Ishtar's Odyssey by Arnold Ytreeide

A new Advent family devotional from the author of Jotham's Journey! Fourth in a set of Advent adventure books for families, Ishtar's Odyssey follows the ten-year-old son of a Persian wise man as their caravan follows a star across the desert. Ishtar would just as soon stay in the comfort of the palace, but slowly he learns that there's much to see, do, and learn in this world that can't be experienced in school. He eventually meets Jotham, Bartholomew, and Tabitha as he follows his father and uncles in their search for a newborn king. 

Arnold Ytreeide's family advent devotionals have become a much-loved Christmas tradition, enjoyed by multiple generations. With over 100,000 in print they include Jotham's Journey, Bartholomew's Passage, and Tabitha's Travels. 


My review:
  This is the third book Arnold Ytreeide has written, but is the first one I have read and reviewed. Although the book is geared for kids, I enjoyed reading through the story and seeing the suggestions how to observe Advent while using the book.

 The book is set up with weekly readings, telling when to light the Advent candles. It starts out with a description of the Magi, Advent customs, and suggestion of foods to eat while going through the book.

  The story itself centers on Ishtar, son of one of the Maji. It starts with the discovery of a new star, and follows the journey of the Maji along with Ishtar from Persia to Bethlehem. The author takes some license with the story, adding to the little we know about the Maji and their journey to make an exciting and interesting read to celebrate Advent with. I highly recommend it.

About the author:

Arnold Ytreeide is a former youth pastor, police officer and television producer who now spends his days writing books and teaching film at a Christian university. He grew up in the Seattle area, and now resides near Boise, Idaho. He loves travel, scuba diving, filmmaking, and reading. Arnold is married to Elsie, and has two grown and married children and four granddaughters.

With a degree in theology and a lifetime of searching out the truths in God's Word, he wrote the story of Jotham's Journey for his own children when they were young.

When asked about his philosophy/theology of life, Arnold responded: "I believe absolutely in the self-giving love of a creator God as the foundation of the universe, and in the unselfish example of Jesus Christ His Son as the model and goal for our own lives. I believe we could enjoy the benefits of Heaven on earth today if only we could grasp the depth and sufficiency of God's love, and reflect this selfless love in our attitudes and actions towards others. I stand with Martin Luther's 'Justification by Faith,' and with John Wesley when he writes that Love is, '...the attribute that sheds an amiable glory on all (God's) other perfections.'"

Arnold takes this distinct and simple theology and transforms it into wonderfully readable and compelling stories. As with so many of his writings and productions, he talks plainly to every-day folk using the medium of story, and in so doing touches both our minds and our hearts.

Besides degrees in Criminal Justice and Theology, Arnold has an M.A. in Communication and a Ph.D. in Media Communication, as well as certificates in Film Producing and Film Directing.  His experience and education allow him to teach everything from law to screenwriting to cinematography and directing.

On his work and accomplishments Arnold writes, "I am a sinner, first and foremost, which makes God's grace and forgiveness the first and foremost accomplishment of my life, an accomplishment which I do not deserve, and has nothing to do with my own talent or skills.  In my life I have hurt many, the regret of which fuels my ever-growing desire to be more like Christ.  In my life I have received blessing upon blessing, and if any of that can be called an accomplishment, it is the accomplishment of God's spirit within me.  I am truly nothing, without Him."

Check out the author's website here.


Ishtar's Odyssey is available from Kregel Publishing.

Thanks to Kregel for the review copy.

The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson

Miranda did not put adventure on her Christmas list, but thanks to her eighty-five-year-old neighbor Joy, that's exactly what she's getting this year. When Joy tells Miranda that she plans to drive an old RV decked out in Christmas decorations from their Chicago neighborhood to her new retirement digs in Phoenix--in the dead of winter, no less--the much younger Miranda insists that Joy cannot make such a trip by herself. Unemployed and facing foreclosure, Miranda feels she has nothing to lose by packing a bag and heading off with Joy toward Route 66. But Joy has a hidden agenda for their Christmas joyride--one that could derail the whole venture.

