Safely Home

Safely Home

by Randy Alcorn

Ben Fielding is an American business executive whose company is trying to expand development in China. When his boss asks him to travel to China to visit an old college roommate in order to get a better feel for Chinese culture, Ben is skeptical. He hasn't seen his roommate, Li Quan, for 20 years. When he arrives at Quan's house, he is shocked to discover that his friend lives in a tiny one room house with little amenities. He also discovers that Quan has kept true to his faith in God, while Ben has walked away. 

Determined to keep his distance from Christianity, he escapes the first few Sundays of the underground house church that meets in the wee hours of the morning. When he agrees to go one week, his impression of the Chinese Christians, and God, makes him second guess his aloofness. When Quan takes the ultimate stand for his faith, Ben discovers what is most important in life. 

I loved this book. It was very hard to read at times, because persecution is not an easy subject. I found myself amazed at the level of faith that the Chinese Christians have. As the book notes, American Christians have no idea what it is like to have to hold a church meeting in secret, or hide Bibles. I was very moved when I read the part about the way they painstakingly copy sections of scripture, and rip out books of the Bible so they still have a part of the Bible in the case of Chinese authorities discarding. 

Of note, this book was originally written in 2001, and the copy I read was the 10th anniversary edition. This is truly an amazing, eye opening book, and it is one I think every Christian should read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale 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."

Cash Burn

Cash Burn

by Michael Berrier

Jason Dunn is a senior executive for Building Trust Bank. His wife, Serena, recently left him for another man. His brother, Flip, just got out of prison and is already evading his parole officer. Brenda Tierney is Jason's beautiful new administrative assistant who idolizes him. When Jason makes a costly mistake, the CEO puts his arch-nemesis in charge of him, which leaves him restless and unhappy with his job. Brenda plants an idea in Jason's mind that would make it all go away...will he have the ability to pull it off? 

I loved this book. It kept me flipping page after page, and I didn't want to put it down. The story had several twists and turns, and an ending that I totally didn't expect. As far as Christianity in the novel, there were references to church and a pastor makes several appearances throughout the story. What I feel is lacking is a "Christ theme." What do I mean by that? Well, Jason, Flip, and Brenda are all pretty immoral characters. While some consequences for immorality appeared, I found myself wishing that at least one of the characters would come to the realization of his/her need for Christ. I don't want to give away any of the plot, so I won't say anymore. But overall, I did really enjoy reading this story. I would compare it to a John Grisham novel. If you like suspense and thrillers, you will also love this book. 

About the author: Michael Berrier

Michael Berrier is a businessman and novelist with a special interest in ethical practices and corporate citizenship. He studied fiction writing under T.C. Boyle and the University of Southern California. He has spent a thirty-year career in business and is a co-founder of Square 1 Bank, currently serving as Risk Manager.  Michael lives in the San Diego area with his wife and son and their Border Terriers, Jethro and Jack.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers, as part of the Digital First program. 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 Short Life Well Lived

A Short Life Well Lived

by Tom Sullivan

Brian O'Connor is an attorney who is married with two kids. He is also blind. When his 11-year-old son, Tommy, is found to have cancer after breaking his arm during a baseball game, Brian is devastated. Having no faith in God, he feels angry and lost. Rev. Clayton McRae, the hospital chaplain, befriends him and encourages him to train with him for the Boston Marathon, and raise money for kids with cancer. During his running sessions with Clayton, Brian vents his frustrations about his son being sick, and questions a God who would allow this to happen.

A Short Life Well Lived takes the reader on Brian's faith journey, which I found to be very honest and realistic. I have to admit this was a hard book to read. Any story about a sick child makes me sad. But overall I did enjoy the book. Working in healthcare myself, I was able to better empathize with parents of sick children by the end of the book. I think another thing that made the book intriguing was the fact that the author, Tom Sullivan, is also blind. This gave an authenticity to his character's experience with blindness. I would recommend this book to anyone who questions their faith in God, or just simply wants a closer walk with God.


