In the World Book Reviews

Thin Places by Mary DeMuth

2010-02-17T04:03:00.000-08:00

Life in a fallen world is sinful, painful, and messy. If you are looking for a book that delivers the usual vanilla flavored message of faith, this book isn’t for you. Mary DeMuth makes no attempt to hide the dark side of humanity in her new spiritual memoir, Thin Places.

The premise behind this book is that God can be found in the places of our lives where the veil between this world and eternity is thin. Those places can be deeply painful or simply mundane. Mary describes her ability to feel the touch of Jesus in those places and challenges us to do the same.

This book is not an easy read. Mary portrays a life forever marked by memories of loss, neglect, divorce, drug abuse and sexual abuse. It’s heartbreaking to read about the pain that human beings can inflict upon one another. Mary, however, doesn’t stop at sharing her sorrows. She uses those experiences to allow us to glimpse Jesus, the only one who can truly begin to heal that type of pain.

In addition to sharing her painful childhood memories, Mary reveals her vulnerability as an adult Christian trying to walk with Jesus. She sheds the cloak of perfection that many Christians feel they must wear in order to fit into the church. She courageously reveals her own sin and fear, especially as she describes the struggles in her relationship as wife, mother, daughter, and friend. This vulnerability allows us to experience the grace and love of God as he meets her in those places. It also encourages the reader to acknowledge and look for Jesus in our own places of fear and imperfection.

Mary DeMuth is a master storyteller. This book will capture you from page one and won’t let you go. Both the writing and the message make it one of the best books you’ll read this year.

Love by the Yard

2009-12-12T19:25:00.000-08:00

Love by the Yard

Gail Sattler

Heartsong Presents

A sometimes heart-wrenching story of a scarred victim of domestic abuse trying to move on with her life while having to deal with her abusers family. As she tries to rebuild a life for herself and her children God brings an unlikely and reluctant hero into her chaotic life. Will her fear and her desire to protect herself from any more pain cause her to run from what the Lord has planned for her? Will a man who has his life planned out in his head,one that does not involve a woman with 2 kids and an unruly dog, hold out for his perfect life or let God teach him that His plans are perfect in their own way? This book takes you on an emotional journey that may have you crying one minute and laughing the next.

Once a Thief

2009-12-12T19:01:00.000-08:00

Once a Thief

Frances Devine

Heartsong Presents

A tale of a young womans' struggle between right and wrong, between what she knows is right and what she has been ordered to do. As this young orphan tries to take care of her young handicapped brother, she has to do things she is not proud of. When faced with an option that she fears is too good to be true the tug of war on her conscience is almost overwhelming to her. This book is packed with interesting, adorable characters that add to the whimsical feeling you get while on this journey. A great relaxing holiday read.

The Bartered Bride

2009-12-12T18:49:00.000-08:00

The Bartered Bride

Erica Vetsch

Heartsong Presents

Set in the old south during the days of women's suffrage, this tale of a strong-willed young woman, horrified that her parents have arranged her marriage, vows to never go through with it. Her betrothed, a stubborn young man just as opposed to this marriage, finds himself more attracted to this hard headed young lady than he ever imagined. The journey that ensues show us that sometime, what we plan in our heads, doesn't always jive with what our hearts say. Will they go along with their parents' wishes, or will lies and misunderstandings destroy what could be a great future that the Lord has planned for them? A great relaxing read that let me escape to a time long ago with a couple I could cheer for.

Critical Care

2009-11-28T14:41:00.001-08:00

Critical Care

Candace Calvert

Tyndale

In this sometimes gut wrenching tale of loss, heartbreak, fear, and guilt we find characters full of promise with a past they can’t seem to escape. Our ER doctor and nurses that are giving so much of themselves they don’t have time to take care of themselves. When Claire is summoned to the ER she knows there must be some mistake, she made it clear she was NOT interested in any clinical work at her new job. When the reason for the call is discovered it makes it worse, bringing back reminders of her brothers tragic death, and her reason to stay out of the ER. Through the Lords grace can she finally heal from the wounds that haunt her? Will this Doctor she seems to be running into at every turn be a nightmare or an answer to a prayer she didn’t know she was praying?

Trial by Fire

2009-11-28T14:26:00.001-08:00

Trial by Fire

Cara Putnam

Steeple Hill

In this thrilling page turner prosecutor Tricia Jamison battles through her own demons that she thought were personal until they were drug out in open court. The supporting characters are as enthralling as the main ones and keep this dramatic story fresh until the last page. Add to the mix a man she at one time thought she may have a future with who appears to be linked to the horrific events that now seem to be following her family. Can anyone figure this out before something more tragic unfold? Will she be able to work past her inner battles and find that the truth will set her free, or will the truth put her and those she loves in even more danger? An exciting read that will keep you guessing to the very end.

