River Dwellers by Rob Reimer

Every Christian can live in the fullness of the Spirit, dwelling in the River of Life (John 7:37-38). If we Christians want to have a culture changing impact on the world today, being a River Dweller is essential. This book is an excellent study and encouragement to that end.

Reimer explores what it means to be baptized in the Spirit. He writes about the evidence of that baptism and the elements of receiving it. He shows how we become more sensitive to hearing God speak, the norm for people living in the fullness of the Spirit. He covers six ways God speaks to us, giving examples of each and how to handle what is received. He helps us, in general, understand how to live in the River, dwelling in His presence. He writes of cultivating that experience by using the spiritual disciplines, developing a spiritual desire and increased sensitivity to the Spirit. He also covers the kinds of actions that take us out of the River and the Spirit's presence and shows us how to notice the warning signs and walk in the light.

This is an excellent study on living the Spirit filled life. Reimer does a very good job of explaining it all to us. He writes from his own experience of being raised in a CMA church and later being introduced to the Spirit filled life. (He is currently the pastor of a CMA church.) This book is based on practice, not just theory. His section on quenching the Spirit is really convicting. His teaching on battling disappointments is encouraging.

I really like his illustration of the River. Just like a river rafting trip, there will be some fast exciting times and some slow restful times. There may be times when there is a bend in the river and we can't see what is coming. Reimer has found that staying in the River, all of its parts have shaped him and brought him to where God wants him to be today.

If you want to be sensitive to the Spirit's presence and leading, this book will help you on that journey. If you want to be a River Dweller, the information and encouragement in this book is for you. The reflection questions at the end of each chapter are great too. I highly recommend this book.

Rev. Dr. Rob Reimer is the Founding and Lead Pastor of South Shore Community Church, a church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Brockton, Massachusetts. He is also a Field Pastor for the CMA Field in Senegal, where he speaks and ministers to missionaries on a regular basis. He also equips Christian leaders as Global Leadership Associate. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Alliance Theological Seminary in Nyack, NY. He has a Doctorate in Preaching from Gordon-Conwell theological Seminar. He and his family lives in Bridgewater, MA. You can find out more at www.DrRobReimer.com.

Carpenter's Son Publishing, 176 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Book Club Network for the purpose of an independent and honest review. 

Unselfish compiled by Paul D. Parkinson

This book is a breath of fresh air in a world of depressing news. It contains 99 stories of people putting others before themselves.

People want to get noticed. We see selfies on all the social media. Selfish behavior seems to be at an all time high.

But there are people who do unselfish things every day. This book tells many of their stories. It celebrates the acts of kindness and extraordinary sacrifices of regular people and celebrities. It tells the true stories of high school football players helping a special needs girl. It highlights a Hollywood producer leaving behind a six-figure job to help children in Cambodia.

The activities and locations of these unselfish people are varied. One builds schools in rural Mexico. A young boy rescues dogs in the Philippines. A woman built a school for girls in her village in Pakistan. Some work as individuals while others organize a team of volunteers. Some are young and some are elderly. Some give as a result of tragedy, such as a mother seeing that inner city children receive swimming lessons after losing her own son by drowning. Others give because they realize they have been given so much. Some of the stories are words of appreciation about unselfish parents given by one of their children. Some stories are personal accounts of events that have changed them and their outlook on service. Some are one time events while others speak to ongoing ministries. Each story is an inspiration.

It will restore your faith in humanity and maybe it will inspire you to give of yourself to others. There are wonderful photographs that illustrate the stories, making this book a good one to keep on your coffee table.

You may want to take up your camera and share your own experiences. You can do that at their website: www.unselfishstories.com.

You can follow them on their Facebook page and read encouraging stories: https://www.facebook.com/unselfishstories. You can follow them on Instagram and Twitter: @UnselfishStories.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each copy of Unselfish is being donated to the Cambodian Children's Fund. You can learn more about that work at www.cambodianchildrensfund.org.

Food for thought: “Kindness is Christianity with its work clothes on.” (159)

Paul Parkinson is a former Regional Vice-President of a medical supply company,which he left in 2012 to fround various media enterprises. As President of Gradual Elevate Media, Parkinson wrote the story for and oversaw the production of the feature film, Nowhere Safe – a movie that addresses the issue of cyberbullying. He and his wife has six children.

