Book Review: The End of Law

I was first introduced to the Holocaust as a ten-year-old when I was given a comic book version of The Hiding Place. Fascinated by the story of Corrie Ten Boom, I had both read the full version of The Hiding Place and seen the movie within a few years of that introduction.

As a teenager and adult, I went on to read other biographical and fiction narratives of World War II events, but all of them were from the perspective of the “good guys.” I read stories from the Warsaw ghetto, tales of many (Germans included) who helped fight against the Nazi regime from within and without, and narratives of both survivors and victims. Only occasionally did I truly delve into the darkness that was the Nazi regime itself.

That darkness, however, comprises the full scope of my most recent review novel, The End of Law. Written by Therese Down, this intense novel does not read like a work of fiction. Instead, it feels more like what a stenographer would produce when trying to incorporate real-life stories into her reproduction of notes from top-secret meetings.

I do not say that as a negative assessment of The End of Law. In fact, I believe that presentation, while not as engaging as a more dramatic novel, made this story bearable from an emotional perspective. The End of Law reflects the pure evil behind the Nazi exploration for increasingly effective and efficient methods of mass extermination. It is hard to recommend that anyone read such darkness. Yet, we need the reminder that history repeats itself. This book clearly demonstrates how quickly a disregard for human life descends into pure horror. And the sad truth is that our own nation is one in which human life is not honored.

While the “Judische problem” is mentioned in The End of Law, the story actually focuses more on the elimination of other undesirables, especially terminally ill or impaired children. The Nazis were intent on ridding their society of these “drains” upon their resources, as well as those who marred the purity of the Aryan race. Yet, they knew that the ordinary citizen would not understand the need for extermination of innocent children, regardless their handicaps. Secret meetings of top-level Nazi party members sealed the fate of hundreds of children, quietly murdered by those who were supposed to be offering them care and treatment.

This is the world explored by Therese Down in The End of Law. This is the horror captured within these pages. A dark, hard reality that we hate to delve into yet cannot afford to ignore. This evil exists.

So, do I recommend The End of Law? As hard as it may be to read, yes, I do recommend it. Fiction though it may be, it paints a real picture and stands as a reminder to us that man is capable of pure evil - and a reminder of what we will face if we choose to stand against it.

Review: Marie Durand

I have officially dubbed this month “Crazy July.” The craziness is resulting in a pushing of the limits on just about every deadline on my calendar, including this review of Marie Durand by Simonetta Carr. But, I must say that this is definitely a book worth making time for!

My family has grown to greatly love Simonetta Carr’s Christian Biographies for Young Readers series, published by Reformation Heritage Books. The beautiful picture-book style format makes them great for use with young children, but the depth of content engages older students – and even adults - as well. Although none of these books will offer the extensive details of a full-length biography, they are perfect for challenging glimpses into the lives of Christian heroes. And those glimpses will, in many cases, drive readers to further study.

Marie Durand introduced me to a name I’d never heard before. Born in France to a Protestant family in an age when Protestants were not tolerated, young Marie’s life was anything but easy. Marie’s mother was arrested for allowing her property to be used for a Protestant worship service. That same night, Marie’s brother Pierre had to flee for his life for actively recruiting worship attendees. Marie was only seven years old.

Ten years later, Marie’s father was arrested in an effort to force Pierre, now a pastor, to come out of hiding or stop preaching. Only two years after that, nineteen year old Marie and her new husband were both arrested simply for being related to Pierre. She would spend the next thirty-eight years in prison.

Marie Durand chronicles the conditions Marie and other Protestant French women endured during their imprisonment. Over the years, Marie wrote many letters in an effort to attract the sympathy of officials and the public and secure the prisoners’ release. She also bolstered the confidence and spirits of her fellow prisoners and their children.

Aimed at a target audience in the seven to twelve age range, Marie Durand deals with tough topics, yet keeps the content appropriate for the age at hand. I love this, because it stretches the minds of young children, presenting age-appropriate content while not talking down to children. The book is also divided into manageable chapters and includes interesting additional time-period information, making it easy to turn this book into a short daily reading or even a unit study.

Bottom Line: This most recent addition to the Christian Biographies for Young Readers definitely lives up to the quality established from the beginning of the series. I heartily recommend it for readers of all ages.

Book Review: Beyond All Dreams

Just when I thought I’d gotten to know and love Elizabeth Camden as an author, along comes Beyond All Dreams.

Elizabeth Camden is my favorite sort of author - the kind who only follows formulas of her own making. By her own admission, she loves “writing books about fiercely intelligent people who are confronted with profound challenges.” In that sense, Beyond All Dreams fits the mold. And, like her other novels, this latest effort delves into a period of history in which women still struggle to truly live out their dreams.

