Minding the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher

This book was fun, exciting and entertaining as several mysteries were going on at the same time.  The last line of the book is astonishing but don't cheat!  Read the whole book and wait for the punch line!  The story line moves back and forth between Nantucket Island in 1821 and diary entries from 1663.  A dilemma solved in the diary leads to a mystery and resolution in 1821. A shocking sudden death, hidden runaway slaves, disclosed past romances and disappearances of family members are all part of the plot.  Hearts are broken, mended and made new in God's light and that is the true beauty of this tale.

I received this book from Revell but was not required to write a positive review.

I AM The Names of God for Little Ones by Diane Stortz Illustrated by Diane Le Feyer

What a wonderful message this book gives!  The names of God given in words and pictures that will warm child and parent hearts alike!  The book starts off with God as Creator - Elohim.  It moves through several Hebrew names for God as given in the Old Testament:  El Shaddai, Jehovah, El Moshaah, Jehovah Bireh,  and Jehovah Rophe.  The meaning of the Hebrew words is given with description illustrations that portray each name definition.  The book then moves into more modern names for God such as Son of God, Rabbi-teacher, Good Shepherd, Savior, Friend and King of Kings.  Each page has the name for God, a Bible verse that relates to the name, a short story, a prayer and an illustration.  This book is a precious way to help children understand how involved God is with every detail of our life.  The different names of God help children understand He is there for us in all ways.

I have received this book from the publishers but was not required to write a positive review.

Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof

Three brothers of Norwegian ancestry build a life in the state of Virginia newly freed from slavery after the Civil war.  Jorgan, Thor, Haakon work to bring their apple orchards to profit.  But what if the profitable hard cider they make and sell is the ruin of them in other ways?  Through their struggles with conflicts with their neighbors and with each other we see an amazing bond of brotherhood.  When two brothers fall in love with the same women Aven the sibling rivalry takes on a more sinister tint.  Aven, a young widow has come to her husband's cousins for shelter.  Instead she finds an underlying and unresolved bitterness that only God can heal with the men she come to view as her family.  Thor born deaf uses a form of sign language with his brothers.  Aven learns to read his emotions as well as his hands signing words.  This is a tender love story with deep psychological twists.

I received this book from the publishers but was not required to write a positive review.

The Orphan's Wish by Melanie Dickerson

I would classify this book as a YA historical novel.  It takes place in the 1400s with a Saracen orphan, Aladdin, as the main character.  Through times of trial, testing and triumph he weaves his way into the Germanic society and hearts of many.  He has a good soul and honorable goals but along the way his courage fails him and he makes mistakes even as he tries for perfection. Aladdin has grown up with Lady Kirstyn.  They are best friends but he always feels beneath her.  He leaves the household that has taken him in to go make his way in the world.  He wants to prove that he can care for her and be a success.   As he gains a better understanding of God's love for him he begins to understand that perfection is not required of him for acceptance and belonging.  Perils arise as the lady he loves is kidnapped and held hostage by a jealous and deranged son of Aladdin's benefactor.  Through times of despair and terror Aladdin learns to lean more heavily on his own instincts and the voice of God directing him.  He must also learn to not judge himself by other's standards but base his worth on the blood of Christ shed for him.  As Aladdin and Kirstyn are reunited they must learn to be honest with themselves and each other about their feelings.  They learn to be courageous in ways they had not expressed or experienced before and grow strong individually and together as a couple.

I received this book from the publishers but was not required to write a positive review.

Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin

I have mixed feelings about this book.  It appears the main goal of this book is to show the power of forgiveness.  However, there are several instances of violent retaliation that occur in this story with no remorse.  One example is a wronged spouse driving a knife through her husband's hand.  And in each of the cases there is an intervention of a politician so that no censure, responsibility or disciple is meted out.  This seems in congruent with the theme of making amends and forgiveness running through the book.  It also adds a flavor of vigilante style justice to the tale.  For me it made the story less believable because of how many times they avoided any legal repercussions for their actions.  It also bothered me that the main character's love was described as "watching over" someone when in actuality it would be described in legal terms as stalking.  Since this is a Christian book it was unbelievable to me that "love" would be described in such an emotionally unhealthy manner.  And although the main character protects those he loves in one sense - on the other hand he holds a lot of resentment towards them.  The entire book was a mixture of really unhealthy behaviors combined with "noble" reasons for said actions.  I couldn't really blend the two together.  It just seemed too disconnected and unreal to me. 

I received this book free  from the publishers but was not required to write a positive review.

Create - A Girl's Guide to DIY, Doodles and Design by Zonderkidz

What a cleverly, attractive craft book!  But I found it to be so much more than what I thought it would be.  There are over 50 craft ideas with very specific instructions, lists of materials needed and photos of not only the finished product but the process of creating it.  Each project has a list of materials, numbered instructions for creation and then a box called "jazz it up".  The "jazz it up" box containers options or ulternatives to the original design.  I was excited to see so many every day items transformed into beautiful and useful gifts.  Gifts such a personalized pillow cases, plastic soap holders as prayer boxes, and even mint tins crafted to be mini emergency kits.  There are three sections to this book.  The DIY section with the crafty type creations.  The DOODLES section with drawings and how to create your own coloring pages.  The DESIGN section for jewelry, clothes handbags and other accessories.  The items to create are not "cheesy" at all.  They are well made and attractive to the eye.  This craft book is marketed as a faithgirlz/zonderkidz book.  But I wanted to say in this review that adults will find it just as fun and fabulous as the children will.  In fact I think this would be a great tool to use for family evening togetherness as the whole family could create gifts to give to others.  It also would be a wonderful tool for summer Bible camp or a girls club evening or sleep over party.

I received this book from the publishers but was not required to write a positive review.

The Road Home by Beverly Lewis

The Road Home by Beverly Lewis

I don’t know how she does it but Beverly Lewis just gets better and better.  For an author who writes about one topic, Amish living, Lewis has such a variety of story lines and characters.  This book starts out with a tragedy but the story is anything but tragic.  It is full of love and romance and fun filled memories in the making.  Family ties are strong throughout this book.  The value of faith filled confidants is highlighted through the friendships that Lena Rose makes in her new setting in Lancaster County.  Throughout Lena’s journey through grief and adjusting to community far from her hometown the reader experiences the spiritual growth of one young woman.  Her courage, resolute trust in a Heavenly Father’s goodwill towards her and her determination to return to her siblings scattered amongst the brethren make for a fulfilling tale.

I received this book from Bethany Publishers but was not required to write a positive review.