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Book Review: Pups of The Spirit

26 Mar

684096dc42fb0584dd78725f_396x334“God gave each puppy a gift of its own, and PUPS OF THE SPIRIT is how they are known!” Peanut is patient, and Kay is so kind. Each of these nine loveable puppies has a special trait to help them grow closer to God. From love and joy to patience and kindness, children will have fun learning about the fruits of the spirit with these playful and cuddly companions.

 

DSC_8378Deborah Melmon, Illustrator (from her website) I am a free-lance illustrator, living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area. I knew I was going to be an artist when I created a paper mache lion in the eighth grade that grew so large, it had to be transported home in the trunk of my parent’s Oldsmobile…with the lid up!

After graduating from Academy of Art University in San Francisco, I started my career illustrating covers for the Palo Alto Weekly. Since then I have produced artwork for picture books, cookbooks, magazines, educational publications and currently license my artwork on giftwrap, greeting cards and fabric.

I work digitally in Photoshop after scanning in my traditional artwork which is created in ink, watercolor and pencil.

I share my studio with an energetic Airedale Terrior named Mack, who makes sure my passion for illustrating is balanced with lots of long walks and outdoor activities.

 

My Impressions:

Cute and colorful illustrations and rhyming prose are the features of Pups of The Spirit illustrated by Deborah Melmon. Each of the adorable nine puppies are gifted with the characteristics found in Galatians 5:22-23 — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control — and are great examples of what it looks like to live a life filled with the fruit of the Spirit. For kids ages 4-7, this book is a perfect way for parents to share the importance of living a life that pleases God. There is even a poster to decorate a bedroom or playroom!

Recommended.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for my review copy. All opinions are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below.

 

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Book Review: The Big Picture Interactive Bible

25 Mar

5Are our children really getting the full meaning of the stories as we read the Bible to them? When we read the Bible to our children, the stories are often in bits and pieces and focus on “being good.” But children should get the message of “being saved” from reading the Bible instead. The Big Picture Interactive Bible (B&H Kids) is the first children’s Bible of its kind-the Jesus story from start to finish, filled with features and interactive elements that capture the true meaning and significance behind all of the verses and stories.

The Big Picture Interactive Bible has nearly a thousand features in full color throughout including pictures of key items so children can understand what they’re reading. The B&H Kids Augmented Reality App (free and available for Android and iPhone) creates a digital pop-up book when used with full-color illustrations, bringing the Bible to life for each child. It features the full text of the Holman Christian Standard Bible, a clear, contemporary English translation that’s faithful to the original languages of the Bible.

Other features included are:
Big Words – Colorful Bible Dictionary entry with photos, maps, illustrations and descriptions of key terms, right in the Bible text.
Big Questions/Big Answers – Kids always want to know why. This feature asks and then answers many of the common “big questions” throughout the Bible.
Christ Connection – This feature can be found from Genesis to Revelation and will help kids understand how each story points us to Christ and His work for us.
Introductions – Basic information about the books of the Bible will give kids perspective on the who, what and when for each book as well as “the Big Picture” from that book and key stories it contains.
Icons – Special icons are placed throughout the Bible to connect to the Gospel Project for Kids curriculum.
Memory Verses – Scripture memorization is much more than “saying the words.” When a child memorizes a Bible verse and puts it to practice in their daily life, that child begins to learn how God can lead his life. The top 100 verses to remember are highlighted throughout the Bible.
Parent Connection – This feature is designed to help parents be empowered to engage deeper in the story with their kids.
Seeing the Big Picture – This feature digs into key Bible stories to help young hearts and minds grasp the meaning and provide parents with extra information to discuss the Bible with their kids.

 

My Impressions:

The Big Picture Interactive Bible is a children’s Bible that has it all! Make sure you read about the features described above so that you can imagine just how thoroughly this Bible provides a perfect tool for parents and their kids to get the whole story of God’s plan. Set up like a kid’s version of an adult study Bible, complete with maps and scripture references, a dictionary, book introductions and helpful commentary, it also has colorful illustrations and the easy to understand Holman Christian Standard Bible text. There is even an app to download! I am especially impressed that the creators of this Bible sought to show that the whole story of Christ can be told from Genesis through Revelation — a truth I stressed to my kids when they were growing up. I received the David and Goliath version (the illustration on the front cover) and am planning on giving it to my 7 year old great nephew. If you are looking for a Bible that your child will eagerly read and that can foster discussion about God, then pick up The Big Picture Interactive Bible.

