Prior to accepting Christ John was a high satanic priest.  His experiences and knowledge are unique, valuable and eye opening to Christians.  He shares the enemy’s strategies he uses on Believers that they are often not even aware of.  His story from where he began in a life of poverty, how he became involved in the occult and God delivering him is truly amazing. His personal stories and experiences are incredible. He has a burning desire to teach other to recognize Satan’s tactics and lies, then he how to overcome them and have success in their Christian walk. 

There were parts of the book I could not agree with as I found them unscriptural and not doctrinally sound.  All in all it is informative and those parts that are scripturally reliable will give the reader a wealth of knowledge to live a victorious Christian life.

I received this book from Bethany House Nonfiction/Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions I have stated are my own.

It isn’t often you find a children’s book based on a true story. Personally I think that makes any book better for adults or children!  Knowing this will help a child relate and become involved in the book even more.

Happy is a hermit crab living life to the fullest. He has enjoyed drifting all over the world in the waves, meeting many new creatures and having fun adventures.  One day a young boy finds his shell on the beach!  What a treasure to a child! He had no clue it was Happy’s home.  On the way home he discovers the shell had someone living in it.  Encouraged by his parents he returns Happy back to the beach.

The illustrations are adorable and fun!   Not only will children enjoy it but it held some important lessons you can share with them.  The little boy cared more about the happiness and well-being of the little crab over his pleasure of keeping the pretty shell.  In a “me me me” world this is so important for them to learn to put others before yourself. 

This also reminded me of when I was a child.  I caught frogs, fire flies, praying mantises, cicadas, and more. My parents would carefully fix a jar with leaves and twigs for me to observe them.  But after 2 days I would be required to release them back where they came from. Even my ant farm had a time limit!   I was very young but I still remember explaining to me it would be cruel to keep them as they belonged in nature.  All life matters even the smallest things.  They were so wise.  Children need to be taught to care for and respect all creatures.  I followed the same example with my children.

I received this book from Bethany House Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions stated are my own.

Coraline Baxter was not your average woman for the late 1800’s.  She was a mixture of that era’s women’s libber and a proper lady that followed all the social customs of time.  A suffragette, college graduate, intelligent, creative but she had definite ideas about what she wanted in life.  On the other hand she totally under the thumb of her overbearing, social snob of a mother.  She couldn’t’ seem to truly stand up to her.

To escape her mother’s choice for her marriage to Cash Kincaid, a creepy (in my opinion) socially successful business man, she came up with a plan.  Her suffrage group had a publicity idea to draw attention to women’s votes: climb Mount Rainier.  Somehow she persuades her mother to agree to call off the wedding if she is successful.  I am sure her mother agreed because this was considered close to impossible for a woman, especially one of the “elite” like Coraline.

She sets her sights on hiring the best climbing guide there is, Nathan Hardee.  He was once big among the wealthy social circles until he left it all behind for a reclusive life in the woods.  Not a woman to be told no, other than by her mother, she pursues him until he agrees.  The clincher is Coraline has zero climbing experience not in the best of shape.  To add to the difficulty her not so healthy stepfather was the only man available to chaperone her.  The odds were stacked against her. The story that ensues is filled with adventure, excitement, the unexpected and beautiful scenic descriptions that will ae your breath away! I found it incredible how inadequate their clothing and climbing gear was compared to what is available today!  BRRRRR.  This made the climb an even greater accomplishment. 

Coraline’s courage, spunk and sweet spirit won me over!  I was impressed that with her snobbish upbringing she was still so loving and accepting of everyone, even those that then would have been considered lower class.

Nathan Hardee’s showed such character and integrity, despite his disappointments and bitterness from his past.  His strong desire to protect Coraline and her stepfather truly touched me.

Throughout the book I just wanted to shake her mother.  Her arrogance and attitude of superiority were extremely frustrating.  I realized later that all of her misguided attempts to steer her daughter’s future were out of love. She wanted her to have the best and didn’t want Coraline to go through the hard times she had.

I wanted to hug Waldo her stepfather.  Such a sweet, sweet man that managed to balance his love and support for Coraline and his love and understanding of his wife and her abrasive personality. A story you will enjoy and be inspired by!

 I received this book from Revell Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions stated are my own.