As soon as I received this book I did immediate field testing on it – I read it to children and got their reaction. The first child was my 5 year old granddaughter. She was not only enthralled with the bright, creative illustrations, but she was also very intent in listening as I read it.
At one point in the reading she commented, “Awww that is sweet of God.” Upon finishing I asked her what the book taught her. Wide eyed she replied, “Wow, God loves me a WHOLE lot!” I also read the book in church nursery and had the same response from the children. Not only were they attentive but they also got the message of how much God loves them.
Children understand the concept of loving someone more than words can express. They stretch their little arms as far as they will go and say, “I love you this much!” This book works from that understanding. The illustrations were impressive and I very much liked the original examples they used to convey the message. I felt it is written in a way a child could understand the enormity of God’s love. It was fun to read and communicates a very important message to children.
In exchange for my honest review, I received a copy of the book from Waterbrook Press Publishers.

Since reading the 1st book, Here Burns My Candle, I have anxiously awaited the rest of the story in Mine Is the Night. I couldn’t put the book down and read it in a short time! The year is 1746 and Lady Marjory Kerr and her young widowed daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, have gone from the elite rich to the poorest of poor. They have lost everything after the death of Lady Kerr’s two sons, and their lives are in danger for supporting Prince Charles.
They are forced to return to Marjory’s hometown to depend upon the hospitality and compassion of her cousin Anne, whom Lady Kerr shunned while she was wealthy. Marjory is humbled in a great way, but takes her lessons well and sees the error of her past ways.
Elizabeth is able to help contribute to their finances with her skills as a dressmaker. After losing one job, she finds employment for a period of time with the rich and famous Admiral Lord Buchanan who has recently moved to his English estate near town. Romance blossoms for Elizabeth and Marjory in unexpected ways. After much hardship and suffering their lives take a turn for the better.
This novel was great in so many ways. One was a detailed look into the day to day life and customs of 16th century Scotland. Not only was it very interesting but I saw the difficulties they faced just to live. I truly felt I was there with them. It made me think of how blessed I am to live in the 21st century.
The story reminded me of the book of Ruth in the Bible when Ruth followed Naomi and cared for her after the death of her husband. I was very touched and inspired at the characters commitment and faithfulness to God and biblical principles no matter how difficult their circumstances. The Lord was their focus in all they did. They always look to Him for provision, comfort and help. It made me look at areas of my life I could apply this strong faith.
I rate this book in my tops reads. It is superbly written, very entertaining, and inspiring. I hope Ms. Higgs will be writing another sequel! Hint hint!
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

I had mixed reactions to this book. Hands down the illustrations are absolutely beautiful with their combination of vibrant colors and excellent quality.
The story was cute and one children would enjoy. The beginning of the book told of the stars in the heaven all hoping they would be chosen to be the one to shine the brightest the night of Christ’s birth.
As the story of Jesus birth is told, the reaction of the stars is shared also. I liked that an emphasis was put on the fact the King of Kings was born in poor and humble surroundings and not in the wealth and splendor the world expected. The stars as did many during that time doubted His place as King.
However, I would not be able to recommend this book to read to children. I was hoping to share it with my grandchildren and children at church but will not be doing so.
Christ’s birth is such an important event; it concerns me that the book is not biblically accurate. The humble shepherds were the first to honor Him and they are not mentioned. Instead, the common mistake of placing the wise men at His birth is made part of the story. They came when the child was older and to his house, not the stable. The star of His birth did not burn out but continued to shine brightly a couple of more years, leading the Magi to Him. Neither did the star warm baby Jesus.
I was hoping the book would be a Christ-centered one, helping children to be reminded of the true reason for Christmas each time they saw the star atop their holiday tree. Most of all, it disturbs me to make fictional characters part of such a scared Bible story. Children take everything literally therefore I would not want to mislead them concerning God’s Word or the birth of His Son.
In exchange for my honest review, I received a copy of the book from Waterbrook Press Publishers.

