Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine is a new Christian parenting book. I have been a follower of Crystal’s blog (Money Saving Mom) for a few years and appreciate her tips on saving money. Her ministry has evolved over the years and now I really enjoy her openness at sharing about what she is learning from God as a parent as well. This book is honest and has great practical advice. I especially liked chapters 5-7 and will revisit this book again as a parenting resource. I highly recommend this book to parents. Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for this review copy.
About the Author
Crystal Paine is a New York Times bestselling author known widely as the Money Saving Mom. Crystal is a wife, biological mom of four children, and a foster mom. Her desire is to help women around the globe live with more joy, purpose, and intention in their everyday lives.
The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II by Madeline Martin released on April 6, 2021. This new historical fiction book set in London during WWII has wonderful characters and is great for book lovers. I really liked the main character, Grace, who was a young woman that moved to London and began working in a bookshop. I would highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction. Thank you to Hanover Square Press via Netgalley for this review copy.
About the Author:
Madeline Martin is a USA TODAY Bestselling author of historical romance and historical fiction.
She lives in sunny Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions), one incredibly spoiled cat and a man so wonderful he’s been dubbed Mr. Awesome. She is a die-hard history lover who will happily lose herself in research any day. When she’s not writing, researching or ‘moming’, you can find her spending time with her family at Disney or sneaking a couple spoonfuls of Nutella while giggling over cat videos. She also loves to travel and attributes her love of history to having spent most of her childhood as an Army brat in Germany.
Flooded: The 5 Best Decisions to Make When Life Is Hard and Doubt Is Rising by Nicki Koziarz is a new Christian non-fiction book. The author uses examples from Noah in the Bible and makes it relevant to things we experience in our own lives. Life is hard and she shares from her own life, the hardships she has endured and how God is faithful. I highly recommend reading this book. It will be one that I will return to as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and when I need encouragement. Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for this review copy.
About the Author:
Nicki Koziarz is an author and speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She speaks nationally and hosts her own podcast. Nicki and her husband own a small farm just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, they affectionately call the Fixer Upper Farm. Follow her at http://www.nickikoziarz.com.
Here is an excerpt from Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison. Thanks to MIRA Books via Netgalley for this review copy. The book released March 9, 2021.
1
Beginnings and Endings
She is going to die tonight.
The white dress, long and filmy, hampers her effort to run. The hem catches on a branch; a large rend in the fabric slashes open, exposing her leg. A deep cut blooms red along her thigh, and the blood runs down her calf. Her hair has come loose from its braid, flies unbound behind her like gossamer wings.
In her panic, she barely notices the pain.
The path ahead is marked by towering cypress and laurel, verdant and lush. A gray stone waist-high wall is all that stands between her and the cliffside. It is cool inside this miniature forest; the sky is blotted out by the purple-throated wisteria that drapes across and between the trees. Someone, years ago, built an archway along the arbor. The arch’s skeleton has long since rotted away and the flowers droop into the path, clinging trails and vines that brush against her head and shoulders. It should be beautiful; instead it feels oppressive, as if the vines might animate, twist and curl around her neck and strangle her to death.
She tries not to look down to the frothing water roiling against the rocks at the cliff’s base. She thinks the ruins are to her right. From what she remembers, they are between the church and the artists’ colony, the four cottages cowering on the hillside, empty and waiting.
A horn shrieks, and she realizes the ferry is pulling away. A crack of lightning, and she sees the silhouette of the captain in the pilothouse, looking out to the turbulent seas ahead. A gamble that he makes it before the storm is upon them.
Don’t panic. Don’t panic.
Where is the church?
There it is, a flash of white through the trees. The stuccoed walls loom, the bell tower hidden behind the overgrown foliage. Now the path is moving upward, the grade increasing. She feels it in her calves and hopes again she is going the right way. The Villa is on the hill, on the northwest promontory of the island. If she can reach its doors, she will be safe.
It is too quiet. There are no birds, no creatures, no buzzing or cries, just her ragged, heavy breath and the scree shuffling underfoot as she climbs. The furious roar of the water smashing its frustration against the rocks rises from her left, echoing against the cliffside.
The dogs begin to howl.
Climb. Climb. Keep going.
She must get to the Villa. There she can call for help. Lock herself inside. Maybe find a weapon.
A branch snaps and she halts, breathless.
Someone is coming.
She startles like a deer, now heedless of the noise she’s making. Fighting back a whimper of fear, she breaks free of the cloistered path to see an old decrepit staircase cut into the stone. Careful, she must be cautious, there are gaps where some steps are missing, and the rest are mossy with disuse, but hurry, hurry. Get away.
She winds up the steps, clinging to the rock face, until she bursts free into a sea of scrubby pines. Two sculptures, Janus twins, flank a slate-dark path into a labyrinth of rhododendron and azalea.
This isn’t right. Where is she?
A hard breeze disrupts the trees around her, and a rumble of thunder like a thousand drums rolls across her body. Lightning flashes and she sees the Villa in the distance. So far away. On the other side of the labyrinth. The other side of the hill.
She’s gone the wrong way.
A droplet of water hits her arm, then her forehead. Dread bubbles through her.
She is too late. The storm is upon her.
The howls of the dogs draw closer. The wind whistles hard and sharp, buffeting her against the stone wall. She can’t move, deep fear cementing her feet. Rain makes the gauzy dress cling to the curves of her body, and the blood on her thigh washes to the ground. None of it matters. She cannot escape.
When he comes, at last, sauntering through the storm, the barking beasts leaping and growling beside him, she is crying, clinging to the wall, the lightning illuminating the ruins; the ancient stones and stark, headless statues the only witness to her death.
She goes over the wall with a thunder-drowned scream, the jagged rocks below her final companions.
