BEEtween the Pages: Love You More by Jennifer Grant

“I expected that the country of my daughter’s birth would be transformed from just another patch of color on the globe, speckled with unfamiliar city names, to a place of significance to me. My family would begin to identify with it—we would have roots there. I twirled the globe and saw the countries spin past. India. China. Russia. Haiti. Sudan. A slideshow of images clicked in my mind as I strained to imagine the child whom I did not yet know.”

~Excerpt from Love You More by Jennifer Grant~

In her memoir, Love You More: The Divine Surprise of Adopting My Daughter, Jennifer Grant eloquently writes about her family’s journey to adopt her youngest daughter, Mia. Grant gives a “real” account of the adoption process, sharing with readers the ups and downs she and her family endured on this lengthy journey. She doesn’t sugarcoat the process and often poses questions or raises issues that anyone contemplating adoption should consider before beginning the process. I found this book insightful and helpful in better understanding the adoption process.

But Grant’s book focuses on more than adoption. It chronicles Grant’s journey as a mother. She sprinkles wisdom and humor in the stories she tells of her life as a mom before and after she adopted Mia. As a mom myself, I enjoyed these stories and could often relate to them. With Grant’s down-to-earth, conversational style, I found this book inviting and endearing.

I recommend this book to anyone who is considering adoption as well as to anyone who is embarking on the journey of motherhood.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

The end of the only life I've known, thought Mariah Aubrey, looking back through the carriage window at the shrinking figures of her mother and sister. Nineteen-year-old Julia stood in the foreground, shoulders heaving as she wept. The sight seared Mariah's heart. Their mother stood behind, hand on Julia's arm, in consolation, in empathy--perhaps even in restraint. And there came their father, down the steps of Attwood Park. He had not come out to bid her farewell. He would not, he insisted, "sanction vice, nor seek to lessen its disgrace."

~Opening lines in Julie Klassen's
The Girl in the Gatehouse~

Set in England during the Regency era, Julie Klassen's latest novel, The Girl in the Gatehouse, tells the story of Mariah Aubrey, a young woman banished from the only home she's ever known to live in a secluded gatehouse on a relative's estate. With her faithful servant, Miss Dixon, Mariah begins a new life at the gatehouse, befriending other servants on the estate and residents at the neighboring poorhouse and supporting herself and Miss Dixon by writing novels in secret. Mariah resigns herself to a solitary life with no hopes of ever marrying. But soon she meets the estate's new tenant, the handsome Captain Matthew Bryant, and in the months that follows, an attraction forms between the them. Will Captain Bryant uncover Mariah's identity and secretive past? And how will he treat her once he learns of her impropriety?

This is the second novel written by Julie Klassen that I've read, and I must say that Klassen is becoming a favorite author for me. Not only does she skillfully paint a vivid picture of life in England during the Regency era, but she also crafts a diverse and interesting cast of characters and keeps the reader curious by the mystery she weaves throughout her stories.

I recommend The Girl in the Gatehouse to ladies who enjoy Regency era stories.

For more information about The Girl in the Gatehouse, please visit Bethany House's website.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Transforming Prayer by Daniel Henderson

"Worship-based prayer seeks the face of God before the hand of God. God's face is the essence of who He is. God's hand is the blessing of what He does. God's face represents His person and presence. God's hand expresses His provision for needs in our lives. I have learned that if all we ever do is seek God's hand, we may miss His face; but if we seek His face, He will be glad to open His hands and satisfy the deepest desires of our heart."

~Daniel Henderson in Transforming Prayer~

In his new book entitled Transforming Prayer, Daniel Henderson shares with readers the transformation that can happen when they seek God's face before His hands during worship-based prayer. In the first part of this book, Henderson describes how worship-based prayer differs from request-based prayer and how this type of prayer sets us up for an intimate encounter with God.

In the second part of the book, Henderson explores best practices for praying. While he recognizes some of the benefits of prayer lists, he encourages believers to rethink how they are using their "lists" during prayer. "Lists are simply tools," he writes. "It is important to keep in mind that, in any arena of Christian life, tools are meant to be used for a greater purpose, not cherished as the greater purpose."

