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Surviving Henry review

Surviving Henry imageAre you prepared to meet a dog who is so uncontrollable, so prone to accidents in the unlikeliest circumstances, and so full of energy that you just can’t help falling in love with him (while simultaneously being glad that he’s not your dog)? If this sounds like an interesting storyline, then you should DEFINITELY pick up ‘Surviving Henry’… Right now, without delay!

Erin Taylor Young has crafted a tale that cannot help impacting anyone who reads it. Overflowing with down-to-earth, laugh-out-loud humor, ‘Surviving Henry’ is unexpectedly seasoned with the tenderness and love, sweetness and grace that only a pet can emanate through your life. Published by Revell in the summer of 2014, the story of Henry the Boxer will bring laughter and tears, while causing you to alternately smile, gasp, shake your head, and groan at the incredible antics of one extraordinary dog.

With amazing talent, Ms. Young engages her readers in a unique, present-tense, first-person point of view to share a candid portrait of loving a dog who turns life upside down the day he comes home. Although primarily a humorous story, ‘Surviving Henry’ gently nudges readers to the truths God reveals to us through our pets. Truths such as living a life of love – even when you don’t feel like it, and persevering – even when you are on the verge of giving up. If you ever feel like your pets are too much work, ‘Surviving Henry’ might be just the lift your heart needs. Or, if you don’t have a pet but love animals anyway, Henry’s story is will touch your heart as well.

Although I can say very little on the negative side about ‘Surviving Henry’, the occasional mention of certain doggie anatomy proved a little uncomfortable, and references to the bodily functions of the same dog seemed slightly too commonplace… But I suppose, in a story about a dog, this is to be expected. Overall, ‘Surviving Henry’ is a delightful, frolicking story about a dog who wreaks chaos in the lives of his family – and ends up teaching them a few lessons along the way. Your only regret after reading this endearing tale will be the final words, indicating the story is over… Unless, of course, Ms. Young’s fans convince her to write a sequel!

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group”.

 

To learn more about Henry the Boxer check out this adorable book trailer, or visit his website.

 

 

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Full Steam Ahead review

Full Steam Ahead pictureAre you looking for an adventure that is noteworthy and unique, filled with peculiar plot lines and out-of-the-ordinary characters? Or perhaps you most enjoy humorous interactions between hero and heroine, mixed in with story suspense and perhaps a little mystery. In either case, I know just the book for you…

Although it’s highly combustible, a little on the ‘unlikely’ side of believable, and may cause you to be late if you start reading before an appointment, Full Steam Ahead is a story certain to capture your imagination and hold it tight – from beginning to end. With this novel as her 6th full-length book, Karen Witemeyer adds to her repertoire of comedic, western adventures filled with unconventional characters who seem to emerge from the pages into real life.

Nicole Renard, the only child of a wealthy shipping magnate, and Darius Thornton, self-proclaimed scientist of steamship boilers, find themselves thrust into each other’s paths after a trail of events involving a jeweled pirate dagger and a jealous shipping competitor. As they work together to realize a dream of inventing a safer boiler system for river travel, Nicole and Darius face increasing dangers from outside threats – and impossible decisions for an uncertain future as they begin to care for each other.

Full Steam Ahead is an enjoyable, lighthearted novel filled with comedic escapades and thoughtful insight into the importance of letting go of your past, while trusting God with the future. On the downside of the story, the same issue occurs as with many of Ms. Witemeyer’s works – occasional scenes between Nicole and Darius border on inappropriate for conservative readers, and several descriptions are mildly uncomfortable to think about. Overall, however, Full Steam Ahead is a story with good intentions, and a fun adventure to enjoy during an afternoon of relaxation. From pirate daggers to boiler explosions, you won’t be able to stop once you get moving… full steam ahead!

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group”.

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Life Changing Products by Dr. Caroline Leaf

Late in 2013 I requested a book from my reviewer’s program called Switch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf. Little did I know what this would lead to, and how it would impact me in so many ways! I have now read almost all of her books, watched most of her DVDs, and shared many of her ideas with my friends and family. All of Dr. Leaf’s products are amazing, but for now I wanted to share three of my favourites with you.

Switch on Your Brain imageSwitch On Your Brain

As the first book I read by Dr. Caroline Leaf, I found Switch On Your Brain to be filled with amazing ideas that showcase how science, specifically neuroscience, is catching up with what has been stated in Scripture for so long. One of the main concepts of this book is the research showing that the brain is neuro-plastic, which means it is malleable and adaptable, changing every moment of the day. Through her research, Dr. Leaf shares how she assisted patients with car-accident brain damage take control of retraining their brains and become successful citizens, even after neurologists had written them off as being unable to ever again function normally.

