The Remnant by Monte Wolverton

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The Remnant (Plain Truth Ministries, August 2016)
In the year 2069 the Apocalypse came and went, but Jesus didn’t show up, as some expected.
Instead, a cataclysmic war, natural disasters and pandemics eradicated 90 percent of earth’s population. Now, in 2131, a totalitarian government rules the world from the majestic, opulent capitol of Carthage, Tunisia. Blamed for igniting the war, religion and religious books are banned. Citizens who will not renounce their religion are sent to work camps.
Grant Cochrin, imprisoned in a bleak petroleum camp in what was once North Dakota, leads his family and friends to escape and embark on a long, dangerous quest for a Christian community. Their resource in this journey? A cherished page torn from the now banished Bible—a remnant of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount handed down from Grant’s grandparents.
What if there were an Apocalypse and Jesus didn’t return? What if the survivors found themselves living in a world ruled by a totalitarian government, where religion is forbidden and all religious texts have been destroyed?
In The Remnant, award-winning author Monte Wolverton tells the tale of a band of concentration camp escapees who trek through the lawless American wilderness on a quest for authentic Christianity, only to come face to face with an unthinkable dilemma. The Remnant is a fast-paced story punctuated with dry satire, memorable characters and hard questions about religious institutions.
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My opinion: This book was fantastic, totally engaging and enthralling, certainly different from a lot of the books that I have read. It is very much a Christian dystopian book which made it interesting. I thought the writing style was very engaging and I really liked how thought provoking it was with fascinating dialog and engaging characters. I received a copy of this book in  exchange for my honest opinion.

Photographs from the Edge by Art Wolfe

What an outstanding photography book! The cover alone is enough to suck you in and I can guarantee that it does not disappoint! As one digs into this book you can really understand why Art Wolfe is considered a master photographer as his photography is sensational and his techniques and tips are sure to help improve anyone's photography skills.
This book is not only a how to book but it is also a wonderful read about Art's wonderful adventures in photography which have spanned over 40 years.
Not only is this a visually appealing book but it a very helpful and inspiring book, I highly recommend it!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion/

Trust my heart by Carol Post

Trust My Heart (Waterfall Press, October 2016)

Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible.

The big-city lawyer has no interest in his late, estranged grandparents or the dilapidated mansion he just acquired. After his high-profile divorce, he should be avoiding perky reporters, too. But Jami Carlisle is honest, funny, and undeniably appealing.

After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore—much like its handsome, commitment-phobic heir. Thanks to her digging, the pieces of Grant’s fraught family history are gradually fitting into place, but also upending all his old beliefs.

The two draw closer as they share their dreams, until misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust. But in the unspoiled beauty of the Smoky Mountains, there’s healing and forgiveness to be found. And for Grant, this unplanned detour may be just what’s needed to finally guide him home…

My opinion: This book was an easy read that was enjoyable, albeit not overly memorable or unique . I really liked the secondary characters, they added  a lot more to the book than the main characters did at times. Overall a decent read, just wish I felt more engaged with the main characters as they just seemed a bit stilted and cliche. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Radical Book for Kids

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The Radical Book for Kids(New Growth Press, October 2016)

A kid-sized explorer’s guide to faith and life

The Radical Book for Kids is a fun-filled explorer’s guide to the Bible, church history, and life for boys and girls age 8 and up. Along with examining some of the most exciting realities in the universe, the handbook is vibrantly illustrated and chock-full of fun facts and ideas. Deep truths are communicated to elementary and middle-school aged kids while stimulating their curiosity and sense of adventure within a gospel-centered framework.

This power-packed book is “radical” in more ways than you might think! It is “radical” in the sense of the original meaning of the word, “going to the root or origin.” The Radical Book for Kids will take children on a fascinating journey into the ancient roots of the Christian faith. But it’s also “radical” in the more modern sense of being revolutionary. Kids read about men and women who learned to trust Jesus and stand for him—displaying radical faith—even when everything seemed against them.

But The Radical Book for Kids is also “radical”—meaning fun or cool—in the eyes of a child. Kids read about ancient weapons (and how to make one), learn about jewels, create pottery, discover ancient languages, use secret codes, locate stars, tell time using the sun, play a board game that’s 3,000 years old—and more.

Check out the table of contents, skip around, or read straight through. However a child chooses to explore it, The Radical Book for Kids will open new vistas for their imagination and help to make straight paths for their feet.

My opinion: This book was an utter delight! I did not know what to expect but I can safely say that it exceeded all expectations . This book is a wonderful resource for younger kids as it presents church history in an informative and interesting way, I know I was utterly sucked into the book and found it to be really fun. I look forward to holding onto it for when my kids are older, this would be a great home schooling book for sure or just to have on hand.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The most wonderful time of the year by Ace Collins

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Abingdon, October 2016)

Celebrate 31 days of a Christ-filled Christmas season.

For Christians worldwide, the month of December is filled with joy and wonder as we anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth. There is no other time of the year that can compare to the Christmas season for both the young and young at heart.

From December to New Year’s Eve, reawaken the wonder, joy, and magic that is Christmas with daily scripture and inspirational readings of stories behind popular Christmas traditions, carols and movies. Enjoy a wealth of fun activities to help make the most of the season, including heartwarming holiday recipes and homemade gift ideas.

With this soon-to-be-cherished holiday devotional, best-selling author Ace Collins will capture your imagination and help to make each day of December more memorable and meaningful to you, and those you love, by shining a light on the real spirit of the season.

