Champion

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." ~ Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

How do you find it in your heart to truly forgive someone? Do you wait for some kind of restitution from them? Do you wait for an apology? What happens when we lose someone before we can make amends? 

These are all the kinds of questions that are being asked in the latest movie coming to theaters on May 19th from Icon Media Group, Champion. I guess you could ask the question what makes a true champion in the eyes of the world? Someone who is great at winning? Someone who takes the risk no one else would or does God have a different definition in mind? 

For both Seth Weathers and Ray Reed, the competition on the dirt track racing circle is fierce. For Seth Weathers, he has always held to the belief that to win, you must be willing to do whatever it takes even if others around him don't like it. He isn't winning anyone to his side as his arrogance and pride in being the winner brings about some harsh criticism from his sponsors and boss if he doesn't work on his ego and his attitude. They even threaten to fire him unless he wins more races. With upcoming rookie Ray Reed always on his heels, Seth believes it is time to show him who is the winner and not to be messed with. 

When the race ends in tragedy, Seth is fired from his boss due to the sponsorship being pulled out. Seth lashes out to anyone close to him including his crew and even his own daughter. As a single dad with no hopes of work, he falls into a depression taking prescription pain killers to help him cope with his life. But when he fails to make it to his daughter's ballet recital as promised and she walks to the recital in the rain, he faces a loss in the custody of his daughter until he can straighten his life out. His help will come in the most unlikeliest of places and will define for both men the true meaning of what it takes to be a champion. 

I received Champion by Brannon Pictures compliments of Icon Media Group. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. This is such a heart moving message of what forgiveness is and looks like when modeled in the eyes of the world. There are a few surprises I didn't see coming in this one and believe it will help those who see this film in understanding what forgiveness really is and how they too can become "Champions" to those around them. I easily give this movie a 5 out of 5 stars and hope you take someone to see this amazing movie on May 19, 2017. 

Champion by Brannon Pictures

You can find Champion on Facebook to get all the latest details about the film and message of forgiveness including the 40 day forgiveness challenge. 


About Brannon Films
With a heart for bringing stories to life, Judd Brannon has had the opportunity to direct and produce multiple video projects. His music video "For Freedom," featuring the music of Avalon, and was selected to be a part of Sean Hannity's "Freedom Tour." His recent projects include working on the Kendrick's feature film "War Room." Currently, Judd serves the people of First Woodstock in Atlanta, GA where he is the staff video producer. Judd is thankful for the support of his wife and two boys.

Chasing Grace

Sometimes you have hope when you pop in a DVD after viewing the trailer and truly look forward to a great movie. Other times, you wind up disappointed, that perhaps the best scenes of said movie were all combined in the trailer. That is the case with Chasing Grace by Catalyst Pictures. Now on DVD courtesy of Word Films, this is the story of one pastor's family and how they handle the grief and loss that comes when their daughter Grace is accidentally shot when she finds the gun her uncle Carter (David Temple) had brought to her birthday party. The uncle was just released from jail by his brother and pastor Jonathan Matheson (Michael Joiner), and had passed out in the family home when the tragedy happened.

Now each member of the family processes their grief in very different ways. Jonathan picks up drinking to bypass the pain same as his brother and father. He tries to hide it from his wife and board members of his church but soon even those lies are brought to lie with very profound circumstances. His wife Angela (Ashlee Payne), buries her feelings in trying to get the family back to normal as quickly as possible which leaves her in dark depression that even counseling can't seem to help. Her two remaining sons, Christopher, the oldest, has to fend off bullies at school and finds solace following in his father's footsteps to see how alcohol might help ease the pain. He soon finds himself in jail. While the youngest, David struggles to understand just what is happening to his family and how he can try to help.

