The Sword of Light: Book Review

The Sword of Light by Kimberli Campbell
4 stars

When I opened this book, I was introduced immediately to the main character. I found what his strengths and weaknesses were. Shayia is a young man who is eager to learn all he can about being a warrior. He’s swift with the sword and strong in his agility. Although these are useful, it is not the most important weapon in his arsenal.

Shayia’s grandfather and mentor, Ennus, shows him that his true strength comes from God. He cannot lean on his own abilities as a good swordsman to save him in battle. As part of his lessons, Shayia must read from the Sacred Book. But he only wishes to practice fighting and finds it difficult to study. Knowing he will need it most of all, Ennus has Shayia continue on with them.

For darkness will soon descend on the valley...

I love fantasy! In fact, it’s probably my favorite genre. I received the opportunity to read this book from the author, Kimberli Campbell. I realize that I’m an adult, but I could not help liking this.

I would describe The Sword of Light as fantasy/allegorical/adventure. The allegorical message is that we must rely on God for our strength. Life can be a big and scary place out there and we have to be prepared for whatever comes our way. I believe that there are spiritual battles going on in all of our lives and we must wield the Word of God like a sword. Not in a violent way, of course! *Lol*

I really can’t say anything bad about this book. The characters are amusing, the story literally clings to you, and after you’ve read it, you’re dying to pick up the next one in the series.

I highly recommend The Sword of Light to tweens who adore fantasy. Just to point out some things to parents - there is sorcery, fight scenes, and scary creatures. I would say that if your tween likes The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings, then they should have no problems with this.

Visit Kimberli Campbell’s website

God bless!
~Grace

Sara's Journey: Book Review

Sara's Journey by Patti Leudeman Chiappa
3 stars

In the small town of Summerville, the residents are friendly and pleasant. They all appear to be ordinary people with seemingly ordinary lives. But they all share a common goal - to help a young woman by the name of Sara. Because of an accident that happened not long ago, Sara was left with most of her body burned. Feeling ashamed, she had locked herself away from the rest of the world. She wouldn’t allow anyone into her crumbling home aside from her doctor. Because of the doctor’s regular check-ups, he was the only one who had ever seen her burns.

Summerville gets turned upside down, when a complete stranger walks in. All who meet the stranger think he’s kind and trustworthy. And his reason for visiting Summerville is this: “I have walked for days to come to your town because God put a calling in my heart to come here.” A family lets him take up residence with them and he soon becomes like a brother. They don’t learn much from him, except for his name is Turner and that he’s a Christian. Turner does seem different somehow…. He’s always looking after everyone’s needs. Does this mean that he will be able to help Sara?

Sara’s Journey is a sweet yet simple book. The message from the story is awesome. It’s actually about a couple of things - being able to forgive someone when you think they’ve harmed you and realizing that perfection is not what God seeks. When we hide ourselves from the world, we’re not able to shine. It’s like covering up a candle in the darkness.

The story often switches to separate parts for the different characters. Since it takes place in a town, many residents are mentioned throughout the pages. It was confusing trying to figure out who was who. Before I end this review, I just want to mention one more thing. There’s not much romance, so don’t read it for that. It’s inspirational with perhaps a pinch of allegory.

God bless!
~Grace

Letters to God on a Prodigal Son: Book Review

Letters to God on a Prodigal Son by Anita Estes

3 stars

Letters to God on a Prodigal Son consists of letters that were written by author Anita Estes. She dated each segment, and they are similar to journal entries. The author added something incredibly helpful with almost all of the chapters. There are areas in the book called Lessons Learned and Suggestions. Anita shows what she learned in that situation and offers advice on it.

Writing with the pain that only a mother could express, Anita shares with us the story of her son. Starting at the beginning, the author didn’t realize how serious her son’s addiction to drugs and alcohol was. Being a mother, she wanted to protect and shelter him. But she realized that this was not the best way for him to change. With a lot of tough love, she worked hard on him. Taking him to church and counseling are two of the ways she did this. She also never gave up praying or hoping that her son would come back to them. And the only true way for her son to recover was to give him completely over to God.

I like reading about people’s lives to see if I can glean something from them. And I did from this. It’s to never give up on someone. To keep praying for them even if it feels like it’s doing nothing. God always hears your prayers.

