Falling Like Snowflakes by Denise Hunter

This novel is an enjoyable romance set in the snowy winter of Summer Harbor, Maine.

Hunter did a good job of creating a tense setting as the novel opens. Eden and her young son are running from danger when they become stranded in Summer Harbor. A broken down car and a stolen wallet leave Eden desperately in need of a job. To the rescue is Beau, manager of the Callihan family Christmas tree farm. He needs someone to take care of his crotchety aunt as she recovers from a broken leg.

That is the beginning of a romance fraught with misunderstanding and turmoil. I like how Hunter revealed bit by bit the tragedy that sent Eden on the run. Eden is a very believable character. Mistreated and betrayed, she is not ready to trust a man again. Beau is a sweet fellow who falls head over heels for her. The only trouble is – he already has a girlfriend.

There are plenty of relationship struggles in this novel. The Callihan brothers are an opinionated bunch and Beau's controlling attitude is not always appreciated. The Christian influence is strong in the novel and even though the brothers fuss, they ultimately forgive and let love rule their relationship. The relationship between Eden and her son is precious. The young boy was traumatized by the tragedy and it was good to see the possibility of real healing for him.

There is a bit of suspense in this novel too. Beau thinks he can protect Eden from harm but he under estimates the power of the bad guy. I thought the suspense scene a tad bit unrealistic but I still enjoyed that aspect of the novel.

Something fun in this novel is the appearance of characters from another author's novel. Hunter and Colleen Coble are friends. Since Coble was writing a series taking place in Maine, the two have put their towns close to each other and share a few characters.

One of my requirements for an excellent novel is that it not only entertains but informs as well. I was hoping I would learn a little about tree farming but that was not to be.

I recommend this novel to those who like a well crafted romance with a little suspense thrown in. Get a cup of hot coffee or tea, though, as it is awfully cold in Maine around Christmas time.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Denise Hunter is a bestselling author who has received the Holt Medallion Award, Reader's Choice Award, Foreward Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. She and her husband and their three sons live in Indiana. You can find out more at www.denisehunterbooks.com.

Thomas Nelson, 352 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

Hiding Places by Erin Healy

I like getting a new book by Healy. She is such a gifted writer, I know her book will be entertaining and thought provoking, ranging from magical realism to suspenseful thrillers.

This novel is yet again different from what I have read from Healy in the past. This novel centers on a young girl, eleven year old Kate. She and various members of her extended family live in a lodge that has been in the family for a couple of generations. Originally a lavish get away house for an eastern couple, it is now a lodge and restaurant in the hills above Denver. It is also the place where good and evil meet in a deadly confrontation.

This is a story about family. I really like Kate. She is an amazing young girl, protecting family members by keeping secrets. I liked Pearl too, a savvy elderly woman with such a treasured history, that she is not afraid to put her life on the line to save others. There are also other family members that are not so valiant. Like the lodge and cottages, they have hiding places where they keep their secrets.

Interwoven into that family story are three others. One is a “family” of homeless people. We see what kind of a family that is when loyalty is tested. And another family, a father who is part of a gang and his twelve year old son who is being inducted into the fold. The gang members call themselves brothers and we see their family loyalty to each other too.

All of these “families” come together at the lodge for a suspenseful meeting. It is during this time that truth comes to the surface and family loyalty is ultimately tested.

I liked this novel just for its suspenseful conclusion. But I also liked it for the investigation into family and just what that means. I liked the characters, the strong Pearl and Kate, and the flawed men. I liked learning a bit about the incarceration of the Japanese in U.S. camps during WW II. I had no idea some sympathetic to American Japanese acted to protect them.

I recommend this novel to those who like suspense. I also recommend it to those who like to think through characters' actions and motives, for there is much to think about. Those who like to see flawed characters find new meaning for their actions will appreciate the novel too. There are good Discussion Questions dealing with the meaning of family and family member interaction, so it would be a good book for a reading group as well.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Erin Healy is the bestselling coauthor of books with Ted Dekker. She is also an award-winning editor for numerous bestselling authors and has authored several books herself. She and her family live in Colorado. Find out more at http://www.erinhealy.com/.

Thomas Nelson, 358 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

The Atheist Who Didn't Exist by Andy Bannister, Foreword by Ravi Zacharias

This book on apologetics is different. Rather than give arguments for the existence of God, Bannister looks at the arguments for God not existing. Are they valid?

Atheists have become very vocal of late. In many Western countries atheism is seen as the default position. In fact, Bannister writes, “Many people assume that atheism is, indeed, the only position for somebody who wishes to be considered educated, sophisticated, urbane, and rational.” (6)

The arguments for atheism just do not stand up to scrutiny, Bannister says. I love how he has us think through the arguments and other statements atheists have made. He clearly points out how to spot which arguments are good and which are bad. One of the tests is if the argument stands up in a different setting. He sometimes turns an argument of atheists around,using it on the atheists themselves, thereby showing it just does not work.

