Moonblood

In her new book Moonblood, Anne Elisabeth Stengl continues to tell the story of Lionheart, Red Rose, and other characters introduced in the preceding two books. Lionheart banished Red Rose into the Wilderlands to forestall losing his kingdom, but it doesn't work. Lionheart retreats to the Hill House and eventually goes in search of Red Rose. Meanwhile Red Rose's history is revealed and we find that she is in grave danger: not only her, but much of the world. Only Lionheart can save her, but he must once again choose between himself and someone he loves. Will Red Rose decide to trust her betrayer?

I must admit that halfway through this book I skimmed the last chapters to find out how it ended. It was getting hard to read when things kept getting gloomier. And I'm glad I continued reading, because although things continued to get even gloomier, the end was very positive and I'm once again looking forward to the next book. Stengl has a very vivid imagination, yet, like all good allegories, at the same time conveys a strong message.

Advanced reading copy has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available now at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

You're Already Amazing

Holley Gerth sits down with a cup of coffee to chat about your life. She listens, responds, encourages, and even prods a little. At the end of your coffee time, you get up, rested and ready to face a little more of life's challenges. That's what this book is like, written in a friendly style, meant to encourage and help you realize your God-given potential, even pruning a little here to make the good that God gave you stand out. It goes through some of the standard personality styles, but in a more folksy and down-to-earth way. Although I've used a number of personality inventories, I did learn some new things about myself. An easy read, but like good coffee, you can let it mellow and linger as you contemplate your life. Yes, although it is meant for women and all the examples are about women, I did find it useful for me. It gives those of us who serve others the permission to stop for a bit and recharge, find the balance that God wants in our life.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Veiled Rose

After her first novel Heartless, Anne Elisabeth Stengl continues development of her fantasy world in the second book of the Tales of Goldstone Wood series. This time we are taken to Southlands, a land where we had been briefly in her first book. Leo and his cousin Foxbrush are sent away to a mountain retreat to study over the summer. Leo longs for adventure and finds it, befriending someone shunned by the rest of the world. Masks rule the world, where people are not who they seem to be. Behind it all, evil is lurking.

Although not as pronounced as in her first book, the allegory to Christian life shines forth, with love, truth, and a quest for meaning as themes. There is definitely more of a fantasy element in this book. I didn't enjoyed as much as the first book, probably in part because I already understood some of the allegory. However, I did find it touched me more personally than did the first. And I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series Moonblood.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available now at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Real Marriage

Pastor Mark Driscoll and his wife Grace have co-written a novel book about marriage in which they discuss marriage and sex, replete with anecdotes, not meant as voyeuristic but to provide real examples of how once couple worked through marital issues to have a healthier marriage. With a chapter devoted to men written by Mark and another to women written by Grace, the book speaks issues shared by all of us. One important chapter discusses how to work through issues: bitterness, forgiveness, repentance, and fighting for your marriage. Sex is a topic left for its own half of the book, including topics such as the proper place of sex in a marriage, pornography, and a discussion of various types of sexual activity.

I found this to be a very candid book on marriage and sex. I've read a number of these types of books and none are as honest as this. I appreciate the insight the authors provide from their personal lives, as it gives hope to those struggling with their own issues. Yes, this is a good book, one to be read and digested.

Advanced Reader's Copy of the book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson.

A Confident Heart

In this book Renee Swope tackles self-doubt and appropriating God's promises in our daily lives. Tailored to women, Renee uses stories, often autobiographical, to illustrate her points. Each chapters closes with a sample prayer based on the chapter, and questions to help you work through the concepts brought out in the chapter.

Although I was looking forward to reading the book, I lost interest after the first few chapters. However, on picking it up again, I my interest returned. Yes, it's a book directed to women, but in many ways it's message is applicable to men as well. The concerns and doubts identified by the author plague humanity and the ways she suggests conquering them are also universal: relying on the promises of God. Our God answers prayer and does not renege on his promises. I found the author's style a little more on the chatty side of things: not my cup of tea, but it may suit someone who enjoys sitting with a friend (or just this book) over a cup of coffee. In the end, I did think it a good book. It challenges you to grow deeper into a relationship with God and provides some tools to help in the task.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Amish Values for your Family

Amish Values for Your Family provides an interesting look at how Amish life and culture might provide a positive role model for one's family life. Plenty of short chapters provide insight into the rhythm of daily Amish life, from pets to pastimes, from marriage to mothers-in-law, from new babies to grandparents, from bears to bulls, from early deaths to eggs discovered by twins. Each chapter focuses on a vignette into Amish culture, a short discussion of how it might apply into one's life, and Amish quotes relevant to the chapter's theme. The author is obviously taken with Amish culture and their attraction to living life simply.

I did enjoy the book. I find that there is always something to learn from other cultures. And when a group intentionally strives to live apart from the mainstream and actually thrives, it's good to see what they are doing well. Although the book does not describe negative aspects of Amish life, there are a lot of positives to learn from. I did find some differences in attitudes in the stories, notably how the discipline resulting in a prank gone awry versus the response to gasoline being stolen; however, that illustrates richness in their culture and the importance of context. Take-aways for me include industriousness in the whole family, the importance of the extended family, finding value in nature, and humility.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Names of God Bible

The Names of God Bible is the God's Word translation of the Bible with the Hebrew names of God and Jesus replaced by their transliterated equivalents. Thus, instead of Jesus, the name Jeshua is used; instead of Lord, Adonay; instead of LORD, etc. The Bible also provides break-out sections discussing the various names of God.

When I first heard about this Bible, I thought it would be a good way of getting to know God better. When I started reading through it, it seem more like a gimmick to me. But know I am finding I pay more attention to God in the passages, in part because they are no longer familiar to me. However, I find that it is not helpful to me to have some of the more uncommon names of God rendered in Hebrew transliteration, particularly those that may also apply to humans in other capacities. For example, in Isaiah 44:6, King is rendered as Melek, and Redeemer is rendered as Go'el. One disadvantage of showing the Hebrew for only the names of God is that you don't see parallels between the names used for God and the names used for humans. Thus, in Isaiah 45:1, God calls Cyrus his anointed one. However, when Anointed One refers to God, or more specifically, to Jesus, it is rendered Mashiach (cf. Psalms 2:2). I am surprised that not all the Hebrew names of God are transliterated; e.g., in Isaiah 9:6, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Everlasting Father are not transliterated, but Prince of Peace is (Sar Shalom). I also find it odd that Yeshua is used for Jesus in the New Testament, but that other names of God are not transliterated; e.g., Lord, Christ, Spirit, and God (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:11). It seems that Greek, although a language God used to write the Bible, is given second fiddle to Hebrew and Aramaic.

I think the Names of God Bible does have a place, but I think there are a number of things that could make it better. However, it does give a fresh way of seeing God, which I think is the reason for this Bible.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available now at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.