This is the first book I have read from author Julie Klassen and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Silent Governess blends romance with a hint of mystery and the result is a very interesting story. It caught my attention in the first chapters and I never lost interest. I usually don't enjoy books set in nineteenth century England but this one was an exception. Although it deals with British titles you don't have to understand the peerage to enjoy the story. The plot has several twists and turns and although I wouldn't consider this a mystery there is an element of mystery to it.
A copy of this book was given to me by Bethany House publishers.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Book Review - Tithing Test Me In This
Tithing has long been a controversial subject within the Christian community, and most Christians have a very strong opinion on it one way or the other. I believe that tithing, while it began as an Old Testament practice, is also clearly a New Testament directive (see this book for several good Scripture references to back this up). Now you know my mindset as I began to read Douglas Leblanc's book. I was excited to read about fellow believers' attitudes toward tithing.
Each chapter is the result of an interview with one person/couple/church and outlines how and why they have chosen to tithe. In and of themselves the stories are interesting and well written. But - and for me this was big - there seems to be no cohesiveness to the book. Yes, there is an overarching theme of tithing, but nothing ties these stories together, nothing grabs the reader by the collar and says, "This is the reason you should tithe, too!" . It seems that the only reasons you would read a book like this are if you 1) already tithe or 2) don't tithe but are seriously considering changing your stance. The book certainly did not change my opinion of tithing and I agreed with most of the reasons the interviewees chose to tithe. But if I didn't already choose to tithe I don't believe anything in this book would make me change my opinion. It's a good book, but it seemed to be missing something.
I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Each chapter is the result of an interview with one person/couple/church and outlines how and why they have chosen to tithe. In and of themselves the stories are interesting and well written. But - and for me this was big - there seems to be no cohesiveness to the book. Yes, there is an overarching theme of tithing, but nothing ties these stories together, nothing grabs the reader by the collar and says, "This is the reason you should tithe, too!" . It seems that the only reasons you would read a book like this are if you 1) already tithe or 2) don't tithe but are seriously considering changing your stance. The book certainly did not change my opinion of tithing and I agreed with most of the reasons the interviewees chose to tithe. But if I didn't already choose to tithe I don't believe anything in this book would make me change my opinion. It's a good book, but it seemed to be missing something.
I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Book Review - Regret-Free Living
I had no preconceived notions of what to expect when I picked up this book by Christian counselor Stephen Arterburn. I have never listened to his talk show so I didn't know what to expect. What I got when I read the book is sound, practical advice on how to approach relationships from a Christian perspective, offering ways to heal difficult relationships and make good relationships better as well as how to recognize when an unhealthy relationship cannot be mended.
Regret-Free Living is a broad based book that covers relationships in general. You can apply the advice to close relationships such as husband/wife or father/son but the advice also works well for relationships with coworkers, friends, etc. This is NOT a marriage book but much of the advice is very applicable for anyone interested in improving their marriage relationship. I would not recommend it as the only book to read if you have serious marriage problems. I found the book most helpful in taking a good look at my relationships with those who are close to me and finding places where I can improve the way I relate to them. One of the most meaningful quotes for me was,
" What we should be doing in life - our highest purpose as humans and followers of Jesus - is to be a conduit of God's love."
This applies not only to our relationships with people we already know, but to people God places in our lives on a daily basis - whether their lives intersect our for a few moments or for the rest of our lives.
Regret-Free Living is a broad based book that covers relationships in general. You can apply the advice to close relationships such as husband/wife or father/son but the advice also works well for relationships with coworkers, friends, etc. This is NOT a marriage book but much of the advice is very applicable for anyone interested in improving their marriage relationship. I would not recommend it as the only book to read if you have serious marriage problems. I found the book most helpful in taking a good look at my relationships with those who are close to me and finding places where I can improve the way I relate to them. One of the most meaningful quotes for me was,
" What we should be doing in life - our highest purpose as humans and followers of Jesus - is to be a conduit of God's love."
This applies not only to our relationships with people we already know, but to people God places in our lives on a daily basis - whether their lives intersect our for a few moments or for the rest of our lives.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Book Review - How to Reach Your Full Potential for God
Are you ready to experience God's best? This book is an excellent place to start! Charles Stanley's newest book flies in the face of the prosperity gospel so popular in America today. But if you want to truly prosper as a Christian you would do well to not only read but also act on the information outlined in this book.