Recommended.

(Thanks to B&H Publishers for a review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this Bible, click on the image below.

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Book Review: The Aviator’s Wife

24 Mar

13642950For much of her life, Anne Morrow, the shy daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, has stood in the shadows of those around her, including her millionaire father and vibrant older sister, who often steals the spotlight. Then Anne, a college senior with hidden literary aspirations, travels to Mexico City to spend Christmas with her family. There she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, fresh off his celebrated 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. Enthralled by Charles’s assurance and fame, Anne is certain the celebrated aviator has scarcely noticed her. But she is wrong.
 
Charles sees in Anne a kindred spirit, a fellow adventurer, and her world will be changed forever. The two marry in a headline-making wedding. Hounded by adoring crowds and hunted by an insatiable press, Charles shields himself and his new bride from prying eyes, leaving Anne to feel her life falling back into the shadows. In the years that follow, despite her own major achievements—she becomes the first licensed female glider pilot in the United States—Anne is viewed merely as the aviator’s wife. The fairy-tale life she once longed for will bring heartbreak and hardships, ultimately pushing her to reconcile her need for love and her desire for independence, and to embrace, at last, life’s infinite possibilities for change and happiness.

2958717Melanie Benjamin is the author of the New York Times bestselling novel, The Aviator’s Wife, as well as the national bestseller Alice I Have Been, and The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb. She lives in the Chicago area with her husband and two sons. She’s currently at work on her next historical novel.

My Impressions:

From a purely literary perspective, The Aviator’s Wife is a great historical novel. It is extremely well-researched, filled with characters that seem to fit the real life persons they represent and written in a flowing and easily read style. Benjamin has succeeded in providing suspense for the reader through events that have already been concluded. It is however, a work of fiction, and the emotions and motives of the characters are imagined and imagined, I feel, from a modern perspective. All the members of my highly eclectic group loved the book. I enjoyed it immensely too.

The Aviator’s Wife follows the life of Anne Morrow Lindberg from her first meeting with Charles Lindberg, through his death. The ups and downs (a lot of downs) of their marriage is told through her first person account. And although the author attempts to present Charles Lindberg’s viewpoint through Anne’s observations, it seems that he is given very short-shrift. I didn’t like any of the characters very much, but understand their responses in the light of the times in which they lived. From a spiritual perspective, the story is sad. Trying to find value in our own endeavors or through the approval of others is bound to be disappointing. We had a good discussion of the history, the role of women at the time and the morality that was evidenced in the Lindberg’s lives. As the writer herself states in the Afterword, The Aviator’s Wife is a good book club book. All in all a novel we would all recommend.

Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

(I purchased this book for my Kindle. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below.

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Book Review: The Devil Walks in Mattingly

22 Mar

688226For the three people tortured by their secret complicity in a young man’s untimely death, redemption is what they most long for . . . and the last thing they expect to receive.

It has been twenty years since Philip McBride’s body was found along the riverbank in the dark woods known as Happy Hollow. His death was ruled a suicide. But three people have carried the truth ever since—Philip didn’t kill himself that day. He was murdered.

Each of the three have wilted in the shadow of their sins. Jake Barnett is Mattingly’s sheriff, where he spends his days polishing the fragile shell of the man he pretends to be. His wife, Kate, has convinced herself the good she does for the poor will someday wash the blood from her hands. And high in the mountains, Taylor Hathcock lives in seclusion and fear, fueled by madness and hatred.

Yet what cannot be laid to rest is bound to rise again. Philip McBride has haunted Jake’s dreams for weeks, warning that he is coming back for them all. When Taylor finds mysterious footprints leading from the Hollow, he believes his redemption has come. His actions will plunge the quiet town of Mattingly into darkness. These three will be drawn together for a final confrontation between life and death . . .  Between truth and lies.

BCoffey-209Billy Coffey‘s critically-acclaimed books combine rural Southern charm with a vision far beyond the ordinary. He is a regular contributor to several publications, where he writes about faith and life. Billy lives with his wife and two children in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

My Impressions:

Billy Coffey’s latest novel, The Devil Walks in Mattingly, is the first book I have read by this very talented author. His lyrical writing style, great sense of place and characters that are deeply flawed and yet s0 real, are the reasons I will be reading many more of his books. Deeply moving, oftentimes horrifying and always riveting, The Devil Walks in Mattingly is a must read.

