Castle on the Rise by Kristy Cambron

A beautiful book full of conviction, faith, loyalty and love.  The story alternates between Ireland in the present day, 1916 and 1798.  Interweaving history, romance and mystery Kristy Cambron has produced a masterpiece.  In the lives of three women:  Laine, Issy and Maeve we get a glimpse of the struggle Ireland had for independence and at the same time the struggle of each woman had to be true to her personal convictions.  Set in amazing detail each time period holds intrigue with the unique landscape and culture of Ireland.  The author's decision to go back and forth between three time periods is a stroke of genius in helping the reader understand that the Irish quest for freedom held degrees of angst at each turn.  The love story of Laine, Issy and Maeve demonstrate the true love takes a brave heart that does not falter under hardship and that God has His hand over every detail of our lives.

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

The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

Fans of Dickerson will recognize the "fairytale" immersed in her book The Warrior Maiden.  A retelling of the Chinese legend of Mulan with a twist.  I was disappointed that she didn't base the story in China or Asian culture.  Instead Mulan is the child of a Lithuanian soldier and an Asian woman who dies.  Mulan is brought back to Lithuania to be raised as the adopted daughter of the soldier and his wife.  In the original Mulan she goes to war in place of her aged father to spare him and to give honor to her family while providing for her mother and father.  In this tale all that is gone. In this book Mulan, not wanting to marry her suitor decides instead to go to war disguised as a man to earn her mother's right to remain in the family home.  But throughout the story she laments that if she is killed her mother will be cast out of the home with no one to care for her.  This seems like a very big risk for a female to take who has not been trained for battle.  To me it lessened her honor because she was fleeing an unwanted marriage but with no guarantee she could provide for her mother.  In the original legend Mulan was a hero because if she didn't go to war her aged father would have had to go.  Aside from this the romance in the story is sweet and there is a lot of history about Germans vs Lithuanian and the different ways they had of worshipping God.  It is still a good story and worth reading but if you're looking for the Chinese version this is not it.

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

When Do I Love you? by Maria Cabrol

Different animal mamas and papas tell their child how much he/she is loved.  From a lizard who is loved in a blizzard to a moose in a caboose the meaningful text combined with adorable and fun illustrations make this a great gift item.  It's a board book so will appeal to the younger child yet the texts are four lines long with rhymes to delight the preschooler.  The first two lines are the catchy, fun and fanciful phrases.  The last two lines have the deeper emotional impact of showing a child how much they are valued and adored.  This is a very sweet, very loved filled little book.

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

We Hope for Better Things by Erin Bartels

This book absolutely will not disappoint!  The story travels from present day to 1960s to 1860s as it reveals family secrets.  Present day journalist Elizabeth Balsam is given an unusual assignment that intrigues her.  Little does she suspect that it will lead to unearthing deeply kept family secrets and to solving a mystery that's fifty years old.  Written in a first person narrative this book is verbally scrumptious and you will not want to put it down.  Vivid, heart rending stories from the civil rights movement will stun and shock you.  Then as the reader travels down the road back to the Civil War days the unrest, terror and uncertainty of the times will feel very real.  Elizabeth is an endearing and multi-faceted character that deserves exploring through the pages of the book.  Through these characters the hard choices those trying to make an end to slavery and racial injustice faced come to life.  And one must ask the question what would I do for love?

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

The Voice by Sandi Patty

If you've ever heard Sandi Patty sing you'll never forget it.  Once you read Sandi Patty's words in this book you will never forget it either!  I anticipated that this book would be interesting but wondered if it would be a bit depressing as she expressed "hidden" parts of her life story.  It was anything but a downer.  I was so uplifted by this book I was in tears half the time.  As Sandi shares vulnerable, authentically and without excuses God's powerful love is the overwhelming theme over and over in this book.  The story is extremely well written - beautiful heart soul reaching language - and the depth of openness is amazing.  Each chapter tells a bit of her story from preschool Sandi to grandmother Sandi.  The detailed way God has led and loved her at each stage of her life can't help but inspire and bring the reader to her knees.  It gave me a sense of wanting to know God deeper and trust Him more fully for everything, absolutely everything in my life.  This book is a fascinating story but so much more.  It is a devotional book with journal type questions and a scripture at the end of each chapter.  It is can be a tool to helping someone find the professional help they need for emotional support or to overcome addictions.  It is a spiritual balm that reinforces the Biblical promise that God is for us and not against us, that God not only forgives but redeems and gives new life.  What a blessing that Sandi Patty was willing to share her story without reserve to help others see the God of love she discovered.

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

Indivisible by Travis Thrasher

This true military romance and spiritual restoration story is about Darren and Heather Turner.  Their story was embraced by film makers and made into a novel by author Travis Thrasher.  I liked how the story was presented.  The beginnings of the their love story and family and military career with strength and positive energy.  Then the harsh realities of deployment with a combat unit not just for Darren but for his family at home.  This is followed by the section on re-establishing their connection as husband and wife and with God when Darren returns stateside.  Finally the book ends with their testimony of what a mighty God they serve.  The narrative of the book is interspersed with emails between Darren and Heather and journal entries from Darren.  This makes the reading intriguing and gives a lot of emotional details that might otherwise be left out.  This is a brave story told in very real terms.

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

Love Does for kids by Bob Goff and Lindsey Goff Viducich

WOW!  This devotional book is really different!  Better!  So interesting it grabbed my attention immediately and I'm an adult.  In fact the very first story brought tears to me eyes.  Listen to this line:  "So the next time you make a mistake, just think to yourself:  I am loved, and I am God's..."  That is a powerful message!  And all the stories are like that in this book. Filled to the brim with goodness - God's goodness and His love.  The stories are told in an appealing manner with catchy phrases such as "it's like God leaves you room rent and can't wait to see how we'll use what He's given us".  These stories just make you stop and think and stop and think some more.  This book will help children think about God in a positive light and help them understand that He is for them 100% and not against them at all.  I really enjoy and appreciate how the authors consistently point to a God who is looking out for our best all the time and who never stops loving us.

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