I received Chasing Grace by Catalyst Pictures compliments of Word Films and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside for a free copy of this DVD in exchange for my personal evaluation either favorable or not. I have to say, I was not that impressed. The story line is boring and the pace of the film moves so slowly, you find yourself wondering just how much longer this film can drag the story out. Each character's evolution into grief in so slow paced, you simply wish they'd get it over with, so you can find other things to do. While the run time on this is 96 minutes, anything longer than a hour is beyond brutal. I had to keep trying to find a way to convince myself to finish this in order to see how it might all end up. You have a pastor trying to convince and manipulate the local police to take vengeance on his brother in any viable means possible even killing him if need be. While I understand processing grief is different for everyone, I think the point of finding forgiveness is so missing until the final moments, that most people would turn it off before getting that far. These are not characters you feel any kind of connection with and therefore are missing that factor of wanting to know how it all turns out for any of them. For me, this one was a 3 out of 5 stars in my opinion, and even that might be a bit generous. This is just my opinion but others might have a different one than what I posted here.

For more information about Chasing Grace, Word Films or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

Chasing Grace by Catalyst Pictures and Word Films

You can find Word Films on Facebook to stay up to date on all the latest film projects.

You can find Chasing Grace at your favorite Christian retailers or from Amazon. 

The Hummingbird

I think we all take each day of our life for granted. I believe it's because we firmly believe that there will be a tomorrow and the day after that until we grow old. But the people I think truly appreciate what they have are those that have to face a terminal diagnosis, knowing that tomorrow is never a guarantee for any of us. Stephen P. Kiernan has written an unforgettable novel that showcases three very unique relationships in The Hummingbird. It is written in alternating chapters, one in the life of hospice nurse, Deborah Birch, and the story of the Sword she reads to her dying patient Professor Barclay Reed.

Deborah's relationship with the Professor is to help him see that even though time is running out on his life he still has a lot to offer. She promises that even though he has fired every single nurse in three different hospice care facilities, she will not give up on him. As the two work on coming to terms with how they interact with one another in the time that is left, the Professor asks her to read an unpublished book that he had written and at the conclusion of the story, to tell him if she believes it is true or simply a work of fiction. Along the way, the Professor's brilliant metaphors for life, help Deborah deal with her husband, Michael who after returning home from his third tour of duty is not the man she married. His violent outbursts have been a huge strain on their marriage and now they simply exist as roommates in the same home. Not the life she had ever imagined and not one she wanted to open up to the Professor about.

The Professor has written numerous volumes on the Pacific Theater and the Sword was the only one that never got published. As they read through the story together, the Professor helps Deborah understand the subtleties behind what Michael has brought home from the war. He uses parts of the story to help her gain insight into the clues he brings up that offer more than what she has been seeing all along. Deborah also finds that through each case she has worked with her patients, they all offer her the one thing that money can never buy and it's a gift she carries with her to each and every patient. She promises that she will do all she can to ensure that their death is peaceful, as painfree as possible and that they leave behind no regrets if she can help it.

I received The Hummingbird by Stephen P. Kiernan compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. While this is NOT a book for my Christian readers, those who find an interest in hospice, WWII and PTSD, will love where these stories intersect and find such value for life, it kinda of changes how you move forward after reading this. There is some profanity, but taken in the context of the character of Michael, as a returning soldier from the war, it would be what one would expect dealing with the nightmares and issues he has. In my opinion, this one is worth 4 out of 5 stars.

For more information about The Hummingbird, Stephen P. Kiernan, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Hummingbird from Stephen P. Kiernan 

You can find Stephen P. Kiernan on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Hummingbird, please visit William Morrow's website. 

Hero - DVD Review

The hardest thing in life is to find forgiveness and to be able to forgive, and often times the best way to show how that is accomplished is through an exceptional family movie! In the movie Hero, we see Joe Finn, (Burgess Jenkins from Remember the Titans and The Shunning), who has returned home after being gone for the last seven years. On his homecoming, he learns that his wife, Hannah has a few short weeks left to live and she wants to spend those with Joe. But not everyone is happy to see Joe return home. His son, David, has gotten over not having his father around, and assures him that he is not wanted at home any longer. It is the film version of the prodigal father who returns home to a less than pleasing homecoming.

He believed that when he left to scout for the big leagues, he was providing a future for his family, but instead realizes that the cost for doing so, may not have been worth it. He struggles with coming to terms with his son's lack of respect for him being at home, and when Joe Finn attempts to help out with a struggling little league team of misfits known as the Gappers, he begins to understand just how much his leaving has cost his son, his family and his town.