Jake Barnett, the sheriff of Mattingly, and his wife Kate, live a quiet life trying to undo the past and escape their demons. Their misdeeds and omissions have shaped a life that keeps them stuck repeating old patterns. But when the unthinkable happens, and the town is plunged into their nightmares and deepest secrets, they can no longer deny that the past must be confronted and dealt with. Others are drawn into the horror with varying responses, but none are left unchanged.

The biggest strength of The Devil Walks in Mattingly is definitely Coffey’s ability to put the reader into the story. The town of Mattingly and the haunted Happy Hollow become very real. The characters, both good and bad, could be your neighbors or friends. It may be a bit disturbing to your sense of self to relate too closely to them ;), but I could definitely relate to the stranglehold the past has on the characters. Great for a book club, there is plenty to discuss — can our present actions make up for our past wrongs, is avoidance a helpful coping skill, where do we find love?

Not a quick and easy read — that is a big plus with me — The Devil Walks in Mattingly is a book that will stay with you for a long time. It gets the very rare designation of —

Very Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

For more reviews, click HERE.

(Thanks to LitFuse and Thomas Nelson for my review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below.

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Billy Coffey‘s critically acclaimed new book, The Devil Walks in Mattingly. Billy has teamed up with his publisher, Thomas Nelson, for a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway. One winner will receive:

  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • The Devil Walks in Mattingly by Billy Coffey

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 5th. Winner will be announced April  7th on Billy’s blog. Watch Billy give the backstory of the book here.

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; ENTER TODAY AND BE SURE TO STOP BY BILLY’S BLOG ON APRIL 7TH TO SEE IF YOU WON.

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Book Review: Goodnight, Angels

20 Mar

716877_w185Goodnight, rubber duckie. Thank you for the scrub. Goodnight to the bubbles, Sliding down the tub. As a little boy says goodnight to the things and people in his world, he remembers to offer a thankful nighttime prayer to God.

bio_photo5Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors, etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including Romantic Time’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog.

My Impressions:

If you are looking for a good bedtime story to quietly ready your child for sleep, then check out Melody Carlson’s board book Goodnight, Angels. Detailed and colorful illustrations by Sophie Allsopp add to the simple message of a little boy getting ready for bed. Similar to Goodnight, Moon, this children’s book reinforces God’s love and care. The story follows a little boy as he winds up his day — from bath time, bedtime snacks to bedtime prayers. The slow, repetitive language will surely lull your child to sleep as he comes to understand that God is truly watching over him. The target audience is ages 4-7 and is great for pre-K to new readers.

Recommended.

(Thanks to Zonderkidz for my review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below.

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Book Review: A Draw of Kings

19 Mar

The end of a series, but not the end of a writing talent. Patrick Carr’s epic fantasy series, The Staff and The Sword series, has been a wonderful adventure. With the last page of the last book turned, I am sorry to say goodbye to the characters I have come to love. A Draw of Kings is another must read, but make sure you have read the first two books first! Click HERE for more information on author, Patrick Carr.

210450Dark Forces Have Gathered and the Final Battle for Illustra Has Begun

Their journey to Merakh should have made Errol and his companions heroes of the realm. Instead, they’ve been branded enemies of the kingdom. 

In the wake of the king’s death, Duke Weir is ruling the country–and he intends to marry Adora to bring an heir from the royal line. With Errol and the others imprisoned and the identity of the rightful heir to the throne still hidden in secrecy, Illustra is on the verge of civil war–and threatened by hostile forces gathering on every side.

A dangerous mission to free Errol is attempted, but the dangers facing the kingdom mount with every passing moment. The barrier has fallen, ferrals are swarming toward the land, and their enemies draw ever closer. Will the discovery of the true heir turn back the tide of Illustra’s destruction?

My Impressions:

While the action and adventure of A Draw of Kings will draw many readers, it is Patrick’s characters that have a place in my heart:

Errol Stone, the young drunkard turned hero and savior of his kingdom time and time again, is complex. He has been manipulated and used by just about everyone he meets, but he is a true man of honor.

Adora, the princess of the realm, is not one to sit back, but with a fierceness in her heart and her love for her man, she battles those who are more skilled and stronger than herself.

Martin and Luis, men of the church, grow in their understanding of their roles in the salvation of the kingdom and in the knowledge of their God.

