Book Review: Our Lady of the Roses

Our Lady of the Roses

by Janice Palko

Plenum Publishing

Christian , Romance

Pub Date 01 Nov 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Our Lady of the Roses through Plenum Publishing and Netgalley:

Janetta Orlando’s life feels like it has been bouncing up and down like a bowling ball due to a series of bad relationships and break ups that were a disaster.  After the girls getaway to the wine country with her best friend Anne is unexpectedly and abruptly cancelled she is left with nothing to look forward to,  o vacation, no men, no wine.

Bob White is going to Italy from his home in Pittsburgh with his girlfriend Connie, who is fluent in Italian, so he can sell his invention to an Italian businessman.  Unfortunately just days before they are due to leave Connie breaks up with him, so he has no translator and no clue how to conduct business in Italy

After Bob reluctantly arrives at Janetta’s salon, Bella Figura for the complete makeover Connie scheduled for him before she broke up with him.  Janetta comes to the conclusion that Bob is a helpless looser in need of the makeover in order to sell his invention.  After Bob tells her that Connie won’t be going with him to Italy, Janetta lies and tells him Connie must be crazy. She tells him any woman would want to go to Rome with him.  She joking tells him she’d go to Rome with Satan if he asked her.

Bob learns that Janetta has two weeks off and that she speaks Italian, he strikes a deal with her, he would pay her way to Rome providing she acted as a translator for her. She is hesitant at first, but finally agrees, quickly though she learns that she and Bob clash over everything from fashion to food. After they arrive in Rome, Janetta meets handsome Italian businessman Giuliano Legato but her reckless way send up jeopardizing everything Bob had worked through.  Janetta learns too that there is more depth to Bob than she had once believed.

I give Our Lady of Roses four out of five stars!

Book Review: Crossroads in Jerusalem

Crossroads in Jerusalem

by Elizabeth Raum

BJU Press

JourneyForth

Children's Fiction , Christian

Pub Date 14 Nov 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Crossroads in Jerusalem through BJU Press and Netgalley:

In Crossroads in Jerusalem the reader is allowed to choose their own adventure, through the eyes of a boy in Jerusalem, a Servant girl or through a lawyers assistant.  The readers will be able to see the power of Jesus’s ministry throughout Jerusalem.

One of the advantages of an interactive novel is that with each choose the reader makes the story changes.  Allowing for the young reader to use their imagination.

If you have a reluctant reader, a book like Crossroads in Jerusalem might make them more excited about reading because it is an interactive novel, allowing the reader to choose their own adventure.  It would ales be good for any young readers who like historical novels.

I give Crossroads in Jerusalem five out of five stars!

Book Review: Puanani and the Volcano

I am reviewing a copy of Puanani and the Volcano through Bluewater Publications.

I would recommend this book to young girls or boys who have interest in knowing more about Hawaii.

This is the story of an Elementary school girl named Puanani who lives on the big island of Hawaii, and how the Kilauea volcano eruption.  The story tells of her feelings of helplessness she feels as the lava flowing into ocean and that gives her a dogged determination to take save as much of the sea life as possible, especially the turtles.  With her persistence she inspires her family and canoe club to help clean up the beaches and shorelines in order that they can be a safer place for the animals and people who love them.

I found the story to be well written, the characters came alive on the page, and the inspiring story would be a great way to get a discussion going on Volcanoes and the effects they have on Ocean life.

I give Puanani and the Volcano five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Unafraid

Unafraid

Devotions and Prayers for a Courageous Heart

by Donna K. Maltese

Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Barbour Books

Christian , Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date 01 May 2020

I am reviewing a copy of Unafraid through Barbour Publishing, Inc/Barbour Books and Netgalley:

In Unafraid we are reminded that fear can grab your throat, raise your blood pressure and negatively impacts our walk with Christ and it can effect many other areas of our life, and even our health.

We are reminded too of the importance of speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves.  As Christians we are called to be a voice to the voiceless.  Often people find it easier to listen than to speak up, but we need to speak up when it comes to people’s voices not being heard.  The Lord makes it clear that he wants to speak up on behalf of those who can’t speak for themselves.  Fear can comets anytime often when we are least expecting it, as we are going on with our day to day life, something can happen.  It is pointed out too that fear is easy to sink into.  But it is pointed out too that it is not God that gives us a spirit of fear.

