The Hidden Flame

by Janette Oke and Davis Bunn

This brilliantly written book puts you on the streets of first century Jerusalem, giving you a front row seat for many of the events recorded in the book of Acts. From the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira to the stoning of Stephen the reader witnesses first-hand moments that shaped the early church through the eyes of Abigail; a young believer and the focus of this story.


It is the second book in the Acts of Faith series, however the authors have done a great job of filling in the necessary background information to make this book easily readable on its own. I have not read the first book, but had no trouble picking up the story line.

Caught between the Jewish leadership and the Roman rulers, the early church is fighting for their survival – even as their numbers grow daily.

Many of the characters are actual historical characters- the apostles, Martha, Rabbi Gamaliel (the Apostle Paul’s teacher – still known as Saul in this book). All of the characters are rich and deep; you will laugh with them, cry with them, and pray with them.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction.

I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book, however that in no way influenced my opinion of it.

How to Reach Your Full Potential for God

By Charles F Stanley

I have really struggled writing this review. I admit I have very mixed feeling on this book. At first, I really did not like it. It took me a long time to read the book, not because it was difficult to read but because it just didn’t grab me. I really didn’t find myself interested in it at all. I found his writing style to be very basic, almost like it was intended for a junior high Sunday School class. He seems to avoid theological terms at all cost and often over-illustrates his point. One illustration is helpful, more than that is simply annoying.


However, once I finished the book I found it kept coming back to me. I have really been looking at the daily events in my life and thinking “What would God have me do here? How can I use this to glorify God? Am I reaching my full potential in this area of my life?”

After much thought and prayer I’ve realized that if you like self help/motivational books you will probably love this one. I’m someone who prefers to approach these things through biblical exegesis and the teaching of sound doctrine, so to me this book read like a 1980’s self-help book. However, there is value in that.

Bottom line: if you like self help, you will love this book. If you are looking for something deeper, you might find it hard to read, but there is a valuable message for all Christians in this book.

I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this book, however that in no way influenced my opinion of it.

Sense and Sensibility (Insight Edition)

If you love Jane Austen, you will love this edition of Sense and Sensibility.

I admit I was at first a little skeptical of reading an “insight edition” as often I have found, in the past, insights to be annoying and often detract from the story. That is not the case in this edition of Sense and Sensibility. I found most of the insights to be very helpful and often amusing.


This timeless classic is brought to life in even greater detail through the insights included in this version. It includes many fascinating details from Jane Austen’s own life which help explain her perspective on many different situations. Many of the insights have to do with bringing the rich cultural details out to a generation who may not immediately relate to life and places in the early 1800’s.


For those who have loved (or even hated) the many movies and mini-series’ based on this book, you will find frequent comparisons, applause, and criticisms of the film versions.


The faith that is evident, though not always clearly, is brought out and given Scriptures references for throughout the book. I found these very interesting as I had never thought of Sense and Sensibility as a Christian book before.


This is definitely a book all Jane Austen aficionados will love. If you've never read Jane Austen, I strongly recommend you make this the first one you read.


I must mention that I did receive a complimentary review copy of this book, however that in no way influenced my opinion.

The Silent Governess

An absolute masterpiece of historical fiction!

The Silent Governess is a beautifully written tale of mystery, romance, family secrets, friendship and faith set in a nineteenth century manor house.

By chance circumstance Olivia Keene overhears a secret of Lord Bradley. Compelled to take a post in his home, while she hides a secret of her own, she is quickly accepted by the other servants as well as the children.

The characters are deep, rich, and intriguing. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.

Set in a time where women were ladies, men were gentlemen, and propriety was held in high regard Julie Klassen does a fabulous job of clearly describing the inner working of an English manor house. The intricacies of the relationships between the servant, the governess, and the lords and ladies are brought to light in great detail. Quotes at the beginning of each chapter from writings of the time provide background for each chapter and shed light on what the roles of each character would have been.

If you love historical fiction set in the Regency era, you will love this book.

While I did receive a complimentary review copy of this book, it in no way influenced my opinion of it.

The Reckoning

By Beverly Lewis

Another beautifully written book by Beverly Lewis!

