All of us endure hard times at some point in our lives. There is not a question of if, but of when; the biggest differences between people, rather, are how we handle those challenges upon their arrival. In her Memoir, One Call Away Answering Life’s Challenges with Unshakeable Faith, Brenda Warner details some of the difficulties she has faced.

In her book Warner chronicles her childhood in Iowa, time spent in her dream career field of the Marines, marriage, injury of a child, the subsequent downfall of her marriage, single parenthood, meeting her future husband, NFL all star Kurt Warner followed by the ups and downs of their life together today. She does so with such honesty of emotion that it is difficult to put down.

This book was an amazing testament to what God can do with a life that is surrendered to Him. Through her dependence on the Lord, Warner triumphs through some of the most heart wrenching experiences, coming through intact and stronger from the struggle, not because of her strength but because of her source. It is an excellent reminder to anyone who is currently struggling and is an inspiration to those who are not and is an example for everyone on where to turn when the going gets tough. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and promptly passed it along to my sister who was anxiously awaiting its arrival!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Most of us could point out someone we have encountered who has adopted. Adoption has certainly become more and more prevalent and even accepted in our society, but is still somewhat shrouded in mystery, largely misunderstood; the trials an adoptive family faces unlike any other.

Love You More: The Divine Surprise of Adopting My Daughter is the story of the author, Jennifer Grant, and her family as they adopt a baby girl from Guatemala. In it, Grant details her feelings regarding many of the hurdles that adoptive families face, from the mounds of paperwork, the inquisitions into their personal lives through the home study process, and even the strenuous time of waiting for that beloved and much anticipated child to be found and cleared to come “home”.  She also deals with post adoption struggles such as blending your family, helping the child adjust to their new environment and the emotional encounter that adoption sometimes is.

Being that my husband and I are in the process of adopting, I found this book very poignant and refreshing. I loved her openness and honesty about adoption, and especially her sensitivity towards those, who like me have chosen adoption after battling infertility. Even in the early stages of our adoption process, and in spite of the fact that we are adopting from the foster system rather than internationally, I can certainly echo her sentiments on many points, even reading parts to my husband, declaring this book one of my new favorites. Thanks Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read this book for free through the Booksneeze blogger program! 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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     Conquering our fears is a big step in every child’s life, especially when that fear involves exploration and adventure. Children love adventure but are sometimes afraid of what that journey may hold, which is exactly where we find Padraig and Roger of The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari.

     Padraig and Roger are brave explorers who are determined to spend their evening camping, munching on their favorite snacks and most of all, staying outside all night. As the evening wears on, however, several noises distract them and even incite fear into the hearts of our courageous friends. As they work together they learn that as a team, and with God’s help, they can conquer their fears and have fun at the same time, even fears that seem bigger at night.

     This book, geared for children aged 4-8 by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark is an excellent segue into dealing with childhood feelings of fear. Children learn in a fun way how to constructively deal with the issues that scare them, all the while learning that God is always by their side, just as Padraig and Roger were there for each other.  As a children’s pastor, I certainly recommend this well written story- it even entertained me! 

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Fantasy and imagination are the things that children thrive on. The world they live in is full of wonder and exploration, which is exactly where we find Padraig the dragon and Roger the turtle, the title characters in The Dragon and the Turtle by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark.

Roger and Padraig become fast friends as they explore the world masquerading as pirates on the hunt for home after Roger’s “ship” was blown off course by a ferocious storm. Padraig uses his flying abilities to scope out different possibilities, and finally the pair reaches their desired location, finding chocolate chip snappers fresh from the oven waiting in the hands of the “cook” also known as Roger’s mom.

I loved this simple story and how the characters worked together to accomplish their task in spite of their differences. While reading the book together, my husband also pointed out that the vocabulary choices in the book are at points lofty (which we like!), however unfamiliar concepts are not left unexplained. It is an excellent story for children ages 4-8 and even includes discussion starters and a bonus recipe for chocolate chip snappers! 

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The teenage years are notorious for being a tumultuous time for most individuals. Parents often groan when they think of their child getting older and anxiously await the day when their child has passed those somewhat chaotic years full of change.

What Your Son Isn’t Telling You by Michael Ross and Susie Shellenberger is designed to give parents in introductory look at what teenage boys face during their adolescent years. It is filled with comments from teens themselves, giving parents, and even youth leaders an idea of what goes on inside their children and students. Solid Biblical advice is the staple, covering hot topics such as dating, spirituality, relationships, anger and depression, porn, and even how to deal with every day teenage life.

