Tomorrow's Sun

GIVEAWAY

MELBY, BECKY
TOMORROW'S SUN

Faith reaches across the centuries.

Her fractures have mended, her cars faded, but Emily Foster can't move on until she makes restitution for a past mistake. Flipping houses seems like the path to her goal. Yet, instead of finding a door to the future, the 1840s house she plans to remodel opens windows to the past.

Contractor Jake Braden hates Emily's plan to modernize the old house, but the cost of fighting for guardianship of his late sister's twelve-year-old twins forces him to take the job anyway. When a hidden door and faded love letters connect the house with the Underground Railroad, he and Emily embark on a mission to uncover the fate of young lovers.

As Emily and Jake unravel the long-forgotten love story, words of faith in the face of fear inspire, convict, and draw them to each other...but will they be prepared when faced with their greatest test yet?

My Review:

Richly layered, Melby has mastered the art of the slow reveal. There is mystery and suspense in this contemporary novel, though I wouldn't categorize it as either. The suspense is in the characterization, the mystery is in the past and both are woven into an intricate pattern that will prompt a sit-down-and-read-in-one-sitting compulsion.

Emily is still recovering from a debilitating accident. Time and hard work slowly heal her body but her mind is an entirely different matter. For that emotional healing she needs God but she is hiding from Him. Her inner turmoil makes for a riveting read.

Jake was once an 'on-fire' Christian but time and life have faded his resolve. He's going through the motions but when he meets Emily all that changes. Their reluctant 'courtship' dance is immensely satisfying...and frustrating...to read!

Add in the rich historical detail (even though it's a contemporary) and this book makes a near-perfect read. The only way it could be better is if the author had made it longer!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance at winning a copy of this book, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please make sure to put the title in the subject line of your email so it is easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 5. Offer open to international readers.  Good luck!

January Giveaway - Week Five?!

My little snow buddy, Tweet, wants to extend his congratulations to the winners!



won by Na




won by Martha A




won by Amy R.S.

As always, I will contact the winners by email but if you don't hear from me by Monday night, please drop me a line at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca and send me your snail mail address so I can get your book out to you.

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Giveaways:

In a recent bookstore shop I was thrilled to discover two books dealing with one of my favourite topics in history -- the Underground Railroad. One is contemporary and the other historical and I thought it would be fun to read them back to back and offer them up as giveaways. Both are written by new-to-me authors.

Tomorrow's Sun by Becky Melby

Sweeter than Birdsong by Rosslyn Elliott

I'm halfway through Tomorrow's Sun and completely enthralled!

Have a great week everyone!

Dawn Comes Early

GIVEAWAY

BROWNLEY, MARGARET
DAWN COMES EARLY

No, I haven't read this book yet. It doesn't release until March though I'm eagerly anticipating it since I love Brownley's other books. I interviewed her on another blog I participate in and we're offering up a free copy of Dawn Comes Early to someone who comments over at:

http://inkspirationalmessages.com/2012/01/more-love-and-laughter-from-n-y-times-bestselling-author/

So hop on over to the link above, leave a comment and you will be entered into the draw. See the blog post at inkspirationalmessages for more details.

Montana Match

GIVEAWAY

WHREN, MERRILEE
MONTANA MATCH

Nanny to six-year-old twin girls isn’t exactly the position Brittany Gorman is looking for. But she needs a job. And the twins’ struggling single dad, rancher Parker Watson, needs all the help he can get. Soon Brittany is not only assisting with the girls, but also helping Parker make peace with his past. It seems Brittany’s finally found a place to belong. And with two little matchmakers on the loose, there’s no telling what the future holds. As her time on the ranch runs out, can Brittany and Parker find the strength to face that future—together?

My Review:

A nanny position may not be what Brittany is looking for, but I'd sure take it in a heart-beat. Especially since the girls come with a hunky, somewhat tormented, but oh-so-in-need-of-love father. Sigh. Who wouldn't want to find themselves isolated on a remote ranch with the likes of Parker Watson?! Okay, maybe he's got some issues and it will take a whole lot of warm fuzzies to melt those cold pricklies, but the effort is well worth it. This sweet, endearing romance comes with a bite though. Forgiveness and judgement play a prominent inspirational role and will leave you in quiet reflection.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Montana Match leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 29 2012. Offer open to international readers.

The Secret Heiress

GIVEAWAY!