Letters to God on a Prodigal Son is an ideal book for families and/or friends of individuals who struggle with addictions. “…But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 NIV

Visit Anita Estes' website

God bless!
~Grace

What's Ahead For TCS

We created a list of the giveaways, book reviews, and interviews that are running during this month and into the next. Since there are so many giveaways, we thought this list would be helpful for you all. We stated in our Blogoversary Post that TCS will no longer be updated after all of these have been fulfilled. Because of that, we're not accepting any requests for reviews, interviews, or giveaways. What is listed below are the final posts we'll do for TCS. It's your last look at what's ahead. Take your time enjoying our blog and say hello to us on Twitter and Facebook. Wish us a Happy Blogoversary! ^_^

Coming Soon:

Our Last Post: Saying Farewell // April 5th

God bless!
~Grace

Essentials of the Heart: Book Review & Giveaway

Essentials of the Heart by Susan Weagant

4 stars

When I picked up Essentials of the Heart, the first thing that I noticed was the front cover of the book. It’s simple but sweet with the two red hearts strewn across it. Holding it in my hands, it’s not the biggest. This isn’t a problem because it’s perfect for carrying it with you. What I really like about this book are the areas where you can write out your reflections after every chapter (there are thirteen chapters). If you enjoy expressing your feelings or thoughts on paper, like I do, then you’ll find that corner absolutely essential.

Essentials of the Heart is divided up into two parts: decisions and disciplines. The author (Susan Weagant) draws from her life and shares bits and pieces of her journey with us. All the chapters seem to have specific verses from God’s Word that pertain to a certain subject. I love it! Christians should go to the Bible for their answers and put them side to side with what they’re learning.

Reflecting on what I read, I know that I have an even stronger longing to develop a closer relationship with God. Seeing what Susan does in her ministry with women is awesome. She has a heart to serve. Putting God first and others second should be what we do everyday. I really admire Susan for reaching out to women and encouraging them to pursue an intimate bond with God. In a study, it states that most Christians are known as being casual with their faith. I don’t know about you, but I want to be captive with mine. This is just one of the interesting points in Essentials of the Heart.

I recommend this guide-like book to women who seek the essentials to a closer walk with Him. I can imagine taking it with you to a quiet and cozy spot while reading Essentials of the Heart. While reading, it should make some kind of impact on you.

And… here’s your chance to get one into your hands! Susan Weagant is graciously giving away an autographed copy of it. Be sure to enter and ask any questions you might have for her.

Book Info:

Title: Essentials of the Heart
Author: Susan Weagant
Format: Perfect Paperback
Pages: 168
ISBN: 978-1616638429
Publisher: Tate Publishing

Giveaway Rules:

Susan is giving away Essentials of the Heart to one bookworm! In order to enter, you must leave a comment with your e-mail address (so that we can contact you). US and Canada only, please. This giveaway starts today and ends on March 29th. A winner will be picked randomly (using random.org) and announced on the 30th. We will contact the winner and notify them by their e-mail address. If the winner doesn't respond within a few days, we will have to pick another. Good luck! =)

God bless!
~Grace

Killing Time: Book Review

Killing Time by K. Dawn Byrd
3 1/2 stars

Alone and afraid, Mindy McLaurin enters a women’s penitentiary for embezzlement charges. She says that she’s not guilty. She suspects that a co-worker has pinned the embezzlement on her. While in prison, she’s also on a separate mission to find information within the walls. Mindy has two dilemmas: she must both clear her charges and snoop for a private investigator – who just happens to be her boyfriend.

Mindy starts her investigation by digging up any info on what happened to a young woman named Alexis.  Fearing foul play, the mother of the young woman hired Mindy’s boyfriend, Mitch, to investigate the death. Mitch saw Mindy’s going behind bars as an opportune time. He hired - or rather used - her to look into the situation. But Mindy soon realizes that Mitch is hardly the guy for her, because he’s in no hurry to bail her out.

In captivity Mindy meets with many challenges. She creates enemies and friends inside the cold exterior of the prison. Not all is bad; she meets a handsome counselor and an unexpected individual. Through it all and in desperation, Mindy clings to God when being faced by deadly threats. Will she ever get out of prison alive and find who killed Alexis?

If I could sum up one word to describe Killing Time, I would say that it’s unique. Here’s the reason: the setting is located in a prison. K. Dawn Byrd really captures the hustle and bustle of the women’s penitentiary. It’s not pretty, nor is it pleasant. The inmates that meet the main character are mean and unfriendly towards her. The author realistically portrayed what it would be like to be stuck in such an inhospitable position. 

