Book Review: The Masterpiece

Roman Velasco, a rich, successful artist needs a personal assistant. Grace Moore, a struggling single mom, needs a job. When these two are thrown together, they begin to learn that they aren't so different from what they first thought. Both have secrets in their past: from tragic childhoods, to illegal activity, to a failed marriage. If they let Him, there's only One who can mend their broken pasts and show them the Masterpiece He's working in their lives.

I already love several books by Francine Rivers, so I was excited to read this book! The book did not disappoint, and it held me captive as I retreated into its pages for an entire day. My laundry and kitchen need cleaning, because I was too busy reading to take care of things! The story is well written. The characters are well developed with real flaws, and the story shares Truth without getting preachy. As I mentioned before, the book captivated me. The author skillfully melds the stories of different characters, easily going back and forth between past and present.The ending is satisfying, a necessary conclusion to (shall I say it?) a Masterpiece of a book. 

To learn more about the author, click HERE. 

I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers for this review.

Book Review: The Empowered

A mysterious death. A former lawyer, Trevor Black, is on the case. Black has an uncanny gift. He is able to sense demonic forces. As Black travels to New Orleans to investigate, things quickly unravel. His daughter disappears, with evidence that she may be connected to the case and Black is suddenly named one of the top suspects. He has to solve the case and rescue his daughter while fighting evil forces before time runs out.

Unfortunately, I was not able to finish this book. The writing style stumbles a bit, leading me to yawn rather than drawing me in. The more dramatic scenes, rather than causing me to hold my breath, had me giggling and rolling my eyes. The author also chooses to have a southern character overuse the word "y'all." Unfortunately, the supposedly southern character uses "y'all" as a singular word, when every southerner knows that "y'all" means "you all," and is a plural word. The result is that this novel is dramatic, boring, and simply unbelievable.

To learn more about the author, click HERE. 

I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers for this review.

Book Review: A Force So Strong: Mao, Truman, and the Birth of Modern China, 1949

This book chronicles the political maneuvering that occurred in 1949 as the leadership in China changed. I have family members who live in China, so this book looked interesting to me. Author Kevin Peraino manages to make a dull topic interesting as he skillfully describes the people involved and describes their physical appearance and emotions. I did get lost a bit in the politics, which bore me, but I still learned a lot from this book and gained a deeper understanding of history, and that's a big reason to pick up a new book and read, isn't it?

You may learn more about the author HERE.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Book Review: Gospel Centered Mom

Being a mom can be tough. From preparing for the "perfect" birth to pacifier options, to picking out a dentist to helping our child choose a college, we always want to do the best for our children. And I believe all moms have a certain fear of failing our kids, of not being "enough."

The back of Gospel Centered Mom reads, "What if the solution is simply to embrace the truth that you are not enough--but God is?"

This book looks into the ways we can go back to the Gospel truths in our mothering. Each chapter concludes with a hard truth and a beautiful truth. This journey is hard, but it's worth it!

I find this encouraging book to be simple enough a read to pick up to read for a few moments in the midst of my busy days. It brings my focus back to where it needs to be. I hope others will find it an encouragement as well.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Book Review: The House on Foster Hill

Kaine has a stalker. Her husband died two years ago, and ever since then her stalker has been harassing her. Unfortunately, the police don't believe her. She relocates to a rural area in Wisconsin to renovate a historic home and escape from the stalker. Over a hundred years earlier, a young woman named Ivy is working to solve a murder mystery. No one knows who the young victim was, nor why her body was put into the hollow of a tree.  As Kaine and Ivy are working through their unique circumstances, we learn that their stories may be intertwined. 

I started reading this book around 4 yesterday afternoon. Even after breaking for dinner and family game night, I managed to finish it by 11. I couldn't put it down! Excellent read! I wish I could say more... but you'll have to read it for yourself!

You may learn more about the author HERE.   

I received this book from Bethany House for this review.

Book Review: Death at Thornburn Hall

The story is a group of people arriving for a golf tournament. Their host mysteriously dies after confiding in one of the guests, sharing some confusing information. The death is ruled an accident, but things are looking fishy. What if it's a murder? 

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It's finally happened... the book I couldn't finish. There are too many characters; I can't keep straight who is who. The characters do not have personalities that bring them to life. The conversation is boring, the plot moves too slowly. I finally had to set the book down. 

I DID find out that this book is only one in a series of mysteries. Perhaps I'd have had better luck if I had read the first book first? 

If slow moving mysteries about golfing tournaments is your thing, then perhaps this is a great read. But I was just bored. 

You may learn more about the author HERE. 

I received this book from Bethany House for this review.

Book Review: The Wonder of Advent

Interesting? Check.

Short entries? Check.

Deep questions? Check.

Helping the reader to focus on the true reason for the Advent season? Check.

This is an excellent little devotional! There are two sections: Preparation (November 24-30), and Advent (December 1-31). Each day's entry contains a Bible verse, about 5 paragraphs of the devotion, and a few questions for reflection. The Advent section adds a passage for further reflection and a few lines of a corresponding hymn. 

Here's an example: The first day in the devotional quotes Philippians 2:7 and then discusses the meaning of the Incarnation. The two questions for reflection are:

"How does God becoming flesh redeem the human race?"

"What do you think the Incarnation was like for Jesus?"

All in all, a great little book!

To learn more about the author, click HERE. 

I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers for this review.