In the third part, Henderson provides examples of how to adopt worship-based prayer during your daily devotional time. He emphasizes the importance of reading Scripture during your prayer time and meditating on the Scripture to: (1) learn about who God is, (2) give Him reverence, (3) seek how you are to respond to the passage, (4) articulate your requests to God, and (5) ponder on "the mission of your life and the warfare you can anticipate."

This book gave me a fresh perspective on how to pray. Since finishing it a week ago, I've tried some of the suggestions included in it. I can already see a transformation in my prayer life, and I'm encouraged and excited about further adopting worship-based prayer in my daily devotional time.

I highly recommend this book. For more information about it, please visit Bethany House's website.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

"Here's a salute to a long life: goodness that outlives the grave, love that outlasts the final breath. May you live in such a way that your death is just the beginning of your life."

~Excerpt from Max Lucado's Outlive Your Life~

What if we as Christians were to follow in the footsteps of those in the early Christian church described in the first twelve chapters of Acts? What if we "rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God's love and life?" In Max Lucado's newest book, Outlive Your Life, he challenges Christians to do just this. The great works carried out by those in the early church were not intended to occur only once in history but rather to extend over the centuries and generations to follow. Lucado prays: Do it again, Jesus. Do it again.

In the first chapter of this book, Lucado gives readers a snapshot of the heartbreaking problems and issues many face in our world today. He writes:

These are devastating times: 1.75 billion people are desperately poor, 1 billion hungry, millions are trafficked in slavery, and pandemic diseases are gouging entire nations. Each year nearly 2 million children are exploited in the global commercial sex trade and in the five minutes it took you to read these pages, almost ninety children died of preventable diseases. More than half of all Africans do not have access to modern health facilities. As a result, 10 million of them die each year from diarrhea, acute respiratory illness, malaria, and measles. Many of those deaths could be prevented by one shot.

Lucado recognizes the complexities involved in solving these global issues, but he believes that "God has given this generation, our generation, everything we need to alter the course of human suffering." In the chapters to follow, Lucado gives examples of believers throughout history--from those in the early Christian church to those today--who have outlived their lives. He also provides readers with practical ways they, too, can outlive their lives, including opening your door and your heart to others, doing good quietly, standing up for the have-nots, remembering who holds you, not writing anyone off, and praying first and most.

This book ranks toward the top of my list of the best books I've read this year. It stirred within me a deep yearning to seek God's direction on how I, too, can outlive my life. As I read this book, I pondered on how many times I have allowed fear, complacency, and busyness to keep me in my clamshell and prevent me from reaching out to those in need. The believers in the early Christian church showed us how to "let God unshell" us and use us to love and help others. Do it again, Jesus. Do it again.

I highly recommend this book to all readers. It will change your life. :0)

For more information about this book, please visit Thomas Nelson's website.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews

What would it be like to be hungry all the time? Norman wondered as he looked at the endless rows of corn. There has to be a way this corn can feed the hungry people, he thought.

Right then and there, Norman decided to change the world.

~Excerpt from Andy Andrew's
The Boy Who Changed the World~

In his recent children's book, The Boy Who Changed the World, Andy Andrews tells the story of Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug and his yearning as a child in Iowa to one day feed the hungry. As an adult, Norman accomplishes his dream. But he couldn't have achieved it without the help of Vice President Henry Wallace and the decisions and actions of two men of earlier generations.

This intriguing story focuses on how our decisions today, no matter how small they seem at the time, can profoundly affect future generations. As the mom of a four-year-old, I cherish stories like this one that teaches my son the value of making a difference in the world, of genuinely caring about the well-being of others, and of not being afraid to pursue mammoth-sized goals. With its beautiful illustrations by Phillip Hurst and its timeless story, this book will find a special spot on our bookshelf and in our bedtime reading ritual.

I highly recommend this book to all parents. For more information about this book, please visit Thomas Nelson's website.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson

"Sometimes, Ruth thought, emotions were like a horsefly. Just when you thought you'd banish it from the kitchen, here it came buzzing back. If only there was a flyswatter that could kill stubborn, stupid, illogical . . . hope."

~From Stephanie Grace Whitson's Sixteen Brides~

If I were to use one word to describe Stephanie Grace Whitson's newest novel, Sixteen Brides, it would be hope. This theme is gracefully woven throughout the pages of this delightful book about a group of widows who journey to the prairies of Nebraska with a dream of owning land.

