A Taste of Fame

A love triangle, an extramarital affair and secret footage sent in to a reality tv show. This is all just the first chapter. I adore when Christian fiction gets REAL! These Texas ladies show you how to whip up a meal and a good story. From the deputy to the bridal planning diva Lizzie, Vonnie, Goldie, Donna, Evangeline and Lisa Leann warm their ways into your heart and tummy. They find out how to trust God's plan and rely on prayer while doing a good thing as they get A TASTE OF FAME.

 

Veritcal Reach = 4

Each one of the characters draws their strength from an authentic relationship with God. I enjoyed the intense and comical situations that created a need for internal cries and heartfelt prayers. It was done without effort and a true example of vertical reach with an effective stretch.

 

Ministry Message = 4

The beauty of a story with multiple character point of views is subplot. For me this story is about surrendering to the will of God which is illustrated very well in the lives of the characters. Vonnie, Evangeline, Donna, Lizze, Lisa Leann, Goldie, David and Wade are truly dependent on God from start to finish. It made me remember to focus on doing things not for my benefit but to God's glory.

 

Craft = 4

Linda Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson know how to tell a story. With the exception of a few loose ends...which would segway nicely into a sequel this story is great. The characters are easy to follow. Description is a sensory delight! The chemistry between not only the characters but the authors as well is apparent and lends to an excellent read.

 

Aesthetics= 5

You all know how I love for book covers to match a story. This book cover does it all down to the pink trim. I love it! It is exceptional...

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An Eye for an Eye

Mark Sanders is tall, handsome daring and wounded. His reassignment after an on the job shooting is suppose to help him find his way back to himself. What happens when he literally runs into his teen sweetheart...and she gets shot?

Emily Lawson is too familiar with the tall, dark rescuing type and is happy to see her old flame Mark as she takes her daily walk through the park. Before cupid's arrow can take aim she find's herself shot. How can she keep herself from falling for her hero?

Vertical Reach = 4

A relationship with God is apparent but not overwhelming for the main characters of this novel. The way the hero and heroine acknowledge God's existence a bit awkward at times but done well enough not to stop the flow of the story.  The interesting twist is the villain's relationship with God.

Ministry Message =5

Compassion and forgiveness are sub themes of An Eye for An Eye but the strongest message is to live for right now. I believe the author does a great job of showing how important living for where you are is versus dwelling in the past or pining for the future.

Craft = 3

Hannon offers a solid grasp of melding the components for a good book. Her strong areas are description and dialogue.

Aesthetics =4

Revell did a great job of matching well the characters to the cover models. I love the way their pensive looks draw you in instead of pushing you away.

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Have a New Husband by Friday

I can  do what? This has to be a scam. If I wanted a new hubby I'd be found by one right? WRONG! Dr. Leman uses humor, man talk and no nonsense honesty to tell the wives of today to have the LEAVE IT TO BEAVER husband's of old, without returning to the stone ages in principle. Before I met my hubby I studied the bible about how to be a wife for three years and embraced the God given mandate of submission to one another and an understanding that submission begins with me. Well six years and hard times have passed and come to challenge my desire to be a wife pleasing to God.

I'm sure many women cringe at the thought of giving someone else control but as Dr. Leman explains submission is an act of voluntary love not forced domination. He compliments, encourages and exhorts wives with honesty and humor to have the husband of their dreams. My favorite parts of the book are when he enforces each woman's worth and explains that loving our husbands according to the way God intended shows we show our husbands and children their worth as well. While I don't necessarily agree with every word in the book I believe 99 percent of it to be true.

Dr. Leman's book was right on time. I tried one of his tests tonight and my husband answered just like Dr. Leman said he would. While  I don't believe in cookie cutter approaches and one size fit all fixes for marriages, or relationship problems I do believe God orchestrated the words of this book and made it fit to fight back against the attack on marriages in this country. I recommend this book to every woman tired of loving their husband as less than the awesome man of God the Lord whispered into their heart he would be. My only question is where is the book for the hubby's of the wives who read this book? How to love your wife into your purpose and destiny by Tuesday ... we don't need the whole week with our intelligence according to Dr. Leman!

Vertical Reach = 4
Ministry Message = 5
Craft =4
Cover = 4

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Critical Care

I loved this book and I am excitedly waiting for the next installment to this series. Look for Ms. Calvert to return to the show in the 2010 to discuss Distaster Status!