In order to help the team, he tries to get their father's to commit to spending some time helping out with practice at home and to attend some of the games and practice sessions. But like Joe, himself, they are simply too busy chasing careers to find the time to spend playing baseball with their sons. It's an eye opening experience for Joe as he begins to see what the implications of being away the last seven years have done in the life of his son, when he wasn't there to see it. No matter how hard he tries to convince the fathers, they simply aren't buying Joe's reasoning, even though he tries to explain to them how much it has cost his own family. He will need to begin again and work it out with everyone one step at a time instead of simply jumping back into things. In the end, he will show fathers and their sons, how valuable time well spent truly means and what it can cost us to pursue other things instead of raising our children.

I received Hero compliments of Advent Film Group and Edify Media Inc for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. This is such an exceptional family movie because often times, we don't understand the costs that take place when we simply don't have the time, to spend with our kids in pursuit of financial security. It's a cost that we can never recoup and one that we fail to understand until it's too late. I easily give this one a grand slam 5 out of 5 stars and the lesson it teaches by the end of the movie is one you won't want to miss. This one has been given 5 doves by the Dove Foundation as well.

For more information about Hero, Advent Film Groups or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

Hero by Advent Film Groups

You can find Advent Film Groups on Facebook to stay up to date with all their latest family entertainment.

Driftwood Tides

Sometimes when we hold onto too tightly to our dreams, they can slip between our fingers no matter how tight we try and hold on. In the case of Holton Creary, he can seem to find anything to live for any longer. Since losing his wife Adele, five years ago, he believes he was at fault. He had fixed her brakes in her car and that fateful morning when she left, she died when she hit another car head on. The results of just what caused the crash were inconclusive, but in Holton's heart, he was to blame.

Now struggling to make ends met as a driftwood sculpture, he finds the only way to get through the long nights in look down the inside of any gin bottle he has handy. His assistant Tess, knows from experience, that the only way for an alcoholic to get help is when he is ready. No amount of pressure can make anyone want to get better. For Holton, he has virtually given up. He can only hope one day, he will drink his way into unconsciousness and never wake up.

To make matters worse, a local artist is copying Holton's driftwood sculptures and selling them for a whole lot less and taking his contacts within the local community. But no matter how low Holton offers to sell his original creations, Henry just keeps under cutting his prices to take away any hope that Holton can make a living.

Libby is struggling to find a way to tell her over-bearing mother, Caroline, that the wedding she had dreamed of is vastly becoming the one Caroline never had. She is sparing no expense to ensure that Libby has the finest wedding she can afford. But Libby has news that is bound to rock Caroline's world, yet she doesn't realize it will also rock hers as well. In being tested for genetic abnormalities in preparation for her wedding to Rob, Libby discovers that the woman she believed to be her birth mother has been lying. The test results have confirmed that her mother, Caroline, and her birth father both had O+ blood types and Libby's is an A+. There is no way, she is the product of the parents she has believed up to now and now she has to find a way to confront Caroline. When she learns that she was adopted and her birth mother is Adele Creary, she sets out to find out just why her mother put her up for adoption. But she won't be ready to learn what she discovers in the process.

I received Driftwood Tides by Gina Holmes compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is such a moving story about finding hope in the midst of loss, learning how to find forgiveness and overcoming storms to see new future. Gina does such an exceptional job at bringing the reader down to Holton's level and seeing just how bad things are in his eyes. He has lost all hope despite what lies all around him. He begins to relate to the broken pieces of driftwood he finds abandoned on the beach as if no one wants them any longer. The transformation of what he creates by fashioning them into a work of beauty isn't apparent until Holton can hit rock bottom. Only then will he be able to look up instead of where he has been.