In Unafraid the authors point out too that the level of calm you experience does not just depend on your trust and confidence in God, it also depends on your perspective.

The importance of discerning what information is reliable is something the authors also address, reminding us that being able to discern the truth from the panic reactions allow us to have faith instead of to fear.

We are reminded too that when we need encouragement the best place we can go is to God.  It is pointed out too that our Faith shapes our attitudes.  We are reminded too that God has a perfect timetable.

The importance of living unafraid is addressed as well.  We need to stop tip toeing around what if’s and maybe.  It is pointed out too that no matter who we are, or what we may have done in the past God can use you, and you can find courage in that.

It is important to go to God it is important that we go to God when we fear as if everyone is against us.

Unafraid is the perfect devotional for the times we live in, therefore I give it five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: When Silence Sings

When Silence Sings

A Novel

by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Bethany House

Bethany House Publishers

Christian

Pub Date 05 Nov 2019

I am reviewing a copy of When Silence Things through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:

In the Appalachian town of Thurman, West Virgina, Colman Harpe works for the C&O.  What Colman Harpe really wants is to be a preacher and lead his own congregation though.  When his cousin is gunned down by a member of the rival McLean Clan, and the clan matriarch Serepta Mclean, taunts him by coming to his tent revival in their area Colman Harpe chooses peace over the act of seeking revenge, which the rest of his family has chosen.

Colman who has exceptionally good hearing is shocked when he hears the Lord tell him he needs to preach to the McLeans.  He decides to run away, but fails miserably and ends up getting sick in the last place he wants to be Mclean Territory.  Ivy Gordon a herbalist who has been made an outcast because of her birthmark nurses him back to health.  The problem is his work is hindered by Serepta’s iron grip on the region, as well as his uncle’s desire to break that grip.  Colman soon discovers the bad guys aren’t always the ones you think they are.

If you are looking for a book that has a historical setting as well as intrigue, and we,l developed characters, a book that will leave you turning the pages from the first page to the last I highly recommend When Silence Things.

I give When Silence Things five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Author’s Checklist

The Author's Checklist

An Agent's Guide to Developing and Editing Your Manuscript

by Elizabeth K. Kracht

New World Library

Nonfiction (Adult) , Reference

Pub Date 14 Feb 2020  

I am reviewing a copy of The Author’s Checklist through New World Library and Netgalley:

In The Author’s Checklist we are reminded that even good manuscripts are going to have weak spots, and that there’s a large gap between what authors think are ready for publications and what agents and other in the publishing profession believe are ready.

Elizabeth Kracht does tell us that there is good news though, most of the problems seen with these manuscripts can be fixed easily once the readers sees and understands the problems.  The weak spots can be made stronger, leading to a better Manuscript.

Elizabeth Kracht points out that many manuscripts have the same issues so she begins to make a short list of pitfalls, in short easy to read chapters.

The Author’s Checklist covers everything from Acknowledgements, to World Building.  The book is written in laymen’s terms, allowing for anyone to understand the book.  

I give The Author’s Checklist five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Everywhere Holy

Everywhere Holy

Seeing Beauty, Remembering Your Identity, and Finding God Right Where You Are

by Kara Lawler

Nelson Books

Thomas Nelson

Christian

Pub Date 03 Dec 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Everywhere Holy through Thomas Nelson-Nelson Books and Netgalley:

Everywhere Holy reminds us that when life seems heavy the fog will rise, even if it doesn’t feel that way in the moment.

We are reminded too that we do not have to have a life lived on a grand mountaintop for it  to be meaningful, God can work right where we are at, and I think many forget that as we go through valleys, he is there through our mundane routines, he is there in the faces of our loved ones and friends alike and he is there especially in the very nature he created.

Everywhere Holy offers encouragement to anyone who has suffered depression, has experienced pain or challenges, and reminds us that God is there.

During this time of pandemic and panic, I find Everywhere Holy to offer a respite, and a great deal of comfort.

I give Everywhere Holy five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!