REED, TERRI
THE SECRET HEIRESS

Finding out she is heir to a fortune shocks Caroline Tully to her core. And to "qualify" for the inheritance, she just has to visit her new found grandfather's Mississippi home from Christmas to New Year's. Adopted as a baby, Caroline knows nothing about her mother's family…and doesn't realize they can't be trusted. When attempts are made on her life, there's only one man who can protect her. Donovan Cavanaugh—a man who made her lonely heart want to love again. Posing as her fiancé, Don promises to find the would-be killer. But will his protection—and his love—be enough to keep her safe?

My Review:

Have a defibrillator on hand for this one! Seriously. I'd just let out a woosh of relief, only to find myself sucking in my breath in horror as my eyes scanned the next paragraph! This book is hopping with action and suspense and I loved the mysterious edge to the plot. Suspense and mystery in one book -- what a treat! There's a classical feel to The Secret Heiress as well -- it has the vibes of a New Gothic Romance, a genre made popular in the 60's and 70's by authors like Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart and Phyllis A. Whitney. And don't talk to me about whodunnit because I gave up halfway through and figured everyone had! LOL.

The romance between Caroline and Donovan really works as well. There's tension and attraction sparking amidst their developing friendship. Of course, Reed doesn't give them much free time to explore those feelings. Not with all the...well, I won't ruin the suspense for you. Let's just say you don't want to miss Don going into full-blown Alpha male status! But oh my, Caroline is no shrinking violet. She's feisty and stubborn and can handle Don...most of the time.

Honestly, this is the kind of book you just won't want to put down. From the sinister setting, to the odd and sometimes creepy secondary characters to peril on every page -- The Secret Heiress is a keeper!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Secret Heiress by Terri Reed, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject area so I can spot your entry easily. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 29 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

A Wounded Heart

GIVEAWAY!

SENFT, ADINA
A WOUNDED HEART


A widow with two small children, Amelia Beiler is struggling to make ends meet. She is running her late husband's business, but it's not what she was raised to do, which is run a home. When she gets an offer for the business from Eli Fischer, she's only too relieved to consider it--especially when it looks like Eli's interest might include more than just the shop.

But when she begins to experience strange physical symptoms and is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, it's difficult not to question God's will. If she pursues the treatment she believes in, she risks going under the bann. But how can she allow Eli to court her when she can't promise him a future?

My Review:

Doing a happy dance because I've found a new favourite author! This Amish novel has enough unexpected twists and intriguing plot details to keep a reader on her toes...and turning pages. I ran a whole gamut of emotions during my visit to Whinburg, Pennsylvania -- outrage being the most surprising one. Senft expertly drew me into the lives of her characters and I soon forgot that they weren't living, breathing people. Hence my outrage of which I can't say any more without posting spoilers.

This is the first of the Amish Quilt Trilogy -- Three women, three hurting hearts, one quilt that binds them all together. The connection between Amelia and her friends, Emma and Carrie, provides the framework for this book as well as the series and Senft gives us delicious hints at what might be in store for these friends in future novels. I'm already anticipating the June release of The Hidden Life.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like to win a copy of A Wounded Heart, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 29 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

January Giveaway - Week Four

Congratulations!!!!



won by Cathy




won by Bethany




won by Jo




won by Boo's Mum

As always, I will contact the winners via email but if you don't hear from me by Monday evening please send me your snail mail address so I can get these books ordered! I still have one person I have been unable to contact from last week, so y'all check back at week 3 and give me a shout if you're the lost sheep of my little blook flock. kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.

Looking Ahead to Next Week:

The Wounded Heart by Adina Senft

An Amish story with a unique plot twist.

Montana Match by Merrillee Whren

I've heard great things about this Love Inspired romance and I can't wait to delve into it.

The Secret Heiress by Terri Reed

A Love Inspired Suspense. Terri Reed is a great suspense author so I'm looking forward to this one too.

Special Note: On Friday I'm hosting an interview with Margaret Brownley at another blog I participate in. Her newest historical release -- the first of a new series -- will be offered up in a draw. It isn't out until March though so the book will be pre-ordered for the winner. I'll post the link to the interview on Friday in case you want to join in on the fun.

A Lasting Impression

GIVEAWAY!

ALEXANDER, TRACIE
A LASTING IMPRESSION

Second time around for this giveaway. You can see my review here: http://bestreads-kav.blogspot.com/2011/12/lasting-impression.html  If you would like a chance to win a copy of Lasting Impressions leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line. Blogger has been kind of funny for me today so you might have to email me. Anyway, small window of opportunity here because the draw is on Sunday January 22. Open to international readers. Good luck everyone!