For those that know what the struggle of alcoholism can do not only to the person drinking but to their support system as well, this is an eye opening look at reality at it's bleakest from the eyes of those who have been there. It's not pretty and it's not supposed to be. The writer doesn't attempt to rush this to a conclusion but show you that the path often offered isn't the one that is chosen instead. She makes you care deeply for both Libby and Holton as they both struggle to overcome their pasts and instead look to embrace a future of hope, but it will take blood, sweat and a whole lot of tears to get there. It's truly a beautiful look at restoration and hope and one I give a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Driftwood Tides, Gina Holmes or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Driftwood Tides by Gina Holmes

You can also find Gina Holmes on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Driftwood Tides, please visit Christian Fiction Blog Alliance's book tour page. 

This Side of Heaven

To pray for someone is the greatest call believers have on their lives. The power behind it is truly incredible. Sometimes, the hardest things to come to terms with is regrets. Regrets for things not done, love not given, things not said. Often times, regrets come when we reach the end of our life and are reflecting back, other times it comes when we least expect it. When we believe we will have time to make changes and thus, no regrets. I've told myself every day when faced with any decision, to consider any regrets that might come later for not taking the road less traveled. For saying yes, instead of no.

In Karen Kingsbury's novel This Side of Heaven, we get a sense of what this all means in a story she wrote based on her own brother's life. It is that reflection that she shares at the novel's conclusion and one that once again makes you glad that you read any of her novels. Because you gain an understanding that only comes from sharing the painful parts of our lives with close family and friends, and if you're a reader of her books, then that includes you. Welcome to the family.

Josh Warren is considered a disappointment by her parents, Annie and Nate. He had the world in the palm of his hands and after some bad decisions, watched his hopes for a future with his long time girlfriend, Becky and college slip between his fingers. Hanging out with the wrong crowd can do that do you, as well as believing you'll have time to rectify some of those choices but then life moves on without you. Becky gave Josh an ultimatum that told him he needed to straighten up otherwise they had no future. Josh waited too long and Becky found love somewhere else. Josh soon lost interest in school and found the only employment he could find would be driving a tow truck. Now it seems whenever his father, Nate faced reelection, all of Josh's failures in life were brought to the surface by those successful people in campaign.

So Josh kept to himself while the unanswered prayers of his parents and sister Lindsey went unanswered. Until the day, his parents received that dreaded phone call that you think would change things. Josh had been hit by a drunk driver. It would mean that his life would be forever changed by his actions that day, and he would face years of pain and surgery. Instead of his parents being grateful for that second chance, it only seemed to push them to pressure Josh to make some changes in his life. To find a way to start over again before it was too late. But Josh had other plans. Plans that would give them the greatest gift this side of heaven and change things between them all forever.

I received This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury compliments of Center Street Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained in this review are strictly my own. I was blown away first by the story and later to learn that it was based on a true story made it that much more impactful. It made me realize the power of our testimony and how it can completely changes lives if we are willing to let down the walls and let people see how God can change us from who we were to who we are in Him. This is a novel of regrets but also of resolution that can come from them, but more importantly about realizing how truly priceless our time here on earth really is. Hands down another 5 out of 5 stars from Karen Kingsbury and another permanent addition to my personal library.

For more information about This Side of Heaven, Karen Kingsbury or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

This Side of Heaven by Karen Kingsbury

You can find Karen Kingsbury on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on This Side of Heaven, please visit Center Street Publishing's website. 

Prime of Life

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." ~ Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)

If you're looking for an exceptional book that has just a little bit of everything tucked just inside the covers, humor, kindness, reflection, humility and a powerful message that ties them all together, than look no further than Prime of Life by P. D. Bekendam. The is a treasure just waiting to be discovered and I promise you, that you will NOT be disappointed when you get to the end.

It takes place at Heritage Gardens, a retirement home for seniors where we meet our main character, who simply goes by the name of Ben. He works as a janitor not only as a way to earn a living but to escape his past that refuses to stay in the past. When one of the retirees, the Professor, discovers that Ben used to be a doctor, he sets out to discover just why Ben would give up a high paying career saving lives to spend it cleaning toilets for a bunch of old folks.

