The Captive Heart

The Captive Heart

by Dale Cramer

Publisher's description of the book:

Ravaged by disease, preyed upon by ruthless bandits, the Bender family's second year in Mexico has taken a grievous turn. Faced with impossible choices, the expatriate Amish discover, more than ever before, what it means to live by faith and not by sight. But it's Miriam who must make the hardest choice as her heart takes on a new and dangerous course. With constant danger looming over her beloved, displaced Amish community, is she willing to sacrifice everything for a man she's forbidden to love?

Almost a year ago I reviewed Paradise Valley, the book that preceded this one. I loved that book and the interesting way that Dale Cramer presented Amish life. When I saw that the sequel was available, I immediately requested it. I had been waiting almost a year to find out what happens to the Benders in Paradise Valley! This book didn't disappoint. Though it did move a little slow in the beginning chapters, I was fully engrossed in the story less than a quarter of the way through. I loved reading both Rachel's and Miriam's stories. Now I am finding myself disappointed that I have to wait another year to find out what happens to Miriam!

I would rate this book a 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy Amish fiction, you will definitely enjoy this one!

About the author:

Dale Cramer spent his formative years traveling the world as an Army brat, then settled in Georgia at the age of fifteen when his father retired. After high school he became an electrician, a job that took him to places as diverse as power plants, stadia, airports, high-rise office buildings, and a hard-rock mining operation. Twenty-five years of experiences in the trades provided him with the wealth of characters, stories and insights that populate his novels. When he married his childhood friend, Pam, in 1975 he had no way of knowing they would not have children until fifteen years later. In his early forties, when Dale left his job to become a stay-at-home dad, he suddenly found himself with time on his hands, so he pursued a lifelong dream and taught himself to write. Using an online writer's forum as a training ground, he wrote his first short stories in 1996. As his writing skills improved he turned to novels, publishing his first work, Sutter's Cross, in 2003. Since then, Dale has published four more novels and garnered a measure of critical acclaim with two Christy Awards, a listing among Publisher's Weekly's Best Books of 2004, and numerous other Best lists. Dale and his wife Pam live in Georgia with their two sons. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Good and Perfect Gift

A Good and Perfect Gift

by Amy Julia Becker

Publisher's description: 

Things don't always go as planned - especially when it comes to our children. When her first baby, Penny, is given a frightening diagnosis, Amy Julia's world comes crashing down. Could she continue to trust God's goodness even through what felt like personal tragedy? But challenging surprises often lead to unforeseen joy, and disappointments can turn into blessings. This wise and beautiful book is more than a courageous story of raising a child against the odds -- it is a journey through the unexpected ups and downs of life and the discoveries that come along the way. 

This was a beautiful story of faith during unsettling circumstances, and the hope and joy that God brings when we fully trust Him. As I read this book, I felt myself being drawn into Amy Julia's story. It was interesting to read about the friends and family who didn't always have the right words to say. I also liked hearing the perspective of someone in ministry who is going through trying circumstances. 

I would give this book a "4" and recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading real stories about people, and also to anyone who might have a child with special needs or knows someone who does.

About the author:

Amy Julia Becker is the author of A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny, named one of the Top Books of 2011 by Publisher's Weekly, and Penelope Ayers: A Memoir. A graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary, she blogs regularly for Patheos at Thin Places. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times, First Things, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Hartford Courant, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, The Huffington Post, and Parents.com. Amy Julia lives with her husband Peter and three children, Penny, William, and Marilee, in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

You're Already Amazing

You're Already Amazing

by Holley Gerth

From the back cover:

Pssst...pull up a chair and I'll tell you a secret. You'd better lean in close for this one. 

Ready?

You don't have to do more, be more, have more.

I'm sure there are security alarms going off somewhere. You should probably hide this book when your in-laws come over. And this could be the makings of a Sunday morning scandal. 

But it's true. 

It's the kind of true that will change your life, set you free, and make you wake up smiling for the first time in a long time. I know because that's what it did for me (and believe me, for this non-morning girl that's nothing short of miraculous). I've seen it happen to a lot of other women too. I've read it in their words through thousands of comments on my blog. I've seen it in their faces on the couch in my counseling office. I've heard it in a new kind of laughter over coffee with friends. 

So watch out, sister. If you keep reading, you just might be next.

Even if we've never met, I know this about you: you're a daughter of God, a holy princess, 

a woman created with strengths you've yet to fully grasp and a story that's still being written by the divine Author Himself. And if you really take hold of who you are and what you're called to do, there will be no stopping you. That's because there's no stopping him in you - and he's got bigger plans for your life than you've even imagined. 

Okay, you've been warned. 

If you're feeling brave, I dare you to keep reading...