Their adventure begins in the spring of 1871 when they board a train in St. Louis bound for Nebraska. As an organizer of the Ladies Emigration Society, Hamilton Drake promises each of the ladies one hundred and sixty acres of land free and clear if they stay for five years. But during their stop in Plum Grove, Nebraska--just shy of Cayote, their final destination--the ladies discover that Mr. Drake has not been honest and forthcoming about his reasons for luring them out to Nebraska's prairies. Some of the ladies refuse to continue on the journey and decide to stay in Plum Grove. Soon, seven of them--each with different backgrounds and different reasons for journeying to Nebraska--form a partnership and plan that will have the locals talking and the ladies clinging to hope once again.

I found this book very enjoyable and entertaining to read, particularly its theme, humor, historical setting, and cast of characters. From the first to last page, Whitson masterfully weaves the theme of hope, with each character holding on to it in one way or another. And she had me giggling often at the humorous comparisons and sayings riddled throughout the story. The historical facts and landscape also intrigued me, especially the descriptions of homesteading on the prairies in the late 1800s. But most memorable to me were the characters. Each of the main characters possesses a distinct voice and style and you cannot help but to like them all.

I highly recommend this book to women who enjoy historical and romance novels.

For more information about this book, please visit Bethany House's website.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEsy Writer: The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell

"Sun Tzu wrote: 'He wins a battle by making no mistakes.' My hope is that this manual will help you avoid the mistakes and write stronger books and win the battle to get and stay published."

~James Scott Bell in The Art of War for Writers~

In his most recent book on writing, James Scott Bell shares with writers what he has learned in his 20 plus years as a fiction writer. The Art of War for Writers consists of 77 short chapters organized under the following three sections:

Part I:Reconnaissance focuses on the mental game of writing.

Part II: Tactics offers tactics and techniques on the craft that help "you go deeper, to do things that will set you apart from the vanilla slush that's poured into the offices of tired editors and agents."

Part III: Strategy includes advice on the publishing business.

This compact red book surprised me with the abundance of wise and practical advice it offers to writers. I particularly found the "Reconnaissance" section helpful as it addresses many of the mental battles we writers face on our journeys. Some of the chapters included in this section include:

• The writer must understand the essentials of success for a long-term writing career, and count the cost accordingly.
• A foundation in discipline is always the first step toward victory.
• "Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain."
• Status, worry, and comparisons are the ways to madness, not victory.
  
• Stay hungry so your determination will not flag.
• Finish your novel, because you learn more that way than any other.

I highly recommend this book to all writers, especially beginning writers. I've placed this book near my computer and plan to refer to it often as I continue on my journey as a writer.

BEEtween the Pages: Thicker than Blood by C.J. Darlington

"Christy Williams didn't see the cop until his red lights flashed in her rearview mirror. By then it was too late. He was tailing her, and she had no choice but to ease her Honda Accord onto the snowy shoulder of the freeway and let the cruiser slide in behind."

~Opening lines in C.J. Darlington's
Thicker than Blood~

May Williams has not seen her older sister, Christy, in fifteen years after Christy ran away following their parents' deaths. May yearns to be reunited with her sister. But ashamed about the path her life has taken, Christy avoids her younger sister, too afraid that May will not accept her. As Christy faces a series of events that threaten her livelihood and life, including an accusation that she stole a first edition Hemingway book, Christy flees her home to the only place she feels she will be safe--May's ranch in Southern Colorado. But the two sisters soon must confront the deep pain and uncertainties each faces in their own lives and in their relationship.

Winner of the 2008 Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel, Thicker than Blood delivers a heartfelt story about forgiveness, God's grace, and second chances. Blending solid storytelling with an interesting cast of character, this story kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen, especially toward the end of the book with a couple of gripping action scenes. I also found the messages about God's grace to be refreshing and encouraging. I recommend this book to readers and look forward to future books from C.J. Darlington.

For more information about this book, please visit Tyndale Houses Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible

Thomas Nelson's The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible contains a 21-hour dramatization of the New King James Version. Packaged in a 20-CD set, this audio bible features a well-known cast of actors, including Jim Caviezel as Jesus, Stacy Keach as Paul, Louis Gossett, Jr. as John, Micheal York as the Narrator, Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Mary (mother of Jesus), and Marisa Tomei as Mary Magdalene.