Soon you will find that in Heritage Gardens, humor abounds in the unlikeliest of places. Frank and Marvin have grown up trying to out do each other since they were children and it hasn't changed now that they reside in the same senior home. It's a never ending job for Ben cleaning up each others messes as each one tries to get back at the other. When a younger woman named Betty Boestra, who been nicknamed Betty Boop, moves into the home, suddenly Frank and Marvin try to out do one another seeing who can attract her attention first.  The elderly ladies in the home, spend their time gossiping about Betty or spend their time in the beauty shop trying to look better for all the men who suddenly seem interested in the newest resident.

It's really to story of Ben that readers will find themselves drawn to as Ben becomes a bit of an obsessive compulsive person addicted with numbers, especially prime ones, and everything he does revolves around how many tiles he walks over to how many steps he takes getting from one place to another. It all has to end in a prime number. He refuses to wear anything with zippers and even his striped polo shirts or ties, have to have a prime number of stripes or he won't buy them. Yet along the way, you can't help but be drawn in to Ben's past and how it will soon resurface in a way he never imagined and his life will become full circle.

I received Prime of Life by P. D. Bekendam compliments of Worthy Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. I love how this story concludes and probably the highlight for me when you see how it all comes together kinda of like a hidden treasure. What you don't realize is the whole time, clues are being given which you miss until the end. It's then you have that "Aha!" moment and discover what the whole thing has been about. Truly a brilliant author who uses his god-given talents without being overly religious to get his meaning across in an unforgettable way. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars for this heartwarming debut novel that feels a bit like Grumpy Old Men meets Cocoon! The best part is proceeds from his writing go to help fund his activities in developing countries as he works to bring cataract surgery to the needlessly blind!

For more information about Prime of Life, P.D. Bekendam or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Prime of Life by P. D. Bekendam

You can also find P. D. Bekendam on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on Prime of Life, please visit Worthy Publishing's website. 

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Worthy Publishing (February 4, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1617952273
• ISBN-13: 978-1617952272
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches

Beyond Justice - Review and eBook Giveaway

I have heard that the words of Matthew West's song Forgiveness was inspired by a woman's story to forgive the drunk driver who took the life of her child. The same conclusion can be reached by the conclusion of Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham who is rapidly earning his way to the top of my Most Wanted Author list. Beyond Justice is his debut novel written back in 2010 and I don't know how I missed it up until now. The message is as relevant and powerful as it was when it was written and it is definitely for those who are finding it more than challenging to forgive someone for something they did to them. This is a highly recommended novel for that very reason.

Beyond Justice takes us in the heart of what all of us would dread, to come home after a long day of work, anticipating spending time with our spouse and kids. Expecting nothing out of the ordinary, Sam Hudson is a bit puzzled by the fact his security system isn't armed when he arrives home, but doesn't think too much about it. His wife Jenn has been having issues with arming it, and since she is home it doesn't seem at all out of the ordinary. Sensing a romantic night awaits him as he enters his home, he finds Jenn has lilac candles waiting in their bedroom hoping to surprise him. That is exactly what he gets when he opens the door to the bedroom to find her laying in bed, stabbed multiple times. Grabbing his cell phone, he frantically dials 911 and she whispers to him to find the children. Not wanting to leave her side, he rushes to his daughter Bethie's room and discovers the same thing. She is laying in bed with multiple stab wounds and a slight pulse. Rushing to his son's room he finds a bloody baseball bat on the floor and his son barely breathing under the covers.

It is more than any man could ever hope to handle, but it's just getting started for Sam as one by one his house of cards begins to fall as he watches his family carted off in an ambulance while the detectives begin to suspect that Sam is more than innocent in his claims. All the evidence seems to point compellingly back to Sam and no matter how much he sticks to his pleas that he is innocent, the evidence keeps stacking up against him. Will he be able to prove his innocence or will he find time to wrestle with the reasoning facing the death penalty behind bars? Only time will tell.

I received Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham compliments of Partners in Crime Book Tours and Dawn Treader Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is a true suspense novel in that you literally can't see what's coming from that blind corner. I LOVE that! Too many times, the authors give it away too soon and thus the need to finish the book is lost, but not this time. Joshua maintains that same level of intensity from the beginning until the ending you never saw coming. It is the basis for grace and forgiveness coupled with a spiritual element that can only be God inspired! Well done Joshua Graham. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. For those of you that love a great murder crime mystery novel, trust me and pick this one up. You'll definitely be wanting more!!!