But as I read Beyond All Dreams, I had to keep reminding myself I was reading an Elizabeth Camden book. The characters felt different. The intrigue and romantic development did not fall neatly into her familiar formula. But the quality did not diminish in the least. If this talented author would like to mess with her own formula, I am definitely not one to argue with her!

Set in the months leading up to the Spanish-American War, Beyond All Dreams explores the worlds of a late nineteenth-century congressman and one of only a few female librarians working in the Library of Congress. Elizabeth Camden’s love for research presents itself in these pages as readers dive into life at the Capitol at the close of the nineteenth century. Even the political climate was fascinating to me, and I am not one to enjoy politics.

But what stands out most to me in Beyond All Dreams is the spiritual thread. Elizabeth Camden beautifully weaves history, faith, and romance together with great depth. Side plots explore the concepts of friendship, bullying, teenage angst, parenting choices, abuse, alcoholism, pacifism, and forgiveness. Tough decisions are made. Failure is experienced. Consequences are faced. And not every desire is fulfilled. Real life is still felt between these pages. And that real life is enveloped in growth that can only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ. In her bio, Elizabeth Camden states that writing provides her the best outlet for sharing her faith with others. She definitely accomplishes that in Beyond All Dreams, clearly expressing a life of faith and the truth of salvation without compromising quality in her writing.

I usually try to find something negative about each product I review. Something that could have been presented better. Something that might have made the story clearer or more captivating. Something that felt stilted. And perhaps there are aspects of forgiveness that were left undeveloped or characters who might have been explored a little more deeply. But, in all honesty, I wouldn't change Beyond All Dreams one bit. Well done, Elizabeth Camden!

Book Review–100 Tough Questions About God and the Bible

Over Christmas break I sat down to make a list of books I want to read in 2015. To my chagrin, I discovered several books that I received for review purposes but never reviewed! Oops! So, over the next few weeks I hope to publish those reviews while I dive into my book list.

The first book on the list is 100 Tough Questions About God and the Bible by Stephen M. Miller.

First, the Positives

I confess I really wanted to like 100 Tough Questions About God and the Bible. And there are several things about it that I do like.

The Questions

Having heard the questions my pastor husband has been asked by skeptics over the years, these are definitely the type of questions that are asked when someone wants to challenge a Christian’s core beliefs.

And that is a good thing. It is even good for Christians to ask those questions, because it stretches us and challenges our way of thinking and seeing Scripture.

The Attempt to Maintain Neutrality

Yes, I shadowed this positive with the word “attempt.” I’ll get to the reason for that in a moment.

It seems that the goal of 100 Tough Questions About God and the Bible is to present the questions along with multiple possible answers, leaving the reader to draw final conclusions.

I like that approach because it encourages further study. I love to give my children partial information - enough to whet their appetites so they hunger to search for more or ask more questions.

And Now to the Negative

Unfortunately, neutrality can also lead to a wishy-washy approach, making us appear unable to take a stand on definite truths. When it comes to Scripture, we need to take a stand on definite truths. No matter what the scholars say, it is important for us to determine whether or not we believe Scripture. Period.

If we believe the Bible to be true and take it at face value, then even a hard-to-believe reality such as the virgin birth must be accepted by faith.

If we do not believe the Bible, then we can poke holes in anything.

In 100 Tough Questions About God and the Bible, Miller does not affirm the Bible as the inerrant word of God. Instead, he leans on traditional thought and the opinions of scholars more than on what is in Scripture itself.

That approach always leaves room for holes and doubts.

Bottom Line

So, is there usefulness in 100 Tough Questions About God and the Bible? I would say there is usefulness for a mature, Bible-believing Christian. This book challenges Christians to truly evaluate their core beliefs. To contemplate what answers could be given to tough questions. And to know what so-called Bible scholars think and have taught over the years. It challenges the Christian to dig and to become more solid in belief and understanding, thus becoming more prepared to answer tough questions.

In a few years, I might even hand this book to my teenage daughter for that very reason.

But I would never give 100 Questions About God and the Bible to a nominal or young Christian, nor would I give it to an unbeliever or seeker. Answers to their questions need to strengthen their reliance on the inerrancy of Scripture, not undermine it as this book would.

Book Review: The Secret of Pembrooke Park

Over the past year, I have had to drastically decrease the number of books I accept for review. But, I still love to review books, especially when it allows me to discover new authors or pursue books I might not otherwise think to obtain.

