Revell

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The Financially Confident Woman review

The Financially Confident Woman imageEveryone must deal with finances at some point in their lives, sometimes in positive ways and other times in negative ways. The question is, do we have the confidence to control our money, making wise and balanced decisions about spending, saving, investing, etc.? If your answer is no, you do not feel financially confident, your voice echoes a large percentage of women in the world today. But Mary Hunt, bestselling author and motivational speaker on the subject of battling consumer debt, may be able to help. In a new release from Revell entitled The Financially Confident Woman, Ms. Hunt provides basic concepts and strategies for building confidence and acumen in the area of personal finances.

Written in a warm, inviting voice, Continue reading →

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The Christmas Cat review

The Christmas Cat imageSeveral 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 →

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A Light in the Wilderness review

A Light in the WildernessA Light in the Wilderness is an historical novel based on the true-life story of Letitia Carson, a former slave who made a new life for herself in Oregon. Known for fact-based historical novels from a Christian perspective, author Jane Kirkpatrick has continued her tradition with this newest title, published by Revell in the summer of 2014. Filled with details of both true and speculated events, this book would appeal to readers who love history, but are not necessarily looking for a riveting story.

The year is 1844 in Platte County, Missouri. Letitia is a freed slave, but her life is not much better than when she was ‘owned’.   The trials facing a person of color seem unimaginable in this generation, but are described in detail as readers watch Letitia search for true freedom.   As she wonders if life in Oregon Continue reading →

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What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days review

What Your Heart Needs image“We all have hard days. The kind that make us want to pull the covers back over our heads, move to Hawaii, or eat a dozen cupcakes. Deep inside we know those aren’t the best options for our lives or our thighs. So what’s a girl to do?”

With these words that so many women can relate to, Holley Gerth invites readers into the tea-with-a-friend atmosphere of her newest book, What Your Heart Needs for the Hard Days, published by Revell in the summer of 2014.   Written as a daily (or weekly) devotional, this mini-sized book can easily be read by itself, or as a companion to Ms. Gerth’s previously released title, You’re Going to Be Okay.

Opening the cover for the first time, readers will be delighted with one of the best features of the book Continue reading →

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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 Simple Christmas Wish review

A Simple Christmas Wish imageAre you looking for a sweet, heartwarming story to read this Christmas season?  Maybe you like a story with a little drama, a hint of mystery, and enough emotional twists to make you laugh and even cry – just a little?  Or perhaps your ideal Christmas story contains personable characters who find a home for their hearts during the holidays.  Well, your search may be over.  A story that fits each of these conditions is available from bestselling author Melody Carlson, and is called A Simple Christmas Wish.

Published by Revell in the fall of 2013, A Simple Christmas Wish is a continuation of the annual tradition started by Melody Carlson, who delights readers with a heartwarming Christmas novella each holiday season.  For readers who have enjoyed her stories in past Decembers, or those just discovering these holiday treasures, A Simple Christmas Wish is sure to delight with its unique simplicity.

A very special quality of this story is the strong bond of love between Rachel Milligan and her brother’s child, Holly.  While babysitting her beloved niece in Chicago just a few weeks before Christmas, Rachel’s world is turned upside down with tragic news of her only surviving family members.  Just as she picks herself up from the terrible turn of events, yet another unwelcome surprise confronts her, leaving her with only one option.  Drive to the heart of Amish country, visit a family she never knew existed, and convince them not to take her niece away.  Will this be the worst Christmas imaginable, or will Rachel – and Holly – receive the wishes of their hearts?

A Simple Christmas Wish very much reflects its title…  It IS simple, both in writing and plot.  The writing style is very basic, and you will not be blown away by brilliant dialog or incredible imagery.  The characters occasionally lack the emotion their scene demands, and the children’s words do not always reflect their age.  However, this story possesses a big heart, and the interwoven theme of the importance of family pardons a less-than-perfect writing style.  All aspects considered, A Simple Christmas Wish is a sweet and simple story of love and hope at Christmastime and – if you can forgive a very basic writing style – just may become your new holiday tradition.

“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 Million Little Ways review

A Million Little Ways imageDo you think of yourself as an artist?  If you’re like me, and likely a huge percentage of the population, your answer will be a definite ‘no’.  The ordinary professional, mother, student, or anyone who doesn’t paint or sing or write for a living, most often does not list ‘makes art’ among their capabilities and accomplishments.  But Emily P. Freeman, author of the incredible little book entitled A Million Little Ways, challenges us to change our views…  To realize that we were born to make art, designed to live art, and in fact we ARE art!

I found this hard to believe at first.  The thought of myself as a work of art, let alone an artist, seemed confusing and went against my perceptions of what art meant.  After reading just the first few pages of A Million Little Ways, however, my thinking began to change.  I began to understand the truth about art, and the way God defines it.  Emily explains that God created us to be image bearers – image bearers of a CREATIVE God, a God who makes and lives and breathes art.  As image bearers, we have a job to do.  We are on this earth to reflect His image by living lives filled with art.  As Emily states, “Art is what happens when you dare to be who you really are.”

A recurring idea within this story begins in the chapter titled ‘Reflect’.  In one portion, Emily paints a portrait with words of something beautiful, because it is true.  In Ephesians 2:10, where it states we are God’s masterpiece, Emily shows us something found only by searching a little deeper.  Did you know that the word ‘masterpiece’, sometimes translated as ‘workmanship’, originated from the Greek word poiema?  Our English word for poem comes from the same root word.  Do you see what this means?  We are God’s poetry.  When God writes poetry, when He expresses Himself, we come into being.  Isn’t this a beautiful truth to hold in our hearts?

I cannot begin to touch on the many incredible aspects of living life as an artist depicted within the pages of A Million Little Ways.  I pray that you will be able to read it for yourself, and encounter truths meant just for you.  Emily Freeman is indeed living her life filled with art, if the power and truth of God within her words is any indication.  And I truly believe that it is.  Please let Emily’s words speak to your heart as you read A Million Little Ways.  Your view and purpose for life may never be the same.

“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”.