Book Review of "The Homecoming"

The Homecoming
By Dan Walsh

This was an outstanding story of a reluctant war hero who returns home, encountering heartbreak along his long path. You immediately identify with Shawn, who is excited about returning to his small son, although that too, involves some bitter sweet feelings. Shawn is a good Christian who has "done everything right"- for God, his country, his family, but still he is presented with challenges that you feel along with him. You  empathize with him and  feel his pain. This book enthralled me from start to finish.
All at home is not well, yet Shawn is called back to  serve his country, which he does with mixed feelings- you feel the struggle along with him.  He now requires a nanny to mind his son while he is away, even though he would prefer to be the caregiver. While he is on the road, Shawn has to make an important decision, but he has no idea of the impact it will have on his life.It could be the key to happiness and the mending of his heart or war could once again threaten his chance at a new start..
This book is a fine example of tender family feelings and the mending of a broken heart.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Book has been provided courtesy of Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communication, Inc.
Available at your local bookseller fromRevell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

ANOTHER Book Review : "A Hopeful Heart" By Kim Vogel Sawyer

Kim Vogel Sawyer has outdone herself again!! She treats readers to a love story that definitely speaks to the heart. My attention was immediately captured upon beginning the first chapter, where Kim introduces the main character, Tressa, who is alone on a train, awaiting a rather frightening, adventure. She is to attend a one of a kind program that teaches young women from the East the skills to become a rancher- OR more importantly- become the wife of one!! Unknown challenges, a new environment- will she be able to be successful?? Tressa, who was once used to a privileged life, fears she will not have what it takes to survive and the hands-on instruction in skills such as milking a cow, branding a calf, cooking up a mess of grub for hungry ranch hands!!

Upon her arrival at the "school", Tressa meets others who in similar circumstances- many trials and oppositions. To meet the "man of her dreams" becomes somewhat of a mystery- who is that man? Which of two should she be with?? Mysteries are unveiled- cattle stolen, shots fired- you just never know what will happen next!!

All in all, this book was a delightful historical fiction, with a definite
Christian influence. Surprises around each corner.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group

"Take Your Best Shot"- a book review

"Take Your Best Shot"
By Austin Gutwein (with Todd Hillard)
The topic of this book immediately grabs your attention- the caring attitude of a nine year old boy makes a difference throughout the world!! When Austin was at this young age, he first saw a short video of a little girl, Maggie, who lived in Zambia, with her great grandmother- all of her other relatives had died of AIDS!! This short segment, done by World Vision, a nonprofit, nondenominational agency was appealing to the public to get help for these poor young victims of a tragic disease. Although I enjoyed the book, it was well written, I felt it is meant for a young adult audience more than anyone else. Austin is a wise young man who truly made a difference with his Shooting Hoops to earn money to send to World Vision to sponser a child- being far more successful than he had hoped or dreamed. He went on in his teen years to do more for this relief agency to assist those in such great need in Zambia. It would serve a purpose as a study book for a group of young people to spur them on to show how they can make a difference. For myself, it was a slow read, pleasant however not thrilling.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller"

Newest Review -"Plan B"

"Plan B"
By Pete Wilson
Have you ever felt like you have lost total control of your life?? You have done everything the "right" way, and still things are going wrong! That is what was happening in our family, when the book, "Plan B" arrived in the mail, for me to review. It came at the most appropriate moment! Pete Wilson reaches far beyond the so called typical response to give you encouragement and hope when you feel things have gotten the best of you.
Pete refers to real life Bible stores (David, Mary, etc) and applies his theories of how to move on beyond a crisis and attain the peace for which we all search.

His first sentence got my attention, "Do you remember the day you discovered your life wasn't going to turn out quite the way you thought?" . He uses the Bible stories, his own experience and those of others to explain how to get beyond your shattered dreams and turn to Plan B- it is not all about your control, it is about accepting what God has put in front of you and dealing with it in a positive manner.
He loves us in spite of the challenges He puts in front of us.
Pete has given us hope in his writings, using Bible verses and the personal experiences.
Plan B is certainly worth the read. It gave me what I needed the day I started reading it. It is thought provoking and makes "a whole lot of sense". He provides honest hope for all of us!!

Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller.

Kathy Fuller at her best, yet again!!

Fantastic Amish Fiction for Young Adults- and us oldies, too!!, May 16 2010
By Karla Hanns (Ontario, Canada)


A Summer Secret (Paperback)

Kathy Fuller has done it again!! She has written another wonderful Amish novel, "A Summer Secret" - BUT this time it is the beginning of a series, entitled "The Mysteries Of Middlefield" for young adults. This doesn't mean those of us who are a "few" years beyond that, don't enjoy it too!! The setting is in Amish country, in Middlefield, Ohio, as all of her adult Amish fiction books are, but this time she has "spread her wings"!! This mystery is for a younger audience. The main characters are thirteen year old Mary Beth, an Amish girl and her twin brother,Johnny as well as a "Yankee", Sawyer- a young runaway from the city. It seems as if poor Mary Beth is always enduring the boyish pranks and responsibility of caring for her brothers. She has found a secret peaceful place to get away from it all- in an abandoned barn nearby. Although Mami and Daed have forbidden her to go there- she needs her own space and disobeys. But, then the story becomes exciting- is this really her secret place???? This leads her to a mystery that could put her in grave danger!!! Should she tell her strict Amish parents or not??
The true Amish family life was evident in this story. The young people have normal problems and become involved in situations that are against their Christian values, somewhat. This story is a cliff hanger- what will these kids do to solve the mystery, as well as obey their parents?? The ending was quite different from what I was expecting-
a surprise which was a delight!! I can hardly wait for Book 2 to come out- AND I AM NOT the intended audience- but it is again, Amish fiction at its best!!

Book Review- This Fine Life by Eva Marie Everson

Well, folk, this is my second book review!! "This Fine Life", by Eva Marie Everson was a good read. If you like southern style romances, this is the book for you. It is well written and the descriptions of life in different situations are vividly created. From a privileged life, to a challenging situation in a short period of time, the main character encounters many problems. This book describes her spiritual walk, from a non believer to faithful Christian. With a husband, who becomes a pastor in an isolated community, Mariette must decide- is she just going to quit and leave this life- her beloved husband OR struggle to become the person she knows she is meant to be. This is a tender, unique romance, exemplifying perserverence and forgiveness. Mariette becomes a very real person in your life as you read- an ordinary person who meets the challenge with success!!

Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group