In all honesty, though, The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen did not fall  into either of those categories. I should have known to pursue this one. After all, a few years ago I reviewed The Girl in the Gatehouse, an earlier novel by the same author. Later, I read Klassen’s The Apothecary’s Daughter, thoroughly enjoying it as well. I have to wonder why I haven’t snatched up every book of Klassen’s as it has come up for review or shown up free for Kindle – or added her to my list of authors for my husband to keep an eye on. (He’s so good to me!)

Obviously, I went into my reading of The Secret of Pembrooke Park with high expectations. Klassen dives into British life with her usual flair for detail, but she also has quite a skillful knack for providing the perfect amount of mystery, keeping readers uncertain until the perfect moment.

Abigail Foster, heroine of this captivating tale, feels responsible for the sudden financial ruin her family is facing. Simultaneously enduring the rejection of the man she has loved since childhood, Abigail sees little hope in her future. But, an unexpected invitation to move to the mysterious Pembrooke Park rekindles that hope ever so slightly. Rumors of a treasure locked away in a secret room lead her on a search through her new home. But she is not the only one searching.

Why are her new neighbors so tight-lipped? What are they so desperate to hide? Does the treasure even exist? If so, where? And how many of the people around her can be trusted as she searches for clues?

As is the case with any mystery, it is not long before the reader of The Secret of Pembrooke Park will begin to make suppositions about the plot and characters. But Klassen has a way of obscuring the truth in plain sight. And I love every unexpected surprise!

So, would I give a negative? It is so hard to do so, just as it was with The Girl in the Gatehouse. But, I will say this: Some of the references to British society in the early 1800’s are foreign to me. I am clearer on American history during this time frame, and I was occasionally unclear in regards to a few of the societal references that I have not yet discovered in other British society novels I’ve read. Small price to pay, though, especially considering I love to learn new things about history!

As for positives, there is the delight of being able to say, “That is not who I guessed that would be!” But, there is also this: the romances are not all neatly tied up. Heartbreak and tragedy coincide with fulfillment. Some characters do end up alone, as happens in life. I like the unpredictability of that, and the variation it brings from the typical romance novel template.

Ultimately, The Secret of Pembrooke Park not only lived up to my expectations – it exceeded them. And it awakened me to the idea that I am a Julie Klassen fan after all.

Review: Crater Trueblood and the Lunar Rescue Company

Here’s another review from my resident young adult reviewer! This book fits into an adult fiction genre, but it is acceptable for young adult readers.

Crater Trueblood and the Lunar Rescue Company by Homer Hickam is science fiction. It the third in a series called the Helium-3 series. This series is about Crater, a normal helium-3 miner on the moon who really just wants to stick to his mining job. But now there is a war and Crater must help fight it.

Homer Hickam is very good at combining real science with his fiction. I love his writing style. The character development throughout this book is fascinating. The characters are not just characters in a book, they come to life.

I don't have any real cons, but I did notice that you definitely have to read the previous two books to understand this one. But other than that, the book was fantastic!

I recommend this book for ages thirteen through adult.

This book was sent to us by Book Look in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Candle Bible Handbook

Sometimes it’s hard for children to process through the overall significance of any given book in the Bible. This is especially true of the prophets or epistles. Today’s review book from Kregel, Candle Bible Handbook, offers a solution.

Candle Bible Handbook is a great blend of information and overview for an elementary or middle school audience. For each book of the Bible, readers will find the following:

• an outline of the book
• a general overview
• a few frequently asked questions and their answers
• study questions
• things to look for when reading
• an informational box dealing with a relevant topic, term, or geographic location

The New Testament books include more information than the Old Testament, especially related to the Gospels. Extra pages are devoted to maps, diagrams, and information about the life and miracles of Jesus.

A nice bookshelf image in the beginning of the book shows Bible divisions, and the Old Testament and New Testament sections each begin with an overview and timeline. The Candle Bible Handbook ends with the following extra resources:

• Big Ideas in the Bible
• Promises in the Bible
• Fifty Very Important Passages (with the majority coming from the New Testament)
• Who’s Who in the Bible

The only glaring issue I have with the Candle Bible Handbook is with the OT timeline, which shows Moses receiving the Ten Commandments thirty years after the Exodus. This is not consistent with Scripture.

In every other aspect, this handbook seems very solid. It provides children with a great bird’s eye understanding of Scripture, which can greatly aid their reading. The illustrations draw a reader’s attention with a combination of both artist renderings and modern pictures of biblical sites.

I would recommend the Candle Bible Handbook as a Bible resource for children.

This book was sent to me by Kregel in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review-Samantha Sanderson: On the Scene

Once again, my lovely reviews assistant Olivia has reviewed a YA fiction novel for me!

