Across the Wide River

Across the Wide River
By: Stephanie Reed

I love learning more about history in story format. Something to make it real to me. That is exactly what author Stephanie Reed has done in this book by putting you into the mind of a child and getting his perspective. That made this story very interesting and captivating. My favorite part was when he found out about his family being part of the Underground. He actually helped a slave escape without knowing it!

As Lowry grows up he shares his family's views of slavery, but isn't so sure that he is cut out to be an abolishionist preacher like his father. He even goes to seminary just to return home shortly after very tired and very discouraged. Lowry doesn't realize just how much he has done for the Lord and thinks that God could never use him even though He has been for years.

This book is an encouragment to those who feel that they can't do anything for the Lord. Sometimes God is using us and we don't even realize it because we have our focus on the wrong thing. Keep in tune with the Lord and keep your eyes open for how you can help Him. God is at work all around us, we just need to join Him.

Stay tuned for a review of the sequel "The Light Across the River".


Back of the Book:

Freedom.
Some take it for granted.
Others consider it worth dying for.

Lowry Rankin knows all too well the cost of freedom; after all, his family's red brick home is the first stop on the Underground Railroad north of the Ohio River.

He's seen friends beaten for the color of their skin. He's watched simple farmers make a difference. He's even risked his own life transporting escaped slaves to the next "station". But will Lowry be able to conquer his greatest fear when he's called to speak out?


About Author, Stephanie Reed:

During her childhood, Stephanie Reed’s family would often pass through Ripley on their way to her grandparents’ home. The signs she read there about the Rankin house were what prompted her to write this story. After working for nearly a decade with the Dayton Metro Library, Stephanie is currently a volunteer spotter for the National Weather Service. She lives with her husband and two children, in Dublin, Ohio.

Author Website: www.homeschoolblogger.com/Stef--

Publishers Website: http://store.kregel.com/searchproducts.cfm

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The Longing

The Longing
By: Beverly Lewis

This was a great ending to the Courtship of Nellie Fisher series. Beverly Lewis kept me guessing to the very end who Nellie Mae would end up with. There were so many little twists thrown in - like a handsome Englisher who keeps coming to the bakery.

So much hardship has come to the Fisher family with the death of their youngest daughter, Suzy; their oldest daughter, Rhoda, desiring fancy things and leaving home; the church split between the New Order and Old Order which has taken away their son and grandparents; and poor Rosanna King, a close friend of the family, and the loss of her babies. Amid so much sadness the Fishers cling to the truths in God's Word and trust Him to take care of them. This book is such an amazing testimony of God's goodness and faithfulness to those who put their complete trust in Him. By the end of this book you see many of the problems resolved in ways that you don't expect.

I love the way that Beverly Lewis tells a story. She keeps you captivated to the very end and this book is no exception. Growing up just 2 hours from Lancaster County and having visited many of the places that she mentions I have always had a fascination with the Amish and I always love revisiting through the pages of her books.


Back of the Book:
Although she still thinks of Caleb Yoder, Nellie Mae Fisher has broken up with her beau, choosing instead to follow the ways of the New Order. Yet her yearning for a husband remains, and new possibilities beckon, taking her heart by surprise.

A tragic accident binds Caleb once more to his father who so opposed his affection for Nellie...and to the farm that will no longer be his. As he longs for freedom, Caleb soon discovers he cannot forget the only girl he ever loved.

Purchase this book by itself. . .


Or the whole series together.

Golden Gate Gazette

Golden Gate Gazette
By: Carol Cox, DiAnn Mills, Darlene Mindrup, and Kathleen Y'Barbo

I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found myself wishing that the authors had all gotten together and wrote complete novels, instead of just novellas. I could not put the book down! It was so easy to get into the minds of the characters and I really wanted to know more every step of the way.

Due to the men on strike, Amy was given a position at the Golden Gate Gazette. While covering a local fire on her first assignment as a reporter, instead of her typical society column, she meets Jennie, Helen, Penny and Penny's brother. Amy gets the girls jobs at the paper and a place to live and they quickly become good friends. Join them for their interesting journeys as young women of the newspaper in a time when women don't typically work for a living.


Back of the Book:
In 1860 San Francisco, when the newspaper workers strike, four women take on the task of reporting the news in a man's world while skirting danger and romance. Who can they trust?

Amy Lattimer's allegiance to the paper is questioned when arson fires seem linked to her family. Can she prove her innocence to a handsome policeman?

Jennie Montgomery's curiosity gets her into the middle of a murder investigation. Has she gotten in too deep and compromised another reporter's work?

Helen Morgan makes a printing error that has criminals hunting an innocent man. Can she fix the mistake and save a new friendship?

Penny Brice's attempts to prove her value as a writer could cost her her life. Will she impress her boss or only draw him into a dangerous web?

When the newspaper stories hit the stands, will these four women's faith - and lives - endure to grasp the hand of love?

