book review: Defending the Line the David Luiz story

   Defending the Line by Alex Carpenter (Zonderkidz biography)
This is small book about Brazilian soccer star David Luiz. It is quite a thorough biography and I enjoyed reading it. It definitely gave me more of an interest in Brazilian soccer and David Luiz. 
It's a small book and the reader can sense that it is directed to a younger audience yet simultaneously it's a wordy read even for an adult. I know that sounds confusing! I wonder if a young boy who is aware of all the ins and outs of the soccer world would find it less prolix? I just felt like it was too technical. I am disappointed that the book doesn't focus on the faith of this supposedly faith-driven athlete. There were some good mentions, but not enough. I would say that the author is a soccer fan who knows so much about the sport that he couldn't leave out any of the details of the games in order to focus on David Luiz's personal and faith life. No offense. I love soccer myself. But I'm definitely an amateur, so many of the terms went over my head. I would recommend this book for the intense soccer fan. I must say this book is without a doubt a book you can feel safe handing to your son or daughter to read! Even if it is not centered on faith, it has enough in it that I am sure it will inspire your young athlete to do their best for God!

More about the book (from the publisher's website)
The story of David Luiz, 2010 player of the year and a rising star in international professional soccer, whose faith and success are inspiring to young athletes.

For kids ages 8-12 and soccer fans of all ages comes the newest addition to the Zonderkidz biography series,Defending the Line: The David Luiz Story. One of the rising stars in international soccer, David Luiz made his debut in professional soccer as a teen and has since become a star player whose faith and success inspire athletes young and old around the world.

As part of the Zonderkidz biography series, Defending the Line reveals the true story behind this sports celebrity, motivating young readers and giving parents, youth leaders, and librarians an inspirational new hero.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

The Rope of Sand by C. F Dunn

 Rope of Sand (the Secret of the Journal) by C. F Dunn
   Third in a series by C.F. Dunn, Rope of Sand follows the unusual life of British historian Emma D' Eresby and her romance with American surgeon Matthew Lynes. Although this book is tertiary in the series, there is thankfully an opening chapter which explains briefly the necessary details which took place in the preceding books.
Let me say, this author had a brilliant idea when it came to this series' story line. However, I haven't read the first two books and I found this one a little slow. There is hardly any action and the romance is stunted by the fact that Dr. Lyne's first wife from 80 years ago is still alive. I hated the fact that marriage was not held sacred. Although its hard to judge a book that is rather...science fiction? How can you judge marriage vows in a book where the wife is in her 90's and the husband is still basically 30? I really, really did not like the science-fiction aspect to the story. But that's just me. I found it odd. It's never appealed to me, although I have to admit the author hit upon an interesting plot when she created Dr. Lyons, who is doomed to living forever. The author can make this series a hit if she, in the fourth book makes Dr. Lyons do something to stop his never-ending youth. If he gives it up because he just wants to live, and die, a normal life with his love, Emma.
Nevertheless, this will never be my kind of book. It was really dark and besides it goes against my beliefs in many ways. I do not consider it a Christian book, by the way.

More about the book:
Rope of Sand follows the developing relationship between British historian, Emma D’Eresby and American surgeon, Matthew Lynes. Emma unravels his alarming past, and begins to comprehend how very different her future might be with a man whose identity must never be revealed. Emma nervously meets Matthew’s family. She encounters his seventy-year-old son, Henry, and learns how unique the family really is. As Christmas approaches, it is clear that Emma is not welcomed by all: what does Matthew’s great-granddaughter, have against her, and what might his sinister psychiatrist granddaughter, Maggie, be prepared to do? Bound by their faith, Matthew and Emma have accepted that they must wait until his wife dies. Very reluctantly, Emma meets Ellen - an elderly woman with a core of steel - and learns how living with Matthew will be mean obfuscation, concealment, and lies. How can the lovers have a life together?

I received this book free in exchange for my honest opinion of it, from the publishers.

good book: 25 Ways to Communicate Respect to your Husband

25 Ways to Communicate Respect to Your Husband

by Jennifer Flanders 

I know...this has to be one of the most unusual books I've read this year. At least for me in my unmarried state. But I could have been married and still could be some day. So I read this book. And it was great! Made me wish I was married, just so I could surprise my man by all that I'd learnt from it. 

Truly, this is a remarkable book for wives. I love how Jennifer is just an ordinary woman. I could relate to her entirely. But she teaches, in this 25-chapter book, many ways a woman can think primarily of her husband's interests. 

Ephesians 5:22Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.…

Yet, as I read this book I didn't get the idea that Mrs. Flanders- or her husband-believes that women are merely for serving their husbands. Jennifer's love for her role as a woman and help meet just flows through the words in this book. You can tell that she delights in meeting the needs of her husband, of pleasing him, of honoring him.