Samantha Sanderson: On the Scene is a mystery book about Sam, a high-tech, smart, and curious teenage girl. Sam finds out that one of her enemies at school is being bullied. She is not sure whether to help this girl or ignore her.

This book is an easy read. I like how it talks about real issues and not things that are one of a kind type of thing. I also like that there are lessons to be learned from this book and they aren't hiding in the dark. You can clearly see the many lessons to be learned.

There were a couple of things that I didn't like about this book. First of all, it gave a negative view to homeschooling. Maybe I just feel this way because I am homeschooled, but I don't like that. Second, the summary on the back does not line up well with the book. It gives the impression that the bullied girl is mean, but it's really her friend who is impolite and the bullied girl is listening to her.

I think that this book is fantastic for most girls ages ten and older. So dig in!

Mom’s note: The reference to homeschooling was a passing one, showing one character’s aversion to her mom’s suggestion of homeschooling. Olivia mentions it here because she is learning to make sure to include both negatives and positives in her reviews, and that was the biggest negative for her.

This book was sent to us by Harper Collins’ BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Shadow Hand

I have begun consulting my resident young adult fiction expert every time a book in that genre comes available for review. She gets to read it first if she is willing to write the review. So far, she has enthusiastically agreed to do so! Here is her review of Shadow Hand, a Bethany House novel by Anne Elisabeth Stengl.  

Shadow Hand is a romantic book. The whole of the book is centered around romance. Not like kissing and hugging type of romance. Shadow Hand is bloody, desperate romance. It is about a woman who does not know the meaning of love and a man who would die for her.

I am not a big fan of romantic stories, but Anne Elisabeth Stengl is wonderful at drawing you in. Each character is brilliantly described just by the way they think and talk. There is a good amount of poetry and I enjoy discovering what it all means.

The plot is deep and delicate, and I often lost my place (it might have helped to find what happened to my bookmark). The characters seem to change so much that it is easy to get confused. Sometimes the scene changes in the middle of the chapter, throwing readers completely off. Shadow Hand is also very emotional. This is not exactly a con, but there are high levels of anger, fear and sadness that will hit you like a hurricane if you aren't ready.

This book is definitely written for teenagers. I would say no younger than ten and only that young if they are strong and not extremely emotional readers. A weaker reader I would say at least twelve. If you like romance, go ahead. If not, I would not recommend this book. I would also not suggest it for boys at all. But, romantic girls will enjoy it.

Book Review: Defy the Night

I love World War II fiction. The best of it is very hard to read, but that is part of what makes it great. I cannot read it without being challenged to consider the easy life I live. Defy the Night by mother and daughter duo Lydia and Heather Munn is no exception. I am delighted to share this most recent book review from Kregel with you.

Defy the Night is actually book two of a series, sequel to How Huge the Night. I have not read the first book. I will say that I struggled getting to know some of the characters in this book. They seemed to be important, but their back story was not thoroughly given. I know now that those characters were explored in How Huge the Night. Even so, Defy the Night stands on its own as far as the story is concerned.

Magali is a teenage girl who wants to do something. Although she resides in an unoccupied portion of France, she still sees the effects of Nazi occupation all around her as refugees pour into her town. Magali does not want to just keep quiet, harboring secrets to keep people safe. She wants to be active in the fight against the enemy. But in her youth, Magali is also a bit naïve. She has no idea what an active life will cost her, even after she meets the captivating Paquerette.

Defy the Night brings attention to a part of World War II history that is not clearly described in history books. The Nazis were not alone in establishing internment camps. Just as the United States created camps for Japanese, so the French Vichy government created camps for refugees into their countries. Conditions were deplorable and people died, but relief workers sought strongly to free many, especially children, from those conditions.

Children in Rivesaltes, the primary internment camp represented in Defy the Night.

Ruins of Rivesaltes

In all honesty, my knowledge of France’s specific status during the first years of the war was limited when I began reading this book. So, I had to play catch up on some of the details, as the book does not clearly explain the Vichy government, the differences between the occupied and unoccupied portions of the country, and the nature of refugees in France. Even so, I was able to follow and learn much from Defy the Night. Were I to hand this book to one of my children, however, I would first provide them with some of the foundational historical information.

Defy the Night is hard to read for two reasons.

1. The content is tough, as is to be expected. I couldn’t help but look at my children and imagine them experiencing these horrors at their young ages – and younger.
2. The writing style is different. The book is written almost as if it is the journal of Magali. Thoughts are sometimes scattered, just as my own journal might have been as a teen.

While both aspects make the book hard to read, they also contribute to its excellence. Defy the Night stands out, both historically and from a literary perspective.

