Monday, June 18, 2007

Keeping It Real

Title: Keeping It Real
Author: Heather Jamison with Henry J Rogers
Published by Kregel Publications, 2007
ISBN 978-0-8254-2932-3

Are you looking for a high quality Christian book for your teenage girl? Just how should a girl know how she should act during this important time in her life. Heather Jamison has written a book for teenage girls using her personal experience and applicable Scripture references. Henry J Rogers gives his input from a male perspective at the end of each chapter. Just what do guys think when they see the way girls are acting, Henry tries to help the girls understand.

"Keeping It Real" talks of the basics addressing girls of today. Sometimes there are little trivial things that become major setbacks to the young girls of today. Maybe it is that awful thing called peer pressure. "Everyone else is doing it, why can't I?" In the 21st century, it is sometimes difficult for parents to gently lead their daughter into truly being a "Daughter of the King," that is a Christian young lady who God has a intended plan.

There are three major areas explored in this useful book. The issue of gabbing is explored first. Just as God says we should never let unwholesome talk flow from their mouths, gabbing is more than just gossip. What limitations should young girls have on their tongues? Heather Jamison uses an acronym for this area, it gives solid advice. Think, always thinking before speaking is recommended. Goal setting is given a rather significant portion in itself. Her acronym for this section is Smart. Keeping the goodies is a fantastic section on maintaining purity. Heather uses her personal experience and regrets to urge girls to resist temptations and situations that would put them at risk.

There is a study guide at the end of the book which will definitely help small groups to study the valuable information within its pages. As a mother of a girl, I'm thankful that there are high quality books like this one being printed to help us with our highest calling, being a Christian parent and training in the way they should go, so they do not depart from it. Being a youth girls leader, I would definitely love to share this book with the precious sheep in my care as they mature into Christian ladies. AHeather's central theme of driving a car to your ultimate destination is very attractive as driving is an important part of a girls growing up years. This is a must read for any teenage girl that wants to know just how she can be what God wants her to be. The language is very easy to read and understand. I look forward to more books by Heather Jamison in helping the youth of today as they grow to be the adults of tomorrow!

Audio Book: Renegade Husband

Title: Renegade Husband
Author: Diann Mills
Publsihed Heartsong Presents, 2007.
ISBN: 1-59789-498-2
Reviewed for ReaderViews.


How would you feel if you left your family and friends and went to a different land only to be deceived? This is what happens to young Audra as she travels to Iowa to be a mail order bride for a young pastor. Mail order brides were common to the time period which this story is set. What adds a twist to a mail order bride situation is that there are identical twins living in the town when she arrives there.

One of the twins has sent for a bride for his brother. Caleb Windsor has been blamed for the crimes which his brother has committed. One of the brothers is definitely more suited for young Audra but where does the sharing between brothers end? Will the fact that the young pastor is married be enough for him to leave his crime behind? Will Caleb be able to clear his name and still have a chance at happiness with the woman he loves?

This book has been out in print for months. It now is out in an audio book type format. The complete story is told on 4 CDs with voice changes in order to keep the characters straight. Audio books are awesome for those who find that they don't have time to read a book. They are also great for mothers to listen to while they are taking kids from their many activities. "Renegade Husband" is sure to keep the romantic and adventure lover hooked. I loved this book and found that "reading" a book this way is very enjoyable. Its a great storyline and can capture your attention. You won't want to stop listening until the delightful ending.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This

Title: Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This

Author: Jenn Doucette

Published by Harvest House Publishers, 2007.

ISBN 978-0-7369-1939-5.

Reviewed for Reader Views 06/07.



"Just wait till you have kids of your own!" How many mothers have ever said that when they are reaching their limit. When children are little, they think their mother knows everything. When they get older, they think their moms are totally out of touch. But as the years go by and you become a parent yourself, you start to realize that your mother was right all along. Your mother might have told you that 'someday your time will come." Well, if you are faced with the trials and tribulations of motherhood and just need to take a break, you have just the place to lose yourself. Its time to sit back and enjoy a book so you don't feel so alone.

