Book Review: Humble Orthodoxy

Book Description:

We don’t get to choose between humility and orthodoxy. We need both.
  
Orthodoxy, for the faithful, evokes what’s cherished and beautiful and eternal. Yet in our day, orthodoxy is too often wielded like a weapon, used to bludgeon others with differing points of view. The word has become associated with behavior like argumentative, annoying, and arrogant.
 
It’s time for God’s people to demonstrate both right thinking and right attitudes. We are called to embrace and defend biblical truth. But that truth includes repeated commands to love our neighbor, love our enemy, and be clothed in gentleness and respect.  
 
In Humble Orthodoxy, bestselling author Joshua Harris examines New Testament teachings about the calling of believers to a love-infused courage that ignores foolish controversies, patiently endures evil, and champions truth with generosity of spirit. Without this kind of humility, Harris asserts, we become like the Pharisees—right in our doctrine, but ultimately destroying the cause of truth with our pride.

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My Review:

This book is a must read for Christians today. In an age in church history where the very existence of truth is under attack, it seems that those who most want to contend for they faith often forget that we we need to speak the truth in love.

In a very humble yet firm manner Harris calls all Christians to carefully examine how we conduct ourselves and how we contend for the faith.

Reading this book was both very convicting and very encouraging to me. After seeing true friendships end over differences in minor doctrinal points, and weathering the seemingly endless Facebook wars, it is so refreshing to read a book that encouraged to remember that both humility and orthodoxy are important.

This book is short and very easy to read. This is one that now has a permanent spot in our library, and I'm sure I will refer back to it often.

I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book through Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books program.

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Humble Orthodoxy by Joshua Harris (Sneak Peek) by WaterBrook Multnomah

Review: A Plain Disappearance by Amanda Flower

Book Description:

It’s Christmastime in Amish Country, and Chloe Humphrey has begun settling into her life in Appleseed Creek excited to see where her new relationship with Timothy Troyer will lead. Unfortunately it leads to murder when the couple discovers the body of Amish teenager Katie Lambright while on their first date. 

Near the scene there is evidence that Timothy’s friend and auto mechanic Billy Thorpe is involved with the crime. The police reveal Billy is not really who he said he was and has been living the last decade in Knox County under a stolen alias. Now, Chloe and Timothy must find Billy, bring him to justice, or prove his innocence.

My Review:

This was an interesting story with a mix of light romance, a bit of mystery, and a touch of Amish life. It may seem like a strange blend, but Amanda Flower makes it work. This is far more than you average English-meets-Amish story.

The story moves along at a very nice pace, and I enjoyed this unique twist on Amish fiction. By the end of the book I found that I really liked the main characters, but it took awhile to get to that point. 

The plot was not predictable and the mystery very slowly unfolds, keeping the reader interested until the very end.

I think I would have enjoyed the book more if I had read the previous two books first. It took awhile to feel like I understood all of the characters and the complexities of their relationships, but many of these things were developed in the previous books. Those reading this as a stand-alone are at a disadvantage in this regard. 

Overall, I liked the book but I would recommend reading "A Plain Death" and "A Plain Scandal" first.

I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book from Handlebar Marketing in exchange for an honest review.

Review: An Untamed Heart

Book Description:

Twenty-year-old Ingeborg Strand is certain she is destined to be an old maid. She's had several suitors but none she deemed worthy of spending her life with. That is, until she meets a university student from Oslo, and feelings stronger than friendship begin to develop between them. But tragedy strikes, and the future begins to look bleaker than ever.

Grief settles heavily over Ingeborg, and her mother suggests that she leave Norway and start afresh in America, as so many others have done before her. But how will she accomplish that with little money and no one to accompany her?

It isn't long before she meets Roald Bjorklund, a widower who has been planning to go to America for some time, lured by the promise of free land. He's a good man, a hard-working man--and he has a young son who desperately needs a mother. He's clearly interested in Ingeborg, but is he the answer to her prayers? And what about love? This isn't how she's always imagined it.

Ingeborg Strand has a heartrending decision to make...

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My Review:

I loved this prequel! Ingeborg is one of my very favorite fictional characters, and I loved getting a glimpse at the young woman that becomes the woman we all know and love from the Red River of the North series, and subsequent series. The traits the make her uniquely her are developed in this book, and she is as easy to relate to as ever.

The story moves along at a very nice pace, and isn't too predictable - which seems to often be an issue in prequels.

If you have read any of the other novels, don't worry - start with this one and you will fall in love with Ingeborg too :-)

I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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An Untamed Heart by Bethany House Publishers

Review: The Secret Keeper

Book Description:

With her love for all things old-fashioned, Jennifer Burns has often been told she's an "old soul," but no one is prepared for the young woman's decision to set aside her modern life in favor of the Old Order Amish world. Yet Jenny does exactly that, adopting Plain dress and settling in with Samuel and Rebecca Lapp while she works as a mother's helper for the bishop's wife--a far cry from her former job as an x-ray technician.

The people of Hickory Hollow are curious about the beautiful young seeker among them, one handsome Amishman in particular. But he is not the only man vying for Jenny's affections, and Jenny faces many challenges in the Proving time the brethren have set for her...challenges of the heart, as well as the spirit.

Will Jenny's secrets keep her from the peace she longs for? Or will they lead the way home?

