Book Review: The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher (and an iPad giveaway!)

This is a new series from Suzanne Woods Fisher. I like how she writes about the Amish people in a way that is believable as well as entertaining. I'm sure the next books in the series will be as good.

About The Keeper:

Can Julia secure the future she’s always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind? 4 Stars from Romantic Times, “The Stoney Ridge Season starts off with characters who are trying to make the right choices, but sometimes with unexpected results. Fisher always brings freshness to her Amish novels. The Amish culture is interesting to read and learn about, but there is also a message: God has plans and those plans may vary greatly from the plans you have”.

I can identify with Julia, the main character in this book. When I read how she was rejected by her soon-to-be husband, Paul, I remembered the day I was hurt by an old boyfriend I had one summer many years ago. I, too, began to think of ways I could win him back. I soon realized, however, that I was better off without him. And, as in Julia's case, I learned many lessons about love along the way.

There's more to this book than your usual romance and sweet family life. There's also tragedy, life-changing struggles, and redemption. The plot is a good one because of these many facets. Mrs. Fisher's books keep getting better and better.

I give The Keeper 4 1/2 stars!

(By the way, just like Julia, my story has a happy ending: after accepting the fact that my former boyfriend was not the one for me, I met and eventually married my husband of 30 years!)

(I received this book from Revell for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

About the author:

Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world. In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate many of their principles—simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily— into your life.

When Suzanne isn’t writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne’s way of thinking, you just can’t take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone’s underwear in its mouth. Suzanne can be found on-line at: http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/.

Giveaway:

The Keeper is in stores now and to celebrate Suzanne is hosting a “Honey” of a Giveaway and a fabulous FB Party (1/17).

*During the giveaway one Grand Prize Winner will receive a Prize Pack (valued at $600):


* A brand new 16 KB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi

* A $25 gift certificate to iTunes
* A copy of The Keeper


Then on 1/17 join Suzanne for The Keeper FB Party at 5:00 PM PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST, 8:00 EST)!


During the party Suzanne will announce the winner of the “Honey” of an iPad Giveaway and host a fun book chat and give away some fun “honey” inspired prizes – It’ll be ’sweet"! RSVP early and tell your friends!

The iPad giveaway: http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/183799
Running now until January 17th

The Facebook Party: http://www.facebook.com/events/209723589116292
Party is on January 17th, and the winner of the prize package will be announced there.
 
Be sure and enter today!

Book Review: The Ambition by Lee Strobel (and a GIVEAWAY!)

(Be sure and read at the bottom of this post to see how you can enter to win a copy of The Ambition!)





I have heard of Lee Strobel for years. He is the author of several apologetic books. He is a former atheist and wrote his first book, The Case for Christ, after setting out to prove Christianity as being false and then finding it to be true.

The Ambition is Mr. Strobel's debut in fiction, and I must say, it is a very impressive first novel. Fast-paced and interesting, the novel kept me entertained throughout.

The story is about a pastor of a megachurch in Chicago who becomes embroiled in politics and in the process is involved with people who are connected with the mafia.

Pastor Eric Snow decides to leave his church in order to become a U.S. senator, while the other contender for the seat turns out to be a judge who has agreed to fix a mob trial in exchange for a bribe. A newspaper reporter attempts to uncover secrets in both the candidate's lives and finds himself in danger.

Quoting from the blurb on the book cover:

"Strobel weaves these edgy characters into an intricate thriller set within a gleaming suburban megachurch, a big city newspaper struggling for survival, and the shadowy corridors of political intrigue. The riveting climax is as unforgettable as the contract killing that punctuates the opening scene."

This is a great first novel. I will be looking for more to come from Mr. Strobel. He has used his past experiences as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune to write a book that seems to be taken directly from today's news. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

I give The Ambition 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

(I received this book from Anne Staszalek at AuthorsOnTheWeb for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

___________________________________________________________________________

Now, for the GIVEAWAY! Would you like to win a copy of this new novel? All you have to do is add your name and email to the comment section. I will choose a winner on July 5th, so don't wait to enter!

Book Review: Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer (and a GIVEAWAY!)

(Be sure and read at the bottom of this post to see how you can enter to win a copy of Beside Still Waters!)

About the book: Marianna Sommer believes she knows where her life is headed. Nineteen years old and Amish, her plan is to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and live in the only community she's ever known.

When Marianna's family moves from Indiana to Montana she discovers life and faith will never be the same. As she builds an easy friendship with local guy, Ben Stone, Ben not only draws her heart, he also gets her thinking about what loving God and living in community is all about.

As Marianna struggles to find "home", she also encounters God in intimate ways. Click here to watch the book trailers.

Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer begins with a sad scene of an Amish man and his family who are involved in an accident on the road in which two of the children die and another is born prematurely. This sets the tone for the rest of the book, where the baby has grown up and is the main character of the book.

Marianna has felt pressure from her parents all her life to become like the sisters she never knew. And when her brother decides to leave the community to follow the ways of the "Englisch", Marianna's parents decide that the best thing to do to protect the remaining children is to move to Montana.

