Back Cover Review: One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson

The Good Stuff:

We all have our ideals for the perfect Christmas – and boy do we take ourselves to our maximum stress high bar to attempt it. Natalie Pearce the heroine of Myra’s novel is no different - and in many ways she is very much like her own mom. When her mom suffers from a stroke and Natalie finds herself suffering from guilt galore everything changes. Will Natalie be able to let go of herself and her ideals and realize the things that are really the most important about the season? Will her mom be able to keep a promise that she made fifty years ago?

One Imperfect Christmas is a heart-wrenching and tender novel of one family’s struggle to come to terms with change and be the better for it. I like to compare a novel to a drink I’ve realized (Sweet Tea, Hot Chocolate, Lemonade…); this one is like a warm bowl of chicken soup (it has some meat to it).

One Imperfect Christmas is a healthy dose of comfort food for the soul.

An excellent “getting in the Christmas spirit” read…or a sweet gift for a friend for that same holiday!

The Minor Details:
I wanted to see the details and time passing fleshed out a little more at the beginning…or else the beginning of the novel started later. The story really seemed to start after a few chapters into it (my apologies because I’m sure Myra did the recommended throw out your first three chapters and I already learned firsthand how painful just doing that is. Even though I’m working to be honest with any person interested in these reviews about the minor weaknesses of these novels, don’t let it deter you from reading this one…

My Take:
I definitely recommend this sweet Christmas book….oh and the closing chapters are heart-touching and life-changing – for Natalie, the main character, and for the reader!

Back Cover Review: Elisha's Bones by Don Hoesel

I hear something above me that I recognize as a voice but I can't make sense of the words. There's a pounding in my ears that sounds like roaring surf beating against rocks. That louder sound, blocking out all else, is fear speaking to me, and I've never before heard its full voice.

Don grabs suspense by its throat and holds it there for three-hundred and thirty-four gripping pages. This is Indiana Jones and Clive Cussler at its best - or better. I'm not even interested in archeology and Elisha's Bones kept me fascinated from page one.

I was shocked to learn that this is Don's first novel. There are many books that are par excellent, but you can tell it's a novice attempt even so. There isn't a hint of this in Elisha's Bones...this is a book written by an author seasoned before his time...or, you know what I mean. This is good stuff!

Back Cover Review: My take on THE CALLING: A Voice In The Dead Woods by Jacob Israel

If you only read one book this year, let this one be it!

It wasn't long before I pulled out a pen and highlighter and did something rare for me - I love books and hate to mark them up - I marked dialogue and narrative that strummed a chord within me and resonated within my heart. A story written as present and in the near future - a world that I could picture forming around us even as these words are spread throughout the world.

Enter the world of Thomas James where reality and dreams mesh, intertwine and dance in a subtle rhythm. A world on the horizon, written with prophetic voice and vivid imagery. Meet a boy with unlikely beginnings and a Calling that overwhelms him. As events unfold, he is faced with a life of painful circumstances and mystery - but one day the truth overtakes him so that he can be a voice of freedom and of healing to those around him.

"It's just part of another chapter that has to be read so all will know to stand tall in the face of adversity."

"...His life is beyond his control. He cannot choose the things that happen to him. He can only choose how he reacts....He is standing where others refuse to stand. He stands in faith. He will not fear what might happen if he does the very thing that can save them all."

Meet Jacob Israel, an up and coming rival of Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti (my two top favorite authors of suspense and adrenaline-reading) - not to mention, a book that I agree could be placed in a genre with The Shack. Jacob clearly knows the face of suffering...and finding the face of truth.

And now it's Thomas James' turn...come and take the journey with him and experience The Calling...Your Calling.

To get your hands on a copy go to http://www.jacobisrael.org/!