Stand by Me By Neta Jackson

Book Description by Booksneeze.com

Sometimes the person you most need is the one least like you.

Kathryn Davies is a bright young woman from a prominent Phoenix family. But after making a leap of faith at a Christian music fest, dropping out of med school, and moving to inner city Chicago, her family has all but disowned her. Kat’s enthusiasm for her newfound faith tempers the sting of their rejection.

When Kat discovers SouledOut Community Church, she longs to become a part of the multi-cultural church family. But her tendency to say whatever she’s thinking and her eccentric ways step on the toes of nearly everyone she meets—especially Avis Douglass, a woman she admires but who seems distant.

Avis is known for her mature faith and her reliance on listening to God more than people. Married to a kind and successful businessman, she is the principal of one of Chicago’s highest performing elementary schools, and a founding and active member of SouledOut. But the country’s economic downturn has thrown both her and her husband’s jobs in question. And Avis hasn’t heard from her youngest daughter in months—an estrangement that gnaws at her every day. Where is God in all this?

Kat’s flamboyant zeal for living a “radical” Christian life is a stark contrast to Avis’s quiet crisis of faith. But in God’s own mysterious ways, the two women discover they need each other in ways neither of them expected.

My Comments :

I was attracted to the cover of 'Stand by Me' by Neta Jackson. I thought the story might be unique and one of a kind. I was sorely disappointed though as it was not really what I thought it would be.

Initially, I thought that the book would be lighthearted and funny with bits of drama here and there, considering how bright and upbeat the cover is, but it was the other way around. The book brought up a lot of depressing issues and while the author brought up great points to ponder upon, I find the book rather preachy
.
Don't get me wrong. This book is quite inspiring in a way. It teaches us the real meaning of being a Christian, submitting to God's plan and wills and whatnot, but I don't suppose that this book is for me.

You might want to give this book a try if you like self-help fiction with a leisurely pace. I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. I received an ARC of this book from Thomas Nelson Publisher via Booksneeze.com and I was not required to write a positive review for this book.

The Future Door By Jason Lethcoe

 

Book Description byBooksneeze.com

A mystery is afoot at 221 Baker Street, but will Griffin Sharpe be able to figure out the clues before the future catches up with the past?

When Sherlock Holmes moves out of Baker Street, a new tenant moves in—a mysterious woman named Elizabeth who has long been a fan of Holmes. When she discovers that Griffin and his uncle are also detectives, she becomes very friendly. So when Elizabeth goes missing along with a special invention, Griffin sets out to rescue her. But finding Elizabeth will take them on a race against the clock that bends time itself!

My Comments:

I have read "No Place Like Holmes" last year and was delight with the book. Hence I did not hesitated when I saw the second instalment of this book is being offered for review by Booksneeze. 

This second instalment did not disappoints me at all. In fact, I find it is better than the first book. Don't worry if you have yet to read the first book because you can still read this second instalment without reading the first book.

I like the way the author combine element of mystery with futuristic elements. For me, it's refreshing. It is certainly a page turner. I managed to finished this book in 3 hours.

Certainly recommend this book for kids around the age of 9 to 12 years old

I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  . The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy

Geoff Bofinger was a pastor until he was fired from the Ministry based on a lie which rocks the community. However, both Geoff and his wife Audrey were not the type that give up easily.

They start up a new business that blossom from their hobby. They opened up a Bakery. Helping them to run it was their son Ed. Life was challenging enough for them. Nevertheless, the family struggle to hang in there and face the storm that comes upon them.

One morning foggy morning, Audrey hit something when she was driving to work. When she got down and investigate all she saw at the scene was a  motor scooter and there was blood everywhere. The weird thing is that there was no body insight.

The motor scooter belongs to a local school teacher who happens to be the wife of Police Detective, Jack Mansfield.

As the case hits dead end, Jack was convinced that Audrey had something to do with the disappearance of his wife's body. He stormed into the bakery and took everyone hostage. Gave Audrey time to produce his wife body or else......

Audrey had to relay on her special gift and the help of two person of which one was an ex-convict while the other was a teenager to help her solve the mystery and save her family.

This book is a page turner for me as the storyline was well paced  and exciting.

The characters were well developed and believable. Each have their good and their bad.

What I like about this books is that Audrey have the ability to sense what other people is suffering. Something like psychic power. It makes the story feel more mysterious and thrilling.

I would recommend this for those who love to read a good mystery .