No one captures the heartwarming fun of the Christmas season quite like Melody Carlson. Fasten your seat belt, because it's going to be an exciting ride!

My review:
  Melody Carlson has been writing a Christmas novel every year for several years now, and has become synonymous for me with a good Christmas story. I believe this is her ninth Christmas story, and she has again managed to come up with a story that isn't at all like her others.

  They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but the cover of this one grabs you and makes you want to read it. The gaudily decorated RV on the cover promises an entertaining and amusing read, and Carlson definitely delivers. The idea of an eight-five year old woman driving an RV from Chicago to Phoenix is amusing in and of itself, but there are other things in the story just as entertaining and amusing.

  The book is a quick and easy read that is full of well written dialogue, great characters, the true meaning of Christmas, and even some romance. I found myself smiling a lot as I read the book and wishing I could give Christmas to some people like the duo in the book did.

 Christmas is all all about giving. God gave His Son, so we give to others at Christmas. This book emphasizes that we should do more than just give to family and friends and to people who are going to give back. The best giving is when we give to those who cannot give back, and that is the message of The Christmas Joy Ride. This is a great and fun read that I enjoyed every minute of, and Melody Carlson can chalk up another success in her new Christmas novel.

About the author:

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several Christmas books from Revell, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington's, which is being considered for a TV movie. She is also the author of many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, Double Take, the Life at Kingston High series, and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. She is the winner of a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. Melody and her husband live in Oregon.

For more information about Melody visit her website at www.melodycarlson.com.

The Christmas Joy Ride is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Keeping Christmas by Dan Walsh

Stan opened the ugly ornaments box and pulled out the top three ornaments, the ones wrapped in green paper, the kids' favorites, and set them on the coffee table. He picked up the first one, the biggest one--Anna's blue pine cone--and began to unwrap it. Without thinking, Judith walked up, stopped him, and gently took it out of his hand. She wrapped it back up, set it carefully in the box. Then picked up the other two ornaments, put them in the box, and closed the flaps.

"What's the matter?" Stan said. "Did I do something wrong?"

"I don't think I can do this."


Nothing is more beautiful than family

For the first time since their children were born, empty nesters Judith and Stan Winters spent Thanksgiving without the kids, and it's looking like Christmas will be the same. Judith can't bring herself to even start decorating for the holiday; her kids always hung the first ornaments on the tree, ornaments they had made each year since they were toddlers. Sure, the ornaments were strange-looking--some were downright ugly--but they were tradition.

With Judith refusing to decorate the bare spruce tree in their living room, Stan's only hope for saving the holiday is found in a box of handmade ornaments . . .

My review:
  Dan Walsh made his debut into Christian fiction with a Christmas novel, and I became an instant fan of his writing. I am always happy to be able to read and review one of his novels, so I didn't have to think twice about requesting this one.

  For Christians, Christmas is obviously all about Jesus birth and we try to focus on that during the busy season. It also is a time for family, which this novel brings out in a great way. The main characters are a couple dealing with their three adult children and families not coming home for Christmas. As is usually the case, the woman takes it harder than the guy. Walsh did a great job of creating some great characters for the book and an enjoyable and entertaining plot. His portrayal of a mother and grandmother dealing with the idea of Christmas without most of her family is spot on and brought up a lot of fond memories in my mind of our family Christmases down through the years.

  Although the book is fictional, there are some ideas given how to still have Christmas even if the whole family can't be there, though how those work will remain unsaid by me - you'll have to read the book.

  I enjoyed the humorous descriptions of the ugly ornaments in the story, and though I figured out how the book was going to go; I still enjoyed the ending and message of the book. A definite recommended read by this great author.

About the author:

Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Dance and The Promise with Gary Smalley, as well as The Unfinished Gift, The Discovery, and The Reunion. He has won three Carol Awards, and two of his novels were finalists for RT Book Reviews Inspirational Book of the Year for 2011 and 2012. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for twenty-five years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel. Visit www.danwalshbooks.com for more.