Unselfish Stories LLC, 190 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Believer'sTrust for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

A Heart's Danger by Colleen Coble

About this episode:

Christmas is coming and the air at Fort Laramie has turned cold. Relations with the Sioux have turned colder. As tensions between soldiers and natives approach a tipping point, a trap has been set for Rand Campbell. Rand's new fiancée wants to keep him from returning to Sarah Montgomery . . . for whom his heart clearly still yearns.

Sarah just wants to move on with her life at Fort Laramie, but doing so under the watchful eyes of both Campbell – the man whose love she craves – and Croftner – the man whose lies have cost her everything.

Will Rand fall victim to the conspiracy and go through with his wedding? Or will he declare his love for Sarah and make good on the promises that brought her into the rugged western territories?

My review:

This is the third in this series of six episodes. You can also read my reviews of the first two books, A Heart's Disguise and A Heart's Obsession.

I really liked the action in this episode. There was plenty of it, involving deadly threats toward both Rand and Sarah. Because of the harm Croftner did to Morning Star in the last episode, the Sioux are moving out and there is talk of war. In addition to that possible war is the war Croftner wages against Rand. His true evil nature is shown in this episode. His desire to do harm is fed by Jessica's jealousy.

An interesting aspect of the story is the relationship between Rand and one of the Sioux warriors. Under attack, Rand does not take the clear shot he had at a young warrior with a facial scar. That act of grace forges a valuable bond between the two men and will ultimately save lives. It is refreshing to read of such bonds being made, as we had seen between Sarah and Morning Star in a previous episode. Some can look beyond the immediate situation to the real human within.

The end of this episode is quite satisfying so I am curious as to how the author will continue this story in episode four, A Heart's Betrayal, coming in June.

I am taking part in a blog tour of this episode and you can read other reviews here.

Colleen Coble is a USA Today best-selling author, having sold more than two million of her books worldwide. Find out more at www.colleencoble.com.

Thomas Nelson, 112 pages. You can purchase a copy here.

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

Hollywood Lost by Ace Collins

While this is a recently released novel, the style is of the 1930s hard boiled detective mysteries. The vocabulary and dialog match the period, as do the police techniques. The author's writing style matches the period as well.

The plot involves a serial murderer in Hollywood in 1936. Someone is strangling young women, many associated with Galaxy Studios and Flynn Sparks, their top money making star. The studio is doing everything to protect their star, frustrating the police investigation. In the center of the action is Shelby. Her family recently lost their farm in Oklahoma and moved to California to find work. Shelby found a job sewing costumes for the studio. A beautiful woman, Sparks tries to seduce her. Might she be the next murder victim?

The recurring theme in the novel is the contrast between being real and being an actor, on and off the stage. The studio created new names and personal histories for their stars. Individuals were creating fantasies, not just on stage but in their own lives. Shelby was a hold out, a Christian, a real person in a world of actors. But she just might fall prey to the rewards of acting a part herself.

At one point in the novel the movie producer talks about a B movie. I would call this a B novel. I have read other novels by Collins and know he can produce snappy dialog. I didn't find it in this novel. He can also create tight plots with great action. I didn't find that in this novel either.

There are some interesting characters. One is a newspaper columnist, covering the movie beat. She is a mover and shaker and wears clothes, head to toe, all the same color. Wednesday was orange day. There is the egotistical Sparks. He is confident he can get any woman he wants into his bed. The other characters seemed flat to me, much like those in the hard boiled detective novels of the 1930s.

I must say the way the murderer is finally made known was clever. It reminded me of Agatha Christie. Collins also included a number of red herrings to throw us off the track. In the end, I would say this is a pretty good period detective novel, just not Collins' best. There is a great Discussion Guide included that really helps identify all the issues in the novel.

Ace Collins is the best-selling and award-winning author of more than sixty titles. He and his wife are based in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. You can find out more at www.acecollins.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.

No Place to Hide by Lynette Eason

Eason is a master of suspense and she provides it nonstop in this novel.

Ian Lockwood has been wrongly accused of treason. He was working on malaria for a private lab when he happens to see something not meant for him. He has no idea what the coded message means but, as a lover of puzzles, keeps a copy to figure out later. Before long, however, he finds he is suspected of terrorism and his life is in danger. Jackie Sellers, working with the Operation Rescue group, sees her childhood friend on the national news and sets out to help him. She is convinced of his innocence but unable to prove it. When bad guys and the FBI come after them, the two have to run for their lives.