Rokha, the daring fighter, is perhaps my favorite. She is a true warrior who fights and loves with all her heart.

The plot, the medieval setting, and the well-drawn characters are all big draws (pardon the pun), but it is the theology of A Draw of Kings that leaves me thinking. The thread of the mystery of this world’s God, a triune deity that closely resembles the true God, is beautiful. There is a scene towards the end of the book that resembles Holy Communion with a liturgy that proclaims the gospel of Christ. My favorite lines are a description of the sacrificial Eleison, the second in their trinity, as the triumphant champion, the champion of our world.  It is for this that I would whole-heartedly recommend this series to all who love fantasy. The gospel is presented in a non-threatening way that will leave those who are seeking wanting more.

So, pick up all three books in this series. Read them and then make sure your friends read them. I highly recommend them. (For links to my reviews of the first two books in the series, click HERE.) Book 1, A Cast of Stones is currently free for Kindle (click HERE).

Highly Recommended.

(I received this book in conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour compliments of Bethany House. All opinions are mine alone.)

Make sure you check out all the other participants of this tour.

Gillian Adams
Jennifer Bogart 
Keanan Brand
Mike Coville
Pauline Creeden
Vicky DealSharingAunt
Carol Gehringer
Victor Gentile
Rebekah Gyger
Nikole Hahn
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Jennette Mbewe
Amber McCallister
Shannon McDermott
Shannon McNear
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Nissa
Writer Rani
Nathan Reimer
Audrey Sauble
James Somers
Jojo Sutis
Steve Trower
Shane Werlinger
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White
Jill Williamson

 

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Book Review: Shaken

18 Mar

365358When her world is shaken, will her foundation survive?

Idealistic and sheltered with a passion to change the world, Kaylan Richards leaves her comfortable life in Alabama to serve in poverty-stricken Haiti. Despite her inexperience and the opposition of a voodoo priest, Kaylan develops a love for the country and the Haitian people. But something deadly is about to strike.

It is the worst earthquake the country has ever seen, and in its aftermath bodies, buildings, and broken lives litter the streets. People she cares about are dead, and Kaylan is caught in the middle of the destruction, questioning a God who said He was good.

Navy SEAL Nick Carmichael never planned to find a girl he loved more than his country. Now she is a world away, trapped in a deadly situation nothing could have prepared her for. Can Nick’s love help Kaylan heal and show her the God who never abandoned her, or will tragedy shake even the most rooted faith?

Kariss Lynch (from the author’s website) — My name means “grace” but graceful I am not, well most of the time. I am an extroverted introvert that would rather write with people in the room so I can talk at the same time than hide in a corner.

I began my writing career in third grade with a story about a magical world for a class assignment and then chased my dream into college, graduating with a degree in English from Texas Tech University. I love writing characters the Lord hasn’t decided to make real people yet. I like to show God-sized dreams, romance, and let’s be real, a little sarcasm too. I write about world changers for readers who want to change the world. While Christian fiction is my genre, I branch outside that in my reading habits.

My Impressions:

Shaken is the debut novel from Kariss Lynch. As such, it is a little of what you’d expect from a first time author — perhaps a little stiff stylistically, the characters a little too good — but there are a lot of positives that kept this reader turning the pages. Lynch’s passion for her subject and the excellent research create a really good book. I expect really good things from Kariss Lynch in the future.

Kaylan is a new college graduate set to change the world. She goes to Haiti with her best friend, Sara Beth, determined to make an impact on the impoverished residents of the slums. Met with hostility from the local voodoo practitioner and the overwhelming obstacles of a country filled with despair and desperation, she still embraces the challenges. But then the earthquake hits, and Kaylan’s world is changed.

There are a lot of positives in Shaken. Kaylan and her love interest, Navy SEAL, Nick, are both wounded by their traumatic experiences. Their reactions to the traumas are realistic. Their romance is also very sweet. I loved Nick’s sacrificial nature. Many of the secondary characters, including Rhonda the Haiti aid worker, Kaylan’s grandfather, and Abe the Haitian interpreter, speak truth to Kaylan at a time when she needs it. Lynch shows how God works through circumstances and others to grow us into what He has planned. Lynch also does a good job of bringing the reader to the devastation of the earthquake in Haiti. Nick’s SEAL mission seemed a bit out of place, but I suspect it will be a main feature in the next book of the series.

