"Out of a Far Country" by Christopher Yuan & Angela Yuan

I first heard of Christopher Yuan several years ago when he spoke on singleness and holy sexuality at my college church. I listened to the podcasts of those messages (find them here) and was really encouraged as I live life as a single woman.

I knew that Yuan had written a book with his mother, Angela, and I added it to my mental TBR list. But then I recently saw it up for review (though I don't know why, as it was published in 2011), so I snagged it.

"Celebrations" by Danielle Walker

When I went gluten free 2-1/2 years ago, Danielle Walker's Against All Grain website was a huge asset to me. Then when I went grain free just over a year ago, her recipes became even more important to me. I use her website all the time, but she (rightfully) doesn't put all of her recipes up, so when I heard about Celebrations, I knew I wanted to get my hands on a copy.

"spark joy" by marie kondo

Last Christmas, my sister and I "Kondo'd" my books and movies, following Marie Kondo's method for decluttering. It was so freeing to get rid of things that when I heard Kondo had a second book in the works, I jumped at the opportunity to review it.

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Japanese decluttering guru Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up has revolutionized homes—and lives—across the world. Now, Kondo presents an illustrated guide to her acclaimed KonMari Method, with step-by-step folding illustrations for everything from shirts to socks, plus drawings of perfectly organized drawers and closets. She also provides advice on frequently asked questions, such as whether to keep “necessary” items that may not bring you joy. With guidance on specific categories including kitchen tools, cleaning supplies, hobby goods, and digital photos, this comprehensive companion is sure to spark joy in anyone who wants to simplify their life.

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Spark Joy expands on Marie Kondo's method of tidying—going through everything you own (in a prescribed order) and only keeping those things that "spark joy." While I was skeptical at first, this method worked wonderfully last Christmas. It's hard to tell from the pictures, but I got rid of several totes full of books and DVDs, and, because I need less shelf space, I rearranged my living room, and it now feels much homier to me.

My bookshelves before.

My bookshelves after.

Here's the thing: Spark Joy is full of good ideas, and if you take what applies to you and ignore the rest, you'll still get your money's worth ... provided you don't already own The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Spark Joy expands on some of the concepts from Life-Changing Magic, and there are some useful illustrations, though I wish they had been actual pictures instead of sketches. Still, I don't see the need to own both books (keep reading to see which one I'd recommend).

There is a high "kook" factor to Spark Joy—my sister blames it on the clash between East (Kondo is from Japan) and West. I don't know if that's the reason, but I did laugh out loud at some of the things Kondo said. Take, for example, this advice on going through your clothes: "...start with tops because things worn closer to your heart make it easier to judge whether or not you feel joy" (p. 82). Um, okay ...

I especially appreciated the section on tidying paper products and komono, or miscellaneous items. Komono includes things like beauty products, cleaning supplies, medicines, etc.—the things I tend to let build up, even when I'm very careful about keeping my clothes, books, and other items organized.

Overall, I would recommend buying one of Kondo's books—which one is up to you. For me, Spark Joy was more practical than Life-Changing Magic; I didn't care about the philosophy behind Kondo's method as much as I cared about how to do it. I think I'll be referencing Spark Joy many times in the future, as the method really does work; my house is the proof. 3-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.

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Marie Kondo is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up (also a best seller in Japan, Germany, and the UK) and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2015. She is the founder of the KonMari Method.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"whatever is lovely" by waterbrook press

Adult coloring books have certainly become a craze, haven't they? My youngest sister has been into coloring for as long as I can remember, but I never really had any interest. Several months ago, though, I decided to try coloring as a stress reliever. It worked! I've never been particularly creative or artistic, but coloring inside the lines is something I can do. So when I saw Whatever Is Lovely up for review, I eagerly requested this coloring book.

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Color your way to peace and worship.

We live in such a busy, hectic world—but what waits for you inside this cover is a way to quiet the noise, express creativity, and spend some sweet time with God. Each page features an original design from one of a dozen different artists, beautifully illustrating a contemplative quote from an inspirational writer, a beloved hymn, or Scripture. 

When we create, we echo the heart of our Creative God who designed everything and gave us the capacity to recognize beauty. 

So go ahead! You have permission to pick up your colored pencil and be reminded of truth in a fresh way. 

To help set the perfect mood for worship, contemplation, and creative expression, a link to the “Whatever Is Lovely” playlist is included. 

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I'll be honest: I judged the book by its cover. How could I not? It's beautiful, and it made me very excited for the coloring pages I'd find inside. What surprised me was the variety within the pages. Some feature very intricate designs (like this one I haven't finished yet).

Others are quite simple.

Still others remind me of pages you might find in a kids' coloring book.

Each page has a Bible verse, a saying, or song lyrics incorporated into the design. The intent is truly to draw the user into worship. I really enjoy coloring while I'm listening to my favorite sermon podcast or some worship music.

