In Time For Christmas by Heather Blanton

A Brief Summary:
 After two years of being married to Dale, Charlene Williams is a broken woman. Both in body and faith for Dale is a prime example of the worst kind of man, abusive and unfaithful. When during one of her punishments Charlene slips back in time, she thinks she's escaped Dale, and found a shot at true love. However God's plan isn't that straight forward. Will she ever be able to go back to the man she loves or will she be stuck with her demons forever?

My Review:
A sweet little love story between the ages. I really enjoyed this novella, it was the perfect length. It tied up all the loose ends and didn't ruin the story by stretching it out.

I really enjoyed how faith was incorporated in this story. It wasn't preached, it wasn't forced, it was like a homecoming. Accepting being hopeful again.

This book does contain fairly graphic descriptions of abuse so if that's a trigger for you don't read this book.

Bond & Benevolence: Good Radical

Warning!

This book contains spoilers for Bond & Benevolence: Good Raider if you haven't read it go read it. NOW!!!

A Brief Summary: When we last saw Samantha she had been kidnapped while in Darfur now she is being held captive and Ophelia and Mrs. Doyle are trying to cope with the loss. However, they're more focused on getting her back. But getting her back isn't going to be near as easy as they had hoped.

My Review: What can I say this book was just as captivating as the first. As in the first book the story splits perspectives between Samantha and Ophelia. With this being primarily from Ophelia's prospective.

In this instalment of the story you get to see how someone who is so close to a person who has caused incredible destruction copes. How their life is all about survival. Getting through the next day.

You also see Ophelia growing up at an alarming rate. Training to help find her sister. Her family had been shattered before but now it's been splintered and she's clinging to what she has left.

This book was amazing, and I can't wait to see where the series goes from here.

I received this book courtesy of the author in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

Return to Exile by Lynne Gentry

A year in exile has been hard on Cyprian Thascius. Before his exile he was a man of firm faith and belief  so firm he willingly offered his life for his faith, but since returning his faith is unsure. He left behind a wife Lisbeth, a woman who had fallen into his life from far in the future, but upon his return she was gone, returned to her own time.  Cyprian with the help of his late friends dear wife he tries to rally the believers in this trouble time. A few months later his wife comes home to save him and prevent an epidemic, bringing with her their daughter, Maggie. However in the time Lisbeth was gone and his exile lifted Cyprian has married another and she carries his child. Will fate allow these star crossed lovers to be together, or will all end in tragedy?

I liked and didn't like the characters.Cyprian because he terribly failed at the two wives thing. He blatantly ignored Lisbeth most of the time, when by all laws she was his true wife. Ruth was Cyprian's second wife and Lisbeth's closest friend, the fact he was barely home from exile and she married him right a way was a sucky move, but was also a major plot device. The other characters I mostly like some I wish I knew more about, but I'd probably learn quite a bit from reading the first book.

I really loved the time travel aspect of this story. How it is all tied to one point, one cave, one source of water. Also how time passes differently, what was a year and a half in third century Carthage, was almost 6 years in the 21st century. It allowed for Maggie to be born and to be old enough to have a personality, mind and fears of her own. It was slightly weird however when it came to Cyprian meeting his daughter, he could have been a little more shocked at the fact that she was 5 rather than slightly over a year as she would have been if born and raised in Carthage.

All in all I liked this book and the series shows some definite promise. This is the second novel in The Carthage Chronicles however you get enough back story as to not be confused.

I received this book compliments of NetGalley in exchange for my free and honest review.

Bond & Benevolence: Good Samaritan by J.C. Johnston

All Ophelia ever wanted was to play an instrument, then one magical day she revives a violin in exchange for a promise she will take good care of it and learn to play.  Her first lessons come from Samantha, the same girl who gave her the violin. Seeing as Sam's father is a bit... over protective, he escorts her to the lessons. While there he starts to open up to Gail (Ophelia's mother) something he hasn't done since Sam's mother died. Time goes on and the parents fall in love, and everything seems perfect, but looks aren't what they seem. When some problems from Sam's fathers past come into the present thing will never be the same.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and I truly enjoyed the character of Sam. How she turns from a good spirited young girl, to a woman changed by tragedy, betrayal, and the loss of all of her mother figures.

This book is told from Ophelia's perspective, but she isn't the main focus, it's Sam. The changes she goes through the decisions she makes, focused on her. You do see hints of Ophelia but not as much as you'd expect from a story written in first person. It threw me a little bit at first but I grew to like it.

Another thing that I enjoyed was the starkness of the differences between Ophelia and Sam's background. Sam grew up in one of the richest communities, where as Ophelia grew up in the Bronx. The writer seemed perfectly at ease with both settings.

I am so happy I got a chance to read this book. It's one of those that show the best and the worst of humanity side by side. Where the evil may seem insurmountable but the good slowly chips away at it little by little. It helped restore my faith in humanity a little bit.

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for my review which I freely and honestly give.