With a satisfying blend of readings by the actors, an original music score, and sound effects, this version of the New Testament not only entertained me but also expanded my literacy of the Bible. I was particularly moved by Jim Caviezel's performance of Jesus dying on the cross in the book of Matthew.

The only downside of this audio bible for me was the amount of time it took to complete it. I found the best place to listen to the CDs was in my car. Because I no longer commute to work, it took me about four months to complete the set. Yet, I would recommend this audio bible because it offers listeners an alternative way to expand their knowledge of the Bible and delivers a high-quality production.

For more information about this audio book, please visit Thomas Nelson's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

"Ahead lay Chedworth Wood. The warnings of years echoed through her mind. 'Don't stray into the wood at night.' Wild dogs stalked that wood, and thieves and poachers camped there, with sharp knives and sharper eyes, looking for easy game. A woman of Olivia's four-and-twenty years knew better than to venture into the wood alone. But her mother's cries still pulsed in her ears, drowning out the old voice of caution. The danger behind her was more real than any imagined danger ahead."

~Excerpt from Julie Klassen's The Silent Governess~

Set in England in the early 1800s, The Silent Governess tells a tale wrought with secrets and misunderstandings that threaten to jeopardize the fortune and happiness of the story's characters. At the center of this novel is Olivia Keene, a 24-year-old woman who unexpectedly becomes a governess at an English manor house. Fleeing from her a home after a frightening incident, Olivia stumbles upon Brightwell Court and inadvertently overhears a secret that could ruin the future of the estate's heir. Fearful Olivia will divulge his secret, Lord Bradley forces her to take a post at the manor house so he can monitor her actions. As Olivia cares for the children living at the house, an attraction begins to develop between Lord Bradley and her. But as the secrets of both their pasts begin to unravel and intertwine, hope begins to fade that this attraction will blossom into an everlasting love.

In The Silent Governess, Julie Klassen crafts an intriguing and satisfying story that highlights the protocols and challenges of an English governess in the Regency era alongside the personal struggles of the story's cast of characters. Klassen's masterful storytelling shines from the first to last pages of this novel as she skillfully divulges pieces of the mystery at a pace that keeps the reader wondering what will happen in the next chapter. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading other novels from this author.

For more information about The Silent Governess, please visit Bethany House's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Sense and Sensibility (Bethany House Insight Edition)

"We do not have the living dead to offer in our annotated look at Sense and Sensibility. Nor do we threaten her with dull, scholarly analysis. Rather, we leave Jane's classic story untouched and focus on providing notes, facts, and thoughts in the margins that we hope will help you understand the story a little better, see the characters in a new light, or simply make you smile."

~Editor's Note in Bethany House's Insight Edition of Sense and Sensibility~

Jane Austen's first published novel, Sense and Sensibility, tells a timeless tale of two sisters search for true love and the heartbreaking circumstances they endure along the way. Bethany House's new annotated version of this classic offers readers historical and cultural details about England in the early 1800s, facts about Austen's life, references about films based on the novel, themes of faith, and comments about the novel's characters and plot.

Unlike many editions of this novel, Bethany House's version contains a foreword of only two pages and does not give readers a detailed, scholarly analysis of the novel and Austen's life. Instead, this book provides facts and tidbits of information on the pages' margins. I found this edition simple to navigate and many of the notes offered interesting and helpful information to better understand the story. Another unique feature of this version are the scriptural and moral reflections sprinkled throughout the book. The editors often quote verses from Proverbs.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Jane Austen classics and does not need a detailed introduction about the story and the author's life.

For more information about this book, please visit Bethany House's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Once an Arafat Man by Tass Saada with Dean Merrill

". . . Jesus is our one hope of reconciliation in the here and now. He is the only one I can think of who holds the power, the moral authority, to bring us together. He is the antidote to mistrust and bitterness and resentment. He is the one who convinces an Arab like me that the Jews are not my enemies but rather my cousins, going back to Abraham's house."

