Category: Christian

Christian

When Grace Sings (The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy – Book 2)

Bergers Book Reviews

When Grace Sings
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Genre: Christian Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-307-73133-3
Pages: 352
Price: $14.99

Author’s website
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Alexa has finally gotten to meet her mother’s family in When Mercy Rains. After working to restore her grandmother’s old farm house, she turns it into a bed and breakfast. Her first long-term guest is Briley Forrester, a tabloid reporter from Chicago. But Alexa doesn’t know Briley’s hidden motive in visiting the Old Order Mennonite community.

Although Briley’s stay causes Alexa some grief, she is even more worried about her cousin Anna-Grace’s visit. Anna-Grace is adopted and unaware of the identity of her birth parents. But Alexa knows, and if Anna-Grace discovers the truth, it could threaten her own position in the family.

In this second volume of the Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy, we get to know the younger Zimmermans who have been affected by the family secrets. More layers of the truth unravel, and the family continues to heal. When Grace Sings is an enjoyable read, and I look forward to seeing the conclusion to this wonderful trilogy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian

This Little Prayer of Mine

Bergers Book Reviews

This Little Prayer of Mine
Author: Anthony DeStefano
Illustrator: Mark Elliott
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Genre: Children / Christian
ISBN: 978-0736958615
Pages: 32
Price: 14.99

Author’s website
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Little ones find it easy to talk to God, but they might not always know what to say. This Little Prayer of Mine gives them some ideas in rhyming verse. This simple children’s prayer asks God for help when they feel scared, a smile when sad, wisdom and direction in making decisions, forgiveness for bad behavior, and comfort when feeling lonely. They also thank God for the good things in life and ask for the desire to share their good fortune with others.

While it’s good to learn formal prayers, children can also simply pray from the heart, turning to God as a father and a source of never-ending love. This sweet prayer book would be nice to read at bedtime.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, tween

Catie Conrad: Faith, Friendship and Fashion Disasters (Desperate Diva Diaries Series)

Bergers Book Reviews

Catie Conrad - Faith, Friendship, and Fashion Disasters
Author: Angie Spady
Illustrator: Channing Everidge
Publisher: B&H Kids
Genre: Middle-grade girls / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-4336-8460-9
Pages: 304
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
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Catie Conrad’s father, a journalist, has given her blank diaries to record her thoughts. Catie would rather have sketch pads for drawing her fashion designs, but she decides to give the diaries a try. Sixth grade has brought its share of challenges, and she discovers it helps to write about them.

Her brother Jeremy, aka the Germ, and his pet skunk are driving her crazy. The school dance has been announced, and both she and her nemesis, the ultra popular Miranda Maroni, seek the attention of the same boy. And the art contest has her stressed and determined to enter her very best fashion design. Her father has the worst timing in deciding to take the family on a mission trip to an Indian reservation just before the dance and the contest deadline. Catie will need a lot of prayer to get through the year!

Catie Conrad: Faith, Friendship and Fashion Disasters is printed as if handwritten in a notebook, with lots of sketches throughout. Middle-grade girls will relate to the drama of Catie’s life, and will be inspired by the way she tackles her problems, as friends, family and faith strengthen her. Although this is a Christian book, it doesn’t come across preachy, and girls will find Catie very real in her thoughts and struggles. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian

When Mercy Rains (The Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy – Book 1)

Bergers Book Reviews

When Mercy Rains
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Genre: Christian Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-307-73131-9
Pages: 352
Price: $14.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Suzanne Zimmerman left her Old Order Mennonite home in Kansas in disgrace at the age of seventeen. Sent away to secretly have her baby and then return, she heads off to Indiana. But once she gets there, her circumstances change, and she decides to make Indianapolis her home, not returning to Kansas as planned. Twenty years later, after becoming a nurse and raising her daughter, Alexa, Suzanne receives a letter asking her to come back to Kansas to take care of her ailing mother.

The threat of exposing her secrets and facing all the hurts from the past nearly keep Suzanne from going. But when Alexa begs to meet the family she’s never known, Suzanne relents. Facing her family will be hard enough, but how can she expect to handle seeing her first love, Paul, once again?