The novel begins with immediate action but we don't know the above information until about fifty pages in. I would have preferred to know the reason for the danger as suspense needs meaning behind it for impact. Once we know the reason for Ian being on the run, the suspense heightens and continues through to the end.

Overall, I really liked the novel. There is plenty of suspense interspersed with heartwarming scenes. A couple of issues make it less than perfect. Jackie's friends at Operation Rescue seem to have unlimited funds, friends in high places, and resources. That was a little unrealistic although the reasons they have it all is explained in the story. Also, the security at the CDC appeared weak, considering what is kept in that facility.

This is a Christian romantic suspense. Jackie is mad at God throughout most of the novel because she feels God let her husband be killed. Some of the anger directed at God is really from her own feelings of guilt. Ian is a believer and gently tries to redirect her toward faith in God. The Christian witness in the novel is not pushy, but it is there and comes to the surface in the end.

The emphasis in the novel is suspense. While there is some character development, it is not the focus of the novel. If you like nonstop suspense, you'll like this novel. There are a couple of great twists near the end that are surprising. Somehow Eason makes it all fit together.

Lynette Eason is the award winning, bestselling author of several romantic suspense series. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and went on to earn a master's degree in education from Converse College. She lives in South Carolina with her husband and their two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

Revell, 337 pages.

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

This is What You Just Put in Your Mouth? by Patrick Di Justo

Why do I read books that I know are going to make me irritated? Perhaps, like Di Justo, I'm curious. What is in that stuff anyway?

This book is a little different than I thought it would be. These essays were originally articles for Wired magazine. The collection is not compelling reading but I was interested enough to read the entire book. In doing so, I found some interesting facts.

The first part of the book is about stuff we eat. Most of the articles are about processed and/or packaged foods. There was an article on red wine also. The ingredients (or chemicals) in each food are listed with commentary.

What interested me most was the additional material Di Justo provided. I found out how wishy washy and under funded the FDA is. I found the meaning of advertising terms, like “rich in” and “an excellent source of.” I found out how loose the term “organic” is. Did you know that “light” (“lite”) can be used to describe a food that has less than fifty percent of its calories from fat? I found out a serving size of a product is the amount a four year old would consume. (You've got to read the book to find out why.)

Of course, some of the ingredients are really odd. Hostess Lemon Fruit Pies contains calcium sulfate (Plaster of Paris) and only seven percent or less of material actually from lemons. I was surprised to find that lemon flavor can be developed from turpentine.

The articles about the meat products were very enlightening. One was on Spam and I'm not going there. I found out the U.S. Department of Agriculture categorizes beef. The bottom three, utility, cutter, and canner, are generally used in processed meet products. I don't even want to think about the mechanically separated chicken.

I learned that expiration dates on products are totally voluntary. There is no federal regulation in that area, although some states may require dates on products like milk.

The second part of the book is on nonfood products, like deodorant, fabric softener, lotions, bug killer, and more. I was surprised to find out that dandruff is caused by a yeast infection.

This was not the most interesting book I have read but I did find interesting tidbits in it. There is no consistency in the choice of products. It was just what Di Justo was interested in investigating. Nonetheless, I know I'll be checking the list of ingredients on products with a more careful eye in the future.

Patrick Di Justo wrote the popular Wired magazine column What’s Inside and is an editor at Make: magazine. A contributor to The New Yorker’s science blog, Elements, he also writes for The Atlantic, Popular Science, and Dwell, among others.

Three Rivers Press, 272 pages.

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

A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade

I liked this Christian romance. The plot may not have been all that unique but there was a twist that made the story great reading.

Lyndie and James were best friends in childhood. Their Texas families were close and the two did everything together. Then Lyndie's father was transferred and the family moved to California. They wrote letters but the frequency declined and then stopped altogether.

Now, about twenty years later, Lyndie's family has moved back to Texas and close to James' family. Though Lyndie has a life of her own, she has stayed with her family to help care for her special needs sister. She finds that James is a scarred man. He struggles with PTSD after his time in Iraq. While he is the trainer on his family's horse farm, he lives a solitary life and avoids relationships. He is convinced he is a man too damaged for any woman, even the woman he still loves from childhood.

