YBC Book Review - Gabby Care by B.A. Coots

My recent reading time was spent with a cute fun mystery

"Gabby Care" by B.A, Coots.

Gabby Rendon is the director of her church's after school program, and a truly sweet, and naive person.  Struggling with the demons of her past, she is trying hard to find love.  But what she finds is one serious problem after another.  Before she knows it, she is being framed for a crime she didn't commit.  But don't let that fool you, this is a fun story, while still being suspenseful.

Surrounded by her quirky friends, Gabby plays sleuth to try and clear her own name, but just gets in deeper and deeper.  It was hard to believe that one person could have so much bad luck.

But in the end, and with help, Gabby clears her name and enjoys a bright future.

I highly recommend this book for your fun and light summer reading list.

Be blessed,

Debbi

*I received a copy of this novel from BookLookBloggers for my honest review.*

YBC Book Review - "The Witnesses" by Robert Whitlow

I've done a lot of reading lately, so here's my next review.

"The Witnesses" by Robert Whitlow.

I requested this book from BookLookBloggers as a change of pace of my normal genre of novels.  And I was glad I did.

And if you enjoy historical based fiction, you will enjoy this book too.

Parker House is an up and coming lawyer who shares a "gift" with his grandfather, Franz Haus, who was an officer in the German army during WWII.  The gift is the ability to see snatches of future situations.

Franz runs away from the war, changes his name, and ends up in North Carolina.  The years go by, and one day, Franz's history runs smack dab back into his life, and Parker's life.  The ending was very good, and tied up the loose ends wonderfully.

If you enjoy history and suspense, and even romance, you'll enjoy this book.

Be blessed,
Debbi

*I received a free copy of this ebook from Book Look Bloggers for my honest review.*

YBC Book Review - Sister Dear by Laura McNeill

I recently finished reading my first e-book, "Sister Dear" by Laura McNeill, and I really enjoyed it.

I have been pushing against the tide of Kindles and e-books and computerized reading, but I really wanted to review this book and it was only available in the e-format.  So I gave it whirl.

First my review of the book.

Incarcerated for a crime she didn't commit, the story line starts with Allie Marshall's release from prison, and moves along at a smooth even pace on how she manages to get her life back.  Allie was a young single mother with a very bright future, but then a scandal came to her small town, and she was not afraid to confront it.  But that ended up with a murder, her arrest, a trial, and 10 years of her life gone.  Now she's back home, trying to reconnect with her teenage daughter and clear her name.  There is not much left for me to tell you without giving out the ending, but it is an interesting story with lots of twists and clues to help you along.

Laura McNeill gives you lots of clues during the story, so the truth at the end is not really much of a surprise, but she does a good job keeping it interesting and juggling all the different plot lines for the different characters.  I found the book easy to put down when real life needed my attention, and it was easy enough to pick up the story and get involved again, even after a few days.

 I give the story a 4 thumbs ups.

Here is some information about the author, Laura McNeill.

Laura was a tv news anchor for CBS News affiliates in NY and Alabama, and is right now completing a PhD in Instructional Leadership at the University of Alabama.  She is also a mother, and enjoys running, yoga, and being a beach bum.  She has a second book coming out titled "Center of Gravity" and in the preview it looks very good.

Now for my feelings of e-books.  While my tablet was set to adjust the lighting on the pages to make it easier on the eyes, and I did find it easy to carry the tablet around instead of a book,  I still prefer "real" books.  There is just something about the feel of real paper in your hands, finding a good bookmark, and not having to worry about losing my $200 tablet since I like to read during my work travel time.  :-)

Until next time,

Be blessed,

Debbi

*I received a copy of this book from BookLookBloggers for my impartial review.*

YBC Book Review - "More" by Todd Wilson

Do you ever wonder why?

Why are you here?

What are you supposed to be doing?

Is there more?

Than maybe this book is for you.

Todd Wilson asks, and answers, these questions, and many others in his book, "More".

More is full of scriptures and ideas for those who are looking for their place in God's world.  How to be an effective witness.  How to bloom where you're planted.  And how to find your personal calling from God.  We all have one, but many of us don't know what it is or how to look for it.