Daddy's Little Matchmakers

GIVEAWAY!

Y'BARBO, KATHLEEN
DADDY'S LITTLE MATCHMAKERS

When veterinarian Eric Wilson’s three young daughters place a classified ad for their father, his waiting room is swamped with would-be brides! Despite them all, Eric finds himself drawn to free spirit Amy Spencer, who works at the classifieds office. Will they realize that trusting in God’s plan is the sweetest surrender of all?

My Review:

Heart-warming and funny and poignant, Daddy's Little Matchmakers makes a delightful and romantic read. Veterinarian is high on my list of preferred hero occupations and there aren't many books written about them so that was the lure. You have to love a man who loves animals, right? But poor Eric's world has been turned upside down when his daughters decide he needs a wife and that made it so much fun to read. But this book isn't all romantic comedy. Y'Barbo has done a wonderful job of showing the grieving widower's agony, frustration and eventual ability to move on. It's an emotional journey and at times I felt sorry for Amy because Eric wasn't 'there' yet and at other times I wanted to thump Eric on the head to make him move faster. LOL. All in all, an entertaining romantic read.

Giveaway Opportunity

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Daddy's Little Matchmakers please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please make sure to put the title in the address line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 22, 2012. Offer open to International readers as well. Good luck!

A Simple Winter

GIVEAWAY

LAUER, ROSALIND
A SIMPLE WINTER

The promise of a home...The heartbreak of an impossible love.

As a budding journalist with a major newspaper, Remy McCallister is eager to prove herself. While investigating an unsolved crime, Remy winds up in the tightly woven Amish community of Lancaster County, the last place she would ever expect to find herself. The story leads her to Adam King and his ten younger siblings, who are trying to sustain their warm, loving home in the wake of the murder of their parents. Although Remy tries to remain professional, she is captivated by the Kings. With her own mother gone and her father disengaged from their relationship, Remy longs for a home and a family just like that of these good, simple people.

Suddenly patriarch of his large family, Adam struggles to do the right thing for his siblings, his community, and his God. He neither wants nor needs the complications that spirited Remy brings. But as much as he tries to push her away, even as he counts all the ways this lovely outsider cannot possibly remain in his world—or in his heart—the wondrous light she shines upon his troubled soul cannot be denied. Adam can only pray for the strength and the faith to get this Englisher girl out of their lives for good.

Snowbound with the Kings, Remy experiences the wonder and the chores of a simple winter among the Plain People, as well as the friendship of their warm community. When her peaceful interlude ends, does she dare to reveal a killer in their midst, knowing that she may lose the love of this special family and this remarkable man?

My Review:

This is the kind of book you just want to curl up with and read straight through from beginning to end. Unfortunately life got in the way and I had to do essential things like work and sleep, but the story so ensnared me that even when I wasn't reading, I found myself anticipating the next time I would be able to.

Remy captivated me right from the start, so clearly at a crossroads in her life -- questioning past hurts but not learning from them as she struggles to find her place in the world. She's looking for meaning and security and love -- a special place to belong.

Adam, on the other hand, has that belonging place and the love of a large family. He is secure in his community but conflicted in his heart. A chance meeting between the two at a crucial point in both their lives is the impetus that hurdles them both into a complicated dance of conflicting emotions. Such a tangled tale! So many twists and turns punctuated by blissful interludes that stole my breath away.

Lauer has spun a captivating tale and I look forward to reading more from her.

Giveaway Opportunity:


If you would like to win a copy of A Simple Winter by Rosalind Lauer, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 22, 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Shades of Truth

GIVEAWAY!

ORCHARD, SANDRA
SHADES OF TRUTH

Big city detective Ethan Reed is working deep undercover at a Christian youth detention center. The kind of place he spent some harrowing time in as a kid. Ethan’s mission: ferret out who’s recruiting resident teens for a drug ring. He expects help from the lovely, devoted director of Hope Manor. But Kim Corbett won’t tell Ethan anything— even when she’s threatened and attacked. When Ethan discovers what Kim is protecting, his guarded heart opens just a bit wider. Enough to make this the most dangerous assignment of his career. 

My Review:

I said it in my preview and I'll say it again -- this edge-of-your-seat suspense has enough sharp turns to give you whiplash! Orchard keeps her readers on their toes from the very first action-packed scene. My head was spinning with possible suspects...or maybe it was because of the hunky hero, Ethan Reed. Talk about a knight in shining armor exploding onto the scene! Every girl's dream -- except for Kim's. Not that she doesn't appreciate an attractive man with a rescue gene. What girl wouldn't? But life's too complicated to go there...right? Little does she realize just how complicated things will get after their first powerhouse introduction!

