I.LOVE.THIS.BOOK!

Admittedly "A Light on the Hill", with its biblical backdrop, is part of my favorite genre so it already had that going for it but man oh man did I enjoy it. I love when authors take a biblical concept, in this case cities of refuge, and build an entire story line on them.  In "A Light on the Hill", the main character, Moriyah, has to run for refuge after accidentally killing two people.

Before reading this book, I hadn't given refuge cities much thought other than they they showcased God's love of justice. But the way author Connilyn Cossette marries the character's distress over her own guilt with the tension of being chased was amazing and thought provoking. What happens when the next of kin wants to kill you? What happens if they don't? How are you going to manage to flee to a far away city with basically only the clothes on your back before the next of kin reaches you?

Thankfully, we had a few days of good weather when I started reading this book because all I wanted to do was lie in my backyard hammock with "Light On the Hill" in hand. It pulled me in like few books do and I found myself surprisingly upset when it was over. I had come to care about the main characters and wanted to know what happened next to them. This isn't to say the book didn't have a satisfactory ending. It most certainly did. It was more like when you binge watch an incredible TV series only to come to the end of its last season. The characters have become almost like friends and you're sad to say goodbye.

I can not recommend this book highly enough. Nor can I wait for book #2 to come out.  Well Done!!!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

"Beneath the Surface" Book Review

My poor daughter. She adores romantic mysteries. Every few hours, I'd see her curled up ravenously reading a few more chapters of "Beneath the Surface" by Lynn H. Blackburn only to then suffer a concussion from falling down the stairs before she could finish it.  Now reading hurts and she's on doctor's orders not to read anything for a couple of weeks. Her exasperation is palpable. "It's SUCH a GOOD book!" is her cry.

Even though, technically, I'm the book reviewer, seldom to I get the chance to read the novel before her. She's so quick to scoop them up while I'm doing other frivolous things like setting the table or paying the bills.  "Beneath the Surface" would have been no different except for her untimely accident.  When I went to her room to request the book, she reluctantly passed it over but only after making me swear to not move her book mark.

Once into the story, I can see why she enjoyed it so thoroughly.  From the first chapter, "Beneath the Surface" had me wondering 'who done it'. I'm not sure exactly how to comment on the mystery part of the book without giving anything away so I'll just leave it at that.  As far as the romantic side of the book. It was sweet but not sickeningly sweet. Well written.

The only part of "Beneath the Surface" that made me raise an eyebrow just a hair was how often the police stayed at the victim's house. Sure, she's known to them but do cops really include a victim in pretty much every facet of an investigation? Even bunking at her house? For all I know, it really does play out that way in real life.

Don't let that last paragraph throw you off. This was a delightful book that, while centering around fairly grisly murders, isn't graphic.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

New YouTube Channel for Your Tiny Tot

I"m very excited to announce the launch of my brand new YouTube channel for preschoolers called "My Living Room".

"My Living Room" is designed to gently engage your child in the world around them through interaction with songs and stories.

Please subscribe!

Reviews:

D from Ontario - Okay... My son loved this. He answered all your questions, blew you a kiss back and is now singing the colour song! Great video Gabe!!!!

M from Ontario - My son was spell bound :)

"In Places Hidden" Book Review

I can feel a trilogy percolating.

"In Places Hidden", by Tracie Peterson, tells of three young women who meet on their way to San Francisco.  As fate would have it, they are each looking for a lost relative. Since they are all in similar situations, they decide to band together to aid one another in the search.This novel is the tale of Camri's search for her lost brother who is feared to be either shanghaied or murdered. It also includes a budding  romance between Camri and a certain Irishman which will require Camri to let go of some of her prejudices.

It's hard to describe the plot of this book because it sort of seemed like nothing happened, nothing happened, and then Ta-Da! The End.  All the action was packed into the last chapter or two and yet, it was enjoyable all the way through. Perhaps the best way to put it is to say it seems like this book was laying out all the background information needed for Book 2. But in an entertaining way. I think you'll find yourself cheering for the characters and coming away with a smile on your face.

I also appreciated the personality of the main character. She's opinionated and yet willing to admit when she's wrong. She is also determined yet willing to let another take the lead when it's the wise thing to do.

All in all, I'm looking forward to book #2.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

"Keturah" Book Review

"Keturah" is the story of three single English sisters who travel to Nevis to take over their father's sugar cane plantation after he dies in a time when women simply didn't do that sort of thing. 

I enjoyed the main character, Keturah, and how author Lisa Bergren explores the healing process she goes through after an abusive relationship. It was nice to have a heroine who, at the same time as being deeply flawed, strives to put the needs of her sisters before her own. A heroine who throws off comfort and social construct to get needed tasks done. In contrast to the thousand ways slothfulness and immaturity is celebrated on social media, this book was refreshing.