The pages have good weight to them, and my markers (used in the second photo) didn't bleed through at all. The only thing I'd change would be to perforate the pages for easy removal so they can be displayed.

If you're looking for an adult coloring book for yourself or to give as a gift, I'd highly recommend this one. 4 stars.

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Buy the book.

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WaterBrook Press is committed to creating products that both intensify and satisfy the elemental thirst for a deeper relationship with God. By communicating encouraging and life-enriching truths, WaterBrook provides resources that can be trusted to be spiritually sound and readers will find to be captivating and enlightening. In providing these products as a Christian publisher, we hope that readers of all ages will gain a deeper understanding of God and live a life pleasing to Him.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"amish christmas at north star" by woodsmall, clark, flower, and ganshert

Several years ago, I tired of the Amish fiction genre. Now, it takes something big for me to pick up an Amish book—something like one of my favorite authors penning her first Amish story. When I heard that Katie Ganshert had an entry in an Amish anthology, well, I couldn't wait to read it!

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One night four lives entered the world by the hands of an Amish midwife, just outside North Star, Pennsylvania. 

Rebekah’s Babies, as they are called, are now grown adults and in four heartwarming novellas each young person experiences a journey of discovery, a possibility of love, and the wonder of Christmas.

Guiding Star by Katie Ganshert
Curiosity gets the best of Englischer Chase Wellington when he investigates the twenty-five-year-old disappearance of an Amish baby. When he finds adventurous Elle McAllister in Iowa will his discoveries upend her world? 

Mourning Star by Amanda Flower
Eden Hochstetler slips from her parents’ fudge shop to investigate the death of her friend Isaac.  Who is guilty? Isaac’s handsome great nephew Jesse, an angry Englischer, or someone else?

In the Stars by Cindy Woodsmall
Heartbroken Kore Detweiler avoids North Star after Savilla Beiler rejects his love.  But when he is unexpectedly called to return home, he and Savilla must join forces to keep a family together.

Star of Grace by Mindy Starns Clark and Emily Clark
Andy Danner left North Star to join a new Amish settlement in Mississippi. His little brother devises a scheme to bring Andy home for Christmas and unwittingly unleashes the power of forgiveness in a reclusive widower’s life.

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Since I came for Ganshert (and because her novella is first in the anthology), I'll talk about her entry first: Guiding Star. I've read Ganshert's women's fiction, romance, and dystopian YA, and I wondered how she would do writing an Amish romance. The answer is twofold: 1. She wrote a great love story. 2. She didn't write an Amish romance. That's because her heroine, Elle, was born Amish but raised by an Englisch family. Her interactions with her Amish family are very touching, but Elle and Chase are Englischers through and through. I found that to be refreshing—no one became Amish or left the Amish for love; through Elle, Ganshert gave an outsider's look into an Amish community. I also loved the build in Elle and Chase's relationship. 5 stars.

Mourning Star is a cute novella about two young women, Amish girl Eden and her best friend (and Englischer) Gina, who try to uncover the murderer of Eden's elderly friend Isaac. Along the way, Eden begins to fall for Isaac's nephew. This is a fun novella, though I did feel a little let down by the way the murderer was caught ... and by his motivation. Still, it was an enjoyable read. 4 stars.

In the Stars is the longest of the novellas in the collection, and I wouldn't have minded if it had been longer! Savvy broke Kore's heart when she unexpectedly ended their relationship. Her reasons (which I won't spoil here) are compelling, and I'm sure many women will identify in some way with her story. While I normally would scoff at this type of plot line, the fact that it's an Amish story makes it a bit more understandable. When Kore and Savvy are thrown together to care for some children, it's quickly obvious that they still care for one another, and I enjoyed watching them find their way back together. 4 stars.

Star of Grace turned out to be my favorite in the collection—a case of saving the best for last! This novella contains less romance than the other three, but it's also the most complete and compelling story. All Sam Danner wants for Christmas is for his older brother Andy to come home, so he devises a plan: if he can earn enough money to pay for Andy's train ticket home, surely Andy will come. He begins working for Vincent, a sad and bitter old man ... and as the two work together, both of their lives are changed. I loved watching Vincent's story slowly unfold and seeing how Sam's kindness to him rippled out to affect everyone around. 5 stars.

The prologue and epilogue (written by Ganshert) neatly tie together the various stories, and the epilogue answers several questions unresolved by the end of each novella. Overall, this is a wonderful collection—the perfect Christmas read! 4-1/2 stars.

Read the prologue and first chapter.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Ganshert's An October Bride (5 stars), The Perfect Arrangement (5 stars), A Broken Kind of Beautiful (5 stars), and Wildflowers from Winter (5 stars).

