Not This TIme by Vicki Hinze

It has taken me weeks to get to this blog. Not because I wasn't reading, but because I couldn't get into the book I wanted to blog about. "Not This Time" by Vicki Hinze was provided to me free of charge by Waterbrook Multnomah for review purposes. In all fairness to the author, I did not realize when I chose to review this book that it was book # 3 in a series (after Forget Me Not and Deadly Ties). I tried several times to get into this book. I read and reread the first chapters to no avail. There are a LOT of characters, and try as I might I could not figure out the who's who. Plus, I don't get into suspense, and "high tension" when I read. I much prefer a book that helps me to relax. If you like suspense and romance, then I would suggest starting with book #1 so you can get a good feel for the plot and the characters. My apologies to Vicki Hinze for being unable to give a fair review of her book.

As Silver Refined by Kay Arthur

Kay Arthur does a remarkable job of finding the positive in the harsh negatives of life in "As Silver Refined". She takes the difficult question of "How could God let this happen?", and shows us that sometimes it takes God's cleansing fire to make us "as silver refined", a reflection of Him. I was drawn into this book from page 1. She paints a beautiful portrait with words. The refiner's fire, the ore being crushed and subjected to the heat. The impurities being drawn off the surface, and finally, something beautiful, the reflection of the refiner in the shining silver. 
Read the first chapter here: http://multnomahemails.com/wbmlt/pdf/SneakPeek_AsSilverRefinedTP_RPK11.pdf
This book addresses the downward spiral of disappointment, despair, discouragement, depression, dejection, and demoralization. It focuses on turning dis-appointment into His appointment. A difficult topic for anyone to tackle, but Kay Arthur has done it with great spiritual insight.
At the end of the book, there is a study guide for group or personal reflection.
"As Silver Refined" can be purchased through http://www.christianbook.com/
This book was provided to me free of charge by Waterbrook Multnomah for review purposes.

Raised Right by Alisa Harris

Raised Right is not a book that I would typically pick up to read, but having been part of a family who felt Repulicanism=Christianity, I was intrigued by the idea that you could actually separate your faith from politics. I was drawn in initially by the author's well-written narrative. I appreciate anyone with a good grasp of the English language, and one who uses words I have to look up once in a while. So, from the perspective of a good piece of writing, I give her 5 stars. Content, well that's different. I wholeheartedly agree with many of her statements. That judgementalism and partisanism does nothing to further the work of Christ, and that we all need to find our way back to what it means to love our neighbors. Unfortunately, when I reached the last chapters of the book, I hoped to better understand how to put into practice the ideas she had presented, only to be left hanging.
At times, this book reads like it is written from the depth of her spiritual conviction, and at other times, it reads like a rant.  So, honestly, I'm not sure how to rate it. I liked it, yet I didn't like it. So in the spirit of fairness, I'll meet in the middle and give it a 2 1/2.  I would be interested in hearing more from this writer about the topic of faith and politics. I believe she has lots of good things to say, that still need to be spoken.
This book was provided to me free of charge by Waterbrook Multnomah for review purposes.

A Sound Among The Trees by Susan Meissner

Susan Meissner has done a wonderful job, again, of pulling the past and the present together. "A Sound Among The Trees" begins in present day, with the newly married Marielle taking her place at Holly Oak, a historic Virginia estate. Marielle is haunted, not only by the memory of her husband's dead wife, but by the ghost of an alleged Civil War spy. Is there really the unsettled spirit of great-great-grandma Suzanna wandering the halls of Holly Oak? Does the house curse the women within because of her? You'll have a hard time putting this one down!

For a quick look into the characters, take a peak at the trailer!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sNVzS-iPu8

I enjoyed getting to know all of the women, past and present, in this intriguing book! It was a bit of a slow start, as there were a few too many characters for me to handle at first, but once I got the "who's who" down, it was smooth sailing. Halfway through the book, the format changes to a series of letters, as if written by a Civil War bride, and you'll be pouring over them, trying to find out the truth of whether or not great-great-grandma Susanna was a spy!  I didn't mind the change in style, it just added to the storyline. I give this one 5 out of 5 stars!

You can purchase this, and other fantastic reads by Susan Meissner at http://www.christianbook.com/

this book was provided free of charge by Waterbrook Multnomah for review purposes

Worlds Collide by Allison Strobel

I must admit, I took "World's Collide" out of the package, took a quick look at the back of the book, and tossed it on the coffee table. I assumed it was going to be another one of those Cinderella stories. Perfect looking Hollywood actor with pearly white teeth and no interest in a relationship falls for lavender-eyed, disabled, studio cleaning lady, or some such nonsense.  When I had exhausted all the other reading material in the house, I reluctantly opened the cover, assuming I'd have to muddle my way through the sappy love story in order to write my blog post.
I was quickly pulled into the story, and pleasantly surprised to find it very unlike what I expected. It has down-to-earth characters who fight with temptation and sin, a believable story line, and yes, a few Cinderella elements (but nothing sappy).
The book gets a little earthy at times, as it presents the sometimes raunchy lifestyle of our main man, Jack.  If you're not comfortable with talk about him waking up in bed with a different woman every week, or can't tolerate the words "crap" or "damned" in Christian fiction, then this is probably not a good pick for you. 
If you're looking for a great story of God's grace, forgiveness, and power to change even the hardest of hearts, then this IS the book for you!  When your world collides with that of Grace and Jack, you're sure to be in for an amazing read!

This book was provided to me free of charge by Waterbrook Multnomah for review purposes.

Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs

I love historical fiction, but I had a terrible time getting into this novel by Liz Curtis Higgs. Written during the era of Bonnie Prince Charlie, it is the story of Ruth and Naomi revisited.  Being unfamiliar with Scottish history probably made it a little more difficult for me to follow, but it felt like the story dragged on as well. I read several chapters and then ended up skimming to the end. It most definitely was not what I expected, or perhaps the summer heat has just affected my appreciation for good fiction. 
This novel was provided to me free of charge by waterbrook Multnomah for review purposes.

This Little Prayer of Mine by Anthony DeStefano, illustrated by Mark Elliott

I never grow tired of reviewing children's books. "This Little Prayer of Mine" was a true joy to read. A simple, rhyming prayer, spoken from the heart of a child.  "Whenever I feel really scared and I want to hide my head, please help me to be brave and strong and face my fears instead". What a wonderful line, so different from "and if I die before I wake", which always seemed to me a scary thing to be praying with a child at bedtime. The illustrations are calming in their muted shades, leading me to visions of a child curled up on my lap, dimmed lights, and lullabies playing while we'd read this prayer together at bedtime. Highly recommended!

This book was provided to me free of charge from Waterbrook Multnomah for review purposes.