Do Baby Bears Have Mommies? By Crystal Bowman and Teri McKinley

This is a sweet little picture book that has some rhyming verses in it that answer some questions children might ask. I like the theme of it and the story line, but I think the rhetoric needed to make a nice rhyme might be more on an adult’s interest level than a child’s. It is charming, nonetheless, and the illustrations are very colorful and fun. It basically discusses different aspects of different animals and some of their quirks. My granddaughter loves animals and any knowledge about them she can soak up so this book is right up her alley. I would say this is a nice addition to your child’s bookshelf.


I received a copy of this book from Tyndale in exchange for a review. I’m very pleased with the selections Tyndale has and this book is no exception.

INVITATION Harbingers – Cycle One By Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt and Alton Gansky

This is an interesting book. It is in four sections, each written by one of the four authors. Each one is from the point of view of a different one of the characters in the story. The story is moving forward in time with each section. It is the story of strange paranormal activities that astound the characters in the book: Brenda (a tattoo artist who sees people she will meet in the future), The Professor (a former priest who now lectures on the non-existence of God), Andi (the professor’s assistant who has some talents of her own with number sequences), and Tank (a football player who has a strange healing gift). They all come together to experience these strange happenings because they seem to be being drawn to these circumstances at the same time.


I love anything by Angela Hunt and anything by Frank Peretti. Bill Meyer’s book list has a couple of titles that sound familiar but I don’t remember his work at all. I don’t believe I have ever encountered Alton Gansky’s work before. That being said, I enjoyed the writing of all four and look forward to future installments in this Harbingers series. I see that there is already another installment in the works and I’m anxious to obtain it when it is available.


I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for a review. The names Hunt and Peretti on the cover ensured that I would be very interested and I was not disappointed. For a different type of Christian fiction, give this a try.

GIFTS FROM HEAVEN True Stories of Miraculous Answers to Prayer By James Stuart Bell

This book is a collection of people’s true stories about miracles in their lives. Some are so amazing that doctors can’t explain them. Others, equally miraculous could be explained away, I suppose, by people who did not share the Christian faith of the people who experienced them. However, the people involved “know that they know” that they are miracles and that God is the author. Miraculous healing of mental conditions, Angelic presence, protection, provision – all are included in these varied accounts. I found them inspiring and they also inspired my memories of some of the miraculous things God has done in my life and inspired me to bless others with those experiences so they can be inspired to look for God’s intervention in their lives.


I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for a review. I’m so glad I received it. I have been savoring it a story or two at a time as a devotional. I recommend this book to any and all to enjoy true stories of God caring for his children.

Deep Extraction (An FBI Task Force Novel) by Diann Mills

This book is about a murder and a bombing of an Oil & Gas company property. FBI Special Agent Tori Templeton and her partner team up with Deputy US Marshal Cole Jeffers to solve the case. Tori’s partner is ill and on his last case before retirement so Tori and Cole find themselves working together much of the time. In addition, they are both family friends of the victim and the victim’s family.


This story has a lot of twist and turns and a lot of suspense. It keeps you wondering throughout. This is not a book you are going to want to start if you don’t have time to read straight through with minor stops for everyday life routine. There is a lot of dramatic action and unusual turns of event. Throughout, Tori is searching for a faith in God that she can’t seem to find since her brother died of cancer. Cole has a strong faith in God and finds himself falling for Tori. The subtle way this subplot is woven through the story is uplifting without being preachy. The main thrust of the book is the mystery involved. I have enjoyed every book by Dian Mills that I have read and this one seems even more suspenseful than previous ones. I love how authors grow as they go and their stories get more and more intense the more books they write.


Tyndale sent me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.


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Giveaway:

Long Time Gone (The Cimarron Legacy Book 2) by Mary Connealy

This book is classic Mary Connealy. It has it all – drama, twists and turns and a little comedy. I read the last book in the series and found the characters a little too naïve at times but they seem to have grown up a little for this book and, while still funny, are not unrealistically goofy. I love Mary’s books and haven’t missed any. I can confidently say, she gets better with each one. I can barely wait for Book 3.


As the tale of the attack on the Boden homestead continues, Justin, the younger son, becomes the hero and Angie Dupree, who we met in the first book, becomes the heroine. Everyone’s life is still in danger and the fate of the ranch is still in peril at both the beginning and end of this book, but a lot of mysteries were solved and bad guys unmasked in this story. Mary’s books are always full of sassy, independent heroines and slightly befuddled, manly heroes and this book is no different. If you don’t have so much fun reading this that you fail to put it down for mundane household duties, I will be very surprised.


Bethany House gave me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. Truthfully, this book would have found its way to my bookshelf in any event because I have a full set of Connealy novels on my shelf.

Without Warning by Joel C. Rosenberg

I've seen Joel Rosenberg on news programs on TV and have a great respect for his opinion so I recognized his name right away when I saw this book. I thought to myself, this guy knows what he's talking about but can he write an interesting novel. The answer is YES -- not only can he write an interesting novel, he can write a blockbusting novel! The minute I started reading I was hooked and couldn't put it down. Situations right out of the news headlines jumped out and the characters in the story made it all interesting and making perfect sense. This novel should be read by anyone who cares about the world stage and our very future. Yes, it's a Christian novel, but the way that is woven into it makes it an integral part of the story and does not detract from the timeliness of the story.


The story involves ISIS attacks on the United States and the involvement of J. B. Collins, a reporter for the New York Times and his family as they are pursued by ISIS leaders. The story goes all over the world including most of the countries in the Middle East. It's an insider's look into the intelligence operations of major governments and the intrigue that is a large part of those operations. I challenge you to pick this book up. I'm guessing you won't be able to put it down either.


Tyndale House gave me a copy of this book for the purpose of writing a review. Thanks Tyndale! Because of this choice I now have a new favorite author to watch for when new books are introduced (and I need to find all his older books too so I can catch up).

Still Life (#2 in Chesapeake Valor series) by Dani Pettrey

This is the second book in the Chesapeake Valor series. I was so excited to receive it from Bethany House in exchange for a review since I loved the first book and was waiting for the sequel. Now I have to wait several months for Book 3 (oh man!).


This story concerns Avery, whose past comes back to her when her friend Skyler comes up missing. She has been taking forensic pictures for a crime scene analyst, Parker Mitchell, who becomes involved with her on this case along with their other friends who consist of several other law enforcement types (FBI, etc.). Avery goes to a showing at an art gallery as Skyler’s guest but Skyler does not arrive and the portrait of Skyler that was the featured portrait in the show has been replaced by another picture which was not done by the featured artist. The artist is incensed and Avery is devastated because her friend never arrives. The artist orders the picture thrown away but Avery manages to sneak it out and save it so they can check it out for clues. There are several things going on as they retrace the steps of Skyler and others. In the midst of the investigation, another investigation comes along when a terrorist makes his way ashore after being smuggled into the country. There is a lot going on but it all builds into the conclusion which is unexpected, to say the least.


Dani Pettrey keeps getting better and better! I love her books and they will always be permanent residents in my bookshelf.