The first portion of the book focuses on many of the functions of the brain, how various scientific concepts correspond with Scripture, and what can lead to a healthy or unhealthy brain. The second portion features the steps to detox your brain from toxic thinking, using Dr. Leaf’s specialized program, the 21-Day Brain Detox Plan.   Overall, I learned so much from this book even after one reading, and I hope to go through it at a slower pace again soon.

 

Who Switched Off My Brain? Who Switched Off My Brain? image

This was Dr. Leaf’s first book to be published, and in some ways is similar to Switch On Your Brain. I found that it is written with a simpler approach, however, making it easier to read if you are unfamiliar with her ideas. The main focus of this book is how to promote a healthy lifestyle through your thought life, and how toxic thinking can cause sickness and unhappiness in many ways. Dr. Leaf discusses what she calls the ‘dirty dozen’, areas of our lives often targeted by toxic thinking (emotions, dreams, schedules, etc.) and how to do a ‘brain sweep’ to promote a healthier approach to thinking. In addition, I enjoyed watching the DVDs to go along with the information covered in the book. Overall, this book/DVD set is an excellent introduction to Dr. Leaf’s neuroscience research, without being too difficult to follow, yet giving ideas to start implementing healthy thinking into your life!

 

The Gift in You imageThe Gift in You

Without a doubt, The Gift in You program has been the most influential in my family. This amazing set teaches how everyone has their own unique sequence of thinking, made up of seven different areas of the brain: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Linguistic, Logical/Mathematical, Kinesthetic, Musical, and Visual/Spatial. Inside the book is a Gift Profile questionnaire to fill out, which helps you find and understand your unique pattern of thinking – the ‘gift in you’. After you realize what your dominant areas are, you can better understand how you learn and communicate best. Although each person uses a sequence of all seven areas of the brain, usually only the top two dominant areas are obvious, because they are how you receive information, and build connections to that information (the other seven areas deal with confirming, integrating, applying, etc.). For instance, my dominant area of thinking (how I receive information) is Linguistic, which means I learn, communicate, and understand best with words. My second dominant trait is Logical/Mathematical, and so I build connections to the information through reasoning, organizing, planning, and strategizing.

The amazing part about this program is how it helps people to understand themselves, and the people around them, in a new and better way. It has helped me and many of my family members to realize how we can use our minds to the best of our abilities. I believe that many people could benefit greatly by reading this book, and watching the DVD set – it has truly changed our lives.

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Leaf’s research, programs, and products, you can visit her website.

 

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While Love Stirs review

While Love Stirs image

 

“Well, you’d better get used to things getting messy, because when I’m cooking something up, that’s bound to happen.”

So says Charlotte Gregory, second eldest Gregory sister, graduate of Fanny Farmer’s School of Cookery, and heroine of ‘While Love Stirs’ – a new novel written by Lorna Seilstad and published by Revell in the spring of 2014. As the second book in Ms. Seilstad’s ‘The Gregory Sisters’ series, ‘While Love Stirs’ is like a cool cream-puff desert – light and airy, sweet and creamy, a delightful treat for a summer afternoon.

From cooking contests to twisting tornadoes, ‘While Love Stirs’ is filled with surprises and excitement, not to mention more than a few deliciously detailed foods. The novel’s other specialties include:

– Humour, and lots of it!

Many of the characters from ‘When Love Calls’ (Book #1 of ‘The Gregory Sisters’), make regular appearances, gifting readers with ‘what happened next’ scenarios.

Entertaining allusions to the art of cookery are ‘peppered’ throughout the book, and then ‘stirred until blended’… : )

Quirky characters abound, and many personalities combine together to create an interesting collage of human nature.

By acknowledging the novel’s many strong points, it is necessary to note a few of the downfalls, as well. In Charlotte’s disasters and dilemmas, readers will NOT discover many challenging insights or thought-provoking issues, and the light-hearted tone continuously prevails – even in situations that have the potential to probe deeper. In addition, the slight ‘mystery’ of the story is resolved quickly and unsatisfactorily, leaving readers with more questions than answers. Finally, although the characters have unique personalities, they sometimes appear flat and lackluster by using stilted dialogue and over-the-top gestures.

