resurrected. Thomas needed to see to believe. 

Did Thomas follow Jesus's command to go out into the world, making disciples of all nations? After the Gospels, the majority of the Disciples are lost to known history, to the New Testament. Can The Acts of Thomas, written more than a century after the canonical books of the New Testament be based on history? Or is this document a fantastical document with no historical basis? Was it possible for Thomas to go to India in the first century?

This episode takes the viewer on a journey to see if there is any evidence to prove that Thomas made his way to India, bringing with him the Gospel, This program is interesting as experts weigh in and examine the evidence.

I was provided early access to this episode solely for the purpose of reviewing it.

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Would You Like to Know? ~ Review

Would You Like to Know?
The Complete Collection
By Tim Dowley 

Illustrations by Eira Reeves

When it comes to God, prayer, Jesus, and the Bible children have questions and this collection of six books covers these topics and more.

Would You Like to Know About God? explains that God's story is found in the Bible and tells how He created the world. Though we can never know what God looks like we can see what He is like by the world around us. We are also told that we can talk to God through prayer.

Would You Like to Know How to Pray? explains that prayer is like talking, only instead of to a person we see prayer is talking to God. Prayer can be done anywhere and anytime. 

Would you like to know Jesus? explains how God sent Jesus to the world to take the punishment for our sins. It also explains how we can become Jesus's friend and what that friendship entails.

Would You Like to Know the Bible? explains that the Bible is a special book because it teaches about God and how to talk to Him. It also explains that the Bible has two parts - one about the people of God and the other about Jesus.

Would You Like to Know the Story of Christmas?is a simplified version of the Bible story from Mary being told she would have a special baby to the birth of Jesus and the visit from the wise men. It is then explained that Christmas is a celebration in remembrance of Jesus's birth.

Would You Like to Know the Story of Easter? tells how Jesus along with His 12 special friends (disciples) went to a feast in Jerusalem. Jesus was betrayed and sentenced to die. But as He died He asked for forgiveness for the people. His friends were sad that He died but not for long because He was raised from the dead. Easter is the remembrance of Jesus's death and resurrection.

Each book is under 30 pages with colorful illustrations that correspond with the text portion of the book. This collection would be appropriate for ages 3-8 with help from Mom or Dad. This would also be a great family devotional option. The six books come in a small sturdy slipcover that feels as if it is constructed from board book materials - perfect for keeping these small books together in an easily findable location. The books are approximately 5" x 6" and slipcover is just over 1" wide.

I was provided a review copy of this book set by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Books:
In this new addition to the fantastic Would You Like to Know? series, six little books are featured in one boxed gift set. Each book offers a starting point for young children to explore some of the key points of their faith and gain a greater understanding of Christianity. Each title has accessible illustrations, an inscription page, and notes for parents. A wonderful gift for those getting to know the church.

Contains:
Would You Like to Know About God?
Would You Like to Know How to Pray?
Would You Like to Know Jesus?
Would You Like to Know the Bible?
Would You Like to Know the Story of Christmas?
Would You Like to Know the Story of Easter?

Thoughts on Doubt with Giveaway and Trailer

CNN’s Finding Jesus: Faith, Fact, Forgery 

season 2 premieres at 9 PM ET/PT on March 5^th 

Utilizing the latest state-of-the-art scientific techniques and archaeological research, the
series will explore the following:
   The Childhood Home of Jesus
   The Tomb of King Herod
   The Bones of St. Peter
   Relics Believed To Shed Truth About Doubting Thomas
   The Pilate Stone
   The Tomb of Lazarus

A first-class panel of on-screen contributors from the world’s best universities including Yale, Harvard, Princeton and Oxford will provide expert comment.  The series will also feature insights from some of the world’s leading religious theologians and Christian leaders such as:
   Rev. A.R. Bernard (Christian Cultural Centre, New York)
   Erwin McManus (MOSAIC, Los Angeles)
   Father James Martin, SJ (Author, Jesus: A Pilgrimage)
   Bishop Minerva Carcaño (United Methodist Church)
   Dr. Ben Witherington III (Asbury Theological Seminary)
   Dr. Mark Goodacre(Duke University)
   Dr. Candida Moss (University of Notre Dame)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Are you a Doubting Thomas? 

When life is filled with challenges are you left wondering if your faith was misplaced? After all one has not personally observed with one's own eyes the Risen Lord. But that is where the strength of one's faith is tested and refined. 

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," Hebrews 11:1. Faith is a hope in the promise of a tomorrow that is never a guarantee in this life.  But we have the promise of a place being prepared for us in eternity. Our acceptance of this as truth to be fulfilled is proof of our faith. Faith is the substance that we need to believe.

Faith has been a powerful force within my own life in times of trouble when the light of day has been masked in the darkest hours of night.  The crush of night loses its grip with the promise of the coming dawn.  Faith is the faintest star that pierces the night and that is all that is needed to get through the night of your doubts. Seeing the wounds from the nails is not necessary to know that the promise of tomorrow is enough.  Faith is knowing that the troubles we face and live through are just a step to something greater - a life that is everlasting. 