I loved the areas of the book where Mindy clings to God because she feels so alone. If we were in her shoes, what would we do? Would we rely on God or ourselves to make things happen? Because the main character meets such hardened people, there’s some crudeness – but that’s expected. Watch out for the suspense, because it’s killer!

I liked what K. Dawn Byrd tackled in writing Killing Time, and I would definitely read more from her. I recommend it to women who like a mix of suspense, mystery, and romance.

Visit K. Dawn Byrd's website


God bless!
~Grace

Beyond The Rapids: Book Review

Beyond The Rapids by Evelyn Puerto

4 1/2 stars

In Beyond The Rapids, we’re transported to the country of Ukraine during the Soviet Union. There we meet a modest and remarkable Christian family. The book opens with a brief foreword and is followed closely by an introduction and acknowledgments. The chapters switch from various members of the Brynza family on whom the story chronicles. The first fifteen chapters are told by, Lena, the youngest of the four children. Lena’s experiences are of growing up and on the tribulations they all faced, especially those of her father.

From there, we switch over to the lives of Lena’s two older brothers: Yakov and Viktor. Being bullied and taunted by communists, they both faced the overwhelming temptation to fit in with the people. Being labeled as a Baptist on practically everything made “fitting in” impossible. They weren’t made or meant to simply fit in with the world. God had other plans for them; they would shine for everyone to see.

The last chapters swap back and forth between Lena, Igor (her husband), Veniamin (her youngest brother), and Ruslana (Veniamin’s wife). It was confusing at times when it switched, but that was only because I wasn’t always paying attention. I flipped through the pages rather quickly.

There are no boring areas in any corner of the book. It’s all fascinating! While reading, you will probably find the family’s ways unusual and somewhat strict. In turn, they had visited America and thought us to live in a lukewarm way of life.

I really wish I could’ve met Lena’s father, Alexei Brynza, but reading this book made me feel like I did. I love true stories, and I can say that Beyond The Rapids is one of the best out there. I haven’t read anything this good in a while. It truly inspired and challenged my faith. I highly recommend Beyond The Rapids, but not for anyone too young, though. When the darkness surrounds, the light shines the most…

Visit Evelyn Puerto’s website

God bless!
~Grace

From Zero to Christian in Just 35 Years: Book Review

From Zero to Christian in Just 35 Years by Lori A. Moore

3 1/2 stars

From Zero to Christian in Just 35 Years is a relatively small book. In all, there are precisely 96 pages. It’s a biography on the author Lori A Moore. You might think the limited amount of pages would be inefficient for a biography, but Lori managed to successfully pack her 35 years into four chapters. It fits.

I found it fascinating to follow Lori as she fought and struggled to find her calling. Her heart longed to be satisfied, but she would usually find it in all the wrong places. Her family broke apart when she was young and she was often left alone.

She believed maybe there was a God but she didn’t personally know Him. A Christian couple would invite her to church and she often accepted. A neighbor asked her to attend a women’s event and she couldn’t say no. She heard Liz Curtis Higgs speak and was touched by her testimony. Here’s a quote mentioning it: “She explained that she used to live in that pit too and that it was through God’s amazing grace that she was able to break the bondage of that pit.” Soon after that event, Lori accepted Jesus into her life. She escaped the pit that had held her down.

I think Lori’s life is an example of how God can reach anyone and direct their hearts to Him. He can save you from that pit you’re trapped in. 

Visit Lori A. Moore's website

God bless!
~Grace

His Other Wife: Book Review

His Other Wife: A Novel by Deborah Bedford

3 stars

In the opening prologue, Hilary appears to have a perfect life with a handsome husband, a son, and the job of a nurse. In shocking reality, Hilary’s life is far from perfect. Her husband, Erik, reveals he’s had an affair with another woman and he wants a divorce. Hilary is shocked and outraged at the news. Everything is not what it seemed to be.

In the first chapter, it’s six years later. Hilary struggles to be both a single mother and a nurse. She has built up a tough exterior over what happened between her and Eric, but inwardly she can still feel the pain. But she’s not alone in all this; she has God to comfort her, great friends to laugh with, and a son to take of. 

Hilary’s son, Seth, is almost a grown man. He’ll soon be leaving high school forever and heading to college. Because of her son’s graduation, Hilary will have no choice but to see Eric and his other wife.