The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate

Starting your life over is difficult, starting your life over with almost no practical experience it's nearly impossible. Add in two kids, a controlling ex, and recovering from an addiction to prescription drugs, Oxycontin in particular, you’re asking for a miracle. Her landlady dying and being hired to clean out her house may not be a miracle in the traditional sense but it very well may be the best thing that’s happened to her since she was a child. Iola (Tandi’s landlady) was a devout woman whose life was dedicated to God and prayer. Her faith may yet be able to help Tandi turn her life around.

Not gonna lie I had a very hard time getting through this book. It’s not that it’s a bad book because it isn't. It just didn't resonate with me, I couldn't connect to it and the message it holds.

That being said it was a very good book, the characters are complex with intricate back stories, the setting is beautifully described. An uplifting tale of faith and strength, and trust. It just didn't click with me, but if it does for you I guarantee you’ll love it.

I received The Prayer Box compliments of Tyndale Blog Network for my honest review which is freely given.  

Good Clean Murder by Traci Tyne Hilton

Jane is a student at Harvest Bible School. She lives off campus and cleans houses to pay for her classes and other expenses. It's just a regular Monday when she goes to clean the Crawford's, but her envelop with her payment isn't where it's supposed to be, or her instructions. Ill at ease she goes about her work and much to her surprise she finds her bosses dead. Her carefully planned life starts to fall apart at the seems, getting evicted, and developing feelings for her teacher. Can she manage to help guide the young Crawford's through this trying time and some how manage to make sense of her own life along the way? Only time will tell.

This is a faith filled novel all of Jane's actions are based on her belief in God and His plan for her. Despite doubts and questions she remains faithful and strengthened by the lord. Along with this faith intensive message, there is a little bit of romance, some murder and intrigue. Basically a well rounded well written book, and a good start to the series.

Asenath By Anna Patricio

Everyone who has either grown up Christian or studied Christianity knows the story of Joseph. Not Joesph father of Jesus, mind you, but Joseph son of Jacob who interpreted the dreams of the pharaoh. However you never hear anything about his with his wife. Her name was Asenath and this is her story.

I love historical fiction, stories of people who lived that you only know the basics about. Building a story surrounding them, fleshing them out making them real giving us an idea of who they could have been. Asenath takes a name and creates a person and a history. Giving her purpose and giving an outsiders perspective on such a beloved tale. This is a great story for anyone who is interested by Christian history.

Be Still My Soul by Randy Petersen

Growing up Catholic, attending mass, I've heard many hymns throughout my life. I love some for the melody for the meaning, but others I believe drag far too much, that's what comes from taking choir for six years. Until now I never knew much about where they came from or who wrote them. Be Still My Soul opens the door into knowing more about this huge part of mass that few people give much thought to.

This is one of those books that you can read straight through or pick and choose which song you feel like learning more about. Personally this is a style of book that I enjoy giving you more freedom also it's a book that could take hours or days to read. Giving you plenty of time to reflect on what learn. This particular book includes some if my favorite hymns. Such as Amazing Grace, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, and Shall We Gather At The River.

The songs and composers are organized alphabetically to make finding what you want nice and simple.  From Christmas to Easter and praise and worship there are songs for every occasion with sheet music included for every song.

I received Be Still My Soul compliments of Tyndale Blog Network for my honest review which is freely given.

Safely Home by Randy Alcorn

For those of us who live in the United States we take for granted things like religious freedom. Although it's not completely free of ridicule at least no one has to fear for their life to believe in something other than the normal. In Safely Home you follow a man who goes to visit his college roommate in China who he had spent countless hours pouring over the bible and growing closer in faith together. His roommate dreamed of being a professor but because of his faith his dream can never be a reality. Faith isn't a matter of choice there, it's life or death. To him believing in God is more important then his own life.

This book touched me it's rare that a book can truly open my eyes to things I haven't seen before, considering how much I read. Safely Home was one of the few that are able to. The intense desire to have a relationship with God when it could mean your life is one that I myself lack. I haven't been pushed to choose it over my life. This story though fiction touches the heart as if it were a true story.

The Apostle Murders by Jim Laughter

Everyone has at least heard of the twelve apostles, fewer know how they died, only one has attempted to recreate them. That is what this story is based around one man has decided Christianity has become to lax and needs to return to belief by fear. So he has decided to recreate the murders of the apostles as closely as he can.

This is a gripping story with an interesting plot, and surprise twists. The story switches perspective from the cops chasing the killer to the killer himself, helping you understand both viewpoints.

My main question with the book was what made the killer begin this murdering rampage? It's never addressed very well and I'm curious why not.

This is a pretty graphic novel, if you know anything about the deaths of the apostles you know they are pretty gruesome and they are described very accurately. So if you aren't a fan of gore I'd avoid this book.

All in all it's a good book murder and suspense and a bit of Christianity thrown in. I recommend it to anyone who likes thrillers and also enjoys a touch of religion in their books.