Angel of Wrath

Angel of Wrath
by Bill Myers
This month, CFRB presents Angel of Wrath by Bill Myers.

Though not my usual style of book, I really enjoyed reading Angel of Wrath. This book is definitely a page-turner. The excitement of what will happen next begins on page one with the first murder scene. Followed by a string of murders all connected to the same church. There is a man connected to the murders who is also leading some local teenagers as they begin playing around with satanic sacrifices and rituals. They end up getting themselves in way over their heads and calling a legion that effects the minds of those who look into its eyes. Dangerous!!

Mr. Meyers does a great job at reminding Christians that we are not fighting just against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). We need to remember and pray daily for the spiritual warfare that is going on all around us. Satan does not want God to have the victory. Put on the whole armour of Christ - Ephesians 6:10-18.


About the book:

Thirteen-year-old Jazmin, her ex-Special Ops uncle Charlie, and former FBI agent Lisa are reunited in the second of the Voice of God series to stop a an assassin driven to murder members of a megachurch led by Lisa's brother. This assassin has drawn in a coven of teens toying with satanic practices to support his efforts. The naive youth engage in ceremonies that appear to usher in the death of each of his victims. When their rituals open a portal into the spiritual realm, a terrifying and mysterious entity crosses over to our world.
The battle culminates with the capture of Lisa's father as the next target and a Black Mass requiring both their deaths as a sacrifice. The team will, once again, have to rely on all their wits, strength, and faith to survive in this action-packed, unearthly warfare.

About the Author:

Bill Myers is a popular and prolific writer who has authored nearly eighty books, has over two dozen screenwriter/director credits, and holds several national and international awards for his work. Myers holds a degree in stage directing from University of Washington and has studied at the Italian State Institute of Cinema in Rome. He was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in theology from the Institute Theologique de Nimes in France, where he taught. When not writing and directing, he enjoys acting, speaking at various schools and colleges, and working with the youth of his local church. Myers lives in California with his wife and two daughters. You can visit his Web site at Bill Myers Books.

Purchase Angel of Wrath at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

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The Ark, The Reed, and the Firecloud

The Ark, the Reed, and the Firecloud
by Jenny L. Cote
Jenny Cote has a wonderfully vivid imagination and very easy reading style. While meant for young readers, this book can be enjoyed by all, young and old. A great book to read to middle elementary with a good attention span and ideal for junior high readers. Something I had never thought about, this is a story about how the animals came together before the great flood. While I may not agree with her exact perspective it is very well written in a way that teaches children about some of the many cultures around the world. I really enjoyed the personalities of the different animals and the characteristics they were given based on the region that they came from. I really liked her perspective on how Noah prepared for this experience and the way the people of that day treated his family. The main message in the book is TRUST GOD. No matter what the situation looks like around you, when God calls you to do something you obey without questioning him. The animals didn't understand why they were following the Fire Cloud, they just knew that they should obey. Noah didn't know why he was building this large boat, but he obeyed and made the preparations he was told to make. A great message and reminder for us all. The only negative thing I could say is that it is a bit long with kind of a slow start. Other than that, this book is greatly recommended.

Also, keep an eye out. This book will be made into a movie later this year. I can't wait to see it!!

About the book:

Wit, Whimsy, Heartache, Tragedy, Triumph and Biblical Truth. A magical adventure of animals traveling worldwide to Noah's ark. Max, a Scottish terrier, takes his usual morning trot down to the loch where he hears a mysterious Voice humming in the reeds saying, "COME TO ME...FOLLOW THE FIRE CLOUD." He embarks on an unknown journey from Scotland, meeting other animals along the way including Liz, a brilliant, petite black cat from France. Max and Liz become the brave leaders for their group, and eventually, for the entire ark. The mysterious journey, filled with danger, humor, trials, and triumphs, leads them across Europe to the Middle East. The moment of arrival for these animals is spectacular as the ark is miraculously transformed into the animals' natural habitats.

Throughout the prior one hundred years, Noah and family have to endure ridicule from villagers while building the ark. Now this family must painfully witness the loss of lives and total destruction of the earth through the mighty flood. After the journey to the ark, the voyage in the ark begins. Liz finds ways to keep the animals occupied, including daily exercise led by the flamingos and talent night where the animals entertain each other with their natural abilities. BUT a sinister plot develops. Someone is out to kill Noah and his family. Liz follows clues that lead her to discover a stowaway who has deceived them all. Max and Liz foil the plot, but at a high price. The end climaxes with unexpected twists and turns, taking the reader from despair to hope.

About the Author:

Jenny Cote developed a early passion for history and the sea. Her first book, Now I Sea! (2003) is an inspirational book of sea stories and spiritual reflections. Jenny's education and career have focused on strategic planning and marketing in healthcare and church work. She now writes full time and lives in Roswell, Georgia, with her husband Casey, and son Alex. She is active in student ministry at Dunwoody Baptist Church.

The Ark, the Reed, and the Firecloud is available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.




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