Whistlestop Book Review: "Elizabeth I" by Margaret George

Be awed by the presence of Elizabeth Tudor, the woman behind the sovereign, as you explore the humanity of the indomitable Virgin Queen of England through the pages of Elizabeth I.  Margaret George’s meticulously researched first person account of the last thirty years of the queen’s life is an enthralling breath of fresh air.

Written with a consistently regal tone, the book gives us a mirror image of Elizabeth, the woman. Glimpses into the brilliance and machinations of Shakespeare, Francis Bacon and Sir Walter Raleigh abound. Skillfully woven into the book are both the human and regal facets of the queen who “ruled as much from the heart as from the head.”

We see Elizabeth’s success and love for her people. Her ability to stand for long periods of time seems a metaphor for her triumph as regent. She manages uprisings in Ireland and continued assaults from Spain. She masterfully chooses advisors for her privy council perfectly suited to their jobs. In a nation beset with famine, the queen imbues calm. In an attempt to keep the plague under control, Elizabeth closes theaters and concerts and sends provisions to survivors. We view her humbly conduct an intimate ceremony of kissing and washing the feet of her subjects on Maundy Thursday (as Jesus did with his disciples) while giving each gifts of food.

No sovereign rules without frustrations. Queen Elizabeth’s include controlling the sulking, deceitful Earl of Essex, stepson of her beloved Leicester. She juggles insufficient resources to provide food for the needy after three years of failed harvests. To provide her kingdom with funds, she must decide which jewels to pawn. She persists in dodging the matter of her successor as she nears the age of seventy, not out of a lack of responsibility but because she wants to settle it in her own way. She watches her most trusted advisors in the Privy Council die off one by one.

The novel brilliantly sheds light on the queen’s humanity without losing any reverence for her scepter. She spends hours in prayer. Called a stingy penny-pincher, Elizabeth I wore elaborate gowns and owned the finest collection of jewels in Europe.  Her brave show encouraged the nation she pulled out of poverty. Particularly touching scenes depict her feeding broth and reading the Bible to beloved advisors Walsingham and Burghley on their deathbeds. She gallops on horseback across the fields to be alone and endures hot flashes. Her favorite pastime—translating philosophy from the Latin.

George, a premier historical novelist, is known for her intense and impeccable research. Most interesting is her humble thanks to the queen in her Acknowledgements. “…the spirit of Elizabeth…hovered over the book as it was taking shape and whispered her guidance.”

Penguin Group provided the advance review copy.

Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont

Whistlestop Book Review: "Finally a Bride" by Vickie McDonough

Noah, the new preacher in Lookout, Texas, hides a secret that draws investigative reporter, Jack (Jacqueline) like a bee to honey. Or does something else attract her to the handsome man? Jack shies away from that question. Even with the influence of a wonderful stepfather, old hurts inflicted by her biological father still wound Jack. How can she trust any man? And yet, Noah seems kind, gentle and trustworthy. What can he possibly be hiding?

Finally a Bride, book three in the Texas Boardinghouse Brides series, is a redemptive love story that entertains and enlightens. With a light touch that makes it seem easy, Vickie McDonough breathes life into believable characters who face realistic difficulties. Lively dialogue, fun scenarios and unexpected action scenes pull the reader along a well-crafted plot. While readers of the previous books in this series will enjoy a look at the continuing lives of characters in the series, Finally a Bride can also stand alone.

I highly recommend Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough to readers of historical romance. This book is teen approved for its wholesome representation of courtship.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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My thanks to the author and publisher for a complimentary copy of this book for purposes of review.

Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "The Invisible World" by Anthony Destefano

The title of Anthony Destefano's new release, The Invisible World: Understanding Angels, Demons and the Spiritual Realities That Surround Us would seem to make a grandiose claim. Does this book deliver on its promise?

With an undeniably engaging style, the author gives his take on subjects like premonitions, angels, demons, spiritual warfare, grace, suffering, heaven and hell. While on the whole, this book may inform readers who need to be made aware of spiritual realities (and some points of apologetics were well-stated) it raised some concerns for me. First, let me state that my remarks should be taken with the understanding that I don't need convincing of the validity of the spiritual world or the viability of miracles. I agree with Mr. Destefano on these points.

