Unwritten: A Novel by Charles Martin
Reviewed by: Samantha Kinkade
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Center Street
Publication Date: 2013

Katie Quinn is an actress on the run. On the run from her very own life, that is. Standing high on a pedestal in the constant spotlight has brought her to the end of what her heart can handle. Attempting to take her life, a constant friend rescues her from her ill-fated thoughts. Steady has convinced her, for the moment, that she may have another alternative.

Sunday is a man unnoticed. And he likes it that way. With tracks nearly impossible to follow, he leads a solitary life on the water off the coast of Florida. When Steady petitions him to help him with the young actress, Sunday may just blow his cover – and hers in the process.
As Sunday helps Katie to confront her past, he may end up with his own long-buried secrets to deal with as well.

At first glance, I wasn’t quite sold on Charles Martin’s newest novel. But, the first chapter captured me and I finished the manuscript in just one sitting. After so many historical fiction pieces, I thought I would have a hard time travelling back to the present age for this very modern tale. However, I found myself completely mesmerized by Martin’s prose and by Katie and Sunday’s story.

This book definitely requires a mind engaged. The emotional issues and moral decisions that fill the pages proved to be both engaging and thought provoking. I read each page wondering – what would I do in a situation like theirs? How would I find myself interacting, running, deciding?

Katie is a woman with many faces, none that belong to her. (Oh, and aren’t we all?) Desiring to hide her true self from the world, she took up acting at a young age and charmed a generation with her talent. As the story unwinds, there are many opportunities to see Katie in a different light – taking to the sea, motoring through Paris – but not until she’s traversed to the French countryside do we find the real Katie. Raw. Unrestrained. Broken.

As for Sunday, he has scars of his own. In coming to Katie’s aid, in his efforts to bandage her wounds, he must come to grips with his as well. In many ways this is Sunday’s story, too.

Charles Martin’s novel could be read, I suppose, as all other novels are – with a nonchalant desire for entertainment. Or you could, and I encourage you to, pick this book out from the pile of many others and read with an open heart. Take a moment to look into another’s broken (albeit, fictional) life, observe what you may, and glean as much as your heart will allow.

I found a sharp cry from the hurting, a deep sorrow from the lost, an overflowing reservoir of pain within these pages. And yet, the story is not one of sadness, but of hope – finding that the walls have crashed down and the floor has fallen out, and yet, we still stand – we still have the strength to continue. To reclaim what once composed us, to walk from brokenness into the light. The Lord may not be at the center of its words, but Unwritten certainly cries out for the hand of God.

Rated NC-17: I wouldn’t call this Christian fiction, and some pretty heavy topics are discussed such as suicide and great emotion trauma, but this is a book worth reading and a story worth remembering.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

The One Good Thing by Kevin Alan Milne
Reviewed by: Elizabeth Olmedo
Genre: Drama
Publisher: Center Street
Publication Date: March 2013

Halley, Ty, and Alice’s lives are shattered when a tragic accident rips their husband and father out of their lives. Everyone remembers Nathan as a loving, selfless, and caring man, even toward complete strangers. For years, he carried six small stones in his pocket as a reminder. With each act of kindness he’d move a stone from one pocket to the other. Now his family is forced to continue without him.

While struggling to cope, they discover a Facebook page where people are sharing stories of how Nathan helped them in their times of need. One post captures their attention. A woman none of them know claims Nathan saved her life. Shortly after, Halley stumbles upon years worth of e-mails this woman sent Nathan in which she several times refers to “our little girl.”

Reeling from the shock, pain, and sense of betrayal, Halley and Ty struggle to understand and forgive their husband and father. Only Alice believes in his innocence, and she is determined to prove it.

The One Good Thing is an emotionally harrowing story that reaches deep into the reader and stays long after the last page is turned. Kevin Alan Milne touches the emotions in a way few writers can. My throat and heart often constricted as Nathan became just as much my loss as Halley, Ty, and Alice’s.

Truly a bittersweet tale, The One Good Thing is a novel brimming with beauty, sorrow, and inspiration. I strongly recommend this book. Especially to those willing to be challenged. By the end, the reader will want to run out and find his/her own set of pebbles to carry around as a reminder to do good to others. However, due to some heavy themes such as bullying, child abuse, rape, abortion, etc, I wouldn’t suggest handing it to young readers. Though handled very tactfully, they are not easy topics to read.