This book piqued my interest when Bethany House presented it as part of their blogger program because of Susie Shellenberger’s input; a long time Brio subscriber, I am familiar with her work and find it enjoyable. This book was much the same. Personally, I would recommend this book to parents of preteens the most. It offers good council and is an excellent starting place for dealing with teens, but is definitely best when covered before entering the teen years. It is also geared more towards mothers and how to effectively mother sons through the teenage years. I looked for the father/son connection, but more time and attention is given to  moms, which I think is a detriment to this book. I do think it is worth the read, however, and will certainly read it when I have children that age, just as a reminder.  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Blogging for Books http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com book review bloggers 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 

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Everyone wishes to be someone or something different at one point or another, wanting something better for themselves or even just wanting the life that an acquaintance has, thinking that the grass is greener on the other side.

In Masquerade by Nancy Moser several old classics meet to create a fanciful story full of what ifs. Charlotte Gleason has lived a privileged life in 1880’s England. Now her parents have arranged a marriage for her with one of America’s wealthiest families, much to her chagrin. Unbeknownst to her, her family has fallen on hard times due to some bad decisions and her life is about to drastically change one way or another. Due to illness, Dora, longtime lady’s maid, is given the chance of a lifetime traveling to America as Charlotte’s companion. While on their journey, new friends are made and a plan is hatched that will alter the lives of both of these young women forever.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A longtime fan of Nancy Moser’s writing, I anticipated its arrival and was entertained by the story itself. The only downside I think I could give it is that the story itself is not entirely original, considering the similarities it has to so many others already published. Altogether however it was an easy, enjoyable tale that I read in an afternoon.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House http://www.bethanyhouse.com book review bloggers 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 

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Most people love a good story, which is exactly what Susan Meissner delivers in Lady in Waiting. History is intertwined with modern day life as the stories of two individuals named Jane explore who they are and what their God given potential is.

Jane Lindsay is a modern day woman whose marriage is on the rocks. Her husband Brad has separated from her after 22 years of marriage and Jane doesn’t know what do. Through a miraculous find in new inventory for her antiques business and the help of her friends and family, Jane embarks on a journey of self discovery.

Jane Grey is a young lady of royal blood, whose parents are deciding the course of her life through the arrangement of her betrothal and subsequent marriage. As Jane matures and makes peace with her status and fate in spite of the tumultuous political climate, she discovers that she has more strength than she thought as she relies on God.

When I first received this book I was curious but doubted that my interest would be piqued. I was wrong. From the very beginning I was captivated by the storyline and how the two stories were masterfully connected. Susan Meissner does an amazing job, and I am happy to have had the opportunity to review this book for Waterbrook/Multnomah press as part of their blogger review program.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Blogging for Books http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com book review bloggers 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 

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Reading the Bible is an essential aspect of Christian life, a habit which starts from one’s earliest days. The Beginning Reader’s Bible illustrated by Marijke ten Cate makes this possible and even enjoyable for the youngest of readers, providing a solid foundation for a maturing faith.

This Bible uses the International Children’s Bible to tell well known stories of the Bible such as creation, Noah, Moses, David, Jesus, the early church and Heaven. Its illustrations create an interest in the stories, and give various resources to apply what the child has learned to their daily life. A Bible reading plan, a memorization schedule, and resources with core knowledge of the Bible are also included.

The illustrations are engaging and entertaining. A child could easily spend hours looking at the pictures. I also loved that the Bible uses selections from a real translation as opposed to paraphrasing the stories. The application aspect of this Bible is fantastic. Through the Pray God’s Word, Do God’s Word and Remember God’s Word features children are encouraged to make the Bible part of their daily life.

As a children’s pastor and foster/adoptive parent in training, I am extremely pleased with this Bible as a resource for children in my church as well as for my future family. Thanks Thomas Nelson for the amazing opportunity to review this book for free!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers 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 

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This is Your Brain in Love: New Scientific Breakthroughs for a More Passionate and Emotionally Healthy Marriage  by Dr. Earl Henslin is a very interesting read. I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their blogger review program, BookSneeze, and originally picked it up just out of curiosity.

My curiosity was not disappointed. It was fascinating to me to read why my husband and I react towards each other at times, to see the why behind our behaviors. The real life stories are heartwarming, and encourage couples to draw closer together in their relationships and to work through troubles together, realizing that there is a scientific reason behind each individual’s behavior.

Overall, I would say this is an interesting read, although I don’t know that I would pick it up again. However, if you are curious like I am, it is certainly worth the effort and time to read, and certainly clarifies certain behaviors of love. 

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God Gave Us So Much is an amazing book geared towards children that teaches them about the world around us, love that God has so generously given and because of that great love, a heavenly home. In God Gave Us the World, the first in this three book treasury, Little Cub discovers that God made everything around her, her world, and even the world beyond.  She comes to realize that as the inhabitants of the Earth, it is her God given responsibility to take care of His creation to the best of her ability.

God Gave Us Love finds Little Cub reveling in the love that God gives and finds out that just as God shows us His love in lots of ways, she needs to love those around her, even when it may be difficult.