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CINDY WOODSMALL is a best-selling author of several works of Amish fiction and a non-fiction book. MINDY STARNS CLARK is a bestselling author of both fiction and nonfiction, coauthoring the Christy Award-winning The Amish Midwife. Her daughter EMILY CLARK is an MFA student. AMANDA FLOWER authored the Amish Quilt Shop mysteries as Isabella Alan and received an Agatha Award nomination for Maid of Murder. Christy Award winner KATIE GANSHERT is the author of A Broken Kind of Beautiful, three other novels and two novellas.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"reservations for two" by hillary manton lodge

If you loved Hillary Manton Lodge's A Table by the Window, then hold on—you're in for a treat with Reservations for Two!

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Food writer-turned-restaurateur Juliette D’Alisa has more than enough on her plate. While her trip to Provence might have unlocked new answers to her grandmother’s past, it’s also provided new complications in the form of Neil McLaren, the man she can’t give up. 

Juliette and Neil find romance simple as they travel through Provence and Tuscany together, but life back home presents a different set of challenges. Juliette has a restaurant to open, a mother combating serious illness, and a family legacy of secrets to untangle – how does Neil, living so far away in Memphis, fit into to her life? 

As she confronts an uncertain future, Juliette can’t help but wish that life could be as straightforward as her chocolate chip cookie recipe. Can her French grandmother’s letters from the 1940’s provide wisdom to guide her present? Or will every new insight create a fresh batch of mysteries?

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When I read A Table by the Window earlier this summer, I couldn't imagine how the second book could possibly top it; I felt like it was a practically perfect novel. But Reservations for Two is special.

Reservations for Two picks up right where A Table by the Window left off—with Juliette embarking on her European trip to visit family. Her boyfriend Neil joins her in Europe, and together they try to solve the mystery of Juliette's grandmother's love life. But once they return to the States, things get messy. They still have to deal with a long distance relationship, Juliette's mother's cancer is progressing, and the new restaurant is about to open. Juliette has no doubt that she loves Neil, but she begins to wonder if love is enough ... especially when the restaurant's sous chef Adrian is charming, available, and in the same zip code.

I cannot remember the last time I read a book about adults that had a legitimate love triangle; usually it's clear which two people belong together. But the farther I got into Reservations for Two, the more confused I became (as did Juliette). Neil is absolutely wonderful, but distance becomes a huge factor in his relationship with Juliette. And Adrian also seems like a good match for Juliette. As we head into the third and final book, I honestly don't know which man I want Juliette to end up with.

While I loved Juliette's story, my favorite part of Reservations for Two was the letters Juliette found. Written by her grandmother, her great-aunt, and her grandfather, the letters reveal a history that Juliette's grandmother kept from her children and grandchildren. I loved discovering the history along with Juliette, and, as the letters end at a most inconvenient place, I can't wait to read the next novel to find out what happened to Juliette's grandmother next!

Reservations for Two is not a novel to pick up on its own—you absolutely must read A Table by the Window first. Put together, these novels are the first part of an incredibly interesting trilogy, and I have high hopes for the final novel! 5 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my review of A Table by the Window (5 stars).

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Hillary Manton Lodge is the author of Plain Jayne, a Carol Award Finalist, and Simply Sara, an ECPA bestselling book. A graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism, Hillary discovered the world of cuisine during her internship at Northwest Palate magazine. A storyteller at heart, in her free time she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, watching foreign films, and exploring new walking trails. She and her husband live in Portland, Oregon.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"against the grain" by nancy cain

I adopted a gluten-free lifestyle almost a year ago in hopes that doing so would help some health problems I'd been having. It did, so I've settled in for the long haul. Honestly, being gluten free hasn't been too difficult from a cooking standpoint—in large part due to great recipes like the ones in this cookbook!

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Revolutionary all-natural recipes for gluten-free cooking—from the owner of Against the Grain Gourmet.

Nancy Cain came to gluten-free cooking simply enough: Her teenage son was diagnosed with celiac disease. After trying ready-made baking mixes and finding the results rubbery and tasteless, she pioneered gluten-free foods made entirely from natural ingredients—no xanthan or guar gums or other mystery chemical additives allowed. That led her to adapt many of her family's favorite recipes, including their beloved pizzas, pastas, and more, to this real food technique. In Against the Grain, Nancy finally shares 200 groundbreaking recipes for achieving airy, crisp breads, delicious baked goods, and gluten-free main dishes.

For any of these cookies, cakes, pies, sandwiches, and casseroles, you use only natural ingredients such as buckwheat flour, brown rice flour, and ripe fruits and vegetables. Whether you're making Potato Rosemary Bread, iced Red Velvet Cupcakes, Lemon-Thyme-Summer Squash Ravioli, or Rainbow Chard and Kalamata Olive Pizza, you'll be able to use ingredients already in your pantry or easily found at your local supermarket.

With ample information for gluten-free beginners and 100 colorful photographs, this book is a game changer for gluten-free households everywhere.