I appreciate the author's intelligence, which is evident in the unique perspective he brings to his subjects. He'll make you think. However, examples are often given without documentation. In the opening chapter, for example, the author cites the case of a little girl who, while ready to undergo risky brain surgery, receives a visit from a pretty nurse who tells her she's all healed. And she is. An MRI shows no trace of the brain tumor the doctors plan to remove. No one knows who the mysterious nurse was. That's an impressive story but it would have been more powerful had the author included documentation.

The reader is asked to embrace some radical ideas. Here's a quote from the chapter entitled "Invisible Helpers." "Right now, as you're reading these words, there is an angel right next to you." The author goes on to state that "throughout sacred Scripture we find it implied that each of us has our own angel watching over us in a highly unique and personal manner." I won't argue for or against the existence of guardian angels here. Rather, I wonder why the author gave no Scriptures to back up his point. In fact, throughout most of the book the reader is asked to accept the author's remarks as fact with little to no substantiation. Am I the only one who finds this a potentially-dangerous practice?

I don't want to cast aspersions on Mr. Destefano's intentions or doctrine, although I don't always agree with what he says. I just wish he would have more clearly labeled his opinions as opinion. He does do this occasionally but not nearly enough. I like that he presented the gospel message in a unique and beautiful way.

If you are spiritually mature and able to measure what you read against Scripture, I think you can benefit from reading The Invisible World. The author's remarks on heaven are worth the purchase price of the book. However, a reader who is uncertain of Biblical truth would be better off to read the Bible itself.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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My thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book given for purposes of review.

Whistlestop Book Review: "An Uncommon Crusade" by Caron Guillo

Janalyn Voigt

Simon, who has left his training as a monk, carries stolen parchments containing the Word of God.

Hugo is a cottager eager to escape the bondage of servitude.

Golden and beautiful, Kateline wears rags with the grace of a noblewoman.   

Elizabeth, a victim of rape condemned by her village’s priest, believes she must reach the Holy Land and fight for Christ to exonerate herself. When things start to go wrong, she’s certain it’s a result of her “curse.”

An Uncommon Crusade tells the story of these and ten thousand other children who, in 13^th Century Europe, were coaxed to join a Children’s Crusade by Nicholas of Cologne and, in a simultaneous movement, by Stephan of Cloyes.

Written by former world history teacher, Caron Guillo, the story is well-researched. It is also well-plotted and written in exquisite style. An Uncommon Crusade by Caron Guillo will not disappoint.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction.  

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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Whistlestop Book Review: "A Place of Healing" by Joni Earkeckson Tada

Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont

Why does God allow pain?  Is God concerned with suffering and involved in it? Plato, C.S. Lewis, Rabbi Harold Kushner, Henri Nouwen, the apostle Paul and others have all addressed these age-old questions.

Instead of focusing on how God is involved in the problem of pain, Joni Eareckson Tada chooses instead in her book, A Place of Healing, to examine how God can use pain to draw her closer to Himself and lift her above her human sufferings.

Joni, left a quadriplegic from a diving accident four decades ago, is the author of over fifty books and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization devoted to accelerating Christian outreach among those with disabilities. She will serve as the Honorary Chairman of the 2011 National Day of Prayer, held on the First Thursday of May. In addition to coping with the struggles of living from a wheelchair, Joni now has new challenges. She is assaulted with unrelenting, chronic pain and has been diagnosed with cancer.

Her reactions?  “Suffering may be a part of God’s…mysterious plan, but God’s intention is always to demonstrate compassion and unfailing love.” Joni illustrates over and over in her book how powerfully God’s love touches her at her deepest point of need.

The chapter headings ask difficult questions:

What Benefit is there to My Pain?
How Can I Go On Like This?
How Can I Bring Him Glory?
How Do I Regain My Perspective?

This devout, genuine woman answers each question with tender, heartfelt examples from her walk in faith. Suffering can make us bitter or compassionate. Suffering can drive us away from God or make us fly into His arms. A Place of Healing is her testament to the restorative power of loving, committed service to God, no matter what our circumstances. She rejoices in the fact that God had plans for her life much wider, higher and more profound than she ever could imagine. Her last chapter entitled, “Thank you, God, for this Wheelchair” demonstrates that because of her circumstances, not in spite of them, she is happier as a child of God than she ever dreamed possible.