In this first book of the Zimmerman Restoration Trilogy, Suzanne must face up to the past that everyone has long buried. Although there will be harsh words and hurt feelings, forgiveness only comes once the secrets are out in the open. When Mercy Rains shows us a family that has been torn apart by deception and is in desperate need of reconciliation. But with love and tenderness, wounds are healed and hearts mended. I highly recommend this uplifting and inspiring novel.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian

Christmas Redemption

Bergers Book Reviews

Christmas Redemption
Author: Saundra Staats McLemore
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Genre: Christian Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-61252-689-8
Pages: 160
Price: $9.99

Author’s website
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It’s December of 1967, and Cecilia, Gloria and Loretta are all unmarried and pregnant. Cecilia has run away with her boyfriend to California to enjoy the summer of love. Gloria has anticipated her wedding night with her fiance before he is sent to Vietnam. And Loretta was raped at a party. All three wonder if they should have an abortion or consider adoption, and all spend time at Christmas Hotel, hoping to find peace and consolation.

During their stay there, they come to know the owners of the hotel – the Wrights, a Christian couple who believe in celebrating Jesus Christ’s birth every day. The three become friends, sharing their experiences and working through their problems together. Each must come to terms with what has happened, turning to God and the Wrights for support and encouragement. And each must decide if what they are carrying inside them is truly a baby deserving of life.

Christmas Redemption contains a strong pro-life message with Biblical verses supporting it. Strong on solid Christian preaching rather than plot, the story leans heavily toward Baptist teaching. I would have preferred to see the characters representing other Christian faiths, rather than strictly Baptist, so the story would have appealed to a wider audience. But if you’re looking for a nice Christmas story with a feel-good ending, Christmas Redemption would be a great choice.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, history

A.D. 30

Bergers Book Reviews

A.D. 30
Author: Ted Dekker
Publisher: Center Street
Genre: Historical Fiction / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-59995-418-9
Pages: 432
Price: $25.00

Author’s website
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Maviah was born of an illicit encounter by her father, Sheikh Rami bin Malik. Sold into slavery in Egypt, she lived there until the birth of her son, and was sent back to her Bedu people. Now her city has been taken by the Thamud, and her father has sent her on a mission to save them. With Saba, her father’s servant, and Judah, a Jew, she travels to see Herod, hoping for his help.

Saba and Judah are able-bodied and trustworthy men, and she soon comes to rely on them for her own well-being. But their mission runs into a snag. A side trip to Capernaum allows them to visit with Yeshua – a Jewish rabbi with a new and radical teaching. Maviah soon becomes convinced that this Yeshua speaks truth, and vows to follow his words.

Maviah is a broken woman who believes herself to be nothing more than a slave. But in speaking to Yeshua, she begins to believe she has value in her Father’s eyes. Can she trust him enough to overcome her fear and rescue her people?

A.D. 30 paints a wonderful picture of desert life at the start of the Christian era. We meet Jesus near the start of his ministry and share in the joy of those who have just found him. And we see, through Maviah’s eyes, exactly why he is so well-loved by his followers. Jesus loves her just as she is – even though she sees herself as unworthy.

I highly recommend this engaging and enjoyable book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Catholic, Christian, Saints

Seven Saints for Seven Virtues

Bergers Book Reviews

Seven Saints for Seven Virtues
Author: Jean M. Heimann
Publisher: Servant Books
Genre: Christian / Catholic
ISBN: 978-1-61636-845-6
Pages: 144
Price: $13.99

Author’s website
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Most of us are familiar with the seven deadly sins, but are we also aware of the seven virtues? These are charity, chastity, diligence, humility, kindness, patience and temperance. The fastest way to defeat the deadly sins in our own lives is to work on developing these virtues in their place.

Seven saints provide wonderful examples of these virtues in action. In Seven Saints for Seven Virtues, these saints are presented for us to emulate. Their lives and struggles may have been difficult, but each overcame weakness and developed strong character. In addition to the saints, modern-day people who embody these virtues are introduced, so we can learn how to model them in today’s world. Prayers, suggested Bible reading, and action steps are also provided for developing each virtue.