More not only describes what a calling is, but helps us to ask ourselves questions to find our own.

The main questions of our lives is BE - DO - GO, and these represent the core dimensions of our personal callings.  Not everyone is called to the mission field, or to the pulpit, but we are all called to be His Hands and Feet wherever we are in life.

Personally,  I found this book a bit dry, but then again I am not questioning my calling anymore.  I have read and studied and applied many books on that subject already.

But this book would be great for new christians, and as a group study, or school curriculum.  You can purchase this book (and request an exam copy) direct from Zondervan here.

So, until next time,

Be blessed,

Debbi

*I received a free copy of this book for my honest review from Zondervan and BookLookBloggers.*

YBC Book Review - "Dangerous Love" by Ray Norman

The world around us today is filled with uncertainty and fear.  From local crime, to violent protests, to threats from ISIS, it's enough to cause a body to stay in their home and lock the doors.

But, that is not what God called us to do.

We are called to be a light to the world.  And in this story, you will see how the Norman family (and us) are just that...a light.

And that brings us to today's book review...

Dangerous Love by Ray Norman

"Ray Norman spent most of his life living in far-flung corners of the globe, working on long-term development projects and living out his calling as a Christian professional. By the time he arrived in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania around the turn of the millennium, he was veteran of life as an expat, at home in countries and cultures not his own. But in 2001, the world was about to change—and so was Ray’s life.

In the aftermath of 9/11—a time when tensions between Muslim and Western culture were peaking—Ray and his daughter, Hannah, made the short drive from their home to the Mauritanian beach. But instead of spending the afternoon enjoying the waves and the water, father and daughter found themselves hurtling back to the city, each with a bullet-hole pumping blood into the floorboards of their jeep.

Dangerous Love is an account of the Normans’ brush with violent extremism—and of the family’s unexpected return to Mauritania in the face of terrifying risks. This is the story of a call that could not be denied and of a family’s refusal to give up on love."

I found the beginning of this book somewhat hard to follow, but once it got going, the story was good.  There were different times in the story that it kind of dragged, but overall, I found it to be very well written.  Ray uses great imagery to make you feel what they felt as far as living in Africa.  The heat, the sand, and the people.  But it was the stories of the family's emotional struggles that kept me reading.  It always amazes me, and it probably shouldn't, how God uses EVERY situation and EVERY person and EVERY season in our lives, not just for us, but for the peoples whose lives we touch, EVERY day.  We can not extend His forgiveness, or His Love, without Him living inside of us.  And it is His life inside of us that is THE witness we need to show the world.

I'm not going to spoil the story by telling you what happened, but I do recommend you get this book for yourself.  And then share it with others.

Until next time,

Be blessed,

Debbi

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review.

YBC Book Review - "Last Act, the final years and emerging legacy of Ronald Reagan" by Craig Shirley

I was recently reading a book, "Last Act, the final years and emerging legacy of Ronald Reagan" by Craig Shirley, and I have to say....it was a struggle.  So this will probably be a short and to the point review.

I was excited to receive this book from BookLookBloggers, because even though I was just a young adult during his presidency (and even considered myself a liberal for a while), I always looked up to Ronald Reagan.

His quiet determination, and love for this country made him a man almost larger than life.

And that's why I was so extremely disappointed in this book.  It was full of facts, but written in a way that was very dull.  I was hoping for actual stories about Ronald Reagan after he left office, but it was just stories about his funeral.  Craig Shirley did a lot of name dropping (I had no idea who the vast majority of people were that he talked about), and what felt like a lot of blaming and finger pointing at other politicians, parties, and the media.

While I'm normally a quick reader, it took me almost a month to read just the first half of this book.

Then I quit.

I'm sorry, but I can only recommend this book to someone looking for dry details and not inspiring stories.

Be blessed,

Debbi

YBC Book Review - Counting On A Cowboy by Debra Clopton

Y'all know I love to read, and I enjoy most every genre.  Even fictional romance.  And Debra Clopton's latest book in her Four of Hearts Ranch Romance series did not totally disappoint.

"Counting on a Cowboy" is sort of a continuation of the first book "Betting on Hope".  (You can read my review on that book here.)  

