Book Club with five famous Bible women!
Reviewer Andrea Lucado recommends five nonfiction books about five women of the Bible, namely Esther, Ruth, Mary Magdalene, Leah, and Deborah.  Each author looks at the life of each one of these women to help us see the lessons we can apply to our own lives through the reading.

Famous Biblical Women Book Club

• Andrea Lucado

The women highlighted in the Bible are an interesting bunch. Prostitutes, queens, prophetesses, ugly ducklings. Throw them all in a room together and you would have one interesting conversation. Throw them in the same book club? And well, you would have some interesting picks from today’s Christian literature.  

Esther

Book pick: Risky Gospel: Abandon Fear and Build Something Awesome
by Owen Strachan
Esther is the embodiment of boldness in the Bible. After becoming queen unexpectedly, she approaches King Xerxes and boldly requests that he save her people, the Jews, from genocide. Author Owen Strachan believes all Christians can and should live fearlessly like this. In his book Risky Gospel, he calls Christians to stop living the comfortable life and start living boldly. His approach isn’t in-your-face; instead, he gently reminds the reader that we were made to live for God and because God is loving and is for us, living for him is really no risk at all.

Ruth

Book pick: Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet: Tasting the Goodness of God in All Things by Sara Hagerty

Ruth did not have it easy. She lived during a famine, her husband died young and then her mother-in-law, Naomi, tried to shoo her away. But Ruth stuck it out and by the end of her story, she is married to a wealthy man who cares for both her and Naomi. What was bitter turned sweet. Ruth would find a lot herself in the memoirEvery Bitter Thing Is Sweet by Sara Hagerty. Hagerty describes her own barren situation, in the literal sense, and the joy she and her husband found in adoption. Both women’s stories are beautiful testaments of God’s redemption.

Mary Magdalene

Book pick: Move On: When Mercy Meets Your Mess by Vicki Courtney

Mary Magdalene first appears in the Bible as the demon-possessed woman whom Jesus heals (Luke 8). In turn, she becomes one of Jesus’ most devout followers. Mary Magdalene and Vicki Courtney would be friends. Courtney also knows what it’s like to live with demons, in the metaphorical sense. The author and popular speaker was an atheist before she became a believer and has felt haunted by past mistakes. In her most recent book, Move On, she encourages women to let go of their demons of sin and heartache and accept grace for their past as well as their present.

Leah

Book pick: Vainglory: The Forgotten Vice by Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung

In today’s social media-crazed world, a book about vanity could not be more timely. In her acclaimed new release Vainglory, Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung explains what vainglory is and why it is one of the seven deadly sins. This vice is not only a modern-day obsession. In the Old Testament story of Jacob, we see it played out when he tries to choose Rachel, the beautiful one, over Leah, the one with “weak eyes” (Gen. 29:17). However, ultimately Leah is the one found in Jesus’ lineage, and she is upheld as more virtuous and favored than her sister. Beauty truly lies on the inside.

Deborah

Book pick: Unstoppable: Running the Race You Were Born to Win by Christine Caine

The definition of prophet is “the ability to discern the mind and purpose of God and declare it to others.” Deborah, the fifth judge of Israel, and author and speaker Christine Caine have this gift in common. Each generation needs a prophet, someone to guide them and speak truth without sugar coating it. That’s exactly what Deborah did in the book of Judges as the go-between for God and the Israelites, and this is what Christine Caine does in her follow-up to Undaunted,Unstoppable. In it, she exhorts Christians to pass the baton of faith and remain steady and focused on the race.

A devotional with a difference!
Unlike most devotionals that are dedicated only to daily reflections, Longing for More is dedicated to seasonal reflections as well.
So it is in tune to the different rhythms of our lives according each special time of year. For example, the chapter (48) entitled "The long pause" encourages us to pause and reflect, as the year comes to an end, on the past year as well as to prepare for the year to come. To aid us, Willard includes four points under "Reflection" and another four points under "Application".
With these suggestions in place, Willard then leads us into the last chapters of the year surrounding Christmas "Jesus" (49); "Everlasting" (50) and "Heavenly Peace and the Family of God" (51 & 52) which include daily reflections. The author's sensitivity to the music and poetry of our lives is reflected in his selections of scripture and prayers. This is a book to be read over and over again each year to help us to have a Godly perspective and, hopefully, peace, through the unique demands of each season.

Tired???

Are you tired of the typical books for Christian women?  Would you like to try something with a little more substance?  Check out the article entitled "5 books for Christian women who don"t like books for Christian women" by Andrea Lucado.  The five titles she reviews are: Let's all be brave by Annie Downs; Girl meets God: a memoir by Lauren Winner; Passion and purity by Elisabeth Elliot; Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay; Cold tangerines by Shauna Niequist. The URL is: http://www.crosswalk.com/culture/books/five-books-for-christian-women-who-don-t-like-books-for-christian-women.html

A bride in store by Melissa Jagears

The book begins with mail-order-bride, Eliza, getting robbed while traveling on a train west to meet her intended.  She is further dismayed to find out that her would be husband, Axel,  is out of town when she arrives and no one seems to know where he has gone or when he will return.  Without money she is forced to take a job at the store Axel owns along with his partner.  The plot goes through many twists and turns as Eliza’s dream of running her own store collides with her romantic situation which involves not one but two men in her life.  This is an enjoyable read that keeps you intrigued to the very end!

