Forgiven by Terri Rogers with Jeanette Windle - REVIEWED

About the Book:
After a son does the unthinkable, how can a mother go on?

On October 2, 2006, a gunman entered an Amish one-room schoolhouse, shooting ten girls, killing five, then finally taking his own life. This is his mother's story. Not only did she lose her precious son through suicide, but she also lost her understanding of him as an honorable man. It was a trauma that none should ever have to face.

But the biggest headlines came when her Amish neighbors did the unimaginable, reaching out to the family of the shooter with comfort and forgiveness. Today Terri lives in harmony with the Amish and has built lasting relationships beyond what anyone could have thought possible. From the grace that the Amish showed Terri's family from day one, to the visits and ongoing care Terri has given to the victims and their families, no one could have foreseen the love and friendship that have been forged from the fires of tragedy.

My Thoughts:

“It was a moment of sudden, healing clarity for me.  Forgiveness is a choice.”  (p. 130)

Terri Roberts received this profound truth as parents who had lost two children in the Nickel Mines’ shooting – perpetrated by her son – offered condolences to her at her son’s funeral.  This entire story chronicles some very brutal and critical relationship choices that Terri had to face time and time again following the consequences of son’s choice to take the life of innocent Amish children.  She briefly chronicles both her life and the life of her son up to that fateful day in 2007, and gives poignant context to this tragedy.  She also chronicles the unbelievable relationships and traditions that were birthed from this tragedy.  In short, you cannot read this book and NOT be challenged to look to your own heart to ferret out any unforgiveness. 

I cannot begin to fathom Terri’s experience.  However, God has allowed this book to intersect my life at a point where I was led to forgive the end of my 22 year marriage.  Infidelity was the fatal bullet to the heart of my marriage, and forgiveness has taken four years of hard work and obedience to God’s gentle leading.  But I can echo Terri with a hearty AMEN!   There is nothing as freeing as forgiveness!! Nothing!! I revel in God’s tender timing of this book’s release and how it coincided so beautifully with my own deliverance from unforgiveness!  PRAISE THE LORD INDEED!!

I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone, but if you know someone whose life has been touched by tragedy, ask God to direct you to a moment where you can introduce this precious, healing book into their circumstances!

About the Author:

Terri Roberts travels the United States and the world speaking about the Nickel Mines Amish school shooting, forgiveness, and hope. She has been interviewed by CBS News, the Associated Press, and Reuters. Terri is a mother of four sons and a grandmother of eleven, including two step-grandchildren. She and her husband, Chuck, live just south of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Learn more at JoyThroughAdversity.com.

A Chameleon, a Boy and a Quest by J.A. Myhre - REVIEWED

About the Book:
A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest (New Growth Press, October 2015)

A Boy Named Mu, an African Journey, and You

Mu, a ten-year-old orphan, has lived his entire life in the heart of Africa. For as long as he can remember he has served in the household of a great-uncle where he is unloved and ignored. In his drudgery-filled life, Mu has little hope of happiness, and little hope that anything will ever change.

But one day, everything does change. On his way to draw water one morning, Mu is astonished when a chameleon greets him by name and announces that they will embark on a quest together. And what a quest it turns out to be! Mu faces danger and finds unexpected allies as they journey through a fascinating and ever-changing landscape.

A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest blends magical realism with a compelling story. The exciting story line combines an orphan's journey to find a home with the plight of child soldiers and the dangers of the Ebola virus and, along the way, highlights universal themes of integrity, loyalty, faith, and love. Written by long-time medical missionary J. A. Myrhe, the artful story is laced with subtle gospel themes and handles cross-cultural issues with grace and sensitivity. Kids will encounter good and evil and learn the truth about hope, happiness, and what it means to be human in this page-turning first book in a new series.

