Now I Walk On Death Row

From the back of the book: As a Wall Street finance lawyer, Dale Recinella had prestige, power and unthinkable paychecks at his fingertips. He was living the American dream...at least on paper.

But above the roar of life in the fast lane, Dale heard Jesus whispering to him. And his life took an unfathomable turn as he heeded Jesus' call: He sold everything he owned and followed Him-even to the stark floors of death row.

With the warmth and ease of a natural storyteller, Dale shares his amazing journey of going from high-powered lawyer to humble lay chaplain. And he reminds us that when we live out the words of Jesus, what we give up is nothing compared to what we receive in return.

My review: Wow! What a convicting book! Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Dale Recinella is a great story-teller, and as you read you will be drawn into the book. The story of his life, and his determination to obey what Jesus says will become a challenge to each reader. A powerful reminder that we should seek first the Kingdom of God. I was a little wary of what I would find on the pages of this book when I realized that Dale was Catholic. While there are a few doctrinal issues, that is not the main focus of the book. Any christian could read this book and come away with a renewed sense of the importance of loving God and loving people. I highly recommend that every christian read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers, courtesy of Chosen Books, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Beside Still Waters

About Beside Still Waters: Marianna Sommer believes she knows where her life is headed. Nineteen years old and Amish, her plan is to get baptized into the church, marry Aaron Zook, and live in the only community she's ever known. When Marianna's family moves from Indiana to Montana she discovers life and faith will never be the same. As she builds an easy friendship with local guy, Ben Stone, Ben not only draws her heart, he also gets her thinking about what loving God and living in community is all about. As Marianna struggles to find "home", she also encounters God in intimate ways. Click here to watch the book trailers. http://triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#BesideStillWaters Link to buy the book: http://triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#BesideStillWaters Tricia is hosting a book giveaway on her blog. Also – she’s giving away a Montana Amish Calendar to everyone who enters the giveaway! Be sure to head on over to her blog and enter: http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2011/04/beside-still-waters-giveaway.html

My review: The prologue pulled me into the book from the start. I enjoy Amish fiction and this one is different from most. Not only does the Sommer family leave their community, but they move to a community that is not afraid of the English. The struggles and emotions they face are real. Tricia Goyer has written in such a way and developed her characters so that you will be drawn into their lives and feel their joy and pain. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book from B&H Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Blog Tour Schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13199255

How To Be God's Little Princess

There are not many girls that don't dream of someday being a princess. But how does a princess really act? What does she wear? How does she talk? These questions and many more are answered in the book How To Be God's Little Princess by Sheila Walsh. This book is filled with practical advice on everyday life with Scripture as the basis and "princess" as the theme. Sheila Walsh has taken topics such as dress, style, poise, dining, friends, and many more and organized them into sections on the princess way: specifically God's princess. Each of these topics has plenty of Scripture, practical advice, fun activities, pictures, and helpful information. This is a wonderful book for little girls. It is a hands-on type of book that will certainly hold their attention. They are able to learn manners, etiquette, and true beauty in a Biblical, fun, and practical way. I will have fun reading through this book with each of my daughters as each topic becomes appropriate for their age. Its eye-catching pink cover has already caught their attention. This is a perfect gift book for any little girl, and I know I will be buying several to give away. You can't go wrong with this one. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tommy Nelson publishers, a division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, through the Booksneeze blogger program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Courting Miss Amsel

Courting Miss Amsel was a fun book to read. Edythe Amsel arrives in the small town of Walnut Hill to teach the school children. The single men immediately see her as a potential wife, but she makes it abundantly clear that she has no desire to get married. So why does Joel Townsend always catch her eye? A single man raising his two orphaned nephews is the last thing she wants anything to do with. Her unusual teaching methods and one troublesome student soon become the talk of the town, and it doesn't take Edythe long to find out that Joel is on her side. Are enough of the parents on her side, or will the town council vote to relieve her of her teaching responsibilities? Does God really care what happens to a small town teacher who feels she must always have control? This is another great book by Kim Vogel Sawyer from Bethany House Publishers. I really enjoyed the storyline as well as the characters. This is a book that you won't want to put down once you start reading. You will laugh, argue, plead, and symphathize. The characters are very real, and the storyline engaging. The theme of allowing God to have control is quite appropriate. I think that is a lesson that all Christians need reminded of on a regular basis. This book provided that reminder in a fun effective way. I will be happy to recommend this book to others. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Promises to Keep

A story told by a young girl about complicated life issues, Promises to Keep, by Ann Tatlock is a book that will draw you in. Roz has moved away from her dad with her mom, brother, and sister. An unexpected visitor, Tillie, becomes the help that Roz's mom so desperately needs. As life continues to unfold, Roz experiences uncertainty about her father. Tillie talks to her about heaven, but since her "father" has something to do with it, Roz is not sure she will make it to heaven. As her father secretly reenters her life she begins to ignore the past and trusts what he tells her. Although her friend Mara warns her, and her mom tells her to forget about him, she finds herself unable to break free from the power he seems to have over her. And what will she do about the secrets her brother asks her to keep? This story by Ann Tatlock is powerful! She writes from a young girl's point of view, and touches on several difficult topics. While this story is a work of fiction, the struggles that Roz and her family experience are very real, and these struggles are brought to life on the pages of this book. This book is a great reminder to christians to open their eyes and see what is going on around them! Promises to Keep will capture your attention from the very first pages and will hold you captive until the very end. This is definitely a well-written book that I will be happy to recommend to others. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Plain Proposal

I enjoy reading Amish fiction, so I was excited to try another author. Plain Proposal by Beth Wiseman is the story of a young Amish girl named Miriam Raber. Miriam is in her rumschpringe, but has not been tempted to try much of what is forbidden. The arrival of her English cousin, Shelby, has Miriam's mother, Rebecca, worried that some of Miriam's new and unexpected actions are a result of Shelby's influence. However, Rebecca has forgotten what it is like to be newly in love. Saul Fisher has finally seemed to notice Miriam much to her delight. She is willing to do anything it takes to be with him but is afraid her choices will tear her from her family. Saul has problems of his own which threaten his dreams. When Rebecca unexpectedly steps into the lives of Saul's family she begins to realize what it means to follow God's leading even when the outcome is not what she wants. Plain Proposal is a very enjoyable book to read. It has a very simple plot, but has some unexpected twists to the story. While this is an Amish story, the Amish tradition is not as prevalent as in other books I have read. It isn't really clear what "type" of Amish they are just by reading the story, although at the beginning of the book they are referred to as Old Order Amish. I don't think that is a negative, just unexpected. The characters were easy to understand and feelings and emotions were conveyed very well. While this is not the most exciting book I have ever read, I did enjoy it and would recommend it to others. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through their Booksneeze blogger program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.