Experiencing the loss of a family member : discover the path to hope and healing by H. Norman Wright.

This book begins with a discussion on the world of grief in general and then deals with the specifics of each loss. The author dedicates one chapter to each different loss: spouse, child, parent, sibling, friend, pet.  Other chapters deal with helping children in grief and the loss of a woman and her mother as well as a man and his father. The last two chapters include navigating the questions of life and ways in which to help others deal with grief.  Each topic is supported with scripture and prayers along with suggestions for further reading in the recommended resources.  This book is a practical guide through the valleys of life as the author gives sound advice on confronting all the aspects and ramifications of death and how it affects us both physically and emotionally as well as spiritually .

Answering your kids’ toughest questions : helping them understand loss, sin, tragedies, and other hard topics by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson

Each of the ten chapters is devoted to defining a specific topic and then providing age-appropriate ways of explaining it to preschool children; ages 5 to 10; ages 11 and up.  At the conclusion of each chapter, the “In a Nutshell” section gives a bullet point summary of the subject. The book ends with an excellent list in “Recommended resources for further study” on each topic discussed.  This is a well documented, Bible-based work that would be helpful to all parents as these topics arise in life’s circumstances.

2014 Christy Award Winners

According to www.bookreporter.com
"The Christy Award is designed to nurture and encourage creativity and quality in the writing and publishing of fiction written from a Christian worldview; bring a new awareness of the breadth and depth of fiction choices available, helping to broaden the readership; and provide opportunity to recognize novelists whose work may not have reached bestseller status."

Book of the Year
BURNING SKY by Lori Benton (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

Contemporary
STONES FOR BREAD by Christa Parrish (Thomas Nelson, HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

Contemporary/Romance/Suspense
DANGEROUS PASSAGE by Lisa Harris (Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Contemporary Series
TAKE A CHANCE ON ME by Susan May Warren (Tyndale House Publishers)

First Novel
BURNING SKY by Lori Benton (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

Historical
BURNING SKY by Lori Benton (WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

Historical Romance
HARVEST OF GOLD by Tessa Afshar (River North, from Moody Publishing)

Suspense
OUTLAW by Ted Dekker (FaithWords, a division of Hachette Book Group)

Visionary
DRAGONWATCH by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)
See last year's nominees and winners: 2013 Christy Awards

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Michigan History and Romance

Captured by love by Jody Hedlund

Jody Hedlund begins her historical romance with the near murder of Angelique MacKenzie at the hands of a starving British soldier on the island of Michilimackinac in Michigan, 1814.  After her rescue by a mysterious and yet, a somehow familiar man, Angelique’s adventure and romance commences. Her would be rescuer turns out to be Pierre Durant, a childhood friend, who has been gone from the island for four years.  During the harsh winters of British occupation, Angelique has been helping his blind and elderly mother survive by bringing her food and ministering to her needs, In the years of his absence,   Pierre has been going through a spiritual transformation.  As he struggles to depend on God, Pierre presents a different character to Angelique.  Together two navigate the troubled times of the British and American War and their own growing interest in one another.  This book gives the reader a taste of what it must have been like on the Island during the War of 1812 and, at the same time, provides a suspenseful story of perseverance and love in times of strife.

Child of mine by David and Beverly Lewis

The story centers around Nattie who is 8 years old and the adopted child of Jack Livingston.  Jack took over the raising of Nattie when his brother and sister-in-law died suddenly in an auto accident.  Although he has the full-time help of a young Amish nanny,  Laura Mast, he realizes that Nattie needs a mother.  So he starts dating again with the help of his sister.  Interwoven in this story is Kelly Maine and her eight year search for her daughter.  Her baby was taken from her by her ex-husband and she has been searching for her ever since. Both Jack and Kelly go through a spiritual revelation as their relationship develops.  On the way to answer the question, "Is Nattie the daughter of Kelly Maine?",  the authors provide enough twists and turns to hold the reader’s interest to the very last page with a surprising outcome.

50 things you need to know about heaven

by Dr. John Hart, Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.

This book is made up of fifty 2-3 page chapters to answer such questions beginning with ”Who goes to heaven?” and “How good must a person be to get to heaven?” and dealing with basic questions of  “Where is heaven?” and “Will animals be in heaven?” and the more current “Are the stories true about people going to heaven and returning?”  ending with the final need-to-know “What can I do to prepare for eternity in heaven?” Each question is answered with scriptural support in addition to several scripture references in the “For further study” notation at the end of each chapter.  It is a well thought out and well documented writing answering 50 of the most frequently asked questions regarding heaven.  The writing is clear and the statements are well supported.  This is an excellent basis resource on the subject – clear and concise and comprehensive.

