Kim Vogel Sawyer's Sweet Sanctuary ~ Reviewed

Sweet Sanctuary
By Kim Vogel Sawyer
Published By Bethany House
ISBN#978-0-7642-0789-1
352 Pages

Back Cover: Lydia Eldredge longs to provide a sanctuary for her son, Nicky. But a constant threat comes from Nicky's drug-addicted father, who wants the boy and seems willing to do whatever it takes to get
him.

Dr. Micah Hatcher serves the immigrant population in Queens, but under cover of darkness he provides another service that must not be discovered lest his and his brother's lives be in danger.

When Lydia and Micah's paths cross, they are suddenly wrapped up in each other's callings. Through unforeseen twists and turns, they seek a refuge of safety--for Nicky, for themselves, and for the needy people God unexpectedly puts in their lives.
 
Review: I’m thankful for the review copy that introduced me to author Kim Sawyer and her tender and encouraging story. I instantly cared for her characters especially 4 year old Nicky. Micah heads to Boston to straighten out matters in an upsetting letter sent by N. Allan Eldredge, accusing him of things he hadn’t done. It’s there he meets Nicky who captures his attention and heart too.

Nicky says to Micah; “think the bug would be happy in a shoebox?
That’s all I got to put him in.”

“Some how it pleased Micah that the child trusted him enough to ask his opinion. He scratched his head thoughtfully, considering the boy’s question…We-e-ell, seems to me that bugs are happier in the grass rather a gloomy place to live.”

The child’s face fell, “You mean he’d be sad in a box? I don’t want to make him sad. It’s not fun to be sad.”

Micah catches a glimpse of Lydia Eldredge a woman he went to school with, oh my she had changed. Lydia is surprised to see Micah too, it’s been years. Micah fills Lydia in on the letter written by her father.
 
She’s horrified. How could her father accursed Micah of such a thing.

Micah talks to Lydia’s dad and thinks to himself. “What an incredible mess! A morphine-addicted father seeking to sell his child… He might not be able to keep all the world’s children from pain and anguish, but he desperately wanted to help this small, tousle-haired boy who worried about bugs being happy…he also wanted to help Lydia.”

Micah heads back to a clinic he runs in New York for the poor. Micah can’t stop thinking and praying for Lydia, Nicky, and their situation. Lydia surprises Micah and stops by his clinic asking for help. Lydia quickly discovers Micah has a few secrets of his own. She could tell Micah was involved in some pretty serious stuff. Will he trust her enough to explain what’s up?

I enjoyed Kim Sawyers’ characters and the time period she describes. She said, “During the second world war, a number of people worked tirelessly to rescue Jews from Hitler’s systematic annihilation. Among them were ministers, farmers, housewives and business owners…being caught assisting Jews meant a death sentence, so these people literally risked their lives for the sake of another. Although Micah Hatcher and the others are fictional characters, they are inspired by many selfless individuals who sacrificed all in reaching out to a persecuted people with compassion.”

I found the subject matter interesting as I learned what others did in
secret to save lives of strangers. The characters are endearing and
this story leaves you with warm feelings in your heart.

Reviewed by:  Nora St.Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins

Lisa Bergren's Grave Consequences ~ Reviewed

GRAVE CONSEQUENCES
Lisa T Bergren

Format: Paperback Number of Pages: 340 Vendor: David C. Cook Publication Date: 2013 ISBN: 143476432X

 Description:

                Grave Consequences is book two in The Grand Tour Series.  The story continues with Cora Kensington and the rest of her family, traveling through Europe.  They managed to escape near death while in Paris, but soon find that the enemy is still pursuing them.  In the meantime, Cora is being heavily pursued by Pierre, a man she met in Paris, yet finding herself more in love with Will, the group’s guide for the tour. 
 
                I was SO excited to get this book!  I loved the first book and was excited to see what happened next!  I saw the romance budding between Cora and Will in book one and was glad to see it further develop in this story.   My respect for Cora grew in this book.  She has finally won the friendship of her siblings and their friends, but she is still struggling with who she is, wanting to go back to her old life, yet realizing she is not the same person.  It looks to me like there will be another book in this series and I can’t WAIT to see what happens next!

Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers

Nick Vujicic's Life Without Limits ~ Reviewed

Life Without Limits
By Nick Vujicic
Published by Waterbrook
ISBN#978-0-307-58974-3
272 Pages

Back Cover: Vujicic’s story is about how, despite extreme
disabilities, he wants to be seen as a normal person. Readers might
find extraordinary a better word, as they learn how Vujicic, born
limbless (but with a tiny foot), lives what he calls “a ridiculously
good life.” By learning to be a help and resource to others, and
choosing to dwell on the positives in his life, including a supportive
family and friends, he has overcome the despondency natural to a young person in his predicament and become a source of inspiration for those he meets as a speaker and those who see his videos on YouTube.
 

Although much of his account is straightforward biography, he also
devotes considerable space to sharing his faith in God and offering
practical suggestions for making one’s life happier and more
productive.

Nick Vujicic is a motivational speaker and the director of the
nonprofit organization Life Without Limbs. A long-time resident of
Australia, Nick now lives with his wife in southern California.