What you'll find in A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest:

• A page-turning children's action and adventure story set in a fictional African land
• Blends magical realism and compelling storytelling with gospel themes to draw kids gently into the truth
• Deals with real-life but (seemingly) faraway themes like the plight of orphans, the duties of child soldiers, and the reality of the Ebola virus
• Written by a long-time medical missionary to Africa who handles cross-cultural issues with grace, sensitivity, and love

My Thoughts:

A Chameleon, a Boy and a Quest is the most unique and pleasant young adult novels I’ve had the pleasure to encounter!  The writing is magnificent, detailed and moving.  You will feel as though you are experiencing everything the 10-year-old protagonist experiences!  Having the story set in Africa only adds to the intrigue, and the character of the Chameleon is brilliant!

This is an analogy in the broadest sense, and it does have spiritual application.  I think it is a book to read aloud and savored with the young people in your life!  I’d target late elementary and early middle school students as my chosen audience.  Yes, and read aloud to them.  Engage in conversation and swapping ideas!  This book is a beautiful opportunity to discuss so very much!! 

I have to say this again….this book is unique, intriguing and captivating!! Share this with the young people in your life today!

Purchase you copy HERE!

J. A. Myhre serves as a doctor with Serge in East Africa where she has worked for over two decades. She is passionate about health care for the poor, training local doctors and nurses, promoting childhood nutrition and development, and being the hands of Jesus in the hardest places. She is married to her best friend and colleague Scott, and together they have raised four children for whom many of her stories were written as Christmas presents.

Murder at the Courthouse by A.H. Gabhart - REVIEWED

About the Book:
Welcome to Hidden Springs
pop. 732 731
Michael Keane's stressful days as a Columbus police officer are done. He's ready to relax into his new position as deputy sheriff in his sleepy hometown. Nothing ever happens in Hidden Springs, Kentucky--and that's just fine with Michael. 

Nothing, that is, until a dead body is discovered on the courthouse steps. As Michael works to solve the case, it seems that every nosy resident in town has a theory. When the sheriff insists Michael check out one of these harebrained theories, his surprising discovery sends him on a bewildering search for a mysterious killer that has him questioning everything he has ever believed about life in Hidden Springs.

Bringing with her a knack for creating settings you want to visit and an uncanny ability to bring characters to life, A. H. Gabhart pens a whodunit that will keep you guessing.

My Thoughts:

“Michael saw past the fluffy blanket of lies she was pulling up over herself for appearances to the painful truth she knew inside.”  (p 296)

The words that Michael spoke after this descriptive and accurate depiction of his neighbor’s reaction to  the death of another of Hidden Springs’ resident is very telling; “Sometimes it’s hard to do the right thing.”

Indeed, in the town of Hidden Springs there have been a series of murders that have gone unexplained until this revealing moment in time.  And, truth is indeed stranger than fiction.  The town reels in the revelation of the truth, and yet still maintains some semblance of total denial throughout the entire, ghastly ordeal.

Truly, this mirrors the human spirit on a deep level.  All of us tend to choose a more pleasant version of the truth – as a comforting fluffy blanket – rather than deal with life’s harsh realities.  A.H Garhart captures this truth in the context of small town USA right down to the nuance of the barber’s tabby cat!  The people of Hidden Springs come alive on the page!  From the female Presbyterian minister to the deputy who is thin enough to stand under a clothes line to stay dry in a rainstorm, this eclectic group of characters will be like neighbors to you by the time you reach the end of this novel! And Michael’s revelation about this deceptive “covering” really makes him question his purpose in serving this town’s residents.

This is a terrific beginning to the Hidden Springs Mystery series!  I can’t wait to see what happens next!!

About the Author:

A. H. Gabhart is Ann H. Gabhart, bestselling author of many novels, including Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, and Love Comes Home, and several popular Shaker novels such as The Outsider, The Believer, and The Innocent. Ann grew up in a small rural town in Kentucky much like Hidden Springs, but she is happy to report nobody was ever murdered on her hometown's courthouse steps. Ann and her husband still live on a farm near that same little town in Kentucky. Learn more at www.annhgabhart.com.

