Liar’s Winter by Cindy K. Sproles (Book Review!)

Liar’s Winter: An Appalachian Novel

by Cindy K. Sproles

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Fiction / Christian / Historical

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2017

Number of pages- 248

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4453-1

Lochiel Ogle has been tormented and harmed for the first nineteen years of her life.  She has a red-wine birthmark that the mountain people call “the mark of the devil.”  She is rescued by a stranger after being beaten and left for dead by her brother.  While Lochiel is with him kindness and love are now a part of her new life.  Soon the new security will be gone as her brother finds her again and people fear her.

Will Lochiel ever be safe?  Why would her brother treat her so badly? 

About the Author-

Cindy K. Sproles currently lives with her family in East Tennessee.  She writes devotions and is a teacher/speaker and different conferences.  Her website is cindyksproles.com.

My thoughts-

Sproles’s writing brought me into Lochiel’s life and didn’t let me go until the book was over.  I find it both hard and not hard to believe that people were suspicious about her birthmark.  It’s the way it’s been for many years.  People are suspicious about people who are different than they are.  I would have liked a little more information about red-wine birthmarks somewhere in the book. 

I liked how this book was written from the first person point-of-view.  I could feel Lochiel’s joys and pains as I read the book.  She even thought the Devil was in her, because of how people treated her.  It wasn’t until her father found her that she began to know and feel the Lord.  I like all of the subtle hints of the Lord throughout the book. 

I could also see what it was like to live in the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee during the late 1890’s.

I think that many of you would enjoy this book.  I know I did.

(I really enjoyed the cover.)     

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Liar’s Winter, by Cindy K. Sproles, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

God Made the World By Debbie Rivers-Moore and Illustrated by Emma Haines (Book Review!)

God Made the World

By Debbie Rivers-Moore

Illustrated by Emma Haines

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Young Children / Nonfiction

Published by- Kregel Children’s book

Copyrighted- 2017

Number of pages- 4

Age Group- Young Children

Description of book- soft fabric cover and pages, listed price- $11.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4520-0

This soft fabric book, which closes with Velcro and has a hanging tab, so it can be attached near the infant or toddler, is full of engaging illustrations.   This book also includes a child-safety mirror and cloth which crinkles.

About the Author-

Debbie Rivers-Moore has written several children’s books, Tractor Ted and Lamb Loves Springtime.

About the Illustrator-

Emma Haines in currently in Nottingham, England.  She is an illustrator and designer.

My thoughts-

When I opened the box, I was impressd that it came in a bag with a header card (that means it could be hung for display).  The packaging keeps it in the best condition before it goes to that special someone.  I did have questions after I read the back of the card.  The packaging says that it is machine washable, and that it should only be surface cleaned.  After looking and touching this cloth book, I would only surface clean it.  I think that putting it in the washing machine would damage the materials that make the crinkle noise and also the mirror.  The mirror is a nice addition, but it made my face look strange, perhaps it wouldn’t do that for a smaller face.  I liked the handle at the top.  A small hand would be able to carry it, and it would help it to attach to other objects, like strollers, so it couldnt get lost.

The illustrations were realistic and colorful.  Young children will enjoy looking at the pages.  Parents can tell the children what the different animals and plants are, with greater details.

Young children will enjoy this book.  I recommend it.   

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received God Made the World, by Debbie Rivers-Moore and illustrated by Emma Haines, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

An Asian Harvest by Paul Hattaway (Book Review!)

An Asian Harvest

An Autobiography

by Paul Hattaway

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Nonfiction / Christian / Missionary / Autobiography

Published by- Lion Fiction

Copyrighted- 2017

Number of pages- 320

Age Group- Adult

Today Paul Hattaway leads the ministry he founded, Asia Harvest, which has supplied milliions of Bibles to Christians in Asia, including China.  Life wasn’t always so successful for him.  He grew up in New Zealand and left home at the age of 16.  He moved to Australia where he befriended a coworker, who taught him about God.  Hattaway knew God was calling him to be a Bible courier in China.  He went to Hong Kong and soon began carrying Bibles across the border.  This was the beginning of his missionary work, and this is the book that tells that story.