This book covered all my qualifications for being a good children’s book. The illustrations were great. There was excellent art plus bright tasteful colors, nothing garish. I also like the fact that each illustration had a picture of a child or children. This makes it easier for children to relate to on the subject being covered.
I own and have read a lot of children’s books on prayer but this one was different. It really touched the heart of a child’s concerns and experiences they face. Each situation was written and worded in the way a child would express it. The book thoroughly covered a child’s struggle in wanting to do right but sometimes failing. I think it will be very comforting to children that read it and they will see God listens, cares, helps and loves them at all times. I read it to my most important and biggest critic; my 5 year old granddaughter and it got her star of approval! A wonderful book for home and church classes.
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

A couple of years ago my uncle died. He was an intelligent articulate man that had published many articles in his field. While going through his belongings, my cousin found a treasure. It was his memories beginning in childhood, through part of his later years. She graciously sent me a copy. Reading it was wonderful! Not only did I find so much about his life I never knew, I got a glimpse of my father’s family and part of his life. Writing my own memoir to leave for my children and grandchildren has always been in my mind. His motivated me further but where and how do I start? That’s why I was so happy to get this book. It not only gives me a starting point but also direction.
I know it won’t be written in 30 days as the title suggests, but in 30 days the book will help me produce a rough “skeleton” of my life story. I liked it that the author says “just write”, get it down on paper, and worry about punctuation, spelling, and grammar later. That is such a hindrance to many who write, thinking it has to be “perfect” the first time. The beginning of the book also opens the door to the idea that there can be many different types of memoirs you might want to write.
Each day focuses on a different aspect of your life to think about. For me, I have many memories and thoughts but they are jumbled together in my mind and come forward when triggered by some outside source. The author had lots of thought provoking ideas to delve deeper into those recollections therefore giving more meaning and detail to my writing. There were also samples of other people’s memoir writings to illustrate what the author was suggesting and avoiding mistakes. In addition, I found them as a springboard to further organize my thoughts. This book helps you do more than tell your stories; it helps you share your emotions, feelings, and experiences at a deeper level.
I am a writer. I love to write, but I think this book would be a great help to someone that writing does not come easily. I want to leave a written legacy as my uncle did for our family. I found this book very helpful and inspiring!
I received this book free from FBS Associates which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Charlotte Gregory was young, spirited, and unflinching in standing for what she believed in. As a new, 1910, graduate of Fannie Farmer’s School of Cookery, she passionately wanted to apply and share all that she had learned. Her dream was to be a chef for an upscale restaurant, and eventually have her own. She quickly learned that women chefs were not accepted when she tried to apply for her first job. She alienates herself from the chef even more by being outspoken about the unsanitary conditions of his kitchen.
Angered and discouraged, she heads to the hospital to see her beloved sister who has just had a baby. Surely her new niece will cheer her up. All is well until her sister’s meal tray comes. Charlotte is shocked the “gray gruel and weak tea” that is supposed to be her meal. Once again Charlotte launches into a heated discussion about how recovering and nursing mothers need healthy food to gain their strength. She confronts her sister’s doctor, Joel Brooks. An appointment is made for the following day to discuss the hospital’s dietary inadequacies. He is faced not only with a demanding medical practice but also juggling an impossible budget for his department. Even if he wanted her services he could not afford them and he seriously doubted a “cooking” school graduate had the knowledge. This is the beginning of many confrontations and disagreements with Charlotte and Dr. Joel. Even though they mix like gas and fire, they struggle to deny the growing attraction to each other.
Charlotte has to make a living so she enters a cooking contest and wins! Her prize is the job of traveling around the country giving demonstrations to convince women that the newest invention, the gas stove, was safe, easy, and time saving.
The book had a lot of humor, not the silly slapstick stuff. Moments in the story that definitely gave me a chuckle. I liked the historical information nutrition and meal preparation during that era.
