Submerged by Dani Pettrey
Published by Bethany House Publishers
My 16 year old son reminded me the other day that you can't judge a book by it's cover. But I usually do. Especially if one of my favorite authors recommends the book on the cover.
Or if the cover says it's based in Alaska :) [My sister lives in Alaska with her family, so naturally I'm drawn to books about the state.]
Submerged takes place in a town called Yancey, off the coast of Tariuk Island, Alaska. Having that sister in Alaska, I decided to go online to Google Maps to find this town/coast. I looked and looked, zooming in and out, panning across the map, only to end up frustrated and decide (upon the suggestion of my same 16 year old son) to just Google it altogether.
The first listing that popped up was a review by Christine (Core Foundations), who said "because I am a geography nut, I spent 49 minutes of my life trying to find Tariuk Island. . .only to give up in frustration and call the author herself, to discover she had made the place up! Wouldn’t you know it! (For the record though, it is loosely based off Sitka.)"
Oh, well. :) At least someone else did the same thing as me!
Back to the plot...
Submerged is the story of the McKenna family - a family of of divers - and of Bailey Craig - a girl who left Yancey years before, never planning to return.
The McKenna's and Bailey ger thrown back together because of the tragic death of Bailey's aunt, a prominent figure in Yancey and a friend of the family.
What follows is romantic suspense similar to Dee Henderson's O'Malley series.
Thanks to the cover and Dee Henderson's recommendation, I picked up the book and really enjoyed it... proving that you sometimes CAN judge a book by it's cover. I hope you will enjoy it, too.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
He Chose the Nails (What God Did To Win Your Heart)
He Chose the Nails (What God Did to Win Your Heart by Max Lucado
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers
This book was provided to me free of charge by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
He Chose the Nails, What God Did to Win Your Heart. The title says it all.
The God of the Universe, the maker of the stars and sky, of all we see and don't see, became man and dwelt among us. And in order to win us, to create a relationship with us, and to make a way available to spend eternity with us, chose a cruel way for His son to die.
He chose the nails. He chose the cross. He chose the spear. Even though it would cost His son, Jesus, His very life, He chose the pain, and suffering for us.
God wasn't shocked when they mistreated His Son. He wasn't surprised that they beat Him and put a crown of thorns on His head. He wasn't surprised at the mocking or the hatred.
What if we were God? Would we have chosen the same fate for our Only Son? I think not!!! But God knew the only way for all our sins to be forgiven was by the suffering and death of the only sinless human ever created. So He chose the nails for us.
Max Lucado's books are defintely my favorite non-fiction books. I could read them all the time and get something new out of them. The word pictures and life examples make them resonate with me long after I finish the books. I recommend anyone getting this book, and reading through it carefully. It will show you the love of a Holy God in ways you may never have imagined.
Just think, He chose the nails just for you.
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers
This book was provided to me free of charge by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
He Chose the Nails, What God Did to Win Your Heart. The title says it all.
The God of the Universe, the maker of the stars and sky, of all we see and don't see, became man and dwelt among us. And in order to win us, to create a relationship with us, and to make a way available to spend eternity with us, chose a cruel way for His son to die.
He chose the nails. He chose the cross. He chose the spear. Even though it would cost His son, Jesus, His very life, He chose the pain, and suffering for us.
God wasn't shocked when they mistreated His Son. He wasn't surprised that they beat Him and put a crown of thorns on His head. He wasn't surprised at the mocking or the hatred.
What if we were God? Would we have chosen the same fate for our Only Son? I think not!!! But God knew the only way for all our sins to be forgiven was by the suffering and death of the only sinless human ever created. So He chose the nails for us.
Max Lucado's books are defintely my favorite non-fiction books. I could read them all the time and get something new out of them. The word pictures and life examples make them resonate with me long after I finish the books. I recommend anyone getting this book, and reading through it carefully. It will show you the love of a Holy God in ways you may never have imagined.
Just think, He chose the nails just for you.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Prize of My Heart
Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato
Published by Bethany House Publishers
Prize of My Heart was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review of the book.
Captain Brogan Talvis has been on a search for his son for the last 3 years, ever since his late wife disappeared with him. His search has finally led him to a shipbuilder, Nathaniel Huntley, and his daughter who have adopted "Drew" and raised him as their own.