Counting on a Cowboy is about Bo Monahan, the middle brother on the Four of Hearts Ranch family.  Abby Knightly moves to the small town of Wishing Springs to hopefully start a new life after a great tragedy almost destroys her life.  In this book, you'll once again meet all the interesting characters that make up the town of Wishing Springs, and this time Debra has expanded on their lives also, so there is more to keep your attention.  I don't want to spoil the story so I'll leave it for you to discover yourself.  But I can tell you it follows the normal romance novel script...

girl is in crisis,

boy meets girl,

boy chases girl,

girl fall for boy,

then they both ride off into the sunset.

I do have to say that I will probably not read the 3rd book of this series, but mostly because I find romance novels too light reading.  It took me longer than normal to read this book, not because it wasn't good, but because it was predictable.  No cliff hangers.  No big drama.  Nothing that kept me up at night wondering what was coming next.  

With that being said, I still give this 4 stars, because while I may not read it again, doesn't mean that you won't like it.  My sister loved Harlequin Romance novels....she devoured them.  And I know that she would have totally enjoyed this book.

Until next time, pick up a book and run away to another world.

Be blessed,

Debbi

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

YBC Book Review - The Miracle In The Middle, Finding God's Voice In The Void by Carlotte Gambill

I've "discovered" another good book to help you get through the tough times.

"The Miracle In The Middle" by Charlotte Gambill

We have ALL had times in our lives when it feels like we are getting nowhere...fast.  When we first make that choice to follow Christ, we are all excited and ready to move out and do anything God asks us to do.  And God lets us know where to go and when because as babies, we need that moment by moment guidance.  But then the growing pains start.  All of a sudden the road looks long, and hard, and lonely.  And then you begin to doubt, and question, and whine.  Yes, whine.

But with lots of scripture and stories, Charlotte helps us to look around us, and in us, during these times in our lives, and to see that we are not as lost as we feel.

I turned my life over to God waaaaay back in 1982, and during the past 33 years, I have spent too much of my time lost and whining...all because I jumped ahead of God, or totally chose a detour from what He told me in the beginning.  So I had plenty of growing time, learning to trust my faith, my God, and myself.  And it's during these "God, why aren't you talking to me" times that our faith grows.

Charlotte is the pastor (with her husband Steve) of the Life Church in England, and has written this book with not just stories, but also with study helps at the end of each chapter.  I enjoyed this book, and will be keeping (or sharing) it.

Here's part of the description from the back cover...

"Where most beginnings start with energy and expectation for all that is ahead, and endings bring the joy of completion as you arrive at your desired destination, the middle is very different. This midpoint can too quickly become a low point, as energy is lacking and enthusiasm wanes. Yet how well you handle the middle reveals what is in the middle of you.

The disciples found-in the middle of a lake-a revelation of Jesus that they had never seen on the shore. In the middle is where new navigational skills are found. It's also where some of the most significant lessons are learned."

I give this book 4 stars.

Be blessed,

Debbi

YBC Book Review - Betting On Hope by Debra Clopton

Betting On Hope

When looking over the selection of books up for review on BookLookBloggers, my daughter Hannah decided to help me choose, and she chose Betting on Hope by Debra Clopton.  So I requested it, explaining to her that she would have to read it and write the review as part of her homeschool.

Well, she hates to read, and likes writing even less, so I ended up reading this book.

As first I was frustrated with Hannah, because fictional romance is NOT my favorite genre of book.  But I do have to say, that I did enjoy this book.

It wasn't your normal rich man meets poor woman and rescues her crap. lol

This was a story about 2 people dealing with hurts in their life that resulted in not much trust or faith in the opposite sex.  And while there was some references to their mutual attraction, it was not hot and heavy, or distracting to the story.  I also enjoyed how the author added other interesting characters and story lines to the main story to give it more depth.

Here's a brief synopsis...

Journalist meets rodeo star for story.

Journalist opens her mouth and puts her foot in it (I can relate to that) and ends up doing a long series on how above rodeo star must teach her to ride a horse.

Journalist comes to the aid of a homeless pregnant teenager.