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com  The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Read and Share: Stories About Jesus by Gwen Ellis

This is a board book suitable for children age 5 to 7. In it there are 13 stories about the life of Jesus. These are The Man Who Ate Locusts, John Baptizes Jesus, Jesus Heals a Sick Boy, Jesus Brings a Girl Back to Life, Jesus Walks on Water, Jesus Loves the Children, Zacchaeus, A Blind Man Sees Again, Jesus Stops a Storm, One Lost Sheep, Jesus' Best Friends, One Man Says Thank You, and Jesus Goes to Heaven.

The story my son loves the most is One Lost Sheep. Because his aunt gave him a toy lamb when he was just a few months old and he have it till now. The sheep looks a bit like his toy lamb.

I like the hard board book as it is easy for my son to grip and it's harder for him to "destroy". Yes, he does tend to flip through all his books rather roughly. Board books are more durable.

At the end of each story there is a box with questions and comments for you to ask your kid. To make them think deeper. As usual with books related to bible, there is the scripture reference at the title of each stories so that you can refer to the longer version of the story in the Bible.

Yes, this is a good book to get for your kids and as a gift.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Save the Date by Jenny Jones

Synopsis :

When Alex and Lucy pick out wedding invitations, they wonder if they can be printed in vanishing ink.

Former NFL star Alex Sinclair is a man who has it all--except the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancée in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn't quite what he seems, Lucy will find her heart on the line--and maybe even her life. When God asks Alex and Lucy to scrap their playbook and follow his rules, will they finally say, "I do"?

Review :

This is not the first time that I read Christian romance and I can say that I like this book. This book is about forgiveness and trusting in God but it is not written in such preachy way that it would hinder the flow of the story.

I like the character, Lucy, very much. I shook with mirth at some of the things that she did. She is also a very determined lady. I enjoyed seeing Lucy falling in love with Alex despite her reservation.

To me, this book is most suitable for young adult or those who are in the early twenties  or those who are young at heart. Great read for the coming Valentine Day next month.

The only thing which I don't like about the book is its cover. Look sort of Mills and Boon type of book. But as the saying goes, "don't judge a book by its cover".

Declaration :

I received this book from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”





An Amish Love By Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller & Kelly Long

"An Amish Love" consist of 3 novellas in a book. "A Marriage of The Heart" by Kelly Long, "What The Heart Sees" by Kathleen Fuller and "Healing Hearts" by Beth Wiseman.

In "A Marriage of The Heart", Abigail Kauffman was desperate to get away from her strict father. The opportunity come in the form of Joseph Lambert, a man who is pleasing to her eyes. Joseph just return to the community of their small town of Paradise PA.

Unfortunately the plan did not go like what she had hope for. She married Joseph but they still live under her Dad's rule.

Although, being forced to marry Abby, Joseph did not really hold much resentment. In fact they slowly come to love each other.

Then there is a "hiccup" where Joseph's past came back to haunt them.

In the end, Abby got to know the reason why her Dad was so strict with her.

"What The Heart Sees" tell the tale of Ellie Chupp who lost her sight in an accident.  Not only that, her boy friend also left her for obvious reason. She had resigned to be alone till the day she die that is till Christopher Miller literally "Bumped" into her leaving a big bump on her forehead.

Chris have come back to the community after 5 years of the accident which took the life of her beloved, Caroline. Chris was shunned when he went to the police to report Isaiah. After 5 years, he thought he can forgive Isaiah

To his shock, his sister Sarah is to be married to Isaiah. Once again Chris was put into a dilemma. Can he forgive Isaiah who is going to be his brother?

This brought Ellie and Chris closer together. But Ellie have a secret of her own.

There is a twist at the end of there story

In "Healing Hearts",  Naaman Lapp walks out on his wife, Levina for one whole year. No reason given except the he is going to visit his cousins in Ohio. Levina thought it would be a short trip but as days past, her heart tells her otherwise.

Then out of the blue, Naaman shows up after one year of absence. Naaman told her that he is home to stay. But can Levina believe him?

And to make it more complicated, a Sheriff from Ohio had show up in the community looking for Naaman. Why is the Sheriff looking for Naaman? What did he do while he was staying with his cousin in Ohio?

In this story, there is also a twist in the end.

I have read books about Amish community before. Thus, this did not come much of a cultural shock for me.

Generally, I like this book. The love there is so innocent and sweet. The way the stories were written also very captivating. Especially the twist at the end of the tale. Something like Jeffrey Archer books.

And most of all, the fonts are of standard size. Not those tiny size. I really dislike reading books with tiny fonts.

I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson, the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

At the back flap of this book I saw "The Amish Gathering". I hope I can get my hands on this book.