Martins meet your other family the Thomases. Now ladies I want this to be a clean fight. Men no hitting below the belt. All is not fair in love and war when children are involved and this novel proves it. When Abraham Martin's mother passes she takes with it the facade that she is pleased with the man her son has become. While a financial success he is a moral and spiritual failure in her eyes as his mother she did not do the job she intended. Over the course of this book we watch how the rolling stone's life after fifty is affected when the other family stakes their claim.

Vertical Reach =2
While the preacher is a subcharacter no one person stands out as someone who has God as the leading guide in their life. I missed that element in this novel. Most of Benson's books read with more involvement from the man upstairs.

Ministry Message = 3
I believe the title is the ministry message of the book. It could also have been reaping what you sow. It was shown well through the story but the way it happened again left me with the feeling something somewhere I should've seen was lost.

Craft= 4
Ms. Benson is if nothing else a professional. Her characters are well developed and pull you into the story. The pace of the plot is steady. Being an avid reader I was able to predict where alot of the sub plots were going but enjoyed the character interaction so well it wasn't a hindrance to the read.

Aesthetics = 3
I didn't get how the girl on the cover related to the story of the book. It was nice to see a chic rocking a natural featured but other than that I didn't get it.

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Potluck Club Cookbook

This cook book gives not only the recipe to some every day healthy meals as well as some once in a while treats. You'll laugh you'll cry you'll be happy and spry. I selected several of the scrumptious meals and will be showing you how to make the dishes from this companion book to A TASTE OF FAME a novel come to life. Now I'm not going to be on any reality television cooking competitions any time soon but I can hold my own in the heart of the home. Check out Faithful Folios on October 13th...you'll see!

Vertical Reach = 3
Check out the introductions to each section. While fellowship with God makes time productive when we fellowship with others. Why not do it over a great meal or tasty dessert.


Ministry Message = 4
Eating out is the new eating in. Instead of looking at the economy as a reason to miss the restaurant scene come together and create your own thing. Gotta love it.

Craft = 4
These ladies are professionals but readers please try all of the recipes at home. The layout and techniques in this book are all the rage. Great job!

Aesthestics = 5
Revell knocks it out of the park again with this one. They are running an unknown campaign to become my favorite publisher when it comes to nonfiction covers. Watch out there now!

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What Difference Do it Make by Ron Hall, Denver Moore and Lynn Vincent

Vertical Reach =4
This book changed my life. Not as much as the first may have changed others but it called me to the carpet and reminded me of my purpose none the less. The testimony of God's ability to personify Romans 8 through the life of a simple and beautiful giving woman, repentant husband and redeemed ex- slave make me wanna trust him even more in my current life situation.

Ministry Message =5
Homelessness is not just someone's problem its everyone's problem. In the current state of affairs many of us fear and are experiencing it becoming our own problem. Denver inspired me to look past my circumstance,focus on how much God loves me warts and all it may bless and plant the seed of salvation in someone's life. Ron taught me that agape and eros love between man and wife grounded, anchored and saturated in the love of Christ is a beautiful, tough and brilliant thing able to withstand any and everything. Deborah taught me to look beyond myself and see others through the blood colored glasses God uses to look lovingly upon me.

Living with a friend from church, when I lay my daughter down next to me and stare at my husband as we wade through the economic restructuring the failure of the housing market and unpreparedness caused in our lives now I smile. Should I complain? Should I whine? Should I cry? Can't I just pack up and run? Will it matter that I stayed and fought to be the best wife and mother despite the heartache and heartbreak I've endured? If I stay or leave what difference do it make? Ron, Deborah and Denver taught me it makes a whole lotta difference. If you read the book it'll be an eye opening blessing for you too.

Craft = 4
The authors wrote this book as it was spoken, not an easy task to be done effectively. Each voice and input was melded together with no seam. An excellent use of research, testimony and expertise.

Aesthetics=3
A good solid cover. It matches the theme and look of it's predecessor Same Kind of Different as Me.

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Intimate Conversations

Intimate Conversations with God is the most appropriate title for this book. After reading it I understood a little more how something as simple as being patient with my daughter as I attempt to love her as God loves me is a form of worship and intimacy with the Lord. I had never heard of Alicia Britt Chole before this book but have absolutely nothing but love and respect for her as a fellow author, mother and wife. She takes you through so many applicable and practical ways to maintain an intimate relationship with God. for two years I've said I missed the way I could spend hours in His presence as I used to when I was single. I felt torn between the quantity of time available then and the blessings I enjoy in my life right now. This book answers the conundrum many believers face of making time with the Father during what feels like a world growing shorter and shorter on time.

 

Vertical Reach = 5

The entire premise of this book is how we relate to God in every day life. I love the transparency without crassness of Mrs. Chole's writing style. I felt the prayers she sowed as she wrote each word wash over me as peace, calm and encouragement to change how I look at each task to make it a part of my intimate conversation with God.

 

Ministry Message = 5

It's not just what you do it's why you do it. Practical non daunting everyday tasks may open a sweet and personal conversation with God. The best way to recognize these moments is to listen for the still small voice. I loved this lesson!

 

Craft = 4

Chole has an excellent use of description and imagery to illustrate her points. She evokes emotion and brings you into the moment with the stories of how she enjoys conversation with God through the simple things of everyday life. (Anyone noticing a pattern?  :)

 

Aesthestics = 3

Solid cover. I have to say if I were in a bookstore I would not stop to pick up this case based on the cover. Which is nice but just not all that eye catching. It is intimate but a little too subtle.

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