Book Review: The Secret Keeper

I'll admit I'm a sucker for Amish Fiction.  While the storylines do sometimes get repetitive, I time and again find myself entranced in the story's of Old World Amish, the characters, and the constant search for freedom in Christ.  Beverly Lewis is the original author of this genre and can tell a tale of these people like no other.  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read her latest The Secret Keeper which is actually a continuation of her stories of Hickory Hollow and the Lapp family.

The Secret Keeper picks up 6 years after the last Lapp family book left off.  Katie Lapp has been under the strict Baan with her husband for 6 years.  Her and Daniel settle into a mennonite lifestyle in a neighboring village while her parents struggle with the loss of their daughter and now the realization they have also lost the grandchildren from that union.  Rebecca Lapp faces daily reminders of her daughter and all that could have been while her husband quietly soldiers on.  The story in this novel focuses on an Englisher coming to attempt to become Amish.  Jenny's heart seeks answers and simplicity.  Taken in by the Lapps and with their help she hopes to prove herself worthy of becoming an Old Order Amish member.

What I loved about this book is that it wasn't merely the typical Fancy vs. Amish world or toil between having to chose which life to lead, but it brought about the spiritual decision that it would bring.  While the Old Order Amish are very religious, they do hold their bishops at almost a higher place than Christ. They serve rules over forgiveness.  They also discourage self study of the scriptures.  The Secret Keeper brings about the desires of Amish youth to find out their faith for themselves and the decision could cost them everything.  I really enjoyed learning about more of the Lapp family history and characters.  While traditional Lewis writing, it was surprisingly fresh in its approach.

If you love Beverly Lewis, you will not be disappointed in this classic Lewis storytelling.

*In exchange for my honest review I was given a copy of the book by Bethany House Publishers.

Book Review: Rebellious Heart

I had the privilege of receiving a copy of Jody Hedlund's latest novel Rebellious Heart from Bethany House publishers.  I have loved the previous novel's of my fellow Michigander author. She is a breath of fresh air in a sometimes stagnant pool of Christian fiction.  Her latest novel is no exception.  Rebellious Heart is a wonderful novel with exceptional storytelling.

Set in pre-revolutionary America, a close knit harbor town close to Boston has its feet firmly planted in its traditions, loyalties to the crown, and beliefs.  With stirrings of rebellion towards British taxes and laws, the town is rocked by increased military presence and friendships and potential marriages heading towards the dividing point of freedom vs loyalty.  To make matters worse, a young woman is found brutally murdered.  While a suspect was found guilty, his forward thinking lawyer has set out to prove the man's innocence.  Ben Ross is working his way from being an impoverished son of a farmer to big time lawyer.  His heart is set on justice, mercy, truth, and freedom both in the courthouse and in his political leanings.  When his heart begins to fall for Susana, a girl with history and wealth and established ties, he finds an unexpected gift of her intelligence, love of books, and savvy.

In a twist of events, Ben and Susana are drawn to each other to help another, but finding their own feelings towards each other being ripped away.  With political and status symbols at stake, dowry's to protect, justice to be served, and the innocent to be protected, Ben and Susana have more than 1 dangerous encounter with the redcoats.

While the first 5-7 chapters were a little slow at getting my attention, I was eventually entranced into the world Hedlund created.  I was enamored with her storytelling and found myself surprised at plot twists-  something often lacking in today's Christian fiction.  By the last few chapters, I couldn't put it down and forced my tired eyes open to find out how the story would conclude.  It was an absolute joy to read and in many ways hope to find Hedlund explore more storylines with these characters.

5 out of 5 stars in my book!

Book Review: Biff and Becka's Stupendous Vacation

As a trained elementary school teacher, homeschool mom, and mother to an avid reader who is just entering the world of chapter books; I was eager to review a faith based youth fiction book from WestBow press through booksneeze.com.  I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Biff and Becka are brother and sister rabbits who have a loving family rooted in their faith in God.  This book follows the family as the father receives a pay cut and the yearly family vacation to the beach was changed to a 'stay-cation' adventure at home.  The stories follow challenges and adventures with faith at the center of the learning and resolutions.

I wanted to love this book, but I found myself struggling to enjoy it.  While I appreciate the loving family portrayed in the book and the way spiritual elements are woven in, I found that the book was simply too wordy and long.  The first couple of chapters would have pages of dialogue that in of themselves would be a stand alone story.  It took so long to get to the next part of the storyline that I lost passion for reading it.  It would read much better as a collection of short stories without the burden of cohesiveness.  I also found myself stumbling over character names and the fact that they were rabbits.  The names did not flow with the characters or story.  The idea of them being rabbits instead of people just made the book more cumbersome than necessary in my opinion and did not add value to the storyline.

I will hang onto the novel and do a read aloud with my oldest in the next year or so.  The book has potential, but it may heavily depend on the reader's interest and patience level.

Book Review: So Shines the Night

I was very intrigued by the concept of this Christian Novel.  The first church as described in Acts and the apostle Paul's writings is one of great fascination, awe, honor, and even curiosity.  I was excited about the idea of a novel that would place me in that time and place as it is not a common timeframe for fiction.