Filled with romance, suspense and a strong faith message, Shaken is a good debut for Kariss Lynch.

Recommended.

(Thanks to Booketeria for my review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below.

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CSFF Blog Tour Day 2

18 Mar

A Draw of Kings by Patrick W. Carr is the third book in The Staff and The Sword series and you MUST read the first two books to know what is going on, but more importantly to get the full effect of this wonderful epic fantasy. So here is the recap of both books. Tomorrow I hope to bring you my review of A Draw of Kings. Be sure to check out the other participants’ links at the end of this post.

 

210433_w185A Cast of Stones (book 1) — In the backwater village of Callowford, Errol Stone’s search for a drink is interrupted by a church messenger who arrives with urgent missives for the hermit priest in the hills. Desperate for coin, Errol volunteers to deliver them but soon finds himself hunted by deadly assassins. Forced to flee with the priest and a small band of travelers, Errol soon learns he’s joined a quest that could change the fate of his kingdom.

Protected for millennia by the heirs of the first king, the kingdom’s dynasty is near an end and a new king must be selected. As tension and danger mount, Errol must leave behind his drunkenness and grief, learn to fight, and come to know his God in order to survive a journey to discover his destiny.

My Review

 

heros-lotThe Hero’s Lot (book 2) — When Sarin Valon, the corrupt secondus of the conclave, flees Erinon and the kingdom, Errol Stone believes his troubles have at last ended. But other forces bent on the destruction of the kingdom remain and conspire to accuse Errol and his friends of a conspiracy to usurp the throne.

In a bid to keep the three of them from the axe, Archbenefice Canon sends Martin and Luis to Errol’s home village, Callowford, to discover what makes him so important to the kingdom. But Errol is also accused of consorting with spirits. Convicted, his punishment is a journey to the enemy kingdom of Merakh, where he must find Sarin Valon, and kill him. To enforce their sentence, Errol is placed under a compulsion, and he is driven to accomplish his task or die resisting.

My Review

 

CSFF Blog Tour Participants

Gillian Adams
Jennifer Bogart 
Keanan Brand
Mike Coville
Pauline Creeden
Vicky DealSharingAunt
Carol Gehringer
Victor Gentile
Rebekah Gyger
Nikole Hahn
Jason Joyner
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Jennette Mbewe
Amber McCallister
Shannon McDermott
Shannon McNear
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Nissa
Writer Rani
Nathan Reimer
Audrey Sauble
James Somers
Jojo Sutis
Steve Trower
Shane Werlinger
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White
Jill Williamson

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Book Review: Dangerous Passage

14 Mar

721904When two Jane Does are killed on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, detective and behavioral specialist Avery North discovers they share something in common–a tattoo of a magnolia on their shoulders. Suspecting a serial killer, Avery joins forces with medical examiner Jackson Bryant to solve the crimes and prevent another murder. But it doesn’t take long for them to realize that there is much more to the case than meets the eye. As they venture deep into a sinister world of human trafficking, Avery and Jackson are taken to the very edge of their abilities–and their hearts.

harrislisAward-winning author Lisa Harris has been writing both fiction and nonfiction since 2000 and has twenty novels and novellas in print. She currently lives with her family in Mozambique, where they work as missionaries. Visit her website at http://www.lisaharriswrites.com and her blog at http://www.myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com.

My Impressions:

Dangerous Passage by Lisa Harris is By The Book’s March selection and is just the type of novel my book club loves — a romantic suspense set just up the road from us in Atlanta. We will discuss this on Friday night. Have you read it? Let us know what you think.

Avery North is a police detective with a lot on her plate. A widow raising a preteen daughter and investigating her brother’s murder in her off hours, Avery has a lot to balance. Now her days are filled with another murder investigation and the attentions of medical examiner Jackson Bryant. Add to that some troubling information about human trafficking and family drama, and you get a complex, interesting and endearing character. Dangerous Passage is fast-paced, challenging the reader to keep up with the twists and turns of the case and Avery’s life. And not all of the mysteries are resolved, making this reader eager for book 2, Fatal Exchange.

Fans of Terri Blackstock or DiAnn Mills will like Harris’ style. Although the plot is strong, this novel’s strength is its characterizations. The reader comes to care about her characters just as much as wanting to find out just whodunit. I am looking forward to the thoughts of my group on this one. I, for one, enjoyed it.

Recommended. 