His Other Wife has a theme of forgiveness intertwined into the story. The main character’s pain felt so real that I was suffering right along with her. I knew from the synopsis of the book that her husband gets a divorce, but I was still left stunned when it happened. All of the characters react in a perfectly human-like way through suffering, tragedy, and hope.

It’s not the easiest to muscle through because of the heaviness of it. After the awful circumstances that Hilary and her family had encountered, it was like there was a big dark cloud hanging over the whole story. The end leaves on a happier note, so I was satisfied. In the author’s notes, Bedford says that the story was inspired by Hannah from the Bible.

I can tell Deborah Bedford likes to write stories on real life situations. I like her honesty, and she definitely chose a difficult issue to approach. I would be willing to pick up another book from this author.

This was reviewed for FaithWords

God bless!
~Grace

The Mystery of Ghost Dancer Ranch: Book Review

The Mystery of Ghost Dancer Ranch by Patrick E. Craig

2 1/2 stars

The Mystery of Ghost Dancer Ranch follows two curious teenagers, Punkin and Boo, on their very first adventure together. They have both been left to spend the summer at their grandparents’ ranch. Thinking it will be boring, the girls are not at all enthused with being separated from friends and family. Little do they know, it will become anything but boring!

The real mystery begins when Boo’s curiosity is sparked from asking her grandma questions. She learns of some intriguing history surrounding the old house. A relative was said to have hidden an Indian by the name of Red Bull and his family from the army. This relative fell in love with Red Bull’s daughter and later married her.

Boo also discovers that the name of the ranch was derived from Indians who danced on the property. This ghost dance was used to call up their dead ancestors.

The Mystery of Ghost Dancer Ranch has a style like Nancy Drew, except there are big differences. The biggest is that it focuses on the supernatural. I don’t know if you can combine the paranormal with sleuthing in a way that perfectly fits.

To break down the book, there are dangerous situations that the kids and grandfather encounter. The two main characters are adorable, and the author did well in portraying them. Crooks with an interest in casinos are mentioned, and the paranormal side of it has demons that haunt the house. Because of the demons and bad guys, it might be scary for some children.

I believe that The Lost Coast and The Hidden Gate complete the rest of this series. I don’t recommend this one for really young readers, so the appropriate age is probably for 10 and up.

Visit Patrick E. Craig’s website

God bless!
~Grace

What Happened to Mount St. Helens?: Book Review

The Case of the Missing Mountain by Kim Jones

4 stars

The Case of the Missing Mountain is a fun and engaging way for children to learn Creation Science. The name of the book’s title refers to the events of Mount St. Helens. The pages follow two mystery rangers, Jen and Jack, as they find clues to unravel the mystery of what happened to the mountain.

Your child goes along on this activity-filled journey to pick up facts and solve puzzles. Here’s a list of the activities: crossword puzzles, unscrambling words, code breakers, science experiments, eye spy, mazes, and so much more. There are many photographs and creative designs nestled within the pages. After your child has completed everything, they will find volcano facts, Bible verses, jokes, and more at the end of the book. And there’s a special reward waiting at thenaturetour.com for solving seven of the mysteries, two Rockin’ Ranger Activities, and two Mystery Ranger Missions.

Kim is the perfect author for this, since she has a wealth of information on parks. I recommend The Case of the Missing Mountain for families who homeschool their children and teach Creationism. I was homeschooled, and I would’ve enjoyed something like this to pour through. It could be applied with learning geology, America’s parks, and nature.

Since I don’t have any children of my own, I plan on giving this copy to my nieces – who are homeschooled. I think they’ll both like it. My oldest niece wants to be a park ranger so this will be great for her.

This was reviewed for New Leaf Publishing Group

God bless!
~Grace

On the Shores of Scotland: Book Review

Angel Harp: A Novel by Michael Phillips

3 1/2 stars

Strumming notes with a melancholy tone on her harp, Marie Buchan feels remarkably the same. She wishes to start afresh; her husband had always planned on visiting Scotland with her. Unfortunately, they never had the chance to pursue it. Ever since his death, Marie has lived the years in a stand-still. Teaching her passion of the harp to eager students even lacks its luster. A sudden thought hits her… to be spontaneous might just be the ingredient to awaken her life. So, with that in mind, Marie makes arrangements to travel. She’s ready to live her dream.