Review: 

 

Wow! This is one fascinating man. I’m thankful for the review
copy that introduced me to a very encouraging man who lives life
without limits.

Nick has no arms and legs; this fact hasn’t stopped him from doing the things he’s desired to do. Nick says, “My goal in writing this book is to encourage you to overcome your own challenges and hardships so you can find your own purpose and pathway to a ridiculously good life.”

This 27 year old man has been around the world speaking and meeting other over comers such as Bethany Hamilton who taught him how to surf, and others he met that inspired him such as, Joni Erickson Tada, Kathi, Daniel, author Christy Brown, Reggie Dabbs and a few others.

Life Without Limits is about real people, facing tough stuff all the
while helping others find their own purpose in life. Nicks parents
encouraged him, his mom told him when he was young, “Nicholas, you need to play with normal children because you are normal. You just have a few bits and pieces missing, that’s all. “She set the tone for years to come for him. She didn’t want me to feel less than normal or restricted in anyway, “Nick says. His parents are courageous that’s for sure.

Nick includes pictures in his book of himself as a toddler, as a grown man in a wheelchair, graduation pictures, family pictures and some fun shots of him scuba diving and surfing!

This book is about walking in what God has called you to be and lean on him for your strength and courage. God sets us free to be what he’s made us to be. We limit ourselves.

Nick says, “Often it’s the challenges in life that show us who we
truly are meant to be…We come packed with presents waiting to be
opened…

Life isn’t about having,  its about being You could surround  yourself with all that money can buy, and you’d still be as miserable as a human can be…you’ll find contentment when your talents and passion are completely engaged, in full force…when you look for happiness in mere objects, they are never enough.”

He has multiple youtube videos to watch that will just amaze you. He’s also an encouraging speaker, that’s what he does for a living. In the back of the book is a personal action plan. He states, “I have a choice. You have a choice. We can dwell on disappointments and short comings…to be bitter, angry or sad. Or we can choose to learn from the experience and move forward, taking responsibility for our own happiness….Fear (stands for) – False Evidence Appearing Real – We become so focused on our fears that they become real to us – and as a result, we let them control us!” I love his outlook on life.

I couldn’t help but smile along with Nick. He had me re-evaluate how I view myself, life and my circumstances. This young man challenged me, encourage me and helped me inspire others around me as I talked about this book.

I highly recommend it for book club or just for inspiration. Oh, and
be sure to watch the youtube video’s they are a must see. This is an
amazing, life changing book. Nick has chosen to life a life without
limits, what do you choose?

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent

TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!

Jill Eileen Smith's Rebekah ~ Reviewed

Rebekah

By Jill Eileen Smith

Publisher: Revell

ISBN-13: 978-0800734305

320 pages

Back Cover: When her father dies and she is left in the care of her conniving brother Laban, Rebekah knows her life has changed forever. Her hope for the future is restored when she falls in love with her cousin Isaac, and their relationship starts strong. But marital bliss cannot last forever, and the birth of their twin sons marks the beginning of years of misunderstanding, disagreement, and betrayal. The rift between them grows wider and wider until it is surely too deep to be mended. And yet, with God all things are possible.
Join bestselling author Jill Eileen Smith as she fills in the blanks around the biblical women behind the men we know well. Her in-depth research and creative storytelling bring Rebekah's unique story alive with romance, heartache, and the power of forgiveness.

REVIEW:  

Jill Eileen Smith has a gift of bringing characters from the bible to life. I’m thankful for the review copy of a book that helped me catch a glimpse of Abraham, Isaac, and Rebekah lives up-close and personal.

Jill’s author notes to readers in the back of the book explains how there isn’t enough documentation on many aspects of Isaac and Rebekah’s life so she had to take some liberties. This author explains the things she added to make the novel work. I like when authors do that. I think Jill does a great job of piquing interest in Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah and their children to cause readers to go back to the bible and read the story for themselves, to draw their own conclusions.

I’ve read a few of Jill Eileen Smith’s books now and I like that I always learn something new; for instance did you know that Abraham had another concubine other than Hagar and they had six children together? I was clueless. This information had me running to get my bible to find out more about this relationship and their kids.

I appreciated the fact that this author includes scripture references along with the passages; which made it easy to reference. Thanks to this author I’ll never look at Rebekah, Isaac and Abraham the same way. She helped to give me fresh eyes when I read the scripture passages once again. Thanks Jill for bringing this story to life and letting me get to know the women in the bible in a fun and unique way. I’m looking forward to this author’s next book and so will you!

Reviewed by:: Nora St.Laurent

TBCN Where Book FunBegins!

