Book Review: Miracle Girl

Miracle Girl
by Jennifer DiGiovanni

Vinspire Publishing

Christian , Teens & YA

Pub Date 30 Nov 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Miracle Girl through Vinspire Publishing and Netgalley:

Leanne Strongs hates June 8th even though it should be a day of celebration, fifteen years prior in June 8th Baby Leanne was miraculously healed from a spinal cord defect after her Mother prayed to a Religious Mystic who was elevated to Sainthood. Since Leanne’s unexplained
cure, people by the thousands gather around her small town every year to celebrate her miracle. A miracle she does not remember but most of the time accepts as real.

After teen pitching phenomenon Braeden Dalisay moves into the house across from Leanne, he has a chip on his shoulder even bigger than his athletic talent. When they are forced to spend Summer in the same law office he and Leanne develop a working relationship that goes from stormy to silent. After Leanne learns Braden’s sister Emeline died making it clear to Leanne why Braden acts the way he does, Emeline Dalisay didn’t get a miracle.

Braeden starts to soften in time and he and Leanne grow closer, but after his family is hit by another traumatic event, he pulls away, the unfairness of a life of deep wound. Leanne wants to help Braden and his family heal as much as she wants a relationship with him. More than that, she wants a miracle for Braeden.

I give Miracle Girl five out of five stars!

Book Review: In the Warsaw Ghetto

In the Warsaw Ghetto
by Glenn Haybittle

Cheyne Walk

Historical Fiction , Literary Fiction

Pub Date 30 Jul 2019

I am reviewing a copy of In the Warsaw Ghetto through Cheyenne Walk and Netgalley:

Ala Silberman was training to be a dancer when the Germans invaded Warsaw, they were forced into the Ghetto with almost a half a million Jews. Ala struggles with the feelings of guilt at her more privileged circumstances. But Ala’s enigmatic teacher puts together a dance company with the intention of putting on a performance for the residence of the Ghetto.

Ala’s Uncle, Max Silberman is a bachelor who carries a flame for a girl he went to university with, the problem was she married someone else, and they hadn’t seen each other in a decade, but he discovers age and her two children were abandoned by her Catholic husband all his dormant hopes are incongruously revived amidst the squalor and destitution surrounding him.

In the Warsaw Ghetto is the powerful story of Ala and Max trying to preserve their aspirations, even amidst the most horrible circumstances.

I give In the Warsaw Ghetto five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review (Dis) Connected

[Dis]Connected
Poems & Stories of Connection and Otherwise Volume 2

by Courtney Peppernell; Tyler Knott Gregson; Noah Milligan; Caitlyn Siehl; Raquel Franco; Wilder; Alicia Cook; Komal Kapoor; KY Robinson; NL Shompole

Central Avenue Publishing

General Fiction (Adult) , Poetry

Pub Date 01 Oct 2019

I am reviewing a copy of (Dis)Connected: Poems and Stories of Connection and Otherwise Volume Two:

In this highly anticipated second volume of poetry and short stories combines some of the most popular poets of 2019. (Dis) Connected is a collection of poetry and short stories dealing with connections wrapped up in a most unique exercise in creative writing. Follow along as your favorite poets connect with each other, offering their poetry to the next person who then tells a story based on the concept presented to them.

I found the poems and Short Stories in this collection to be a unique and well written and therefore worthy of five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Following Jesus

Following Jesus
Finding Our Way Home in an Age of Anxiety

by Henri J. M. Nouwen

Crown Publishing

Convergent Books

Christian

Pub Date 17 Sep 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Following Jesus through Crown Publishing/Convergent Books and Netgalley:

Henri Nouwen gave a series of lectures on the importance of following Jesus, and leaning on him in the age of anxiety, these lectures came at one of the lowest points of his life. During that difficult time Nouwen remained faithful to God and to the teachings of Jesus.

In this never before released book Nouwen writes beautifully about calling and purpose in our walk with Christ, and he goes on to explain why in the 21 St Century the greatest reward for those looking for spiritual direction is rediscovering Jesus’s teaching on love. Along the way, Nouwen offers warm, insightful, practical habits to help readers navigate the narrow, sometimes arduous, but ultimately fulfilling road of conviction and faith.