Marie arrives in Scotland with a mix of optimism and apprehension. She doesn’t want to stick out like a tourist but blend in with the people. She’s soon drawn to the countryside and chooses to reside in a quaint village. At first, Marie feels like a stranger but is later welcomed by the friendly town-folk. Exploring the surroundings of the little village, Marie discovers an enchanting ledge overlooking the sea. Fortunately for her, there’s a bench and it’s the perfect setting to play her harp. She belongs here on the shores of Scotland – cloaked by mystery and old traditions.

My Thoughts on Angel Harp:

I was really drawn into the first couple of chapters up until I hit an abrupt wall of ideologies. The characters/author felt like they were rambling in areas. I didn’t find it alluring. I won’t go into specifics, but there’s an idea that didn’t quite match up with scripture.

The scenery is described wonderfully by Michael Phillips. I found myself being transported to the majestic lands of Scotland. The rich culture of the Scottish made me add it to my list of countries to visit. While learning the history of Scotland is necessary to the story, it was excessive and heavy. At times, it seemed like the author was only writing the book for that reason alone. While I had devoured the beginning of Angel Harp, the story later slowed me down. Not the easiest to read.

Michael Phillips’ writing is good. It’s steady and pretty flawless. I’m just amazed that he could write so well from the viewpoint of a woman. I applaud him! I recommend Angel Harp to bookworms who love first person narratives and the history of Scotland. This book stuck to me, and I have no inkling as to why… It will make a nice addition to my library, because of its cover. How many hardcover books are white?

This was reviewed for FaithWords

God bless!
~Grace

Giving to the Community: Book Review

How Shall We Feed Them?: A Practical Guide for Organizing a Food Pantry by Marty Girardier 4 stars

If you’re thinking of starting a food pantry at your church or organization, How Shall We Feed Them? by Marty Girardier is the book for you. It’s a guide that shows the step by step process of buying, storing, and giving food away. Marty opens with a short introduction on the need to feed the hungry. I love that she says, “The most important key is to pray and seek God…”

There are only seven chapters squeezed into this skinny book, but they’re very informative and helpful. Each one starts with a Bible verse and ends with a note from people who’ve benefited from the food pantry. Included in the middle is the text written by the author and a stop and pray section – where you can write out your thoughts.

At the end, you’ll find fifteen pages as Food Pantry Tools. There’s Additional Food Pantry Ideas, Food Pantry Action Plan, Food Pantry Check-Off List, Food Pantry Contribution Sign-Up Sheet, Sample Postcard, Food Pantry Guidelines, and a Food Recipient Information Sheet. You can tear these pages out and photocopy them for use.

I’m confident that the author left nothing out in explaining the way to set everything up. You can really tell she’s passionate about what she does. Taking care of men, women, and children by offering them vital necessities must be so rewarding. Let’s show some kindness today and make sure that no one goes hungry in our community. Pick up How Shall We Feed Them? by Marty Girardier if you feel led to open up a food pantry.

Visit Marty Girardier’s website: martygirardier.authorweblog.com

God bless!
~Grace

The Voice Leads Them: Book Review

Legendary Space Pilgrims by Grace Bridges.
2 1/2 stars

On planet Monday, life is monotonous – gray is the color that invades the skies, uniforms, and the lives of every worker that calls it home. Mario is a worker, a farmer in fact. He is expected to wake up at a specific time, work the fields, eat, and then sleep. He repeats the exact same routine day by day. He can’t stray from normal protocols or let his emotions get out of hand. Mario must wear an emo-reader on his neck to discourage any feelings. If the reader rises up to 80%, transport tubes take him to be mindwiped and brought back never to remember anything. Such is the life on planet Monday.

Little does Mario know, his life is about to get brighter. His otherwise normal day is shaken up when he hears the Voice. Mario receives many Words spoken by the Voice. These mysterious Words bring him comfort, so he repeats them over and over again – until they’ve become ingrained in his memory. He also notices that they somehow keep the emo-reader from beeping. He cannot keep the Words to himself and so he shares them with his friend, Caitlin. She’s unsure of the whole thing but reluctantly starts saying them.

The Voice issues certain commands to Mario and Caitlin. They must escape from planet Monday and venture forth into the unknown. Mario trusts the Voice, so they both follow His plans. He and Caitlin will be guided to wherever they’re supposed to go, but where will the Voice take them and what will they find there?

My Thoughts on Legendary Space Pilgrims:

Legendary Space Pilgrims is my first sci-fi book that’s Christian themed. I am a fan of the genre, so I was interested in giving it a try. The tale follows Mario and Caitlin as they go on a journey from planet Monday to the wide frontiers of space. On this journey, they meet many challenges and temptations. It reminded me of Pilgrims Progress in the sense of it being an allegory.