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Against the Grain is a gorgeous cookbook. The photos make the food look incredibly appealing, and as I first paged through the book, I couldn't wait to get cooking!

Fortunately, the recipes don't just look good, they taste good, too! So far, I've only made four of the recipes, but each has been fantastic ... and you'd never guess they're gluten free. My favorite so far is the Caramel Brownies (p. 237).  I did leave out the coconut caramel chips because the recipe for making them is rather involved, and I wanted brownies right away. Even without the caramel, these are easily the best gluten free brownies I've ever tasted. The photo below doesn't quite do them justice, but trust me: they're out of this world!

This little gem is making my Tuesday a bit brighter. Hands down the best #glutenfree brownie I've ever tasted. Recipe from #againstthegrain cookbook by Nancy Cain. Review to come soon!

A photo posted by Becky Ritta (@beckyritta) on Apr 14, 2015 at 12:47pm PDT

The recipes range from super simple to fairly complex, making this a cookbook everyone from beginning bakers to master chefs can enjoy. I did notice that the author is very fond of light buckwheat flour and tapioca starch; she explains why in the helpful "fundamentals" section at the beginning of the cookbook. I wasn't able to find light buckwheat flour at my local grocery stores, but I could find regular buckwheat flour, so I've used that instead—it wasn't too overpowering in the Yankee Ginger Snaps (p. 211), but I'm a little apprehensive about using it in more delicately-flavored recipes. Tapioca flour is relatively cheap, which is good considering probably 90% of the recipes in this cookbook call for it. (If you're wondering, my favorite place to order gluten free flours is Vitacost—almost everything I've looked for has been cheaper there than on Amazon.)

So all in all, I'm a huge fan of this cookbook, and I'm sure I'll be using it for years to come. It's a must-have for any gluten-free kitchen! 5 stars.

Buy the book.

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Nancy Cain is the owner of Against the Grain Gourmet, a line of gluten-free breads and pizzas available at supermarkets and natural food stores nationwide. She lives with her gluten-free family in Vermont.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"wildflowers from winter" by katie ganshert

About the book (from the publisher): A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built the life she dreamed of during her teen years in a trailer park. An unexpected interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa.

Determined to pay her respects to her past while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance of five hundred acres of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan.

Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years. When Bethany is left the land, Evan must fight her decisions to realize his dreams. But even as he disagrees with Bethany’s vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away.

For Bethany, making peace with her past and the God of her childhood doesn't seem like the path to freedom. Is letting go the only way to new life, love and a peace that she’s not even sure exists?

My take: Wildflowers from Winter grabbed my attention from the beginning and didn't let go until I'd finished the last page. When circumstances bring Bethany back to her hometown kicking and screaming, she finds herself on a journey to find her purpose and her place to belong ... and eventually this journey leads her to God. It also leads her to Evan, who is one of the most fantastic romance novel heroes I've read about in a while. Kind, confident, and a fierce defender of those he loves, he's the "perfect" literary man.

So far, everything I've said makes this book sound like a typical love story, but it's not. While the chemistry between Bethany and Evan does practically leap off the page and you know from the beginning that they'll end up together, this book is so much deeper than your run-of-the-mill romance. Bethany certainly isn't your typical inspirational romance heroine in that she wants absolutely nothing to do with God, and in fact, her mother's and best friend's relationships with Him are part of the reason why she fled her hometown and never looked back. The book also looks at serious issues—suicide, spiritual abuse, sexual relationships, end of life issues, and family relationships are all explored in a compelling and sensitive manner. And some of those issues—especially the spiritual abuse and family issues—are so compelling that I wanted to keep reading long into the night.

Wildflowers from Winter is a fantastic debut novel, and I can't wait to get my hands on its sequel, Wishing on Willows.

My rating: 5 stars.

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About the author: Katie Ganshert graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education, and worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her husband and their young son.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links on this page are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase a product, I will receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"waiting for morning" by karen kingsbury

About the book: Hannah Ryan's idyllic life is shattered the moment a drunk driver careens into the vehicle bringing her husband and two daughters home from a camping trip. After her husband and oldest daughter die from injuries sustained in the crash, Hannah makes it her life's mission to ensure the drunk driver pays for what he did.

Deputy District Attorney Matt Bronzan specializes in drunk driving cases, and with his latest case, he hopes to make history by winning California's first murder one conviction of a drunk driver. He works closely with Hannah to ensure their message to the public is the same—that drunk drivers who kill are committing murder. As he spends time with her, he comes to care for her—but all she can see is her hatred for the man who killed her husband and daughter.

Hannah's bitterness threatens to destroy the only good things left in her life. Will she understand her need to forgive before it's too late?