Irene Hannon's Vanished ~ Reviewed

Vanished

By Irene Hannon

Published by Revell

ISBN# 978-0800721237

336 Pages

Book Cover:  Reporter Moira Harrisons is lost. In the dark. In a thunderstorm. When a confusing detour places her on a rural, wooded road, she's startled by the sudden appearance of a lone figure caught in the beam of her headlights. Though Moira jams on her brakes, the car careens across the wet pavement--and the solid thump against the side of the vehicle tells her she hit the person before she crashes into a tree on the far side of the road. 
A dazed Moira is relieved when a man opens her door, tells her he saw everything, and promises to call 911. Then everything fades to black. When she comes to an hour later, she is alone. No man. No 911. No injured person lying on the side of the road. But she can't forget the look of terror she saw on the person's face in the instant before her headlights swung away. The person she hit had been in trouble. She's sure of it. But she can't get anyone to believe her story--except a handsome former police detective, now a private eye, who agrees to take on the case.


Vanished is the exciting first book in the Private Justice series: Three justice seekers who got burned playing by the rules now have a second chance to make things right.

Review:  Irene Hannon’s new novel engages the reader from the start. Action crashes on the scene literary from page one. Reporter Moria Harrison is caught in a bad storm at night. Someone runs out on the road. Moria sees her at the last minute. Tries to avoid the women but it’s too late! A Good Samaritan shows up on the scene to help. He says he’ll call 911 and see to the woman in the street. Relieved, Moria feels kind of out of it – the next she knows she’s been out of it for a few hours. When she awakes she doesn’t see police, no ambulance and no women! Did she dream all this?  She dials 911 herself and they soon arrive on the scene, hear her story and find nothing to back it up.

Did she imagine all this? Was the night playing tricks with her mind? It was dark and storming. She’s not sure what the woman or the Good Samaritan looked like. The Police think she’s bumped her too hard! She wants answers but needs help. A Phoenix PI service is recommended. All they could do was say no we can’t take the case! You’re Crazy. She already heard this from the police, so off she goes. She had nothing to lose and everything to gain if they said they’d look into it.

I enjoyed the three young men who made up the Phoenix team. They were college room mates and had history together. They reminded me of the three musketeers’. All of them had an Irish heritage and served in different parts of law enforcement before they decided to work together. The Phoenix team specializes in cases that fell through the cracks of traditional law enforcement.

This author pens a suspenseful drama that could be ripped from today’s headlines.  It’s the first novel in a new series about the Phoenix P.I. Service called Private Justice. Vanished focuses on Cal one member of the team who takes on Moria’s case. I liked reading about the mystery, suspense and the budding romance between Moria and Cal. It was playful and fun as they sandwiched it in between the drama and the surprising turns the case takes. It’s a tale that keeps you guessing right up till the end. I recommend this as a book club pick. It will create lively discussion. It’s a layered story everyone one will want to discuss, and give their opinion how they viewed the story. I’m looking forward to the next book in this suspenseful and fun series.

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent

TBCN Where Book Fun Begins

 

Susan May Warren's Duchess ~ Reviewed

DUCHESS 
Susan May Warren
Number of Pages: 352
Vendor: Summerside Press
ISBN: 1609367715

ISBN: 1609367715

Description

During the golden age of Hollywood, film star Rosy Price's future shines bright--until the fated Black Friday when it all comes crashing down. Her only hope is to join forces with Belgian duke Rolfe Van Horne, a film investor. But Rolfe is not who he seems, and his plans to support a growing unrest in Europe could break Rosy's heart and endanger her life. When her country needs her, will she have the courage to surrender her glittering world and her one true love?


Review:

                Duchess is book three in the Daughters of Fortune series.  In this book, Rosie Worth, now starlet Roxy Price, has become the movie star she dreamed of being, along with all of the glamour and fame that comes with it.  She’s married to the head of the studio and everything seems to be going great.  However, when Black Friday hits, she loses nearly everything, and decides to join forces with a Belgian duke, Rolfe Van Horne.  They had met previously, and he comes to her with the role of a life time written just for her.  She agrees to do the film, but  doesn’t realize until later that the film is being used to support a growing unrest in Europe.   

                I had a hard time getting into this book.  I think it would have been better had I read the previous books leading up to this one.  By the time I really got interested in it, I was almost finished with the book.  I did enjoy the time period, though.   It was fun to see behind the scenes of Hollywood’s Golden Era.  But by far, the best part of the book was towards the end when Europe in World War II comes to life.
 
Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers

Travis Thrasher's Hurt ~ Reviewed

HURT

By Travis Thrasher

Jan. 2013

David C. Cook

978-1-4347-6416-4

Review by Michelle Griep

When Chris Buckley first encountered the mysteries of creepy Solitary, North Carolina, he had little idea how far he would fall into the town’s shadows. After losing the love of his life, Chris tried to do things his way. He hunted answers. Then he gave up trying to find them.

But now Chris comes back to Solitary knowing there’s a purpose for his being there. As he watches his place in a twisted and evil bloodline become clear, Chris waits for the last battle—and wonders who will be left when he finally makes his stand.

I was seriously afraid to read HURT. I’d waited like a puppy at his dish for this baby to arrive, but once I held it in my hot little paws, I set it on my desk for weeks without cracking it open…not that I didn’t look at the cover every time I passed by.

There were two reasons for my fear factor, and neither of them involve creepy mannequins or broken doll heads. I was afraid to read HURT because I feared I wouldn’t like the ending, that there just wouldn’t be enough closure to satisfy me. And I was scared to death that I’d love it so much I’d be devastated that this was the end of the series.

