EMBRACED BY GOD by Babbie Mason - Book Review

Embraced by God is a 21-day encounter with the unconditional love of God. The book contains seven promises to study, and each chapter presents four challenges by which to embrace the day. By the end of the book, Babbie hopes you will have increased your capacity to love God and to receive His love. Go on a journey of discovering what it means to be unconditionally loved, approved, accepted, forgiven, blessed, cherished, treasured, and favored by God.

The subtitle os this book is Celebrating Who and Whose You Are.

The seven themes are:

1. God's Passion for You is Unconditional 
2. God's Picture of You is Beautiful
3. God's Presence in You is Perpetual
4. God's Provision for You is Immeasurable
5. God's Plan for You is Exceptional
6. God's Power in You is Accessible
7. God's Promise in You is Incomparable

Each day, there are exercises in response to the reading. Think About His Love, Read About His Love,
Pray About His Love, and Be About His Love.

In this book, Babbie combines Scripture with personal experience. Here is the story of a woman consumed by love for God. For those new to the faith, this would be an excellent book of affirmation, and for mature Christians, a great reminder of the depths of God's love.

For more information, see www.babbie.com

This book is available through www.amazon.com. www.christianbooks.com, and other fine retailers.

Copy for review provided by Litfuse Publicity. Published by Abington Press.

WORDS SPOKEN TRUE by Ann H. Gabhart - Book Review

One woman stands ready to defend her newspaper . . . even if it means losing out on love
Adriane Darcy was practically raised in her father's newspaper offices. With ink in her veins, she can't imagine life without the clatter of the press and the push to be first to write the news that matters. Their Tribune is the leading paper in Louisville in 1855.
When Blake Garrett, a brash young editor from the North with a controversial new style of reporting, takes over a competing newspaper, the battle for readers gets fierce. After Adriane and Blake meet at a benefit, their surprising mutual attraction is hard to ignore. Still, Blake is the enemy, and Adriane is engaged to the son of a powerful businessman who holds the keys to the Tribune's future. Blake will stop at almost nothing to get the story--and the girl.
Set against the volatile backdrop of political and civil unrest in 1850s Louisville, this exciting story of love and loyalty will hold you in its grip until the very last page.

This well-written story is filled with much emotion, and will keep you wondering how things will turn out. There is a lot of conflict and tension in this story which gives us  a glimpse of Louisville in the mid 1800s. Well worth the read.



Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several novels, including Angel Sister and the Shaker novels The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, and The Blessed. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in Kentucky.

Ann's books are availabe through www.amazon.com, www.christianbookdistributors, and other fine retailers.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

THE MAID OF FAIRBOURNE HALL by Julie Klassen - Book Review

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, set in Regency England, is sure to satisfy those readers who enjoy an historical novel written about that period. It is Julie's latest book, following in the tradition of Lady of Milkweed Manor, The Apothecary's Daughter, The Silent Governess, and The Girl at the Gatehouse.

The setting in an English country house is reminiscent of Upstairs, Downstairs, with the focus primarily 'below stairs'.  Julie has done extensive research, and the story is filled with many details. We are given insight into the time period through numerous quotes (epigraphs) at the beginning of each chapter. This book will keep you turning page after suspenseful page, discovering the

numerous twists in the plot, until at last a satisfying conclusion is reached.

Brimming with romance and danger, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall takes readers inside the fascinating belowstairs world of a 19th-century English manor, where appearances can be deceiving.

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?
~taken from back cover

This book would make an ideal choice for a book club, as discussion questions are included.

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Musings On Snow

                                                     Snow Angel



When my brother and I were young, we loved to play in the snow, building forts and having snowball fights. We stayed outside till our noses were red, and our mittens wet with melting snow. Oh, did I say mittens?

Invariably, we managed to get our mittens covered in burdocks, much to mum's chagrin. Then one day, mum had had enough. She told us that if we got our mittens covered in burdocks, she would have us pick them off. Sure enough, the inevitable happened. Mum spread newspapers on the living room floor, and there we sat, picking off every one of those burdocks. I can't recall that happening again!