Rated R: Heavy topics are discussed such as bullying, child abuse, rape, abortion, etc…

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

The New Jewish Table by Todd and Ellen Gray
Reviewed by: Elizabeth Olmedo
Genre: Cookbook
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication Date: March 2013

When I visited Israel six years ago, I bought a small cookbook which I have loved. For some time now, though, I’ve wanted to try out new Jewish recipes. So when I stumbled across The New Jewish Table online, I knew I just had to review it. Little did I realize the treat I was in for.

The first surprise came as soon as I retrieved it from the package. It is a beautiful, hardcover book, heavy with mouth-watering recipes. The next surprise was discovering it’s more than just a cookbook. The first few pages are an introduction in which Todd and Ellen Gray tell you a little about their story and how the blending of Jewish and non-Jewish cooking came about in their home and restaurant. Before every recipe, they share some thoughts on it. In case you were wondering, it is possible to stay up into the wee hours of the morning engrossed in the reading of a cookbook!

The Grays divided the book into seasons — Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer — to encourage readers to support local farmers and food artisans. Each season is then split into six chapters — Brunch, Starters, Lunch, Dinner, Sides, and Desserts. Finally, every recipe is marked in one of four ways — Dairy, Parve, Meat, and Mixed. This is especially helpful for families who keep Kosher.

For the sake of this review, I chose recipes from each season to offer a broader feel for the cookbook. I’ll share a few thoughts on some of my family’s favorites so far.

Fall:

RED CABBAGE COLESLAW: Coleslaw may sound like a common enough recipe, but the mixture of toasted seeds in it, makes this anything but common. Several people asked me what I put in it to get such a distinct flavor.

Winter:

CUCUMBER SALAD: I must confess, initially the thought of cucumber, onion, and raisins worried me. I actually considered leaving out the raisins. I’m so glad I didn’t. They provided the salad with a perfect, slightly sweet flavor. Everyone else must have agreed because when I returned for seconds an empty bowl awaited me.

Spring:

CABBAGE STUFFED WITH GROUND BEEF AND ONION: This dish was another winner, even amongst the pickiest eaters. My youngest brother, who would usually balk at veggies like hot, cooked cabbage, took one look at it and stated it didn’t look that bad and proceeded to eat without a single complaint. That’s no small miracle!

Summer:

SUMMER TOMATO SALAD WITH CRISPY ONION: So far this one has been my favorite. I admit what initially drew me in was the gorgeous, full-page image. So colorful! But once I tried the first bite…oh my! It’s heavenly. The Balsamic Vinaigrette is to die for. Even after the salad disappeared, and quickly I might add, everyone used their bread to soak up every last drop of the Vinaigrette. It was that good!

BBQ’D SALMON:  If you are looking for a dish to impress, this one will definitely do the trick. By the time I set it before my family, I felt like I was serving something taken right out of a five-star menu. Two tasty sauces, a deliciously colorful corn salad, and the fresh salmon made for one elegant dish that earned many compliments. Thank you Todd and Ellen for making me look good!

Whether you are looking for good kosher recipes, or simply want new ideas to try out in the kitchen, I highly recommend The New Jewish Table. It is truly a cookbook bound to please.

Rated G: Nothing to worry about here.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

Forsaken Dreams (Escape to Paradise, Book 1) by MaryLu Tyndall
Reviewed by: Renee Chaw
Genre: Fiction/Christian/Romance
Publisher: Barbour
Publication Date: March 1, 2013

Both Eliza Crawford and Colonel Blake Wallace face enemies at every turn — be it the discovery of carefully hidden pasts, the treacherous waters of the Atlantic Ocean, or calculating and manipulative fellow shipmates. Eliza, no longer having a reason to stay in the United States after the Civil War, seeks to make a new life for herself in Brazil. Blake, seeking an escape from the horrors of war and the flashbacks of the battlefield befriends Eliza against his better judgment. Their relationship is tenuous at best. When Eliza’s secret comes out, not just Blake but the entire crew and passengers onboard the New Hope turn against her and vote to keep her out of Brazil and away from their new colony. In spite of being excluded and threatened with exile, Eliza is the only person on the ship with nursing and doctoring experience so she feels compelled to give aide to those who would literally toss her overboard.

As with most shipboard stories where everyone is kept in close quarters Eliza and Blake aren’t the only people we meet. Southern plantation owners, former slaves, a pastor, a war widow, and a doctor who becomes nauseated at the sight of blood are just a few of the characters who are just as interesting as Eliza and Blake. There’s every kind of person you can imagine which will certainly make for an interesting start once they settle in their Brazilian “Utopia”.