All too often Thomas is shamed because he doubted, but all those who first saw Christ after his death were doubters before they saw and believed. Doubting is a part of our nature - but whether we allow these doubts to paralyze us or be the catalyst to a deeper faith is what we should instead focus on. Doubts force us to seek out answers.

Will you seek answers to your questions or will you turn back when difficulties arise? Persisting and pressing forward will allow your faith to grow and strengthen. 

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When God Made You ~ Review

When God Made You
By Matthew Paul Turner
Illustrations by David Catrow

When God Made You is a picture book that is written so that children will know just how uniquely one of a kind they are. The words have a rhythmic flow as the story develops - explaining the plan God had in mind before time in the creation of each and every child.

The illustrations are bright, colorful and eye-catching. They bring the story to life and move in harmony with the flow of the story. The suggested age level is 3 - 8 but from reading this book myself I think most anyone would enjoy it and delight in the pleasure that God took in planning each and every life. The story itself takes 40 pages but every page is not worded so even the shortest attention span should be able to sit through this book - and if you add in a little snuggle time all the better.

When life gets difficult the assurance that "God knew your name.... God's family without you would not be the same," is just what they need.  This book would make a wonderful gift for just about any occasion. It would also be a perfect special time alone with Mom or Dad reading the book. 

This book does not delve into Biblical matters so if you are looking for a book that teaches the spiritual you will be disappointed. This book is more of an assurance of one's importance to God. I believe children who are in a broken family situation would truly benefit from this assurance of their importance to God - the God who planned and designed them.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Waterbrook with no expectation of a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Book:

YOU, you… God thinks about you.
God was thinking of you long before your debut.

From early on, children are looking to discover their place in the world and longing to understand how their personalities, traits, and talents fit in. The assurance that they are deeply loved and a unique creation in our big universe is certain to help them spread their wings and fly. 
 
Through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves. 
 
‘Cause when God made YOU, somehow God knew
That the world needed someone exactly like you!

About the Author:
Matthew Paul Turner is the author of sixteen books. He lives with his wife, Jessica, (TheMomCreative.com, author of The Fringe Hours) and their three children in Nashville, Tennessee.

About the Illustrator:
David Catrow is an editorial cartoonist whose vibrant illustrations have appeared in more than seventy children’s books, including several New York Times bestsellers, such as I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More and I Like Myself. David lives in Ohio with his wife, Deborah.

Raging Storm ~ Review

Raging Storm
The Remnant Series #2
By Vannetta Chapman

Nearly 3 weeks have passed since the modern world seemingly ended forever. And Shelby Sparks is on a mission find and retrieve insulin for her son Carter. There's just one problem chaos has become the new normal and locating a supply could prove dangerous.

Shelby's one hope of finding what she needs lies in Austin and getting there might prove even more of a challenge than locating medical supplies. Abandoned cars, looters, burned out towns, and disease.  But Shelby isn't alone on her journey, she is joined by her friends Max Berkman, Patrick Goodnight, and Bianca Lopez, as well as Dr. Bhatti.

Carter is being left behind with Max's parent Georgia and Roy. But safety is no longer a guarantee anywhere and all too soon everyone is confronting challenges that could cost them anything and everything.

How far are you willing to go to save the life of someone you love? And when the world is crumbling around you are you willing to offer what help? Or will you take whatever you can at the expense of all other life?

It is highly recommended that before delving into this book that the first book be read. One can read this book but there will a noticeable lack as there are references to incidents in the previous book. In the world, as we've come to know it a sudden lack of communication, technology, and convenience would definitely send many into a panic. This book will make one wonder at their own skills or lack of if we suddenly lost the last century of modern accomplishments.

I highly recommend this book to those readers who like suspense and/or dystopian fiction.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a review positive or otherwise ~ All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

In the Darkness,

Anarchy Awakens

* * * * * * * * * * * *

When a massive solar flare wiped out all modern technology across the globe, the small town of Abney, Texas, was thrown into chaos. Shelby Sparks and her teenage son, Carter, have found refuge, but Shelby knows she can't simply remain hidden. Carter is a type 1 diabetic in need of insulin—and Shelby will risk her life traveling to Austin to make sure he gets it.

Shelby's best friend and high school sweetheart, Max Berkman, won't even consider letting her make the perilous journey alone. Together, they manage to reach the capital—only to discover that while things are desperate in Abney, Austin has turned into an urban nightmare on the brink of anarchy.

Shelby and Max's search for medical supplies will lead them into terrifying territory, where the only thing more uncertain than finding what they need is the hope of making it out of the city alive.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

In this second book in an eerily plausible, action-packed dystopian series, survival will be threatened and faith will be put to the ultimate test as a raging storm engulfs America.