"The Reckoning" is the third and final book in the Heritage of Lancaster County. Following the story of Katherine Mayfield (Katie Lapp) the story resumes with Katherine assuming her position as Mistress of Mayfield Manor. This is a considerable lifestyle change for a young woman who was raisede Amish by her adoptive parents.

Still struggling with her shunning by the Amish people, she devises a way for her maid to write her best friend in Hickory Hollow.

To further complicate things, her first love who she believes to be dead appears at her door one day.

Faced with many difficult decisions, she agrees to attend church with her maid and butler, and hears of the true gospel and God's love for her. The seess of the Gospel are sown, and Katherine must examine herself, her past, and future.

This is a tremendous story of forgiveness, reconciliation, and redemption.

The White Horse King

The White Horse King is a brilliantly written biography of King Alfred. It is clear this book was thoroughly researched as Benjamin Merkle has brought the events to life in rich detail.

It written in such a way that it can be used for scholarly purposes yet is fairly easy to read. I don't generally read biographies, but this one seemed interesting. I was not disappointed; I could hardly put it down.


Prior to reading this biography I knew little of Alfred the Great, and I believe that is the case for many people. However, much can be learned about Western Civilization and the importance of having a Biblical worldview through studying his life.


As the fifth in line to throne, it would have seemed unlikely that Alfred would ever be king. As a small child his father sent him to Rome, and that proved to be a defining time in Alfred's life.


This was a period of time when the Viking raiders were pillaging most the English coastlands and taking over villages. Farms, churches, and monasteries were being burned and destroyed and many were slaughtered at the hands of the Vikings.


As Alfred ascended to the throne he faced the Viking aggressions with a poorly trained volunteer military. He had already lost much of his family to the Vikings, including his brother who had been sacrificed to the Viking gods.


Merkle has done a fabulous job of describing the tactics of both the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons in great detail. Much time is spent describing how Alfred was eventually able to establish a few periods of peace.


After pushing back the Vikings and taking captive one of there kings - to whom he showed incredible mercy, Alfred turned his attentions to building a better military and fortifying the towns.


This was at time when many years had passed since the Romans had left, and illiteracy was rampant and the people were falling into paganism. King Alfred realized that his people were being crippled by a lack of knowledge of God.


All of the Christian works of the day were in Latin, and few people outside of church scholars and monks could read it. In addition, most of the Anglo-Saxon people could not read or write their own language. Alfred set up public school system to teach the peasant children to read, and required all of the noblemen to learn to read. He hired monks and other scholars to translate parts of the Bible to the Anglo-Saxon language, knowing that his people needed the word of God in their own language - this was almost 700 years BEFORE the Reformation.


Seeing as America is falling into paganism now, not from illiteracy but from Biblical illiteracy I found it very refreshing to hear that so many years ago one very wise king saw the same problem. People need to know the Bible to avoid paganism, yet so many churches today have abandoned Bible teaching and replaced it with self-help or the social gospel.


I would highly recommend this book for home school classes or for anyone who wanting to understand the importance of having a Biblical worldview.






While I did receive a courtesy review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson publishers, that in no way influenced my review.

Though Waters Roar

By Lynn Austin

Though this delightful tale begins with Harriet Sherwood sitting in jail wondering how she became a criminal, it is really the story of the women who came before her.

While being a slightly slow read, it is worth every minute of it.

Set primarily in the mid  to late 1800's and early 1900's this book puts you at a station on the Underground Railroad, on a Civil War battlefield, on the sidewalk in front of a saloon just before Prohibition, and in the Women's Suffrage march on Washington DC. Full of accurate historical detail you see these events as an eye witness.

The issues of women in this time period are clearly brought to light in the lives of Harriet's grandmother and mother. Harriet's grandmother was a farm girl when she met Horatio Garner, a wealthy son of a tannery owner. Through the grandmother's life you see true living faith in action as she faces trials in her marriage and with her in laws, tragedy, and triumph. She grows from being a young farm girl into a powerful woman of faith who cares for the poor and fights for just causes.

As Harriet reflects on the life of her grandmother and mother she sees how their lives have influenced her in many ways.

I did receive a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes, but that in no way influenced my opinion of it.