This is what else is said about the book:

We get out of marriage what we pour into it.

• Would you like for your husband to be more attentive?
• Do you long for him to notice and admire you?
• Wish he’d recognize and appreciate all your hard work?
• Want him to be respectful of your wishes and opinions?
• Would you like for him to spend more time with you?

Then treat him the way you want to be treated.

WARNING: Reading this book may alter the way you look at your husband, your marriage, and life in general. Read at your own risk. Side effects from implementing the principles set forth in these pages may include a more joyful outlook, better communication skills, a healthier relationship, a happier home, and a rekindled desire to love on your man

I am personally very glad I read this book now....perhaps by the time I am married the truths found in this little book will be ingrained in my heart, making marriage much easier for both me and my husband! 

I was very pleased to receive a copy of this book to review from the publisher.

Forever Amish by Kate Lloyd

   Forever Amish by Kate Lloyd
In this book author Kate Lloyd weaves a tale in the popular style of Amish romance fiction. Sally Bingham is an older young woman who lives with her single father who owns a car lot. Through a series of unusual circumstances, Sally finds herself spending a week in Amish country. The family she is staying with confuses her entirely. Why was young Lizzie trying to contact her- and worse, why won't she confess now that Sally is staying with her family? What does Lizzie's father have against Sally? And what is handsome farmhand Armin's role in this family's life? As you read this book, you will get caught up with Sally's life as the mysteries unfold one by one. Will they prove to be too much for Sally to handle?

    Personally, I am not a fan of this type of fiction. I find that it dwells too much on the romance and not enough on faith. I do appreciate the good morals upheld as Sally notes the obvious contrast between her shallow, worldly lifestyle and the trustworthy, strong relationships of the Amish community. I loved how the author gave Sally a desire for motherhood.

If you enjoy romances such as these, you will like this new book in this trilogy. It's not as good as Beverly Lewis's however.

About this author:
A native of Baltimore, Kate Lloyd spends time with family and friends in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the inspiration for the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy. She is a member of the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society and has done extensive research on the Amish. Kate and her husband live in Seattle. Learn more about Kate at katelloyd.net and facebook.com/katelloydbooks and on Twitter @KateLloydAuthor.

I received this book free in exchange for my honest review through the Litfuse reading program.

Great cookbook: The Nourished Kitchen by Jennifer McGruther

The Nourished Kitchen
by Jennifer McGruther
published by TenSpeed Press (one of my favorite publishing companies!)

I was SO excited to receive this book! 
I try to follow as healthy a lifestyle as possible. I'm the kind of person who reads and rereads my family's copy of Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon thoroughly! I use the latter constantly, and am always searching online for good recipes as well as inventing my own. I was delighted when I saw this new book, which is recommended by the afore-mentioned Sally Fallon Morell, Joel Salatin and more. Although I love to come up with new recipes, oftentimes I just need a tried-and-true recipe. I also love an expert's advice. This large book has everything. Not to mention warm-toned and appealing photographs which compliment many of the recipes throughout the book!
If you are wondering the necessity of owning this book as well as Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, I do recommend both. The Nourished Kitchen goes beyond what the former book offers. It focuses on recipes you will want to incorporate in your daily meals. I can't wait to start using this book! I've already started a new sourdough culture, tweaked my water kefir routine, and will use my sourdough starter in some new ways. 
I loved how this book talked about water kefir, different recipes for sourdough starter, sprouted grains, as well as a delicious variety of main dish recipes...
I found the first half of the book to be more useful than the second half, which focuses more on fresh vegetables and fruits. The latter sections present rather basic recipes with only a few ingredients as opposed to the more unusual fermented recipes in the first sections. 

As is obvious, I recommend this book. :)

book review: Rival Hearts

Rival Hearts by Tara Randall
This book, number 19 in the Quilts of Love series (a series by a variety of authors) is about an unusual contest in the magazine writers world, a rivalship between the two contestants and eventually an unusual romance.

   Molly Henderson and Ben Weaver have been rival magazine writers for the same publishing group for years. When both come up for the same promotion, they find themselves in an unexpected competition to win the spot. Molly, editor of Quilter’s Heart, and Ben, editor of Outdoor Adventures, must switch roles, each working for the other for one month, then submit an article at the end of their quests.

  The reader will find themselves intrigued as they follow timid Molly's exploits in the great-and sometimes frightening- outdoors. Simultaneously, read of outdoors king Ben's even more intimidating ventures into the quilting community. 

Although the story plot is unusual and brilliant, I thought the author didn't go far enough with it. Apart from a mild scare in the office there are no real adventures. The book mostly focuses on the at-times confusing rivalship/romance of the two main characters. This is, without a doubt, not my type of book or even my type of romance but will please the audience it was meant for. 

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.