During the training period, there are some fun stories and intereactions with the townspeople.

Journalist and rodeo star help each other learn to trust again, and fall in love.

I give it 4 stars....

:0)

Be blessed,

Debbi

*I received this book free from BookLookBloggers in exchange for my honest opinion.

YBC Book Review - "A Father's Love" by David Miles

Today's book review is going to be short and sweet because this book is short and sweet.

I requested the book, "A Father's Love" by David Miles specifically for my 6 year old grandson.

I thought with it being a level 2, and he is only in kindergarten, we could practice his reading together.  Well, he sped through this book without needing any help what-so-ever.  Now I am not saying this book is too easy, I'm saying my Owen is too smart! hahaha

He enjoyed the story, but once read he didn't bother with it again.  But when I told him that we could give it to church, he said no, he wanted to keep it here at my house.  So I'm pretty sure he will read it again.  Now for my take on the book.

I found the story, while true to scripture, a little soft.  Since it is for small children, it is probably ok, but I would have liked it to be longer and with a little more detail with more of a look on the moral aspects and more comparison to God's love for us.  The artwork is very nice, and the colors are bright, perfect for little eyes.

I give this 3 stars, but mostly because, for us, it was a one read time book.

Be blessed,

Debbi

*while I received this book free of charge from booklookbloggers, the opinion is completely my own.

A Book Review - Motivate Your Child by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller

As a mother of many children, of all types (bio-step-foster-adopted), I am always looking for support, encouragement, and advise.  So when the book "Motivate Your Child" by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller because available for review, I grabbed it.

There are many pages of this book where I highlighted, stuck post it tabs, and wrote notes...it was that helpful to me.  One of my notes was from the chapter on discipline...how, and how much.  For a time out, I had always gone by 2 minutes per year of life, but this book talks not about obedience, but about there being a heart change in your child.  Which is much more desirable in a person.  So there is no time limit, but let the child work the issue out in their own hearts and time.  Then when they can understand what they did, and why they did it, they are better equipped to allow God to change their behaviors.  I like that!

There are 2 major sections in this book...
Moral Development In Children and
Spiritual Development In Children.

Now while there are 2 separate sections, so this book would be helpful to non-believers as well, I personally feel that separating the moral from the spiritual will still leave your child empty.  For our world to change, we need to change, and to help our children to change, thereby leaving a lasting legacy in our world today.  Let me share with you a great quote I saw the other day...
"Lasting change does not come only from laws and legislation, but from the hearts produced by spiritual revival."  Bobby Jindal
How true is that!  This book is a great first step in changing the world, starting in your own hearts and homes.

An added plus in this book is the interactive supportive website, The 414 Family Challenge, for those willing to take up "The Family Challenge" given in this book.  I have bookmarked it and can't wait to start implementing all I have learned between the pages of this book.

Here's some information on the authors.

Scott Turansky has been a pastor and missionary for more than 33 years and is an author of several books. In addition to pastoring full time, Scott also conducts parenting seminars on Saturdays around the United States (http://www.effectiveparenting.org/). He is the cofounder of the National Center for Biblical Parenting (www.biblicalparenting.org) and has co-authored four books.

Joanne Miller is a pediatric nurse with 26 years of experience and the cofounder of the National Center for Biblical Parenting. She is the coauthor of seven parenting books.

So now I challenge you, be the start of something new in your home and family.  Pick up this book and embark on a new path today.

Be blessed,

Debbi

* While I received a free copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers, the opinions are completely my own.^

Rush of Heaven by Ema McKinley - a Zondervan book review

Today I am going to tell you about an excellent book...

Rush of Heaven by Ema McKinley with Cheryl Ricker and published by Zondervan.

It was uplifting and very well written.  I had trouble putting it down!  First a little background of the story.  It's a true story of Ema McKinley and the health issues she suffered with after a severe work related accident.  I enjoyed the fact that while she was honest about her anger and frustration, she did not dwell on the part of the story where she had problems with insurance companies and the medical community.  It could easily have become a "woe is me" and a Me against Them kind of dark book, but it wasn't.  It was a truly inspiring story on how God allows us to feel angry and hurt and confused, and to even ask him "why" and still feel His Love and His Comfort in all situations.