A truly riveting read packed with a solid dose of inspirational insight that left me floored. A brilliant mix of romance, suspense and inspiration!

Giveaway Opportunity:

Please Note: I got an ARC copy -- my first ever! Thanks Sandra! I feel so special! This book won't be available until February at eharlequin and March every where else. So if you win this draw you'll have to be patient. BUT to soften that blow, I'm offering the winner their choice of any January Love Inspired book. So if you win this draw you'll get two books -- one now and one in February.

If that sounds like a good deal to you, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line so I can spot your entry easily. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 22, 2012. Offer open to international readers! Good luck!

January Giveaway - Week Three



Brrrr -- is it just as wintry where you are?
If so hope you can curl up inside with a good book!
Speaking of which -- congratulations to...



won by Leah



 

won by Maureen



won by Rebecca (agent_beckster)



As always, I will email you today but if you don't hear from me by Monday evening. please email me your snail mail address so I can send you your book. For some reason my emails seem to go to spam a lot. :-(

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Giveaways:

Shades of Truth by Sandra Orchard

Hold onto your hat 'cause you're in for a wild ride! This edge-of-your-seat suspense has enough sharp turns to give you whiplash! A great read!

A Simple Winter by Rosalind Lauer

Just beginning this one and I already love it. It's an Amish/Englisch love story with that kind of aching yearning quality threaded into the lives of both the hero and heroine. They are both looking for something -- I'm hoping they find it in each other, as impossible as that may seem!

Daddy's Little Matchmakers by Kathleen Y'Barbo

This Love Inspired contemporary romance tickled my fancy because the hero is a vet! And his daughters sound incorrigible.

The Chase

GIVEAWAY!

SMITH, DEBRA WHITE
THE CHASE

Ryan Mansfield wishes he could turn back time. Wishes he could have saved his marriage. But once Shelly found out about the affair there was no going back. Despite cleaning up his act and finding God, Ryan knows Shelly has moved on. She even plans to marry Tim, a successful dentist who attends her church. But when Sean, Shelly and Ryan's son, is kidnapped from their house, they are drawn together by grief, worry, and love of their son. As they work together to track Sean down and bring him back home again, can they find forgiveness and give their family a second chance?

My Review:

Suspense mixed with the emotional inner-workings of a failed marriage bring an interesting blend of intrigue to this tale. Fans of the Lonestar Intrigue series will see a few familiar faces, in particular Sonny Mansfield (Texas Pursuit) who gets a sub-plot of his own. But Smith does a wonderful job of making sure the third in this series reads as a stand-alone.

Fast-paced and tense, the pursuit of their kidnapped son throws Shelly and Ryan together and that emotional journey is what kept me turning pages. Riddled with conflict and hurt, Smith does an amazing job of presenting both hero and heroine with compassion and understanding. I thought it would be easy to take sides. It wasn't. And with God as the focus, The Chase, took on a double-meaning. A brilliant work of fiction that tugged at my heartstrings.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an chance to win a copy of The Chase, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in the subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 15. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Courage DVD



The company I review for has made this offer available. You can print this $5 coupon and use it to purchase a copy of the Courages DVD or Blu-ray at a participating Canadian Christian retailer. Enjoy!

Threads of Hope

GIVEAWAY!!!!

BOESHARR, ANDREA
THREADS OF HOPE

Kristin Eikaas has her hopes set on a new life in America.

The year is 1848, and Kristin Eikaas has traveled from Norway to Wisconsin with dreams of a new life. But when she arrives, she finds one disappointment after another. Worse, her superstitious uncle now believes that his neighbor’s Oneida Indian wife has put a curse on Kristin. Everyone knows the Sundbergs put spells on people…

Everyone except Kristin. Her run-ins with Sam Sundberg only prove that he is a good man from a Christian family. But when her uncle discovers she’s been associating with Sam, his temper flares. To escape his wrath, Kristin gratefully accepts a job as the Sundbergs’ house girl, finding solace at the family’s spinning wheel.

In the time Sam and Kristin spend together, their friendship develops into much more, and Sam prays about a match between them. But opposition threatens to derail their newfound love. Will they have the courage to stand up for what is right—even against their own families?

