Key life themes lie in these ancient songs of worship at the very heart of Old Covenant experience, belief and ritual. Exploring them, we find them unlocked through an intimate relationship with our Saviour and King, Firstborn Son of our Heavenly Papa God, as revealed to us by Holy Spirit. Here, unashamedly viewed through faith and trust in Mighty King Jesus, Mashiach, the Anointed One, is pain, hurt and grief, side by side with faith and hope, with fire, passion and love, thanks, praise and worship. As you put your trust, hope and faith in Him, may you find here your heart’s cries to our High King of Heaven and Earth.
1/28/2017 An Uncommon Courtship
 Reviewer: Beverly Wallin The book cover at the front shows how Lord Trent Hawthorne and Lady Adelaide Bell look, as described in the book. It also shows them at a distance like they are thinking about each other but not really together, which is how the book goes until near the end. On the back is a short description of the author and her photo. Short endorsements and synopses. Trent and Adelaide are forced to get married when found in a compromising position. They are basically strangers, innocent, and shy when it comes to the opposite sex. The awkwardness between them reminded me of my first date as a teenager, when neither of us could say anything other than what was absolutely necessary. We were basically strangers too, just like Trent and Adelaide I found this book very entertaining, humorous, and refreshing. It definitely showed biblical values and how it, along with the support of other Christian men helped Trent learn how to love his wife, using ‘Men, love your wives’ and passages on what love is. When he showed his love, he realized that he really did love her. The heroine responded positively to this change and loved him in return. Kristi, the author, had great style and correct grammar in her writing. It was obviously well edited.  ,Reviewer: Laura J. Davis Being forced to marry someone to protect your reputation is an odd way to begin married life, but being forced to marry due to an accident that left one party injured seems a little bit ridiculous. Yet, these were the norms of "polite and high society" back in the day and for our characters, Lady Adelaide and Lord Trent it is just the beginning of a painful process that they have to somehow live with for the rest of their lives. Fortunately, they are determined to make the marriage work. While I found Lord Trent's idea of courting his wife, endearing, I started feeling incredibly uncomfortable at the antics of both charcters once they consummated their marriage. It seemed as if the author was trying to get the reader to laugh, but it left me feeling awkward. It was as if something needed to be contrived to move the book along, for there was very little intrigue or action in it. Aside from that. the mother of Adelaide was a nasty creature who added some drama to the story while she tried to continue to control Adelaide to do her bidding. Fortunately Adelaide grows a backbone and the end result is very satisfying. The faith of Lord Trent is central to making his marriage work and I was quite pleased with how he proved himself to be an honourable God-fearing man. Overall, I enjoyed this book and give it four stars. This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Reviewer: Rebecca Maney " Bravado can only carry a woman so far before reality intrudes with crushing abruptness." Lady Adelaide Bell is certainly not known for bravado, her quiet, unassuming beauty has kept her nearly invisible from society, primarily as a result of her mother's determination to display Adelaide's older and more accomplished sister, desperate to improve her own standing by marrying her daughters to rich, titled husbands. Her mother's scheming seems to pay off when Adelaide's uncommon affection for gathering mushrooms in obscure locations, produces the desired nuptials; Adelaide finds herself married to the young lord next door; Trent Hawthorne, a handsome, carefree younger brother of the Duke, who has no idea what to do with a wife, should he even want one. Lord Trent Hawthorne always dreamed that he would marry the love of his life, but along the way God intervened and gifted him with someone totally unexpected; the quite lovely, but very lonely Lady Adelaide. Clumsily attempting to navigate a marital relationship with a virtual stranger, he improvises a plan which surprises everyone, especially Adelaide, when he decides to "court" his wife. Obviously, Trent has a lot to learn about love. This sometimes endearingly awkward story is more than entertaining, since who could have imagined that a love affair and pineapples would have anything in common? Kristi Ann Hunter has once again proven herself to be a writer who can take Regency romance to an entirely new level. This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Reviewer: Elsie Stoltzfus
This is such a beautifully written book! The style is engaging and sweet. And the story! A man courting a woman he hardly knows ... and who is his wife. How could this not be interesting? Especially since they are both extremely interesting people. The way this is written, it goes between the husband, Trent, and the wife, Adelaide, showing the reader what either of them are thinking. It's a carefully crafted story, and fairly easy to follow. You fall in love with both of them before they fall in love with each other. You get to see Trent's struggle against accepting the fact that he has a wife, and Adelaide's struggle with trying to understand a man, her husband, who is ignoring her. The pictures of Adelaide's social life are so beautiful. And watching Trent slowly fall in love with her is lovely. Just lovely! I can't say if it is very historically accurate. Some of what happens seems as though it's not, but I haven't really studied the time period, so I just can't say for certain. I do have a few issues with it, I'm afraid. One of Trent's insecurities is that he is afraid that if he studies and unleashes some of his talents God will think that he would make a better Duke than his older brother Griffith. And since he loves his brother very much, he doesn't want to replace him. So he tries to hide his talents. From ... God?? Still, you aren't very reasonable when you're insecure. What really bothered me was that when he tells Adelaide, a Christian, about his fears, she comforts him not with the fact that God knows best, but that he wouldn't make a good Duke because he is too much of a people person! Really?? Also there is a rather, well, intimate bit with husband and wife. Nothing graphic, just ... intimate. All I have yet to say is how much I enjoyed the supporting characters! They are funny, interactive, charming, and completely personable. Trent's brother and brothers-in-law especially. They are so wonderful to get to know, even briefly. I enjoyed so much of this book. Not quite all of it, but a lot. This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 1/27/2017 Everything is Possible