Now that I’ve finished the last sentence on the last page, I can honestly say I was right—and wrong. The ending brought the series full circle in a fresh-chocolate-chip-cookie-out-of-the-oven sort of way and left me begging for more.

Chris Buckley is an unlikely hero that will stick with me for a long time. At first, he’s so awkward you can’t help but love the little buddy. But over time he sure develops into a champion. Oh, he’s still got his quirks and inconsistencies, but that just makes him all the more real.

Make no mistake about it…The Solitary Tales is a series pulls the reader through a lot of darkness. However, it’s the blackness that makes the light at the end shine all the brighter. This is one creepy, angst-filled young adult story that I wouldn’t hesitate to give to any struggling teen who is overwhelmed with life. And even though my own adolescence is nothing but a dot in my rearview mirror, I still loved the story.

Why? Because author Travis Thrasher is an amazing writer. His words are magical. Solitary was my first exposure to this superstar, but it’s not my last. If you want to be a writer, study his work.

And if you want a great read that’s sometimes jolting, give The Solitary Tales a try.

Dan Walshs' and Gary Smalleys' The Dance ~ Reviewed

The Dance
By Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley
Published by: Revell
ISBN# 978-0-8007-248-0
352 Pages
Back Cover: 

Jim Anderson is a successful businessman, and his wife, Marilyn, is the perfect wife. And why wouldn't she be? He gives her
everything she needs. That's why Jim never expected to come home one day and find Marilyn gone.
 
After 27 years of marriage, Marilyn has had enough of feeling unloved and neglected. She wants to experience some measure of happiness before she's too old to enjoy it, even signing up for dance lessons, something Jim would never do. What will it take for Jim to finally become the man Marilyn needs him to be?
Review: 

I’m thankful for the review copy written by a dynamic writing
team. Gary Smalley’s marriage counseling experience combined with Dan’s writing style creates three dimensional characters you instantly care about wrapped in a topic that will grab your heart.
The divorce rate for Christians is about the same as everyone else on the planet, the story shows how any marriage can break down. The novel opens with Jim Anderson, he’s angry his wife left him and says to himself, “She’s got a gorgeous house, a nice car to drive, and a huge closet full of clothes. We hardly ever argue. When did they start to have problems? What in the world did his wife have to be unhappy about?...She can’t just walk out. We’re both believers, for heaven’s sake! She doesn’t have biblical grounds for divorce…he couldn’t believe he had to eat his dinner at a fast food place, another consequence of his wife’s selfishness.”

Marilyn, Jim’s wife can’t believe she had the courage to leave. She’d been unhappy for years. She tried to tell her husband but he was never home. He was married to his job. She decided to do something she always wanted to do and that was learn to dance. She signed up for lessons. There were a few things she wanted to experience in life and learning to dance was one of them.
Will Jim and Marilyn Anderson give their marriage another chance?
Could God work a miracle? Where either of them willing to do whatever it took to resurrect their marriage? Their grown children are not as surprised as their father about their split, especially their
daughter.
  
Both Gary Smalley and Dan Walsh have experienced pain in their
marriage relationships and say they can relate to the main character
Jim Anderson. Dan writes in the beginning of the book, “To Gary, whose first book rescued my marriage thirty years ago.” Gary Smalley gets real about his marriage relationship and how he could relate to Jim too and his struggles. I appreciate the fact that both men were transparent in the author interview at the end of the book where Dan interviews Gary about writing The Dance.

They tell of how God can pick up the broken pieces of our lives and
put them back together in the most surprising and amazing ways. I
highly recommend this book for everyone especially book clubs, there is so much to discuss. It’s a book that will tug at your heart and have you look at relationships and family with new eyes.

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins

ECPA CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARDS NOMINEES

ECPA ANNOUNCES CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARD FINALISTS

W

INNERS TO

B

E

A

NNOUNCED

M

ON

.,A

PR

.29

PHOENIX, Ariz.—The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA)

today announced 36 finalists in seven categories for the 2013 Christian Book

Awards, honoring Christian publishing’s best books and Bible releases of the

year. Each category is comprised of five finalists except for Inspiration, which

has six due to a tie.

2013 Christian Book Award nominees are:

BIBLES

Chronological Life Application Study Bible®, NLT (Tyndale House Publishers) 9781414339276

ESV Global Study Bible (Crossway) 9781433531538

Everyday Matters Bible for Women (Hendrickson Publishers) 9781598567052

Holman KJV Study Bible (B&H Publishing Group) 9781433600333

NIV Study Bible (Zondervan) 9780310443261

BIBLE REFERENCE

The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary by Gary M. Burge, Andrew E. Hill (Baker Books/ Baker

Publishing Group) 9780801013089

Center Church by Timothy Keller (Zondervan) 9780310494188

Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series) edited by Mark J. Boda

and J. Gordon McConville (InterVarsity Press) 9780830817849

Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and

Theology by Andreas J. Köstenberger, Richard D. Patterson (Kregel Academic & Professional)

9780825430473

Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Acts by Eckhard J. Schnabel (Zondervan)