Overall, ‘While Love Stirs’ resembles a cream-puff in multiple ways… While it offers light and creamy entertainment, readers will not receive much nourishment for the mind or soul before reaching ‘The End’. Like any desert, a story such as this one is enjoyable once in a while, but probably should not comprise a reader’s primary diet!

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group”.

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A Beauty So Rare review

A Beauty So Rare imageAfter two and a half years of waiting, the release date finally arrived… A Beauty So Rare, book number two in Tamera Alexander’s Belmont Mansion series, was released in the spring of 2014 by Bethany House. Was it worth the wait? Without question, the answer is yes! Although set in the same Nashville location as the preceding story (A Lasting Impression), this novel depicts a separate storyline and unique host of characters, while offering glimpses of real historical events and people. Interestingly, the gap between three views of Nashville society are bridged within the story, including the elite and wealthy, the underprivileged and downtrodden, and the almost-separate world of a mental health asylum. With humour, insight, and the rare ability to hold interest over nearly 500 pages, A Beauty So Rare is a not-to-be-missed treasure for any reader of Inspirational Historical Fiction.

Likely the most enjoyable aspects of the newest addition to the Belmont Mansion series are the two primary characters, and the gradual, beautifully developed journey in wisdom and faith we are privileged to share with them. Eleanor Braddock is plain and practical – a woman who, at age 29, has resigned herself to a life of singleness and is prepared to make the best of it by realizing goals and serving others. But Marcus Geoffrey, passionate botanist, brilliant architect, and secretly the Archduke of Austria second in line for the throne, is about to change her mind – and her heart. As time goes on, events and characters threaten to shatter the delicate relationship growing between the two, leaving the question of a future together hanging in the balance.

Numerous life themes and challenging truths are woven carefully into the tapestry of the storyline constructing A Beauty So Rare. At the same time, characters mirror many of the struggles facing real people of today. Questions about inner and outer beauty, struggles with living out dreams, puzzles of hidden identity, and the reality of trusting God enough to live in the present are just a few of the ingrained truths adding to the overall value of the rare beauty found in this special story.

A Beauty So Rare truly has something for everyone… Beautiful word-illustrations of gardens, flowers, and plants will delight lovers of nature. History buffs will enjoy the accuracy of real-life details added to the fictitious plot. Volunteers with a desire to help the less-fortunate will be inspired by Eleanor’s dedication to a hope-filled cause. Clearly, I could continue listing reasons to read this heartfelt tale filled with treasures and wisdom, characters and love, but the rare beauty, the meaningful truths, may represent something entirely different to you. You may perceive truth, even rare beauty, intended only for you. Naturally, there is only one way to find out…

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group”

 

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Not Who I Imagined – A Special Guest Review

This post was written by one of our followers, as a special guest review.  Prairie Sky Book Reviews would like to thank H.B.E. for her contribution to our blog!

Not Who I Imagined cover“Can you fathom the possibility that anything you could possibly fear in this life or the next is overwhelmingly conquered by the reality of your eternal belovedness?”  This is a line taken from author Margot’s Starbuck’s “Not Who I Imagined”, a March, 2014 release from Baker Books publishers.  With a tone of honesty and humour, Ms. Starbuck’s book will take you on a thought-provoking journey of discovering the character of God anew.

Whether consciously, or subconsciously, we form beliefs as to whether God is distant, disappointed, and angry, or close, caring, and loving.  Those beliefs, whether positive or negative, are often formed by others (relative, friend, coworker, etc.) who are, or have been in our lives.  In this book you will uncover the truths that say:

**You are loved and accepted just as you are.

**You are worthy of being loved and accepted.

**God is not a distant deity, but a closely involved Heavenly Father who calls you “beloved”.

**There is absolutely nothing that you have done, or possibly could do that will make Him love and accept you any less.

To all of these statements, I give a hearty “Amen!”.  “Not Who I Imagined”, though at times written in a hard-to-follow style, comes through loud and clear on these points, and many others.  However, with her emphasis upon the fact that we are loved and accepted just as we are, the author gave me the impression, whether intended or not, that when we acknowledge a fault in ourselves, we do not have to point our efforts towards overcoming that fault.  Although I do not know if this is the impression intended, it did come through to me, and it is one that I disagree with.

But, all considered, “Not Who I Imagined”  is a beautiful book which should not be missed by any person who has ever asked themselves “Am I worthy?”.  Don’t overlook your chance to gaze into the true face of God… the Face which defines you as nothing less than beloved.

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from BakerBooks, a division of Baker Publishing Group”.