 Reviewer: Laura Thomas
Jen Bricker shares her story about living her life fully and with gusto—without any legs. Born without legs and given up immediately for adoption, Jen was chosen by a loving, God-fearing family who instilled faith and determination into her young life. Feisty and humorous, Jen explains how "can't" has never been in her vocabulary, and to prove it she is now performing daring feats most of us would never even consider. With snippets of encouragement from loved ones, and a thought-provoking challenge at the end of each chapter, this book is inspirational to say the least! Jen Bricker is one remarkable young lady! This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 1/26/2017 The Raven
 Reviewer: Theresa Goldrick
The Raven, a street magician, works his magic to pick the pockets of unsuspecting victims. This works well for him until he picks the wrong pocket, and tries to blackmail a prominent member of society. The book features Private investigator Trudi Coffey, and police officer Samuel Hill, who were formerly married as well as partners in the PI business. Trudi stops in to see Raven just as he being beaten and tortured by men who have possible ties to the Russian mob. In the meantime, Samuel is hearing word on the street about Nevermore, a possible attack by the Russian Mob. Follow the story as author Mike Nappa weaves a tale of greed and vengeance. Enjoy the ride as the many twists and turns in the plot, until the final breathtaking climax at the end. Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 1/25/2017 When Love Arrives
 Reviewer: Laura J. Davis
After reading Where She Belongs, the first in the Misty Willow series by Johnnie Alexander, I had to continue on to find out what would happen next. Who knew that playboy and all around rogue, Brett Somers, would become a nice guy? I was really pleased with how the author took a despicable character and basically forced him to look at himself through the eyes of one he would have previously deemed not worthy of his time. Dani, the one that changes him, also has some growing to do. She originally began to spy on him, hoping to find something to use against him for blaming her mother for his parent's death. But the more Dani sees and understands Brett's pain, the more she falls for him. What is a girl to do? As Brett reaches out to A.J. (his cousin) for advice, he starts to trust in God. Dani however takes a little bit more time to trust God or anyone else, and finds herself on dangerous ground by not being up front and honest with Brett about who she really is. Each character grows and changes throughout the story, but they do have a few secrets they aren't divulging, until of course it all blows up in their faces and they have to decide what to do about it. I loved seeing Shelby and A.J. again and getting a glimpse into what is happening to them and I look forward to reading the rest in this series. This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 1/18/2017 Tangled Webs
 Reviewer: Jessica Sichel
“The tangled webs we weave…” This sentiment is featured in “Tangled Webs,” written by Irene Hannon – the final book in her Men of Valor series. In this romantic drama/suspense, Finn McGregor literally comes running to Dana Lewis’s rescue in the middle of the night. Along with the development of their relationship comes another, more deviant story featuring Roger Burnett. The stories come together as good and evil vie for the upper hand. Irene Hannon definitely has talent. Her colloquial style keeps the story vibrant and approachable and less rigid. She does a good job with employing diverse adjectives, moving the book along with a fresh feel. Overall, the story flows well and engages the reader. Finn McGregor is a hero, complete with slight flaws. Dana Lewis is actually the ‘girl next door.’ Sparks fly and romance ensues, just as one might think it should. Hannon does give her main characters depth and background and struggles; however, while Dana and Finn are the ‘leads’ of the story, neither is the best character. That honor falls to Roger Burnett. Roger is not your classic villain; Hannon fulfills that position with someone else. Instead, Roger is a good-hearted guy in difficult circumstances – something to which most readers can relate. He is caught between his duty, his honor, and temptation. It is Roger who wrestles with right and wrong, with the harder decisions. With him, the reader senses the angst of tangled webs and his choices deliver the difficult consequences of taking the future into your own hands instead of leaving it to God. While Hannon does a good job in many areas, there is room for improvement with “Tangled Webs.” There is a disconnect between the faithfulness the characters claim and their actions and behaviors. While this is explored with Roger, whose flaws are acceptable because of his role as a semi-antagonist, it is not really handled with Finn and Dana. For example, Finn “gave his neighbor’s lithe figure a once-over. Hot was a perfect adjective to describe her.” Yes, this is a romance, but it could be argued that Hannon is a little too ‘on the nose’ with the sexual undercurrent. Finn and Dana’s passionate embraces, especially so early on in their relationship, give the feeling of things moving too fast and heavy. In general, while there is some faith connection in the story, it is not overwhelming and, in some cases, does not seem to be very present at all. To sum it up, “Tangled Webs” is a fun, casual read. It could use some polishing and reworking in a few areas, but the story is engaging. Keep at it, Irene! This book was provided by Baker Publishing and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 1/11/2017 Love's Faithful Promise
the peace of her family's farm, if he will care for Mrs. O'Leary.