9780310243670

CHILDREN’S

The Action Bible Devotional by Jeremy V. Jones (David C Cook) 9780781407274

Firebird by Brent McCorkle and Amy Parker (B&H Publishing Group) 9781433679179

Heaven is for Real for Kids by Colton, Todd & Sonja Burpo (Tommy Nelson) 9781400318704

Hot Chocolate with God #2 by Camryn Kelly with Jill and Erin Kelly (FaithWords)

9780892968442

Jesus Calling Bible Storybook by Sarah Young (Tommy Nelson) 9781400320332

FICTION

The Dog That Talked to God by Jim Kraus (Abingdon Press) 9781426742569

Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar (Moody Publishers) 9780802405586

The Next Target by Nikki Arana (David C Cook) 9780781404310

Submerged by Dani Pettrey (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) 9780764209826

When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group) 9780800720070

---

Page 2

INSPIRATION

The Family Book of Advent by Carol Garborg (Ellie Claire Gift, a division of Worthy Publishing)

9781609365417

Jesus Today by Sarah Young (Thomas Nelson) 9781400320097

Love Out Loud by Joyce Meyer (FaithWords) 9780446538473

The Quiet Place by Nancy Leigh DeMoss (Moody Publishers) 9780802405067

Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones (ZonderKidz) 9780310721635

Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action by Nick Vujicic (WaterBrook Multnomah

Publishing Group) 9780307730886

NON-FICTION

A Grace Revealed by Jerry Sittser (Zondervan) 9780310243250

The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler with Jared Wilson (Crossway) 9781433530036

Glorious Ruin: How Suffering Sets You Free by Tullian Tchividjian (David C Cook) 9781434704023

Grace by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson) 9780849920707

In the Land of Blue Burqas by Kate McCord (Moody Publishers) 9780802408143

NEW AUTHOR

Anything by Jennie Allen (Thomas Nelson) 9780849947056

Cradle My Heart: Finding God’s Love After Abortion by Kim Ketola (Kregel) 9780825439285

Disability and the Gospel: How God Uses Our Brokenness to Display His Grace by Michael S. Beates

(Crossway) 9781433530456

Interrupted by Rachel Coker (Zondervan) 9780310729730

Love Does by Bob Goff (Thomas Nelson) 9781400203758

One title from each category will be honored as the year’s Christian Book Award winner. ECPA’s

highest honor, the 2013 Christian Book of the Year, will be bestowed upon one title from all

nominees. 2013 Christian Book Award winners will be named at ECPA’s 2013 Awards Banquet at 6

p.m., Mon., Apr. 29, 2013, during the ECPA Leadership Summit at World Outreach Church (WOC) in

Nashville, Tenn. Tickets to the Christian Book Awards event (for those not registered for the ECPA

Leadership Summit) are $59 and available in ECPA’s online store at http://bit.ly/BookAwardTix or

by contacting Cindy Carter at ccarter@ecpa.org.

The Christian Book Awards, established in 1978 as the Gold Medallion Book Awards by the

Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, recognize the absolute highest quality in Christian

books. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and impact, the Christian Book

Awards are the oldest and among the most prestigious in the religious publishing industry. Christian

Book Award finalists and winners receive recognition and support throughout multiple retail and

media outlets. For more information, visit www.ecpa.org.

For more information on finalists, visit www.christianbookexpo.com/christianbookawards.

# # #

Focus on the Family's Adventures in Odyssey Live CD/DVD set ~ Reviewed

Adventures in Odyssey

By Focus on the Family

“Live” Special cd/dvd set

ISBN#978-1-58997-576-7

Published by Tyndale Publishers

Back Cover: Join over 4,900 fans—a record-breaking live audience for Focus on the Family—and experience Adventures in Odyssey Live!Connie, Eugene, Wooton, Bernard, Mandy, and more favorite characters present an all-new adventure about discovering God’s calling for our lives. Complete with actor bloopers and live reactions from the audience, this extended show is presented in audio CD format—and a special DVD slideshow that takes you inside the live event! And don’t miss the exciting bonus features: actors answer questions from the audience, a photo booklet reveals even more about the Birthday Bash weekend . . . and an exclusive teaser gives you the scoop on what’s happening next in Odyssey! Package contains 1 CD and 1 DVD.
Disc 1 (CD) contains

·                       BTV: Live! All-New Extended Episode (approx. 50 minutes)

·                       Questions and Answers with the Actors (approx. 20 minutes)

Disc 2 (DVD) contains

·                       BTV: Live! Photo Slideshow with over 200 photos from the show! (approx. 50 minutes)

·                       Video Testimonials from Adventures in Odyssey Fans (approx. 8 minutes)

·                       Focus on the Family broadcast with Dr. James C. Dobson: “Celebrating 20 Years of Adventures in Odyssey” (approx. 50 minutes)

Review: I’m thankful to receive a review copy of this fun Odyssey adventure. This set had the audio and visual of the same episode. I Loved it.

The message was informative, inspirational and fun. I had a great time hearing the bloopers the characters as they filmed this “Live” event. After listening to the audio cd part I put in the DVD of the same show. They had the same audio I had just listened to on the CD playing with the still shots they had taken of the “live” event. It was fun to watch the video along with the audio.

