A Journey to New Books - From February 26, 2010

It’s time again for some great value fiction. There are six titles in this latest collection of value fiction. I will tell you all about one title and give you a brief summary of the other five. So let’s get started!

I read this book and most of The Glenbrooke Series years ago and enjoyed all that I read. I was thrilled when Secrets came as one of my review books. I had been wanting to reread the series for some time, but I never had an excuse before to do just that. So, I sat down and started revisiting the town of Glenbrooke.

In this story, Jessica heads out on her own to be a teacher. She encounters many sweet people in Glenbrooke whom she comes to appreciate, but why did Jessica head out on her own? What is she looking for? She doesn’t trust God or want to talk to Him. She wants her own life. She meets a firefighter named Kyle, a teacher named Teri, and a landlord named Ida. Each of these people sow into Jessica’s life in different ways, giving Jessica a new perspective on things. This book has a wonderful cast of characters and a real sense of “family” to it. I highly recommend picking up a copy of Secrets and discovering just what can happen when you open your heart to a new place, new friends, and a new faith. Then you can follow the rest of The Glenbrooke Series and enjoy seven more great stories!


Disclaimer: This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.


The other value fiction titles available are:

Beneath a Southern Sky
by Deborah Raney
Daria Camfield is expecting her first child when her husband Nate is reported dead on the mission field. Devastated, she returns to the States and soon marries again. But two years later Nate is found alive in the jungle. How can Daria possibly choose between he two men who love her?

Deep Harbor
by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Tora, Elsa, Kaatje, and Karl face trouble, tragedy, and treachery across the Wast, Hawaii, Japan, and the high seas. These four immigrants from Bergen, Norway, each grow closer to God and learn afresh the value of faith, family, and coming alongside each other in times of need.

Faithful Heart
by Al and Joanna Lacy
The adventures of certified medical nurse and dedicated Christian Breanna Baylor continue as she travels by wagon train to visit her sister, Dottie, in California. Little does she know that her most dangerous encounter might be with Jerrod, her brother-in-law, who’s suffering from dementia caused by combat fatigue.

The Golden Cross
by Angela Elwell Hunt
Aidan O’Connor may be a poor barmaid but she’s also a gifted artists. When a famous cartographer takes her on as a student, Aidan is swept into an adventure that will bring her back to her heavenly Father, and into marriage with the love of her life.

Yesterday’s Promise
by Linda Lee Chaikin
Rogan Chantry faces danger from tribesmen, ruthless politicians, and his own family as he searches for gold in South Africa. In England, his beloved Evy is injured by a mysterious assailant. The greed and intrigue surrounding the diamond mines could very well drive them irrevocably apart.


Note: Some or all of the above titles may be part of a series and may not be the first title in the series.

A Journey to New Books - From December 4, 2009

I thought that God Gave Us Christmas answered some great questions for children in ways that make for more in-depth discussion. The story is enjoyable and beautifully illustrated by David Hohn. I would suggest that this book is for children over the age of 3 or for those who have started asking questions about Christmas, Santa, Jesus’ birth, etc.

Book Summary:
As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder… “Who invented Christmas?” Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that… Jesus is the best present of all. This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to discover how very much God loves them.

I enjoyed God Gave Us Love a great deal because it really speaks to the different thoughts children have when it comes to love, especially different kinds of love. What’s different about the way I love Mommy and Daddy and the way they love each other? Grampa Bear explains love in a way that Little Cub can understand and relate to. The illustrations by Laura J. Bryant are well worth a second glance, just to make sure you saw everything!
Book Summary:
As Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question why we must love others… even the seemingly unlovable. In answering her questions, Grampa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. Grampa explains that all these kinds of love come from God and that it is important to love others because… “Any time we show love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of his love.” This sweet tale will warm the hearts of young children as they learn about all the different sorts of love, while the gentle explanations of each provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share with others a “God-sized love.”

I have not yet finished reading Treasured by Leigh McLeroy, but I have really enjoyed the few pages I’ve read so far. She is a great storyteller and really brings a depth to what she’s writing about. I know that I will enjoy finishing this book.
Book Summary:
Cigar boxes. Refrigerator doors. Scrapbooks and sock drawers and top shelves. These are the places we store our treasures–the keepsakes that tell the story of whom and what we’ve loved, how we’ve lived, and what matters most to us. God is a collector, too, whose treasures are tucked securely into the pages of his book: a golden bell here, an olive leaf there, a scarlet thread, a blood-stained cloth, a few grains of barley. Each of these saved artifacts reveals a facet of his heart and tells the story of a Father whose most precious possession is…us. In Treasured, Leigh McLeroy considers tangible reminders of God’s active presence and guides us in discovering evidence in our own lives of his attentive love.


Disclaimer: These books were provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.