“For everything there is a season. A season for joy. A season for sorrow. A season for testing.” With these words written on the back cover of a real-event-based novel, readers can be fairly certain that it will not be a happy, carefree story, but rather one of hardship and overcoming. “Whither Thou Goest I Will Go” was written by Naomi Dathan and published by Kirkdale Press in 2016. As the author explains in a note to her readers, the novel is based on the infamous blizzard of January 12, 1888, that swept across the great plains with no warning. It’s name? The Children’s Blizzard. An estimated 1000 people spent that night lost on the open prairie. Many of them perished. Many were children. Continue reading
Book Reviews
A Remarkable Yet Difficult Sequel
Have you ever read a book containing an irresistible setting and characters you adore, but that was built around a storyline that just didn’t align with your morals and principles pertaining to Christian Fiction? Well, that is my dilemma with Roseanna M. White’s newest book in the historical “Ladies of the Manor” series, entitled “The Reluctant Duchess”. Published by Bethany House in the spring of 2016, this story contains many recurring characters, sub-plots, and themes from the previous book in the series, and should definitely be read in the order intended by the author. Continue reading
Fascinating Insight to a Healthier Life
Have you have ever wondered about the story behind the modern food system, or the research behind the science of food, but didn’t know where to search for a thorough, truth-based approach to the subject? Well, look no further than Dr. Caroline Leaf’s newest, Christian-based book from BakerBooks, entitled “Think & Eat Yourself Smart: A Neuroscientific Approach to a Sharper Mind and Healthier Life”. It will undoubtedly answer all of your questions, plus some you didn’t even know you had! Continue reading
Intriguing Premise, Disappointing Details
The Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, as told through the eyes of a young Egyptian girl… Truly, Biblical Fiction doesn’t get any more unique than this! “Counted with the Stars”, the first book in the “Out from Egypt” series, was written by Connilyn Cossette and published by Bethany House in the spring of 2016. As you step into the pages of the story, be prepared to witness the historic plagues of Exodus, and the fascinating culture of Ancient Egypt, as never before. Continue reading
Contains (Deeply) Buried Truths
“Free yourself from the burden to compare and compete.” With a tagline like this, and the title of “Distinctly You: Trading Comparison & Competition for Freedom & Fulfillment”, who wouldn’t be interested in picking up this book and seeing what it has to say? I know I couldn’t resist. Written by Cheryl Martin and published by Bethany House in the spring of 2016, “Distinctly You” attempts to teach readers how to “thrive in [their] God-given uniqueness”. The question is, does it succeed? Continue reading
Michael Phillips NEVER Disappoints!
“Past and present collide in master storyteller Michael Phillips’ dramatic new saga of loss and discovery, of grasping and grace.” Undoubtedly, this beloved author truly is a master storyteller. With decades of experience and dozens of unforgettable novels to his name, it is always a pleasure to read a new book with “Michael Phillips” written on the cover. Classic, timeless tales that slowly and meaningfully unfold into incredibly detailed, interwoven, faith-filled stories are his specialty, and his newest book from Bethany House entitled “The Inheritance” is perhaps one of his finest accomplishments yet. Continue reading
Just in Time for Mother’s Day…
With Mother’s Day swiftly approaching, it is the perfect time to pause and reflect on the women who characterize the word “Mother” for each of us. As a tangible symbol of some of the many facets that mothers everywhere represent, a delightful little gift book has been published by Revell, and written/compiled by Amber C. Haines and Seth Haines, just in time for the special day. Looking like a little handmade scrapbook, the content of “The Mother Letters: Sharing the Laughter, Joy, Struggles, and Hope” is the truly precious part. As the back cover explains: “After Amber Haines had given birth to three boys in three years, her husband Seth realized the day-to-day details and drama of child rearing were overwhelming her. He secretly began collecting letters from other mothers across the world and gave these ‘mother letters’ to her as a gift.” Obviously, this book is the result. Continue reading
A Fun Choice for Country Girls at Heart – a guest review by Hayley
Imagine moving from downtown New York City, to a middle-of-no-where Texas longhorn ranch. Sound pretty extreme? Well, that is precisely what Jules O’Connor and her mother do between the pages of Juliette Turner’s brand new novel, “That’s Not Hay in My Hair”. Continue reading
The Final Story is Always Bittersweet…
The bittersweet moment has come. At least, that is how I always feel when I reach the final book in a beloved series. Naturally it holds both sweetness and a touch of sorrow, good-to-see-you-agains and final goodbyes. Delia Parr’s “At Home in Trinity” series, published by Bethany House and comprised of “The Midwife’s Tale”, “The Midwife’s Choice”, and now, finally, “The Midwife’s Dilemma”, is just such a series. It draws you in, envelops you with the love and warmth of the tiny town of Trinity, and is very difficult to say farewell to. Continue reading
A Pleasant, Enjoyable Surprise!
Although Contemporary Romance isn’t a genre I read all the time, one new title caught my eye, and I am so glad it did! It was sweet! It was witty! It was compelling! “Like Never Before” by Melissa Tagg is actually a book from the middle of “The Walker Family” series, but I didn’t realize this when I selected it. Thankfully though, I had no trouble reading it as a standalone novel. Published by Bethany House in the spring of 2016, this enjoyable story will hold your interest throughout a uniquely woven storyline before ultimately causing you to sigh at the happily-ever-after ending. Continue reading
Prairie Sky Book Reviews 