Do you enjoy being challenged and inspired by stories that are written in such a way as to evoke deep emotion, and bring new ideas to light? When stories closely reflect snapshots of life, they often speak to our hearts – especially if the emotion woven into the story reminds us of our own struggles, or disappointments, or joys. Today, one of the often-overlooked modes of storytelling is poetry, which the dictionary defines as ‘a literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm’. Doesn’t this sound like a treasure trove for readers in search of deeper meanings and messages? And yet many avid readers steer away from poetry, thinking it too difficult and abstract to understand, and perhaps too boring to be enjoyed. Certainly this was the category I fell into, until I read a book entitled Bleeding Heart, Continue reading
Book Reviews
Rhythms of Grace review
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30; NIV)
With this well-recognized portion of Scripture as the foundational theme, author Kerri Weems shares insight to walking harmoniously with God’s will in her new book – Rhythms of Grace: Discovering God’s Tempo for Your Life. Released from Zondervan in the fall of 2014, Rhythms of Grace is clearly written from the point of view of a woman who has been there, done that. With empathy and humility, Ms. Weems takes readers on a journey Continue reading
The Secret of Pembrooke Park review
Many fans of historical fiction enjoy the Regency setting of Jane Austen’s era – a period of elegance and etiquette, when young ladies spent their days preparing for ‘the season’, and personal success was measured by the mastery of social graces. On the other hand, some readers prefer more intrigue, suspense, and action in their historical novels, even though it may be unorthodox for the time period. In either case, bestselling author Julie Klassen delivers a tale that is sure to appeal to both ends of the spectrum in her newest release from Bethany House, The Secret of Pembrooke Park. To fans of her previous works, including The Dancing Master, Ms. Klassen suggests that this novel may be her best work yet. Does her untypically strong focus on the mystery woven throughout the romance prove her right, Continue reading
The Christmas Cat review
Several years ago prolific, award-winning author Melody Carlson began a tradition of writing a simple yet heartwarming Christmas novella each autumn, just in time for readers to enjoy as December approached. As the years have passed, this tradition remains in place. From stories about puppies and ponies to department store Santa Clauses, Ms. Carlson has taken readers on many inspirational journeys of holiday imagining. The newest addition to this fun tradition is The Christmas Cat, published by Revell in 2014. As per Ms. Carlson’s previous novellas, this book contains all the necessary elements for a pleasant holiday story, including unexpected occurrences in the lives of lonely people, adorable kitty-capers, Christmas wishes come true, and hints of love.
Unexpectedly, The Christmas Cat opens with news of the death of Garrison Brown’s grandmother – and the uncovering of her will which places him as the sole guardian of Continue reading
Where Treetops Glisten review
What could be better than a unique, heartwarming, old-fashioned Christmas story carefully crafted by a talented author, filled with Christian values and sweet surprises (and un-surprises!), then polished to near perfection? The answer is THREE such stories melded together into one book – each a delightful story of its own, yet interrelated with the other two. Where Treetops Glisten is a new, 2014 release from WaterBrook Multnomah that successfully brings each of these elements to life, in the voices of three acclaimed authors – Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin and Tricia Goyer. Stepping away from typical holiday novella collections filled with several unrelated short stories, Where Treetops Glisten focuses on one family. As each story-within-the-story singles out a different sibling and shares his or her Christmas love story, the overarching tale is revealed piece by piece.
So many elements of this book are artfully intertwined and corresponding, beginning with the three inner-story titles based on classic Christmas songs – White Christmas by Cara Putman, I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Sarah Sundin, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Tricia Goyer. With World War II as a backdrop, Continue reading
The Royal Wedding Series review – books 1 & 2
Once Upon a Prince
Are you looking for a story that will draw you in and sweep you away? Perhaps your imagination longs for the inspiration of a modern-day, realistic fairytale where ordinary girls can become princesses, and happily-ever-afters are everyday occurrences… Then open up the pages of Zondervan author Rachel Hauck’s first novel in the Royal Wedding Series – Once Upon a Prince – and your wishes will be granted!
Landscape architect Susanna Truitt never wanted to be a princess. But then again, she never expected the man she always planned to marry – her boyfriend of 12 years – to suddenly inform her that he had ‘found the right ring but not the right girl’. Who would, after all? But God has a few surprises in store for Susanna, if only she can trust Him with the story of her life…
The fairy-tale begins when she meets Brighton’s Crown Prince Nathaniel Henry Kenneth Mark Stratton beneath the fabled Lover’s Oak in her Georgian hometown. Except Susanna does not know he’s a prince-soon-to-be-king. And he changes her flat tire. Continue reading
The Best Yes review
“A Best Yes is you playing your part. If you know it and believe it, you’ll live it.”
With these words, best-selling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries Lysa TerKeurst invites readers to join her on a journey of seeking wisdom in everyday choices. Using humor to enhance her warm and witty writing style, readers will feel as though they are sharing a cup of latte while chatting with Lysa, listening as she shares gentle gems of wisdom. Published by Thomas Nelson in the summer of 2014, The Best Yes is destined for a place of honor on the bookshelves of women around the world – women of all ages, circumstances, and walks of life.
The foundational concepts of The Best Yes focus on the power of two small words – ‘yes’ and ‘no’. As godly women, we often seem to believe that God wants us to say yes to everything that is asked of us… But Lysa reveals this simply isn’t true. Continue reading
Angel Dreams review
Are you searching for a new story to immerse yourself in this Christmas season – a story that inspires your faith, beckons to your imagination, and tugs on your heartstrings? Perhaps your ideal holiday tale is not complete without children and snow, miracles and love, or mysteries and revelations. Well, I am delighted to say that a story containing all these elements – and so many more – has been published just in time for the 2014 Christmas season. Angel Dreams, by Michael Phillips and Chris Schneider, is sure to become a new Christmas tradition held dear in the hearts of all who read it, and who are open to its messages of hope, love, faith, and imagining in the name of Jesus Christ.
Angel Dreams is a unique story in numerous aspects, beginning with the fact that Continue reading
Playing By Heart review
What happens when circumstances force an ambitious young woman pursuing her post-graduate degree in mathematics to abandon her scholarship, move to her pregnant, newly-widowed sister’s home, and begin teaching music lessons? And what would she do if the only way to obtain the desperately needed job was to also coach girls’ basketball – a game she knows nothing about? Well, if you are curious to discover the answers to these questions, you will need to find a copy of Anne Mateer’s newest 2014 release by Bethany House – Playing by Heart.
Likely the most unusual aspect of this book will jump out at readers as they begin Chapter 2… Continue reading
Colliding With Destiny review
Colliding With Destiny is a non-fiction book discussing the Biblical life story of Ruth, wife of Boaz and matriarch in the lineage of David. It is author Sarah Jakes’ second book published by Bethany House in 2014, following only months after the release of her debut work. Promoted as a personal study about the journey of transformation for a Biblical woman, Colliding With Destiny actually focuses just as much, perhaps even more, on personal anecdotes, examples, comparisons and ideas drawn from Ms. Jakes’ own life and difficult past. Although this may prove beneficial to readers with a similar story, those looking for Continue reading
Prairie Sky Book Reviews 