To be honest, I can't say I felt happy while reading this book. There was something about the plot line that kept me tense. (maybe that's the sign of a great story and well written antagonists) Whenever there are slaves involved or men circling women, I find myself with heightened anxiety - just waiting for the attack. Thankfully, unlike real life, nothing was too graphic. However, it still managed to bring to life the hardships endured by so many at this time and place in history.

One aspect about the book that pleased me was the love story. It wasn't ridiculous and more importantly it wasn't 'missionary dating'. Countless faith based romance novels show a believer getting involved with a non-believer only to have them come to faith. Thank you Ms. Bergren for writing a story I can share with my teen daughter without having to launch into the 'don't be unequally yoked' lecture first. (I've given it so many times as I'm handing her a novel that she now preemptively says, "I know Mom. Don't date non-believers." 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

"I Will Not Fear" Book Review

It's been a while since I've read an autobiography. Am I ever glad I started up again with this one! What a powerful book!

On the back of the book it says:

In 1957, Melba Beals was one of the nine African American students chosen to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. But her story of overcoming didn't start - or end - there. 

Ms. Beals' story is mind boggling. Maybe it's because I live in Canada, a very multicultural country, or maybe it's because it's 2018, but I just can't wrap my head around people thinking so lowly of other races. It makes me very grateful for the strong men and women who have stepped up for change. 

I don't want to give away the incredible details of this book. Sufficed to say, every couple of pages, my husband would hear me call out, "You aren't going to believe what they put this woman through!"The bible wasn't lying when it says "The heart is deceitful above all things and DESPERATELY WICKED..."

Before starting into "I Will Not Fear", I mistakenly thought it was solely about her time at Central High however this is not the case. It spans from her birth until the present. All of which is quite fascinating. And quite the roller coaster.

As a white person, there have been times when I've been made to feel as though I should be ashamed of my color. That somehow I'm responsible for the oppression in the world. What I deeply appreciated about this book was that Ms. Beals tells of how God brought her through her understandably deep seated fear of white people.  I also loved how Ms. Beals kept the emphasis on the true source of her strength - God and rightly using His word.

(Slight Spoiler alert)

The only part of the book that holds me back from proclaiming, "This ought to be mandatory reading!" is the section about her divorce.  Even if it wasn't Ms. Beals' intention to portray the idea that God sort of blessed her divorce, that He wanted more for her than being stuck in her marriage, that's how it came across. God is not okay with divorce. True love is sacrifice. Both Ms. Beals and her husband put their own desires before each other. It might seem like I'm being extremely harsh,  but she wasn't being abused nor was her husband being unfaithful.  I honestly have nothing but compassion for divorced people, but it concerned me that the wrong message might be implied. Yes, God heals after divorce. Yes, God uses us after divorce. Yes, God blesses after divorce. But He is not in favor of it.

Other than the potential for that wrong message, and please hear me, it's a very small part of her powerful story, this book will have you mesmerized and asking yourself some hard questions. Good questions that need to be asked.


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

"Paul Apostle of Christ" Book Review

A few weeks ago I wrote a review on the movie that this novel is based upon. To sum up that review would be to say it was okay. Not horrid but not fantastic. The novel, on the other hand, gets a completely different rating.

As per author Angela Hunt's norm, she did a bang up job breathing life into the story. Though, even still, I wouldn't call this book riveting (and I am a huge Angela Hunt fan). In my opinion, which is always open for scrutiny, it was a matter of there simply not being enough plot for her to work with. (this novel is based on the screenplay)

If you had to chose between seeing the movie and reading the book, there's no question, read the book. It gives more insight into how Paul ended up in prison and how he went from Christian killer to lead Apostle. Plus it explained some of the scenes from the movie that kind of confused me.

One thing to remember is that this is fiction based on truth. As such, the author took liberty. I've never minded when additional characters are made up to help the story along but as the reader, we must keep in mind that some attributes placed on true historical figures are of the author's making and not to be seen as truth. There were a few times in this book where I cringed ever so slightly at assumptions being made. But again, I reminded myself that this is fiction.

One way to tell if a book is good is whether it leaves you impacted after you've closed the last page. This definitely happened. Seeing all that Paul went through and how passionate he was for spreading the kingdom hit me like a brick wall as I compared it to my cushy Christianity. Is there any hunger in me at all? A good question for us all to ask.

I did enjoy "Paul Apostle of Christ". It just isn't as amazing as "Delilah" or "Bathsheba" (both also written by Angela Hunt) Her style of writing was great and this book was no exception.  I would not discourage you from reading it but I also wouldn't suggest you start with it if you haven't read any of Ms. Hunt's other books.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.