Matthew agrees for his daughter's sake, but is intent on staying as short a time as necessary. The sojourn at Irish Meadows does wonders for Phoebe, and as she begins to flourish, Matthew finds himself drawn to the O'Learys, especially to the captivating Deirdre. But since he has no intention of leaving his life up north forever, and Deirdre has sworn off marriage in favor of her career, how will they deal with the undeniable attraction between them? 1/10/2017 Christmas
 Reviewer: Jessica Sichel “Christmas” is a collection of four short stories written by Marcia Lee Laycock. “Missing Christmas,” “No Matter How Far,” “An Earthly Treasure,” and “An Unexpected Glory” are rather different from each other and each has a different take on the miracle and wonder of Christmas. Yet, all of the stories share the common theme of God as provider, whether the needs of the characters are physical, emotional, or financial. In the first story, “Missing Christmas,” self-centeredness overwhelms the main character. Due to an unfortunate event, she and her husband are unable to attend Christmas with distant family as previous planned, leaving the unnamed narrator feeling very sorry for herself. However, towards the end of the story she is shown an unexpected kindness and says, “The sight…filled my soul with a light that made me forget about myself.” The wonder of Christmas wins over the narrator. Next, Laycock tells the story of a man in desperate straits who almost gives in to the physical stress his body undertakes in, “No Matter How Far.” Help comes in various forms and in the end, the sequence of events, along with his background, propels him towards finding answers to certain questions. The third story, “An Earthly Treasure,” is a little out there – literally! It is a science fiction tale which takes place in space and shows how, even when we are physically and mentally very far from where Jesus wrought miracles, God works anyway, crossing immeasurable boundaries. The fourth story – and my favorite – is “An Unexpected Glory,” a classic tale of overcoming the desire for Christmas to be perfect. The mishaps which befall the characters are all too well known by many. When things seem to be falling apart all around, God can and does work all things for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Laycock has a talent for storytelling and shows her versatility in the variety of genres, settings, and characters within this little collection. One story seems to have a more existential feel, while another is heart-warming, and a third is science fiction. When picking up a compilation of Christmas stories, one might expect a more traditional, consistent set of tales. Instead, Laycock modernizes Christmas by setting her stories in what seem to be present – and in one case, is actually future – scenarios. Furthermore, the characters themselves are rather approachable, feeling and thinking things that a reader may very well think for him or herself. Laycock does a good job making connections between the reader and her characters. There are a few flaws in the tales, such as in the fourth story when a baby is given medication for an unknown ailment instead of being taken to a doctor for evaluation. The medication causes the child to sleep, which is not necessarily a sign of healing. This incident leaves a disturbing feeling in the mind. Also, some of Laycock’s characters could be made a little less flat, with more information or background being given about them. These are, however, short stories, so some brevity in such areas is to be expected. Overall, for a different take on the traditional fireside short story, “Christmas” would be a good choice. Happy reading!  Reviewer: Cierra Loften
Everyone who knows me knows I love everything about the holiday season. The festivities, the decorations, the food, and of course, the real reason for the season: celebrating the birth of Christ. So, when I saw the title of Laycock's collection of 4 short stories, I decided to pick it up. The cover gets right down to the point of what the stories are about (the birth of Jesus) and the author bio on the back is also simple and lovely to look at. The cover earns an 8 from me. There were four separate stories, with their own respective characters, though, overall, I didn't really connect with the characters in any of the stories. I found them a tad boring, though they weren't awful by any means. I'll offer a 6 for the characters. Each story's plot was fairly simple and fairly interesting, though none of them really struck my interest for very long. Plot earns an 8 from me. Style wise, I can tell Laycock has been writing for quite a while. Her ideas flow very well and she does a wonderful job of closing each story. Style earns an 8. Unfortunately, when it comes to addictiveness, I really had a difficult time finishing these stories. As mentioned above, I didn't find them that intriguing and that made it hard for me to want to keep reading at times. Addictivenes earns a 4. Ending on a positive note, the stories were inspirational and did a beautiful job of capturing the peaceful, loving essence of Christmastime. Content earns a 10. Overall, Christmas earns a 4 star rating from me. 1/10/2017 Nessie Out of Water