Love Casts Out Fear by Brother Nathan with Davie Culross - REVIEWED

About the Book:
A true story of forgiveness and God's incredible provision
As a boy in Egypt, Brother Nathan witnessed an unthinkable attack on his father, a Christian pastor in a majority-Muslim country. After the attack Nathan sought revenge and vowed to avenge his father. As a man, by God's incredible provision, Nathan ministers in the village where his father was targeted, as well as in countless other cities and villages across Egypt and throughout the Middle East.

Love Casts Out Fear tells a gripping true story of danger, overwhelming anger, and forgiveness that's beyond comprehension. Through Nathan's experiences in Egypt, his beloved homeland, you'll see firsthand the joys and difficulties Christians face in the persecuted church in the Middle East. And you'll marvel at God's ability to care for those who follow his call and to change hearts in one of the most dangerous places in the world to claim Christ as Lord.

My Thoughts:

“And there is one final truth that I believe today more than ever; God’s only Son Jesus is he answer for everything we face – both for today and for all of our tomorrows.  He will always be the answer….”   (p. 189)

I don’t know how many Christ followers reach the freedom from fear that love overcomes in this lifetime.  Brother Nathan has lived and still lives in one of the most dangerous places on the planet to practice the life of a Christian.  He doesn’t just work and take care of his family and call himself a Christian, he preaches and teaches others without fear even though doing so may cost him his life at any moment.  In fact, he has witnessed the death of a loved one – slaughtered in the street – for doing exactly what he is doing today.

That is the power of love and forgiveness.  Sometimes I wonder why we (I include myself in this) as believers in the greatest country on earth, stumble in our faith so much of our lives.  Why do we allow fear to control our faith – our daily walk with Christ?  This book is a resounding reminder that we are called to do so much more in our lifetimes!!  We settle for far less because of fear and forgiveness!

Don’t settle!  Allow the message in Brother Nathan’s story settle in your heart and challenge you to do and be more than you ever imagined you could be in your walk with Christ!!

About the Author:

Brother Nathan is a Christian leader currently working in Egypt, where Christians are a small minority and face difficult and challenging situations on a daily basis. He graduated from university as a veterinary surgeon, but followed the call of God he felt on his life by leaving his job in 1986 to study at New Life Bible School in New Zealand. Upon completion of his studies, he returned to Egypt to begin his ministry. He and his wife have three children.

David Culross has been involved in various ministries for over forty years, including church music ministry and sacred and symphonic music publication. His global mission work has taken him to more than sixty countries around the world. His up close and personal encounters with Christians all over the world give him unique insight into the persecuted church. He currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife, Sharon.

An Interview with DiAnn Mills - Deadlock!!

1. How did you become interested in writing?
 I can’t remember when I wasn’t in fiction mode. Before I could hold a pencil, I created stories. After I could hold a pencil, I wrote stories. The power of the written word intrigued me then as now—the sound of words, the look of them on the written page, the ways words are used to entertain, inspire, and encourage others.

 2. What can you tell us about the setting of this novel?
Deadlock, a romantic suspense, is set in Houston, Texas. My city. My home. Familiar landscapes add more authenticity.

 3. Who are the main characters?
 Special Agent Bethany Sanchez steps into the violent crime division of Houston’s FBI. She’s a bit of a perfectionist, and her own worst critic. However, she has reservations about her new partner, the same man who put her brother in jail. To make matters worse, he has a reputation of getting the job done, no nonsense, and a womanizer. Are the rumors true?

 4. Special Agent Thatcher Graves is ready to work with his new partner, but she’s hard to get to know. He’s uncertain if he can trust her, and he has to know she has his back. Recently he made a decision to become a Christian, but his past party-image stops him from revealing the changes in his life.

 5. Which of the characters surprised you the most in this story, and how so?
Bethany refused to give up on her relationship with her family, even though they chose her felon brother over her.

 6. How did the writing of this story impact you as a person or as an author?
Definitely the family dynamics. We all have family members who don’t share our beliefs or values. This deepened my awareness of unconditional love woven with obedience to God’s principles.