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Where Courage Calls review

Where Courage CallsJanette Oke, famous Canadian author and the ‘pioneer of inspirational fiction’ has returned from retirement with a brand new Historical Fiction novel, co-written with her daughter Laurel Oke Logan.  Fans of Janette’s dozens of award-winning stories of simplicity, love, and faith will be delighted with her newest release, Where Courage Calls, published by Bethany House in January of 2014.  Although this novel is clearly written in Janette’s heartfelt and simplistic style, the background leading up to the writing and subsequent publication of the book is almost as interesting as the story itself…

The Hallmark Channel production company recently released a movie based on Ms. Oke’s Canadian West book series, entitled When Calls the Heart.  A television series by the same name soon followed the movie, and is currently airing in the United States.  (Ironically, this Canadian-based series has not made it to Canadian television just yet!)  As stated by Ms. Oke, the producers of the movie and television series contacted her to inquire about her interest in writing a new novel as a companion story to their films.  She agreed – on the condition that the book could be co-authored with her daughter Laurel, also a published writer.  The result of this unusual circumstance is Where Courage Calls – a touching story of a cultured, well-to-do young woman, Beth Thatcher, who leaves her luxurious Toronto home to accept a teaching position in a coal-mining town in western Canada.

Although I can’t say whether or not the story correlates closely with the companion television series – because I have not yet viewed any episodes – the book brings to life an endearing tale all on its own.  With lovable characters, emotional issues, and a realistic setting, Where Courage Calls is built around the theme of Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’  Beth Thatcher relies on the truth of this verse to help her through the most difficult, and adventurous, stage of her life.  Following in the footsteps of her cousin, also named Elizabeth (from the Canadian West book series), Beth strives to bring the gift of knowledge to the tragedy-stricken town of Coal Valley.   As time goes on, however, she finds that the community has taught her just as much as she taught the children in her school.  As the end of the term draws near, Beth questions her desire to return back east, even as she realizes that Coal Valley has become her true home.

All things considered, Where Courage Calls is a sweet story that is sure to be enjoyed by many people, for many different reasons.  Where Courage Calls is sure to speak to your heart if you:

– Are a fan of Janette Oke

– Enjoy Historical Fiction, especially pioneer-era

– Have watched the When Calls the Heart movie or television series

– Love the Canadian West book series

– Are looking for a wholesome, simple story of faith

– Live in western Canada and enjoy stories from your region

Obviously the list could go on, but hopefully I have made it clear that Janette Oke’s newest release is a wonderful story you will not want to miss.  And, although it is not confirmed yet, we may be able to look forward to a sequel sometime in the future!  For now though, we can be content savoring the story held in the pages of Where Courage Calls, a delightful product of an amazing author’s return from retirement.

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.   Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group”

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The Pleasure of His Company review

The Pleasure of His CompanyAre you ready to take a journey towards exponential joy, deeply ingrained peace, and a relationship more rewarding than anything you could ever imagine?  Do you long for a friendship with someone who listens, comforts, and loves you unconditionally for who you are, and who you were meant to be?  Although many people don’t realize it, a true relationship with our Heavenly Father can become the most vital part of life if we just take the time and effort to nourish it, by communing with Him.  A brand new book published by Bethany House, entitled The Pleasure of His Company, shares powerful insights about stepping into the Lord’s peaceful presence simply to enjoy fellowship with him.  Author Dutch Sheets shares personal stories and biblical insights in this powerful but easy-to-read book, which is sure to be enjoyed for many reasons…

– Because this book is divided into 30 short chapters, it is perfect for use as a daily devotional.  Each chapter introduces readers to a new concept, practice, or insight, and ends with a heartfelt prayer footnoted with scriptural references.

– Dutch Sheets is a talented writer, infusing his work with emotion and personal stories.  You will undoubtedly laugh, possibly cry, and maybe even laugh until you cry!

– Taking an in-depth look at scripture, Mr. Sheets reveals the root and origin of various words found in sometimes-confusing passages of scripture.  Many times this basic study brings to light a greater understanding of God’s Word.

– The content of this delightful book is fresh, unique, and definitely not typical of many Christian books and ideas popular today.  A personal relationship with God is a foreign concept to many people, yet this is the basis of The Pleasure of His Company.

Although the excellent qualities far outweigh the negative aspects, I personally felt slightly put off by a few of the analogies presented in a couple of the chapters.  Overall, however, this book was a delightful, powerful reading journey to take, and most importantly it nourished my relationship with the Lord along the way.  I hope – and pray – that this book will bless you in many ways, inspire you to build a personal relationship with our Creator, and simply enjoy The Pleasure of His Company!