 Reviewer: Camille Murray Initially it was the title that drew me to this book. With a name like Nessie out of Water I was confident I could expect some sort of pun or double meaning. I also figured there was a good chance of a humorous style. The author did not disappoint! She had me and my husband laughing from the first page. She brought the faith struggle to light in a non-preachy manner, with plenty of laughs and plot twists along the way. There were a few typos, and there was one chapter where the author switches perspectives that I thought a little funky, but nothing that dampened my enjoyment. This book definitely earned its place on my favorites shelf!  Reviewer: Cierra Loften
I want to start off by saying how utterly adorable this book was. Wooten did an excellent job of creating a character, Nessie, who is so relatable, funny, and authentic. I feel so sad that she's not an actual human being because I'd love to have her in my circle of friends. For the cover, I will give 10 points because I can tell the cover artists spent some time detailing it. It's cute, simple, and gives the reader a general insight into the plot of the story. For the characters, I will give a rating of 8. This young adult novel is only about 200 pages, so I understand that it would be fairly difficult to drag on and on about the backstories of each character, and the author did do a good job of developing the main characters in general. However, I wish that I had learned a little more about Nessie's family life, including her parents (who are rarely mentioned). The plot deserves 10 points due to the fact that it was mostly clear, easy to understand, and a quick read that has exciting adventure, sweet romances, and a witty protagonist. Style wise, I'll offer 6 points. Nessie does have the habit of getting lost in her thoughts (both past and present) quite often, which adds to her funny appeal as a character, though during the more serious moments, I wish the author would have cut back on that just a tad bit. There were also a few typos and sections where I had to go back and re-read to gain better clarity on. On the addictiveness scale, 6 brings in the cake, yet again. I enjoyed it while it was in my hands, though I never found myself itching to pick it back up again after putting it down. Content wise, Nessie gets an 8. Wooten did a fantastic job of keeping Jesus as the center of the novel and, through her characters, she never comes off as preachy (which is a thing every author should avoid, especially for young adult readers). I was inspired by Nessie's story and her struggles and journey with her faith made her all the more believable. All in all, Nessie Out of Water receives a 4 star rating from me. 1/10/2017 Come to Me
 Reviewer: Beverly Wallin Come to Me is the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. It's not only scripturally accurate, but also adds a wonderful insightful story from Mary's perspective about her conception and life with her son, the Son of God. It really brings alive the possibility of the fictional account, as if it were completely true.  Reviewer: Chris Lambert What a delightful story! This book takes place many years after the resurrection, with Luke and Matthew visiting Mary to ask about her life raising Jesus. Mary is shown to be a complex person, at times laughing, sad, fearful. It’s a refreshing change from the traditional, rather boring, presentation of Mary (and Joseph) as serene and serious. I am familiar with some of the stories, and found it fun and interesting to read them from Mary’s point of view. There are other stories that fill in some gaps, such as Joseph’s courtship of Mary and her friends in Nazareth. A very interesting read and I recommend it to any Christian as an entertaining and thoughtful read of a different point of view.  Reviewer: Cierra Loften
I read this novel around late December, which I believe made it all the more enjoyable. I loved the fact that the Biblical story that we have all grown up with and heard was being taken on my Mary's point of view, which attracted me to reading it. The cover is simple, yet lovely. There's nothing gawky or overbearing about it and it's easy on the eyes. Character wise, the author did a great job filling in the gaps with certain mannerisms and personality traits of well-known Bible characters. That's not an easy task and while reading, I felt like I was able to truly grasp the emotions and thoughts of each character. The plot also earns a 10 for me. You know, with a story so etched in people's minds for centuries, that a majority of the people know the basis story of Christ and if the author misses a certain detail or changes some things around, readers will take notice. However, in this case, it's obvious that Davis really did her research and even if someone is new to the faith and new to their relationship with God, they can easily understand the references and refer back to the verses mentioned (They're footnoted). Style also brings out a 10 from me. I liked how short the chapters were (makes me feel like I'm reading faster), the story flowed very easily, and the text size was perfect. Addictiveness gains a 10, as well because I really was excited and determined to finish this one. I found Mary's perspective to be really insightful and intriguing and it was a fresh look on a classic story. As mentioned above, in my opinion, the author really worked hard to get all the details right. Therefore, the content also earns a sold 10! Come to Me earns a 5 star rating from me. |
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