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.

Skizzer by A.J. Kiesling

A.J. Kiesling, a former writer for Publishers Weekly, offers her debut novel, SKIZZER. Published by Revell, the book is actually a bit of a surprise because it focuses on Druids and Celtic lore, and not so much on the religions usually included in Christian novels. This change of pace is definitely welcome!

Claire Trowling gets the call that her younger sister, Becca, has disappeared. All that's left behind is a note saying that someone both wonderful and terrible has occurred and that Becca will be in touch. Claire joins her brother-in-law in a quest to locate her missing sister.

Switching back and forth between their childhood and present day, Claire realizes that the entire mystery may be linked to an old woman that lived deep in the forest when they were children. Some is not telling the whole story, and Claire is determined to discover how this old woman, a precious necklace and their past is linked to Becca's disappearance.

SKIZZER does take a little getting used to because it does switch from childhood to adulthood every few chapters. The story itself is definitely intriguing and the mystery moves steadily to the conclusion. I'm not sure it is my favorite book of all times. During the past to present switches, I'd find myself wanting to pick one time period and stay there. Regardless, it certainly kept calling me back to learn the outcome! Overall, I think that this is a great start to the author's career as a novelist and I'm eager to see her writing in the future.

HIS BRAIN, HER BRAIN

Zondervan
ISBN: 978-0310240280
February 2008
Christian Living
Reviewed by Rebecca Wire

Dr. Walt and Barb Larimore have collaborated on a wonderful book in HIS
BRAIN, HER BRAIN. Looking at the differences in the anatomy and chemical
make-up of the male and female brain, the Larimores explain how we are
designed to function together.

The subtitle of the book is How Divinely Designed Differences Can
Strengthen Your Marriage. The Larimores begin with a very detailed
examination of the various parts of the brain and the corresponding
chemistry. The authors then take a closer look at how the science differs
in the male and female brain. This offers the reader a fascinating look at
why men and women relate differently to each other and to the world around
them.

While reading HIS BRAIN, HER BRAIN, I often stopped to share something from
its pages with my husband. We were both greatly entertained by the books
frankness, and we appreciated its accuracy. Barb's commentary (set apart in
Italics) was a wonderful complement to Dr. Walt's.

HIS BRAIN, HER BRAIN does not offer suggestions for "how to change your
spouse". This is not a book about how to get your husband to listen to you
or your wife to stop being so emotional. Instead, the Larimores celebrate
the differences and demonstrate how they were intentionally created to
benefit both spouses. This book would be great for a small group discussion
and I intend to suggest it to mine. It would be a wonderful gift for an
engaged or newlywed couple; however, I believe it would benefit those of us
who have been married for years, as well.

TRUST IN THE LORD

Sweetwater Books
ISBN: 978-1-59955-114-2
Inspirational
February 2008
Reviewed by Rebecca Wire

Sometimes while reading a book I ask myself, "Will I ever want to read
this again?" It is an obvious question for me and one that speaks to
the quality of the writing. This question received an easy "yes"
while reading Deen Kemsley's TRUST IN THE LORD: REFLECTIONS OF JESUS
CHRIST.

Kemsley uses stories from his own life to reflect upon the promises of
Jesus Christ. Kemsley offers an honest look at how his own
experiences have allowed him to look toward Jesus with faith and
confidence.

Each of the eight chapters is filled with warmth and hope. The
chapters can be read as a collection or you might choose the one that
best speaks to your current needs. This makes a great choice for a
personal devotional. I think it would make a lovely gift for a friend
who needs some encouragement. Don't we all need it sometimes?

This was a beautiful read. As I place this book upon my shelf of
keepers, I look forward to the next time I will find comfort in its
pages.

GIL Publications - Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GIL Publications celebrates its Fifth Anniversary with new publishing service,
website and newsletter for Christian Authors.

Contact:
Akili Kumasi, GIL Publications
www.PublishChristianBooks.com
(718) 386-6434
Publish@GILpublications.com

In celebration of five years in Christian Publishing, GIL Publications is launching
a new author publishing service, website and newsletter for aspiring Christian
authors.

January 28, 2008 - NEW YORK CITY - GIL Publications is announcing the launch of
their new author publishing service, website and newsletter for Christian authors
PublishChristianBooks.com will begin operation on February 1, 2008. This low-cost
service will make it easy for Christian authors to publish their books.

GIL Publications' new Christian Author Publishing Service is uniquely distinct from
others publishers in the industry as it was designed by a Christian author for
other Christian authors. Their motto: "Give us your manuscript - and we will give
you fifty books." GIL Publications actually supplies authors with 50 books. This
is in addition to the manuscript preparation service, ISBN, copyright, library
catalog number, book layout, cover design and marketing services.

The goal of this GIL Publications website is to "help authors write, publish and
sell their Christian books." PublishChristianBooks.com will feature helpful
articles, pricing information, books for aspiring Christian authors and a
newsletter to be archived on the site. Well-known personalities in the publishing
industry are being scheduled to contribute articles for the site.

The newsletter, PublishChrist will feature reviews of helpful websites for authors,
book reviews, articles and other industry helpful information.

GIL Publications is the creator and publisher of the popular Bible Word Search book
series that features word search puzzles made from accompanying scriptures.

For more information about GIL Publications or PublishChristianBooks.com send an e-
mail to Publish@GILpublications.com or call (718) 386-6434.

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