About the Author:
J.T. Ellison is the New York Times andUSA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary show A WORD ON WORDS. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and has been published in 28 countries. She lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.
Talking with Teens about Sexualit by Beth Robinson and Latayne C. Scott is a new Christian parenting book. As a parent, I was very interested in this book and I learned a lot about what is happening in our culture today especially through technology and social media. The information in this book is relevant with what teenagers are faced with today in our society. The authors share from their professional experience what they have learned from counseling teenagers. Parenting is hard and I am grateful to have this book as a resource in my parenting journey. Thank you to Bethany House publishers for this review copy.
About the Author:
Beth Robinson, Ed.D is a licensed professional counselor and approved supervisor for licensed professional counselors. She is also a certified school counselor and has a teaching certificate; she is a frequent expert witness in legal proceedings involving sexual abuse. Dr. Robinson and her family live in Lubbock, Texas. Latayne C. Scott is an award-winning veteran of the Christian publishing industry and has written more than two dozen books. She has a PhD in biblical studies and lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Breaking the Miracle Barrier by Jennifer LeClaire is a new Christian non-fiction book. This book was different than what I expected and I struggled with it because it expresses a different belief system than I have. For those that are more charismatic in their beliefs, then you will enjoy this book. The book discusses crossing sound barriers. This book has eighteen short chapters and uses scripture throughout. Thank you to Chosen Books for this review book.
From the Back Cover
Pray in a Way That Demands Heaven’s Attention
Throughout the Bible are stories of individuals praying desperate prayers–and receiving miraculous answers. This leaves us with a question: What does it take to push through–to break the miracle barrier?
In this powerful book, apostolic leader Jennifer LeClaire reveals a surprising key to obtaining breakthrough–and we find it only when we come to the end of all our striving. It is desperate faith, and it comes from the heart that believes that God hears and answers prayer.
Jennifer teaches you how to put a demand on the Yes-and-Amen promises of God to see godly desires manifested, loved ones delivered and enemies defeated. Learn to cry out to God undaunted by obstacles–and break through the miracle barrier!
About the Author: Jennifer LeClaire is an internationally recognized author, conference speaker and apostolic-prophetic voice to her generation. She is senior leader of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, founder of the Ignite Network and founder of the Awakening Prayer Hubs prayer movement. Jennifer served as the first-ever female editor of Charisma magazine and has written more than fifty books. Learn more at http://www.jenniferleclaire.org.
The Beauty of an Uncluttered Soul: Allowing God’s Spirit to Transform You from the Inside Out by Carla Gasser (Author) and Vivian Kammel (Illustrator). The illustrations in this book were beautiful and it would be great to use on a coffee table or in a guest room. This devotional discusses the fruit of the spirit and offers practical ways to learn from them and use them in your life. The book focuses on how to transform your life from the inside out, focusing on your soul. There are scripture verses throughout the book. Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for this review copy.
About the author:
Carla Gasser is a speaker, teacher, blogger, and writer. Carla is passionate about communicating truth and grace, connecting passion and purpose, and championing others to share their stories. She is the proud mother of four young adults and lives in Hudson, Ohio, with her husband, Michael. You can learn more about her and join her on the journey by visiting www.carlagasser.com.
Vivian Kammel is an artist and graphic designer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. When not designing or creating, she spends her time exploring the city with her husband, Caleb. View more of her work and story at http://www.viviankammel.com or on Instagram @viviankammel.
Make Their Day: 101 Simple, Powerful Ways to Love Others Well by Karen Ehman is a new Christian non-fiction book. This small book contains 101 practical ways to love and serve others. The ideas in this book are easy to do and there are various ways to implement caring for others. I have seen such generosity and support being poured out to my sister and her husband after his cancer diagnosis. I have been so moved to witness the ways people are generous with their money, but also by sending thoughtful gifts and doing practical things around their house to help them. It has inspired me to be more generous and find ways to help others. I am thankful to have this book as a resource to find ways to reach out to others. Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for this review copy.
About the Author: Karen Ehman is a New York Times bestselling author with Proverbs 31 Ministries as well as a writer for Encouragement for Today,an online devotional that reaches over four million women daily. She has authored sixteen books, including Keep It Shut and Reach Out, Gather In. You can connect with Karen at karenehman.com, where she helps women to live their priorities and love their lives.
Network Of Deceit by Tom Threadgill is a new police detective novel. This is the second book in this series and it could be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading them in order to get more of a background of the characters. The main character, Amara, is a tough young detective and I have enjoyed both books in this series. In this book, she investigates her first homicide case that takes place in a waterpark. The story also follows her personal life with her family and dating life which gives the detective depth. I look forward to reading more books in this series. Thanks to Revell for this review copy.
About the Author:
Tom Threadgill is a full-time author and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the International Thriller Writers (ITW). The author of Collision of Lies, Tom lives with his wife near Dallas, Texas. Learn more at http://www.tomthreadgill.com.
The Girl from the Channel Islands: A WWII Novel by Jenny Lecoat released on February 2, 2021. This WWII novel shares the story of a young Jewish woman and her time during the war. There is romance and strong friendships as well as hardships endured. The story was very well written and I would highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction novels. Thanks to Graydon House via Netgalley for this review copy.
About the author:
Born in Jersey, Channel Islands, Jenny Lecoat’s parents were raised under German Occupation, and both families were involved in resistance activity. Lecoat moved to England aged 18, where, following a drama degree, she spent a decade on the alternative comedy circuit as a feminist stand-up. She was nominated for a prestigious Perrier Award in 1986. She also wrote for newspapers and women’s magazines (Cosmopolitan, Observer) and presented TV and radio shows, before focusing on screenwriting from sitcom (Birds of a Feather, Sometime Never) to sketch shows (The Catherine Tate Show). (less)