Each and every book by MaryluTyndall is pretty much guaranteed to be an adventure. Forsaken Dreams, her latest high seas set novel is just that. With her trademark flair for romance and characters with deep-seeded faith Tyndall tells a tale that won’t soon be forgotten. Eliza and Colonel Blake are as intriguing and stubborn as any of her previous characters and reminded me strongly of the series that started off my love affair with this author, Legacy of the King’s Pirates. Both Blake and Eliza battle with their pasts and the bitterness that threatens to take over their lives which is something that will always be relevant, now or a 100 years from now. This book is a great start to a series that is sure to please all fans of MaryLu’s work and Christian romance in general.

Rated PG: Some references to assault, violence, and alcohol use.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

The Remedy by Serena Chase
Reviewed by: Lori Twichell
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Publication Date: April 20, 2013

Princess Rynnaia is almost ready to step into her role of leadership in her kingdom of E’veria. After being raised by friends and not knowing who her father was and then discovering (quite suddenly) in the last book that she’s a princess, she’s done remarkably well adapting to her new situation.

The Remedy finds her preparing to set out on her next leg of the journey, following an ancient prophecy to find the remedy for the curse of the Cobelds on her land. Couched in ancient language that reads like a poem, the prophecy is anything but plain or clear, yet Rynnaia knows if she’s going to save her kingdom and her mother, this is something she must do.

So along with a small entourage of knights, wisemen and bodyguards, Rynnaia sets out on the most dangerous and frighteningly important mission she could ever imagine. Across areas of the land she’s never visited, Rynnaia learns what it means to be a leader, to trust those around you, and how to love someone with respect and honor.

Serena Chase’s second book, The Remedy, has all of the excitement, adventure, romance and fantasy of the first book and more. The more time I spent with these characters, the more I loved them. Even in moments of agonizing embarrassment, difficulty or heart wrenching danger, I found myself cheering them on and eagerly awaiting the next steps.

It’s difficult to write a follow up and have it be just as exciting as the first. Oftentimes you’ll find authors overcompensating in an attempt to ‘ramp it up’ for the second book or you’ll find things slowing down or faltering in long rambling backstory to ‘deepen’ the adventure. The Remedy suffers from neither of these issues. With even pacing, a storyline that’s deep enough to engage our imagination and a plot that moves nicely along without stumbles, Chase has not disappointed.

I was thrilled to follow Rynnaia on these adventures and watch how she grows into a completely new life. The romance between her and Julien is perfectly handled and done with such beauty that it’s hard to imagine how it could be done better. Experiencing this difficult adventure puts their relationship through the paces just as one would go through special ops training in order to get Rynnaia ready for her service as princess

These books delight the imagination. Characters that are realistic, honest and likeable get placed in situations that seem impossible to fathom and yet, with grace and style we follow their journeys and applaud all along the way.

Anyone who loves romance, history, medieval stories, fantasy, fairy tales or YA fiction should add these books to their collection – and quickly! Serena Chase is someone to watch, admire, and follow. I will happily take a front row seat to whatever adventure she’d like to take me on next!

Rated PG-13: Though this is a fabulously written series – there are some difficult situations that might be tense for younger readers.

Review copy provided by the author. Thank you!

Radiant Lit Blog Post #2 – For Tweens

Hello, Mini-Women!

That’s absolutely what you are, you know. You’re no longer those little baby girlfriends (like my granddaughter Maeryn) who have to be reminded to go potty and don’t yet understand the absolute importance of a BFF. And you haven’t completely lost your mind yet and become a teenager. You might be practicing to be one – maybe some eye-rolling, or using the word “whatever” ever other minute – but you’re still a tween girl, and that is my favorite brand of kid.

Seriously. You can make your own peanut butter and pickle sandwich, but you can also still giggle until you can’t breathe. You can put together an outfit that doesn’t look like you’re color blind, but one of your fave places to sit is still your dad’s lap. You can read the Bible and pray by yourself, but you still like the crafts you do in Sunday school. You’re at such a great age, I love hanging out with you. That must be why I write books for you . . .

However, it has come to my attention – and probably yours! – that being a tween girl isn’t all fun all the time. Okay, yeah, it’s great when you and your BFF are speaking (or you HAVE a BFF) and no absurd little creep boys are making you nuts and you and your mom are agreeing on that swimsuit for this summer. But have you noticed there are more, well, shall we say, “challenges” than there used to be? Maybe–

• There are some changes going on with your body these days. Like . . . it’s not the same as it was a year ago. Or a month ago. Or even yesterday!

• You’ve started to think more about the way you look. And comparing how you look to the way other girls look. And wondering if you are pretty, cute, or just not a gorilla.

• The way you feel changes, like, every seven seconds. You can be laughing hysterically one minute and sobbing your heart out the next and you have no idea why.

