Forever Friday by Timothy Lewis

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This book typifies why I am thinking about phasing out reviewing "Christian fiction". Putting the label "Christian fiction" on a book does not make it so. There's nothing "Christian" about this book. Smoking, drinking, immoral behavior, a so-called "guardian angel" while almost no talk of God Himself, much less anyone even TRYING to live a godly life makes for a very poor book indeed.

The story line itself had some great promise, and there are some very sweet moments, but these are cheapened by the lack of any type of real Christianity, the selfishness of the two main characters--especially Huck--and a gratuitous attempted rape scene (which wouldn't have even happened if Huck had just been honest with her husband!). This is supposed to be a grand love story, but it falls very short. Huck and Gabe are so wrapped up in having a deep, loving, lasting marriage that is really becomes to the exclusion of all others. I also had an issue with the fact that their first "date", which was really all day and night, occurred while Huck was engaged to another man!

If you're looking for a secular love story, this might work great for you. If you're looking for a Christian love story, I'd advise you to look elsewhere.

I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Press through "Blogging for Books" in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

GIVEAWAY TIME!! 3 Copies of "Shades of Mercy" to Give Away!

I have a treat for you!  River North sent me a copy of "Shades of Mercy" to read and review, as well as 3 extra copies to give away!!  I'm not only going to give these away through a Rafflecopter giveaway, but I would like any of the winners that are interested to review the book for me in as a guest reviewer!!  Make sure you enter today for your chance to win.  Winners will be picked randomly through Rafflecopter January 1st, so not a whole lot of time to get your entries in.  Have fun!!

 

"It's 1954 and the world-even the far Northwoods of Maine-is about to change. But that change can't happen soon enough for fourteen-year-old Mercy Millar. Long tired of being the "son" her father never had, Mercy's ready for the world to embrace her as the young woman she is-as well as embrace the forbidden love she feels.

 When childhood playmates grow up and fall in love, the whole community celebrates. But in the case of Mercy and Mick, there would be no celebration. Instead their relationship must stay hidden. Good girls do not date young men from the Maliseet tribe. At least, not in Watsonville, Maine. When racial tensions escalate and Mick is thrown in jail under suspicion of murder, Mercy nearly loses all hope-in love, in her father, and in God himself."

 

 

*I reserve the right to edit any reviews sent in for length or continuity only if necessary.  I will NOT post said review until the reviewer ok's any edits.

Little Book of Great Dates by Erin Smalley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a great little book of ideas for dates for you and your spouse! Ideas of things to do, tidbits on improving your marriage, and even questions you can ask each other. Some things are so super basic that it did affect my rating a bit, but there's some good stuff in here. I like how it gives you an activity idea (or a list of ideas to choose from, sometimes an alternate activity, and then questions. For instance, for "A New Year's Date", it's suggested that with the idea of new goals and new beginnings you switch it up and have a breakfast date, or some other morning activity such as maybe taking a hike together. The questions to ask each other are "What are some positive goals we can set for our marriage over the next six months? The next year? How can we work together to achieve these goals? Is there a specific area you feel God wants us to work on together, as a team, to make our marriage the best it can be?" This is a nice little book for anyone wanting to strengthen their marriage, or just keep it strong.

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Staying Alive: A Love Story by Laura B. Hayden

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I was interested to read the story of how this woman dealt with the unexpected death of her husband at a very young age. This is listed as a Christian book. It is not. The author is Catholic, and the beginning of it just made me feel worse and worse as she seemed to have no hope. Yes, I would be devastated if my husband died, but I also know I will see him again in Heaven. The book made me think of the verse in the Bible that says "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep [dead], that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." (1Th 4:13). What finished the book off for me was her not just swearing, but actually using the 'f' word!! I was horrified that this was listed as a "Christian" book! I did a super fast flip through the rest of the book and while the pages were flipping saw at least two more swear words. Needless to say, I did not finish this book. If I could give it no stars, I most certainly would. No only can I not recommend this book, I heartily recommend that you do not read it!

I received a copy of this book from BookCrash for my honest review. I also contacted them per the issues above before actually writing this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I, Saul by Jerry B. Jenkins

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I originally thought this was a biography of Saul/Paul when I first requested the book. I was somewhat disappointed to find out it was a mix of modern day and a fictionalized time that we know little about, but decided to keep an open mind. It started out fairly well, and I was enjoying it. I was taken aback that Scriptures set in Paul's time weren't from the King James Version. The modern language did NOT fit with the time and their way of speaking. Unfortunately, it got a lot worse after that. The modern day times were okay, but I definitely enjoyed the sections from Paul's time less and less. Originally, even though it was a fictionalized account, I felt that the character shown could very well fit with what we know of Saul/Paul. I had a definite issue with the whole issue of Naomi and Paul years and years later ending a day of preaching and service for God with tears over a lost love given what the Scriptures teach us, especially having Paul call them his "adulterous yearning". That frankly made me sick and--honestly--somewhat angry with the author. When they started changing the Bible I was ready to pitch the whole book and only finished it as I was so near the end.

This book has Paul being with (though not an actual member)of the Sanhedrin during Christ's time and the sole person to bring about the death of Stephen. The Bible says "Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord..." but the book has only Saul crying out and giving all the instructions on how to kill him instead of just laying their clothes at his feet However, the Bible clearly calls Saul a "young man" at the time of Stephen's death. According to the book he would be well over 30, and at 30 he would be considered a "man" and lose the distinction of "young man". There is no way the Sanhedrin would follow a young man in such weighty matters.

I can deal with a poorly written book, a book that just isn't my cup of tea, or even a character or characters I don't care for. Call me a fanatic, purist, Bible-believer (I'll thank you for the compliment!), but DON'T mess with God's Word!! I try to be generous in my reviews even with books I don't care for or actively dislike, but I will not be gentle with someone twisting or changing the Bible. That alone dropped this from a probably 3 star to a 1 star (I can't give it no stars) review.

I received a copy of this book from Worthy Publishing for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Blood, Tears & Joy by Bill D. Hallsted

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a heart-wrenching book!! Andrew started life as a healthy, happy child, but at the age of two, Andy suffered his first seizure. This began a journey of doctors, medicines, prayer, heartache, bitterness and--finally--joy.

As a mother, this book was very hard to read at times. My mother's heart broke along with these parents as I read of the struggles and anguish they went through. I ached as with brutal honesty the author told of his bitterness and how he not only gave in to it, but cultivated the bitterness, not allowing himself to let go of any slight, real or imagined, each wrong diagnosis, each hurt or resentment. I loved the way God finally got through to him--in the middle of a sermon on forgiveness that the author himself was preaching! Oh, the joy that followed the rooting out of bitterness!! No, Andy wasn't miraculously healed and life didn't suddenly get easier, but the joy from God was now there and they could lean on Him for each trial in life.

I received a copy of this book from BookCrash.com for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wishing on Buttercups by Miralee Ferrell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Beth has struggled through the years with the scars on her body that she's not even sure how she got. She doesn't know where her family is or what happened to her. After some bullying as a child, she has ceased to trust pretty much anyone. Jeffrey has secrets of his own, but is drawn to the quiet young woman at his boarding house. Will their secrets keep them apart?

Too many secrets!! That was my overwhelming thought after finishing this book. Communication is so important and pretty much NO ONE communicated much of anything in this book until the end. It ended up quite frustrating as so many moments of anger, hurt feelings, distrust and so forth were easily fixed with a little communication or even just paying attention to the other person. This made for a book that was hard to read at times.

I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley.com for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.