Doesn't that make you want to keep reading? This book was such an encouragement to me. Holley Gerth's open and encouraging writing style made me feel like I already knew her, like I could sit down for a cup of tea with her and be very comfortable. The book made me think about my gifts and strengths, and how I could better use them for God's kingdom. This is definitely a resource that I will hold onto and reference in the future!

I rate this book a "5" and highly recommend this as a "must read" for every woman who needs some encouragement!

This book is available March 2012 from your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. 

About the author:

Holley Gerth is a cofounder of (in)courage, author, counselor, life coach, wife to Mark, follower of Jesus, and friend to YOU. She'd love to have coffee with you. As the next best thing, she hopes you will stop by and say hello at Heart to Heart with Holley. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Composing Amelia

Composing Amelia

by Alison Strobel

Description from the publisher: 

Newlyweds Amelia and Marcus Sheffield are recent college grads trying to stay afloat in L.A. while searching for their dream jobs. Marcus hopes to become a mega-church pastor. Amelia has an esteemed music degree and longs to play piano professionally. The Sheffields are clearly city people. But when a small town church offers Marcus a job, the couple's dedication to their dreams and each other is tested. After a risky compromise is made, Amelia falls into a dark emotional place, where she finds skeletons she'd fought hard to deny. In desperation, she calls out to God. But why can't she find Him? While Amelia struggles, Marcus learns news that nearly crushes him. He must lean on his faith to withstand the pressure...or risk losing his wife forever. 

My take:

I enjoyed reading this book. I was hooked fairly early on, and found myself thinking about it during the day, wondering what would happen to Marcus and Amelia's marriage. Some days I couldn't wait for lunch or the evening when I could sit and read for awhile! I felt this book portrayed the struggles of a young couple's life, dreams, and faith in a fairly realistic way. What I didn't understand was Amelia's mental illness as portrayed in the book. I realize that a lot of times mental illness comes out in times of intense pressure and struggles in life, but it didn't seem like the author developed Amelia's pre-marriage volatile emotions. I could be wrong, but I don't remember reading a whole lot about that. Just an observation on my part. But I really did love this book and enjoyed it thoroughly. 

I give this book a 4. Anyone who enjoys Christian fiction that touches on real life would enjoy this one.

About the author: 

Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Alison began writing stories in elementary school, following in the footsteps of her journalist/author father, Lee Strobel. She moved to Californiawhere she was inspired to write her first novel, "Worlds Collide," which released with Waterbrook Press in 2005. Her sophomore release, "Violette Between" came the following year and earned her a Rita Award nomination from the Romance Writers of America. After writing "Violette Between" Alison took a break from writing to enjoy life with her new baby girl Abigail. She now has another daughter, Penelope Jane, and two more books published--"The Weight of Shadows" (with Zondervan Publishing) and "Reinventing Rachel" (with David C. Cook), as well as two more releasing in 2011. To learn more about her or to sign up for her newsletter, please visithttp://www.alisonstrobel.com. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from David C. Cook. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 

Sunrise on the Battery

Sunrise on the Battery

by Beth Webb Hart

About the book:

She wanted her husband to attend the town's society-driven church. God answered her prayer in a radical way. 

An emptiness dogs Mary Lynn Scoville. But it shouldn't. After all, she's achieved what few believed possible. Born in the rural south, she has reached the pinnacle of worldly success in Charleston, South Carolina. Married to a handsome real estate developer and mother to three accomplished daughters, Mary Lynn is one Debutante Society invitation away from truly having it all. And yet, it remains - an emptiness that no shopping trip, European vacation, or social calendar can fill. 

While her husband commits social suicide and the life they worked so hard for crumbles around them, Mary Lynn wonders if their marriage can survive. Or if perhaps there really is a more abundant life that Jackson has discovered, richer than any she's ever dreamed of. 

My take: 

I enjoyed reading about the Scovilles. Their journey was fascinating to me - going from rural outcast to possible Charleston debutantes, to "iffy social standings" again. It was an education for me to read about the social societies in the old south. I knew they existed in some form, but never realized that they were this "alive and well" today. It amazes me that people really live this way, and makes me wonder how some people are able to live with themselves after treating others with such disregard. 

I also found myself fascinated with Jackson Scoville's spiritual journey and realized that I need to do some re-evaluating in my own life. I also enjoyed the look into Catherine's (the oldest Scoville daughter) life and how she was affected by her parents' lifestyle and decisions. 

I would have to give this book a 5 and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction and/or the south.

About the author:

Beth Webb Hart, a South Carolina native, is the best-selling author of Grace at Low Tide, Adelaide Piper, and The Wedding Machine. With a B.A. in English Literature from Hollins University and and M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College, Hart serves as an inspirational speaker and creative writing instructor at conferences, retreats, schools, libraries and churches across the country, and she is the recipient of two national teaching awards from Scholastic, Inc. and the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. She lives with her husband, composer Edward Hart, and their family in Charleston. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from BookSneeze. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."