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You’re Going to be Okay by Holley Gerth Book Review

Posted by Bobbie Gould on February 8, 2014
in Books, Reviews

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.

You’re Going to be Okay is a novel that uses scripture and the encouraging words of Holley Gerth to lift women up emotionally and mentally.

Covering topics ranging from depression to feeling insecure and unworthy of love, she writes with words of love and understanding.

She acknowledges the fact that life hurts and sometimes we feel down, or that bad things do happen. And while she doesn’t attempt to sugar coat it, she writes in a way that makes you feel as though there is hope when things feel dark.

Using examples from her personal life, she makes the reader feel as though you are talking to a close friend. The scriptures that she uses are uplifting and back up everything that she says through the novel.

She also offers tips and advice that she has found helpful through her personal struggles. Some good points that she made were that we were not made to settle for anything less than joy, exercising to help lessen our stress levels, and eating better to help improve overall health.

I recommend this to anyone who is looking for encouragement, and to know and realize that they are enough and that they will be okay.

“Available February 2014 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Shadows of the Past by Patricia Bradley

Posted by html404 on February 2, 2014
in Books, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

Shadows of the Past by Patricia Bradley is a romantic suspense and the first book in the Logan Point series.

Taylor Martin, a Psychology professor and criminal profiler, experienced abandonment when her father up and left their family when she was a little girl. That event in her life left her with so many unanswered questions she sets out to find her father. Little does she realize that in doing so she would put herself and others in danger.

The book details how Taylor and her family find closure to the biggest mystery of their life. Taylor also finds love in an unlikely place, Nick Sinclair, the brother of one of the suspects in one of her murder profile cases.

Patricia Bradley really kept me on my toes. I was guessing until three quarters the way through the book. I was torn between who was behind the threats thrown at Taylor, the violence and the murders. There was only one murder mystery I figured out right away. I liked the twists and turns the plot took. As always the romance was pretty predictable, but how many different ways can you spin boy meets girl or girl meets boy and likes, then loves each other?

I really like these kinds of books not only for the mystery and intrigue but the character’s development and growth, as well as the fact there is no coarse language or raunchy sex. I believe sex is good, even great, (insert smiley face) within the boundaries of marriage, but I don’t need to read stories about sex when I have my own intimate life. Just saying, and thought I’d point out a different aspect to like about this book series and others like it.

Two thumbs up from me.

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The Cat in the Window

Posted by html404 on November 2, 2013
in Books, Ebooks, Gift Ideas, Reviews, Uncategorized

Again, I called on one of my daughters to write this review because they are the cat lovers of our family and I knew they’d enjoy The Cat in the Window a compilation of cat stories edited by Callie Smith Grant. But this time instead of my 13 year old, it is my 14 year old daughter sharing her review.

The Cat in the Window Review by “B”

This book was really good. Short, 191 page paperback, and funny.

I loved the short poems, haikus (Japanese short poem), facts and especially the stories. 🙂

I learned some new things too. Like:

Cats can be right or left pawed
It took 1000 years to tame the first cat
Not many cats are taken to the vet
Cats like water warm and when they want it 😉

I though the stories in The Cat in the Window were very well told and with amazing stories.

One of my favorite stories was the “twin” kittens. Another was the cat named, “Monk” who would “sing” and go to home church with her owner. I also liked the mother cat and her six kittens, she reminded me of our mama cat, Princess. 🙂

All in all I would say cat lovers will really like this book! Actually, I think even those who don’t like cats would like it too.

Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

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Perfectly Matched by Maggie Brendan

Posted by html404 on October 24, 2013
in Books, Ebooks, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

Perfectly Matched by Maggie Brendan is the third book in the Blue Willows book series about mail order brides. It is a sappy, but cute story of Anna, a mail order bride and Edward, a clock maker, who live in Denver Colorado.

Like most newlyweds, who haven’t lived together before marriage, they have a time of adjustment; which is often hilarious, but also heart wrenching when feelings are hurt and miscommunication occurs. Edwards OCD (OCD – Obsessive-compulsive disorder – apparently emerged in 1877, did you know that?) was a major contribution to Anna and his rocky start, just as much as Anna’s spontaneity. They had to learn how to live a balanced life between the two.

It was interesting learning a bit of the history of the A.S.P.C.A. (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and Anna’s efforts to star the first shelter in Denver. Both were admirable.

I wanted to read this book because of my interest in mail order brides. I cannot fathom how women, girls even, could do this. Usually they left their families behind in another city, state or country. I mean, I did that but I knew my husband before I made the move. I have read the first two books of this series and thought the first was the best one. To me Perfectly Matched was a regular fictional romance novel. It isn’t a book I get excited about or would read again, unfortunately.

