Reviews by Donna

Benny's Angel by Laura Allen Nonemaker

2011-10-12T10:17:00.000-04:00

Benny's Angel is a God's Secret Garden Adventure. The book opens with a mystery – what happened to the beautiful flowers in the garden? In Nonemaker's sweet story, the animals call on God for wisdom to come up with a solution. God sends an angel to speak to them. By obeying God, they find that joy comes from serving God – not from your circumstances. This charming little book with its colorful

Women of Faith - "Imagine"

2011-07-19T11:19:00.002-04:00

I've been chosen as a blogger for the 'Imagine" Women of Faith event. Watch this blog for updates, pics, and a review of the event. Here's the link to the Women of Faith website so you can make reservations for an event near you. http://www.womenoffaith.com/events/2011-events/#imagine UPDATE: 8-21-11: What a fun event! Love the humor of Dr. Henry Cloud the most, but all the speakers were

Eat Your Peas...for Mom by Cheryl Karpen, Illustrated by Sandy Fougner

2011-04-18T13:28:00.000-04:00

"Eat Your Peas…for Mom" is labeled a '3-minute forever book' and that is a good estimate of how long it takes to read it. It's short on words, but long on message. In so few pages, the author has managed to convey in 'simple truths and happy insights' how much a mother means. The illustrations are simple but lively and complement the text. I am looking forward to giving this sweet book as a

The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible - NKJV

2011-02-25T11:12:00.000-05:00

Between its covers, The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible, NKJV: Inspirational Applications for Living Your Faith holds not only the New King James Version of the scriptures, but numerous study guides, helps, devotions, and more. Life Lessons explain the scriptures and about the time in which they were written along with information about the culture and customs setting the stage for a better

What In The World Is Going On? by Dr. David Jeremiah

2010-12-07T14:07:00.000-05:00

Trying to figure out what is going on this world is difficult. Trying to understand biblical prophecy is difficult. In What in the World Is Going On?, Dr. David Jeremiah has brought the two topics together in a more easily understandable fashion. Dr. Jeremiah gives the reader a well-researched perspective of bible prophecy as it is being fulfilled and maps out what will happen in the future with

His Name Is Jesus - The Promise of God's Love Fulfilled by Max Lucado

2010-11-26T10:35:00.000-05:00

His Name Is Jesus – The Promise of Love Fulfilled by Max Lucado is a beautifully packaged gift book with a cardboard sleeve to protect it. Wonderful photos and backgrounds complement the text. If you've read any of Mr. Lucado's writings before, you know he writes in language easily understood, yet lyrical in its delivery. There are many excerpts from Mr. Lucado's best-selling books. The book

Kristin and the Santa Secret by Christopher Fenoglio (Illustrated by Natasha Tibbott)

2010-11-26T10:34:00.000-05:00

Kristin and the Santa Secret is slightly old-fashioned, but in a good way. The style makes this poetic tale by Christopher Fenoglio timeless. The illustrations by Natasha Tibbott have an old world style that perfectly fits the heartwarming story of how Kristin comes to see Santa's role in a whole new light and find the true meaning of Christmas. To read more about the book and hear an

Andrea Carter and the Price of Truth by Susan K. Marlow

2010-11-13T00:57:00.000-05:00

A few months ago, I reviewed Andrea Carter and the Trouble with Treasure by Susan K. Marlow and loved it, so I was delighted to review Andrea Carter and the Price of Truth. The main character, "Andi," is a spitfire of a girl. Her adventurous and sometimes mischievous ways bring unexpected twists and turns in the story. Andrea Carter and the Price of Truth is a sweet and fun-filled story. I

So You Want to Be a Work-at-Home Mom - Jill Hart and Diana Ennen

2010-06-29T23:09:00.000-04:00

I first met Jill Hart, co-author of So You Want to be a Work-at-Home Mom a couple of years ago. We were both attending a writers' conference and without ever having met me in person, Jill offered to pick me up at the airport. It is with that kind of generous spirit that Jill and Diana Ennen wrote their excellent guide to starting a home-based business. Jill and Diana pull no punches. They tell

The Country House Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard

2010-06-04T15:21:00.002-04:00

I am a novice when reading 'inspirational romance.' As I began reading The Country House Courtship, I was instantly drawn into the setting, learned new words and phrases, and enjoyed getting to know the characters. As I continued to read, I felt as if I had traveled through time. Linore's attention to detail is wonderful, and the glossary in the back helped me understand some of the terms used in

Rick & Bubba's Big Honkin' Book of Grub

2010-06-04T13:50:00.000-04:00

A cookbook with bacon and Spam? Not often these days! With everyone so health-conscious, Rick and Bubba are definitely out of the norm. I wouldn't categorize Rick & Bubba's Big Honkin' Book of Grub as a cookbook anyway. It's more like a comedy book with a few recipes thrown in. They give their take on food, fairs, and festivals and live to eat, rather than eat to live. These guys love food. Most

What Happened to My Life? by Danna Demetre

2010-06-04T12:06:00.003-04:00

Have you ever asked yourself these questions: How did I get here? Where has the time gone? Has my life made an impact? If so, you should pick up a copy of Danna Demetre's book with another question in the title – What Happened to My Life? In her fantastic book, Demetre's goal is to help the reader discover joy and passion for life and break the cycle of discontentment. In her own words, "

Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

2010-04-03T17:02:00.002-04:00

Deeanne Gist's romance writing combined with J. Mark Bertrand's suspense writing come together to weave an enjoyable story. The mystery was relatively easily solved, but the tale kept my attention because of the likeability of the main characters in the story. You'll find yourself rooting for the best for Rylee and hoping she'll learn how to let go and let love find her and for the reporter who

Thin Places, a Memoir by Mary E. Demuth

2010-03-15T18:30:00.000-04:00

It used to be when I thought of a memoir, I associated the genre with someone in his later years with a lifetime of hard living under his belt. Not any more. In Thin Places, Mary E. DeMuth movingly shares how she has lived through hurts, disappointments, and violations, and yet still manages to see how God worked in and through all these events to bring her into a deeper, closer relationship

Andrea Carter and the Trouble with Treasure by Susan K. Marlow

2010-03-13T21:18:00.001-05:00

When I began reading Trouble with Treasure, it felt like I had gone back in time to the age of 11 or 12 and living an adventure in the Old West. Susan K. Marlow writes about the escapades of Andrea Carter (Andi) and how trust and teamwork work together. Young readers will absorb the customs of the 1880's, new terms, and laugh at Andi's antics, all the while learning the importance of strong

Katydidn't by Colleen L. Reece, Illustrations by K.C.Snider

2010-02-05T12:16:00.001-05:00

Katy wants all her siblings to do what she wants to do, not the other way around. In this sweet story, author Colleen L. Reece helps Katy see that selfishness brings unhappiness, but treating people the way Jesus would results in a fulfilling day playing with her brothers and sisters all the while learning to appreciate that God makes every person unique. Lovely illustrations by K.C. Snider and

Regret-Free Living by Stephen Arterburn with John Shore

2010-01-14T18:40:00.002-05:00

In Chapter 2 of Regret-Free Living, Mr. Arterburn quotes poet May Angelou who once wrote, "History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." In the book, Steve urges the reader to step back into the past to analyze past mistakes and learn from personal history how not to repeat the errors and missteps. What has caused your regret?

Crash! by Mayra Calvani, Illustrated by Anna Pylypchuk

2009-12-21T21:44:00.001-05:00

In Crash!, Mayra Calvani captures the excitement of getting a first puppy, and then the difficult task of finding the perfect name for the new pet. Woven throughout the story are hints for children on how to care for and train a pet. And of course – in the end, the little boy discovers the perfect moniker for his furry friend. Sweet illustrations by teen artist, Anna Pylypchuk from the Ukraine,

Writer's Nudge by by Mary C. Busha and Robert W. Busha

2009-11-05T12:49:00.004-05:00

The Bushas have a long history in publishing. Now they are making their years of expertise available to writers eager to make their mark as writers. Covering subjects like proposals, self-publishing, agents, and more, Writer's Nudge is a valuable resource to get you started on your road to being an author. For more information and to order, visit http://www.writersnudge.com/Resources_2FE8.html

Rick & Bubba's Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage by Rick Burgess & Bill "Bubba" Bussey

2009-10-27T18:47:00.001-04:00

The way Rick and Bubba see it, "marriage wasn't meant to be perfect. It was to teach us how to love an imperfect person perfectly." And it cuts both ways. Their stated goal in writing the book is that you look at your marriage with new eyes. Appreciate what you have. Although Martha Bolton helped translate Rick and Bubba's radio humor to the page, it still seems aimed mostly at men.

A Slow Burn by Mary E. DeMuth

2009-10-27T09:27:00.001-04:00

When I hear that a new book by Mary DeMuth has been released, it immediately goes on my wish list. With little time to read these days, I make time to read Mary's books. A Slow Burn is the second in the Defiance Texas Trilogy. I read Daisy Chain and loved it, so I was eager to make my way back to the small Texas town that held so much mystery. The characters burrow their way into your heart,

Seeking Daily the Heart of God by Boyd Bailey

2009-10-26T09:18:00.004-04:00

As I began reading Boyd Bailey's book, Seeking Daily the Heart of God, I actually turned to the front to look at the title again. At the top of the book, it says the book is part of a 'Daily Devotional Series.' These devotionals weren't written in the style to which I'd grown accustomed to read or that I write myself. To me, each of the 365 pieces is more like an encouraging, thought-provoking,

A Year in the Life of a "Working" Writer - by Ernie Witham

2009-10-20T16:17:00.001-04:00

I've been reading Ernie Witham's columns for several years, and love his sense of humor. I looked forward to reading A Year in the Life of a "Working" Writer. I opened the book, read the first sentence of the first chapter and had to put the book down. Why? I had to find a tissue to wipe my eyes I had laughed so hard. Ernie is that funny. Not only does he bring a different perspective to

Find Your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham

2009-10-05T23:36:00.001-04:00

What does it mean to 'have it all'? In the introduction to Find Your Strongest Life, Marcus Buckingham gives his definition and shares his 'secret' to living a strong life. In Part 1, he identifies reasons woman aren't living lives to their fullest potential. In Part 2, you'll start to learn how to live, not just a strong life, but your strongest life, what that will look like, and identify the

Have a New Husband by Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman

2009-10-02T02:19:00.001-04:00

The title of the book seemed simplistic. And besides - a lot of women like their husbands. But for those wives whose marriages are less than what they bargained for, this is a quick read with a lot of practical advice. Filled with personal and funny anecdotes, Dr. Leman, a psychologist, begins by saying, "There's a mistaken notion in society today that equality means 'sameness." Yes, men and