Years later, there I was, bundling up our two year old daughter to play in the snow. No sooner was she completely  dressed than - you guessed it. She had to go to the bathroom! So, bundling her up once more, I sent her off to play while her baby sister napped. She had such a happy time outside, and didn't want to come in. Finally, in she came, melting snow dripping on the floor. I thought of burdocks on mittens and melting snow on the floor, then sat down to write the following...

For Heather

First snow - so clean, crisp, fresh -

Child-like wonder fills your eyes

As you watch "stowflakes" gently falling -

As you walk, ever so slowly,

Plodding through snow,

Bundled in boots and snowsuit,

I delight anew in God's beautiful gift

Now blanketing the earth.

Seen through your eyes somehow makes it seem so new.

Lord, help me not to lose this sense of awe and wonder

When I see puddles on my clean floor

And burdocks on mittens!

© Lynn McCallum

December 1, 1979

A LASTING IMPRESSION byTamera Alexander - Book Review

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander is the first book in the Belmont Mansion series. It is the first book I've read by this author, and I must say I am enthralled. The story takes place in New Orleans and Tennessee in the 1860's post -civil war era. There is a depth of characterization which brings the story to life, and the word pictures of the author are incredibly detailed. The story itself is suspenseful, with surprises at every turn. I couldn't stop turning the pages, and was happy for the short chapters which bade me to keep reading.

Tamera had based her story around a theme, which is developed throughout. I found the scriptural elements very satisfying and personally challenging without being 'preachy'. I was happy to read this wonderful book, and look forward to the remaing two books in this series. I highly recommend this book.

Tamera Alexander is a best-selling novelist whose works have been awarded or nominated for various honors, including the Christy Award, The RITA Award, and the Carol Award. Tamera and her husband enjoy living in Tennessee, where they enjoy spending time with their two grown children.
 
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.


Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Visit Tamera's website http://www.tameraalexander.com/, follow her blog at http://www.tameraalexander.blogspot.com/ . Join her on facebook and Twitter.

The Names of God Bible - God's Word Translation

This translation is by God's Word to the Nations, and the Names of God edition, General Editor Ann Spangler, was published in 2011. Spangler, well known for her Names of God books, has included  many helpful reference and study guides. The text itself is set up in a highly readable format. Names of God throughout Scripture are highlighted in brown, so they jump right off the page. In addition to the usual format, there is also an alphabetical listing of books of the Bible, an alphabetical list of names and titles of God, pronunciation guide to names and titles, book introductions, reading guides, topical prayer guide for the names of God, table of the names of God, and a name index. Throughout the text, key names of God are given for each book.

I found this Bible very user-friendly, and look forward to using it in my personal reading and study.

"Bible has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".



THE SHELTER OF GOD'S PROMISES by Sheila Walsh - Book Review

Having recently attended a Women of Faith event where Sheila Walsh spoke three times, I just knew I wanted to pick up a copy of her latest book, The Shelter of God's  Promises. I have just finished reading it, savouring every morsel of truth. Sheila has a lovely way of re-telling biblical stories in such a way that the reader learns something new and applicable to our lives. This book is no exception. Truth is combined with everyday stories and a dash of humour.

In The Shelter of God's Promises, "Sheila unveils the foundational promises of God that secure our lives during even the most difficult times." (Taken from cover flap)

Chapter titles include:

Promises, Promises/ I Need Something to Hold On To

Provision/ I Don't Have Enough

Peace/ I'm Afraid and Feel Alone

Confidence/ I Can't See God's Plan in This Pain

Love/ I Don't Believe That Anyone Could Really Love Me

Grace/ I Have Failed

Hope/ I'm Broken

Strength/ I Feel Things Are Crashing Around Me

More/ I Know There's Something Better

Home/ I Have a Future

The book also includes an in-depth Bible study, which is suitable for small groups or individual study.

Also available: A DVD-Based Study features ten, 25-30 minute sessions and bonus resources for promotion.

Sheila Walsh is a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and best-selling author with more than 4 million books sold. A featured speaker with Women of Faith, Sheila has reached more than 3.5 million women. Sheila lives in Frisco, Texas with husband, Barry, son, Christian, and her two dogs, Belle and Tink.

Keep up with Sheila at SheilaWalsh.com, Twitter and Facebook.

Listen to a clip of Sheila's teaching at http://www.christianbook.com/

Sheila's book is published by Thomas Nelson Publishers.