So Shines The Night is a story that involves rescue and redemption.  Two people- Daria and Lucas come from two very different places and yet their paths converge as they seek similar answers in life.  Daria seeks a place of acceptance and a way to justify her quest for knowledge with the seemingly unending path towards acceptance with the gods of her religion.  Lucas seeks revenge that will give him peace after his failures that money could not make go away.  All of these personal trials set in the bustling city of Ephesus in the shadow of the great Temple to Artemis. A spiritual and sometimes physical war is on the brink between the Jews, the followers of the many gods of Rome and Greece, the worshippers of Artemis, and the new group called the Way who follow the teachings of Jesus under the missionary Paul.  Lucas and Daria end up in the middle of this battle- a battle not only for their lives, but their souls.

Overall, the storyline and concept was fascinating and the town of Ephesus in the first century did come alive.  Higley's writing was descriptive, almost to the gory point with sorcery and dark magic scenes.  However, it was a cumbersome book to get through.  It was very long, and seemed like it didn't need to be.  Higley's writing is not concise as her use of adjectives and descriptive sentences is overbearing at times.  I would have enjoyed this book much more if it was more concise and focused on the subjects of the story.  It was just a hard read to get through which took a lot of the enjoyment that typically comes along with reading Christian fiction.

I wouldn't put this at the top of my recommendation list, but it is an intriguing read for those really interested in that time period.

*I was given a copy of So Shines the Night by book sneeze and the publisher in exchange for my honest review

Book Review: Intentional Parenting

I'm not one to underline in books.  I read them, enjoy them, and apply them without the need to go back and reread.  Rarely have I come across a book that is filled with so much tidbit wisdom that I long to share with my spouse and I am itching to implement.  I found myself oozing with ideas, wisdom, and courage after reading Intentional Parenting.  It has been marked up, highlighted, a to do list written in the back, and ideas sketched in the margins.  Intentional Parenting is perhaps one of the best parenting books I have ever read.  Written by three counselors from Daystar Counseling  (Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan), the book is segmented beautifully into different areas where parents can be intentional when raising their kids (patience, consistency, spiritual, merciful, and more).  The book has the perfect balance of psychology pedagogy, child development, and scripture verses all from the perspective of a Biblical worldview.  This book not about how to fix kids, it is about being transformed as a parent and growing spiritually as a man or woman of God through the raising of our children.  I appreciated the examples from their own lives and counseling experiences that mixed with practical applications that I can implement in my home.  This book touches on all stages and phases of raising children so you know what it can look like to be an encouraging or playful parent to your 3 year old, 8 year old, and 15 year old.  As a mom to 3 girls ages 6, 3, and 3 months I found myself armed with great ideas for now, and methods to keep in mind for the future.  The only downside of this book is that I longed for more!  I cannot wait to get my hands on some of the other resources they suggested and referred to in their book.  I plan on getting this book for any new mom or dad in my sphere of influence.  While new parents may not appreciate it at first, it will not take long for them to realize how powerful it can be.  This must be on your reading list!

"Whether he is a mystery or more familiar, our job is to become a student- to seek to understand the work that God began and is faithfully completing in the lives of our children.  Our job is to steward that, not change it."  p. 18

Thank you Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read this book in return for my honest review.

Book Review: Next Door Savior

Max Lucado is a writing legend, known for his clear and direct writing that often opens a window to a simple and fresh take on scripture.  Next Door Savior is no exception.  Each chapter focuses on scripture or a story of Christ and how despite is full divinity, was also fully man.  Often with prose and examples taken from contemporary times, Jesus becomes a man you can relate to, a friend you may have over for coffee rather than an unreachable deity.  My favorite quote in the book seems to sum it all up for me

"His uncommon approach to his common life groomed him for his uncommon call."

Next Door Savior is not a long book that requires a front to back reading for understanding.  Rather, each chapter is almost like a stand alone devotional- often focusing on a certain topic.  When you feel like you are struggling in a certain area, you can just look up that chapter in this book and be encouraged by a Jesus who was just like you.  I would see a great use for this book as a devotional tool for meetings, classes, or groups to use.  

Do not read this book with the intention of having a proverbial 2x4 to the head.  This is book is not overly deep in its undertaking- but its clean approach to the stories of Christ will be uplifting and encouraging.  It may even help you see in your day to do day that we truly do have a friend in Jesus- a man who came and lived as we did, not unreachable, but a neighbor. 

*I received a copy of this book from BookSneeze in partnership with Thomas Nelson in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Though Mountains Fall

I have been itching for the next book in Dale Cramer's The Daughter's of Caleb Bender series- and its finally here!  Though Mountains Fall continues the struggling Amish church settlement in Paradise Valley, Mexico centralized on Caleb Bender and his family.  We left the family torn to pieces over the death of their older brother and healing over the kidnapping of Rachel and coming to grips with the inevitable love of Domingo (the Mexican hired hand) and Miriam.  This next installment brings intense drama as the Amish struggle to maintain the peace in the valley as bandits and soldiers disturb their lives.  This book is about choices- decisions have to be made not only about the future of each character and family, but of the entire Amish settlement.  Will Miriam choose her love for Domingo over the faith of her family?  Will her family choose love for their daughter over the rules of their church if she is banned?  God forgives us, can we forgive others?

Dale Cramer has become my favorite new novelist and I hope that this is not the last installment of the Caleb Bender series and that there are future ones like it.  The story lines are the perfect blend of fresh ideas merged with the classic topics (Amish lifestyle, faith, love) that keep us reading Christian fiction.  Cramer's writing has beautiful voice which I connected to greatly- which is not always easy from a male author writing from a primarily woman's point of view.  If you are looking for a new author or a new series- I cannot recommend this series enough- just be sure to start with Books 1 and 2 before you jump into this wonderful novel.  You will miss a great deal and will not be disappointed.

*I was given a copy of the book from Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review