EXPOSURE

2009-11-28T14:03:00.001-08:00

Exposure

Brandilynn Collins

Zondervan

Brandilyn Collins has done it again, the queen of Christian suspense has once again kept us riveted page after page of this tale of fear and faith. When someone is stalking you and no one believes you do you curl up or stand up and fight? Our heroine has a quiet strength only possible through her faith in Christ. In her weakest moment will she find that her faith sustains her or give in to doubt and fear that would keep her paralyzed? This is an action packed page turner that will have your pulse quickening and you faith bolstered.

Pleasant Surprises

2009-11-28T13:45:00.000-08:00

Pleasant Surprises

Becky Melby & Cathy Wienke

Heartsong Presents

With a plan in mind to change her business since God had changed her heart, this inspiring book challenges us to do the same. Angel is a new beliver who as an event planner had been responsible for some very unholy parties in the past. Her unexpected meeting with a stranger on a dark road only complicates her unraveling life and confidence. Is she truly doing what God wants and is she doing it wholly or just enough to ease her conscience? A though provoking book that asks us if we would risk our financial future for our eternal one.

Autumn Rains

2009-11-28T13:36:00.001-08:00

Autumn Rains

Myra Johnson

Heartsong Presents

When the past you have been hiding from suddenly appears on your doorstep where do you run? In this heart wrenching story of post traumatic stress disorder Valerie Bishop struggles daily just to function. Since the death of her husband, that she still can’t remember details of, she hides from everyone in a world of fear. When her pastor introduces her to a down on his luck handyman, she begins to feel again, but is it too soon? Will this person help her or bring back up the things she is trying so hard to forget? For this handyman, who set out searching for his high school football teammate who had led him to Christ, to follow God’s plan for him may mean dealing with things he would much rather forget.

A Wagonload of Trouble

2009-11-28T13:14:00.001-08:00

A Wagonload of Trouble

Vickie McDonough

Heartsong Presents

Set in the beautiful Wyoming Mountains this tale of family responsibility, centers around the daughter of an aging rancher trying to keep the family ranch afloat. Introduce a computer geek city boy into the equation and you can’t help but laugh out loud. While trying to help Bethany track down the saboteur of her family ranch Evan can’t help but find himself attracted to his polar opposite. Will they figure out who is behind this and stop it in time to rescue the ranch from bankruptcy? Will Bethany forgo her dreams of moving to the city and away from the loneliness she has felt on the ranch since childhood? Will Evan be able to survive the backwoods and his withdraw from all things technical?

Stillwater Promises

2009-11-28T12:48:00.000-08:00

Stillwater Promise

Becky Melby & Cathy Weinke

Heartsong Presents

How can God expect us to forgive someone who hurt us so badly? If He even exists. This is where we find our heroine as she tries to raise 2 little girls on her own with no help from her run away, immature, musician husband. Just when she thinks she is getting on with her life the last person she wants to see struts back into her life declaring how he has changed. How can she forgive and does she even want to? Will she turn her life and her will over to God or will the walls she built around herself prove strong enough to keep everyone out? This book takes us on the emotional rollercoaster that is Sara’s life and allows us to grieve, be angry, and maybe even find some happiness again with her.

A Love to Cherish

2009-11-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

A Love to Cherish

Janet Lee Barton

Heartsong Presents

Set in the 1920’s this story offers remarkably realistic characters, and amazing setting and a struggle to believe after losing everything. When Becca moves away from home, trying to outrun memories of what could have been, she is devastated that violence seems to be following her. As her new friend Luke tries to contain his feelings, that seem to be growing, he doesn’t know if his past will be something she can look past. The journeys they take with their ups and downs leave us wondering until the very end if faith will overcome fear.

Finding Home

2009-11-28T12:21:00.000-08:00

Finding Home

Jennifer Johnson

Heartsong Presents

When the past you try to overcome becomes your present will you be strong enough to embrace it? That is the question that presents itself in this tear-jerking emotional ride we take in “Finding Home” The faith and strength shown by these made to fall in love with characters inspires the reader to listen to God’s voice in our lives as Cam and Sadie do. When the prospect of love after so much hurt and loss presents itself, will they embrace it or will fear stop them from enjoying the life God has planned for us.