Atheists demand evidence from Christians that God exists so Bannister turns the tables on atheists, demanding evidence God does not exist. Atheists claim their view is just non-belief in the statement, “God exists.” Bannister says that does not fly. An atheist must rather say, “It is true that there is no God.” Then evidence is required. He suggests atheists, “must recognize their belief for what it is and engage accordingly.” (35) He quotes extensively from atheist authors, calling them to intellectual integrity.

This is a serious subject but Bannister is not overly academic. The book is very readable. In fact, he has a quirky sense of humor and inserts it from time to time. One might think humor inappropriate in a book on such a serious issue. As Bannister says, “Humour is powerful because it can prick pomposity and puncture delusions of self-importance.” (234) I love it.

I really like how he engages the reader by starting of each chapter with a humorous story. As one continues through the chapter, it becomes clear the story clearly illustrates the absurdity of an atheist argument or statement.

Bannister's aim is not to disprove atheism. He just wants to weed out the bad arguments so a more sensible dialog can occur. Is this important? Yes. Whether God exists or not is arguably the most important question there is. (27) Is it important to read and think through arguments on both sides of the issue? Yes. “After all,” Bannister writes, “it's only when you're willing to go down to the basement with a flashlight and poke around your foundations that you can really know whether what you're building stands on rock, sand, or simply hot air.” (204)

I highly recommend this book to atheists and Christians alike. Atheists will be challenged to truly think through their arguments. Bannister hopes this will encourage them to abandon bad arguments and engage the question of God's existence anew. Christians who have been intimidated by the forcefulness of the new and very vocal atheists will realize how inadequate their arguments really are.

This is a foundational issue. As Ravi Zacharias says in the forward, “...without God as our ultimate frame of reference, we don't know who we are in essence or where we are in the great scheme of life.” (11)

You can find out more about the book and download the first chapter at http://theatheistwhodidntexist.com/. You can follow the author's blog at http://www.andybannister.net/. You can watch a short video from Bannister and RZIM Canada about one of the arguments in the book here. You can find more at http://www.rzim.ca/.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Andy Bannister is the Director of RZIM Canada. He holds a PhD in Islamic studies and speaks widely on the subject. He is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Center for the Study of Islam and Other Faiths at Melbourne School of Theology. He and his family live in Toronto. You can follow him on Twitter: @andygbannister.

Monarch Books (distributed in the U.S. by Kregel), 240 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick

Kirkpatrick is a master at creating a good fictional account of a historical event. In this case it is the Whitman massacre, sometimes called the Walla Walla massacre, of 1847.

Our story centers on Eliza Spalding, daughter of Rev. Henry Spalding and Eliza Hart Spalding. They had accompanied Dr. Marcus Whitman and his wife in 1836 when they returned to the area deemed best for missionary work, near the present day city of Walla Walla, Washington. The Whitmans settled near the Walla Walla River while the Spaldings went a little farther east, at Lapwai (Idaho) ministering to the Nez Perce.

On November 29, 1847, the Whitmans and eleven others were killed. Around fifty women and children were captured and held for ransom. Details might be a bit unclear but it seems the Cayuse were upset at the measles outbreak that Whitman could not cure. There might have also been some Catholic missionary influence. Spalding, an anti-Catholic, might have believed the priests incited the Cayuse.

Young Eliza was staying at Waiilatpu when the massacre occurred, attending a school for white children. She witnessed the horror of the massacre and was one of the scores taken hostage. She was forced to act as an interpreter as she was the only one who could speak the Indian language. She was ten years old. The British paid a ransom after thirty-nine days and the hostages were rescued. Eliza was returned to her parents.

The novel begins when Eliza is a teen. Her father, fearing an attack at their location, had moved his family southwest to near Brownsville, Oregon. Her mother died in 1851 and Eliza, being the oldest at thirteen years old, cares for her father and her siblings. She still has difficulty with nightmare like episodes, remembering the massacre. She meets Andrew Warren, a cattleman a few years older than she. There is an attraction between the two but Eliza's father is opposed to a marriage until Eliza turns seventeen.

The novel progresses with Eliza's life. The reality of the massacre is revealed to us a little at a time as Eliza hesitantly mentions it occasionally. Interspersed here and there are excerpts from her mother's diary.

I found the way the actual historical events of the massacre were revealed in the novel was a bit confusing. Eliza misremembers some of what happened, which is entirely understandable. Part of Kirkpatrick's reason for writing the book the way she did, I think, is to help us see how traumatic events are remembered and how they affect one's present life. I appreciate that but found the process somewhat confusing. I would suggest the reader look over a historical account of the massacre to have it already in mind when reading this novel.

