The Seeker

Vertical Reach = 5

I love the way Ann gives insight into the prayer life of Charlotte and Adam without making their story preachy. They express understandable and beautiful urgent honesty.

Ministry Message = 4

Lost a bit in the oddness (in my humble opinion) of the Shaker life is Charlotte's need to fix things for everyone. In the wake of the internal and external conflicts of the time she is learns that trying to save everyone may not be the best way to live.

Craft = 4

Gabhart has pure talent and ability to paint the picture of historically set Christian fiction. From the almost literary feel of the scenery to the expression in dialogue she is writes the story well.

Aesthetics = 4

I'm bereft of ways to say how Revell continues to offer spot on covers. I love well they bring the story to life on front, back and spine.

Dollars & $ense = 4.25
Historical fiction readers will read this story and find it absolutely wonderful.

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Wednesday July 28th So Over It

Vertical Reach = 3

Skylar tells enough about her budding Christianity to know she is making him the important part of her life. While she does not refer to her own personal time with God she references embracing wanting to live a life based on biblical principles.

Ministry Message = 5

Living in the past filled with regrets will stunt your growth and prohibit happiness in your future. A message we cannot hear enough in my opinion.

Craft = 3

Stephanie Morrill has a solid grasp on the ability to weave a good story for the young adult market. I look forward to reading future books and referring them to young readers I know.

Aesthetics = 4
Age appropriate, light and airy. Revell matched the character and the storyline perfectly well. Their graphics department stays in the running for top ten fiction covers of the year.

Dollars & $ense = 3.75
An age appropriate and entertaining read for the young adult Christian reader that likes a more relevant and true to life read.

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No More Christian Nice Girl

Vertical Reach = 5

Paul Coughlin and Jennifer Degler, PhD give an open window for you to see into their lives and relationships with Christ.

Ministry Message = 4
Being nice is not the same as being good and being nice ALL the time is not good for you.

Craft = 4

Coughlin and Degler offer a powerful subject matter in a concise and relatable format for readers to change their lives.

Aesthetics = 3

The title of this book would have drawn me more than the design of the book. It matches the series so those familiar with it would pick it up if they were familiar with it from the nice guy version.

Dollars & $ense = 4

This book will bless a lot of women especially if they are in bondage because of antiquated denominations and oppressive religious systems. Don't be a nice girl check it out to be more like Christ!

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July 20 The Faith Dare

Vertical Reach = 5

I read through this book and have it on my schedule to actually do the dare before the end of this year. Alsdorf is so transparent in her devotionals you are able to peak into the window of her prayer closet and see her love on and be loved by God.

Ministry Message = 5
Live the life based on faith in Christ. This is a great message for today with so many preaching, teaching and embracing motivational ministry I love knowing that there is a book teaching women to stop being free in a "movement" and be free to live by faith in God.

Craft = 4
Alsdorf writes in a masterful way that is endearing and engaging to the reader. She offers a great why and good examples of how to. An excellent body of work.

Aesthetics = 4
Revell has offered a clean and refreshing cover to match the cleansing and renewing tone of the book overall. Good work design team you have done it again.

Dollars & $ense = 4.5

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Deceit by Brandilyn Collins

Vertical Reach = 3

Skip Tracer Joanne Weeks reveals the average amount of  information about her relationship with God to help the reader know she has one.

Ministry Message =3

Protection, forgiveness and justice are provided by God.

Craft = 5

Collins is a consummate professional and there is no way around that. I would read any and every craft book she offered on writing suspense.

Aesthetics = 4

The graphics on this cover are on point and if I were in a bookstore even though I'm not a big suspense reader in my leisure time I would definitely stop to look at this story.

Dollars and Sense = 3.75

Deceit is a action packed entertaining suspense read that will appeal to readers who embrace Christian fiction for entertainment as the priority. It will also appeal to mainstream readers who enjoy suspense and don't require or like a lot of profanity and unnecessary goriness. This book is a great read hands down.

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Perfectly Dateless #bookreviews

Vertical Reach = 2

The character does not talk to God directly much. Her journal could be considered a way to converse with God which is why I gave it a 2.

Ministry Message = 2 
To be honest I didn't really get a specific ministry message while a clean entertaining read I didn't grasp much on the spiritual theme. There were lots of moral subthemes but nothing really unique to today.

Craft = 4
Billerbeck offers as usual a quick and entertaining read. I'm not sure I'm a fan of the persnickety slick mouth of the protagonist but it is one of the most relatable characteristics of the book so it worked.

Aesthetics = 3

If I were shopping for a young girl I was mentoring I would not be drawn to this book unless she loved pink. It was just okay. It fits the tone of the book so it works.

Dollars and $ense = 3.25 

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Shades of Morning

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Vertical Reach = 5

I enjoyed the tug of war and the hesitance of the protagonist to draw close to God even though she yearned to do it. Masterfully written in a way that was believable and captivating.

Ministry Message = 5

There is no shame, condemnation or guilt in Christ. It is simple and beautifully written.

Craft= 4

This story was weaved together like a delicate tapestry. The plot, dialogue and pace were like listening to a well conducted song. Schalesky is called a veteran author and it is apparent in her ability as a writer.

Aesthetics = 4

The cover is done beautifiul and matches the theme and feel of the book. It would attract a new reader to the genre who is unfamiliar with the author.

Watch an interview with the author  

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