So, what about handing this to children? As a parent, I do not recommend purchasing this book with the intention of just adding it to your child’s library. I would not hand this to my thirteen year old right now, although I would read it aloud to her were we currently studying World War II. The content is intense, and I do want to protect the innocence of my children as long as possible. But I also know without a doubt that it is important for them to know the truth of sin’s effects on this world. So, Defy the Night will be included in our World War II history studies in the future. And, I will probably add How Huge the Night as well!

Defy the Night was sent to me by Kregel in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: One Realm Beyond

My oldest has discovered a surprising love for writing. She also loves to read books fantasy. So, in exchange for getting to be the first to read this new fantasy novel sent to us for review, she agreed to write the review! Works for me!

One Realm Beyond is a fantasy book, the first in a trilogy, about a world with many different realms that are connected by portals. The portals can only be seen by specially chosen people called realm walkers. Cantor, a young realm walker, is ready to begin his journey through the realms. But the realm walkers are no longer trusted and cruelty and deceit preside over the realms.

I enjoy fantasy in general, but this book is fantastic! Donita K. Paul makes me feel like I am working right alongside the characters. I am drawn into another world with Cantor and his friends. The plot is carefully woven. It isn’t confusing, but you never know what happens next. The book seems to end, but it leaves just enough trailing ends to make you plead for the next book.

This book has only one con. The plot is shallow enough that it seems like a fast read, but there are very tiny details that are essential to the plot. If you don't read slowly, you miss it and struggle with the plot later on.

I would suggest this book for weaker readers eleven and up. Stronger readers, nine and up is great. Don't let this book just sit on your shelf if you can help it. Dive in!

This book was sent to us by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Into the Whirlwind

I can now call it official: I am an Elizabeth Camden fan. After having the privilege of reviewing The Lady of Bolton Hill and Against the Tide, I was delighted when Bethany House sent me Into the Whirlwind for review as well.

Into the Whirlwind definitely meshes with the writing style Elizabeth Camden established in the other two books. But her writing abilities continue to mature and grow. With each effort, Camden explores more deeply the nuances of character and plot.

Set in the days following the great Chicago fire of 1871, Into the Whirlwind follows the struggles of Mollie Knox, owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company. When her company is threatened in multiple ways, Mollie must fight with all she has to keep it afloat and continue to support her employees. She does not expect that the fight will include two powerful suitors.

The history of Into the Whirlwind is fascinating. Even though I love living books that make history personal, I have only read of the Chicago fire in a history-book manner. This novel dives into the horrific experiences of the fire itself and the challenges that faced the city during the aftermath. I love the historical detail.

The faith aspect of Into the Whirlwind differs a bit from that of Camden’s previous novels. Faith is assumed and kept somewhat in the background. Yet, it is also very present. That the main characters draw upon that faith is obvious. They also grow in their understanding of God’s presence in their lives. Despite its lack of prominence, I took a measure of comfort in the underlying presumption of faith in this novel. There was almost an “of course we rely on God” attitude that should be true of all Christians.

As in Against the Tide, one of the main characters struggles with the morality of living out his faith in compromising situations. But this time, it is not simply about achieving an ultimate moral goal. It is about what God intends to accomplish. I like seeing that progression.

Every time my husband asked how the book was going, I couldn’t help but say, “It’s great!” I look forward to backing up to catch The Rose of Winslow Street, the one Elizabeth Camden book I have not yet read, and I will keep an eye open for future releases.

Book Review: She’s Twelve Going on Twenty

I am always a bit leery when I pick up a parenting book from an author I am not familiar with. So, I did not know what to expect when I agreed to review She’s Twelve Going on Twenty by Kim Camp for Thomas Nelson. My reservations began to fade before I even finished the introduction.

She’s Twelve Going on Twenty: Nurturing Your Daughter Through the Tween Years covers many of the same topics nearly every teen parenting book covers. But this book focuses heavily on the spiritual aspects of parenting. What does the Bible say about you as a parent? How can we use biblical principles to train up our daughters in godly wisdom in our current culture?

I love that Kim Camp does not pretend to have it all together. She has seen her children walk through troubling years. She has endured a divorce. The principles she shares do not come from her own successes, or even her own failures. They are born instead out of what she knows of God, His Word, and His work in her family and in the lives of other families.

I will say that “She’s Nine Going on Nineteen” might have been a better title for this book. Picking it up, I expected it to be written to me as the mom of a twelve-year-old. Although it is very appropriate for my relationship with my oldest, it is primarily written to moms of tweenagers, especially focusing on girls in the nine to ten age bracket. I would recommend this book to moms of girls ranging in age from eight to fifteen or sixteen.

I will gladly recommend She’s Twelve Going on Twenty to fellow moms. This solid, biblically-based book offers a wonderful reminder of what biblical parenting should look like in our lives!