I give Following Jesus five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Transformed

Transformed
Devotions for a Woman’s Heart and Mind

by Donna K. Maltese

Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Barbour Books

Christian

Pub Date 01 Jan 2020

I am reviewing a copy of Transformed: Devotions For A Woman’s Heart and Mind through Barbour Publishing Inc, and Netgalley:

Life is difficult we see struggles everyday, watching the news reminds us of the scary things in the world, we see commercials geared towards home security but that does not mean we do not have someone watching over us, or does not mean We are alone.

Destructive thoughts to often become an issue, the things we say or even think to say to ourselves can become dangerous. In this beautiful devotional for women will show us ways to take every thought captive.

Transformed is a devotional that shows the readers to change up those wrong ideas about prayers.

I give Transformed: Devotions On A Woman’s Heart and Mind five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Cinmaron Girl

Cimarron Girl
The Dust Bowl Years of Abigail Brubaker

by Mike Blanc

Vanita Books

Children’s Fiction , History

Pub Date 01 Jun 2016

I am reviewing a copy of Cimmaron Girl through Vanita Books and Netgalley:

Cimarron Girl: The Dust Bowl Years of Abigail Brubaker is a fictionalized telling of a young Abby’s memories of the Dust Bowl, on their family farm located in Cimmaron Oklahoma.

The first person account tells of key events throughout Abby’s early life in the form until the time when conditions got so bad, their family like so many others were forced to leave their homes and look for a better life outside of Oklahoma, it was The Great Depression and things were bad everywhere but in Oklahoma things were far worse, due to the horrific conditions brought on by the Dust Bowl.

Cimaron Girl is a story of loss and challenges, but it is more a story of hope and overcoming despite great obstacles.

I give Cimaron Girl five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Tamba Child Soldier

TAMBA, Child Soldier
by Marion Achard; Yann Degruel

Papercutz

NBM Publishing

Biographies & Memoirs , Comics & Graphic Novels

Pub Date 15 Nov 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Tamba Child Soldier through Papercutz/NBM Publishing and Netgalley:

At only eight years old Tamba Cisso was taken from his village and his family where he had lived and gone to school when he was taken away and forced to become a Child Soldier, at only eight he was forced to learn to kill, several years later he is forced to sit in front of a council telling of what he and other child soldiers.

Tamba’s story is told in the form of a powerfully illustrated Graphic Novel, with clear pictures of what he was forced to go through.

I recommend Tamba, Child Soldier to Highschool age and older due to the difficult subject matter.

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Fashioned by God

Fashioned by God
A 30-Day Devotional

by Kathryn Graves

Broadstreet Publishing Group LLC

Christian

Pub Date 02 Apr 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Fashioned by God through Broadstreet Publishing Group and Netgalley:

If you are a woman looking for a devotional that mixes fashion and faith then you will definitely want a copy of Fashioned by God.

Fashioned by God is a thirty day devotional that combines faith with fashion tips, somehow managing to tie them together, in a relatable fashion. Each day offers a Bible Verse, Spiritual Lesson, Prayer as well as questions for your heart, actions from your wardrobe and style tips from a fashion icon.

I give Fashioned by God five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Be the Bridge

Be the Bridge
Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation

by Latasha Morrison

WaterBrook & Multnomah

WaterBrook

Christian , Multicultural Interest

Pub Date 15 Oct 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Be the Bridge through WaterBrook & Multnomah and Netgalley:

Latasha Morrison points out in Be the Bridge that when racial tensions are so high both outside the church and within it, it is important that we as Christians become the leaders in Reconciliation.

Be the Bridge is a power packed guide that helps readers deepen their understanding of historical factors and present realities, that help to equip them to participate in the ongoing dialogue and to serve as catalysts for righteousness, justice, healing, transformation, and reconciliation.

I give Be the Bridge five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Rumi Unseen Poems

Rumi
Unseen Poems

by Rumi

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

Everyman’s Library

Poetry , Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date 10 Sep 2019

I am reviewing a copy of Rumi Unseen Poems
through Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group and Everyman’s Library:

Rumi once said “Love speaks a thousand languages.”

Rumi who lived from 1207-1273 and was trained in Sufism, a mystic tradition within Islam, the Sufi order used dance and music as part of their Spiritual devotion.

Rumi’s poetry has been popular with Contemporary Westerners because of the way it combines the sacred and the sensual, describing divine love in human terms.

This beautiful collection of Rumi’s poems speaks of a deep faith and love the way a modern reader can understand and appreciate.

I give Rumi Unseen Poems five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!