~Excerpt from Once an Arafat Man
by Tass Saada with Dean Merrill~

Once an Arafat Man tells the story of Tass Saada, a Palestinian refugee who grew up in Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the 1950s and 1960s. From his experiences as a refugee, Tass learned to hate the Jews of Israel at a young age. When he was 17, he ran away from home to join Fatah and became a PLO sniper and chauffeur to Yasser Arafat. But years later while living in the United States, Tass converted to Christianity and the hatred he harbored for many years soon dissolved. This was the beginning of a new journey for Tass and his family, one focused on love, hope, and reconciliation.

This inspiring story deeply stirred my heart. I was moved by Tass's immense love for the Palestinians and Jews and his committment to reconciliation. He gives a unique perspective of the Palenstians and shows through the Bible how God blessed these people through Abraham's son, Ishmael, and how he deeply loves them still. Tass also gave me a profound understanding of what it means to be obedient to God's calling in our lives and God's faithfulness in providing what we need to fulfill His callings. Tass serves as a great example what it means to walk by faith.

I highly recommend this book to all readers.

For more information about this book, please visit Tyndale's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible

"Thomas Nelson's NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible is intentionally designed as a treasury of the most well-loved and impactful stories from the Bible. This is not a Bible. Instead, this heirloom edition uses Scripture portions from the New King James Version to tell the story of God and His interaction with humankind."

~NKJV Greatest Stories
of the Bible~

Thomas Nelson's NKJV Greatest Stories of the Bible contains 250 stories directly quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV). In this heirloom book, you will find a wide variety of stories from the Old Testament (e.g., Adam and Eve Challenge God, The Red Sea Crossing, David and Goliath, Esther Becomes Queen, and Job Tested) and from the New Testament (e.g., John the Baptist Arrives, Jesus' Birth, Loaves and Fishes, Jesus Is Abused and Crucified, Paul and Silas in Captivity, and Final Victory). For a few of the stories, the publisher included scriptural references from different books in the Bible. For example, the story about Jesus' birth quotes Scripture from Matthew and Luke.

This compilation allows readers to easily navigate through the major biblical stories and would especially be beneficial to readers not familiar with the stories as well as families desiring to introduce them to their children. This book does not contain any footnotes or study resources. For me, I would prefer to use my study Bible in lieu of this book. However, as my son grows older, I think this book could be valuable in teaching him about the biblical stories. As a result, I would recommend this book to parents of older children as a resource to teach their kids about these stories.

For more information about this book, please visit Thomas Nelson's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin

"It was ironic. I lay in my jail cell on a squeaky iron bunk, gazing at the stained mattress above me, and I remembered the day I first understood the meaning of the word ironic. I couldn't help smiling at . . . well, at the irony of it. The meaning had become clear to me ten years ago on the day my grandmother, Beatrice Monroe Garner, was arrested."

~Opening lines in Lynn Austin's
Though Waters Roar~

Lynn Austin's newest novel, Though Waters Roar, tells the stories of four generations of women and their quests to find meaning and purpose in their lives. Set in Pennsylvania and spanning from 1848 to 1920, this novel captures these four women's struggles and triumphs during several significant events in history, including the Underground Railroad movement, the Civil War, the Woman's Suffrage campaign, War World I, and Prohibition.

Within the first few pages of this book, I knew I was reading a novel crafted by a talented, veteran writer. The story's beautiful prose, profound and diverse characters, and rich historical landscape immediately captured my attention and kept my curiosity throughout. With Austin's careful pacing and the twists and turns she sprinkles throughout this novel, I found myself drawn more and more into the story as it developed. What I especially liked about this book was the reflective, spiritual messages Austin weaves in the characters' actions and dialogue, encouraging me to further grow in my walk with Christ.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

For more information about this book, please visit Bethany House's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Rose House by Tina Ann Forkner

"It seemed to be a cottage that was alive, but it was only the vines twining in on themselves and clinging to the structure that were living, not unlike the memories and feelings people had attached to the house over time, making it mean more than mere sticks, pieces of wood, nails, and peeling paint could ever imply on their own."