Book Review: Related by Chance, Family by Choice

It's been a little while since I've published a review, but I have a good one for this week. It's entitled Related by Chance, Family by Choice and was sent to me by Kregel in exchange for my honest review.

Related by Chance, Family by Choice deals specifically with the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship. I must confess that I had low expectations at first. Author Deb DeArmond has a fantastic relationship with her three daughters-in-law. How could she possibly know what it's like for those who do not live with that blessing?

It did not take me long to retract my negative expectations. Who better to offer advice than one who has seen what success looks like? Deb DeArmond and her daughters-in-law have worked hard for the relationship they have. They have also communicated heavily with other women to determine the difference between healthy, strong, moderate, or poor relationships. Related by Chance, Family by Choice is not a “look how good I am – you should be just like me” kind of book. It is, instead, a display of hunger from a godly woman and her daughters-in-love. They truly desire to help other women enjoy the relationship they share.

Much research has gone into Related by Chance, Family by Choice. The book is replete with stories and quotes from other women, and Deb DeArmond walks through each one with sound and scriptural advice. In my opinion, this is the greatest strength of the book. The author does not give fail-proof steps to a great relationship. Instead, she shows women how to work on their own hearts, regardless of the attitude or behavior of their woman-in-law. The concept of the book falls back on the old saying that revival must start with me.

My only reservation about Related by Chance, Family by Choice comes in chapter six, the chapter on trust. The author covers many aspects of broken trust, but it is still a very limited and narrow approach. The chapter and assessment questions at the end all seem to indicate that if we do not immediately trust people, then we are untrusting, and that is a problem. I disagree. If I were to hand this book to a younger believer, I would definitely want to discuss with her the concept of trust, expanding the scope of this chapter.

Bottom line: I definitely would recommend Related by Chance, Family by Choice. According to the book assessments, I have a strong relationship with my mother-in-law. But there are many things I can do to strengthen the health of our relationship. And one day, I will possibly be a mother-in-law to a young woman and two young men, if God has mates chosen for my three precious children. I pray that I can learn much between now and then about being the mother-in-law God desires me to be.

Book Review: Wounded Women of the Bible

I apparently messed up on the blog tour date of this one, so it is being reposted today.

I typically try to keep book reviews on Tuesdays or Thursdays, but this week will be an exception. Today I have a review of Wounded Women of the Bible by Dena Dyer & Tina Samples. This book was sent to me by Kregel for review.

Let me go ahead and offer this recommendation: keep a full box of tissues nearby if you choose to read Wounded Women of the Bible. The title alone should be enough to warn you that this is a “crying” book.

Tina and Dena are ministers’ wives who have both suffered many wounds. They have also ministered to women with deep wounds. Throughout Wounded Women of the Bible, these stories are shared. But each one is shared in the context of a woman of Scripture. Some are the stories you would expect. Others, like Eli’s unnamed daughter-in-law, are a little surprising.

The wounds in Wounded Women of the Bible cover nearly every wound a woman could imagine. Abuse from multiple sources. Loss of loved ones, relationships, and dreams. The pain of letting go. Expectations being dashed. Feeling we are not good enough. Barrenness. Lack of provision. Illness. These and more contribute to deep wounds that can lead us to despair.

The ultimate message of Wounded Women of the Bible is that we can either give in to despair and bitterness, or we can trust that God provides hope even through the wounds. The wounds will come. We are not promised a life without them. On the contrary, if we use Scripture as our guide, we will see that wounds are almost guaranteed. But, He will never abandon us through them.

Wounded Women of the Bible is not an easy book to read. Readers will see characters from the Bible in a new light as their wounds are discussed. At least one of the more contemporary stories will resonate personally with nearly every reader. But, as these stories are pulled together into a single theme, the truth remains clear: God heals wounds. Even when He does not remove painful circumstances, He still heals wounds.

We are all wounded in some way. I recommend Wounded Women of the Bible to those who need the reminder that God is always our Healer.
This book was sent to me by Kregel in exchange for my honest review.

Finding God in the Hobbit

Several months ago I received Finding God in the Hobbit from Tyndale as a review book. I was so excited about it, but I had one problem. I had not yet read The Hobbit! Fortunately, Sonlight took care of that for me, scheduling it as the final read-aloud for Core F.

Which, of course, brings me back to Finding God in the Hobbit. One of my hopes for the summer was to encourage my girls to broaden their non-fiction horizons, and this book seemed to fit the bill perfectly.

