I recently read Unoffendable by Brant Hansen. His natural, conversational tone makes the book an easy read, though it’s full of thought-provoking material. I think I’m a nice person who tries to be kind to everyone, but since I’ve been wrestling with depression, I’ve had to take a good look inside. I learned that depression…
Young readers will love Ophelia Starcluck Saves the Galaxy by Kristen Gwen. While written for kids 8-12, I think parents will enjoy reading the story with younger kids too. About Ophelia Starcluck Set on a space ship filled with different types of birds, the story is filled with gentle humor and meaningful life applications. The…
The Text by Julane Fisher reminds me of the classic 1984 by George Orwell. I read that in high school years ago, but the feelings from the novel lasted all these years. Both dystopian novels address government control and lack of privacy. In The Text, 16-year-old Rami and her friend Fin play a coding game…
As I convalesced, one of the books I read, Hearing God by Peter Lord, sent me digging further for a different sort of healing. Today, I will share with you about Hearing God. Right away in the first chapter, I learned that we need to make deliberate choices to set our minds on God and…
Dead Air, a Waco Mystery by Mary L. Hamilton, addresses lies people believe because of clouded pain from past experiences. These erected walls cement bricks of pride and unforgiveness that lead to tragedies. Frustrated that her unemployed husband won’t accept less than his dream job, Kit Squires gives him an ultimatum. While listening to the…
Are you (or your kids) looking for a novel where the villain keeps the heroine on her toes? Do you like stories where good triumphs evil, but you’re not sure how this problem can be resolved until you reach the end, cringing through the climax and fretting that the characters you have come to admire…
Relentless Rebels addresses courage and the role faith plays in difficult circumstances. Relentless means unrelenting, which means grim determination. Rebel means fighting in an armed conflict against a constituted authority, especially in hopes of improving conditions. While I’ve never been a rebel as defined, I do relate to being determined. I bet you do too.…
Have you ever considered a how wrought with emotions a convict’s release and transition from prison to civilian life is for the released as well as the family? Reacclimating takes courage and lots of grace. Before reading Broken Together by Brenda S. Anderson and Sarah S. Anderson, I never contemplated the difficulties they might face.…
Candice Yamnitz, a talented storyteller, includes romance and sword-fighting danger in her debut young adult fantasy novel, Unbetrothed. Beatriz, a 17-year-old princess, embarks on a dangerous quest with her lady’s maid, Laude, whom she doesn’t respect much at the beginning, but whom she loves like a sister by the end. Beatriz’s faults include being self-absorbed…
Castle of Refuge, the second book in the Dericott Tale series by Melanie Dickerson, picks up the story of Edwin, Lord Dericott, after he returns home to his castle after losing an arm. I learned from this novel that if you lose your arm, you have trouble with balance for a while. I never considered…