Vertical Reach= 5
Claire Avery's relationship with God is prevalent in her life despite the pain she's experiencing it is a transparent real look at a sincere relationship with God in a fragile state.

Ministry Message = 5
Logan and Claire learn in the best way that God's plans don't always match ours but are ALWAYS in our favor...you'll see and you'll love it.

Craft = 4
Ms. Calvert has an excellent grasp and execution of plot, description and dialogue.

Aesthetics = 5
TYNDALE HOUSE ROCKS....the characters match the description and the storyline of the book.

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Silent Saviour

Silent Saviour is not your typical Christian living book. It deals with faith, hope, life and disappointment from the perspective many saints don't admit to experiencing one devoid of sweeping pronounced experiences with God. At times somewhat clinical and laced with a tinge of annoyance the author expresses her view of living a life founded on a struggle with faith. Referencing some of the widely known but sparingly referred passages of scripture and more depressing experiences of life A. J,. Gregory looks at faith with a glass half empty about to get cracked style. As someone who hasn't shared this type of walk with Christ it was a different perspective on faith. While I can't say I agreed with the overall tone of the book I believe I did recognize the heart of the author, bruised, hurting, a little worn for wear but still beating and intent on loving the Lord.

Gregory uses the hardships of her life and experiences to reach out to the believer who is still pursuing God but not accustomed to hearing him or feeling Him in regular tangible intervals. While sometimes a little judgmental and borderline discouraging her message not to give up on pursuing a relationship with Christ is clear. I believe it would be a great read for some of the people she has encountered who aren' aware that they are relating others walks with Christs to their own in a way that may be perceived as haughty, show offy (is that a word) and mean. I'd love to be able to give the author a hug and tell her it would be okay the same way many people did for me when life hit me hard despite my love for the Lord. I believe the message of the book is both needed and appropriate for this season. My prayer is that it finds its way into the hands of the people who need to read it most. Those hurt and those doing the hurting in the Body of Christ.


Vertical Reach =3
Ministry Message =3
Craft= 4
Aesthetics= 4

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Fools Rush In

Italians, Texans and weddings WHOO HOO!!! Can you say comedy? How is it you have a wedding planning company named for you and aren't married. Horror of horrors ...or is it?

You would think the formula for romances is brand new due to the fresh breath of air this novel blows into the Christian romance fiction genre. I read this book to relax after a long week and found myself laughing to keep from crying. The characters are inviting. The description and conversation is engaging. Of course there is always a happy ending with a romance but when it's written this well you know it would be.

Vertical Reach: 4
Ministry Message:4
Craft : 4
Aesthetics: 4

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Knockout Entrepreneur

George Foreman has done a lot. Heavyweight boxing champion, commercials, endorsements, and now entrepreneur. Each business endeavor brings new insight and wisdom. Using his championship experience and life lessons as a metaphor he shares the "secret" to his success. Sharing his faith, the importance of who you call friends and family inspired the entrepreneur in me.

Over the book is written well. The organization of the book makes it flow well and makes finding the pivotal points easy to do. My favorite points were when he was open and honest about the mistakes he made. My grandmother always said it's better to learn from others mistakes than make a set of your own.

Vertical Reach = 3
Ministry Message = 4
Craft = 4
Aesthetic = 4

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The Frontiersmans Daughter

 

Lael Click is every bit the female version of her father. Adventurous, strong, courageous and at peace in the Kentucke frontier lands. Instead of yearning to yarn socks and tend to the womanly duties she has a keen shot and cantankerous spirit. There is no way to mistake that her father is the legendary Ezekiel Click because she carries his spirit every where she goes.

Life on the frontier is many things for a young lady being courted and pursued by a handsome young entrepreneur, exotic Shawnee warrior and spiritually grounded doctor. What's a girl to do? Well not turn into the genteel finished woman, subdued fort dweller or fearful homebody any of the people of Fort Click or the surrounding area desire for Lael Click. Over the course of this young woman's life we'll experience the highs and lows of life on the range as she fights for the most important territory and frontier of her life...her soul.

Frantz plants the seeds for a great adventure from the first page of this novel. Her description and characters draw you into the world of the Click family from the first scene. While most historical fiction shies away from controversial topics and true to life story lines she gives you timeless conflict in a first world setting. The plot is well paced and leaves the reader with a satisfied faithful fiction fix.

Vertical Reach = 5
Ministry Message = 4
Craft = 4
Aesthetics = 4 

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