When Brogan meets the family, he is surprised to find that he is attracted to Lorena, Nathaniel's daughter, who has been a loving caregiver to his son.
Lorena is surprised to discover that she, too, is falling for Brogan.
But both Lorena and Brogan have secrets. What will happen when they discover what the other is hiding? Will their love survive?
That love is tested when Lorena is kidnapped by a trusted friend, and would be suitor. Now Brogan will have to choose between rescuing the woman who has captured his heart, and the son he has searched for for so long.
Published by Bethany House Publishers
Prize of My Heart was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review of the book.
Captain Brogan Talvis has been on a search for his son for the last 3 years, ever since his late wife disappeared with him. His search has finally led him to a shipbuilder, Nathaniel Huntley, and his daughter who have adopted "Drew" and raised him as their own.
When Brogan meets the family, he is surprised to find that he is attracted to Lorena, Nathaniel's daughter, who has been a loving caregiver to his son.
Lorena is surprised to discover that she, too, is falling for Brogan.
But both Lorena and Brogan have secrets. What will happen when they discover what the other is hiding? Will their love survive?
That love is tested when Lorena is kidnapped by a trusted friend, and would be suitor. Now Brogan will have to choose between rescuing the woman who has captured his heart, and the son he has searched for for so long.
The Captive Heart
The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer
Published by Bethany House Publishers
This book was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review of the book.
The Captive Heart is the continuing story of the daughters of Caleb Bender. It follows the life of Miriam, Caleb's 19 year old daughter, who has never had a beau, and is old enough to be considered "old maid" material.
As we begin the book, we find Miriam struggling with her growing attraction to the Mexican man, Domingo, who has helped protect her family over the past year as they worked to establish an Amish community in Paradise Valley, Mexico.
Domigo has a pet name for Miriam, "Cualnezqui", which means Beautiful One. The problem with her falling for Domingo is that although he is a man of courage, and gentle with Miriam, he is not Amish, and the Amish frown on marrying outside their religion.
Her emotions become even more complicated when more Amish families move down to expand the community, and bring along a young Amishman, Micah, who has set his sights on Miriam.
As Domingo haunts her dreams, Miriam will have big decisions to make that will affect the rest of her life.
Read to find out what decision Miriam makes.
Dale Cramer has become a new favorite of mine in Amish Fiction. His books were recommended by Beverly Lewis, and I'm glad I took her advice and read his books. Read this series and see if you agree with me.
Published by Bethany House Publishers
This book was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review of the book.
The Captive Heart is the continuing story of the daughters of Caleb Bender. It follows the life of Miriam, Caleb's 19 year old daughter, who has never had a beau, and is old enough to be considered "old maid" material.
As we begin the book, we find Miriam struggling with her growing attraction to the Mexican man, Domingo, who has helped protect her family over the past year as they worked to establish an Amish community in Paradise Valley, Mexico.
Domigo has a pet name for Miriam, "Cualnezqui", which means Beautiful One. The problem with her falling for Domingo is that although he is a man of courage, and gentle with Miriam, he is not Amish, and the Amish frown on marrying outside their religion.
Her emotions become even more complicated when more Amish families move down to expand the community, and bring along a young Amishman, Micah, who has set his sights on Miriam.
As Domingo haunts her dreams, Miriam will have big decisions to make that will affect the rest of her life.
Read to find out what decision Miriam makes.
Dale Cramer has become a new favorite of mine in Amish Fiction. His books were recommended by Beverly Lewis, and I'm glad I took her advice and read his books. Read this series and see if you agree with me.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley by Dale CramerPublished by Bethany House
Publishers
This is the first book I've read by Dale Cramer, and I decided to buy it because of a recommendation on the front by Beverly Lewis. I am a huge fan of Beverly Lewis' books, so if she said he's a good Amish fiction author, I had give the book a try. I was not disappointed! I will definitely be buying all the books in this series!
Paradise Valley is the first in a new series called The Daughters of Caleb Bender. It is based on on a true story of an Amish community that moved to Mexico in order to escape religious persecution in Ohio.
As the story opens, we meet the family of Caleb Bender, who after a run in with the police who are convinced that the Amish children are being negatively affected by their "truancy" from school, decide on a whim to buy 5,000 acres in a remote, mountain oasis in Paradise Valley, Mexico.