Many experiences with the Englisch in her new home help Marianna see the rigid ways of her people and she begins to see the joy they find in knowing God in a deeper and more personal way.

I like how Mrs. Goyer represents the Amish in a way that is not "perfect" and realistically portrays their weaknesses as well as their strengths. I feel as though I understand Amish ways a little more now as a result of reading this book.

I most like the character Ben, who is Marianna's new friend in Montana who demonstrates to her the joy to be found in a meaningful relationship with God. He seems like the kind of friend any of us would love to have.

Beside Still Waters is a fun and entertaining read. I give it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

(I received this book from LitFuse for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

Link to buy the book: http://triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#BesideStillWaters

About Tricia: Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-six books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife. Visit http://www.triciagoyer.com/ for more info.

About Beside Still Waters Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of the first book in the Big Sky Amish series Tricia is giving away 10 copies of Beside Still Waters and a pair of super cute antique Amish salt & pepper shakers.

Details at Tricia’s blog, It’s Real Life: http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/beside-still-waters-giveaway.html

BONUS! Each person who enters the giveaway will receive a FABULOUS Montana Amish Calendar. Hurry, it’s only available while supplies last!

Book Review: Starting a Micro Business by Carol Topp (and a GIVEAWAY!)

Starting a Micro Business for Teens by Carol Topp

ISBN: 978-0-09829245-0-1

Retail price: $9.95

(Cincinnati, OH) With unemployment rates high, the teen population is finding it harder and harder to find work. Adults are competing for the same minimum wage jobs. But there’s an alternative—starting a micro business. What is a micro business? It is a very small, one-person business that you can start easily and quickly with what you already know or own. No money needed, low risk and no debt! Students can spend as much time running a micro business as they wish and can even close it down during busy times. The best advantage for teens to own a micro business is that it not only brings in extra cash (often more than imagined), but students end up learning a great deal about business, money and themselves. It may lead to an entrepreneurial life or at the very least, prepare students for higher learning opportunities.

Starting a Micro Business will help teenagers earn money while learning how to start their own business. A micro business is simple to start, usually home-based, low risk, educational and easy for a busy student to run. This book offers ideas, a business plan, starting with no debt, pitfalls to avoid and resources to get a teenager started making money running their own micro business.

From the book's website:

"Starting a micro business will help teenagers earn money while learning a lot. A micro business is simple to start, usually home-based, low risk, educational and easy for a busy student to run. This book offers ideas, a business plan, pitfalls to avoid and resources to get a teenager started making money running their own micro business."

Since the book to be reviewed today is a book written primarily to teens, I asked my son, who is fourteen years old, to be a guest reviewer. This is what he says about it:

"I found Starting a Micro Business to be more helpful than the 'Dummy' books I have read on the same subject. The real-life examples are helpful. The information is useful and I hope to use the book in the future to start my own micro business. I believe every teen who wants to start their own business should read this book and that it will help them succeed."

I agree with him. Although small in size (112 pages), it is full of information for teens to help them get started with:

1. Getting an idea for their business
2. Writing a business plan
3. Avoiding common problems
4. Financing their business

If you have a young person in your family who is thinking about having their own business, this is a great resource to own. I give Starting a Micro Business for Teens 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

(Tomorrow I will have a bio of the author, Carol Topp, and an article on business ideas for teens.)

(I received this book from Kathy Carlton Willis Communications for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

GRAND PRIZE!

One commenter will receive: The Complete Set of Carol Topp's Micro Business for Teens Series

(Winner will receive the four books shown below)

Starting a Micro Business

ISBN: 978-0-09829245-0-1

Retail price: $9.95

Running a Micro Business

ISBN: 978-0-09829245-1-8

Retail price: $9.95

Money and Taxes in a Micro Business

ISBN: 978-0-09829245-3-2

Retail price: $9.95

The Micro Business for Teens Workbook

ISBN: 978-0-09829245-2-5

Retail price: $14.95
 
 
 
Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win!

Book Review: Lazarus Awakening (and Kindle GIVEAWAY!)

Lazarus Awakening - Getting God’s Love from Our Heads to Our Hearts

You believe that God loves the world…but sometimes you wonder if He truly loves you.

For many of us, moving the truth of God’s love from our heads to our hearts is a lifelong process. As we consider our inadequacies or grieve our shattered dreams, we find it difficult to believe that God cares for us personally.

In this life-giving book, Joanna Weaver shows you how to embrace the truth that Jesus loves you apart from anything you accomplish, apart from anything you bring. Just as He called Lazarus forth to new life, Jesus wants to free you to live fully in the light of His love, unbound from the graveclothes of fear, regret, and self-condemnation.

Love is calling your name.