After all these years of listening to the audio series it was great fun to see the faces behind the characters voices I’d listened to. My teen kids said it was a spoiler for them but I found it a interesting discovery!

This audio series talks about powerful truths the whole family can enjoy and learn to walk out in their lives together.  These tapes create great discussions with your kids. They won’t find them boring that’s for sure. It will make it easier and fun to talk about aspects of the bible and God you normally wouldn’t talk about! I highly recommend this and all the other Odyssey adventures.

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent

TBCN Where Book Fun Begins

Susanna Foth Aughtmon's I Blame Eve ~ Reviewed

I Blame Eve

By Susanna Foth Aughtoman

Published by Revell

ISBN#978-0-8007-2047-6

187 Pages

Back Cover: When our great-to-the-nth-degree grandmother Eve ate the fruit, we lost out on the perfect life. But that doesn't stop us from trying, does it? In fact, we make trying to be perfect the focus of our entire lives! But what would happen if we stopped trying to be perfect and started trying to be his?
In this fantastically witty book, Susanna Foth Aughtmon helps women find out what it means to be honest about what we crave in life and let go of our deep need to be in control. Using Scripture and amusing personal stories, she shows women the freedom of embracing the unique path God lays out for each of us. Includes study questions to facilitate group or individual use.

Review: I’m grateful for a review copy of a book that introduced me to a new author I adore. I enjoyed her humor, transparency and the way she helped me look at Adam and Eve and their situation with fresh eyes. I realized I had blamed Eve for a few things too.

Susanna says this about Eve, “She had it all – a loving husband, an unhindered relationship with God, all of her needs taken care of. She could walk around naked and not feel like crying inside. Her life was perfect…And she still wasn't satisfied…she thought she could do better.”

I hadn't looked at Eve this way before. This author helped me get a deeper understanding of how things might have gone down in the garden with the snake.  She says, “Eve was clueless. She had no idea what perfect was, even though she embodied it. She was exactly the person God intended her to be…She was comfortable in her own skin…She never once had to say to Adam, “Do I look fat? Oh, wait, never mind. I forgot I’m perfect.”….Even better Eve had no weird ideas about God. She could meet up with Him and have a heart to heart talk.” Anytime she wanted.

This author brings up things I hadn’t thought of before like this, “I kept wondering if there wasn’t more to the conversation God had with Adam and Eve about what would happen if they decided to ear from the tree of knowledge. Did he give them the whole run down of everything and the consequences of their actions would resonate until the end of time?”

We have the bible today that lays it all out for us and we still struggle. Susanna says, “Poor Eve. Poor us. The ones who do exactly as she did. We have so little ability to imagine the consequences of our actions. We act without thinking about where an action will take us. We step out of God’s palm into a world of our own making with our sad choices and shabby reasoning…It begins the same way for us as it began for our Sister Eve. It begins with the voice of doubt, and chaos, the voice that invites us to wonder if we don’t deserve more than we’re given. It begins with the thought that no one can tell us what to do. It begins with a hiss and a mirthless laugh as we wonder far away from the heart of the one who breathed life into us. It begins with the snake.”

I’ve learned so much about Adam, Eve, the snake and the garden. I realize that given the situation I might have done the very same thing Eve did. This author helped me learn from this story and gave practical ways to apply the principles of the story to my life in very real ways. I enjoyed Susanna’s humor and how she gave hope to readers in the last few chapters titled, “I need a new idea of what perfect looks like, I am not in control, I need a paradigm shift, and I am ready for a new out-of-control me.”

I don’t blame Eve anymore because I’ve realized I’m very much like her. I hadn’t looked at scripture and this situation like this before. It was enlightening. I highly recommend this book. . I’ll be getting more of this authors’ books and so will you!

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent

TBCN Where Book Fun Begins

Joan Wolf's Daughter of Jerusalem ~ Reviewed

Daughter of Jerusalem
By: Joan Wolf
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 320
Vendor: Worthy Publishing
Publication Date: 2013
ISBN: 1936034670

Description
Why would Jesus seek out Mary Magdalene as the first person he appeared to after his resurrection? In this compelling novel, Mary tells her own story about how Jesus' words transformed her heart; why she committed her wealth and influence to his ministry; and how it felt that glorious morning to discover the Lord was alive!
Review:

Daughter of Jerusalem is a fictionalized story of Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, and what events in her life led up to the time she met Jesus.  It begins with her childhood, depicting how she was forced into a marriage with a man she did not love which led to an adulterous relationship with a man she did love.                 
 I don’t have much to say about this book.  Perhaps if I knew it wasn’t a fictionalized story of a real person from the Bible I would have enjoyed it more, but I didn’t care for the liberties that were taken in this book.  It was almost as if Mary, the prostitute and Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha, were combined into one character.  I also didn’t like the way in which Jesus was presented in different areas of the story.  Sometimes, it came across as if he didn’t know what was going on or why people acted the way they did, and Mary was the one giving him advice.  Our Lord did not need anyone’s advice, and if He did pose a question, it was to make people think.  Personally, I wouldn’t recommend this book. 

Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers

Kay Warren's Choose Joy ~ Reviewed

Choose Joy

By Kay Warren

Published by Revell

ISBN#978-0-8007-2172-5

259 Pages

Back Cover: Ever wonder why some people seem to experience joy in their daily lives--even in the tough times--and others can't seem to find it no matter how hard they search? Is a joy-filled life really possible?

The answer is yes! And it's possible for every woman, no matter what her circumstances may be. In this inspiring book, Kay Warren teaches women what joy really is, where to find it, and how to choose it in the good times and the bad. With compassion and wisdom, she shows readers--even those who live with the constant companions of discouragement and depression--that true joy is deeper, richer, and more accessible than they might think. Perfect for small groups or individual reading, Choose Joy will empower women who feel like their emotions and well-being are at the mercy of others by helping them understand the life-giving truth that joy is within their grasp--every day.

Review: 

I’m thankful for the review copy of a book that has opened my eyes to see joy in the little things. I’ve learned about a tool used to open my heart and mind to a treasure box I didn’t know was at my disposal!

Kay Warren’s approach to choosing joy in everything is life changing. Her book is easy to read and heartfelt. She describes herself as having an Eyore personality. She is married to Pastor Rick Warren who she describes as having a Tigger personality. I liked her fun approach to the different personalities each having their own strengths and weaknesses; all of which have the opportunity to choose joy! Some have it easier than others. She had a quote from Jim Rohn in her book that touched my heart, “The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out joy.” Wow!

Kay gives examples of ways we can choose joy in spite of our circumstances. Joy is a deep and satisfying experience. Happiness is fleeting; joy is a gift we can choose to open up. She says, “God makes it clear that He wants to give us real treasure, real joy, and real contentment.”

Kay Warren’s transparency was refreshing and inspirational. I could see how I had a chance to choose joy no matter what I was feeling or going through. I’ll never look at joy the same. This author also helped me see another side of Jesus I hadn’t paid much attention. She talks about Jesus being joyful; He laughs and delights in us. Kay writes, “What was the joy that was set before Jesus in Hebrews 12:2? What was so rich, so satisfying, so deep that He was willing to suffer such terrible abuse? You were the joy set before Him. He suffered so He could be reconciled with you.”

Hard to believe or wrap your mind around? Yes, I felt the same but it also touched me to the core of my being to think about this idea.

I liked the journey through scripture this author took me on. She showed Jesus; a man of joy and how He wants to give this gift to us. It’s ours for the taking.

This book is broken down into four parts 1) Joy is my inheritance: Embracing the permission to be joyful 2) Joy is a conviction of my mind: Discover a new way of thinking 3) Joy is a condition of my heart: Cultivating a soul-response that allows joy to deepen 4) Joy is a choice of my behavior: ways to chose joy daily.

I listened to Choose Joy on audio book where this author read the book she wrote. I felt it was a richer experience to listen to Kay read the words she wrote, putting emphasis on parts that touched her deeply. She was also able to express her emotions as she read painful parts of this journey. I got so much out of hearing her speak.

I highly recommend this for a book club pick. There is so much to talk about to reflect on. There is a study and DVD that Kay has to take this subject deeper. The message in this book will change you forever if you let it. God’s joy can radiate from your heart like Kay’s. Thank you Kay Warren for sharing your faith journey and showing us how we can be joyful in all things! This books a keeper and a must read. It’s one you’ll be re-reading and sharing the message with friends.

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent

TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!

Loree Lough's For the Love of Eli ~ Reviewed

For the Love of Eli, Quilts of Love Series #4
By: Loree Lough
More in Quilts of Love Series
Abingdon Press
2013 
Paperback




Product Description:

When unspeakable tragedy leaves young Eli an orphan, two families are devastated. But Taylor, Eli's aunt and legal guardian, vows to help him remember his parents by creating a Memory Quilt. As she begins piecing together the moments of his parents' lives, the story of the young family emerges and Taylor and Eli begin to heal. But Eli's uncle Reece is slow to let go of the past and still blames Taylor's brother for his sister's death. So, although he has long been attracted to Taylor, Reece keeps a safe distance away. Can their shared love for Eli pave the way to forgiveness or will Taylor and Reece be separated by pain?

Review:

For Love of Eli is centered around a four year old boy named Eli.  When his parents are killed, custody is given to his father’s sister, Taylor.  However, she agrees to let Eli’s uncle, Reece (his mother’s brother) see him anytime he wants to.  Taylor runs an inn and is very much a free spirit, while Reece is a doctor who is bitter about the fact that his sister left Eli to such a “flighty” woman.  However, through the process of Reece getting to know Eli more, he also begins to see another side of Taylor.  Their feelings begin to grow towards each other, yet they are both skeptical to say anything.

This was such a cute book.  I really loved little Eli’s character.  He was pretty smart for such a little boy, but he said some of the funniest things.  I can see why Taylor and Reece love him so much.  I really enjoyed seeing Taylor and Reece’s love story unfold as well.  I really enjoyed this story and would recommend it to others!

Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers

Margaret Daley's Scorned Justice ~ Reviewed

Scorned Justice (Men Of The Texas Rangers V3) 
by Daley Margaret
Release Date   Jan 1, 2013
Publisher   Abingdon Press
ISBN  142671436X 

Description

Texas Ranger Brody Calhoun is with his parents in west Texas when an unexpected attack injures the brother of Rebecca Morgan, Brody's high school sweetheart. The local sheriff, a good friend, asks for Brody’s help. At first, it seems like an open-and-shut case.
However, as Brody digs deeper, he realizes the attack may be related to an organized crime trial Rebecca will be overseeing. With Rebecca's help, he compiles evidence which involves cattle rustlers, bribery, and dirty payoffs that shatter the entire community and put Rebecca directly in the line of fire. 

Review:

Scorned Justice is about Rebecca Morgan, a woman who is a tough district judge and known for her reputation of bringing justice.  After taking on a case with a well known criminal, unexpected attacks begin happening to her family and friends.  As things get worse, and old family friend, Texas Ranger Brody Calhoun comes back around to help protect her and her family, while trying to solve a case that gets more serious with each passing day.  During this time, their attraction for each other begins to grow, but Rebecca is hesitant to fall for him after losing her policy office husband in the line of duty.





I really enjoyed this book.  It kept you interested with all of the twists and turns the story line kept taking.  The ending had a huge twist to it that I didn’t expect at all.  In fact, I had to reread a portion a couple of times to make sure I read it right.  If you enjoy action and suspense in your books, you’ll enjoy this book!
 
Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers

Jennie Allen's Anything ~ Reviewed

ANYTHING

By Jennie Allen

Published by Thomas Nelson

ISBN#978-0-8499-4705-6

193 Pages

Back Cover: 

Safe. Comfortable. Happy. Words we all love. Feelings we want. Even crave. We may love God, but being that he's invisible, words like comfortable seem to feel better faster.
We are all chasing something. Our hearts were made to run hard and fast after things that move us. But as a generation we are all beginning to stir and wake up, identifying that these words don't satisfy for long, especially when compared to God. If God is real, and we are going to live with Him forever, shouldn't He be everything?
Caught in this familiar haze of worldly happiness and empty pursuits, Jennie Allen and her husband Zac prayed a courageous prayer of abandonment that took them on an adventure God had written for them.

Review: 

I’m thankful for the review copy of a book that introduced me to Jennie Allen; a young lady who tells it like it is and shares from the heart.

Jennie was raise in the church and struggled believing the way others did. She says, “How do you give someone God? Honestly, I felt neutral about God. When you grow up with the stories, songs and lessons, you accept everything: you aren’t trying to explain God if you grew up hearing about him since birth, like Santa Clause. I knew what I thought I needed to know…I don’t remember it feeling very real. I remember God feeling plastic. He was a plastic stature on my mantel…you can’t control seeing God. That is left to His own discretion – how and when people really see, really get Him. But I needed God to not be plastic before I trusted Him, especially with everything.”

I found this author brave and transparent as she shared her experiences. I remember feeling the same way when I was younger. Unlike Jennie I wasn’t raised in the church. She goes on to talk more about her plastic God. This touched my soul, “Plastic gods are safe. Plastic gods don’t mess with you. Plastic gods don’t matter; they fit in a small crevice of the life you want, the life you were planning to have. And when everything in life is working…plastic gods feel like enough.”

Oh, wow. This author tells of her quest from plastic god to having a personal relationship with Jesus and letting him move in her life in unexpected ways. It’s an inspiring journey you won’t want to miss reading. She and her husband wanted more than they had spiritually. They wanted God to make himself real. They prayed this prayer, “God we will do anything. They were over chasing the American Dream with fancy houses, nice cars and cute Christmas cards.” Jennie said, “We wanted something: we couldn’t put our finger on. It was burning in us. We had loved so many other things more than God…we were ready to do anything.”

When this couple surrendered to God’s will for their lives everything changed. The found meaning in life, they felt fully alive and life was gratifying! They were pleasantly surprised. Was it easy? Did things go smooth after that prayer? No, but the didn’t lose heart.

I was compelled to read this couples story no matter how much laundry and dishes piled up around me. I was mesmerized and encouraged by their transparency, bravery, and willingness to let go of control and let God have His way. They traded fear and anxiety for a peace that passes all understanding. For the first time in their lives God was real and they were doing life with Him by their side. He wasn’t plastic anymore.

This author is a good communicator, her message is simple, clear, encouraging and she shared from the heart. It was a refreshing read that challenges readers to live a life surrendered to God. It’s more satisfying than chasing the American Dream.

Jennie Allen gives an authentic look at how she developed her personal relationship with Jesus. How we can have hope in a future that looks bleak. This book is a keeper. You’ll be re-reading it and telling your friends about Jennie and her journey. This author also has two bible studies that deal with the topics in her book. They are called Stuck and Chase. I highly recommend the studies and this book as a book club pick. Oh, there is so much to talk about! I look forward to reading more books by this author!

Reviewed by: Nora St.Laurent

TBCN Where Book Fun Begins