Book Review: Burning Proof by Janice Cantore (Cold Case Justice, Book 2)

Title: Burning Proof

Series Title: Cold Case Justice (Book 2)


Genre: Christian Suspense/Crime


Date Published: March 1, 2016

Author: Janice Cantore

Why I Read This Book: I received the first book in this series from the publisher for review a few years ago and I loved it (see my review here). I have wanted to read the second in the series for a while now.

About the Book (from Goodreads):  

After months of investigating the brutal homicide of a young girl, Detective Abby Hart finally has the evidence she needs. But when the arrest goes terribly wrong, Abby begins to doubt her future as a police officer. As she wrestles with conflicting emotions, old questions about the fire that took her parents’ lives come back to haunt her. [Note: synopsis shortened as to not provide spoilers]

Review

One of the things that I love the most about Janice Cantore is that she not only writes suspenseful, action-packed crime novels, but that I leave them with a sense of peace and understanding. 

For a long time, I let PTSD from child molestation rule my life by thinking of myself only as a victim. I had nightmares and flashbacks that ruined a good day. After I gave everything to God and let Him reign in my life, I found freedom and I found peace. These same feelings of freedom and peace came back to me as I read this beautiful novel. Cantore encourages readers to not let difficult circumstances define your life and that even if God delays in answering your prayers, it is because He has a greater plan and a greater purpose, one that is larger than anything you could ever imagine. 

This series of books is not just an inspirational series and it is not just a crime novel, it is so much more.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: 16+ for intense scenes

Overall Rating: 5/5

Book Review: The Shack [MILD SPOILERS!!]

Title: The Shack

Author: Wm. Paul Young

Publish Date: July 1, 2001

Genre: Christian Fiction

Why I Read this Book: I have wanted to read this book for a while now. Many people had told me that I should read it. I listened to the audiobook version that I bought at my local Goodwill.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Book (from Goodreads):  

Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his "Great Sadness," Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.

Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever.

In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You'll want everyone you know to read this book!

Review

Looking at other reviews of The Shack on book retail sites and Goodreads, I clearly see the impact that this book has had on many people. The Shack has changed peoples lives, but it did not do this for me.

It took me a while to gather my thoughts about this book. The beginning was incredibly engaging and interesting; I did not want to stop listening to it. The engaging plot had me wanting more of this narrative, but this is not what I found. As the book progressed, I felt like it was more of a preaching than a narrative.

Much of the novel is spent with Mac talking to God. Each of the trinity is physically present and attempting to change the way that Mac thinks about the world. Mac is depressed. He has lost his daughter to a murderer. His family seems to be falling apart. As the Trinity speak to Mac, They comfort him and he begins to draw closer to Them. I really enjoyed this aspect of the book. God loves us as we are. We do not have to change before we come to God; He changes us when we are willing to accept His love and all that He has sacrificed for us. I love this aspect of the novel, but there are certain things that the Trinity speaks about in The Shack that do not necessarily line up with the Bible.

One of the main things that I do not believe lines up with the Bible is when the author talks about how there should not be a hierarchy in family, in politics, or between us and God. The Bible says that God establishes kings (Daniel 2:21) and states that the husband is the head of the household just as Jesus is the head of the church body (Ephesians 5:23).

Even though I do not agree with all of the theology that the book presents, I do believe in the heart of the book: God loves us and wants us to know him intimately.

I want to end this review with an excerpt from 1 John 3:1:

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: 13+ due to difficult themes (such as a missing child and murder)

Overall Rating: 3/5

Book Review: Courageous by Randy Alcorn (Based on the Screenplay by the Kendrick Brothers)

Title: Courageous

Author: Randy Alcorn, based off the screenplay of Alex Kendrick and Stephan Kendrick

Publish Date: August 1, 2011

Genre: Christian Fiction

Why I Read this Book: I have wanted to read this book since I saw the movie a few years ago. I read the audiobook version of this book that I found at my local library.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Book (from Goodreads):  

From the creators of "Fireproof" comes an inspiring new story about everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, and their partners willingly stand up to the worst the world can offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood. While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark. They know that God desires to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, but their children are beginning to drift farther and farther away from them. Will they be able to find a way to serve and protect those who are most dear to them? When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God . . . and to their children?

Review

Adam Mitchell and his law enforcement partners constantly face the challenge of being Godly fathers. They seek to find a way to protect those that are closest to themselves. Courageous is all about striving to be all that God wants us to be.