Charlotte, Dr. Brooks, and Charlotte’s youngest sister, Tessa were all faced with difficult situations that tested their moral character and Christian beliefs. Do you follow God or face the loss of something dear to you?
The interactions between the main characters and other people represented many examples of learning to deal with discord and confrontation, with not only patience but through their mistakes. There was also lots of adventure and excitement.
This book was a fun read!
I received this book free from Revell publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I really enjoy reading Amish fiction, and especially did this book. Not that I would want Amish people to have problems, but the idyllic life portrayed in many books is only showing one side of their lifestyle. This book actually addresses questions I have wondered if Amish youth might struggle with.
Seventeen year old Leah loves the life she leads, the closeness of family and community, and traditions. Her friend Martha was in her rumspringen and using that time to experience many sins the world had to offer. Her desire was to leave the Amish permanently. Leah on the other hand had no desire to explore the English world or leave her home. Her rumspringen was one of a spiritual nature.
The Old Order Amish she was a part of were very strict. Until reading this book I was not aware that the Bishop could set rules for the community he was over. Leah’s Bishop was extremely strict. The only Bible they could read was the German one and she didn’t understand it. Dark purple curtains were only allowed in windows, reflective triangles on buggies were sins, yet sexual abuse within a family was dealt with lightly. It wasn’t that way in other Amish communities and Leah wanted to know the “why” behind all the rules.
After secretly attending a Bible Study at the home of an ex-Amish couple, Leah’s eyes are open to the gospel of Christ and the way of salvation. She accepts Christ as her Savior. She realizes following the Ordnung and being a member of the church will not get her to Heaven. She hungers to learn more about God and read His Word. She tries to be open with her parents but they see desire to grow as rebellious and sinful.
The Bishop advises her family to treat her as if she were shunned to give her a wakeup call. Torn between the love of her family and following Christ she feels forced to leave her home. She moves in with the ex-Amish couple and becomes a part of the English world. While she finds it exciting at first she truly misses her family. How can she remain honest and not denounce her true salvation? Homesickness wins out. Leah returns believing God can work in her family’s hearts and she live Amish yet still read her Bible and be true to her new faith.
Her homecoming is a painful shock. Her family still rejects her. The Bishop insists she must give up her Bible. I will not reveal the ending but I learned of the extreme and harsh measures the Amish will take to keep a member from disobeying. The ending is a special surprise!
The book was excellent. It truly made me think about situations all over the world where people are forced to choose between Christ and those they love the most. The story is a beautiful example sacrificing all to take a stand for Him.
I received this book free from Kregal Publishers. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Do not be intimidated by the size of this book. It is actually 3 books in one: A Clearing in the Wild, A Tendering in the Storm, and A Mending at the Edge. As with all of Ms. Kirkpatrick’s novels, this is based on real people. With exhaustive research the author brings to life the story of a young woman named Emma Wagner. She is a member of the Bethel colony in Missouri, in the 1850’s. It is a communal religious group led by Dr. Wilhelm Kiel. He is very controlling and domineering over every aspect of the member’s lives. I was not aware of this group until I read this book. I found their way of life fascinating and disturbing. Women’s dress codes were so strict they were not even allowed to have ruffles in their petticoats, yet the colony made whiskey for profit and saw no sin in dancing and drinking. Quite an inconsistency!
Emma’s story begins in, A Clearing in the Wild. She doesn’t fit the norm of the Bethel women. She is spunky and defiant of the strict rules. At 17 she falls in love with Christian Giesy, a man almost as old as her father! Dr. Kiel refuses to allow the marriage but Emma’s persistence wins. When the decision is made for Christian to find a new location for the community in Oregon, she convinces Dr. Kiel she is capable of going and cooking for the men. Unknown to anyone other than Emma she is expecting their first child. A secret she keeps until they are well on their way. The description of their journey, the land, and their hardships are incredible. When Christian locates what he believes to be the perfect place, Dr. Keil and the other colonists disagree. The couple faces conflict and rejection from the very ones they strived so hard to serve. Emma’s story is one of great faith, determination, and unbelievable courage.
