Lillies in Moonlight by Allison Pittman

It's been a long time since I read a 300 page book in one day, but I couldn't put this one down! Lilly, the flapper who is looking for a life of adventure, sin included.  Betty Ruth, the demented doweress mother who becomes amazingly insightful during her lucid periods.  Cullen, the rich recluse, hiding his disfigured body behind the walls of his home.  The characters in this book come alive, and are a fun bunch of people to get to know.  You get to meet many more along the way as Cullen attempts to return Lilly to her mother to save her from her wild ways.  A fantastic read! Six out of five stars! Highly recommended!

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

Please take a moment to rate my review on Blogging for Books at

http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/7027

The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick

"The Daughter's Walk" intrigued me. It is a piece of history I had never heard before.  A mother and daughter who walked from Washington (the state) to New York City in an attempt to win $10,000 to save the family farm.  Wanting to know how much of the story was truth, I went and did an internet search to get a good feel for who Helga Etsby and her daughter really were. The book stays close to the actual events, and follows the life of the daughter in the years after they return home.  While I enjoyed the book, I found it rather long. After reaching the halfway mark, I couldn't imagine that there could be that much more the writer could say.  I'd recommend it to anyone who has a love for historical fiction.

This book was provided to me free of charge by Waterbrook Multnomah for review purposes. Please leave comments here, and take a moment to rate my review at Blogging for Books at     http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/6786

The Dragon and The Turtle Go on Safari by Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark

It's been many years since I sat down to read similar stories to my three boys.  "The Dragon and The Turtle Go on Safari" would have been one that they would have asked for over and over.  Padraig and Roger go on a grand adventure (in the back yard), imagining all kinds of safari creatures are out there in the night.  Together they learn how to be truthful and courageous, to overcome fear and to encourage one another.  I found it so refreshing that Padraig and Roger managed to go outside, use their imagination, and play.  They weren't sitting in front of the television playing video games, or talking to their friends on the computer. A definite sit-on-my-lap and read together book, or one that a child would enjoy reading on their own!

This book was provided to me free of charge by Waterbrook Multnomah for review purposes. Please take a moment to rate my Blogging for Books review at:

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/5040

God Gave Us So Much by Lisa Tawn Bergen, art by Laura Bryant

I'm taking a little detour from my regular blogging to review a children's book!  "God Gave Us So Much" is a limited edition, 3 book treasury including "God Gave Us The World", "God Gave Us Love", and "God Gave Us Heaven".  Lisa Bergen weaves the meaning of God's endless love into this cute series about Little Cub.  Little Cub is a polar bear, with plenty of questions for Mama, Papa, and Grampa Bear.  He learns about diversity:  "God made a whole world full of bears. And we all look a little different".  He learns about Creation: "God's world is like a mirror of God's work, Little Cub", and he comes to understand what God's love really means.  In "God Gave Us Heaven", Little Cub is given a sensitive lesson on what death and Heaven mean, ending with a very simple salvation message.  I would read this series to a child who is starting to ask "Why?" questions.    The artwork was my favorite part of these books. The pictures are adorable.

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

Buy the book at:
http://www.christianbook.com/much-limited-edition-three-book-treasury/lisa-bergren/9780307446299/pd/446299?item_code=WW&netp_id=794986&event=ESRCN&view=details

Please take a moment to rate my review on Blogging for Books:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/3788

The Global Warming Deception by Grant R. Jeffrey

I had a very difficult time reading Grant Jeffrey's "The Global Warming Deception".  While it does a wonderful job of presenting the scientific evidence AGAINST global warming, it reads too much like a textbook. I had a terrible time staying focused on the reading.  So, if you need to do a presentation, it would make a great reference book, but I don't recommend it as a "sit down with a cup of tea and read for enlightenment" story.

Buy it here:  http://www.christianbook.com/warming-deception-secret-bankrupt-america-freedom/grant-jeffrey/9781400074433/pd/074433?item_code=WW&netp_id=828172&event=ESRCN&view=details

This book was provided free of charge by Waterbrook Multnomah for review purposes. Please take a moment to rank my review on Blogging for Books through the link below, so I can continue to participate in the program:
http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/3190

Radical by David Platt

"Radical obedience to Christ is not easy; it is dangerous.  It is not smooth sailing aboard a luxury liner; it is sacrificial duty aboard a troop carrier. It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world.  Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds it's reward in Christ. And He is more than enough for us."  Radical, p. 181

This is not one of those "smiley-faced, God is gonna give you everything you ever wanted if only you believe in Him" books.  Nor does it leave you feeling warm, fuzzy, and completely confident that you've got a place with your name on it in Heaven. "Radical" rips the reader out of his cushy pew and throws him, screaming, into the real world. Then, using a style quite like boot camp, challenges that person to truly be Jesus to the masses.   Don't read this book unless you're prepared to make some changes.  Are you ready to:  pray for the world, read through the Word, sacrifice your money, leave your comfort zone, and commit yourself to a community of faith?  You should be, but if you aren't, by the time you finish the book you will.

Highly recommended! 

Read the first chapter at:  http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/2010/04/20/sneak-peek-radical-by-david-platt/

See the "trailer" at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoicm4wnQ4c

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

To order this book:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=radical&x=19&y=27

Please take a moment to rank my review on Blogging for Books at:
http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks/reviews/view/1978

Paradise Valley by Dale Cramer

http://www.christianbook.com/paradise-valley-daughters-of-caleb-bender/dale-cramer/9780764208386/pd/208380?item_code=WW&netp_id=805595&event=ESRCN&view=details

I am not generally a lover of Amish fiction.  It seems the market is overwhelmed with them, and they all seem to have the same storyline. BUT I am a great fan of Dale Cramer, so was interested to see what he would do with HIS work of Amish fiction.  I was very pleasantly surprised.  Dale Cramer comes from an Amish family. His great-grandfather was part of the settlement of Paradise Valley, the location upon which this book is based, the first I'd ever heard of Amish in Mexico.  The author weaves a fine story, based on history.  The Amish in Ohio are forced to send their children to public school, or their parents will be imprisoned and fined.  When at first the Amish stand firm, their children are removed to the county Children's Home, dressed in "English" clothes, forced to have their hair cut, and enrolled in classes. In an effort to keep their families together, yet maintain their way of life, a few of these Amish families choose to move to Paradise Valley, Mexico, where there are no public school laws for their children.  An amazing story of the lengths a parent will go for the love of their children.   I look forward to the sequel expected out this Fall!