Archive for Books

Rebekah Book Review by Jill Eileen Smith

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Every time I read a book about one of King David’s wives or the Patriarchs the authors make me think about the story in a different light. This was the case with Rebekah by Jill Eileen Smith in the second book of the Wives of the Patriarch’s series.

I enjoyed reading Rebekah and Isaac’s love story, as it is on of the most amazing in the Bible. Rebekah trusted God and a servant when she agreed to marry Issac without ever meeting him. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I could possess a faith like that at all.

Jill’s angles in the relationships between Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Isaac & Rebekah and sons made me think about wonder about their full stories. I enjoyed reading Jill’s perspective. I cried too, but that’s a given when you empathize with characters you read about right?

I recommend this book just so you think about the different circumstances in Isaac and Rebekah’s meeting, marriage, and parenting. This book is sure to make you pensive if anything about the lives of Isaac and Rebekah.

“Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

You can also join best-selling author Jill Eileen Smith as she presents ten facts and/or possibilities you might not know about the Patriarch Isaac’s wife Rebekah. Do you have a question about the people in the Bible you’ve always wanted to ask? Jill will take questions about biblical characters, biblical fiction, and about any of her books in the Wives of the Patriarchs or Wives of King David series. So please, plan to join us!

Jill Smith will be the featured guest on a Live interactive Video Chat Session sponsored by “Shindig” on Tuesday February 19th at 7:00 pm EST!! It’s free to attend, and you can meet Jill and ask any questions you have for her! Go here to RSVP and find out more details about this event.

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.


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5 Days to a Clutter Free House

5 Days to a Clutter-Free House

Last month was organizing month, but I certainly didn’t get organized in a month! We are constantly trying to figure out new ways to keep ourselves, our home, our children and all our stuff organized. After reading this book, 5 Days to a Clutter Free House, by Sandra Felton and Marsha Sims, I think our biggest problem is the up keep. I’d have to be on my children 24/7 for them to pick up and put away everything they touch each day; and I grow weary of doing so and give up all too often rather than keeping on, keeping on.

5 Days to a Clutter Free House provides a step-by-step plan of action to help you get your house organized in less than a week, as the title suggests. It may seem impossible if you are buried in a cluttered mess but the authors use the approach of gathering a team of people to help you and they give you tips on how to gather that team together too. Since we are a family of ten I plan on getting the whole family working on our problem areas so we can get our house in order before my mom arrives in a little over two weeks. Think drill Sargent!

The first part of the book is about “Getting it Under Control” and the second part is maintaining the order you created in just five days.

I liked the plan of action the authors provided. Many of their suggestions are very similar to what we do when doing a major cleaning. We get the children to make 3-4 piles: toys, clothes, garbage and papers/school work or books depending on what we are items are laying around. We usually use bags, but I like the idea of boxes. New boxes to stack and keep things in order as you put every thing back in its place…seems like a small expense to pay for order in the home.

I liked the biblical basis of where order comes from and we often quote it to our children, “God is not a God of chaos but order”, after all he didn’t hang the trees upside down, right?

I enjoyed reading the list of what disorganized people tend to be like in the preface of the book…page 9…if you want to look it up to see if you fit the description. Then later on page 27 they say this, “Messies tend to be perfectionists at heart.” Sound like you? Don’t worry you aren’t alone!

I think this book would be an encouragement to anyone dealing with clutter as it does give a solid plan of how to create order out of the clutter. I think the key to maintaining order is creating new habits, as the second half of the book recommends.

“Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.


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A New Home for Lily

My almost 14 year old daughter, B, reviewed A New Home for Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher. B is a voracious reader and enjoyed reading and reviewing the first Lily book, Life with Lily.

In this second book of The Adventures of Lily Lapp, I followed Lily, her family and friends as they adapt to life in their new Amish community. Lily finds certain changes in her new life difficult but eventually comes around as she learns to die to herself for the great good of her family. Lily reminds me an awful lot of my older sister! Lily is just adorable and so grown up for her age, which probably comes from being the eldest. :)

Here are some highlights from the book that I especially liked:

Effie Kaufman is not a nice character and I have met a few girls like her. :( Mean girls are just not pleasant to be around.

The character Joseph reminds me of my brother J and Lily’s cousin Noah reminds me of my youngest brother, whom we call “the evil one” because he is forever getting into things, like many two year olds.

I thoroughly enjoyed the pumpkin pie chapter because it was so funny! Lily and Joseph ate 5 1/2 pieces of pie! Talk about a huge tummy ache!

It was so sad when Lily’s family cow died. It was even more horrid when her father bought another cow from a farmer, then realizes he brought home a sick cow with an udder so low that in order to milk her they needed to use a cake pan instead of a bucket! :(

Lily’s “get rich quick” plan (making and selling stickers) was so cute, but she didn’t get quite as rich as she had hoped….

Lily’s Jell-O mishap reminded me of myself when I was first learning to make homemade bread and I added too much yeast and the dough got really, really big and popped all over the place!