In fact, your mother's knowledge has even been sung about in a popular old song written by Van Morrison and is the title song of his 1995 album. You probably have the chorus ringing in your head upon reading the title of the book. Jenn Doucette has created a wonderful book which will give exhausted and worn out mothers a much needed rest. Through her many stories about her own experiences, Jenn offers you a friend to laugh with. Her book is laid out in a road trip type fashion. Each chapter offers a rest stop and explores reclaiming contentment, wonder, repairing relationships and rekindling romance just to name a few. Each chapter ends with what she calls "Tank Toppers" which are ideas which you can use to put the information into action. She encourages the readers to "Take a Break" which is a prayer and "Getting Directions" which gives the readers a place to write down areas which you want to address.

I found myself laughing throughout this book and yet gaining all kinds of valuable information. Jenn Doucette is an excellent author and I hope to find more books by her. There'd Be Days Like This" and its very true but there is now need to crumple under the pressures of parenthood. Jenn is here with her book who will help you in your travels in every stage of parenthood and put a smile on your face in the process

Thursday, June 14, 2007

White Chocolate Moments

Title: White Chocolate Moments
Author: Lori Wick
Published by Harvest House Publishers, 2007.
ISBN: 978-0-7369-1780-3
Reviewed for Reader Views 5/07.

Why is it that chocolate is comforting to a woman? Just the very thought of indulging in chocolate brings wonderful thoughts to women. Lori Wick presents "White Chocolate Moments" in a sweet love of famiy and reconciliation. Lori Wick is a very accomplished with many novels to her credit. I've never been disappointed in reading any of her novels and this one is no exception. Lori is gifted and I await her next book.
What begins as a family joining together for Grandpa Bryant's birthday turns to sadness. Arcineh Bryant is an only child. Her parents die in a car accident and Grandpa has her live with him. Grandpa is a very wealthy man and she gets whatever she wants. A young girl might think that would be just perfect, never having to worry about being in want. However, Arcineh loses her best friend and cousin, Quinn, to the evil thing called envy. Quinn lives farther away and feels that Arcineh is being spoiled and has more of Grandpa's love. Arcineh goes on a few business trips with Grandpa and he surprises her with chocolates in order to ease the loneliness she feels. She feels alone in the world and resentment towards what has happened sets in.
"White Chocolate Moments" covers the span of many years. We find Arcineh feeling alone and lost in grief. When she leaves her grandfather's house she finds a new friend who takes her in. But that only lasts so long since her friend ends up getting married. Arcineh is faced with having to fend for herself. She experiences having to take a physical labor job. She keeps it a secret that she is the granddaughter of the wealthy tycoon. She doesn't know how she will ever manage to cross paths with Grandpa Bryant again. She has failed relationships but eventually one love leads her to another. But how can she trust that this love will last? Is there a possibility of finding someone who will love her forever? Arcie has so man questions but no answers. All she has to do is return to the one who has all the answers: God.

"White Chocolate Moments" is like eating a piece of chocolate in places. Just like while eating some pieces of chocolate you just can't wait until the next piece, when reading this book, you just can't wait until the next satsifying chapter. Indulge yourself in "White Chocolate Moments," its a sweet indulgence with no calories!

Crazy House, Sane House

Title: Crazy House Sane House
Author: George & Jeannie Bloomer
Published by Whitaker House,2001
ISBN: 0-88368-726-7

Do you feel like you live in a crazy house? Do you feel like you don't know who you are married to anymore? As the years of marriage add up do you sometimes feel that you don't even know your spouse anymore? "Crazy House Sane House" is just the manual that will help you with your marriage. If you want to have a stronger marriage, and a foundation that withstand the storms of life, this book is for you.

Just as a brick building is built brick by brick, so must your marriage. It makes little difference if wedding bells are in your future or you just want to strengthen the bonds of marriage."Crazy House Sane House" can help you step by step. There are 3 main parts in this book, the first talks about laying the foundation and the three building blocks that support everything else. Effective communication, comfort and conflict resolution are explored. The fight for control in the house is often times the reason for failed marriages.