“Available October 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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A New Home for Lily

Posted by html404 on February 3, 2013
in Books, Reviews

My almost 14 year old daughter, B, reviewed A New Home for Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. B is a voracious reader and enjoyed reading and reviewing the first Lily book, Life with Lily.

In this second book of The Adventures of Lily Lapp, I followed Lily, her family and friends as they adapt to life in their new Amish community. Lily finds certain changes in her new life difficult but eventually comes around as she learns to die to herself for the great good of her family. Lily reminds me an awful lot of my older sister! Lily is just adorable and so grown up for her age, which probably comes from being the eldest. 🙂

Here are some highlights from the book that I especially liked:

Effie Kaufman is not a nice character and I have met a few girls like her. 🙁 Mean girls are just not pleasant to be around.

The character Joseph reminds me of my brother J and Lily’s cousin Noah reminds me of my youngest brother, whom we call “the evil one” because he is forever getting into things, like many two year olds.

I thoroughly enjoyed the pumpkin pie chapter because it was so funny! Lily and Joseph ate 5 1/2 pieces of pie! Talk about a huge tummy ache!

It was so sad when Lily’s family cow died. It was even more horrid when her father bought another cow from a farmer, then realizes he brought home a sick cow with an udder so low that in order to milk her they needed to use a cake pan instead of a bucket! 🙁

Lily’s “get rich quick” plan (making and selling stickers) was so cute, but she didn’t get quite as rich as she had hoped….

Lily’s Jell-O mishap reminded me of myself when I was first learning to make homemade bread and I added too much yeast and the dough got really, really big and popped all over the place!

I really liked the ending and how the community came and helped with the edition of Lily’s family’s house. My mom and I admire The Amish people’s sense of community.

“Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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The Tutor’s Daughter

Posted by html404 on January 28, 2013
in Books, Products for Mom, Reviews

The Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen is a historical romance mystery novel. I was grateful that it was centered more around the mystery aspect, along with the heroine’s jumbled feelings over two men with whom she spent part of her younger years growing up.

It’s about the daughter of a professor who travels with her father as he goes to a baronet’s home to tutor his two younger sons, who are spoiled beyond belief.

I liked that The Tutor’s Daughter had a Downton Abbey feel to it. All the social niceties that Britain during that time period was known for, where the socialites looked down their noses at the working class and the working class desired to make life better for the poor. The book write up said that Julie Klassen loves Jane Eyre and Jane Austen, thus the reason her novel is set in England and why I made the association with Downton Abbey since it is a more recent English show I have watched.

This book pretty much kept me guessing throughout the whole book as who the so-called “prankster” was, pulling not-so- friendly pranks on poor Emma.

It seems that characters with a past often have to overcome it or prove themselves in spite of the shadows darkening its path. Henry Weston was that character. He was more gallant than his childhood character ever revealed. I loved how nobly he stuck up for one individual in particular.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Tutor’s Daughter and have already been thinking about reading it again, which is always a good sign.

Two thumbs up from me.

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Waiting for Spring

Posted by html404 on January 19, 2013
in Books, Reviews

If you like historical fiction, especially set in the West, you will probably like Waiting for Spring by Amanda Cabot and is the second in the Westward Wind series. This book is set 1886 in the Wyoming Territory and is a story about an independent woman named Charlotte who is making a life for herself and son, in Cheyenne, working a dressmaker.

Charlotte has a secret though and had to tell some lies to keep her secret hidden. As you all know, secrets have a way of being discovered and as things start to unravel so do the lives of those around her. She also has something to fear but won’t allow herself to talk to anyone about it, even her family in another state.

Power, politics, social standing and money are not important to Charlotte, but they are to Barrett Landry, a wealthy cattle baron, who Charlotte fast becomes friends with.

This is another book where a sweet friendship develops into love but not without some bumps along the way, including a kidnapping! Not your typical courtship to say the least.

I loved Charlotte’s strength of character to overcome her past, her son’s disability and turn it all into something good.

Barrett Landry was a true gentleman and I loved how he eventually got around to wooing Charlotte and her son.

I found it ironic that Barrett eventually went back to doing what he left home to avoid. There’s something about our roots that can call us back to the very depths of that is familiar and comfortable; and find real happiness in the process.

Waiting for Spring was a sweet story in which Amanda captures the Wyoming Territory for it’s wealth, poverty and realities of being a cattle baron, shopkeeper and dressmaker. Not to mention the intriguing aspect of living among common criminals without even being aware.

This was what I consider a “candy” read. Easy, predictable and not very challenging. However, I liked the book, a candy read is the kind of book I like to read to relax without any heavy duty thinking and a way to spend a pleasurable time away from every day life and the stress that goes along with it.