A Tendering in the Storm continues Emma’s story. Christian and Emma decide to remain on the land they settled and live a separate life from the colony as oyster farmers. Life is hard but their love and the two precious children they now have bring them great happiness. Then tragedy strikes. Christian dies to save another person. Only a few days after his death she realizes she is carrying their 3rd child. With no family or community Emma bravely strives to care for her family and land. She refuses to join the new colony’s location but to stay where her and Christian settled.
Concerned Christian’s parents would take the children because they believed she could not care for them, she agrees to marry a man named Jack Giesy. The condition of the marriage is strictly in name only to make sure her children are safe. Sadly, Jack turns out to be an abusive man. Emma wants to runaway but has nowhere to go. Her faith in God is tested. This book gave even more insight into the suffering and adversities these people faced. Some of them were unbelievable and even more so that they didn’t give up.
A Mending at the Edge, Emma takes her children and flees her abusive husband, Jack. Her only choice is to return the Bethel colony and once again submit to the very tyrannical rules and leadership that she sought to escape. Dr. Keil commands her to attempt to reunite with Jack or be excluded from the colony. Emma works very hard to for the community and is in a position to obtain important things her family needs. Jack suddenly returns and according to the colony’s rules has the right to use the fruits of her labor for himself. Finally he leaves and Emma once again works hard to provide her family with a home. Yet every step of the way Dr. Keil continues to sabotage her efforts, placing heartless and unfair guidelines. She faces even more pain and heartache. Her faith and God and perseverance amazed me. Even under such insufferable circumstances she continued to show love and compassion for others and serve God.
As I have said before, Ms. Kirkpatrick is one of my favorite authors, but she has really out done herself with this trilogy. The story is riveting, moving, and intriguing. The historical details of these people and their times brought the story to life. I promise you when you finish the 1168th page you will be wishing there was more!
I received this book free from Waterbrook Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

This is an outstanding Bible resource for children ages 8 -12. Children rarely have a natural interest in studying the Bible. In fact it can be quite intimidating to them. It is our responsibility as parents, grandparents, and Sunday school teachers to not only teach them about God’s word, but also to encourage an interest to study it. The Candle Bible Handbook is just the resource to aid in this.
It gives them their very own Bible study book they can use on their own.
I loved the flexible cover. It wasn’t a paperback or a hard back, but sturdy and easily handled. The pages are quality paper than will hold up to lots of use.
The maps, illustrations, and pictures were outstanding! They were very colorful and gave excellent visuals of places and people being studied.
There is a chapter for all Old Testament and New Testament books. Each book of the Bible begins with a brief, concise, easy to read synopsis of what it is about. Also included are “Frequently Asked Questions”, things that a child would naturally wonder about. Next is an outline of that book, divided into the main parts that are covered and contains the chapters and verses where they are found. A simple explanation of what occurs in those sections is included.
A part called, “Look Out For”, alerts the child to important truths and lessons that occur. There are also “Study Questions” with scripture references for the child to look further into what he has studied. Scattered throughout the book are words that a child might not understand. The word is thoroughly explained and many times scripture references are given. In the back of the Bible Handbook these words are listed with the definition so they can be referred to without having to go back through the chapters.
Also in the back are more excellent resources. “Promises of the Bible” and “Fifty Very Important Passages” Are listed. I liked the use of bold print for the subject and italics for the scripture reference in these two sections. It made it easy to read. Last of all is “Who’s Who in the Bible”, where the most prominent Bible characters are listed with a small paragraph telling about each one.
This is a lot of information but each page is arranged where it is easily accessed. The title, Candle Bible Handbook is very appropriate. Psalm 119:105 tells us God’s word, “ . . . is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” This is a perfect resource for young, beginning, Bible scholars to find that “light”.
I received this book free from Kregel Publications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.