My take: In Waiting for Morning, Karen Kingsbury has written a heartbreaking family drama with a powerful message about the perils of drunk driving. More importantly, though, she shows how bitterness can take root and destroy lives. As Hannah allows bitterness to take over her life, she can't see how her unforgiveness is harming herself and her remaining daughter. And isn't that the way it works? We refuse to forgive because we feel we have a right to our anger ... and then before we know it, we're so wrapped up in our pain that we've strained or ruined our other relationships. Obviously, I speak from experience here—and I hope that by reading this book, others can avoid some of the mistakes I made!

This is one of Kingsbury's earlier books, and I can't believe it took me to long to finally read it. It was published in 1999, well before everyone had cell phones. That's the only thing that seems to date it, though—a couple times I wondered why Hannah didn't just call her daughter's cell, and then I'd remember that they didn't have them! Overall, this is a great book, and I highly recommend it. 5 stars.

Read an excerpt.
Buy the book.
See what other bloggers are saying (including my friend Holly).

About the author: No. 1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Kingsbury is America's favorite inspirational novelist. There are nearly 20 million copies of her award-winning books in print, including several million copies sold in the past year. Karen has written more than 50 novels, ten of which have hit #1 on national lists.

Dubbed by Time Magazine as the Queen of Christian Fiction, Karen has also been a featured guest on the Today Show, Fox News, USA Today, and numerous other television programs and magazines. Her fiction has made her one of the country's favorite storytellers. Others of her emotionally gripping titles include the 9-11 Series, Even Now, Ever After, and Between Sundays.

Karen is also a public speaker, reaching more than 100,000 women annually through various national events. Karen and her husband, Don, live in Nashville, TN with their five sons, three of whom are adopted from Haiti. Their daughter Kelsey is an actress who has appeared in several Christian films. She is newly married to Christian recording artist Kyle Kupecky. The two also live in Nashville.

Visit Karen's website at www.KarenKingsbury.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

what's in the mail? 5-17-12 edition

Not too much in the mail these last three weeks. One of my review books seems to be perpetually lost in the mail (it's been sent to me twice, and I still don't have it!), and another was originally sent out to the wrong mailing list and should arrive next week.

Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats Little Bites Flavored Cinnamon Roll, 15.8-Ounce (Pack of 4)
I got this through Vine. I'm not exaggerating when I say this is some of the best cereal I've ever tasted. I love it! It has a really great cinnamon punch—I always use more cinnamon than is called for in recipes because I love the flavor so much, and this cereal has the perfect amount! You can see my review here.

Glamorous Illusions: A Novel by Lisa T. Bergren
Lisa Tawn Bergren wrote some of the first romance novels I ever read. (Anyone remember the Palisades line? It's hard to even find anything about it on the internet ... here's a list of Palisades books I found on Goodreads. I've read most of them!) I absolutely loved her "Full Circle" series—Refuge, Firestorm, Torchlight, etc.—and I really enjoyed the "Northern Lights" series when I read them a couple years ago. Anyway, Glamorous Illusions will release June 1, and I'm on the Litfuse tour. Set in 1913, it's about a young woman who goes on a "Grand Tour" of Europe after learning a secret about her heritage. Sounds good to me!

Waiting for Morning by Karen Kingsbury
Can you believe I've never read this book? Me either! A Moment of Weakness, the sequel to Waiting for Morning, was the first Kingsbury book I ever read. I think I may have checked Waiting for Morning out of the library and flipped through it, but I'm certain I never actually read it from beginning to end because I already knew how it was going to turn out. But since it's been a good ten years since I read A Moment of Weakness, I can barely remember what happened in that book, let alone in this one! I'm very excited to read it now! I got this book through Blogging for Books.

Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Brownley
This is another Vine pick. I'd never heard of Brownley before, but I thought I'd give it a shot! (Another of Brownley's books, A Long Way Home, is free for Kindle right now.)

Flame of Resistance by Tracy Groot
This book doesn't release until tomorrow, but I got a copy through Tyndale's blogger program. I knew I wanted to read this book as soon as I learned it was set during World War II. It looks to be full of suspense, intrigue, and romance!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received these products free in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and received no monetary compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"the corruptible" by mark mynheir

About the book: Private Investigator Ray Quinn is struggling to make ends meet when the "perfect" case falls into his lap. All he has to do is track down a former colleague and get him to return his client's stolen information, and he will receive the largest paycheck he's ever seen. But when the man winds up dead, and the information is nowhere to be found, Ray realizes he's stumbled onto something much bigger than he imagined. With the help of his assistant Crevis, Ray tries to recover the information, catch a killer, and discover what is really going on at his client's company.

My take: I enjoyed The Corruptible. It is book two in Mark Mynheir's Ray Quinn Mystery series, but I had no trouble jumping in without having read the first book. The plot is fairly slow moving, but it's also constantly engaging. I also really liked the subplot involving e-mail scams.

I enjoyed watching Ray grapple with his problems throughout the novel—especially as he dealt with his alcohol addiction. And while this case wrapped up satisfactorily, when the book ended, Ray still had a long way to go toward getting his life together. I could see the Ray Quinn series stretching on through several books, and I would enjoy reading each one of them. 4 stars.