I am always amazed at the number of actual historical events Kirkpatrick is able to weave into her story. It brings to life a very troubled time in the Pacific Northwest. I recommend it to those who enjoy fiction based on historical fact.

Mr rating: 4/5 stars.

Jane Kirkpatrick is the best-selling author of over twenty-seven books. She and her husband live in Central Oregon. You can find out more at www.jkbooks.com.

Revell, 352 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

The Battle Plan for Prayer by Stephen and Alex Kendrick

This is a great introduction to Christian prayer.

The book is written by the Kendrick brothers and is inspired by their recently released movie, War Room. They know the power of prayer, having grown up in a praying family and attending a praying church. They've seen God answer countless specific prayers over the years.

They want their readers to learn to pray more biblically and strategically. They give a foundation of Scripture and then explore prayer's benefits, purposes, and how God answers prayer. They remind us we need to prepare our hearts to boldly approach the throne of God in faith. They have great stories of prayer from the Bible and from Christians throughout history. They write about the components of prayer and attitudes and habits that make prayer ineffective and those that make prayer effective. They also emphasize that salvation is necessary for true communication with God. The second half of the book contains good general teaching on the Christian life related to prayer, such as the condition of the heart, the will of God, the names of God, and other topics that are important to understanding prayer.

The authors suggest readers commit to reading one chapter of this book a day. Doing that makes it a great devotional. The writing is down to earth. I really liked that. There is no super spiritual attitude or academic flavor to the book. I felt like the authors were across the kitchen table talking to me.

I think the chapter I appreciated the most was the one on praying for other Christians. I so often say that I'll pray for someone and then really not know how to pray. They've included a sample prayer that is great. And then there are the fifteen suggestions in an Appendix.

This is a good book for all Christians. New Christians will find a comprehensive explanation of prayer. Seasoned Christians may not find anything shockingly new (we've read about ACTS before) but will again be reminded of the necessity of prayer and its power. They'll also read the stimulating chapters on praying for their family, those in ministry and their church.

The authors have included a prayer at the end of each chapter. They have also included a number of Appendixes. I really like the ones that have suggestions for specific prayer based on Bible verses. They have also included discussion questions for each of the 35 chapters.

The authors are tired of disinterested churches making little impact on their communities. They're tired of lifeless Christians consumed by their own pursuits. They want to see revival and prayer is the key.

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Stephen Kendrick is a speaker, screenwriter and film producer. He has coauthored New York Times bestsellers. He serves on the board of the Fatherhood CoMission. He and his wife have six children.

Alex Kendrick is a screenwriter, actor and movie director. He is a featured conference speaker and coauthor of New York Times bestsellers. He and his wife have six children.
You can find out more about the Kendrick brothers and their work at https://kendrickbrothers.com/about.

B&H Books, 208 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Icon Media for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

Taming the To-Do-List by Glynnis Whitwer

Procrastination. We've all experienced it. Whitwer says she was an expert in it. She has learned how to conquer it and she shares her ideas with us.

I like how she distinguishes filling our days with work and doing our best work. She wants to see us progress on our highest and best callings of life – work that makes the greatest impact on lives (ours and others). “Busy work is the thief of our best work,” she writes. Her goal for us is not to get more things done but to get the right things done.

She helps us understand procrastination and our motivation behind it. Once we've done that we can identify motivators to get us moving in the right direction. We look at the cost of decisions, the cost of procrastinating, stress (from procrastinating), fear, overload, perfectionism, decision making, will-power, time management, setting goals, identifying projects vs. tasks, prioritizing, and getting an accountability partner.

I really appreciate her comments on planning time for renewal, like Bible reading and other activities that energize us. She even wants us to take time to dream.

This book is not going to tell you how to create the best to-do list. It will help you understand how you can accomplish the most important tasks before you, slaying that procrastination dragon. The choice is still yours. Whitwer gives you the tools for getting the best things done. It's still up to each of us to follow through.

Food for thought: “What is God calling you to do that you haven't done yet?”

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Glynnis Whitwer is the executive director of communications for Proverbs 31 Ministries and contributor to their email devotional. She is the author of several books. She and her husband have five young adult children and live in Arizona. She blogs regularly at www.glynniswhitwer.com.

Revell, 208 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

Beyond the Cherokee Trail by Lisa Carter

This novel has everything I like in fiction. It is well crafted. It has characters who grabbed me. And it informed me of a heartbreaking time in our nation's history.

Carter combines a present day story with that of the relocation of the Cherokee in 1838, a journey known as The Trail of Tears.

