Category: book review

August 4, 2015

Believe and Know by Cathy Bryant

A companion Bible study, Believe and Know by Cathy Bryant asks all the hard and important questions we all ask no matter what faith.

About Believe and Know

Each human being, on their journey and search for truth, must at some point reflect on their life and answer some important questions such as: Why am I here? Is there life beyond life as I now know it? How did the universe and man come into existence, and how does the answer affect me?

We must also carefully consider the avenues open before us. The wrong choice will be detrimental to our current life as well as the life to come. Believe and Know addresses the hard questions and decisions that accompany the search for truth.

It was written with three types of readers in mind: those who struggle with faith, many times because of skewed perceptions or even anger; those who profess faith in the unseen, but find it difficult to live out; and finally those whose faith is strong, but who need information to combat the arguments and questions of others.

My Thoughts

I strongly believe that it is important for all individuals to step back at least weekly from their busy lives to re-focus on God and their faith. In Believe and Know, Cathy helps Christians deal with many of the difficult questions we have in our faith.

Cathy breaks down each section (for example: how do we know the Bible is accurate, why would God want us to suffer,etc.) and includes specific scriptures to read. Each scripture helps to illustrate and defend her points, as well as providing you with your own opportunity to read the scripture to discover your own thoughts on it. Cathy presents valuable and important questions and reflections for individuals in all stages of faith. Believe and Know is not about just reading Bible scriptures but to also work through your faith and understand the meaning of God’s love for us. No matter where we are in our faith, it is always important to re-visit God’s teaching on His love for us.

An excellent Bible Study guide for individuals in all stages of their faith. Cathy will leave you enlightened and re-examining your own life. You can find more on Believe and Know on her website.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Amazon best-selling author Cathy Bryant writes Christian fiction set in the heart of Texas. Her popular romance and romantic suspense novels take place in the fictional town of Miller’s Creek, where folks are friendly, the iced tea is sweet, and Mama Beth’s front porch beckons. Her debut novel, TEXAS ROADS, was a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist and has been on the Amazon Best-Seller list. Since then four other stand-alone novels have been added to the series, one of which was a reader-nominated 2013 Grace Award nominee (PILGRIMAGE OF PROMISE). Readers have compared her work to that of Karen Kingsbury and Nicholas Sparks.

A native Texan, Cathy has written devotions for The Upper Room devotional magazine, two devotional books, and for online sites. She also has written two Bible studies that correspond with the spiritual themes of Miller’s Creek novels. In addition to her writing, she enjoys thrift store shopping and romping in the great outdoors. To learn more about Cathy and her books, visit her website at www.CatBryant.com.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

July 30, 2015

Keep Learning Fresh in the Summer with My First French Book Words

While summer is all about fun and getting outside, don’t forget about learning too! Our children can forget so much over the summer months so it is important to keep up those skills by practicing their math and language skills.

Our eldest had his first year of French lessons at school and he fell in love with the language (can you blame him?). It also brought back so many memories for me as well. Children that can speak two languages definitely have a strong advantage and I want this for my kids, especially as Canadians it is important to speak both French and English.

My First French Book Words covers topics ranging from toys to farm animals to shapes food. The book contains both the English and French word to accompany each picture.

The best features of this book:

bold and bright photos that draw your attention
easily divided tabs on the top and side of the book so you can jump ahead to a preferred section (or find your spot again)
a fantastic variety of words that goes well beyond the basics (for example parrots, budgies and guinea pigs are included in the animal section)
thick pages to help little hands turn the pages themselves (a must for those independent children!)
the writing was kid friendly and easy to read

DK Canada’s My First French Book Words will be the perfect tool to expose your children to the French language and garner their interest in learning a second language. Make sure you check out the DK Oh Canada Boutique this summer for lots more fun!

Does your child speak another language at home?

Disclosure: I received this book free of charge in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

July 28, 2015

Two Hearts by James Eric Richey

Will doubts of being true to her ruin her marriage in Two Hearts?

About Two Hearts

Jaxon Tagget is a cattle-rancher’s son, born and raised on the Double T, just outside of Dillon, Montana. He is in love with his high-school sweetheart, Annie, so much so that Jaxon proposes on graduation night. He presents her with a wedding ring made from gold he had mined himself. Annie accepts immediately, to the horror of her bitter, man-hating mother.

Jaxon is a wonderful husband, but the warnings of Annie’s mother linger in the young bride’s ears. And it doesn’t help that women continue to fall all over the markedly handsome Jaxon.

Unaware of his wife’s persistent doubts, Jaxon is struggling with his own troubles when he finds out his Dad is in need of money to save the ranch. But hope glimmers gold when he rediscovers the old mine on the Double T.

While Jaxon travels to verify the mine’s productivity, Annie grows increasingly suspicious. Is Jaxon’s absence what it seems, or does he have another, less faithful reason for his travels? When Annie sees a picture of the beautiful laboratory owner whom Jaxon is visiting, she’s sure the only gold he’s interested in is long, blond hair. Is Annie right, or will it be her doubts that forever sever their Two Hearts?

My Thoughts

Our past experiences shape our current actions and thought patterns. It is hard to ‘unlearn’ everything that has shaped us throughout our childhood. This is the same for Annie in Two Hearts. She loves Jaxon with all her heart but because of her childhood she is quick to not trust him and find fault. This is a typical thought pattern so many of us get into and is even that much harder to break. It is the ‘safer’ road for us, just as this is the safe road for Annie.