Interested? You can read the first chapter here.

About the author: Mark Mynheir is the author of the Christy Award nominated The Night Watchman, the first Ray Quinn mystery. He has worked undercover as a narcotics agent, as a SWAT team member, and now investigates violent crimes as a detective with the Criminal Investigations Unit in central Florida, where he lives with his wife and three children.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

"judgment day" by wanda dyson

Sensational journalism is the name of Suzanne Kidwell's game--and she doesn't care if she speaks the truth, only that she gets good ratings for her show, Judgment Day with Suzanne Kidwell. Over the years, she has made many enemies, including a powerful US Senator. When she finds evidence linking the senator to a black market organ operation, she thinks she's hit pay dirt. But then a woman is murdered in her apartment, and she is charged with the crime. Her only hope is her former fiance Marcus, a private investigator, and his partner Alex. As they investigate, they find the corruption spreads much wider than they imagined, and they are all soon fighting for their lives.

Judgment Day is a quick, enjoyable read. I loved the supporting characters, especially Razz, the assistant/computer guru in Marcus and Alex's office. I'd love to learn more about him, so I really hope Dyson writes another book with these characters. I also appreciated that, while there was a little romance, the focus of the book was suspense. The romance that did exist was understated and didn't seem at all forced. I've been reading so much romance lately that it was nice to read some straight-up suspense.

A tip if you read it (and you should): Do not read the back cover copy. It's incredibly inaccurate. I was fairly confused through the first several chapters because things weren't happening as described on the cover (or on the publisher's information page). So, go out and buy this book ... and then read it without reading the cover!

Sound interesting? You can read the first two chapters here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

"deadly ties" by vicki hinze

Thanks to her abusive step-father, Dutch, Dr. Lisa Harper hasn't seen her mother in twelve years. Lisa's only contact with her mother is through phone calls facilitated by former Special Ops officer Mark Taylor, who sees Lisa's situation as an opportunity to redeem himself for past mistakes. With Mark's help, Lisa and her mom finally take steps to get away from Dutch for good, but Dutch's evil connections go far deeper than anyone imagined. Soon, Mark is fighting not only Dutch but also the widespread terrorist organization NINA, and he must face the fact that he may, once again, lose the women who mean the most to him.

Deadly Ties is book two of Hinze's Crossroads Crisis Center series. As I read book one, Forget Me Not, I found myself wishing I knew more about Mark and Lisa, so I was very happy to learn they were the main characters in book two! That said, you don't need to have read book one in order to enjoy this book. (Trust me on this--I read and reviewed Forget Me Not almost a year ago, and when I started this book, I hardly remembered anything about it!)

Full of plot twists involving human trafficking, corruption, and murder, Deadly Ties kept me guessing before coming to a satisfying conclusion--while still leaving enough loose ends to make me anticipate book three! I highly recommend it!

Intrigued? Read an excerpt here!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

"flight of shadows" by sigmund brouwer

 In the not-so-distant future, Caitlyn Brown is on the run. She has escaped Appalachia, a country run by religious zealots, but now she's being tracked by those who want to study her for her genetic mutations. Along the way, she meets a mysterious man named Razor who promises to help her. But can she really trust him?

I'll be honest: it took me forever to get into this book. First of all, I somehow missed that it's a sequel (to Broken Angel), and I spent the opening chapters thinking, "Who are these people?" After I got everyone straightened out (and there are many characters in this book), I just wasn't very interested in the story. I'd read a few pages here and there, but I never actually wanted to pick up the book. Finally, around page 200, something clicked, and I devoured the rest of the book in an hour. I have a feeling that if I'd first read Broken Angel, things would have snapped into place a lot sooner!

What I enjoyed most about this book was its realistic look into the future. Brouwer paints the future of America in a way that is both believable and scary. I closed Flight of Shadows with lots to ponder, and I do recommend reading this book ... but you should probably read Broken Angel first! (FYI, the Kindle edition of Broken Angel is currently $.89 on Amazon. I'm going to buy it.)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"the last christian" by david gregory

In 2088 AD, Abby Caldwell emerges from the Papua New Guinea jungle where she was raised as the daughter of missionaries after her entire tribe dies of a mysterious illness. She moves in with her cousin Lauren, a US congresswoman, and soon discovers that Christianity has all but disappeared in America. Abby quickly decides two things: 1) She needs to spread the Gospel in America, and 2) she needs to learn more about her grandfather Ray's death and the cryptic message he sent just days before he died. With the help of Sabin, Lauren's "life partner," and Creighton, a history professor, Abby delves into the mystery while trying to preach the Gospel--and finds herself hunted by a dangerous man.