Keeping Christmas is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

The God You Thought You Knew by Alex McFarland

Maybe We've Been Wrong About God All This Time

We call this the information age, but it's also the age of misinformation--especially when it comes to God and Christianity. Many of us believe the Christian God is far away and unapproachable, that we have to be good to be accepted by him, and that the Bible is just an antiquated list of do's and don'ts. But maybe none of that is true. Maybe we've gotten it wrong.

Instead of proofs for God's existence, what we really need are compelling reasons to want to know him, and those reasons are more personal than we sometimes think. Through sharing his own story, author and speaker Alex McFarland shows how the God you thought you knew actually cares about you--about the rejection and loneliness you feel. It's time to replace the half-truths and lies we believe about ourselves with his overwhelming love and forgiveness.

We all want acceptance and purpose. Let this book teach you how to be anchored in the security that comes through knowing God for who he really is.

My review:
   The author starts this book out by telling a little about how he was raised, and how that affected his views of God. To have been raised and treated the way he was by his father and still end up serving God is amazing. The book covers some of the things he had to deal with and come to believe.

Each chapter starts out with a myth about Christianity and God, followed by the truth that contradicts the myth. McFarland then writes the chapter to combat the myth and show the truth. The book is an easy read, yet has a lot of deep truths in it. I personally haven't struggled with most of the myths in the book, but have had my questions and doubts about a few things which he addressed in the book. He does a great job of addressing the issue and putting it out there in plain and simple terms why the myth is wrong and what the truth is.

 This book would be great for a new Christian or a more mature Christian who may have some questions about the things the book deals with. It is an interesting and helpful book.

About the author:

Alex McFarland is a speaker, writer, and apologist. He has preached in over 1,500 different churches throughout North America and internationally, and has been featured at conferences such as the Billy Graham School of Evangelism, Focus on the Family's Big Dig, Josh McDowell's True Foundations events, and many more. In 2011, Alex became cohost of Explore the Word, which is heard weekdays in the nearly 200 markets served by the American Family Radio Network. Alex and his wife, Angie, live in Greensboro, North Carolina. Learn more at www.alexmcfarland.com.


The God You Thought You Knew is available from Bethany House Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Bethany House for the review copy.
  

Batheshba: Reluctant Beauty by Angela Hunt

One of Ancient Israel's Most Famous Women--
As You've Never Looked at Her Before

One of the Bible's most misunderstood and misjudged women, Bathsheba comes to life in this new biblical reimagining from Angela Hunt. Combining historical facts with detailed fiction, this is an eye-opening portrait that will have you reconsidering everything you thought you knew about her.

After receiving God's promise of a lifelong reign and an eternal dynasty, King David forces himself on Bathsheba, a loyal soldier's wife. When her resulting pregnancy forces the king to murder her husband and add her to his harem, Bathsheba struggles to protect her son while dealing with the effects of a dark prophecy and deadly curse on the king's household.

My review:
   This is the second book in the Dangerous Beauty series by Angela Hunt. The first book was about Esther, and gave some interesting insight through that story. I so enjoyed it that I wanted to review this one.

  I can't remember ever reading a novel about Bathsheba. I have read the story in the Bible countless times and have even studied it in Sunday School and heard sermons about the story, but this is the first novel I have read that recounts the story through Biblical fiction. In the Bible story, we don't get Bathsheba's side. It is pretty much centered on David. Hunt has given us a glimpse into what it might have been like for Bathsheba by telling the story from her viewpoint. The book is written from the first person point of view, with the "I" in the story being Bathsheba. As always with Biblical fiction, the author took a lot of license and imagination to come up with the story, yet it doesn't go opposite to or contradict the Biblical narrative in any way.

  I found the book an interesting and fascinating read. To see, even through the lens of Biblical fiction what the whole ordeal may have been like for Bathsheba gave the story new light and meaning. Hunt did a great job of bring the tale to the medium of Christian fiction and did the story a lot of justice. I found the book hard to put down, and came away with new appreciation for the story.