Do you have a friend or relative struggling with grief, financial loss, health issues or physical pain?
Give them a copy of A Place of Healing. May they find comfort in the profound testimony of someone who treads where they walk, albeit, in a wheelchair.

Posted by Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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Whistlestop Book Review: "Kaydie" by Penny Zeller

Janalyn Voigt

Pregnant and widowed in the Wild West, Kaydie would seem to need a husband. That's not how she sees it, though. After a bad marriage to an abusive man, she wants nothing more to do with romantic love.

But then there's her sister's ranch hand, Jonah. With an unloving father and a mother who abandoned him in boyhood, Jonah has never had good family ties. He decides to keep it that way.

Can they ignore the growing attraction between them?

Kaydie brings us a beautiful story of redeeming love. This tale is not dark, despite it's subject matter. Although it delves into the pain of abandonment and abuse, the story focuses on the healing power of love.

I recommend Kaydie by Penny Zeller to women who enjoy historical romance set in the Wild West.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this title, given for purposes of review.

Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "Lady in the Mist" by Laurie Alice Eakes

Janalyn Voigt

Set in Virginia during a time of strained relations between America and Britain, Lady in the Mist tells the story of a midwife caught between a past love and a British bondsman who is not all he seems.

It's a midwife's job to keep secrets, but one in particular puts Tabitha in danger. Raleigh, the fiance who abandoned her, and Dominick, a servant with aristocratic manners, also carry secrets. Do their secrets have something to do with the disappearance of young men from the village? And can Tabitha discover the truth in time to save the two men she loves?

Laurie Alice Eakes shines as a gifted storyteller in Lady in the Mist. It's a must-read for those who enjoy historical romance filled with intrigue. This story is teen approved for its realistic portrayal of the consequences of immorality.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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*My thanks to the author and publisher for a complimentary copy of this title for purposes of review.


**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "White Doves" by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

Holly Weiss

A note from Holly: I feel honored to write this review. Because I won a copy of White Doves through a Book Readers Central giveaway sponsored by Janalyn Voigt, I met her online and formed a friendship.  I thank Janalyn for inviting me to guest post monthly reviews. I am grateful that our friendship has deepened. 


My Review:

White Doves author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter, explains how the post office in Romance, Arkansas came to be the inspiration for the second novel in her Romance Trilogy. The post office creates a unique hand-stamped postmark each year to use from February 1– 15. People often send wedding invitations and Valentine’s cards to the town to be re-mailed bearing the romantic postmark.  Such local flavor is the perfect setting for a romance between a postmaster and a mail-carrier. Ms. Vannatter playfully sprinkles her book with plays on words such as “mail,” “male,” and “Priority Male.”

Laken Kroft, new postmistress in town, doesn’t know what hit her when mail-carrier, Hayden Winters introduces himself. The story revolves around their relationship, however surprises abound when new characters are introduced and their presence brings twists to the plot. My favorite character, Brady, a boy in a wheelchair from a terrible accident, oozes forgiveness to those who have abandoned him.  His healing influence is a touching thread throughout the story. The author’s sensitive voice to handicapped accessibility is commendable.

Vannatter, a pastor’s wife, stay-at-home mom, writer, finds time to teach fiction writing workshops and speak at church conferences.  Her short stories have appeared in various periodicals.  A unique hobby of Vannatter’s is collecting seashells which she calls “proof of God’s intricate creation.”

This Christian romance novel is recommended for anyone whose heart has been captured by someone who has not yet found God. This Heartsong Presents book will be released April 2011.

Thank you to the author and Heartsong Presents for providing a review copy. The opinions expressed in this review are unbiased and wholly my own.

©2011 Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont

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**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "Secrets Under the Midnight Sun" by Elisa Maria Crites

Reviewed by Janalyn Voigt

Secrets of the Midnight Sun covers with sensitivity the delicate subject of inappropriate touching of a child by a parent. Young Freddie, a tomboy, keeps her father's invasive overtures to herself. She fears him but also longs for a father's love and a normal family life. When circumstance intrude, Freddie has to choose whether to speak out or keep her secret. The choice she makes changes everything.