While reading through the book, I hit a suggestive scene or two. This was the main reason why I gave it a lower rating. I did enjoy the visual treats of the strange worlds described by the author. It's fun to experience odd times and places. But the best part was probably the Voice that leads Mario and Caitlin. I love that He calls them forth to follow Him. When I reached the last chapters, I noticed the story wasn't wrapping up. That's because it continues into another book by the name of Independence Monday - not yet released.

Being introduced to a new genre is always exhilarating, and I honestly didn’t know there were Christian sci-fi books. Legendary Space Pilgrims may not have been my favorite, but I am definitely willing to read more of these.

Visit Grace Bridges’ website: gracebridges.com

God bless!
~Grace

Suspense Filled: Book Review

The Price of Trust by Amanda Stephan.
4 stars

Carly Richards is always running. She stays only so long in one location before her abusive ex-fiancé can find her again. However, on this juncture it’s different. Traveling by car, she makes her way to a modest little town in the state of Montana. She quickly sells the car and finds a job working at a hardware shop. The owners are kind-hearted and treat her like their own granddaughter.

Feeling somewhat comfortable, Carly finds herself glued to the small town. She decisively makes a bold choice to remain there. Carly visits the local church but tries desperately to remain detached from the community. Little does she know, God has other plans. Inevitably, the townspeople ease their way into her guarded heart.

Carly welcomes all the attention from new friends, but she’s still unsure of her predicament. Having the attention from a guy named Joe Baird confuses her. What if her ex-fiancé finds out? She can’t risk Joe getting hurt, so she avoids him at every turn. Will Carly be able to face her fears and trust God?

My Thoughts on The Price of Trust:

Amanda Stephan is a newly discovered author for me, and I recently acquired her debut novel. I must say The Price of Trust is a decent first start. What I like about Amanda’s writing is how much fun she had with her characters. You could tell she enjoyed creating them. They’re entertaining and not overly complicating. The romance between the two main characters, Carly and Joe, is beyond sweet. When an author has characters she cares about, it affects how you read the book. It doesn’t take long for them to tug at your heart.

Reading through the story, I was expecting non-stop action. Its progression is slower than I envisioned, but the suspense is killer! I was waiting on pins and needles for the ex-fiancé to finally appear. There is violence, as Carly reveals the abuse she suffered from him. It wasn’t an issue for me, as I’ve read far worse. In fact, it’s practically tame compared to other books.

I’m sure Amanda Stephan intends to publish additional books. If so, I will probably be waiting in line to read them. Like suspense and romance intermingled together? Pick up The Price of Trust!

Visit Amanda Stephan’s website: thepriceoftrust.com

God bless!
~Grace

Following the Right Path: Book Review

A Path Less Traveled (A Miller's Creek Novel #2) by Cathy Bryant. 3 1/2 stars

Trish James is a hard worker, trying to support her son and herself in the small town of Miller’s Creek. After the loss of her husband, nothing has been the same. Her son is unhappy and distant with their situation. To help, Trish has him see a counselor, but nothing seems to awaken his heart.

Facing hardship, Trish tries to blaze a lonely path by trying to do things on her own. She avoids assistance from family members and friends. But when help comes in the form of a man named Andy, will Trish accept it - or will pride get in the way?

My Thoughts on A Path Less Traveled:

Trusting God and allowing others to help you through loss is the main subject of A Path Less Traveled. The author, Cathy Brant, does an excellent job of showing the pain and confusion that Trish experiences. I, as well as others, find it difficult at times to fully let go and trust God. You would think this would be easy to do, but often it proves hard. When it comes right down to it, we like to rely on ourselves. With that being said, I soaked up every smidgen of the lesson infused by Cathy Bryant. My only frustration was with how long it took for Trish to realize this. It felt like it dragged on a little.

Cathy Bryant is a wonderful writer, and I like the creative words she uses in her descriptions: “In spite of the thousands of winking lights surrounding Trish James, a wedding somehow lost its luster in the wake of death.” When reading her books, you’ll notice how artistically she creates her sentences.

If I were to compare this with Texas Roads, I would say I enjoyed the first one more. I can’t really say why, because I would be giving too much of the story away. I will mention that I didn’t understand the complicated family dynamics – which I hope I grasped correctly. That and one other issue kept me from giving this a higher rating. Despite being slightly disappointed in this, I am still highly anticipating Cathy Bryant’s next novel – The Way of Grace.