About the author:

The author of more than 100 published books and with nearly 5 million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the New York Times bestselling author of The Note, The Nativity Story, and Esther: Royal Beauty. Romantic Times Book Club presented Angela with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In 2008, Angela completed her PhD in Biblical Studies in Theology. She and her husband live in Florida with their mastiffs. She can be found online at www.angelahuntbooks.com.


Bathsheba is available from Bethany House Publishers, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Bethany House for the review copy.

Christmas Time, It's All About Jesus

Since Christmas is such a captivating time of year, it's the perfect setting for telling children about the miracle of the Lord Jesus Christ's birth. Using selected passages from the first chapters of the gospels of Matthew and Luke, Christmas Time - It's All About Jesus tells the story of Jesus' birth in a delightfully poetic and child-like way. The sensational illustrations create an unforgettable image, so a child can always remember the true meaning of Christmas. As an added bonus, Pastor Russ and Sue have developed devotionals to be used by families to enrich their Christmas celebrations. These are complete with attributes and names of Jesus, questions for discussion, and activities to do as a family to share Christ with those around them. Coupled together, this story and devotionals will enhance your celebration of Christmas during the season and all year long!

My review:
   This is a delightful book to help explain the real meaning of Christmas to young children. The author tells the Christmas story from the Bible accompanied by some great illustrations, all on a level that little children can understand. The last few pages of the book contain six Christmas devotions for children, and the book ends with an invitation to accept Jesus as their Savior. The story itself is told in rhyme, making it even easier for kids to understand and remember.

  There are a lot of Christmas books on the market for children, and many tell the true meaning of Christmas, but not many do it with the simplicity and plainness of this book. The author and illustrator have come up with a great book that kids should enjoy for years to come. It is  quick and easy read, and the devotionals are also very well written.

About the author:

Sue Murray Barksdale has been a pastor's wife, mom, and educator for over 30 years. She and her husband Russ live in Arlington, Texas, where Russ pastors the multi-site The Church on Rush Creek, a multi-site church. Sue has a BS in Elementary Education from The University of Houston and enjoys teaching at a public charter school in their neighborhood. Russ and Sue consider their relationship with their grown children and spouses and their six beautiful grandchildren as one of the greatest blessings in life! Their desire to leave a legacy of Christ-centered lives motivated them to write this book for their own family and all the children in their sphere of influence. This is Sue's second book, her first being G.I.F.T.S.: A Prayer Book for Kids and Those Who Love Them.

151 Things God Can't Do by Maisie Sparks

A delightful and uplifting book that surprisingly reveals God's unique promises for each of us. 

Think God can do anything? Think again. 

God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and limitless, but despite these characteristics, God is still incapable of many things: things that are against His very nature. 

In this creative and uplifting book, discover God's nature and His incredible love for YOU. You will be encouraged to know that God can't deceive you, God can't be wrong, God can't allow evil to go unpunished, God can't leave you unfulfilled, God's love can't quit, and so much more.

With scripture to back up each statement, you will find relief and joy in the things God can't do.

My review:
  As Christians, we often focus on what God can do. And that is encouraging and helpful, and is something we should do. This book goes from the opposite viewpoint and lists things God cannot do because of who He is. It is a simple little book with each page containing one thing God cannot do with a Scripture verse to back it up.

Things like:
God can't allow anything to escape His notice
God can't renege on His Word
God can't allow Himself to manipulated
And many more.

  This book could easily be read in 10-15 minutes, but is a book to pull out and read one a day. Though it is small and doesn't have a lot of words in it, it says a lot and is an encouraging little book to remind us of how good God is.

About the author:

MAISIE SPARKS is a wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. A writer by profession, she also scribbles on the backs of church bulletins--which is how this book got started. Several years ago, she stumbled upon the art of spiritual direction and learned the difference between being still and doing nothing. Since then, she's been sharing contemplative spiritual practices with anyone who's willing to listen for God's loving voice in the silence.


151 Things God Can't Do is available from FaithWords, part of the Hachette Book Group.

Thanks to FaithWords for the review copy.