Besides being a great romance, Wade has done an excellent job in expanding the plot so readers will be informed as well as entertained. I learned a great deal about PTSD and what sometimes works in therapy. James was the only survivor in his vehicle when they struck and IED and he suffers from survivor's guilt.

I also learned about horse training and racing. Although I found it odd to have horse racing (and betting) in a Christian novel, I did enjoy reading about horses. Lyndie loved horses from childhood and worked with trainers in California. Back in Texas, she applies for a job at the Porter family horse ranch, hoping to reconnect with Jake. He reluctantly hires her to exercise his horses.

The third interesting aspect of this novel was Lyndie's special needs sister. Severely damaged at birth, the parents fought for Molly's survival and care. Lyndie is devoted to her younger sister, and to making her limited life as good as possible. The mother's faith in the goodness of God, even dealing with this situation, is amazing.

What could a reader ask for besides a good romance and learning about several topics? Humor. Wade has delivered here too. A friend of Lyndie's thinks they should get to know some guys. The single's dance event was hilarious. The dialog made me laugh out loud. Single men – a single woman's worst nightmare.

There is much to think about in this novel. James sees himself as totally wrecked inside and good for no one. Is he right in rejecting others, especially Lyndie, because he thinks it is best for both of them? How can he possibly conquer his fear of not being able to protect her, as he failed to protect his men in Iraq? Lyndie, even with her optimism, finds is very difficult trying to break through to the James she once knew. Can their love for each other in childhood ever be recaptured?

This is the third in the Porter Family series but it can certainly be enjoyed all on its own. It is a wonderful novel of pain, suffering, healing, and redemption. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.

I am taking part in a blog tour of this book and you can read other reviews here.

Becky Wade is a California native, attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and settled in Dallas. She wrote historical romance for the general market and then took time to raise her family. When God called her back to writing, she moved to the Christian fiction genre, writing funny, modern romance. She has won the Carol Award and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award. You can find out more at http://beckywade.com/home.html.

Bethany House Publishers, 368 pages. You can purchase a copy here.

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

Heart Sisters by Natalie Chambers Snapp

This is a great book for women concerned about their relationships with other women. Maybe you've sworn off friendships because you have been deeply hurt. Maybe you're seeking an authentic relationship. This book has a vast amount of information and encouragement to help you establish the friendships God has for you.

Expecting your husband to fulfill all your emotional needs is setting him up for failure, Snapp writes. Women are relationship seekers and need women friends. Before we set out on that friendship quest, we must be right with God. “Getting right with God is a crucial step before we can get right with anyone else.” She reminds us that we have a God-shaped hole inside of us that we cannot expect human friends to fill.

Snapp covers just about every topic on friendship. She looks at the lies we might believe, keeping us from authentic relationships, and also how we can get back on track. She shares how she reached out for friends when she and her husband moved to a new community. She shows how Jesus is our model. She writes about the roles friends have in our lives, about the types of friends there are and how they relate to us.

She has an excellent section on how friends function, ministering to each other. She has great suggestions on making it through conflict (and it will come). She emphasizes the need for forgiveness and humility. She has a really good section on boundaries, what they are and are not. She gives practical suggestions on how to use technology wisely. She also has many ideas on directing our daughter's trajectory when it comes to relationships, including topics like bullying. She also writes about women working together in ministry.

She emphasizes that friends will not show up on our door step. We might have to get outside of our comfort zone, do things that might even scare us, to find friends. She reminds us it can take years to form the kind of friendship she discusses. She concludes her book with a great section on what friends do and don't do.

This is an excellent book for women in authentic friendship or wanting to be in them. She has included discussion questions at the end of each chapter so this would be a good book for a group of women looking to make deep friendships.

“Heart Sisters are essential to our mental, physical, and spiritual growth,” she writes. She has also provided additional resources at her own website, www.nataliesnapp.com.

I am taking part in a blog tour of this book and you can read other reviews here.

Natalie Chambers Snapp chose to follow Jesus at age twenty seven. She became passionate about sharing the grace, mercy, and truth about God's love. She is a regular contributor to the Mothers Of Boys Society, Deeper Waters, and the Whatever Girls Ministry. Her work has been featured at (in)courage and in Life Beautiful magazine. She and her husband, one spunky daughter and two spirited sons live in Indiana. You can find out more about her at www.nataliesnapp.com.

Abingdon Press, 208 pages.

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