I really liked the ending and how the community came and helped with the edition of Lily’s family’s house. My mom and I admire The Amish people’s sense of community.

“Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.


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Demise of Guys Because of Technology?

Gregg over at My Job Chart shared an article about the book The Demise of Guys and the alarming trends about guys and technology. It’s quite sobering when you think about it. Like Gregg, we have four boys to raise and we want to raise them to be responsible adults, not game junkies.

Demise of Guys Endorsement

We’ve used media to motivate our boys to work, they seem to need more motivation than our girls ever did. Either that or else our memories are very poor! But we limit the amount of time we give them on the computer, games and watching movies.

One of the many reasons we moved to the country was to create more work for our children…say what?! I can hear some of you screaming, but it’s true. We want our children to know how to work hard, be responsible and be high functioning adults. Not lazy, not gamers etc. but able to provide for a future family. After all God made work and regardless of what many may think work is good. Just look at where He put Adam and Eve after he created the, in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it.

Take a good look at this infographic…

Heads Up on being Heads Down

What does it reveal to you? Do you see a problem trending towards the demise of guys because of technology and other unhealthy internet use? (Do not want to even use the term for fear of who it will bring to my website!) Leave my your thoughtful comments!


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The Tutor’s Daughter

The Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen is a historical romance mystery novel. I was grateful that it was centered more around the mystery aspect, along with the heroine’s jumbled feelings over two men with whom she spent part of her younger years growing up.

The Tutor's Daughter

It’s about the daughter of a professor who travels with her father as he goes to a baronet’s home to tutor his two younger sons, who are spoiled beyond belief.

I liked that The Tutor’s Daughter had a Downton Abbey feel to it. All the social niceties that Britain during that time period was known for, where the socialites looked down their noses at the working class and the working class desired to make life better for the poor. The book write up said that Julie Klassen loves Jane Eyre and Jane Austen, thus the reason her novel is set in England and why I made the association with Downton Abbey since it is a more recent English show I have watched.

This book pretty much kept me guessing throughout the whole book as who the so-called “prankster” was, pulling not-so- friendly pranks on poor Emma.

It seems that characters with a past often have to overcome it or prove themselves in spite of the shadows darkening its path. Henry Weston was that character. He was more gallant than his childhood character ever revealed. I loved how nobly he stuck up for one individual in particular.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Tutor’s Daughter and have already been thinking about reading it again, which is always a good sign.

Two thumbs up from me.

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.


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Facebook Party 1/31 and “Downton Abbey” Kindle Prize Pack

Julie is celebrating by giving away one of the new Paperwhite Kindles, Downton Abbey (season 3) and hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. (January 31st)

Tutor's-Daughter-300

One fortunate winner will receive:

  • A Kindle Paperwhite
  • Downton Abbey, Season 3
  • A Julie Klassen library (The Tutor’s Daughter, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 30th. Winner will be announced at “The Tutor’s Daughter Author Chat Party on January 31st. Connect with Julie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be great giveaways – gift certificates, books and season 3 of Downton Abbey!

So grab your copy of The Tutor’s Daughter and join Julie on the evening of the January 31st for a chance to connect with Julie and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don’t miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!

Look for my book review of The Tutor’s Daughter on Monday!


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Waiting for Spring

If you like historical fiction, especially set in the West, you will probably like Waiting for Spring by Amanda Cabot and is the second in the Westward Wind series. This book is set 1886 in the Wyoming Territory and is a story about an independent woman named Charlotte who is making a life for herself and son, in Cheyenne, working a dressmaker.

Waiting for Spring by Amanda Cabot

Charlotte has a secret though and had to tell some lies to keep her secret hidden. As you all know, secrets have a way of being discovered and as things start to unravel so do the lives of those around her. She also has something to fear but won’t allow herself to talk to anyone about it, even her family in another state.

Power, politics, social standing and money are not important to Charlotte, but they are to Barrett Landry, a wealthy cattle baron, who Charlotte fast becomes friends with.

This is another book where a sweet friendship develops into love but not without some bumps along the way, including a kidnapping! Not your typical courtship to say the least.

I loved Charlotte’s strength of character to overcome her past, her son’s disability and turn it all into something good.

Barrett Landry was a true gentleman and I loved how he eventually got around to wooing Charlotte and her son.

I found it ironic that Barrett eventually went back to doing what he left home to avoid. There’s something about our roots that can call us back to the very depths of that is familiar and comfortable; and find real happiness in the process.

Waiting for Spring was a sweet story in which Amanda captures the Wyoming Territory for it’s wealth, poverty and realities of being a cattle baron, shopkeeper and dressmaker. Not to mention the intriguing aspect of living among common criminals without even being aware.

This was what I consider a “candy” read. Easy, predictable and not very challenging. However, I liked the book, a candy read is the kind of book I like to read to relax without any heavy duty thinking and a way to spend a pleasurable time away from every day life and the stress that goes along with it.