This book provides a realistic look into the mindset of an abused child. The author does a great job of developing the characters of Freddie and a middle grade world. I had a harder time getting into the mindset of Freddie's mother, who struck me as June Cleaver in a bad marriage. As a former child sexual assault crisis counselor, I know that mother-blaming is normal in cases of incest. The need to compensate for this may be why Freddie's mother comes across as a little too nurturing. This is really a quibble, since the book taken as a whole is well-plotted, well-written and inspired.

Because I believe children should retain their innocence as long as possible, I don't recommend this book to middle graders indiscriminately. But, where questions exist, perhaps raised by a friend's experience or even by a child's own abuse, this book is entirely appropriate. I do think adults would benefit from reading this page-turning book which demystifies a heartbreaking subject.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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*My thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this book, provided for purposes of review.

Whistlestop Book Review: "On the Road Home" by Terry Burns

Janalyn Voigt

Stories and poems from a genuine cowboy poet grace the pages of On the Road Home, by Terry Burns. Ranging from joyful to somber, these vignettes stay with you and, yes, can even change your thinking. At the least, they provoke thought.

With deep insights into subjects like what makes for a good marriage, longevity, happiness and spiritual health, this book resonates with truth. Terry's unique brand of common sense combined with compassion and good humor are just the prescription for a world of ills. Pick this book up and you'll put it down again the better for having read it.

I highly recommend On the Road Home by Terry Burns to adult and teen readers. This book is teen approved because of its practical wisdom.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt is a Carol Awards judge and the author of novel books

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*My thanks to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this book for purposes of review.


**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "More Than Words" by Judith Miller

Gretchen Kohler likes to write in her journal. She never imagines her words will travel further than her home in the Amana Colonies, at least not until a traveling salesman takes an interest in her writing. With a jealous childhood sweetheart, a wandering grandmother, a younger brother drawn to visiting gypsies, and a father changed for the worse since her mother's death, Gretchen has her hands full. She finds it difficult to bear  the weight of a guilty conscience, too. Should she confess her secrets and risk losing her job, her reputation and the respect of the man she loves?

More Than Words by Judith Miller, book two in the Daughters of Amana series, delivers a sweet and entertaining love story for those who enjoy reading about life in communal colonies.

©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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*My thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy of this title, given for purposes of review.


**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "Soul of a Lion" by Barbara Bennett

 Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont

Published by National Geographic, Soul of a Lion reveals the care given to injured, orphaned or otherwise challenged animals in the Harnas Wildlife foundation in Namibia, Africa.  A contrast to Gorillas in the Mist and The Cry of the Kalahari” where the animals were sought out in their natural habitat and studied, this book paints a discerning, enjoyable, but not romanticized picture of the plethora of species and individual personalities of the protectorates.

The strength of this refuge is Marieta van der Merwe, proprietor, or more appropriately called “protector” overseeing the feeding, medical and rehabilitative care of 400 unwanted, mistreated or misunderstood animals. Merwe bottle-feeds a baby baboon while conducting planning meetings with her staff of volunteers, family and Bush people. Her personal tragedies, losing her mother at age 12, Congo fever later in life, and the death of a loved one in an airplane crash, are interwoven into the narrative.

The heroes, however, are the animals, inhabiting naturalized enclosures with comforting habitats away from prying eyes of the public:  Elsa, the lion cub who napped on the family couch, Grace, a baby baboon fed with an eyedropper, and Gumbi, the hyena, filmed for “Animal Planet’ who considers ostrich eggs a delicacy. Marieta’s garden is a frolicking playground for baby leopard, Missy Jo and Houdini, the baby baboon.

If author Bennett’s writing style rambles a bit, perhaps that is simply reflective of the constant distractions and challenges of unexpected victims arriving at the refuge’s doorstep. Compassion and dedication to preserving the lives of those who can’t protect themselves is the key here.

I learned some interesting facts as I read: Harnas, the foundation’s name, was the term for protective armor worn by medieval knights. Actress Angela Jolie, Harnas’s official patron, has been photographed with a 23-year old cheetah living on campus. Lastly, a portion of the proceeds from your purchase of this book benefits the animals nurtured at the Wildlife Foundation. Visit www.harnas.org for information on how to volunteer, adopt, visit or provide support.

© Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont

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**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "Love Food & Live Well" by Chantel Hobbs

Chantel Hobbs knows first-hand the pain of being morbidly obese. She also knows what it takes to take the weight off and keep it off. She shares that information in Love Food & Live Well.


Want a body image you can live with? If you're ready to commit to your own health, Chantel has a deal for you. Does weight loss have to be painful? On the contrary. Chantel maintains you can indulge in foods you love, but in the context of a balanced perspective. 


With engaging style and heart-warming compassion, Chantel takes readers by the hand and imparts her vision for a better life.  She provides insight into adopting a healthy relationship with food and encouragement for those reluctant to exercise. 


Love Food and Live Well covers the body mind and soul while giving practical advice on nutrition, weight loss and exercise. With quick and easy recipes, tips on minimizing carbohydrate intake and chapters on interval training and use of an exercise ball, Love Food & Live Well can well prove a life-changing book for many.  


I highly recommend Love Food and Live Well by Chantel Hobbs for adult readers who want to enjoy life while they improve it.


Chantel Hobbs is a life coach, marathon runner, personal trainer, wife, and mother of four.  Her amazing story of losing two hundred pounds and keeping the weight off has been featured on Oprah,The Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, Life Today with James Robison, The 700 Club, and Focus on the Family Radio—and in People and First magazines.  Hobbs hosts a weekly radio show and is the on-air fitness expert on the WAY-FM radio network.  She is also a regular guest on the KLOVE radio network.  Hobbs is a frequent speaker to women’s groups and makes personal appearances at fitness conventions.  The developer of The One-Day Way Learning System and the author of four books, including Never Say Diet and The One-Day Way, Chantel lives with her family in south Florida.  ~ The B&B Media Group


©2011 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books
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*Thanks go to the publisher for a complimentary review copy of this book.


**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Reviews ~ Now on Saturdays!

For your convenience, Whistlestop Book Reviews have moved to Saturdays. See you then!

Whistlestop Book Review: "Crestmont" by Holly Weiss

Crestmont, Holly Weiss's debut novel, transports the reader in style to a bygone era. Young Gracie, blonde and beautiful, flees from an impossible situation and applies for a position at the Crestmont Inn in Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania in the 1920's. She hopes to save enough money to pursue a singing career by the end of the summer. But Gracie's fortune accumulates more slowly than her list of friends.

The story, as it unfolds, explores the special bond that grows between Gracie and the Woods, the family that owns and runs the Inn. It also presents Gracie with options for both a career and romance. The path she chooses resonates with truth.

Rich natural settings detailed with consummate skill, insightful characterizations and an unpredictable plot set Crestmont far beyond the pale. This is not a book to read quickly but to savor in moments of leisure. I will not forget Gracie or the other vivid characters who populate the pages of this exceptional book.

I highly recommend Crestmont to readers who enjoy historical fiction set in the Roaring Twenties. This book is teen-approved for its realistic portrayal of family life.


©2010 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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*Thanks to Holly Weiss for providing me a complimentary copy of Crestmont for purposes of review. Although Holly is my co-blogger on Book Readers Central, my opinion of her book is genuine. 

** I am an Amazon Associate and benefit when products are purchased on Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "A Simple Amish Christmas" by Vannetta Chapman

Young Annie returns from her rumschpringe, a time when some Amish teenagers sample the non-Amish world, to discover her father bedridden after an accident. Annie, rather than indulge in Englisch delights during her absence from her family, trained in nursing and so undertakes her father’s care. This puts her in direct contact with Samuel, the Amish Doctor who cares for her community.  Sparks of hostility and then attraction fly between Annie and Samuel but an age gap and unresolved grief separate them.  Perhaps carefree David, who is more Annie’s age, would suit her better.

Vanetta Chapman does a fine job of representing the Amish with respect in A Simple Amish Christmas, her debut novel. The storyline is as simple and straightforward as the book’s title, which makes it perfect reading material for the Christmas season. Despite brief author intrusions to explain various aspects of Amish life, the story flows. The characterizations, while not deep, engaged me. The author did a fine job of presenting an inspirational message while letting the story take first place. You won’t find pat answers or preachiness in this book, a fact that lets it cross over to general readers.