Jaxon loves Annie with all her heart but the constant accusations and lack of trust is eating away at his heart. He wants and needs her to see how much he loves her. That when he said ‘I Do’ he meant it and always will mean it.

Two Hearts is not only an honest, romantic novel but touching and provides readers with a good lesson. Trust is the basis of any relationship and without it a marriage can fail easily.

You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

James Eric Richey was born and raised in California. He attended Brigham Young University, studying English with an emphasis in Literature. After graduating from BYU he returned home to California to further his education by attending law school. After passing the bar, James practiced in California for several years, but he quickly learned that he did not have a passion for the law.

In 1998 James obtained his real estate appraiser license, which has given him a flexible work schedule and allowed him to pursue his true passion, writing books. Besides his writing, he also enjoys reading, running, and sailing. James currently lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with his wife, Heather, and their two daughters.

You can connect with him online, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

July 24, 2015

A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears

Two strangers are drawn together in A Bride at Last through one woman and her child.

About A Bride at Last

Abandoned by his mail-order bride, Silas Jonesey has fought a battle to recover from a pattern of poor choices. Now his prayers have finally come true and his estranged wife has contacted him with her whereabouts.

Kate Dawson was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but upon realizing she had been deceived about her intended groom, she’s now settled into life as a schoolteacher. When the mother of a student passes away, Kate assumes she will take on care of nine-year-old Anthony – until two men suddenly show up in town, both claiming to be the boy’s father.

Silas can see Anthony loves Kate, so he enlists her help in reaching out to the boy and attempting to prove his paternity to the court. When a common interest in Anthony leads to an interest in each other and Silas and Kate begin to think they can overcome their rocky start, neither is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light. Can Silas, Kate, and Anthony’s wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?

My Thoughts

Whenever I read a historical novel, I always feel how shocking the norms were during these time periods especially in North America. The concept of mail-order bride can be mind blowing and the same goes for the many children that were orphaned or left to survive on their own. Kate Dawson is an incredibly strong woman for the time period she lives in. She has been hurt, taken advantage of but still manages to push ahead. Her job as a teacher helps her to protect ‘her’ children and guide them. She becomes extremely attached to Anthony who has been abused by his ‘father’.

When a new man comes to claim Anthony as his own, both Kate and Anthony are forced to struggle to put Anthony’s safety and well being first. When bribes were the norm, his fate could be decided by who has more money. It broke my heart.

When Kate and Silas begin to realize they may have feelings for each other or at least try to help each other move past their own hurts, it is heart warming. Both of them have been hurt so badly in the past, that you want to see them happy but their wounds are still so fresh!

You can find more reviews on the Litfuse Blog Tour Page. You can purchase a copy here.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Melissa Jagears, an ESL teacher by trade and the author of A Bride for Keeps and A Bride in Store, is a stay-at-home mother on a tiny Kansas farm with a fixer-upper house. She’s a member of ACFW and CROWN fiction marketing, and her passion is to help Christian believers mature in their faith and judge rightly. You can connect with her online and on Facebook.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

July 23, 2015

Balm of Gilead by Adina Senft

The third installment, Balm of Gilead, in the Healing Grace series finds our main character Sarah Yoder facing her greatest challenge yet – herself.

About Balm of Gilead

Sarah Yoder has not seen Henry Byler since he became engaged to an Englisch woman, which has been the best decision for peace of mind for her. Since Henry never joined the Church, a relationship between the two of them would be impossible. So Sarah stays busy with her family, match making for her sister-in-law and making healing tinctures and teas for her community.

When Henry seeks her out for help with his hands before it jeopardizes his career as a potter, Sarah must protect her heart and ask God for strength. Yet there is One person who can provide a truly healing balm but will it be too late?

My Thoughts

I absolutely love the way Adina writes. She builds up her story slowly and peels away the layers not too quickly and not too slowly. You are immersed in her work, her story and her characters until they become a part of your family. The same is true with Balm of Gilead.

Sarah is strong in her faith and convictions but is also kind, loving and respectful. She offers advice out of the love of her heart and faith in God. God is the centre of her life and I think this a practice so many of us forget. When we put our trust in God and put Him front and centre we live truly enriching lives. This is a lesson she tries to teach Henry without becoming too emotionally attached to him. No matter how strong her love is for him, she will never hurt Henry (with his fiancée) nor come between him and God. The lessons she teaches him are so important for everyone to follow. I know that I can step away from my religious teachings and put material things first but this was the perfect reminder that I need to always remember to put my faith in God. He will always provide, care and heal us.

While I was sad about Henry’s engagement and path away from the Church, especially as he would be perfect for Sarah, the ending really threw me off track (in a beautiful, happy way!).

Balm of Gilead is a beautiful story of love, life and God (and not in that order!). It will leave you with a sense of peace, hope and a few tears of happiness!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Adina is the author of the Amish Quilts who earned a M.A. in Writing Popular Fiction after leaving the plain church she grew up in. You can connect with her online.

Chapter Preview!

Learn more about the book with a sneak peek at the first chapter!

Balm of Gilead_Chapter 1

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.