I watched the movie Courageous a few years ago and fell in love with the way the screenplay writers mixed comedy with a very serious topic: fatherhood and being what God wants you to be. At the end of the Audiobook version, there is an interview with the author of the book, Randy Alcorn. In the interview he discussed how he struggled to create a full length novel out of only a few hours of screenplay. I believe one of the most amazing aspects of this book is the additional content that Alcorn provides. There are many additional or lengthened scenes that stay true to the original feel of the movie. He adds much more laughter, many more heartfelt moments and keeps the overall message just as hard hitting.

I would recommend this book to anyone who needs encouragement, laughter, or a good crying session.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: Any

Overall Rating: 5/5

Book Review: Shadowed by Kariss Lynch

Title: Shadowed

Series: Heart of a Warrior (Book 2)

Author: Kariss Lynch

Publish Date: March 3, 2015

Genre: Adult Christian Romance

Why I Read this Book: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way influenced my review of this novel.

 

 

 

 

 

About the First Book in the Series (from Goodreads):  

When her world is shaken, will her foundation survive?
Idealistic and sheltered with a passion to change the world, Kaylan Richards leaves her comfortable life in Alabama to serve in poverty-stricken Haiti. Despite her inexperience and the opposition of a voodoo priest, Kaylan develops a love for the country and the Haitian people. But something deadly is about to strike.

It is the worst earthquake the country has ever seen, and in its aftermath bodies, buildings, and broken lives litter the streets. People she cares about are dead, and Kaylan is caught in the middle of the destruction, questioning a God who said He was good.

Navy SEAL Nick Carmichael never planned to find a girl he loved more than his country. Now she is a world away, trapped in a deadly situation nothing could have prepared her for. Can Nick’s love help Kaylan heal and show her the God who never abandoned her, or will tragedy shake even the most rooted faith?

Review

This suspenseful Christian Romance series is one that you do not want to miss. I do not want to say much about the plot of this book because it is the second in the series and I don't want to spoil the first book. 

One of my favorite parts of this series is the reminder of God's love and His presence in our lives even in difficult times. Additionally, I love the fast-paced nature of the novels and the action that is present in every chapter.

Although the series is written in third person, each chapter focuses on one of the two main characters: Kaylan or her boyfriend Nick. The first book, Shaken, was mainly in Kaylan's perspective and Shadowed is mainly in Nick's perspective. Nick is a SEAL and although I appreciate that he serves our country in this series I am finding it more difficult to connect to the story line in this novel. This is why I could not give this book a perfect 5/5 stars.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a Christian Romance novel filled with action and suspense.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: 13+ for intense action

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Book Review: In Between by Jenny B. Jones (A Katie Parker Production, Book 1)

Book Title: In Between

Series Title: A Katie Parker Production (Book 1 of 4)

Author:  Jenny B. Jones

Publish Date: April 15, 2007

 Why I Read this Book: I saw that this book was a Christian Fiction novel that was free on Amazon (kindle edition), so I decided to check it out.  This is still free on Amazon as of this posting, but please check pricing before purchasing.

 

 

 

 

 About the Book (from Goodreads):  

Katie Parker is about to get a new life—whether she wants one or not. With her mom in prison, and her father AWOL, Katie is sent to live with a squeaky-clean family who could have their own sitcom. She launches a full-scale plan to get sent back to the girls’ home when she finds herself in over her head...and heart. When Katie and her new "wrong crowd" get into significant trouble at school, she finds her punishment is restoring a historic theater with a crazy grandma who goes by the name of Mad Maxine. In the midst of her punishment, Katie uncovers family secrets that run deep, and realizes she's not the only one with a pain-filled past. Katie must decide if she'll continue her own family’s messed up legacy or embrace a new beginning in this place called In Between.

Review

Katie Parker's mom is in prison and her father is who knows were so she is left to the foster care system as a ward of the state.  She is sent to live with foster parents.  Her new foster dad is a pastor, so Katie is launched into a world that she is not familiar with.

This book speaks to me because I desire to be a foster parent and possibly adopt in the future.  The foster parents in this book were the perfect role models for what a Christian foster parent should be.  Although Katie made mistakes, her foster parents never stopped caring for her and trying to do the best that they could to provide for her.