I recommend A Path Less Traveled to readers who like contemporary romance with a tinge of country charm to it.

Visit Cathy Bryant’s website: catbryant.com

God bless!
~Grace

Guest Writer: Jay's Musik Blog

Mary Beth Chapman: Choosing to See Book Review by Jay from Jay's Musik Blog. 4.5/5 stars

In Choosing to SEE, Mary Beth Chapman takes a look at the events of her life and dares to see how God has seen her through it all. As many know, on May 21st, 2008, Mary Beth and the Chapman family lost their five-year-old adopted daughter Maria when Will Chapman pulled into the driveway not seeing Maria running toward him. Through an interesting turn of events, God allowed the Chapman family to see that He was still holding them and taking care of both them and Maria. In Choosing to SEE, Maria Beth explores her life from beginning to the present, and how the hand of God has guided her through it all.

Mary Beth takes a look from the insecurities of her teenage years, to her problems in marriage, and much more. Through these major changes in life, Mary Beth shares how her fear slowly but surely was torn down through learning that God was always holding her hand. Also in Choosing to SEE, you will read the exciting accounts of Mary Beth's adoption processes, one of which was a spur-of-the-moment decision. Out of all the chapters and stories in the book, I think the adoption chapters were the main highlight of the book, seeing how something Mary Beth said she would never do came to pass. Also interesting accounts were the Chapman's house fire, and their children's weddings and graduations, as Mary Beth writes out a chronology of the Chapman family beginning from day one.

Mary Beth devotes the second half of Choosing to SEE to the terrible tragedy that plagued the Chapman family -- Maria Sue's death. Although hurt devoured all the members of the family, Mary Beth focuses on the healing of Will's hurt, as church, school, and family members reached out to him. I also enjoyed how Mary Beth shared the account of when both Will and Shaohannah learned how to let go of their hurt and embrace the future. These accounts make the book well worth the read!

However, one thing I disliked about Choosing to SEE was a few accounts that seemed rather unnecessary. I felt that a few sentences here and there actually took away from the extreme interest presented in the chapter. A few times, Mary Beth made reference to family matters that I personally found to be private. These features only appeared a few times through the book, so I probably would recommend parental guidance for children reading this book.

Mary Beth's Choosing to See is full of extremely interesting accounts of the Chapman's growth as a family, and their Christ-like examples of being unified. I very much enjoyed reading how the Chapman family bonded together after the accident and were one like never before. Mary Beth shares story after story of how God's hand guided their lives and led them to where they are now. Out of all their tragedy comes blessing -- a unified family, Maria's Big House of Hope, and healing for their hurting souls.

I believe that Choosing to See is a book that Steven Curtis Chapman fans will enjoy, seeing what life was like as Steven began his music career, and how his faith strengthened the Chapman family enabling them to be where they are today. Choosing to SEE is an excellent book showing how God speaks in ways that we often least expect it.

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The Magic of Mistletoe: Book Review

Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe by Irene Brand and Anita Higman  3 1/2 stars

An Appalachian Christmas:

Julia Mayfield’s mission is to bring her young nephew to the small town of Mistletoe so he can stay with his grandparents. When the grandparents don’t exactly throw out the welcome mat, she has no choice but to stay with a motherly woman and her handsome son, David. Things don’t go exactly to plan for Julia. She has no idea how to take care of a little boy and she’s afraid that she’s falling in love. And most of all, she has to find a way to fulfill her dying sister’s wish, or she’ll wind up staying in Mistletoe forever – something that she’s sure won’t ever happen. Will God show Julia what’s missing in her heart?

Once Upon a Christmas Eve:

Holly Goodnight owns a quaint shop in the town of Noel, Missouri – where she sells everything and anything Christmas. Business is doing remarkably well for Holly and she receives a request for an interview on TV. This and being voted the best Christmas shop in America. With all that attention, comes a charming novelist by the name of Van Keaton – who wishes to write Holly’s story and… maybe steal her heart in the process. But what will Holly’s best friend, Owen Quigly, have to say about that?

My Thoughts on Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe:

My interests were piqued to read a book from the Love Finds You series, since I’ve seen them all over the internet in giveaways and reviews. I did eventually receive a copy. So, for the first time, I opened the cover of Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe and found two tender romance stories within. The two stories are not completely separate, but both interlocked through the magic of mistletoe.