Mystery and Romance
Silenced is the fourth book in the Alaskan Courage series by Dani Pettrey.  The series centers around the McKenna family sibblings Cole, Book One, Piper, Book Two, Gage, Book Three, and Kayden, Book Four.  In Silenced, Kayden is pressed into investigating a mountain climbing accident-turned-murder with newly deputized Jake Cavanagh.  Their rocky history together is on the mend but both are vowing not to get "involved".  As their investigation progresses and the murderer turns on them, they realize their need for each other in order to overcome the enemy.  The fast moving action and surprise twists will hold the reader to the very end!

History and Romance
It is nearly impossible to survive as a woman in the wilderness in 1837 and yet, Amanda Pearson is not only a survivor but a Woman of Courage.  Wanda Brunstetter authors this novel revolving around the beautiful young Quaker and her father as they begin their 3000 mile quest to minister to the Nez Perce Indians.
They believe they are prepared for anything but what they do not count on is the death and near death experiences along the way.  Amanda almost gives up on reaching the Lap Valley Mission when handsome Buck McFadden agrees to escort her there and unknowingly begins a spiritual journey for them both.

Here are two excellent sites for Christian readers:

1. 1. http://Redeemedreader.com whose mission statement reads: “Our goal…is to shine a gospel light on children’s literature so that Christian parents, educators, and the children they nurture may read in a more redeemed and redeeming way.”
2. 2.  http://www.bookreporter.com/faithfulreader - This site features Christian book reviews, author talks, book giveaways, and much more.

Romance and much more!

Author Tracie Peterson begins her new  series, Lone Star Brides, with the novel entitled A Sensible Arrangement.  Marty Olson is so determined to leave Texas  behind ,  along with all the painful memories of the death of her husband,  that she accepts the offer of marriage to complete stranger Jake Wythe and moves  to Denver, Colorado.  Jake also has painful memories of his deceased spouse  but, unlike Marty, he has maintained his walk of faith.  His faith and that of the household force Marty to revisit her own walk and this, in turn, affects all of her relationships especially with Jake.  In the 1890s Jake and Marty live among the wealthy of Denver and when that life is shaken by a collapsing economy, both Marty and Jake must change their relationship to each other as they come to depend on their faith to get them through troubled  times.

History and Romance with a bit of Mystery

Tide and Tempest is Book 3 and the final book in the Edge of Freedom Series by Elizabeth Ludwig.  It can be read separately even though it continues the connection to the revolutionary Irish Fenians group in the 1800s.  Tillie’s betrothed, Braedon, died aboard Captain Morgan’s boat two years previously and the good Captain has returned to New York to check on her welfare.  He feels obligated to help her when he is made aware that his ship’s doctor actually poisoned her fiancé.  In the process, Morgan learns that Tillie’s life is now endanger and his protective instincts change into love as the danger on her life increases.  There is plenty of intrigue and mystery involved as Morgan and his brother, Cass, strive to find out who is behind the murder of Braedon and why the assassin was hired to murder the man Tillie was to marry.

The Edge of Freedom series begins with No Safe Harbor (1) and Dark Road Home (2).

Modern Day Romance

Modern Day Romance

Susan May Warren has authored a new series entitled The Christiansen Family.  The first book, Take a chance on me, centers around four people who must decide to take a chance on each other and, more importantly, take a chance on God.  All begin the story with the belief that God has no desire to be a part of their lives and each travels a different path to come to know the truth of God's love and grace.  The subject of the first book is the eldest of the Christiansen siblings, twenty-eight year old Darek and his attraction to the beautiful new attorney in town, Ivy.   The second book in the series, It had to be you, involves the oldest daughter, Eden, and her role as supporter of younger brother, Owen, who is beginning his career as a professional hockey player in Minneapolis. The story takes a romantic turn with the unusual attraction between Eden and a man who is her exact opposite.

Modern Day Fairy Tale
Once upon a prince by Rachel Hauck is a classic modern day romance. The story involves the relationship between a royal prince and an ordinary girl and the resulting complications. Romance is the last thing that either one is expecting and both are taken by surprise. This is the first book in The Royal Wedding Series. The second book is entitled Princess ever after, and it, too, centers around a small-town girl and an official for the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg. This time, however, the small-town girl turns out to be the long lost reluctant princess

Good Reads 2/14

True story of Courage

Prepared for a purpose by Antoinette Tuff begins with the author rising at 5:00 am and reading the Bible. This daily routine guided her in understanding God’s direction for her life as to “what to do, how to act, what to say, and who to help.” On August 20, 2013, she was confronted while at work, by Michael, the intruder and shooter. More than the story of the school crisis, the reader is given Antoinette’s background and her life long walk with the Lord that led up to that moment in the school. It is a story of her childhood, rejection by her father, being homeless with her mother, and her eventual marriage and children. The book strengthened my faith in what God can do through a believer totally dependent on Him.