As always, Dr. Stanley backs up everything he writes with copious solid scriptural references. In each chapter he outlines a principle essential in reaching your full potential as a follower of Christ. I especially enjoyed the chapter on on using your gifts, and the distinction Dr. Stanley makes between your gifts from birth and your ministry gifts (given by God when you become a Christ follower) and how they work together. This chapter very clearly outlined how to recognize your gifts - so much more clearly than any aptitude test or spiritual gift assessment I've seen. For the first time I believe I understand how God has gifted me and how He intends for me to go about His work while utilizing the gifts He has given me.
This book does not have the power to change your life - only God will do that. But I believe He will use this book as a tool to show you where He wants to make changes in your life to draw you into a closer walk with Him. Your life can be so much more than it currently is - and God does want the best for you. The best not by the world's standard but by His.
Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book to read and review by Booksneeze.
As always, Dr. Stanley backs up everything he writes with copious solid scriptural references. In each chapter he outlines a principle essential in reaching your full potential as a follower of Christ. I especially enjoyed the chapter on on using your gifts, and the distinction Dr. Stanley makes between your gifts from birth and your ministry gifts (given by God when you become a Christ follower) and how they work together. This chapter very clearly outlined how to recognize your gifts - so much more clearly than any aptitude test or spiritual gift assessment I've seen. For the first time I believe I understand how God has gifted me and how He intends for me to go about His work while utilizing the gifts He has given me.
This book does not have the power to change your life - only God will do that. But I believe He will use this book as a tool to show you where He wants to make changes in your life to draw you into a closer walk with Him. Your life can be so much more than it currently is - and God does want the best for you. The best not by the world's standard but by His.
Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book to read and review by Booksneeze.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Book Review - The Rose Legacy
As a fan of inspirational historical fiction, I was excited when Bethany House publishers offered me a free copy of this book to review, and I was not disappointed. This is the first book of a trilogy and is set in the late 1800's in a mining town in the west. This book grabbed my attention from the first page. It is fast paced with plenty of action and suspense in addition to the romantic story line. The characters were compelling and "real" and at the end of the book I was left wanting to know what happened to them next. This book is an excellent and quick read but if you pick it up plan on reading the entire trilogy back to back.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Book Review - Closer
I was so excited to have the opportunity receive a free copy of the new Bethany House couple's devotional book Closer by Jim and Cathy Burns. In the introduction the authors explain that they wrote this book with couples' busy lifestyles in mind, so instead of daily devotions this book is designed to be read together once a week. This format works so much better for us as a couple since we find it difficult to spend enough time together reading devotions daily.
The devotions themselves are each only a few pages long but they cover an incredible array of topics all designed to grow your marriage and make you stronger as a Christian couple. The topics covered are timely and applicable to all marriages and the devotions are written in a way that make them easy to apply to daily life. Although the devotions only take a few minutes to read through they often cause you to begin dialogue with your spouse which can continue for several days. Each devotional includes two features that I especially enjoy, the Faith Conversations and A Step Closer. My single favorite aspect of the devotions is A Step Closer which suggests an action you can each take to strengthen your marriage relationship. For the most part these are easy to incorporate into your daily life, but they cause you to be deliberate in showing love to your spouse.
Overall, this is the best couples' devotional book I have seen.
The devotions themselves are each only a few pages long but they cover an incredible array of topics all designed to grow your marriage and make you stronger as a Christian couple. The topics covered are timely and applicable to all marriages and the devotions are written in a way that make them easy to apply to daily life. Although the devotions only take a few minutes to read through they often cause you to begin dialogue with your spouse which can continue for several days. Each devotional includes two features that I especially enjoy, the Faith Conversations and A Step Closer. My single favorite aspect of the devotions is A Step Closer which suggests an action you can each take to strengthen your marriage relationship. For the most part these are easy to incorporate into your daily life, but they cause you to be deliberate in showing love to your spouse.
Overall, this is the best couples' devotional book I have seen.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Book Review - The Lightkeeper's Daughter
This is the first book I have read by author Coleen Coble and I am very impressed. The Lightkeeper's Daughter combines mystery and romance in a historical setting. I enjoy both historical romance and mystery, but this is the first book I have read which combines those two genres, so when I was offered the chance to review this book through Thomas Nelson's book review blogger program I was excited to receive it. The characters were well developed and believable. The story line caught my interest from the beginning and held it through the entire book. The romantic story line proceeded in a fairly predictable fashion, but the mystery had several several surprising twists and turns. One reason I enjoyed this book so much is that it is a "grown up" version of the style of mysteries I enjoyed as an adolescent.
At the end of the book I found myself wanting to learn more about the citizens of Mercy Falls and I look forward to reading the next book in this new series by Colleen Coble.
At the end of the book I found myself wanting to learn more about the citizens of Mercy Falls and I look forward to reading the next book in this new series by Colleen Coble.
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