The chapters of Finding God in the Hobbit are very brief. Each one shares a scene from The Hobbit, then discusses a spiritual truth related to that scene. Although the writing style did challenge my young readers, there was nothing inappropriate for upper elementary children. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably wait until my youngest was in junior high before going through it with them both. But, since we were working through it together and discussing it, I was able to walk them through whatever they didn’t grasp.

I found no stretches in the spiritual applications made by author Jim Ware. Ware does not dive very deeply into any of his applications, and this is positive in two respects.

• Keeping the applications simple makes them applicable to a variety of theological perspectives. Readers can easily take the author’s thoughts and run with them, more deeply contemplating them in light of their own understanding of Scripture.
• The simplicity of the author’s thoughts allows a delightful springboard for discussion, making this an excellent group reader or read-aloud.

I will say that familiarity with The Hobbit is not sufficient for reading Finding God in the Hobbit, because the author also heavily references Lord of the Rings. In fact, there are LOTR spoilers. The LOTR references were unnecessary, in my opinion, as The Hobbit sufficiently supported every point made. But, it was also neat to see how the books tie together from a spiritual perspective.

Bottom line: Finding God in the Hobbit was definitely a fun way to stretch my girls and encourage them to read more non-fiction.

This book was sent to me by Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Defending the Faith

Today’s review is of an apologetics book, sent to me by Kregel.

I was quite excited about Defending the Faith by Mary Jo Sharp. I looked forward to practical information about incorporating apologetics into women’s ministry. That’s not exactly what I found, but I did still thoroughly enjoy what I read.

Defending the Faith makes several of assumptions.

1. It assumes that the reader is already familiar with apologetics. She knows what is means. She knows its important.
2. It also assumes that the reader needs to be fully convinced that apologetics should be an active part of women’s ministry.
3. Finally, it assumes that the reader naturally knows how to ask questions simply for the sake of knowledge, even without circumstances that produce the questions.

I am familiar with apologetics. I am not deeply immersed in much of the official terminology, but I have long desired to know why I believe what I believe. So, in this way, the book was applicable to me.

I do not, however, need to be convinced of the need for apologetics in women’s ministry. I am thoroughly convinced of this already. The first four chapters in Sharp’s six-chapter book are devoted to creating a convincing argument for apologetics in women’s ministry. I found these chapters easy to read, delightful, and deep. But, they offered nothing new to me.

I also am not a naturally questioner. When a circumstance or conversation introduces a question, I am glad to explore it. But, my brain is not going to conjure the question up out of thin air with no context. Such is not the case for Mary Jo Sharp. She has asked questions since childhood. Consequently, she almost instinctively knows how to ask questions about her faith. I do not. I must wait until the topic is broached.

Individuals who think like Mary Jo Sharp will find Defending the Faith practical from beginning to end. Light bulbs will come on, and they will be ready to dive in to apologetics in their women’s ministry. I personally read quickly through most of the book and poured most of my attention into the practical advice, tips, and suggestions found in chapter five. That chapter is where I will park, while I also access the list of resources found at the end of the book.

This may seem to reflect a somewhat negative attitude toward Defending the Faith. In reality, though, I loved this book! This is just the tool I need to hand to other women to convince them of what I already know. I’m thrilled to have Defending the Faith on my shelf (or my husband’s shelf at church!), and I am delighted to be armed with the suggestions from chapter five and the appendix.

This book was sent to me by Kregel in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Joni and Ken

Reviewing for Home Educating Family keeps my review schedule pretty full these days, but every now and then I still get the chance to review for publishers. Recently I read Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story, sent to me by Thomas Nelson.

The name Joni Eareckson Tada is a well-known one. People around the world have been touched by the story of this amazing woman who has not allowed paralysis to keep her from serving God with every ounce of her being. She has even been more than willing to share the struggles of life as a quadriplegic. But how many people have truly seen what marriage has been like for Joni and her husband Ken? This is the story the couple shares in Joni and Ken.

Joni and Ken is written in third person, but its extremely personal nature reveals that the Tadas are the ones sharing their deep thoughts, feelings, hurts, and joys. They reveal confidences that become shattered and uncertainties that find assurance through God’s strength. They reveal the good and the bad of their marriage. And, they show what it really means to love in sickness.

The greatest beauty of Joni and Ken is the balance between struggle and obvious faith. Both Joni and Ken have amazing, intimate relationships with the Lord, and both have always completely devoted to honoring their marriage vows. Yet, they still dealt with marital struggles that caused them to live parallel, but separate lives. Yes, even with such strong faith.

My only struggle with Joni and Ken is the way it bounces back and forth throughout their marriage instead of flowing chronologically. It is easy to sometimes lose track of time frames. But, I don’t think that a chronological narrative would have been better. The bouncing back and forth has a strong significance and is very good for the purpose of the book.