We are all called to be saints. The lives of the virtuous men and women in this book will guide us as we attempt to follow that calling. All those who try to live holy lives will benefit from reading Seven Saints for Seven Virtues.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Catholic, Christian, spirituality

Heaven is Real But So is Hell

Bergers Book Reviews

Heaven is Real But So is Hell
Author: Vassula Rydén
Publisher: Alexian
Genre: Christian / Spirituality
ISBN: 978-0-9830093-0-6
Pages: 224
Price: $24.95

Author’s website
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Vassula Rydén was not living a particularly religious life when her guardian angel first appeared to her. And when God spoke to her, soon after, she was completely unprepared to face her many sins and atone for them. Once she was cleansed, she willingly took on her new role in communicating God’s Messages to the people, as He commanded.

Heaven is Real But So is Hell is Rydén’s story of her ministry. It shares some of the visions God has allowed her to see, as well as many of the Messages she received. Organized loosely by topic, this book touches on all the important ideas God has commanded her to tell us.

Originally, the Vatican disapproved of Rydén’s Messages, issuing a warning against them. However, over time, these Messages have gotten support from priests, bishops, and even Cardinal Ratzinger, before he became Pope. Rydén also claims that many who have seen her speak or have read the Messages have come back to the Church as a result.

I admit, I approached this book with healthy skepticism. But as I’ve also read the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, I realized there are interesting similarities. Both women issued dire warnings that come with potential blessings if we turn from our sinful ways, and both have been ridiculed and scorned by an unbelieving public. I have not read True Life in God, which is Rydén’s official publication of these Messages, but from what I’ve read in Heaven is Real But So is Hell, I see nothing that would be contradictory to my Catholic faith.

Prophets are often misunderstood in the era they’re living in, and their messages are only understood much later. If these Messages are truly from God, they will stand up to the test of time.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian

Stella Strawberry: The Fruit of Love

Bergers Book Reviews

Stella Strawberry
Author: Yira Bernard Jones
Illustrator: David C. Rhoades
Publisher: Lightning House
Genre: Children / Christian
ISBN: 978-0615632391
Pages: 32
Price: $12.00

Author’s website – buy it here

The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In Stella Strawberry: The Fruit of Love, children are introduced to love.

This is not a fictional work, but instead it offers children various ways to look at love. Each concept is presented along with the corresponding Bible verse as reinforcement of God’s word to us on this subject. The final page is a prayer of thanks for God’s love and a request for help in loving others.

Stella Strawberry is beautifully written and illustrated, with a powerful message of God’s never-ending love for us and His demands that we show others that same love. This book would be a wonderful addition to any Christian home or Sunday School classroom.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, Jewish

The Oldest Bedtime Story Ever (Bible Beautiful)

Bergers Book Reviews

The Oldest Bedtime Story Ever
Author & Illustrator: Benjamin Morse
Publisher: Orson & Co.
Genre: Jewish / Christian (Bible Old Testament)
ISBN: 978-0-9858135-0-5
Pages: 77
Price: $30.00

Author’s website
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Reading the Old Testament from start to finish is a monumental undertaking which few kids would ever consider. But The Oldest Bedtime Story Ever presents much of the story in an abbreviated and fun read.

Using paper cutout images, author Benjamin Morse crafts a unique book that highlights many of the more interesting Biblical stories. Beginning with Adam and Eve, Noah, and the patriarchs in Genesis, he takes us through the Exodus, the time of the judges, the Davidic and divided kingdoms, the exile, and the return from exile. Other important figures like Esther, Jonah, Samson, and Ruth are also featured.

This unique book is told with lightness and humor. For example, in the story of Adam and Eve, Morse states, “Life was so perfect and free of any troubles, they hardly knew what to do with themselves.” These brief commentaries made me chuckle, but also think more deeply about the scenes presented. Since no vignette is fully developed, this book might also encourage youngsters to delve into the actual Bible story for a better understanding of what happened.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised at its substance and accuracy. Anyone (not just kids!) who wants a nice overview of Bible history would do well to pick up a copy of The Oldest Bedtime Story Ever. It’s not only an enjoyable read, but also a great study book, since all scripture references are listed in the appendix. For those with hand-held devices, there is also an app available.

Reviewer: Alice Berger