~Excerpt from Rose House
by Tina Ann Forkner~

Rose House tells the story of a woman coping with immense grief and pain and of her search for healing and hope. In the days following the loss of her husband and two young children in a tragic accident, Lillian Diamon pours out her sorrows outside the Rose House, a serene cottage nestled in the Sonoma Valley. Intrigued by the cottage, she returns to the valley four years later and discovers a painting in a local gallery that precisely captures her grieving moment at the Rose House. As she searches for answers about the painting, she befriends some of the locals and begins to find hope. But she's also forced to confront the mystery and painful secrets surrounding the accident that claimed the lives of her husband and children.

With beautiful writing and a rich cast of characters, Tina Ann Forkner's second novel captivated me from beginning to end. She breathes life into the characters, skillfully portraying their deep emotions. And interestingly, Rose House finds its own unique role among the characters, its rose brambles and its past bring it to life on the pages of the book. For me, the best part of the book is the epilogue where Tina treats her readers to a well-crafted, poignant ending.

I highly recommend this book.

BEEtween the Pages: Closer by Jim & Kathy Burns

"Over the past thirty years we have tried almost every marriage devotional, and to be perfectly honest, we have usually failed at having the discipline to continue. The busyness of life or the feeling of guilt because we missed so many days often caused us to silently ignore what we knew was important to our growth. This book is the result of our trying to draw closer to each other while having a true desire to improve our spiritual growth as a couple."

~Jim and Cathy Burns in
Closer: Devotions to Draw Couples Together~

Closer, a new book by Jim and Cathy Burns, contains 52 short devotionals intended to help "draw couples together." Some of the topics covered in this book include setting a nonnegotiable date night, the importance of praying together, rekindling romance, and learning to apologize. Designed for couples to complete over the course of a year, this book provides a practical tool for couples to grow closer in their relationships. Each devotional contains a series of questions related to the topic that couples can complete together.

This book presents a realistic, scripture-focused approach for couples to invest in and nurture their relationships. The wide range of topics covered identify many issues married couples face and offer ideas on how couples can address those issues and grow closer together. I particularly like the list of questions at the end of each devotional and the challenges the authors sprinkle throughout the book, such as "pray together for your marriage each day for sixty days." I'm looking forward to completing this devotional book with my husband over the next year.

I highly recommend this book to any married couple seeking to grow closer in their relationship.

For more information about this book, please visit Bethany House's Web site.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Fearless by Max Lucado

"Fear never wrote a symphony or poem, negotiated a peace treaty, or cured a disease. Fear never pulled a family out of poverty or a country out of bigotry. Fear never saved a marriage or a business. Courage did that. Faith did that. People who refused to consult or cower to their timidities did that. But fear itself? Fear herds us into a prison and slams the door."

~Max Lucado in Fearless~

Max Lucado's new book, Fearless, explores the different types of fears people experience, the reasons behind the fears, and the biblical truths exposing why to not fear. Among the fears covered in this book, Lucado examines the fear of not mattering, of disappointing God, of not protecting our kids, of the worst-case scenario, of violence, and of life's final moments. Lucado highlights the courage of men, women, and children facing dire circumstances but not succumbing to fear's immobilizing grip, the greatest example being Jesus' courage when faced with a violent death on the cross.

I found Lucado's book to be an easy-read with a powerful message. This timely book challenged me to face some of my own fears from a biblical perspective. In each chapter, Lucado recounts stories and Scripture from the Bible to emphasize the need for us to listen "to the voice of God calling through Scripture, 'Fear not!'" With fears abundant in our country and world, this book proposes a welcomed approach to living a fearless life.

I highly recommend this book!

For more information on this book, please go to: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=9780849921391&dept_id=110301&TopLevel_id=110000&title=Fearless&author=Max-Lucado

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: Green by Ted Dekker

"According to the Books of History, everything that happened after the year 2010 actually began in the year 4036 AD. It began in the future, not in the past. Confusing perhaps, but perfectly understandable once you realize that some things are as dependent on the future as on the past."

~Excerpt from Green by Ted Dekker~

Green, Ted Dekker's latest fantasy novel, begins and ends the saga of The Circle Series. This book tells the story of two worlds connected by the Books of History--one world in the past, which existed during the twenty-first century, and one in the future, which was created after the apocalypse destroyed Earth.