With Scripture references and references to what has worked in their own marriage, George and Jeannine Bloomer are there to help you build your marriage. You don't have to live in a crazy house anymore. I really enjoyed reading this book! My husband and I have been married almost 12 years and there were many points in this book where we can make adjustments and have our marriage be everything God intended it to be. Just as houses need updates and improvements as the years go by, your marriage needs attention and this book will help you in some way.

Am I Bad? Recovering from Abuse

Title: Am I Bad? Recovering from Abuse
Author Heyward Bruce Ewart III
Published by Loving Healing Press, 2007.
ISBN: 978-1-93269035-4

"It's all your fault! You brought this on yourself! If you would have done something different, this wouldn't have happened to you!" Ah yes, these are things an abuse victim may hear. Or they may simply believe. Do you know someone who has been abused? Perhaps it was a close friend or family member. Or maybe it was you yourself who was abused a year or many years ago and you are still dealing with the effects of it all. Your natural reactions when something like this happens to you is to blame yourself. Traumatized people often find themselft abusing alcohol, drugs or others but there is something much less destructive.

Heyward Bruce Ewart has created the book "Am I Bad" to help victimes, parents and therapists. There are various tests included in this book which can help determine whether the victim is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. There is a test for concealed child abuse and a domestic violence inventory questionnaire throughout its pages, descriptions of what effects the abuse has taken and how you can break free. This book is not meant to take over the work of a qualified therapists but to help therapists and those dealing with abused people.

No two cases are exactly alike. What happened in one case didn't happen quite the same in another. Just like each victim may react differently in dealing with what happened to them. This is an excellent resource!

Wisconsin Weddings

Title: Wisconsin Weddings
Author Andrea Boeshaar
Published by Barbour Publishing, 2006.
ISBN: 978-1-59789-631-3.

When you least expect it, it can happen. Just what is "it?" For Jena, Lara and Melody it is an opportunity for love. Not just "puppy" love but the real thing. None of the three young Wisconsin women are expecting to find their soulmate but that is what happens.

Jena needs a summer job. Travis is a busy lawyer whose wife died leaving him to raise his young daughters Mandi and Carly on his own. He advertises for a "summer girl." A summer girl is someone who will take care of his daughters, do some light housekeeping and take the girls to their activities. Travis sister Glenda was living in the attached apartment and taking care of the girls until a man interested her and she ran off with him. Travis is expecting someone much younger than 26. But 26 year old Jena comes to interview and Travis is impressed so he hires her. Jena fills the void that the girls feel since losing their mother and love starts to grow not only for the girls but also for Travis. When summer is over, will Jena be gone from the girls lives?

Aren't the older sisters always supposed to marry before the younger ones? Melody always thought that she would get married before her younger sister Bonnie. Bonnie's new fiancee' is coming to dinner at their parents and wedding plans are set into motion. Oh no, Bonnie's fiancee' is someone who Melody used to date. Melody's parents are all pleased and the house soon becomes Wedding Central. Melody just wants someone to talk to so she starts spending more and more time with Luke the neighbor guy who has always loved Melody. Will Melody and Luke discover that they are more than just neighbors and friends? Will Bonnie still marry Scott when she finds out what happened to her sister's dealings with her intended?

Kevin is a rodeo star but he has taken a terrible fall from a horse and is flown to the hospital by Flight for Life. Lara is a social worker who works in the hospital with case studies. Lara has always had an interest in horses and helps out at the Regeneration Ranch where handicapped people work with horses as part of their therapy. To make matters worse, Lara has been assigned Kevin's case and she had a crush on him in their younger years. It will be a "Long Ride Home" for Kevin as he recovers but can they find love now that they are given another chance? Will they find a lariat around their hearts?

Andrea Boeshaar is from Wisconsin and invites you to come to Wisconsin through this book. Her descriptions of this great state and familarity with places and landscapes of Wisconsin shine through. This is a must read for those who love tender romances with men and women finding true love The three stories in this excellent book will capture your heart and give you a much needed retreat. God's plan is always the right one as illustrated in this beautiful stories of love, romance and sweet surprises. Come to Wisconsin for the weddings, you will be glad you did!