About the Author-

Paul Hattaway grew up in New Zealand.  He has been a Bible courier and missionary.  He is the founder and director of Asia Harvest, which serves and supports the Church in Asia with Bible printing and helping missionaries.

My thoughts-

I was inspired as I read An Asian Harvest.  Paul Hattaway has a very strong faith, which should inspire everyone.  He prayed, focused, and knew what he needed to do to accomplish what he felt God was telling him.

There were many Bible verses and quotes from other Christian missionaries and teachers.  They were the right quotes at the right time.  The best part of the Bible verses was that they were chunks and not just small snippets.  I find that there is a lot more to get out of a chunk of verses, instead of one verse or part of one.

I thought this was a good book.  I highly recommend you read it, because you will see what true faith in God means and will be inspired. 

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received An Asian Harvest, by Paul Hattaway, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

A Pair of Miracles by Karla Akins (Book Review!)

A Pair of Miracles: A Story of Autism, Faith and Determined Parenting

by Karla Akins

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Nonfiction / Family & Relationships / Autism Spectrum Disorders

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2017

Number of pages- 224

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $14.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4484-5

Karla Akins’s twins were born with autism and fetal alcohol disorder, and she was warned that they would never be able to function independently.  She wanted to prove that through God anything is possible. 

She has written this book to show that through God many things are possible.  She shares her triumphs and mistakes with humor and lots of practicle advice. 

It is with Akins’s faith and love that her twins are now grown and able to function independently in many ways by helping their father in the church and with other jobs.

About the Author-

Karla Akins has written five books, is the mother of five, and is a co-minister with her husband at Christian Fellowship Church in Indiana.  She has experience with homeschooling, private schools, and public schools.  Her website is www.KarlaAkins.com.

My thoughts-

A Pair of Miracles can be an extremely useful tool for any parent who has a child with autism.  This book is full of pertinent information and encouragement.  I had a hard time putting this book down, because I was laughing and crying as I went on Karla Akins’s journey with her newly adopted twins.  I learned how important it is to have a support system, go with what your instincts are telling you, and the best ways to educate the children.

While the entire book was helpful and had great strategies, I really enjoyed reading the appendices.  I learned different strategies for occupational therapy, different objects that can be used for fidget toys, a list of functional skills, and there are even more resources.

This is a well written book.  I recommend it to you!  I plan on making our homeschooling library aware of this tool.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received A Pair of Miracles, by Karla Akins, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Unreformed Martin Luther by Andreas Malessa (Book Review!)

The Unreformed Martin Luther: A Serious (and Not So Serious) Look at the Man Behind the Myths

by Andreas Malessa

(received in exchange for an honest review)

Genre- Nonfiction / Religion / History

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2017

Number of pages- 176

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- paperback, listed price- $16.99, ISBN 978-0-5254-4456-2

What do you know about Martin Luther?  Are you able to separate the truth from the fiction?

Andreas Malessa has written this book which contains 25 chapters with ideas about if Luther was a warmonger, the first Lutheran, was married in secret, and much more. 

About the Author-

Andreas Malessa currently lives with his wife in Germany.  They have two daughters.  He is a radio and television journalist, author, lyricist, and theologian.

My thoughts-

I began reading this book with little knowledge of Martin Luther.  When I finished reading the book, I felt I knew more about him.  Now when I read about Luther, I will have a better idea about what is true or false.  I really appreciate that Malessa wrote this book.  I’m sure it will help many people who have ideas about what Luther did or said, and now they will have a greater sense about the truth.

The bibliography was very helpful.  It lists many sources, so the readers and I can do more research about the truth of what Luther said and did.  There are subject matters like drinking and sex in several of the chapters, so if younger children want to learn about Martin Luther, I would read the book with them.

This is a good and well written book.  I recommend it to you!

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received The Unreformed Luther, by Andreas Malessa, for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour.  All links were current when posted.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.