This novel centers on Thomas Hunter, who in the future world leads a group known as the Circle. But the Circle begins to fracture as some within the group, including Thomas's son, lose hope in Elyon, their one true God. Desperate to save the Circle and his son, Thomas embarks on a journey to restore the Circle's hope in Elyon, a quest launching him into the past.

I found Green to be a fast-paced fantasy exploring the battle between good and evil in a creative way, although some of the dark sections of this story were disturbing at times. I typically don't read fantasy and have not read the three other books in this series. As a result, I struggled at the beginning to understand the future world, characters, and new terminology. But soon I found this novel to be a page-turner and stayed up late last night to finish it. I'm curious about what happens in the next book in the series, Black, and will probably read it.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasies.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.

BEEtween the Pages: The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen

"When we arrived at the end of the year 1919, Siam was laughter, music, color. Many years later I fled the country and the rage of darkness that howled within me. This is our story, my child - Harvey's and mine. These are the years that you can't recall. Sift for the truth. But look to light and learn what those fireflies taught, what draws the moth to the flame and flowers to the sun. It is this that I want you to know: Darkness is only the absence of light."

~Excerpt from The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen~

The Moon in the Mango Tree tells the tale of a woman's journeys from Philadelphia to Siam, Paris, and Rome and her search for a distinct purpose in her life. As a newlywed in 1919, Barbara Perkins sets aside her dreams of being a singer to follow her husband, Harvey, to the mission fields in Siam. Stationed at a post off the beaten path, she struggles to conform to the protocols and mindsets of the region's Christian missionaries and to understand Harvey's passion for serving the Siam people as a physician. Demoralized and frightened after a series of events at the isolated post, Barbara loses faith in Christianity and questions Harvey's love for her. Soon she finds herself torn between her deep love for her husband and children and her yearning to pursue her dream of being a singer.

Within the first few pages of this book, I was drawn into Ewen's exquisite prose. Her beautifully crafted scenes, landscapes, and characters blossom into a rich story that enchanted me from the beginning to the end. Although the story slowed somewhat during Barbara's journeys from Paris to Lausanne, Switzerland to Rome, I understood and appreciated Ewen's inclusion of these scenes after finishing the book. Ewen creates a sense of uncertainty on how the story will end, which made it unpredictable and satisfying to me. Days after completing this story, I found myself still pondering on its characters, craft, and themes. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical and literary fiction. I am looking forward to reading more books from this author.

For more information about this book and its author, please go to http://bhpublishinggroup.com/fiction/authors.asp?a=Ewen_Pamela.

Reviewer's Note: I learned about this book at the American Christian Fiction Writers' annual conference in September 2009. At this conference, one of the first writers I met was Pamela Binnings Ewen. We sat next to each other at the first-time attendees orientation and chatted for several minutes. Ewen was so kind and gracious to me, offering valuable advice to me, a beginning fiction writer. Intrigued by the description about her story, I purchased the book and brought it to a book signing event. As she signed my book, I thumbed through a notebook filled with black-and-white pictures of her grandmother in Siam. The Moon in the Mango Tree is based upon her grandmother's true story.

BEEtween the Pages: "Kabul 24" by Henry O. Arnold and Ben Pearson

Kabul 24 chronicles the gripping story of 8 Western missionaries and their 16 Afghan coworkers imprisoned by the Taliban in 2001. About six weeks before the September 11th bombings of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, armed Taliban kidnapped 24 workers affiliated with Shelter Now International (SNI), a humanitarian organization providing aid to refugees in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This story recounts the eight missionaries' steadfast faith in God, their love for the Afghan people, and their resolve to stay together as they endured more than three terrifying months in captivity.

Kabul 24 is a page-turner and contains many valuable insights about the Afghan culture, the missionaries' unwavering faith in God, and God's unfailing love displayed through the many miracles described in this book. This book humanizes the ordinary people of Afghanistan and gave me a compassion for them. I was saddened when I read stories about the heinous circumstances many Afghans endured under the rule of the Taliban. But I was also encouraged by the faith, love, and loyalty shown by the missionaries, Afghan prisoners, and even some of the Taliban as this story unraveled. I highly recommend this book.

For more information about this book, please visit:

http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595550224&title=Kabul-24&authors=Ben-Pearson-and-Henry-O.-Arnold

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it.