(I purchased the ebook version of this book for my Kindle. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase Dangerous Passage, click on the image below.

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Book Review: A Sky without Stars

13 Mar

752797In 1951, Frankie Chasing Bear is a Lakota caught between cultures. She wants to raise her son Harold to revere his Lakota heritage, but she knows he will need to become as a white man to succeed. After his father’s killed in a barroom brawl, Harold and Frankie move to Arizona, where she begins a Lakota Star pattern quilt for Harold with tribal wisdom sung, sewn and prayed into it.

She distrusts Christians, as her own parents were forced to convert at an Indian School, until she meets BIA agent Nick Parker, a half-Lakota who’s also caught between cultures. Nick must convince Frankie that white men and Christians aren’t all bad as he tries to win her heart in order to put the stars back into her sky.

LClare-223Linda S. Clare is an award-winning coauthor of three books, including Lost Boys and the Moms Who Love Them (with Melody Carlson and Heather Kopp), Revealed: Spiritual Reality in a Makeover World, and Making Peace with a Dangerous God (with Kristen Johnson Ingram). She is also the author of The Fence My Father Built. She has taught college-level creative writing classes for seven years, and edits and mentors writers. She also is a frequent writing conference presenter and church retreat leader. She and her husband of thirty-one years have four grown children, including a set of twins. They live in Eugene, Oregon, with their five wayward cats: Oliver, Xena the Warrior Kitty, Paladine, Melchior, and Mamma Mia!

My Impressions:

Linda S. Clare takes her readers back to a dry, hot Arizona of the 1950s when Native Americans and white people were still distrustful of each other and uncomfortable with each other’s culture. Filled with characters yearning for a place to belong, A Sky without Stars is a love story and so much more. Another volume in the Quilts of Love series, it will take you back to a world that existed not that long ago.

Frankie Chasing Bear is a Lakota Indian of the high plains stuck in Phoenix, Arizona. Following the dreams of her deceased husband, Frankie loaded her son, Harold, into a broken down truck headed for California and a new life. But the truck gave out, and now they are trying to get by in a world controlled by the white man’s decisions. The local BIA man (Bureau of Indian Affairs) and half-breed, Nick Parker, is drawn to Frankie, but with his feet in two worlds, her distrust is hard to overcome. Frankie also struggles with reconciling the ways of her people with the faith her grandmother lived out in front of her. Through her piecing of a Lakota Star quilt for her son, Frankie learns the lessons her grandmother sought to teach.

A Sky without Stars is the love story between Nick and Frankie, but it is also a candid look at the state of government interference in the lives of Native Americans. The desire to assimilate Indian children, along with relocation strategies, led to intense distrust of white men and their God. This novel is a look at the white world versus Native American world complete with cultural clashes and bigotry on both sides. It is also a good lesson on the obstacles believers face when presenting the gospel to people hurt or betrayed by other Christians. Clare’s novel spurred me to learn more about our government’s assimilation programs and the Lakota Sioux tribe. It is great when an historical novel makes you dig a little deeper. It also presents problems that Native Americans still face today — alcoholism and unemployment.

A good addition to the Quilts of Love series, check out A Sky without Stars.

Recommended.

For more reviews, click HERE.

(Thanks to LitFuse and Abingdon Press for my review copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

To purchase this book, click on the image below.

Linda Clare is celebrating the release with a Kindle HDX giveaway and joining her fellow Quilts of Love authors, Barbara Cameron and Joyce Magnin, for a Facebook “Spring Fling” party on April 1st.

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One winner will receive:

  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • Scraps of Evidence by Barbara Cameron
  • A Sky Without Stars by Linda S. Clare
  • Maybelle in Stitches by Joyce Magnin

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 1st. Winner will be announced at the “Spring Fling” Facebook Party on April 1st. RSVP today and connect with the authors from the Quilts of Love series, Barbara Cameron, Linda S. Clare, and Joyce Magnin, for an evening of book chat, quilt trivia, prizes, and an exclusive look at the next Quilts of Love book!

So grab your copies of Scraps of Evidence, A Sky Without Stars, and Maybelle in Stitches and join Barbara, Linda, and Joyce on the evening of April 1st for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY BY CLICKING JOIN AT THE EVENT PAGE. SPREAD THE WORD—TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY AND PARTY VIA FACEBOOK OR TWITTER. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON APRIL 1ST!

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