For more information about Beyond Justice, Joshua Graham, or where you can pick up this novel today, please click on the links below:

Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham

You can also find Joshua Graham on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on Beyond Justice from the Partners in Crime Book Tour, click here. 

Now for the best part, thanks to Partners in Crime they are providing an Ebook Copy of Beyond Justice to one lucky follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here are your guidelines:

1. "Like: Joshua Graham's Facebook page. While you're there tell him why you'd love to win a copy of this book.

2. "Like" my Facebook page, Reviews From The Heart. If you have already "Liked" my page, find this review there and click the Like button.

3. Leave a comment below telling me why you would love to win an Ebook copy of Beyond Justice along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

I will notify the winner by email once the giveaway ends on February 13th.

Past Darkness

Meet Gabrielle Larson who was like every other 15-year-girl you could meet. She lived a rich life with her best friend Carmen and her parents who exemplified what being in love after many years of marriage looked like to anyone they ever met. For Gabrielle it would be the one thing she would use as a measurement of what she hoped for when she met the person she hoped she would one day marry as well. For now, the thing that united Gabrielle and her family was music. Both of her parents were people who loved to share their faith through music ministry and it wasn't long before they involved Gabrielle in it as well. Soon the entire family found joy and love through sharing it with others in churches and others venues. But soon Gabrielle overheard a conversation with her parents that they seemed to keep hidden well. That unless more opportunities became available their financial problems would become overwhelming. Still they had faith that God would provide. And He did.

At a last minute request, they were invited to sing at a local church, but Gabrielle and her friend Carmen had other plans to head to the mall. Unfortunately for Gabrielle, it would be the last time she said goodbye to her parents. They both would die tragically in a car accident leaving her to the care of her Aunt Bea and Uncle Will and require her to move to North Dakota from Chicago. What transpires through the remainder of Past Darkness by Laurel Woiwode is the story of how Gabrielle deals with loss. The loss of her parents, her home, her school, her friends and her life. It's about finding ways to move forward when it feels like all you want to do is simply give up.

I received Past Darkness by Laurel Woiwode compliments of Crossway Publishing and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable one. This is such a poignant story that deals with a loss I can't even imagine. How right at the pivotable time in a teens life, her entire world is thrown upside down. How Gabrielle deals with moving to a very rural setting and living the life at a ranch instead of a big city is believable and shows us all that we all deal with loss in very different ways. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone you know who is experiencing coping with a loss of a loved one. It's short and to the point. The only thing I felt lacking was the abrupt ending. It seemed like to me, it simply needed a bit more. I felt like I was left hanging at the end of a incomplete sentence even though the story was complete. I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Past Darkness, Laurel Woiwode or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Past Darkness by Laurel Woiwode 

You can find Laurel Woiwode on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Past Darkness on the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Book Tour, please click here.

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Crossway (April 2, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1433535181
• ISBN-13: 978-1433535185
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.4 x 8 inches 

This novel is available at your favorite retailer in paperback and eBook formats. 

Dry As Rain

Behind every broken vow, lies a broken heart.

When Eric and Kyra Yoshida first met, they thought their love would last forever. But like many marriages, theirs has crumbled, one thoughtless comment and misunderstanding at a time, until the ultimate betrayal pushes them beyond reconciliation. Though Eric longs to reunite with Kyra, the only woman he has truly loved, he has no idea how to repair the damage that has been done.

Then a car accident erases part of Kyra's memory - including her separation from Eric - and a glimmer of hope rises from the wreckage. Is this a precious opportunity for the fresh start Eric has longed for? Does he even deserve the chance to find forgiveness and win back Kyra's heart? Or will the truth blow up in his face, shattering their last hope for happiness?