In the present day, Linden, trying to get her fledgling PR career going, has arrived in Cartridge Grove to help the Snowbird Cherokee community commemorate the 180^th anniversary of their ancestor's experience. Interwoven into that narrative is the story of Sarah Jane, daughter of the white doctor who helped the Snowbird Cherokee and who went along on the journey.

I don't know how an author could pack any more into a novel. In the contemporary narrative, Linden finds a journal that connects us to the historic journey. Carter has thrown in some romance in the contemporary story too as Linden meets Walker, a Cherokee with a past that affects him still. But Linden has a past too, one that she is not willing to face.

I especially liked the historical narrative. I'd read about the Trail of Tears in elementary school but never gave it much thought. Carter has brought the historical event to life. She helps us see the life the Cherokee had in the mountains of North Carolina and the suffering they experienced in the move. A Reader's Note gives us the history of the treaty and the enforced removal. Of the sixteen thousand moved, six thousand perished along the twelve hundred mile route. Carter's fictionalized account of those historical events is heartbreaking.

The interweaving of the historical and present day stories is done expertly. I found the present narrative intriguing and the historical one captivating. The characters have been developed well and are realistic. Linden and Walker are both flawed characters with hurts that need healing. Linden's grandmother is a free spirit, ready to live the life she was forbidden to have decades ago.

And I love to learn something new in a novel. Not only did I learn about the Trail of Tears in 1838, I also learned some of the current social structure of the Snowbird Cherokee and their feelings toward those not Indian. I learned about being a Marine sniper. I learned about the restoring nature of trees. I saw how guilt and pain can be healed by God with the supportive love of others.

This is a great novel and I highly recommend it. There is an extensive discussion guide and this would make a good choice for a reading group. I'll mention just one of the questions: “If you were to record a final entry into the journal of your life, what would you write?”

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Lisa Carter is an author and has taught at the collegiate, high school, and middle school levels. She is a frequent speaker and vocalist at women's ministry events. She and her husband have two daughters and live in Raleigh, North Carolina. You can find out more at http://lisacarterauthor.com/. 

Abingdon Press, 320 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

The Reckless Love of God by Alex Early

Sometimes we Christians are satisfied with a study of God rather than knowing Him personally. Early wants us to know that God loves us deeply, inspiring us to develop an intimate relationship with Him.

Early concentrates on Jesus as He is an exact representation of God. A right view of Jesus is defended, explaining His compassion and love. We are taken through many examples from Jesus' life, His sayings, and the parables He taught. Bible stories are given in their entirety and commented upon. John 11:1-44 is completely quoted, for example, before Early comments on it. There are also many quotes from noted Bible scholars, theologians, and popular writers both past and present.

In the course of the book, many topics are covered, such as the witness of the church and reading the Bible rightly, including contextualization and exegesis.

I found Early's writing to be rather academic in nature. It almost seemed like I was reading a thesis on the love of God as shown in the Bible somewhat adapted for the general Christian reader. At the end, I felt like I had an intellectual understanding of God's love for me, as shown in the Bible. I felt an application was missing. Now that I knew intellectually that God loves me recklessly, I was not helped to passionately and personally experience that love, say through prayer or through healing the wrong image of fatherhood I might have. There were no suggestions as to how I could know God intimately and develop that relationship.

That being said, I was challenged by a couple of topics Early wrote about. One was his identification of areas that prevented him from realizing God's love for him. He writes about projection (projecting onto Jesus a character trait that love would come only if Early was behaving correctly), inoculation (getting only snippets of the gospel, say in Sunday sermons, made him immune to the entire message of the power of the gospel in the world), and unrepentant sin (losing sight of the serious nature of his own sinfulness and the great gift of Jesus dying on the cross). Those are good points for each of us to consider.

Another area in which I was challenged was in the way I read the Bible. “The reckless love of God for you is not found on just one page, but every page of the Bible. This changes how we read it from cover to cover. If your starting point is with anything other than the nature of who God is and the reckless love he feels and demonstrates for you, then you're bound to end up missing the overall point of Scripture – that our holy, righteous, all-powerful God has gone to great lengths to forgive our sin, heal what is broken in us, and fill us with his eternal, unbreakable love.” (69%) That inspires me to read my Bible differently.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I think the message is good but the style is too academic in nature. I also missed the practical help we readers need to develop an intimate relationship with God once we know He loves us so much.

You can watch the book trailer here.

My rating: 3/5 stars.

Alex Early (MDiv, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; MA, London School of Theology) is a pastor and church planter. He served as a theology professor, created Acts 29 West Academy, a missional-theological training center, and launched Acts 29 podcast. He is pursuing a Doctor of Intercultural Studies degree at Western Seminary. He lives with his wife and children in Atlanta, Georgia. You can find out more at http://www.alxegesis.com/.

Bethany House, 192 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.