GUARD US, GUIDE US by J.I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom

Baker Books
Released March 2008
Reviewed by Tracy Farnsworth

In general, I really don't have a taste for Christian non-fiction. I find much of it is extremely preachy and often dry. GUARD US, GUIDE US starts off sounding very textbook: "We begin by pursuing the point that our prologue has made." Those eleven words put fear in me. It sounds like another dry read is about to hit!

What surprised me is that despite the rather text book start, the book is actually not as bad as it may seem. It also isn't as preachy as I'd expected. There are many Biblical references within, but there are also warm, engaging reflections and stories that draw the reader in.

At heart, the book is geared to help you develop a better relationship with God based on three ideals: Principles, Ethics and Spirituality. The end of the book contains a number of thought-provoking questions that are perfect for reading groups or Bible study groups. I do think the book is perfect for group discussions, even better than it would be should you opt to read it alone.

My Soul To Keep by Melanie Wells

Reviewed by Sandie Kirkland

Publisher: Multnomah, a division of Random House, Inc.
Website: www.mpbooks.com
ISBN: 978-1-59052-428-2
Release Date: February 19, 2008
Genre: Fiction/Suspense

Dylan Foster is having a rough patch in her life--a very rough patch. She seems to be moving from disaster to disaster. She has work problems, her boyfriend has left, and she was targeted in the past by sociopaths; an occupational problem when you're a psychologist. But nothing in the past matches the horror of her current situation. Dylan is unmarried, but is close to two children. Christine is five years old, and has a special connection to Dylan since they both are psychic. Nicolas is also five, and is Dylan's friend Maria's son. Maria was raped and Nicolas' father is in prison for that crime. It's Christine's sixth birthday and everyone comes together to celebrate. While at the park, Nicolas is kidnapped.

MY SOUL TO KEEP follows these characters in the time following this brutal crime. What has happened to Nicolas and will he return alive? Christine seems to be able to feel Nicolas, but the strain of doing so soon has her in the hospital with a mysterious illness. And someone is bringing rattlesnakes to Dylan's house, causing a deadly gas leak, and breaking lightbulbs.

Melanie Wells has written a fast-paced mystery that has the reader on the edge of their seat, eagerly reading to see if Nicolas can be found before it is too late. The characters are well written, and Dylan is one of the most unique heroines around. This is a great read for suspense fans.

ENCOUNTERING GOD by David M. Edwards

Release Date: April 2008

Soon to be released, ENCOUNTERING GOD offers insight into becoming a more spiritual person. Author/songwriter David M. Edwards takes ten principles and offers detailed examples of how this method worked for those in biblical times and how it applies to life today.

The ten principles are:

1. Pour Out Your Life
2. Clean House
3. Rejoice in the Lord
4. Built Altars of Uncut Stone
5. Reach for Jesus
6. Build Memorials
7. Trust in the name Jesus
8. Offer a Sacrifice of Praise
9. Thank the Lord
10. Make the Ultimate Sacrifice

It's tough to review ENCOUNTERING GOD because I am willing to admit that I am agnostic by nature. In the same manner that L. Ron Hubbard's book brought on the cultish Scientology, I often wonder if the Bible falls under those same lines. No one knows who penned it, so for all we know it could have been some man or woman with a vivid imagination. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I like having proof in front of me, and I've never seen any real proof.

Since bringing inspirational reviews back, the reviewer who was supposed to do the Christian books has left to pursue a new business, so it leaves me with a number of books to review. I don't mind Christian books, but if they are preachy, I can quickly lose interest. I found ENCOUNTERING GOD to be just preachy enough that it became a struggle.

Does this mean the book isn't worth your time? Not necessarily. If you really enjoy Christian non-fiction, especially books that sound more like sermons, ENCOUNTERING GOD will be highly enjoyable to you.

HOPE'S WISH by Stuart and Shelby Stout

Release Date: March 18, 2008

Don't even think of reading HOPE'S WISH without Kleenex in hand. For the record, I used 18 of them. HOPE'S WISH is a tearjerker!

What started as leg pain turned into nightmare for Hope Stout and her family. The vivacious girl's life changed when a diagnosis of bone cancer was given. Despite the fact that the cancer had already spread beyond her knee into her hips, back, lungs and more, the Stout family was hopeful that Hope would beat the odds.

Things did not work out as planned. When it became obvious that Hope might not make it, she made a simple wish. That wish was about to change the lives of many children. Her wish came clearly from the heart--she wanted the Make A Wish Foundation to raise enough money so that the 155 children in her region would all be given their very own wish.

From the get-go, you know that Hope isn't going to live. This broke my heart because I have a similarly aged daughter, and I can only imagine what the Stout family endured. Showing up at the front door to sign for packages with tears streaming down my face seemed minuscule compared to what they faced.

Apparently, HOPE'S WISH is slated to become a motion picture. I think it will be a delightful movie, but people should read the book first. I think the book will bring you much closer into the heart and soul of the Stout family and all they've been through. It also allows you to get to know Hope in a very intimate manner. It's a stunning read and definitely worthy of your time and money.