My Review:

Boeshaar has managed to capture the essence of the pioneer spirit in this engrossing historical romance. As I read, I marveled at the courage of our ancestors. They left everything that was familiar to them, including their language, in order to move to this 'promised land'. 

Kristen is wide-eyed with wonder and excitement in the first pages of this book, but that all changes quickly and she soon finds herself in an impossible situation.  Confused, she no longer knows who she can trust and her feeling of security crumbles. Boeshaar makes sure that her readers accompany Kristen on her emotional journey; that they feel her confusion and fear. But the author doesn't forsake the heroine in spite of torturing her time and time again! In fact she created a noteworthy hero to help Kristen along the way. Though, come to think of it, sometimes he's at the root of her confusion too!

There's a great dynamic between Sam and Kristen in spite of the prejudice that seems to surround them. And Threads of Hope deals with different aspects of discrimination -- some of it from surprising sources. This is a story about a divided community and how easily individuals can be swayed from what is right and true. These compelling undercurrents ripple through the story, adding extra dimension and interest. Definitely a memorable read.


Giveaway Opportunity:


If you would like a chance to win a copy of Threads of Hope, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please remember to put the title in your subject line so that your entry is easy for me to spot. Draw will take place on Sunday January 15 and I'll announce the winner on the same day. Open to international entries. Good luck!

The Unlikely Wife

GIVEAWAY!

ULLRICK, DEBRA
THE UNLIKELY WIFE

The arrival of Michael Bowen's bride, married sight unseen by proxy, sends the rancher reeling. With her trousers, cowboy hat and rifle, she looks like a female outlaw—not the genteel lady he corresponded with for months. He's been hoodwinked into marriage with the wrong woman!


Selina Farleigh Bowen loved Michael's letters, even if she couldn't read them herself. A friend read them to her, and wrote her replies—but apparently that "friend" left things out, like Michael's dream of a wife who was nothing like her. Selina won't change who she is, not even for the man she loves. Yet time might show Michael the true value of his unlikely wife.

My Review:

Iffen you're strung tight as a clothesline readin' this here book will set you to feelin' fine as a frog's hair in no time! Take one dirt poor, Kentucky 'mail order bride', a high-falutin' dreamer of a groom (who is dreamy incidentally), add in a mix-up of grand proportions and what do you get? A funny, entertaining, not-to-be missed read! I had sooooo much fun with this book! Even developed a Kentucky twang for a spell!

Selina may not be what Michael was expecting, but she's exactly what he needs, even if it takes him purty near the whole darn book to figer that out! LOL. Brilliant plot device on the part of Ullrick. It set me all a'giggly right to the very end! Watching Michael. flounder and try to come to terms with finding himself married to the 'dream girl' of his nightmares made for a rollicking read! But there's also drama and tenderness and a poignant message about being true to yourself . This is one of the best romantic comedies I have ever read!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like to win a copy of The Unlikely Wife please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  Please remember to put the title in the subject line to make it easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 15 2012. Offer open world wide. :-)

January Giveaway - Week Two

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

 

won by Debra E. Marvin



won by Diana Flowers



won by rubynreba



(includes The Resolution for Men and The Resolution for Women)
won by Sandra Orchard



Congratulations to all the winners. I'll get your books out to you as soon as you send me your snail mail address. I'll try emailing you today, but if you don't hear from me by Monday evening would you please send your addy to kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. For some reason my emails don't always seem to get through and I like to keep on top of things. Special Note: I still haven't been able to reach the winner of A Lasting Impression. Salena Stormo, if you are out there can you please contact me this week? Otherwise I will draw for that one again.

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Giveaways:

The Unlikely Wife by Debra Ullrick

Oh my gosh -- hysterical and brilliant and soooooo much fun. This Love Inspired Historical is in a league of its own!

Threads of Hope by Andrea Boeshaar

New author to me and I'm about halfway through but loving it!

And perhaps a surprise entry as well :-)

Courageous...



GIVEAWAY!



I thought I would offer these three books up as a set since they really work well together. For my reviews on each individual book see my previous three blogs. One thing I wanted to mention was how unique The Resolution for Men and The Resolution for Women are. Very distinctive from each other which is somewhat understandable since they are written by different people but I appreciated that the approach was different as well.

The women's devotional is written in first person, very much like a conversation you'd have with a girlfriend and the resolutions emphasize nurturing the family. The men's on the other hand is in third person -- here's the facts, here's the problems, here's how we can fix it. The women are given thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter; the men are given a challenge and a memory verse. And many of the men's resolutions encompass protecting the family. I love how the authors dared to celebrate the difference between the sexes in this way without worrying about the world's idea of political correctness.