Combining unforgettable real-life illustrations with unexpected biblical insights, Joanna Weaver invites you to experience a spiritual resurrection that will forever change your understanding of what it means to be the one Jesus loves. Bible study and Leader’s Guide available here:
 
http://www.joannaweaverbooks.com/books/lazarus-awakening/
 
My thoughts on the book:
 
I remember reading Joanna's first book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, many years ago. It helped me get perspective on how to be like Mary in the midst of this crazy, hectic world we live in.
 
Lazarus Awakening, the third in the author's trilogy (Having a Mary Spirit is her second one), has a different objective. It is written to the believer who has become fearful, unforgiving, or is having a hard time believing that God loves them and that He can be trusted completely with everything.
 
I was able to identify with a lot of what Mrs. Weaver illustrated in this book. I know what it is like to doubt God, and I have struggled many times in my life with the inability to embrace the unconditional love of God. The author helped me to see myself accurately in the light of God's Word. I gained insight in this book about Lazarus and his sisters as I read how they came to grips with what the Son of God was doing in their lives. He knows exactly what he is doing, even when we continue to question his ways.
 
Mrs. Weaver has a way with making the Scriptures come alive. I did not agree fully with all she wrote, but these were minor things compared with the whole of the book and its message of healing and restoration.
 
I give Lazarus Awakening 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

(I received this book from LitFuse for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)


Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit. These two books have sold over a million copies and have been translated into several languages including Spanish, French, Dutch, Chinese, German, Korean and more. Joanna has appeared on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. Past appearances include: The Harvest Show, At Home Live With Chuck & Jenni, Midday Connection, HomeWord, and Janet Parschall’s America. She is also a highly sought after speaker and shares her message at intimate gatherings and several high profile events each year. But Joanna's greatest joy is found in being a wife and mother and her role as a pastor’s wife. For more information about Joanna, please visit her website.

Joanna is celebrating the release of Lazarus Awakening with the Heart of God KINDLE Giveaway!

In Lazarus Awakening Joanna writes about getting God’s love from our heads to our hearts. We all know Jesus loved Mary – look how she worshiped. And we can understand why He loved Martha – after all, look how she served. But what about those of us who don’t know where we fit in the heart of God? Lazarus Awakening explores the tale of the third follower – Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus. We never hear him speak, we never see him serve. The only thing of any significance that Lazarus did was to die. And yet, the Bible is clear. Jesus loved Lazarus. And He loves you and me as well. Lazarus Awakening looks at different aspects of the story we find in John 11. We learn what it means to be a friend of God and begin recognizing the tombs we spend far too much time in. Find out more here.

 One grand prize winner will receive:

    * A Brand New KINDLE with Wi-Fi

    * Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World

    * Having A Mary Spirit

    * Lazarus Awakening

Joanna will also select two additional contest entrants to receive copies of her trilogy. Enter soon by clicking the icons below and then tell your friends. Hurry the contest ends April 16th. The winner will be announced on Joanna's blog on April 18th.

(Join other bloggers as they share their reviews on this book: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13184491)

Book Review: Red Ink by Kathi Macias (AND A GIVEAWAY!)

*****(Be sure and read at the bottom of this post to see how you can enter to win a copy of Red Ink!)

I have found a new author this year. I have enjoyed reading her books and I'm sure I will read them all before the next year is through (if I can get copies of all of them). I have written reviews on two of them (here and here) and have blogged about another here.

Her name is Kathi Macias, and I believe she has been given an amazing gift from God to write books that speak directly to the heart. I have been deeply touched by the characters and their stories. Stories of people who suffer for being Christians in places where Christianity is threatened and where it is a daily struggle to survive if you are a believer.

Watch the book trailer to get a feel for Ms. Macias' newest book, Red Ink:



I would love to be able to write like Kathi does! Every page pulls at the heart and makes one want to weep at what actually happens to Christians who decide to boldly stand for Christ in places where it is forbidden to do so. I wonder if I would be as bold if I had to be.

As I read Red Ink, I was constantly reminded of the real life stories we read from the Voice of the Martyrs, an organization that my husband and I volunteer for. We want others to know of the suffering servants who are being persecuted all around the world for their faith. Situations such as those that Kathi wrote about in Red Ink are happening to people every day (to find out more about VOM and how you can help these people, go to http://www.persecution.com/). We must not close our eyes to their suffering!

Red Ink (as well as Kathi's other books in the Extreme Devotion series) should be read by all Christians and anyone else who wants to see the persecution of believers end.

I give Red Ink by Kathi Macias 5 out of 5 stars!

(Red Ink has been voted in for the April selection of the ACFW book club. Please go to the ACFW group website to join the group and be a part of the discussion for this book in April!)

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 30 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and recently won the prestigious 2008 member of the year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) at the annual Golden Scrolls award banquet. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al, where the two of them spend their free time riding their Harley.

(I received this book from Pump Up Your Book! for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.)

*****

Now, for the GIVEAWAY! Would you like to win a copy of this new novel? Kathi has agreed to send a copy of Red Ink to one of my readers (thanks, Kathi!)! All you have to do is add your name and email to the comment section. I will choose a winner on January 1, so don't wait to enter!