About the author: Tom Sullivan

Tom Sullivan, known to many as an actor, singer, entertainer, author and producer, lives and works by “Sullivan’s Rules.”  As a young boy he found himself fenced in his back yard, but he refused to be fenced in by his blindness.  “Sullivan’s Rules” were invented by Tom and his father, Porky Sullivan, so that he could play baseball with the neighborhood boys without the benefit of seeing the ball.  It became the most popular game on the block.  “Sullivan’s Rules” became the rules to play by in the sighted world, and that meant playing almost anything.

One of Sullivan’s first rules is that any negative can be turned into positive.  Born prematurely in 1947, Tom was given too much oxygen while in an incubator.  Though it saved his life, it cost him his eyesight.  The “inconvenience” of being blind has never kept Tom Sullivan from competing in a world where he realized that to be equal, for him, meant that he must be better.  Even as he may have had to change the rules slightly, he has proven that one need not be limited by a handicap, whether it is playing backyard baseball as a youngster or any activity he’s pursued.  Tom is an excellent golfer.  (“I’ve never seen a water hazard.  I always have an open shot to the green.”)  He’s an avid snow skier and a marathon runner and has been inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

As a special correspondent for ABC’s Good Morning America, Tom became a regular morning fixture in millions of American homes.  His touching and insightful reports gave many that “you can do it” bit of inspiration to start their day.

Tom went on to be nominated for two Emmy Awards and has acted on TV series, such as Designing Women, Highway to Heaven, Fame, M*A*S*H, Mork & Mindy and WKRP in Cincinnati, just to name a few.  But to create the characters and fulfill the role of a blind man on prime time he also helped write and develop many of these stories.

Thanks to Tom’s public life, he has been privileged to become one of America’s most sought-after motivational speakers, communicating with over 3,000 corporations around the world.  His message of hope is best expressed in his quote from his ESPN special, Superior Beings:  “If extraordinary people can do impossible things, isn’t it reasonable to assume that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Glass Road Public Relations. 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."

Hell, Rob Bell, and What Happens When People Die

Hell, Rob Bell, and What Happens When People Die

by Bobby Conway

When I saw this book was available for my Nook, I immediately downloaded it. I had been wanting to read one of the several "response books" to Rob Bell's Love Wins, but hadn't had the chance to do so yet. I had also tried to read Rob Bell's book, but put it down after one chapter. I realized that the questions Bell brought up, as well as his irreverent writing style in this book were more off-putting than I was willing to take. That and the fact that I knew the things he was saying were biblically wrong, but I had no idea how to refute them. Enter Bobby Conway, known as the "one minute apologist." He lovingly but firmly addresses Bell's misguided philosophy on hell with scripture. 

I would recommend this book to anyone. I think it is very important to understand the false teachings that are out there, and be able to defend our faith whenever necessary, as it says in I Peter 3:15-16: "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." I really appreciate the time and effort that both Bobby Conway and Waterbrook Multnomah put into writing and publishing this very important book. I think now I would be able to read Bell's book and be able to explain, with scripture, why Bell's teaching is misguided. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah. 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."

Restless in Carolina

Restless in Carolina

by Tamara Leigh

Bridget Pickwick-Buchanan has been a widow for 4 years, but as her sister says, she hasn't yet shed her "widow's weeds." She hasn't talked to God since He "took" her husband. Now she's trying to track down an environmentally-conscious buyer for her family's estate. She finds J.C. Dirk, and her father finds Caleb Merriman. Both men show interest in both her and the estate. But can she trust their intentions? 

I have to admit that if I hadn't been reading this for my review club, I would have put it down after the first couple chapters. Honestly, I wasn't that invested in Bridget's character or the storyline until I was halfway through the book. To me, the story seemed to plod along, and Bridget's "tree hugging" attitude kind of put me off. Add to that a whole slew of characters I couldn't keep straight, and I was bored stiff. As I said though, the story seemed to pick up halfway through. I think if I had read the author's first two books in the series, I would have been able to better keep track of the many characters. But overall, I did enjoy the book. I recommend this book, but after you read the first two in the series, Leaving Carolina and Nowhere, Carolina.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah. 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."