• Friendship is harder, as in girls are gossiping, spreading rumors, deciding who’s in and who’s out, what’s cool and what’s not – until you’re so confused you want to hide under something, except then you wouldn’t be with your friends . . .

• You’re just not sure who you are right now, and if one more person says, “Just be yourself,” you’re going to throw something

The good news is, that’s all pretty normal. The even better news is, we talk about all of  that stuff all the time on the Tween You and Me blog, designed just for girls like you who want to share the growing up stuff with other Christian tweens. If you want to join us, just go to www.tweenyouandme.typepad.com/tween_you_and_me/ Introduce yourself and you will get a HUGE welcome from your fellow mini-women, and from me. Can’t wait to see you there!

Blessings,
Nancy Rue

Jane Austen’s Guide to Thrift: An Independent Woman’s Advice on Living within One’s Means by Kathleen Anderson
Reviewed by: Lori Twichell
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Publication Date: April 2013

Do you like Jane Austen? Yeah. Me too. And I also tend to be somewhat of a…thrifty shopper. Before the advent of smart phones, I had been known to drive from store to store to find the best bargain before I would make a single purchase.  So when I received an email about Jane Austen’s Guide to Thrift, I knew that I needed to have this book.

With precision, wit and a good bit of sense, Kathleen Anderson researches Jane Austen’s most famous characters and comes to the conclusion that not only the characters, but Jane herself, show themselves to be thrifty women who would be incredibly smart shoppers.

In this book you will find guides to:

*Clever investing
*Keeping up appearances on a budget
*Giving and receiving graciously
*Finding treasures at flea markets and church rummage sales
*Planning a party that only looks extravagant
*And more

Though some books (and films) have explored what would happen if Jane Austen or her characters were suddenly thrust into current society, none have taken this angle. Would Elizabeth Bennett have looked at a service like Match.com to find her perfect match? Would any of Austen’s characters have spent their time pouring over fashion magazines or spending $$ to get the right look?

With today’s economy, many people are looking to stretch budgets and tighten their belts. Kathleen Anderson offers tips on fashion, health…even relationships! All of the advice is taken from the actions, conversations and characteristics of our favorite Austen characters.

I enjoyed reading this. It’s a good reference guide and brings up many suggestions that I hadn’t considered previously and the best advice for how to implement them. With a fun sort of Austen-esque tone, the book takes you through all of your favorite Austen books and plotlines and delves into the characteristics of each – giving each one a specific set of ideals that would work in the modern world.

Even letters between Jane and her own sister are given the treatment, opening more ideas for ways that you can save money like Jane Austen would.

If you love Jane Austen or the regency period and you tend to be thrifty (or are looking for ways to be so), this is a great book for you!

Rated G: Nothing to worry about here!

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

Rescue Team by Candace Calvert
Reviewed by: Jennifer Roman
Genre: medical drama, chick lit, Christian, romance
Publisher: Tyndale
Publication Date: April 19, 2013

This installment of the Grace Medical series focuses on Kate Callison, the new ER director at Austin Grace. In additional to her own personal troubles, she has to deal with a dead abandoned newborn found in the ladies’ room, a slick lawyer who wants more than just a professional relationship, and a vigilante who writes to the newspaper to report the slightest mistake. She is hiding from her past and believes that she is no longer a worthy person, especially in God’s eyes, so she has lost her faith.

Wes Tanner, on the other hand, volunteers as a rescue worker and comes from a strong, God-fearing family. He has his own shares of heartache, but he has a good relationship with his Savior and uses that to get through both the tough times and the good. He finds something fascinating underneath Kate’s prickly exterior and hopes that he can help her reconnect with her Creator, knowing that everything else will fall into place once she accepts God’s love.

This book is written as an installation of a series, but it could easily stand alone. The story is a medical drama that uses a lot of medical terminology, but there are enough context clues so that those not familiar with the terms will understand what is happening. The characters are complex and interesting, and the storyline is perfect for fans of this genre. Romance readers will also appreciate the budding relationship between Wes and Kate, especially since they keep it appropriate. There is no sex involved; rather, they take the time to get to know each other. Kisses and warm embraces are the most racy things they do. Readers will not have any problem following this book even if they haven’t read the previous one. Fans of medical drama, romance, and just a good Christian story will be happy to read this book.

Rescue Team is written as in a Christian format, and for that reason it is appropriate for young adult and adult readers. There aren’t any inappropriate situations although some of the topics may be difficult for some people to read. There are no sexual situations and no profanity, so nothing should be offensive. This is a great read that really demonstrates people’s faith in God, so I highly recommend it.