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group”

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The Dancing Master review

The Dancing Master imageDo you enjoy Christian Historical Fiction, but also love the elegance of ballroom dancing, beautiful gowns, and oh-so-proper courtships of Jane Austen’s Regency-era stories?  Well, award-winning author Julie Klassen has combined the best of both genres into a masterful tale you won’t want to miss.  The Dancing Master, published by Bethany House early in 2014, is an extremely well-written Regency novel filled with mystery, romance, drama, and enough plot twists to keep you guessing until the end.

Although The Dancing Master is longer than most novels of its kind, the intricate storyline and vast amount of historical details help it move along quickly.  Clearly Ms. Klassen has taken painstaking care to ensure historical accuracy, but only includes information relevant to the circumstances,  and does not overwhelm readers with unnecessary descriptions.  Many aspects of 19th century dancing are woven into the story, giving readers a taste of the grace and art required to master the often-complicated steps required in a ballroom.

Certainly one of the most enjoyable features of the book are the various quotes at the beginning of each chapter hinting at upcoming story events, but written by real people of the time period.  Advertisements for actual dancing masters, excerpts from diaries, and quotations from Jane Austen are just a few of the interesting historical samples chosen to open each chapter.

Although the in-depth historical depictions play a vital role in The Dancing Master, they do not in any way detract from the intriguing storyline and colorful characters, but rather intensify the feeling of reality for the reader.  Told from several perspectives, we see the story unfold through the eyes of two primary characters who, by the story’s end, we are certain to relate to in some way, big or small.  Woven into the story are the timeless themes, and truths, of love and grace portrayed in many different ways.

In short, The Dancing Master was a delight to read, both for its page-turning plot and fascinating attention to historical detail.  Although a few portions of the story were somewhat objectionable, including several interwoven scandals, they were treated and reacted to appropriately – as scandalous!   Ultimately, if you are looking for a longer, masterfully written novel set in the classic Regency time period and filled with truths of God’s design, look no further than The Dancing Master.

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group”.

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Today is the Day review

Today is The Day imageDo you have a dream hidden deep in your heart?  A dream so big, so out-of-the-ordinary, or so seemingly impossible that you’ve pushed it to the back of your mind and all but forgotten about it?  But you can’t forget about it completely, because God placed it inside you for a reason – a purpose…  Maybe now is the time to pull that dream out, dust it off, and take a deeper look at what it means to your life.  Maybe, ‘Today is the Day’.

Bil Cornelius is a best-selling author, and the founder and pastor of a large and still-growing church fellowship.  In addition, he is a believer in following your God-given dream, and his newest book brings to life various action plans to help his readers do just that.  ‘Today is the Day: Find and Embrace Your God-Given Dreams’ was published by Baker Books in January of 2014, and is certain to help anyone who feels like a personal dream is beyond reach, or is unsure how to get started on realizing a lifelong goal.  With an energetic, encouraging, easy-to-follow style, Mr. Cornelius breaks down his process for making dreams an actuality using Biblical concepts and proven methods for success.

The first portion of this book was my favourite, as it dealt with identifying if your dream is truly from God, recognizing that God has great plans for each one of His children, and breaking down the ultimate goal into tiny, daily, doable actions.  Fittingly, many Bible verses accompany each section, steeping the concepts in Biblical truth.

Towards the middle of the book, however, I felt it spoke less to me, because my dream is a quieter, smaller-scale, primarily internal-based dream.  It focused  more on readers with far-reaching dreams such as opening a business (or entire franchise!), starting a world-wide ministry or mission, or climbing to the top of a corporate ladder in a large company.  Of course, there is nothing wrong with such dreams, and the world needs large-scale dreams to bring about large-scale changes for the better.  But people with smaller, less earth-shattering dreams are also necessary, and God has given us those dreams with just as much love and care as a dream to found a multi-million dollar business.

If your dream is far-reaching and world-changing, this book could very well change your life, or at least your perspective on how you view the dream.  I can easily picture business owners hoping to expand, church leaders with a vision, and company workers with a passion for their job gaining a great deal of spiritual help and guidance from this practical book.  However, if your dream is of a quieter nature, not every aspect of this book will resonate with you…  Certain aspects may be beneficial, as they were for me, but on the whole this book may not be the best choice for readers seeking guidance towards a simple, low-key dream placed deep in the heart by our Creator.

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from BakerBooks, a division of Baker Publishing Group”.