Book Review: The Armor of God Part One

 

The Armor of God Part 1

Into His Love Filled Hands, Book One

by Diana Lainey

Pub Date 19 Jun 2022 

 Bright Light Publishing 

 Christian  |  Romance  |  Women's Fiction

I am reviewing a copy of the Armor of God Part 1 through Bright Light Publishing and Netgalley:

The faith amidst the trials, the hope and ultimately the true love...

In spite of hard times on welfare, Courtney hopes that her rocky relationship with Kevin can be resolved, especially for their two young children.

Their financial situation goes from pitiful to prosperous overnight, which Courtney, the breadwinner, finds impossibly convenient.

What is the source of her boyfriend's income?

Even with abundant funds, Kevin refuses to contribute to household bills, forcing Courtney, Amanda and Josh to move out of their home to a nefarious neighborhood.

Without a job, Courtney is unable to make Kevin into a husband. Suddenly, a good friend from her Christian past returns to her life. Kevin is not Roy, but Roy is everything Kevin is not.

Roy's kindness to Courtney and her children melts Courtney's heart, igniting strong desires... which Kevin's jealousy quickly overshadows.

A suspicious amount of money has been found. Abuse of drugs and alcohol. The aggressiveness of a boyfriend is increasing...

Kevin makes this point clear. No one will be able to have her if he cannot.

In Courtney's mind, a question arises that she believed she would never have to ask. How will she survive this relationship?

Will she be able to find the faith to pray? Is it even possible for God to forgive her?

I give The Armor of God Part One four out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: When I Go to Church, I Belong

 

When I Go to Church, I Belong

Finding My Place in God's Family as a Child with Special Needs

by Elrena Evans

Pub Date 19 Sep 2023 

 InterVarsity Press,  IVP Kids

 Children's Fiction  |  Christian  |  Religion & Spirituality 

When I Go to Church, I Belong was provided to me by Intervarsity Press, IVP Kids, and Netgalley for the purpose of review:

Children with disabilities often find it difficult to fit in, but church can be a place where everyone feels welcome and included. The story of six children with special needs is told in When I Go to Church, I Belong, which makes it easier for us to better understand the experiences and feelings of those with disabilities. 

In addition, it reminds us that despite our differences, we also share a great deal in common. Written by Elrena Evans and illustrated by Rebecca Evans, this message of inclusion and belonging can be enjoyed by children and their adults. There is also a note from the author that encourages further discussion about the content. 

I give When I Go to Church, I Belong five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

 

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

The Explosive Power of Jesus’ Parables

by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

Pub Date 14 Jun 2022 

 Nelson Books,  Thomas Nelson

 Christian 

Nelson Books and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Tell Me the Stories of Jesus for review:

Pastor and theologian R. Tell Me the Stories of Jesus. Using the unique power of Jesus' parables, Albert Mohler Jr. reveals the unique power of Jesus' parables for today's readers, showing how they announce the kingdom, communicate both judgment and grace, and call every human heart toward transformation in the light of God's love.

"Let him who has ears hear..." The Prodigal Son. It is the story of the Good Samaritan. This is the parable of the mustard seed. There are so many memorable images and characters in the stories Jesus told during his earthly ministry that they now permeate our culture's popular imagination. Could familiarity have muted their powerful message, causing today's readers to miss their ability to shock and transform?

With Tell Me the Stories of Jesus, renowned pastor and theologian Albert Mohler Jr. unlocks the power of Jesus' parables for readers today. His parables were short stories with a surprising twist and a powerful message that confronted his listeners with surprising (and often uncomfortable) truths about the human heart and the kingdom of heaven. In spite of this, modern readers may not comprehend the cultural and historical context in which Jesus' original audience found these stories so compelling. By uncovering the context and allowing readers to hear the stories in all their shocking, paradigm-shifting power, Mohler brings Jesus' stories to life.

Stepping into the shoes of his first-century followers and hearing his stories from his closest followers will allow readers to develop a deeper connection with Jesus; gain a deeper understanding of the gospel through Jesus' own words; and see the parables in a new light, experiencing--perhaps for the first time--their ability to draw people into Jesus' kingdom.

In every parable that Jesus told, judgment and grace are both present. The mirror they hold up reveals the human heart and invites everyone to welcome the kingdom and reign of Jesus. Will you be able to hear their vital message?

I give Tell Me the Stories of Jesus five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: When Tomorrow Came

 

When Tomorrow Came

by Hannah Linder

Pub Date 01 Apr 2023 

 Barbour Publishing,  Barbour Fiction

 Christian  |  Historical Fiction  |  Romance

 

A copy of When Tomorrow Came has been provided to me by Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for review.

Their entire lives were devoted to waiting for their Papa's return!

Nan Duncan and Heath Duncan, siblings abandoned by their papa and abused by their guardian, are forced to live on the streets of London. When Nan is rescued from such a life by a kind gentleman, the siblings are separated and raised in two very different social milieus. As both are beginning to flourish and some of their wounds have healed, their long-awaited papa returns and reunites them, bringing with him a number of demands. Heath is expected to abandon his gentle nature and become as hardened as his father was, and Nan is expected to marry a rich suitor she has never liked.

The worlds Heath and Nan have built for themselves are upset by dangers, a secret love, fights, and murder.

They have waited their entire lives for their papa to return. Now that it has arrived, will they be able to see the truth and end this nightmare before it costs one of them his or her life? 

I give When Tomorrow Comes five out of five Stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Piece by Piece

 Piece by Piece

Ernestine's Gift for President Roosevelt

by Lupe Ruiz-Flores

Pub Date 05 Sep 2023 

 Lerner Publishing Group,  Millbrook Press ™

 Biographies & Memoirs  |  Children's Nonfiction  |  History 

In conjunction with Lerner Publishing Group, Millbrook Press, and Netgalley, I am reviewing a copy of Piece by Piece:

Ernestine Guerrero's family struggled during the Great Depression.

In gratitude for the government food assistance they received in San Antonio, Texas, the Mexican American teen wanted to personally thank President Roosevelt. But how? After viewing the plans for a very difficult woodworking project, she decided to make it herself and send it to the president. Piece by piece, that is exactly what she accomplished. Her clock case remains on display in the Roosevelt Presidential Library to this day.

In this picture book with striking illustrations by Anna Lopez Real, the author tells the inspiring true story of a girl who proved that if you look carefully, treasure can be found in unexpected places.

I give Piece by Piece five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Seeing with the Heart

 

Seeing with the Heart

A Guide to Navigating Life's Adventures

by Kevin O'Brien, SJ

Pub Date 24 Jan 2023 

 Loyola Press 

 Christian  |  Religion & Spirituality 

Netgalley and Loyola Press have provided me with a copy of Seeing with the Heart for review:

As we explore Seeing With the Heart, we will find a broader approach to Ignatius’ work by focusing on the tradition of spirituality that underlies and animates the Spiritual Exercises. Each chapter concludes with a series of short, practical exercises.

I give Seeing With the Heart five out of five stars...

Happy Reading!