Filled with both laughter and sentimental moments, In Between is a book that I would recommend to anyone looking for a great, light, inspirational read.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: Any

Overall Rating: 5/5

Release Day Review of Sinners' Garden by William Sirls

General Analysis

Book Title: Sinners' Garden

Author: William Sirls

Publish Date: December 17, 2013

Genre:  Christian Fiction

Find It Here: Amazon (Affiliate Link)

Plot (from Goodreads):  In a small town where hope and tragedy intermingle, things—and people—are not always what they seem.

Andy Kemp has suffered most of his life from both physical and emotional scars, and he believes that the scars on his face are proof that God doesn’t love him. Andy has grown into a withdrawn teenager, keeping to himself, until his uncle, ex-con Gerald Ripley, shows up and wants to be a mentor to Andy. Rip has turned his life around and wants to do everything he can to help mend Andy’s pain and the rift in his relationship with his sister.

Meanwhile, police officer Heather Gerisch responds to a late-night breaking and entering episode in one of the poorest homes in town. The masked man makes the sign of the cross, escapes, and Heather soon realizes that he has left $5,000 in gift cards to a local grocery store. As the bizarre break-ins continue and Heather pursues the elusive “Summer Santa,” Andy begins to hear strange and beautiful music, and Rip is convinced that he is hearing the voice of God.

As the lives and stories of the townspeople of Benning Township intertwine, extraordinary circumstances emerge and long-kept secrets are revealed.

Why I Read this Book: I was given a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review as part of the Street Team for the book.  I received no compensation for this review.

In Depth Analysis

Have you ever read a book so fast because you wanted to find out what happens in the end? I felt like that when reading The Sinners' Garden . This book is so action packed that I could not put it down. The great plot was not the only amazing part of this book though; the lessons that I learned about God while reading this book are enough to fill another book of my own. I learned more about God's love and that He loves us no matter what our faults are (or what we believe our faults are). God chooses those that are broken as leaders. Moses had a speech impediment, but God chose him to be a great leader. David was an adulterer, but He was also a Man after God's heart. God loves all people and everyone has a special role as part of the Body of Christ. I also learned about how important forgiveness is and how it can change the lives of you and the people around you. It is one of the hardest things to do, but it is also one of the most important things to do in strengthening your relationship with others and your relationship with God. I was also reminded that God is everywhere and a miracle does not have to occur to be able to speak to God. All we have to do is speak and then listen for His response (and sometimes this includes having a little bit, or a lot, of patience).

Not only are the innumerable lessons that can be learned from this book amazing, but the story alone was fantastic.  As the book progresses, the reader begins to learn more and more about the characters and begins to love them.  The mystery of the "Summer Santa" keeps the story suspenseful.  This story follows the lives of so many characters and usually stories that do this end up being confusing and hard to follow, but this book did not disappoint.  I am so glad that I was able to get an unedited ARC of this book and I cannot wait to get my hands on the final, edited version of the book and fall in love with the characters all over again.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age:  16+ as there are many topics that may be difficult to understand by a younger audience

Overall Rating:  5/5

The Reason by William Sirls

General Analysis

Book Title: The Reason

Author: William Sirls

Publish Date: September 4, 2012

Genre: Christian Fiction, Inspirational, Contemporary

Plot:  Lightening hits a cross outside of a church that cannot afford to fix it.  Alex, a young boy and member of this church, is diagnosed with leukemia.  Although bad things are happening all around them, the characters in this book are reminded again and again to "only believe" and God will do what He does best: take care of things.

Why I Read this Book: I had been wanted to read this book for about a year now and I was blessed to have received a copy as part of a giveaway (from the author) in a GoodReads group, Christian Fiction Devourers about a month ago.  I received two personalized signed copies, one for me and one for a friend.

In Depth Analysis

I really loved this book!  The overall theme of the book was to trust in God. This theme was expressed since the beginning pages of the book.  The book also reminded me that God wants to be an active part of our lives and wants to have constant communication with us.  He wants us to fall to Him when we are in need and to trust in Him even when it seems that He is not here.  I am encouraged to just believe and let God take care of everything.

The book was not only encouraging, but also a fast-paced, exciting read.  There was not a dull moment throughout the book.  I have to admit there where a few tears shed, but I was left with a reminder of how great God is.  I love how this book is telling a fictional story for entertainment, yet the story leads you to focus not on the characters but on God and His magnificence.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: I would recommend this book to ages 15 and up due to mature, real-life situations (alcohol, depression, ect.).  It is a clean book, but some situations in the book may be too emotionally tough for younger audiences to be able to handle.