2009-11-28T11:16:00.000-08:00

Under the Tulip Poplar

Dianne Ashley & Aaron McCarver

Heartsong

This coming of age novel, set in the old south during a time of fear and prejudice against Native Americans, reminds us of the strength we all gain through our families and our faith. Even as Rebekah and Captain Asher Landon struggle to start their lives together, they are pulled apart by the influences of power and money that we still wrestle with today.
While trying to become a worthy husband, Captain Landon forgets that what the world would see as success his bride-to-be considers unimportant. The social position in southern society that Captain Landon aspires for is the last thing his childhood sweetheart dreams of. When faced with a moral and deadly decision, will he find his core values and belief in right and wrong outweigh his worldly desires and lead him back to his true love?
The underlying racial prejudice shows us how little we have really changed as a society in all these years, while inspiring us to go the extra mile as the Lord would have us do. This book is an inspiring read with valuable lessons for the reader.

The Soul Shaken and Stirred

2009-05-01T06:25:00.000-07:00

On April 18th, I had the opportunity to meet Darryl Turner at the Indiana state chapter meeting of American Christian Fiction Writers. It was a busy day, so I only had a few minutes to speak with him. That small amount of time was enough to recognize him as a man of God with the spirit of Jesus.

Darryl was kind enough to give me a copy of a book of his poetry. Wow! It was powerful. In The Soul Shaken and Stirred, Darryl A Turner, uses a variety of writing styles to address the spiritual condition of the human soul. His poetry reflects keen observation and spiritual insight into daily circumstances that can produce both praise and pain. I found the writing style of the book enjoyable and the content of the book thought provoking.

It had actually been a long time since I sat down to read a book of poetry other than the humorous poetry that I read with my children. Darryl’s words reminded me of the power that poetry can have on the human soul. I was so touched by the poetry in this book that I intend to begin to read more poetry. I highly recommend this book.

Darryl A. Turner, MA is a staff psychotherapist at The Family Institute. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University Counseling Psychology Master’s Degree Program.

Buy the book here:

http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Shaken-Stirred-Darryl-Turner/dp/0970880308/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241184181&sr=1-1

The Noticer by Andy Andrews

2009-04-27T06:38:00.000-07:00

I love books that inspire me to be a better human being. The Noticer by Andy Andrews is just that kind of book. The Noticer reads like a well written fiction novel. It grabs you at page one and you are hooked. I actually cried through the first chapter.

Andy uses the story of Jones, a drifter, who shares his wisdom with the inhabitants of Orange Beach, Alabama, to remind us that we have the power to overcome our circumstances. Those circumstances might be poverty, a failing marriage, old age, lost dreams, a failing business, or depression. We have the power to change our circumstances . We just need a little perspective.

This book is filled with wisdom. Some of that wisdom includes the following:

What you focus on increases.

If you are still here then you have not completed your life’s purpose.

We often judge ourselves by our intentions but others by their actions.

People are either in a crises, coming out of one, or headed for one.

This book has changed me and given me a new outlook on how to view my everyday circumstances. I highly recommend this book.

Buy the book here:

http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=0785229213

Some Parts Are Not For Sharing by Julie Federico

2009-04-22T18:03:00.000-07:00

This book can be used to introduce and reinforce the very important concept of body safety to children. The colorful pictures and nonthreatening language make the book a fun read and appropriate for very young children. In addition, it can be used as a conversation starter for older children who need to continue to hear about body safety issues. I recommend this book to parents, teachers, schools, and libraries.

Buy the book here:

English:

http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60696-603-7

Spanish:

http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60799-401-5

I Can't Remember Me

2009-04-22T07:06:00.000-07:00

I laughed and I cried as I read this book. This story pulled me in from the first page. I could not put it down. Judy and Courtney unveil for the reader the painful path to recovery they found in the aftermath of a terrible automobile accident. Filled with faith, the book follows them on their journey as they deal with the physical and emotional implications of death, recovery after traumatic brain injury, and legal process. The book includes practical help as well as spiritual insight. A must read.

Buy the book here:

http://www.amazon.com/Cant-Remember-Me-Recovery-Traumatic/dp/1880292793

Sara Mills' Allie Fortune

2009-04-15T03:54:00.000-07:00

Sara Mills is a new novelist with two books now released. The Allie Fortune Mystery Series features "the only female private investigator in New York," set in 1947. One week ago Sara's husband died of a heart attack. He was only 40. His death left Sara a widow with three children. With her second book just released, Sara now has no time nor energy to help with its marketing. I'm joining numerous authors who are posting about Sara's fun and entertaining romantic mysteries and encouraging you to buy them--as one tangible way we can help our colleague. The following interview was first posted online last week by author Cara Putman--one day before Sara's husband's death.
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Miss Fortune and Miss Match are delightful books set in NYC in 1947. Tell us how you got the idea for Allie and these books.