 7. Why is this story important to you?
Three reasons: 1. The complexities of dealing with a depraved mind. 2. Showing the cultural differences between Bethany and Thatcher and their friendship resulting in love. 3. Creating an action-packed story about Houston’s FBI, their dedication and commitment to keeping people safe.

 8. What would you like your readers to take away from this story?
God’s sovereignty in all situations of life—family, career, friendships, love, and obeying laws that correspond with God’s principles.

 9. Are there some specific lessons you hope readers will learn and apply to their lives after reading your book?
God is bigger than our problems - whether that be career, spiritual, or personal. In Deadlock, not only did professional problems attack my hero and heroine, but family dynamics.

 10. When you are not writing, what do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies?
 I enjoy reading, cooking, gardening, and grandkids! I’m very much into good health and exercise to keep my body and mind in the best shape possible.

 11. What can you tell us about Deadlock?
 Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder? That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book. When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it. 

Where can readers find you on the Internet?
 http://www.diannmills.com/ www.facebook.com/diannmills twitter.com/diannmills Sign up for my blog on my website! I love to hear from readers!

Deadlock by Diann Mills - REVEIWED

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing

About the Book:  Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?
That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.
When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it. 
My Thoughts:

“Time and evidence would reveal the truth.”  (p. 55)

There were time during my reading of Deadlock that I seriously wondered whether or not Agent Bethany Sanchez or Agent Thatcher Graves really wanted to know the truth. Yes, they are always eager to get to the bottom of the case to reveal the serial killer that is wrecking havoc on their city, but in their own personal lives, they seem almost too content to keep their secrets to themselves.  Like their most recent case pursuing the Scorpion, time and evidence reveals the truth behind their personal lives that gives them motivation for great success in their professional lives.

I am always amazed at the dynamite that explodes from DiAnn Mills’ pen!  She never ceases to amaze and confound me when I read her work!  She is gifted to be able to weave a realistic personal side into the complexities of the plot that drives the lives of her characters.  All of her characters begin to walk a fine line when their personal lives inadvertently affect their professional careers as FBI agents. 

Bethany and Thatcher are no exception.  They seem to be a little more broken and imperfect than some of Mills’ characters, but, in the end, it is that brokenness that lends reality to their life choices, their faith, and their relationship.  I believe we will see them again in the future as undercover agents with a superlative track record!  They certainly survived enough in Deadlock to earn that privilege!  

  

BRAVO, DiAnn!  BRAVO!!

About the Author:

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader's Choice, and Carol Award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America's Faith, Hope & Love chapter; and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

99 Prayer for Children by Juliet David; illustrated by Elina Ellis - REVIEWED

About the Book:
A companion prayer book to 99 Stories from the Bible with delightful illustrations in a strong vibrant style and prayers for all occasions. The prayers are a combination of traditional and modern and provide an introduction to family prayer time with young children, bringing talking to God to life in the heart of every child.  

My Thoughts:

From Robert Lewis Stevenson to Francis of Assisi from bedtime prayers to holiday prayers of gratitude, 99 Prayers for Children is a beautifully illustrated introduction to prayer as a way of life.  To teach children to go first to God with everything from their fears to their peaceful sleep is to teach them a lifetime of conversing with their Creator God in an intimate, natural way that will open their hearts and minds to receive all that God has for them in this lifetime.

Truly, this is a rather complete offering that is well organized into easy to find topics ranging from thankfulness and praise to mealtimes and protection.  It seems you could offer this book to a wide range of youngsters reaching from early toddlers through early elementary.  The illustrations only add to the prayers with their whimsical facial features and pastel palette.

I would offer this book as a shower gift, birthday gift or a holiday surprise.  It is appropriate for a variety of occasions!  I am happy to recommend this beautiful book to everyone!

About the Author:

Juliet David has written many children's stories and Bible activity books. Her other interests include painting, music, and travel to Israel and other Bible lands. This experienced author lives in London with her family.

Elina Ellis is originally from Zaporozhye, Ukraine, but now lives in Cornwall. She has been drawing pictures all her life. After Elina finished at university she drew for newspapers and magazines, then moved on to design greeting cards, and now illustrates children's books.