Rated G: there is nothing in the way of sex, violence, or profanity.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

The Winnowing Season by Cindy Woodsmall
Reviewed by: Jennifer Roman
Genre: Amish, romance, chick lit
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Publication Date: April 2, 2013

In a continuation from A Season for Tending, Rhoda Byler and her brother’s family join the King brothers, Samuel and Jacob, and their Englisch friend Landon, in Maine. They are trying to set up a new community and orchard there after their previous orchard was destroyed by a tornado. This is the perfect chance for Rhoda to get a fresh start; her previous community believes she has evil powers because she can “see” events that are going to happen. It seems that things will be difficult in Maine, too, however. Jacob doesn’t move with the group because he has to go tend to some people he met during his Rumschpringe days, and even after he arrives, he has to leave to go back to see his friend. Samuel realizes he has feelings for Rhoda, so in order to keep them at bay, he avoids her and acts gruffly toward her when she is within sight. Worst of all, Rhoda encounters more problems with neighbors and has no support system other than God. She places her full trust in Him and knows that what is God’s will will be done, but it’s hard doing it alone.

There is a common misconception that certain groups of people do not face trials or tribulations in life, but as we see in The Winnowing Season, that certainly is not true. Christians still have problems. The Amish still have problems. They are much more like other people than is thought, as we see with Rhoda, Samuel, and Jacob. They all believe in God and are faithful to Him, yet they have to deal with painful situations. How they do it demonstrates their character, and they are able to put their worries on God, knowing He will take care of them. This story has a lot more personal sadness in it than the previous one, but that does not diminish its value. The book is well-written with interesting characters and a great topic. Readers of Christian novels or books about the Amish will enjoy following the story of Rhoda and the King brothers.

The Winnowing Season is written as a book about the Amish and their simple, God-fearing living, and for that reason it is appropriate for young adult and adult readers. There aren’t any inappropriate situations although some of the topics may be difficult for some people to read. There are no sexual situations and no profanity, so nothing should be offensive. This is a great read that really demonstrates the Amish faith in God, and for this I highly recommend it.

Rated G: This book does not contain violence, sex, or profanity.

Review copy provided by the publisher. Thank you!

Mom’s Ultimate Guide to the Tween Girl World by Nancy Rue
Reviewed by: Lori Twichell
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: July 2010

Do you have a teenage girl? Or a tween girl? If you do, then you probably understand the frustration of entering this completely new phase of life with your daughter. I mean for me, I just felt like I could finally figure out what might come next and then hormones hit. (And honestly I believed for YEARS that the rapture was going to happen before I became the parent of a teenager. That pretty much defined my entire ‘parenting teens’ philosophy.)  So I was pretty happy to get this book!

Seriously though, I’ve read a lot of parenting books (either for review or for my own edification) and this one touched on a variety of concerns, issues and thoughts that I hadn’t previously considered. With the benefit of wisdom and years of teaching, parenting and working with teens and tweens, Nancy Rue has been far more than a casual observer! Thankfully she puts her immense knowledge into this tome for parents and I loved it!

What grabbed me first about this book was a spot on description of Generation X, the Baby Boomers, and the very clear reasons that kids today are the way they are. Long story short, Nancy explains how Baby Boomers spent a great deal of time trying to ‘find themselves’ and ‘define their generation’ which left those of us who are their kids trying to break molds and define ourselves. Because many of the people in my generation were latchkey kids, now that they are parents, they are highly involved in their kids’ lives. That’s why we tend to shower our kids with affection and activities and ‘stuff.’ Talk about a light bulb!!!! In just a few pages, Nancy had nailed several major issues that I’ve been working on in my own life.

But not only does she give this insight, she helps us understand how to help build into our girls what they need. Not just self-esteem, but how to erect confidence and to also understand how the world is different for our daughters – far different actually – than it was for us.

This isn’t your typical parenting book. There’s no guilt here and no worries that we’re constantly messing up our kids. (I hate that! The second you become a mom there are a million people telling you what you should and shouldn’t be doing and how it will have repercussions for the rest of your child’s life!) Instead, with humor, grace and what feels like an offer of friendship, Nancy comes alongside you, gives you that hope you’ve been looking for and tells you that everything’s going to be okay.

If tween-dom is on the horizon for you or if you already have teens or tweens, this book will be an incredible blessing for you. If you work with teens, you don’t want to miss this one either.

Two thumbs way up for this wonderful, encouraging book!

This is a book written for and targeted specifically toward adult women. Though younger people might find some insight in it, it’s really more for parents.

Review copy provided by the author. Thank you!