My opinion: What a perfect book to get one into the spirit of Christmas! This book book helps one prepare for Christmas and New Years by being properly focused on what is important and what really matters. Such a short, easy read that it is nothing to fit it into ones day and yet it is sure to brighten it. Filled with thought provoking words this book is such a charming book that is sure to become a yearly tradition. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Master your money by Ron Blue

I had never read this book before, despite it being a very popular book on Christian finances and after reading it I can see why! This book combines approaches with a very biblical base that pulls so much from the scriptures and is very thought provoking.
This book has a very practical and excellent plan for getting out of debt and staying out of debt, of controlling ones finances so they do not control you which is a huge issue in this day and age.
This edition is newly updated and would make a wonderful book to keep on hand to help keep one on track in being a good steward over ones money or as a gift to a friend who is struggling in that area.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Super forecasting by Phillip Tetlock and Dan Gardner

What a fascinating read. I was needing a good nonfiction book to read that would be interesting and really draw you in and this book was just that!
This book took a look at the art and science of prediction, sometimes it seems like people are good at it whereas others aren't, this book was meticulously researched over a long period of time to look at the science behind predictions. I really enjoyed the real life stories woven in with all of the data as it made it fascinating and educational at the same time.
I highly recommend this book!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for  my honest opinion.

The other side of infamy by Jim Downing

What a amazing life Jim Downing has had and what an inspiration read. This was such a fascinating read, giving an account of the attack on Pearl Harbor from a man who was there!
This book was a real page turner as it was an eyewitness account to one of the most infamous days in America's history. Filled with vivid detail this book is an excellent read.
I am a history buff so this was a thrilling read for me, but it would appeal to those who aren't big into history either as is written in a very engaging style.
It is amazing thinking of what Mr. Downing has seen in his very long life, he has gone through so much and did so much with his life.  This is a real gem and I highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

All the pretty things by Edie Wadsworth

I am not usually a huge fan of autobiographies and overall this book didn't do a whole lot to win me over to that camp although it was an interesting and very sad read.
It was hard as a parent reading the things that Edie went through at the hands of her Father and it was heartbreaking the need for approval and love that she so desperately sought from him. One of the best aspects of this book is that Edie was able to accomplish many of her dreams and make something out of her life, despite her rough beginnings, but it really makes one pause and think of all those who have had similar upbringing who were not able to move on and make something of themselves and that makes me sad,
In some way this book is an interesting blend of sadness and hope, of light and darkness, of failures and triumphs.
Edie is an amazingly strong women and I greatly admire her courage to pen her memoirs as I cannot imagine it was an easy thing to do.
This book is a great reminder that one of the most essential needs of a child is to be loved and to love.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Inspiralize everything bu Ali Maffucci

What a wonderful and practical resource. I was wanting to do more with trying to spiralize  different veggies to come up with healthier recipes and this is just the book to have as I am not nearly this creative on my own!
This book really does have so many different things to try,some that you think of like zucchini and others like apples that you don't think of right away.  Filled with mouthwatering recipes, excellent nutrition guides and gorgeous photography this book is truly a gem!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Christian's hope by Ervin Stutzman

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Christian’s Hope (Herald Press, October 2016)

When Christian Hochstetler returns to the Amish after seven years in captivity, he finds that many things have shifted.

Captured as a child during the French and Indian War, Christian has spent much of his life among Native Americans, who cared for him and taught him their ways. Now that Christian is home, his father wants him to settle back into their predictable Amish life of farming, and Christian’s budding friendship with Orpha Rupp beckons him to stay as well.

Yet Christian feels restless, and he misses his adoptive Native American family—who raised him as their own son. When faced with a life-altering decision, will Christian choose the Amish identity that his father desires for him? Or will he depart from his family and faith community yet again?

Christian’s Hope tells the story of the younger brother of Joseph and son of Jacob, whom readers have come to love in the first two books in the Return to Northkill series. Based on actual events and written by a descendant of the Hochstetler family, Christian’s Hopebrings the sweeping epic of the Return to Northkill series to a soul-stirring end.

My opinion: This was a well written, interesting characters and an intriguing plot. This book is about a young man who is torn between two worlds, the world he was born into and so cruly snatched from and the world he was raised in, as he experiences the pull from each worlds, which one will he ultimately chose?
This book was certainly different from ones typical Amish fiction as it is set in a historical setting and deals with so much more. I truly enjoyed it,
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Cold-Case Christianity for Kids by J. Warner Wallace and Susie Wallace

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Cold-Case Christianity for Kids (David C. Cook, October 2016)

Between the ages of 8 and 12, kids often start to wonder if Christianity is true.

In Cold-Case Christianity for Kids, detective J. Warner Wallace draws readers into the thrill of high-stakes investigation by showing them how to think rather than telling them what to think. In this children’s companion to the bestselling Cold-Case Christianity, detective Wallace gets kids excited about testing witnesses, examining the evidence, and investigating the case for Christianity. Includes author illustrations and links to a website where kids can download activities, fill in case notes, and earn a certificate of merit.

My opinion: What a great resource for kids! I am always impressed with what great resources are coming out for young children to deepen their faith, much needed resources might I add! This book is a great book that very thought provokingly gets younger kids to really start thinking about the gospel and investigating why it is true and what makes it true. Great resource for at home or at Sunday school, I highly recommend it!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Kindness Challenge by Shaunti Feldhahn

Ah, kindness, such a simple concept but such a hard one to execute in ones life. I know I for one feel a great lack of kindness in my life especially to those who I am close with. This book is a little gem for improving ones relationships with others and after reading it I can definitively see how it can help.
Filled with extensive research that has come to be Shaunti's trademark, this book offers great insight in how to make good relationships great and how to overcome some of the challenges in being kind to others.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.