I really enjoyed The Last Christian ... probably because it was largely science fiction! The America Abby returns to is one where people spend large amounts of time in virtual reality, where cars drive themselves, where disease is nearly eradicated, and where even brain transplants are becoming available. One of the aspects I enjoyed most was the challenge Abby faced when presenting the gospel to people who have no concept of sin or of their need for a Savior. While Gregory's world is fictional, many things he describes could very well be in our future ... and with this book, he challenges us to take another look and the Gospel and reexamine our own beliefs.

As for the plot, while I enjoyed it, I felt that parts were lacking. The "resolution" was fairly unaffecting, and I wasn't emotionally involved with the characters. Still, this was an engaging read that I would recommend. You can purchase it or read an excerpt here.

Should you read it? Yes, unless you can't stand science fiction.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"life, in spite of me" by kristen jane anderson

When Kristen Anderson was seventeen, she attempted suicide by lying down on the train tracks near her home. Miraculously, she survived, but she lost both of her legs. Life, In Spite of Me is her story.

Anderson traces the events and emotions that brought her to the point where she felt suicide was her best option. But the main focus of the book is her life after the suicide attempt. She is honest about the struggles she has faced, but the book overflows with the peace and joy she has found in Christ.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a very easy read, and though anyone could enjoy it, I think it would be especially good for teen girls. I know I would have benefited from reading a story like Anderson's when I was a teen. Though I never struggled with depression myself, I had friends who did, and I think learning about someone else's struggles would have helped me understand theirs. Anderson understands the pressures that surround teens in high school, and after some chapters, she writes letters directly to those who face depression, heartache, or suicidal thoughts.

Should you read it? Yes, especially if you've been depressed or you know someone who has.

Below is a video of Anderson telling her story:

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"indivisible" by kristen heitzmann

Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann is a character-driven mystery. Piper, a young woman who just moved to Redford, Colorado, finds two dead raccoons on her running path and alerts the police chief, Jonah Westfall. When Jonah discovers the raccoons were sewn together while still alive, he brings in the town’s new veterinarian, Liz, for help. Soon other animals are found in a similar state to the raccoons, and Jonah worries the killer may target humans next. Meanwhile, he contemplates beginning a relationship with Liz, since Tia, the woman Jonah loves, seemingly wants nothing to do with him.

And that’s pretty much all I can say without giving away major plot points! Heitzmann chose to dole out information sparingly, slowly revealing the characters' motivations and back stories, and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. (I’m not saying this is bad, though—I’d much rather be a little confused than figure out the mystery right away!) Heitzmann crafted a mystery that kept me guessing throughout, and her characters are fleshed out and relatable. Those factors together made this book intensely enjoyable. I’d only read one or two of her books in the past, but this book made me want to read more of her work. This was easily one of the best fiction books I've read recently. (You can read the first two chapters here to get a taste.)

Should you read it? Yes, if you like mystery/suspense. (Just be warned that it gets a bit gruesome. It’s not at all graphic, but if you have a vivid imagination, you’ll have no trouble picturing the mutilated animals.)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"radical" by david platt

I almost didn't read Radical. When I got the invitation to review it, I let the email sit in my inbox for a couple days. I'd rather read and review fiction. Fiction is easy to read. I knew that Radical would be hard. I knew that it would challenge me.

I'm so thankful I sent a "yes" response. I was right--Radical wasn't easy to read. It did challenge me. And I think that ultimately it will change me.

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt is a book that I believe every Christian should read. I read with a pen close by, and I may well have underlined more in this book than in any other I've read. Everything Platt has to say is thought provoking and at times cringe inducing. There's no way to cover everything, so I'll just hit on a few points that struck me:

• Platt challenges our Americanized view of Jesus, a Jesus who we think wouldn't really ask us to give up our jobs, our families, or our possessions, saying, "We are giving in to the dangerous temptation to take the Jesus of the Bible and twist him into a version of Jesus we are more comfortable with ... But do you and I realize what we are doing at this point? We are molding Jesus into our image" (p. 13).
• Platt completely blew out of the water my main objection to foreign missions: I'm not called. WRONG! The Great Commission isn't a suggestion. It's a command. That doesn't mean that I have to pack up and move to Timbuktu, but it does mean that I'm supposed to share the gospel ... and not just in my own backyard (though that's a great place to start)!
• In chapter seven, Platt very logically lays out why we need to share the gospel, going beyond the command itself. I've heard people question why God would send someone who has never heard about Jesus to Hell, and using Romans as a basis for his arguments, Platt basically shoots their protestations down. Taking that question to the extreme, Platt says that if that were true, then evangelism would be stupid. He gives the example of a foreign exchange student who arrives in America never having heard of God or Jesus. If not having heard of God would give a person a free pass to Heaven, then it would be logical to tell that student that "If anyone tries to tell you about Jesus, just put your hands on your ears, start yelling very loudly, and run away!" (p. 149). Ridiculous! As someone who teaches international students, some of whom have never heard of Jesus prior to arriving on our doorstep, I can't imagine doing that! 
• Platt also tackles the question of finding God's will for our lives. This is something I've struggled with many times, but Platt says that's the wrong question to be asking. Rather, in the grand scheme of things, we know what God wants us to do: go share the gospel. So instead, we should ask ourselves if we're willing to obey God's will.
• At the end of the book, Platt introduces "The Radical Experiment." This is a challenge to the reader--something to commit to for one year. Platt asks the reader to do five things: Pray for the entire world; read through the entire Word; sacrifice money for a specific purpose, spend time in another context, and commit to a multiplying community. I intend to take the challenge, and I hope you will, too. More information on the experiment can be found here.