Joni and Ken reminds us that marriage is work, but it is always possible with Christ.

This book was sent to me Book Sneeze in exchange for my honest review.

Review - Journible 17:18 Series: Acts

The following is a review of Journible17:18 Series: Acts, a book sent to me via Cross Focused Reviews in exchange for my review.

It should come as no surprise that I love to journal. I have mentioned several times that I process best with a pen in hand or a keyboard at my fingertips. So, when I sit down to read my Bible, I am much more likely to process what I read if I journal my thoughts than if I simply read and ponder. Sometimes, though, it helps to have some prompting to guide my thoughts a bit.

This is where the Journible 17:18 series comes in. Based on Deuteronomy 17:18, this journal series begins with the concept that writing something down cements it in your mind and proceeds to apply that concept to both processing and memorizing Scripture.

Every two pages of the Acts Journible covers a pre-determined passage.

• The left-hand page is labeled “Notes.” Questions are printed in light, but readable, print that mimicks handwriting. Each question is based on a specific verse, and that verse number is included in parenthesis right before the question. Some pages start with the questions while other pages have space before the questions to write notes unrelated to the questions asked.
• The right-hand page is for copying the Scripture passage for that day. This is intended to aid in the complete processing of eacg verse, as readers must focus on every word and phrase as they write. Each verse is marked on the lines, and enough lines are left blank to handwrite that verse.

The questions in the Acts Journible range from factual to thought-provoking. There is no answer key, and this is not intended to be a test. It simply is intended to provoke thought. At times, only a couple of verses are covered on a page. I assume this is because the creators expect certain verses or questions to provoke a great deal of thought. Acts 1:26, for example, is given a page of its own and a single question.

The Acts Journible binding is incredibly durable. This is not your typical disposable journal. This is a book you can keep for processing later. I can see myself easily referring back to this journal many, many times for Bible study or Sunday school preparation.

Obviously, there will be times when the Acts Journible questions do not track with what I am pondering on a given day, and my notes may diverge greatly. The Journible 17:18 creators seemed to anticipate this, however, leading them to make the question print light enough that it can be written over with dark ink.

Bottom line: We like the Acts Journible well enough that Doug and I have purchased the Psalms Journible set since we are working through the Psalms together each morning.

To learn more about the Journible series, check out the following links:

- my husband’s review of the Acts Journible

- the product site

- some of the creator’s thoughts about the series

A Cast of Stones by Patrick W. Carr

The following is a review of the book A Cast of Stones, sent to me by Bethany House in exchange for my honest opinion. A favorable opinion was not required.

I am discovering a growing taste for books that would fit in the speculative fiction genre. Although speculative fiction  is a very broad category, my preferences line up most closely with what you might find in Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia. The most recent addition to this newfound genre is a book entitled A Cast of Stones, Patrick W. Carr’s debut novel and first in his The Staff & The Sword Trilogy.

Set in an ancient time and a mystical kingdom, young Errol Stone’s world is on the brink of collapse. Errol cares little for the affairs of the kingdom, however, as long as he can find a way to pay for his next drink of ale. When a church messenger speeds into Errol’s village with an important message for a local hermit priest, Errol agrees to deliver the message to his friend the priest in exchange for a hefty payment that will keep him in ale for some time. Little does he know that his agreement will send him on the run, pull him unwittingly into events beyond his control, reveal talents he never imagined possible, and open his eyes to needs far greater than his body’s continual thirst for drink.

A Cast of Stones launches immediately into action and mystery. Many tales begin to unravel the mystery even as new story elements are added, but this one does not. Halfway through the novel, the story continues to grow more and more intricate and mysterious with few questions answered. The reader feels as befuddled as Errol. And, just as Errol is compelled to continue to search for answers, so the reader is compelled to read another chapter. Persevering through the complexity of the first half of the book pays off in the second half as the mystery begins to unravel. The novel ends with the most urgent mysteries solved, but the broader scope of the tale remains uncertain. It is definitely a well-crafted ending for the first book in a trilogy.

Two things would have improved A Cast of Stones.

1. A map of the setting would definitely have helped a visual reader like myself, especially as most of the events occur in the process of travel.
2. A hierarchy chart showing how all of the church leaders and political figures interrelate would also have been very helpful. A general chart with positions only, not character names, would give away a few secrets early, but none of these premature revelations would hurt the mystery of the plot.

And now I am hooked. Book two releases in July, and I’m already looking at my reading schedule, determined to find an opening for The Hero’s Lot.

My wonderful husband also read and reviewed A Cast of Stones. To read his perspective, be sure to click the link below and read his review.

Learning, Teaching, and Laughing