This set would be great for a couple in any stage of their relationship but I think it would make a nifty and unique shower or wedding gift. And for singles -- well, it makes for some interesting and thought-provoking reading and might just help you articulate what you are ultimately looking for in a future husband.

Giveaway Opportunity:


For a chance to win all three books, leave a message below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please put 'Courageous' in the subject line so it's easy for me to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 8 2012.

The Resolution for Men

KENDRICK, STEPHEN
KENDRICK, ALEX
ALCORN, RANDY
THE RESOLUTION FOR MEN

While most men will die with deep regrets, others will resolve to live for what matters most.

From the New York Times best-selling authors of The Love Dare comes a strong resolution of faith, family and fatherhood that sets men on a course toward long-term success -- the kind that breaks the chains of your past, earns the loving trust of your wife, wins the hearts of your children, and prepares a legacy beyond what your father could leave for you. With a clear resolution you'll be able to see exactly where you're going. Straight ahead into a life marked by renewed faithfulness.

My Review:

These powerful resolutions inspired by the movie Courageous, can bring about change with respect and dignity. Addressing everything from family relationships to integrity and honour, these devotionals set out to change families by empowering fathers with Godly resolve. Filled with real-life examples that are easy to identify with even as they uplift, they strengthen the core importance of each resolution.

As if that wasn't enough, there's an arsenal of additional aides in the multiple appendixes and discussion questions at the back of the book. The authors' intent is to arm men with the resources they need to be heroes in their own homes. A definite must-have for any home or church library.

"Book has been provided courtesy of David C Cook and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from B&H Publishing Group".  

The Resolution for Women

SHIRER, PRISCILLA
THE RESOLUTION FOR WOMEN

With everything you have to do, have you taken the time to decide who you want to be?

From best-selling author Priscilla Shirer, in partnership with the creators of The Love Dare, comes a resolution that challenges you to realign your daily decisions in a way that glorifies God and fulfills who He created you to be. Layered with biblical truth and seasoned with encouragement, The Resolution for Women will inspire the woman you see in the mirror to trust God's perfect plan for her life, resolving to become "purposefully feminine, surprisingly satisfied, and faithfully His."

My Review:

These thought-provoking devotionals on 13 resolutions were inspired by the movie Courageous. Each devotional ends with a few pointed questions that prompt self-exploration and honest reflection. Very eye-opening.

Written in 1st person, Shirer creates the ambiance of a girlfriends chatting over tea. Personable and engaging, her words envelope the reader with warmth and encouragement. One of my favourite reflections is the section entitled Purposefully Feminine. The author poses probing questions about how women today have turned away from the ideal of biblical womanhood and challenges the reader to examine her own life, encouraging her to go against the tide of the world.

A perfect compliment to the movie, Courageous and the companion book, The Resolution for Men.

"Book has been provided courtesy of David C Cook and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from B&H Publishing Group".

Courageous Living : Dare to Take a Stand

CATT, MICHAEL
COURAGEOUS LIVING : DARE TO TAKE A STAND

Be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24 (HCSB)

Catch a fresh wind of bravery through the bold biblical accounts of Abraham, Joshua, Ruth, and many others in Courageous Living by Michael Catt, pastor and executive producer of the unforgettable film COURAGEOUS.

In the movie, four police officers are focused and confident when it comes to facing danger on the job. But leading their families at home in a God-honoring way? That takes courage.

Because we are called to take a faithful, fearless stand in all that matters. Catt sheds new light on the stories of people in the Bible who displayed great courage when it would have been easier to play it safe. They challenge and inspire us now to keep moving forward to examine our priorities, and to deal with anything that brings fear to our heart.

My Review:

Compelling and uplifting, this book complements the movie that has received rave reviews because it dared. And Courageous Living is full of dares -- to be less successful so you can be more significant -- to choose to strive beyond average to exceptional -- to stretch beyond our comfort zone -- to redefine the world's stand of success by seeking God's will in our lives -- to take back the responsibility of parenthood from schools, churches and community organizations.

Catt punctuates those dares with poignant examples of people willing to face life courageously with God as their inspiration. He encourages his readers to examine what drives them and then asks the all-important question, "Are you willing to change?"

This book, like the movie, is a wake-up call without apology. Will you take the dare?

"Book has been provided courtesy of David C Cook and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from B&H Publishing Group".