I recommend A Simple Amish Christmas to women who enjoy Amish romances and to those who welcome light but meaningful Christmas novels.

© 2010 Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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*My thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this title for purposes of review.


**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when books and products are purchased at Amazon through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "In the Manor of the Ghost" by Tina Pinson

Tina Pinson’s gift for storytelling drew me in and held my attention throughout her In the Manor of the Ghost, a gothic mystery.  

Kaitlin, a widow who lost her husband and infant in a fire, enters into a marriage-of-convenience with  Devlon, owner of a reportedly haunted manor.  But the manor seems to be haunted by more than a ghost. Allegations of murder, a traumatized child, domestic violence and shadows that walk the halls at night all intrude into the peace Kaitlin tries to weave around those she comes to love. As events unfold, the past reaches from beyond the grave to involve the living.

In the Manor of the Ghost will appeal to women who enjoy gothic love stories.

©2010 Janalyn Voigt

*Many thanks to Tina Pinson for providing me a complimentary copy of this book for purposes of review.

**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon affiliate and benefits when books are purchased through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "Get-It-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More" by Stever Robbins

When a self-help book crosses your path at just the right moment, it can be a happy marriage of serendipity and desperation. Such was the case when I received a copy of Get-It-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More. Stever Robbins, thank you for writing this book. I've found it life-changing.

I tend toward organization myself, and I have a few systems working for me, but Stever's advice to put together a "Life Map" resonated. The book is worth its purchase price for this gem alone but it doesn't stop there. Stever doles out advice, encouragement and reality checks in chapters with such subjects as purposeful living, eliminating procrastination, conquering technology, optimizing life and more. Stever's unique brand of encouragement mixed with madcap humor makes for delightful reading.

I highly recommend "Get-It-Done Guy's 9 Steps to Work Less and Do More" by Stever Robbins for anyone searching for sane living in a crazy world.




*My thanks to Stever Robbins for providing a complimentary copy of this book for purposes of review.

** Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when books are purchased on Amazon.com through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Book Review: "Beyond the Brady Bunch" by Ray and Debbie Alsdorf

Authors Ray and Debbie Alsdorf give us a compelling look at what it takes to survive as a member of a blended family in Beyond the Brady Bunch. This powerful book makes no bones about such subjects as the struggle for position in a new family structure, bitterness and financial inequalities. They even offer a courageous look through their children’s eyes at their own imperfections as parents and step-parents in order to offer hope and help to others.

While upholding the traditional nuclear family as the ideal, the Alsdorfs acknowledge that blended households are different. They provide a solid Biblical structure for blended households to follow that addresses sticky issues like discipline and headship of the home. They encourage members of blended families to embrace the special difficulties they face and meet the challenge to love even when it’s hard.

   

I highly recommend Beyond the Brady Bunch for adult readers interested in the subject matter. This book is middle-grade and teen approved for its understanding of the issues children face in blended families.

* Book Readers Central thanks the publishers for a complimentary copy of this book, provided for purposes of review.

** Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when books are purchased on Amazon.com through links from Book Readers Central.

Whistlestop Wednesday Book Review: "Healer" by Linda Windsor

A mother's dying prophecy foretells the fate of her infant daughter. Brenna of Gowrys grows into a gifted healer living as a fugitive from her mother's murderer. When she rescues a man who is ambushed and left for dead, she finds he bears wounds that are more than physical. Amid their growing attraction, they must each answer the call of destiny. In their hands lies the hope of peace. 

But what will it cost to end a blood feud?

Linda Windsor did a fine job of portraying Arthurian Scotland in Healer, the first of the Brides of Alba trilogy, and even provides glimpses of the Pendragon King, his Gwenhyfar and Merlin Emrys. Brenna's all-encompassing forgiveness sometimes came across as a bit cloying but this quibble seems petty compared to the overall quality of this page-turning book. I highly recommend Healer for adult readers who enjoy historical fiction set in Scotland.

  













Note: Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when books are purchased on Amazon.com through links from Book Readers Central.