Overall Rating: 5/5

A Woman's Heart for God: Drawing Closer to the Lover of Your Soul by Sheila Cragg

Book Title: A Woman's Heart for God: Drawing Closer to the Lover of Your Soul

Author: Sheila Cragg

Publish Date:  March 12, 2013

Genre: Christian Nonfiction Inspirational

I received this book from GoodReads First Reads giveaway.






In Depth Analysis

This book is absolutely amazing! It is a great book that has advice that I believe is applicable to any Christian, man and woman alike. It gives great ideas for getting to know the Lord better including making scripture index cards to bring with you throughout the day. It gives great advice about prayer and memorizing scripture. It also discusses how to release your life to the Lord and become closer to Him. I would recommend this to any Christian.  Sheila Cragg gives examples in her life where she has struggled to continue to yearn for learning more about God and she gives advice on how to overcome these road bumps in life.  I really loved this book, but do not want to tell everything that the author talks about.  She says it much more eloquently than I ever could.

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age:  Any, although the writing style may be more enjoyable to adults

Overall Rating:  5/5

Future Reviews and Reads

I am so excited to announce that I have received my first book from Tyndale Publishing company to review as part of their Tyndale Blog Network.  It came in the mail this week.  It is Saving Casper by Jim Henderson.  Here is the synopsis from GoodReads:

The authors of the popular "Jim and Casper Go to Church" are back! An unlikely friendship began when former pastor Jim Henderson brought atheist Matt Casper with him to visit a series of churches and give his honest feedback on the services. Since then, Casper has spent a "lot" of time deeply engaging with Jim and other Christians. And the burning question on everyone's minds is whether Casper has been saved. In "Saving Casper," Jim and Casper engage in a new conversation about that question. Most Christians have friends like Casper--people who've heard the gospel but still say no--so what happens next? Jim and Casper reveal the surprising answers to questions like: What can an atheist teach us about how to share God with those who don't believe? What have well-meaning Christians said to Casper that has helped--or hurt--their cause? What, if anything, might bring Casper and other nonbelievers to faith . . . and why does Casper say he's closer to God now than ever before? "Saving Casper" is a groundbreaking, game-changing look at evangelism and the "conversion conversation."

I hope to begin reading it soon.  I am currently beginning to read Forgiveness by Matthew West that I received as part of a giveaway from Thomas Nelson Publishers.  I received three copies from them so I get to share this book with two wonderful people.

I am also currently reading The Reason by William Sirls.  It is amazing so far and I cannot wait to read the rest of this Christian Fiction novel about the miracles that arise after a wooden cross in front of a church is hit with lightening.  I received two copies of this as part of a contest in a group that I am a part of on Goodreads (Christian Fiction Devourers).  The author gave out plenty of copies for these contests.

Finally, I have a few books on my shelf that I have won from GoodReads First Reads giveaway that I hope to read soon.  They are The Why of Things by Elizabeth Hartley Winthrop, Do What Jesus Did by Robby Dawkins, and Hope Conquers All by Sona Mehring.

It's Not About Me by Max Lucado

Book Title: It's Not About Me

Author: Max Lucado

Publish Date: March 1, 2004

Genre: Christian Inspirational













My Thoughts

This book is seriously the best book that I have read in a long time.  The title says it all: It is not about us, it is about God.  This book really humbled me and made me realize what the true purpose of being a Christian is: to Honor God and show His glory.  It is not about us; it is all about Him.  Lucado provides biblical advice about change and shares about God's love.  He provides real life and fictional stories as examples to illustrate his points and always uses scripture to bring the point home.  This book really changed my way of thinking.  The writing style is perfect and the book cover is just gorgeous!  This is a must read for anyone aged 16 and up (it provides advice about some adult situations).

Overall Rating

I give this book a 5/5.  

Every Day Deserves a Chance

General Analysis

Book Title: Every Day Deserves a Chance

Author: Max Lucado

Publish Date: May 1, 2007

Genre: Christian Nonfiction

Overall Thoughts: This was an amazing book, although most of the messages were very similar to those that are in Come Thirsty. This book shows that every day can be a good day. It also shows how you can have hope and happiness when the situations that you currently are in are not very good.

Come Thirsty

General Analysis

Book Title: Come Thirsty

Author: Max Lucado

Publish Date: October 6, 2006

Genre: Christian Nonfiction, Inspirational

Overall Thoughts: This book was very inspirational.  It teaches about trusting in God, not worrying, and receiving God's love.  It was very inspirational and helped me to be less stressed.