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.


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Choices of the Heart

Getting sick of my book reviews yet? Don’t worry I won’t be reading much more since spring is around the corner. ;)

Choices of the Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes is the third book in The Midwives series. It appears to be about the second generation of Book One. Once again this is an author I am familiar with and have read the other two books in the series. See my review of Book One here and Book Two here.

Choices of the Heart

In Choices of the Heart, Esther Cherrett, a midwife, a healer, runs from her past when personal scandal forces her to abandon all that she loves for the sake of her loved ones. The scandal not only separates her from her family but wreaks havoc with her self-belief and her relationship with God. You’ve heard the saying that hard times either draw you closer or put a distance between you and God. Well, it’s a matter of choices, thus part of the reason for the title of the book Choices of the Heart.

I loved how more details of Esther’s healing gift were shared in this book, if you remember in Book One I complained there were not enough midwifery details. Remember I was a former midwifery student….some day….maybe.

Esther possessed a lot of strength to leave everything that was familiar to her and to start anew in a foreign place without all the necessities she was use to with her privileged upbringing.

What I didn’t like about the book is the blame put on Esther, by herself and others. Perhaps it was a reflection on the time in which the book was set but still it didn’t set well with me. Inside I was screaming, “Don’t blame her/yourself!” You know how we all can belittle ourselves into almost nothing over silly mistakes or misjudgments? That’s exactly what happened to Esther.

The romance part wasn’t as predictable yet it was. It was a typical love triangle in which Esther had to choose. I was guessing for quite a while as to who she was going to choose and Esther was tempted again to run from her troubles.

The family feud aspect of the book had me guessing too. I was rather surprised at the culprit’s identity and results of the feud.

I really liked Choices of the Heart and give it two thumbs up.

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.


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The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the third book in the Stoney Ridge Seasons series. I have now read them all! It is about the youngest daughter of Amos Lapp whose name is Mary Kate. Mary Kate has grown up a lot since the last book by about 5-7 years if I remember without looking it up. She is now nineteen. She is just as curious, klutzy, hilariously funny with the vivid imagination of a dreamer….she could be part my daughter! lol!

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Mary Kate is learning to be content with where she’s at in life. She’s forced to take on a teaching job when she absolutely hated school when she attended, but that proves to be a good character building experience that leads to a more mature Mary Kate.

Unlike most Amish young women, Mary Kate was prone to getting into all kinds of scrapes from running into people with her red scooter to falsely accusing innocent people of murder and robbery!

In the first couple of pages of the book Mary Kate is convinced her purpose in life is to solve the death (or murder as she called it) of a local sheep farmer, but it leads her into all kinds of unwanted trouble.

I loved reading her journey to womanhood, contentment and yes, even love.

Many of you should know by now one of my favorite authors is Suzanne Woods Fisher. It’s not just because she writes about the Amish, but because she entertains me with her characters antics, life and behavior. Her books are more than just romance novels, they are more about life and relationships. And yes her books are about the life and character of the Amish but as a Christian every time I read one of her books I cannot help but think the community the Amish exhibit should be a template, if you will, for what Christian churches everywhere should be like.

The Lesson gets two thumbs up from me!

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

iPad Giveaway

Suzanne is giving away 2 iPads!

Contest dates: Jan 3-20, 2013

Two winners will receive:

• A brand new iPad

• A $15 gift certificate to iTunes

Enter Today – 1/3 – 1/20!
Suzanne Woods Fisher The Lesson iPad Giveaway

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.


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Vanished by Irene Hannon

Vanished by Irene Hannon is a book I have been waiting to read. It is the first book in the Private Justice Series. I have read her other books and my book palate was craving some mystery and intrigue.

Vanished is about an investigative reporter, Moira Harrison, who accidentally (literally) stumbles upon a major story. Due to the circumstances surrounding the accident she hires a private investigator firm made up of three PIs, Cal, Connor and Dev, to look into the few sketchy details her memory could recall after her car accident.

The intrigue only gets better as the more they delve into their investigation the more it becomes apparent someone isn’t keen on them uncovering more information.

I loved Moira’s character. She’s tenacious, never gives up and desired to do the right thing no matter what the cost.

While I got the mystery and intrigue I wanted, I was a tad bit disappointed with the predictable romance side and how quickly the “bad” guy was revealed. I like to be kept guessing ’til the end.

Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The controversial topic of euthanasia is a tough call. Murder is murder and convincing someone or yourself that it’s ok, a blessing even, to put someone out of their misery – is actually a lie. It’s sad but true.

The medical profession has taken an oath (and here) to uphold life and do no harm, yet so many do. Think abortion. Think euthanasia.

I enjoyed the private investigation aspect of the book. Loved the PI’s desire for justice. Imagine a world where justice was more important than money, power or position?!

Included in this book was a little teaser section for Irene’s second book in the Private Justice Series and I can’t wait to read what happens to Dev, as well as learn about his story.

“Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product.


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