My Review:

I've really enjoyed Beverly Lewis' Amish fiction for a long time. I've read all of them, and have appreciated her recent Home to Hickory Hollow series, which this book is a part. This one is one of my favorites, if not number 1.

I loved the characters in this book, both the new ones and the familiar faces. I loved the story, with it's unique twist. It's not often that one reads of one seeking to join the Amish. In tackling this more challenging story line, Lewis really brings to life the themes of submission, humility, and obedience in Amish theology and day-to-day life. 

I also enjoyed reading more about Samuel and Rebecca Lapp, who will be familiar to long time Lewis readers. There was a great depth of character in Rebecca, and reading their continuing story with them as primary characters was a real treat. 

If you read The Shunning and the subsequent books in that series, you must read this book.

I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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The Secret Keeper by Bethany House Publishers

Review: Blood and Bone

Book Description:

A decade after Serpent of Moses, Jack is married to Espy and back teaching at Evanston University. They have two sons, one of whom has cystic fibrosis. Despite this challenge, life is comfortable. But that all changes when the CIA, while combing through the papers of the late Gordon Reese, uncovers the secret of Elisha's bones. Jack's world is then turned upside down by an urgent call from his old friend Duckey, who's been alerted to the CIA's probing by one of his former contacts. Jack and his family escape from their home just ahead of the CIA, and he decides to do what he should have done long ago: recover the bones and destroy them. Except the bones aren't where he left them.

So now Jack is in a race, for the last time, to find the bones. And he's not the only one. Pitted against both the CIA and an organization that will kill to protect their secrets, Jack and Espy follow hard-to-decipher clues across the globe before arriving in the catacombs of Paris for a final showdown that will either save their family--or tear apart everything they hold dear forever.

My Review:

This book was an absolute wild ride from the very first page. Fast paced and action packed, this book was very hard to put down. The plot is full of twists and turns and it draws the reader along right until the very end.

Great characters and great attention to detail also make this book very special.

If you haven't read Serpent of Moses, don't worry - this will read fine as a stand alone. I have read Serpent of Moses, but it was quite awhile ago and I really didn't remember it too well. The author does a great job of filling in the back story, making it easy to read on it's own.

I would highly recommend this book.
I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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Blood and Bone by Bethany House Publishers

Review: Dark Road Home

Book Description:

Ana Kavanagh's only memories of home are of fire and pain. As a girl she was the only survivor of a terrible blaze, and years later she still struggles with her anger at God for letting it happen. 

At a nearby parish she meets and finds a kindred spirit in Eoghan Hamilton, who is struggling with his own anger--his sister, Cara, betrayed him by falling in love with one of his enemies. Cast aside by everyone, Eoghan longs to rejoin the Fenians, a shadowy organization pushing for change back in Ireland. But gaining their trust requires doing some favors--all of which seem to lead back to Ana. Who is she and who is searching for her? As dark secrets from Ana's past begin to come to light, Eoghan must choose which road to follow--and where to finally place his trust.

My Review:

This book was a great adventure right from the first page. It was fast-paced and full of unexpected twists and turns. I love every moment of it.

If you read No Safe Harbor you  must read this book. I would add, though, that this book would not read well as a stand-alone. I would highly recommend reading No Safe Harbor first. I think it would be very difficult to keep track of the characters and understand the complexities of their relationships without the first book.

I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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Dark Road Home by Bethany House Publishers

Review: The Miners Lady

     Book Description

When Chantel Panetta's younger sister claims to be in love with Orlando Calarco, Chantel knows there is no hope. The Panettas and Calarcos have been sworn enemies for decades, and young love cannot heal the deep wounds between the two iron-mining families. Yet, unable to resist Isabella's pleas, Chantel agrees to help her sister spend time with Orlando...only to have a run-in with Dante, Orlando's brother. The older, more handsome one.

Chantel can't deny the attraction that flares when she's with Dante. But when a tragedy occurs at the mine, is there any hope that the hatred that has simmered between these two families might be resolved? Or will Chantel's hope for love be buried amidst decades of misunderstanding?

My Review:

This book was an adventure from the first page. I loved the delightfully quirky characters, the "just right" pace of the story, and tale of long-time feuding families.

I also enjoyed the look into the risk-filled lives of mining families. The author did a great job of addressing many of the issues that faced people in that day, and putting the reader in the midst of it.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book.

I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

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The Miner's Lady by Bethany House Publishers

Review: Stealing the Preacher

Book Description:

A cowboy who wants to be a preacher. An outlaw's daughter who wants to change his mind.

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can't believe it when he's forced off the train by an outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the preacher she requested for her birthday. He's determined to escape--which would be much easier if he could stop thinking about Joanna Robbins and her unexpected request.

For months, Joanna had prayed for a minister. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. But just when it seems her prayers have been answered, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett he ended up right where he was supposed to be?

With her signature blend of humor, history, and lively western romance, two-time RITA Award finalist and bestselling author Karen Witemeyer delivers a Texas love story sure to steal your heart.

 My Review: 

If you love "Short-Straw Bride" you must read this book! It was so nice to get a peak back in to the lives of the Archer family. 

The characters in this book were absolutely delightful, and I really enjoyed the light humor in the story. I also enjoyed the thread of faith that pulls the whole book together. 

If you haven't read the first book, don't worry this one will read just fine as a stand-alone. 

I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

 Preview it:

Stealing the Preacher by Bethany House Publishers