God Gave Us Heaven Little Cub wonders about Heaven; where it is, how to get there, and even what it is like. Her questions are greeted with wonderful responses from her wise and loving father, much like the one in Heaven itself. Its simplicity is wonderful, and is an eloquent way to teach young children about Heaven and God’s plan of Salvation.

I must say that this three book treasury is a must have for every family’s library, and certainly one I will read to my children over and over- it’s sure to be a favorite! Thanks Waterbrook Press for the chance to read and review it as a part of your blogger review program!

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This book contains many helpful, reasonable suggestions for improving the education of a homeschooled child as well as making it easier for parents who choose this method of education. There are charts, and comparisons that are helpful, as well as  tips, tricks, and practical ways for homeschoolers to succeed, even in the face of opposition, as well as giving part of the history and theory behind the homeschooling movement.

As one who plans to educate my children at home in future years, I found this book to be very helpful and will definitely keep it handy in years to come! 

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I recently read Regret Free Living as part of Bethany House Publishers Blogger review program. As far as self-help type books goes, it was decent, although not at the top of my favorite books list. I felt that it tended to be a bit repetitive and disjointed at times, mostly because of the repetition. However, I was very simple and easy to read, with many personal, and easily applicable examples throughout. 

While I thought this book was a bit simplistic, I can easily see how it can help people work through issues and challenges on a daily basis, and plan to recommend this book to others in my life who could greatly benefit from it’s wisdom. Anyone who struggles with regret should pick up a copy of this book!

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I recently read “The Hidden Flame” by Davis Bunn and Janette Oak as part of Bethany House’s blogger review program.  I’ve long been a Janette Oak fan, as her writings were the first “big person” books my mom allowed me to read as a child. This book is very in line with all the other works I have read by these authors, and is a very enlightening  look at what could have happened in the times surrounding the book of Acts. If you are familiar with what takes place in the Bible during these times, you may feel like you already know what’s going to happen, because the books in the series, Acts of Faith, closely follow the narrative of Acts in the Bible. One thing this book does have going for it is the fact that it expounds on what relationships and times were like, giving us the reminder that the individuals in the Bible were real, live people, and they dealt with things just like we do, effectively making the story more real for modern day readers. I encourage readers of this book to also pick up their Bible and read through the Biblical accounts for a richer experience. 

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I’ve been on a reading streak as of late, and have a new book that you need to read. This book, called “The Silent Governess” was written by Julie Klassen, and was sent to me as part of Bethany House’s free blogger review program. This book is almost a Nancy Drew meets Jane Austin kind of work, and is very successful in both genera’s. The book begins with a young lady, whom we come to know as Olivia, running from her current life, headlong into another to escape danger. Each step of her journey is filled with twists and turns, that keep the reader coming back for more. Eventually Olivia is forced into the employ of a man named Edward because of something she overheard, unfortunately, because of injuries she has sustained, she is no longer vocal, causing her to be a mute and rendering her virtually useless anywhere besides the nursery, where the aging nanny needs assistance. Eventually, Olivia is reunited with her parents, who unbeknownst to her are actually part of the mystery surrounding her employ at Brightwell Court!  Want to know what happens? Well, you’ll just have to pick up your own copy! I highly recommend it.

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My latest book review for Thomas Nelson’s book review blogger program is “How to Reach Your Full Potential for God” by Charles Stanley. Honestly, when I picked this book, I thought it was another author, and when it came in the mail, I was a little disappointed. This disappointment did not last for long however! “How to Reach Your Full Potential for God” is an excellent book on what it means to be a growing Christian who wants to accomplish everything they can for God. For seasoned believers, it is a great reminder of what our journey is all about, and would be exceptional for the new believer who is just starting out on their journey and isn’t sure where to go, what to do in order to accomplish the things that God is calling them to do. Having recently gone through some difficult circumstances, I was deeply touched by the reminders that the Lord sent to me through this book, and am definitely putting some of the things that were written into practice. What a timely message for the body of Christ! I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Christ that demonstrates their faith through actions and not just words. 

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I just finished Katherine Cushman’s book, “Leaving Yesterday,” and let me tell you, it was full of twists and turns from beginning to end. It is a real page turner!  Cushman weaves a tale of a broken family in need of the grace that can only be found in forgiveness, both from the Heavenly Father and from one person to another. The story begins with a family struggling with a prodigal son, the death of another and the chaos which has become somewhat normal as a result. Hot topics such as divorce and custody of children make an appearance, but in the end… well, you’ll just have to read it to see what happens! Cushman’s style is fairly simple, but entertaining nonetheless.   While simple in its style, the ease with which it reads definitely draws one into the story, word by word, line by line. I heartily recommend this book to those who are interested in finding a new and fresh author to read. 

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