I got the idea for Miss Fortune in the middle of the night, when all good ideas come to me: One sleepless night I was watching The Maltese Falcon, and I started to wonder how different the story would be if Sam Spade had been a woman. She'd never have fallen for Miss Wunderly's charms and lies. She'd have been smart and tough and she would have solved the case in half the time it took Sam because she wouldn't spend all of her time smoking cigarettes and calling her secretary Precious.

The thought of a hard-boiled female detective got my mind whirling. I paused the movie and sat in my darkened living room thinking about how much fun a female Sam Spade could be. Intrigued but not yet ready to dash to my computer, I changed disks and put on Casablanca (my all time favorite movie). The sweeping love story, a tale full of hard choices and sacrifice was what finally made the whole idea click in my mind. If I could just combine the P.I. detective story of the Maltese Falcon with the love story from Casablanca, and make Sam Spade more of a Samantha, I could have the best of all worlds.

These books are so good, I wish I'd written them. How did you set the stage to capture that gritty PI feel without being dark?

I find that a lot of PI stories are gritty and dark, focusing on the worst of the humanity, and while I wanted the Allie Fortune mysteries to be exciting and tension-filled, I didn’t want them to be stark and hopeless. One of the things I tried to do to counteract the darkness was to give Allie a multi-layered life. She has cases, relationships, friends and family, all of which I hope combine to make the stories textured, rich and full of life.

Allie is a character I'd love to have coffee with. What did she teach you while you wrote these books?

Allie was a great character to write. One of the things I learned from her was that human relationships (man/woman, mother/daughter, friends) are complicated and full of unspoken rules and expectations. Allie is a rule-breaker at heart and it complicates her life on a regular basis. One of the storylines I loved most is Allie’s relationship with her mother and how it grows and changes and how it’s shaped her. Another dimension of Allie’s character that really taught me a lot was her willingness to do whatever was needed to help those she loves. There is no price on that kind of friendship and it’s a characteristic I’d like to see more of in myself. Okay I admit it, I’ve got a bit of a friend-crush on Allie. LOL.

One last question: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would that be?

If I could go anywhere right now I’d head to Monterey, California (I’m writing a book set there right now) and I’d plant myself on the beach with a notebook, writing my story as the waves crashed. Sounds like my idea of heaven on earth. There’s something about the wind-shaped Cypress trees and the crash of the surf in Monterey that calls to me.

http://www.amazon.com/Miss-Fortune-Allie-Mystery-Book/dp/0802469264/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b: In 1947 Allie Fortune is the only female private investigator in New York City, but she's kept awake at night by a mystery of her own: her fianci disappeared in the war and no one knows if he's still alive. Until Allie finds out, she will have no peace. When there's a knock on her office door at four in the morning, Allie suspects trouble as usual, and Mary Gordon is no exception. Mary claims someone is following her, that her apartment has been ransacked, and that she's been shot at, but she has no idea why any of this is happening. Allie takes the case, and in the process discovers an international mystery that puts her own life in danger.

Meanwhile, the FBI is working the case as well, and she is partnered up with an attractive, single agent who would be perfect for her under other circumstances-if only she knew whether her fiance was still alive.

http://www.amazon.com/Miss-Match-Allie-Fortune-Mystery/dp/0802469272/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239404234&sr=8-1: FBI agent Jack O'Connor receives a letter from Maggie, a woman he used to love, saying she's in trouble in Berlin. The FBI refuses to get involved, so Jack asks Allie Fortune to help him investigate. Allie and Jack pose as a missionary couple who want to bring orphans back to the United States.

A child finds important documents that everyone in the city - Soviets and allies alike - want for themselves. Maggie refuses to tell Jack what the documents are, saying if things go wrong, they are better off not knowing. Through the course of the search, Allie's past is brought back to her, half a world away from home.

I'll Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse by Michael Franzese

2009-04-01T12:57:00.000-07:00

Securities fraud, mortgage fraud, and corporate fraud. Pick up a newspaper these days and you can’t be sure if you are reading the financial section or the crime beat.

In his latest release, former mob boss, Michael Franzese, takes his readers inside the mob to illustrate that in the long run crime doesn’t pay, not in the mob and not in the corporate world.

In I’ll Make You An Offer You Can’t Refuse, Mr. Franzese guides readers through the basics of Business 101, mob style. Topics include business planning, hiring, communication, and negotiation. This book is a quick and easy read filled with interesting stories from inside the mob. While Mr. Franzese shares business advice gained from his experience in the mob, he also weaves biblical truth and ethics into his stories.

I recommend this book to readers who are interested in developing their business models with a biblical worldview.

Preview the book here:
http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/widget.asp?sku=1595551638

Purchase the book here:http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595551638