Desert Gift

Desert Gift

by Sally John

Jillian Galloway, a marriage expert with her own radio show, is about to go on her book signing tour in California when Jack, her husband of 24 years, announces he wants out of their marriage. The news leaves Jillian spinning - for not only is her marriage crumbling apart, but it leaves her profession in question. How in the world does a marriage expert's marriage fall apart? Jill goes back to her childhood home and reconnects with her parents, her sister, and some old friends. She also meets some new friends who challenge her in her faith. 

I really liked this book. I'm not married, but it was nice to read a Christian fiction book that brought in principles for a godly marriage - food for thought for the future! I found myself swept up in Jillian and Jack's story, and I really empathized with them. I also really appreciated the way the author had the couple honestly deal with marital problems, and not just "neatly wrap things up" the way fiction sometimes can. I highly recommend this book to anyone who's married, or would like to be someday. 

My Foolish Heart

 

My Foolish Heart

by Susan May Warren

Isadora Presley ("Issy") can barely leave her house without a panic attack, ever since her mother's fatal car crash 2 years ago. And even though she's never had a date, she hosts a radio show called "My Foolish Heart," where the lovelorn call in to ask advice. Caleb Knight is her new next door neighbor - he has a war injury and a thing for Issy, though she only rates him a "6." He's vying for the Deep Haven High School football coach position along with Seb Brewster, who was a hometown football hero in his day. Seb and Lucy Maguire, Issy's best friend, used to be an item until she caught him kissing one of the cheerleaders. Lucy has put up armored shields around her heart since his betrayal. When Seb returns to town, what will Lucy do? And will Issy and Caleb get together?

I loved this book. It was one of those that I wanted to stay up late reading, just to find out what was going to happen to these 4 fascinating characters. It was the perfect mix of romance, wit, drama, and enjoyable story line. I found myself identifying with both Issy and Lucy, for different reasons. I am looking forward to reading the previous 2 novels in the Deep Haven series, along with Susan May Warren's other books.

Gray Matter

Gray Matter

by David Levy, MD

Dr. David Levy is an endovascular neurosurgeon who deals with a lot of life threatening cases in the operating room. But his healing doesn’t begin in the OR. He prays with patients – in his clinic, right before surgery, and after surgery. And he has found that communicating with God brings better surgical outcomes. He has also found that many of the symptoms that people carry are psychosomatic – or, as the dictionary defines it, “caused by or notably influenced by emotional factors.”

This is a fascinating account of a doctor who operates in a very different way than most doctors. Working for a neurosurgeon myself, I could identify with a lot of the issues that Dr. Levy talks about – those dealing with the patients themselves, and some of the illnesses. I was very impressed by the manner in which Dr. Levy treats his patients. He realizes that it is not only the illness that needs to be treated, but also the underlying emotional/spiritual issues. I think he is the type of doctor that anyone would love to have – man of God, compassionate, and highly knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend this book.

Judgment Day

Judgment Day

by Wanda L. Dyson

Suzanne Kidwell prides herself in her sensationalist tv show, Judgment Day. She exposes a lot of crooked businessmen and politicians. The only thing is, she doesn't check her facts well enough, and her employer is not happy with her. When someone sets her up for murder, she looks to her former fiance, private investigator Marcus Crisp, and his partner, Alexandria Fisher-Hawthorne. In the process of investigating her case, they find a bone-chilling underground operation. Will Suzanne's name be cleared? What will happen with the underground alliance?

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was the perfect mix of suspense and wit, with a bit of romance mixed in. I do, however, think some of the side story lines could have been developed a bit more. Also, at the beginning I had a hard time going back and forth from Suzanne's story line to Alexandria's (Alex's). I also want to mention that the back of the book has some wrong information. Overall, I loved this quick, suspenseful read. I would love to read more about these characters, and hope the author has a sequel planned.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah. 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."