My Review:

I received Dry As Rain by Gina Holmes compliments of Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review and found this to be a perfect example of what it truly means to seek and find forgiveness. While the premise behind the story involves infidelity, the second chance that Eric sees as a sign from God leads him to delay telling Kyra the truth, even though the doctors have warned him that Kyra's memory could come back at any time.

He spends the first few nights dealing with the feelings of guilt, remorse and regret because even though Kyra remembers nothing, he still knows that nothing has changed from his own perspective. He now holds in his hand a simple choice, to tell the truth or live a lie, and ultimately he chooses wrong. The book is filled with what happens when we don't live alongside God's truth and the darkness that will follow for those wrong decisions.

For once I was happy that this didn't end up the way we would all like, because much like reality, we don't get second chances. Not all our life decisions end up for the best and sometimes life throws us a curve ball. Yet its what we chose to do in THAT moment at the crossroads, that determines the course of the life that follows. This is a shining example of that and how the road to forgiveness isn't an easy path as we'd like it to be sometimes. That is real and for that reason, I award, Dry As Rain, a perfect 5 out of 5 stars because life isn't perfect!

For more information on this book, the author and where to purchase a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

Dry As Rain by Gina Holmes

You can also find Gina at her website, just click here

The Grace Card - DVD Giveaway and Review

Everything can change in an instant … and take a lifetime to unravel. When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, the ensuing 17 years of bitterness and pain erodes his love for his family and leaves him angry with God … and just about everyone else. Mac’s rage stonewalls his career in the police department and makes for a combustible situation when he’s partnered with Sam Wright, a rising star on the force—who happens to be a part-time pastor and a loving family man.

Can they somehow join forces to help one another when it’s impossible for either of them to look past their differences—especially the most obvious one? Every day, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships and heal deep wounds by extending and receiving God’s grace. Offer THE GRACE CARD … and never underestimate the power of God’s love.

My Review:

This movie will completely move you to tears. An emotional roller coaster from the first scene where Mac McDonald (Michael Joiner) and his family are put through the hardest of life's tragedies as his young son is killed by a drug deal gone bad. While the police are pursuing the dealer, Tyler rides directly into the path of the dealer's car.

Now the family, 17 years later is still struggling in the various stages of grief. For Mac, it's getting over the hate he still feels for the boy who took the life of his son. Even though he doesn't say he's a racist, his actions confirm that he is being held captive. Now partnered with Sam Wright (Mike Higgenbottom), who's an up and coming pastor and who just received the promotion that Mac had hoped he would get, he is faced with his greatest enemy.

Sam Wright is trying to get his church started so he can quit to police force, however he too struggles with his messages when he can't even find a way to reach a hurt and wounded man he is partnered with everyday who hates him simply based on his skin color.

Blake is the remaining son who is on the verge of not graduating in his senior year due to his grades. He is still dealing with trying to live up to Tyler even though the accident happened 17 years ago. He turns to the wrong crowd since being at home with his mom and dad only leads to more arguments. His dad, Mac, believes he will never measure up to his expectations.

Louis Gossett Jr. plays a small role as the grandfather of Sam who teaches him about what the definition of grace means through a story of a slave owner on a plantation. This movie is well produced and the storyline will impact you no matter where you stand in life.



I received the DVD, The Grace Card, compliments of Propeller and Provident Films for my honest review and once again LOVE that movies like this are being made for families again. The message is relevant to anyone who questions what the meaning of grace is and how forgiveness works in any situation we face in life. A word of caution: you WILL need tissues for this one. I highly recommend this movie to any family looking for a great story with a message behind it. This is a 5 out of 5 stars DVD.

For more information about the DVD please click on the links below:

The Grace Card Website

You can find them on Facebook by clicking here.

Thanks to the generous folks at Provident Films, GraceWorks Pictures, and Propeller, they are offering a giveaway copy of this DVD to one lucky follower of this blog. Here are the guidelines to enter:

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. You must be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

3. I need a way to contact you if you are the lucky winner, so please be sure to include your email address along with your comment.

4. Leave a comment and tell me why you'd love to win a copy of this DVD!

The giveaway will end on August 27th and I will notify the winner by email at that time.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services

mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I

only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255:

“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”