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Choices of the Heart

Posted by html404 on January 14, 2013
in Books, Reviews

Getting sick of my book reviews yet? Don’t worry I won’t be reading much more since spring is around the corner. 😉

Choices of the Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes is the third book in The Midwives series. It appears to be about the second generation of Book One. Once again this is an author I am familiar with and have read the other two books in the series. See my review of Book One here and Book Two here.

In Choices of the Heart, Esther Cherrett, a midwife, a healer, runs from her past when personal scandal forces her to abandon all that she loves for the sake of her loved ones. The scandal not only separates her from her family but wreaks havoc with her self-belief and her relationship with God. You’ve heard the saying that hard times either draw you closer or put a distance between you and God. Well, it’s a matter of choices, thus part of the reason for the title of the book Choices of the Heart.

I loved how more details of Esther’s healing gift were shared in this book, if you remember in Book One I complained there were not enough midwifery details. Remember I was a former midwifery student….some day….maybe.

Esther possessed a lot of strength to leave everything that was familiar to her and to start anew in a foreign place without all the necessities she was use to with her privileged upbringing.

What I didn’t like about the book is the blame put on Esther, by herself and others. Perhaps it was a reflection on the time in which the book was set but still it didn’t set well with me. Inside I was screaming, “Don’t blame her/yourself!” You know how we all can belittle ourselves into almost nothing over silly mistakes or misjudgments? That’s exactly what happened to Esther.

The romance part wasn’t as predictable yet it was. It was a typical love triangle in which Esther had to choose. I was guessing for quite a while as to who she was going to choose and Esther was tempted again to run from her troubles.

The family feud aspect of the book had me guessing too. I was rather surprised at the culprit’s identity and results of the feud.

I really liked Choices of the Heart and give it two thumbs up.

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Vanished by Irene Hannon

Posted by html404 on January 6, 2013
in Books, Reviews

Vanished by Irene Hannon is a book I have been waiting to read. It is the first book in the Private Justice Series. I have read her other books and my book palate was craving some mystery and intrigue.

Vanished is about an investigative reporter, Moira Harrison, who accidentally (literally) stumbles upon a major story. Due to the circumstances surrounding the accident she hires a private investigator firm made up of three PIs, Cal, Connor and Dev, to look into the few sketchy details her memory could recall after her car accident.

The intrigue only gets better as the more they delve into their investigation the more it becomes apparent someone isn’t keen on them uncovering more information.

I loved Moira’s character. She’s tenacious, never gives up and desired to do the right thing no matter what the cost.

While I got the mystery and intrigue I wanted, I was a tad bit disappointed with the predictable romance side and how quickly the “bad” guy was revealed. I like to be kept guessing ’til the end.

Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The controversial topic of euthanasia is a tough call. Murder is murder and convincing someone or yourself that it’s ok, a blessing even, to put someone out of their misery – is actually a lie. It’s sad but true.

The medical profession has taken an oath (and here) to uphold life and do no harm, yet so many do. Think abortion. Think euthanasia.

I enjoyed the private investigation aspect of the book. Loved the PI’s desire for justice. Imagine a world where justice was more important than money, power or position?!

Included in this book was a little teaser section for Irene’s second book in the Private Justice Series and I can’t wait to read what happens to Dev, as well as learn about his story.

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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Christmas Roses

Posted by html404 on November 19, 2012
in Books, Holidays

I went on a bit of a reading spree this weekend and it hindered me from getting the rest of my garlic planted, as did another tooth ache – same one – but thankfully no swelling this time and feels find today. I’ve enjoyed reading 3-4 of Amanda Cabot’s books. Probably because most of her books hold a redemptive grace story, lined with the need for forgiveness. This one stirred my emotions (nothing new there!) and I loved the rose aspect of it. Thanks to my husband roses are my favorite flower.

Set in 1882, Christmas Roses is a pleasant story and one I’d read again at Christmas time, just for the mushy story. Every now and then I get in the mood for one of these and this weekend was one of those times.

While the romantic part of the story line was predictable, it’s an endearing Christmas story sharing the joys of redemptive grace, healing, forgiveness and love. Something we all need to be reminded of from time to time.

I liked how gifts of service were emphasized in the story because I think it is a way we can show our spouses or love interest we love them, but not every couple will be the same so there needs to be a balance, as well as discovering what our loved one appreciates the most.

As a side note, I was short on time and asked my daughter to read this book first (I ended up reading it at the last minute and then found out it wasn’t due until the end of the week…it’s done early for a change!) and while she liked it she isn’t crazy for mushy romance novels. She agreed that Christmas Roses was predictable and she knew who was going to end up with who.

A thumbs up from me, though I am itching for another great mystery/story of intrigue! 😉

“Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

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