The first story is An Appalachian Christmas by Irene Brand. It takes place in the Appalachian Mountains, which is aptly named “Mistletoe” - where mistletoe grows in abundance. The view on the characters and mountains of Mistletoe were probably the best part, because I love history. I find it intriguing the way people dealt with life after the Second World War, and how the people of the Appalachian Mountains lived during that day.

The second story is Once Upon A Christmas Eve by Anita Higman. It takes place in a cozy little town named Noel - pronounced like Joel .Unlike the first story, this is not set in post-war but in modern day. Because of its humor, I have to say that I enjoyed this more than An Appalachian Christmas. And believe it or not, this is tied to the first story. I won’t mention why… You’ll just have to pick up Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe and find out for yourself!

If my review enticed you to read this book before Christmas, make sure you do it with a cup of spiced apple cider or hot chocolate. I recommend it!

Visit Irene Brand’s website: irenebrand.com

Visit Anita Higman’s website: anitahigman.com

God bless!

~Grace

Startling Revelations: Book Review

The Shadowed Mind by Julie Cave

3 1/2 stars

In this second installment of A Dinah Harris Mystery series, we meet Dinah on another one of her baffling cases. She’s hot on the tracks of a serial killer, but instead of working with her prior partner (David Ferguson), Dinah is saddled with a new one by the name of Samson Cage.

Dinah and Samson make for interesting partners. Dinah is abrasive and Samson is reserved. Even though different, they both work well together. Their first crime scene investigation begins in a dark alleyway. The victim has had no visible trauma, and there’s no evidence of a struggle. They search for any clues that the killer might have left behind. The investigators are stumped when they find a printed sympathy card and an old photograph. Not left with much to go on, they wait for the killer to make his next move.

Everything in Dinah’s life has had a complete turn-around. She’s a born-again Christian with a new outlook on life. She’s also getting help with battling her drinking problem. But will this case prove to be too much for her? And will she lean on old habits?

My Thoughts on The Shadowed Mind:

In my opinion, The Shadowed Mind by Julie Cave is better than Deadly Disclosures. It has a serious tone that tackles the tough subject of eugenics. It’s not a light read and nor is it filled with any romance. I didn’t enjoy following the murderer while he befriended people. But, I like all the information that I got from the history of eugenics. This is really something that people need to be aware of in this country. I already knew about it, but this book opened my eyes to the full extent.

I was stunned by the facts on what I learned in this book. I can’t believe what our country did in the past with involuntary sterilizations. Unfortunately, this belief of who is and isn’t “fit to live” is going on now.

After finishing it all, I am very glad that I read it. It’s important to be informed on these sorts of things. It’s… a nice change instead of always burying yourself in a romance. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading romances! I would also like to note that I like how the character of Dinah is not perfect. She’s got issues just like everyone else. A unique read!

I recommend this book to both men and women who love crime/detective themed stories. Be sure to pick up the first book (Deadly Disclosures) in this series!

Visit Julie Cave’s website: juliecave.com

This was reviewed for New Leaf Publishing Group.

God bless!
~Grace

God's Goodness: Book Review

Blessed Beyond Measure (Devotional Journal) by Gloria Copeland // 4 stars

My Thoughts on Blessed Beyond Measure:

This is the devotional journal of Blessed Beyond Measure by Gloria Copeland. Just so that there’s no confusion, this isn’t the actual book of Blessed Beyond Measure. I haven’t read that, but I have completed two days worth of devotionals from this. It would take me far too long (forty-five days to be exact) to finish this book and then write a review for it.

I don’t want to push myself and hurry up the process of doing all the devotionals, I want to take my time and enjoy each and every one (as it is meant to be). From what I’ve looked over, it’s going to be a great devotional. Plus side is that it’s also a journal. I love to have journals and this is perfect! Each page begins with a brief devotional. After that, there are three areas to write in: Reflection on His Goodness, Experiencing His Goodness, and Praying in His Goodness.

I’ve already gained some wonderful insight from doing two days of it. If you’re like me, I like to write out my thoughts and feelings. I learn quite a bit when I do it that way. I recommend this to women for two reasons: if you have a desire/hunger to learn of God’s goodness, and if you have a fondness for devotionals that also double as a journal. I look forward to the process of reading through Blessed Beyond Measure!

Check out Gloria Copeland’s website: gloriacopeland.net

This was reviewed for Faith Words.

God bless!
~Grace