Caleb's family is the original settling family there, hoping to be joined by others from their Ohio community in a year, after the Benders have gotten established. But the move is a hard one for the family, especially the girls. Rachel has fallen head over heals for Jacob, and cannot dream of living apart from him, possibly forever. And Emma, secretly engaged to Levi, mourns the fact that they, too, may be torn apart. Then there's Miriam, their older sister, who has never been courted, and who knows her chances of finding an Amish beau in Mexico are slim to none.
The trip is a long one by train, and then by horse and buggy the rest of the way into the mountains. The closest town of any size is a full day's ride away. But the land is so fertile, it seems worth the ride!
In stark contrast to the beauty and fertility of Paradise Valley is the danger posed by local bandits intent on taking what the Benders have worked so hard for. The Benders had been warned of this danger, but had decided the pros outweighed the cons.
As time moves on, and the Benders continue getting the settlement ready, will there still be a place for the new families to come to? Or will the bandits steal it all away? What will happen to the girls?
Read the book to find out. ;)
This is the first book I've read by Dale Cramer, and I decided to buy it because of a recommendation on the front by Beverly Lewis. I am a huge fan of Beverly Lewis' books, so if she said he's a good Amish fiction author, I had give the book a try. I was not disappointed! I will definitely be buying all the books in this series!
Paradise Valley is the first in a new series called The Daughters of Caleb Bender. It is based on on a true story of an Amish community that moved to Mexico in order to escape religious persecution in Ohio.
As the story opens, we meet the family of Caleb Bender, who after a run in with the police who are convinced that the Amish children are being negatively affected by their "truancy" from school, decide on a whim to buy 5,000 acres in a remote, mountain oasis in Paradise Valley, Mexico.
Caleb's family is the original settling family there, hoping to be joined by others from their Ohio community in a year, after the Benders have gotten established. But the move is a hard one for the family, especially the girls. Rachel has fallen head over heals for Jacob, and cannot dream of living apart from him, possibly forever. And Emma, secretly engaged to Levi, mourns the fact that they, too, may be torn apart. Then there's Miriam, their older sister, who has never been courted, and who knows her chances of finding an Amish beau in Mexico are slim to none.
The trip is a long one by train, and then by horse and buggy the rest of the way into the mountains. The closest town of any size is a full day's ride away. But the land is so fertile, it seems worth the ride!
In stark contrast to the beauty and fertility of Paradise Valley is the danger posed by local bandits intent on taking what the Benders have worked so hard for. The Benders had been warned of this danger, but had decided the pros outweighed the cons.
As time moves on, and the Benders continue getting the settlement ready, will there still be a place for the new families to come to? Or will the bandits steal it all away? What will happen to the girls?
Read the book to find out. ;)
Sunday, April 1, 2012
This is Your Brain in Love by Dr. Earl Henslin
This is Your Brain in Love by Dr. Earl Henslin
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers
This book was provided to me free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my review. I am so thankful for that.
This is Your Brain in Love is a book that I could not finish. It didn't seem applicable to me, since it's mostly based on brain scans and their results. These scans are supposed to show exactly what parts of the brain is damaged (if I understand it correctly) and the resulting emotions they affect. I feel that the brain scan is a very expensive way to figure out how to stay in love with your mate. I have no idea what type of doctor to go to even if I wanted one of those scans.
I hate giving bad reviews, because I love books so much, and am thankful for being allowed to review the books for free. So I tried off and on for months to read it. I was too proud to say I couldn't get through it. I finally gave up.
Guess I won't be reading any more of his books.
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers
This book was provided to me free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my review. I am so thankful for that.
This is Your Brain in Love is a book that I could not finish. It didn't seem applicable to me, since it's mostly based on brain scans and their results. These scans are supposed to show exactly what parts of the brain is damaged (if I understand it correctly) and the resulting emotions they affect. I feel that the brain scan is a very expensive way to figure out how to stay in love with your mate. I have no idea what type of doctor to go to even if I wanted one of those scans.
I hate giving bad reviews, because I love books so much, and am thankful for being allowed to review the books for free. So I tried off and on for months to read it. I was too proud to say I couldn't get through it. I finally gave up.
Guess I won't be reading any more of his books.
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