Praying for Boys by Brooke McGlothlin

Do you have young sons? This book may inspire you to pray for them in distinctive ways! The book Praying for Boys by Brooke McGlothlin is subtitled Asking God for the Things They Need Most. The author reminds us that boys are different than girls in many ways and encourages moms to celebrate their spirits.

The book is a series of short chapters--2 or 3 pages, then a series of Scriptures with a _________ for your son's name to help you pray Scripture for your son. The chapters end with questions "for reflection or discussion."

I think that anything that encourages/reminds you to pray for your children is a good reminder! I do have a son, and he is definitely unique from his sisters and stretches us all in certain ways ;) and enhances our family life for sure!

The author of this book has two sons, aged 7 and 5. I think her prayer suggestions and discussion topics and ideas that she covers are sweet and valid.

The book seems geared toward moms of younger kids (which makes sense I suppose, good prayer habits should begin early!) I have a son who is a young teen--I think many of the narratives in this book are a bit simplistic at this point for us. However, the Scriptures are a great thing to refer to and use, for example, "May ________________ taste the goodness of your Word (Hebrews 6:5)" I think that these were the most valuable part of the book for me. If I had younger kids, I'd probably appreciate this book a little more.

The book would be great for a small group or Bible study of moms of young boys.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.

Emma of Aurora (Trilogy) by Jane Kirkpatrick

This is a book review for the book Emma of Aurora by Jane Kirkpatrick; it's a trilogy, all 3 of the books together in one large volume. Since it is a book that I had agreed to review, I feel bad about not reading the entire thing, but

I.just.cannot.stand.to.read.any.more.

Usually when I agree to read it I go through with it all and read the book even if I don't like it, but I feel that I've wasted enough of my time by slogging through the first book of the volume. Bleh. So -- my review IS my opinion of the book, right? Well, I have certainly read enough to share an opinion.

I really dislike this book. It's hugely long (1153 pages), which would have been awesome had I liked the series! I think it's a great concept, putting all 3 together -- so often when I read one of a series I'd love to have the next book(s) in the same volume, so it's not just the size.

The book is about a religious cult-type community, following the leadership of one man who is seen as close to God. The men take their direction from him, as do the (more silent) women. The main character, Emma, is a young lady who becomes a wife and follows her husband out west to look for new land. Emma is kind of a whiner and deceitful, and throughout the first book at least does not seem to change. They go out west and have an incredibly horrible time, hardships are a never-ending saga, and when the leader of the original colony comes to check it out, his disapproval adds to the negatives. Book 2? ahhhhhhhh!!!! bad to worse!!!! :/ Yikes!!! I don't want to tell you. Emma's life? and family? ---------------------------

The book is long and incredibly slooooooowwwww and b-o-o-o-o-r-r-r-r-ing. So I stopped reading it. Blah. I really did not want to finish it. When I have time to read, I don't want to read this type of writing. I DO feel bad about not reading more than half of the book, but I certainly have an opinion.

On the other side. . .if you look on Amazon or other book review places, people have given glowing reviews for this book! So. . .obviously I'm not the norm when it comes to this book!

Would I recommend it? NOPE!! But apparently other people like it.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.

A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher

A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher is a Christian fiction book definitely worth your time to read. It's a wonderful story of life, disappointment, forgiveness, and hope. It's not a romance, but just a story that seems taken from real life.

Allison, the main character, is a newly-divorced empty-nester type woman. She has come to a place at which she never could have envisioned herself and is building a new life in her new normal. Her only daughter is grown and has moved far away and she has moved up to a new small town, to a house left her by her great-aunt.

The book alternates between Allison's story and that of her great Aunt Emma, whose lives seem to have some similarities and many surprises. Allison finds Emma's journals and reads them, learning things about her that she could never have guessed, and observing (through the journals) her aunt's healing and growth throughout her years. Allison's new life develops and she grows in many ways, as God works in and through her.

As with most of my reviews, I do not want to give away any more information about the story line, because I want you to read it! :) It is a very interesting book, a great read, and one which feels kind of "real" and "deep" but not bogged down. It's a story of surprises and, as I said earlier, hope and forgiveness.

I definitely enjoyed this book and would certainly recommend it. It's a good read, but more than that. This is one of those books I'll probably keep and re-read a time or two. Nicely written, enjoyably read. A real-life picture of God working in a normal life.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not required to write a positive review.