There is a wonderful section in the middle full of pictures of Ema before her accident, and after her miraculous healing.  Ema never portrayed herself as a saint, or a "special" child of God, just as a woman dealing daily with pain.  And through it all, she kept her faith in God, and her joy.

"The Joy of the Lord is our strength."

I won't tell you much about her healing, so you can enjoy the miracle yourself.  But I will tell you this, this is a story you will want to re-read, and to share.

Be blessed,

Debbi

Never Ever Give Up by Erik Rees - A BookLook Review

I have just finished the book "Never Ever Give Up" by Erik Rees, and let me tell you, make sure you have a full box of kleenix when you start this one, because you'll need the whole box!  Not only was it a tear jerker, it was touching, and inspiring, and is one of those stories that will stay with you for a long time.

Young Jessie was diagnosed with a rare form on cancer at the tender age of 11, but she was the type of person that was more concerned with other people.  While going for treatment in the hospital, she saw a need to bring joy to the other children there, and started Joy Jars.

Joy Jars are just that, jars filled with joy...toys and things that will bring a smile to a young child during a time of pain.  Jessie determined to give a jar to every child battling cancer, and she not only met that goal but surpassed it.

This story is told by her father, and takes you through all the ups and downs of this extraordinary little girls life.  And this is a story we all need to read, and share, and learn from.

If you would like to continue this ministry, here is the official website (The Jessies Rees Foundation) and the facebook page.

Needless to say...I highly recommend this book.

And remember....

Never Ever Give Up.

Be blessed,

Debbi

*I received a free copy of this book from BookLookBloggers, but the review is my honest opinion.

Something new...and a little bit scary

Life here has been hectic lately, besides homeschooling, my blog (which I have sorely neglected), my shop, creating, fall and holiday craft shows, and promoting The Craftstar, I just entered a writing contest....and boy am I nervous.

I have written poetry in high school (in another life time), and then most recently I started to write short stories (again), which you can find under the Yankee Burrow Storytime tab and on my writing blog Debbi's Shorts.  I have always enjoyed writing, and since I have gotten some nice comments on my short stories here, when I received the email to enter this contest, I decided to just close my eyes, plug my nose, and jump right in.

Wheeeee.....

First prize is having my story published...in a real book!  Wow.

Now to decide what to write, I'm thinking of expanding one of my short stories, but I don't know which one...what do you think?

Time For A New Life

The Power Of Love

Remembering

Should I do this? Should I not? Ugh....please let me know your thoughts, before I make a complete fool of myself!

Be blessed,

Debbi

Book Review - Framing Faith by Matt Knisely

Today I would like to share with you my review of the book "Framing Faith" by Matt Knisely published by Thomas Nelson.

 

 

Matt is an award winning photojournalists with a heart for God.  And in this book he shares with us the importance of slowing down and taking time to see God in the every day moments surrounding us.  My highlighter got a lot of use with this book, so many great nuggets of wisdom.

Let me share a few...

 

"Our lives are not lived in a vacuum, but rather they are interconnected, woven together, and inseparable.  For me to withhold my story would be to rip out a thread from the tapestry of humanity.  God has woven me in just as he has woven her in, and him in, and them in...and you in."

 

"At times we find ourselves in a spiritual crisis, and in those moments
God is speaking to us amid all the confusion of our lives, against all our comprehension and controlling...but we don't hear him.  Christ is making an appeal that disrupts the way we think and know and believe...but it disturbs us, so we tune him out.  God want s us to be story listeners.  He wants us to listen to our story and to his story."

 

"We've become so accustomed to God's Word and his story that at times we let it have little value in our lives.  When is the last time you celebrated the incredible gift of your salvation? So often we are bored by it - uninterested and apathetic toward the story that changed the destiny of all of mankind."

 

Man, talk about stepping on my toes.  There is so much truth and encouragement in this book that I plan to read it again, and again.  And I happily recommend this book to anyone that wants to enjoy life more, to slow down and hear from God on a daily basis.

 

Be blessed,

Debbi

 

**I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLookbloggers.com® book review program.  The review is totally my own opinion.**