Along with Radical, I also received The Radical Question, a small booklet adapted from Radical. It's an excellent introduction to Platt's ideas, and I think that had I read it first, I would have been even more excited to read Radical. The best part about it is it's free! You can request your free copy here.

Should you read it? Without a doubt!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"the bridegrooms" by allison pittman

Vada Allenhouse’s childhood ended the night her mother abandoned their family, leaving Vada to raise her three younger sisters while her father buried himself in his work as a physician. Seventeen years later, Vada still takes care of her sisters while longing to pursue her dream of playing the violin. When a man is gravely injured at a Cleveland Spiders baseball game, he is brought to Doc Allenhouse for care … and suddenly the Allenhouse home is overrun with eligible men! In one crazy week, Vada and her sisters all find themselves trying to make sense of life and love.

When I got The Bridegrooms, I knew it would be a romance—the cover alone leaves little doubt about that!—but I wish it had been an enjoyable romance! Each sister gets her own love story, but the novel mainly dwells on Vada’s romantic travails.

Vada, who has been in a committed relationship with Garrison for several years, suddenly finds herself attracted to two other men: Dave, a newspaper reporter, and Lucky, a Brooklyn Bridegrooms baseball player. This is understandable, as Garrison seems reluctant to marry Vada. But I wish the author had then taken the time to help the reader understand Vada’s attraction to each other man. Lucky LaFortune has an instant connection with Vada, but why is Vada attracted to Dave? He seems to pop in and out of the story just so Vada can ruminate about how things could be different between them. But he isn’t a fleshed out character, and he could quite easily have been left out of the novel. The Garrison-Vada-Lucky love triangle is certainly enough!

I wish more time would have been spent with Althea, who to me was easily the most interesting character. Althea quit speaking when Mrs. Allenhouse left, and she pours her thoughts and feelings into poetry. She becomes quite attached to the injured man, and I would have loved to watch their love story unfold. Instead, I had to read about Vada.

I also wish more time would have been spent on Vada’s dream of playing the violin with an orchestra. At the time (the 1890’s), Cleveland’s orchestra was comprised only of males; I’d hoped that Vada, who worked as the conductor’s assistant, would end up playing with them.

Another of Vada’s sisters, Hazel, has decided to move to Wyoming, where women can vote. I thought suffrage would be a major focus of the story, but it just gets a mention here and there.

Ultimately, this book seems like it could have been a series with one book focusing on each sister. Then each relationship could have been fully developed, rather than squeezed in around Vada’s. As it is, I didn’t enjoy this book very much.

Should you read it? Only if you have nothing else to read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

statement about reviews & recommendations (part 2)

Last October, due to the FTC's new blogger guidelines, I blogged about my connection to the products I review and/or recommend. Since then, a few things have changed, so I wanted to update you.

I still review books for Thomas Nelson, though I don't do as many as I used to. You may have noticed the name change from Book Review Blogger to BookSneeze.

I am now also a member of WaterBrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program. (If you're a regular reader of this blog, I'm sure you've figured that out by now!) This is a great program that I'd encourage you to join if you have a blog and enjoy reading. I've had the opportunity to read and review some wonderful books (as well as one book I didn't like so much ... but that review is still in the making!), and I love the fact that they often provide me with an extra copy to give away!

I'm still an Amazon Associate, though to date I've made a whopping ten cents! And, since Amazon only pays when an associate reaches $10, I have yet to see my dime.

I recently joined a similar program at bookschristian.com. Most of my links for Christian books, music, and movies will probably point to them from now on. Their pricing is very similar to Amazon's.

When I signed up with bookschristian.com, they provided me with a link to Michael Hyatt's blog post on the FTC guidelines. Hyatt is the CEO of Thomas Nelson, and his blog is the reason I started reviewing books in the first place. (When Thomas Nelson published Lynne Spears' book Through the Storm, Hyatt offered free review copies to the first 200 bloggers to respond to his post. I was one of those bloggers, and shortly after that, the Book Review Blogger program was born.) In an effort to comply with the new guidelines, Hyatt recommends adding a "Disclosure of Material Connection" at the bottom of posts. So, to ensure I'm following the guidelines, I'll be doing that--ridiculous as it may seem.