Snow on the Tulips

"I'm asking you to quit acting like a tulip covered in snow. Don't hide in this house until the Allies free you. They may not come for awhile."

Cornelia de Vries know quite a bit about the sacrifices required from being involved in the war. She has lost not only her husband Hans within the first 24 hours of being married and then widowed in the same day. Now she is struggling to keep her brother Johan Kooistra alive when the call of war is beckoning at his door. Being a onderduiker, a under-diver, a Dutch man hiding to avoid being sent away to a German work detail, he hides in a secret place when the Gestapo arrives for unexpected raids looking for men. But when he discovers a group of Dutch resistance workers taken down to the canal to be executed, he knows he can no longer sit by and just hide.

No one has survived his own execution. The Nazi's weren't that sloppy. But somehow that is the prayer that was answered as Gerrit Laninga faced down the barrel of a gun. Now if he could only pretend he was dead long enough for them to leave, he might just get that second chance at life. He is discovered by Johan who went to see if he knew any of the Dutch men who were executed and takes him back home to tend to his injuries. Surviving a bullet wound is no easy task considering that there are countless people who would turn him in rather than face making the German soldiers suspicious. Now if he can only convince his sister Cornelia to help.

In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Is that what someone might have offered to Hans if they found him laying wounded? How can she turn away a man clearly in need of help. Despite Hilter's pledge to respect the Netherlands neutrality, he invaded anyway. This war had a way of turning everything upside down, like a jigsaw puzzle whose pieces didn't fit together. They had lost so much. Too much. What could they do now?

I received Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma compliments of Thomas Nelson Publishers and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are my own. Being a huge lover of historical WWII fiction, I was immediately drawn to this story. It had me wondering just what I would have done in the same situation that Cornelia faced. Would she turn away a wanted man and risk her own safety as well as her brothers? She knew that once the soldiers discovered that one of the men they had executed was missing, they would come looking and they wouldn't stop until they discovered him. Their own army was no match for the German soldiers and faced with food shortages and raids at any hour of the day as well as bombings from the allied planes, life for Cornelia was anything but normal. This story was based on the true story of the author's family which she does an incredible job at drawing the reader in and making them feel a part of the action. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. There is a great discussion guide included as well as a sneak peek into the next novel Daisies Last Forever from Liz Tolsma, one I will definitely be picking up!

For more information about Snow on the Tulips, Liz Tolsma or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

You can find Liz Tolsma on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Snow on the Tulips from the Litfuse Publicity Book Tour, please click here. 

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 6, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401689108
• ISBN-13: 978-1401689100
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches

Liz Tolsma is celebrating the release of her novel, Snow on the Tulips, by giving away an Amazon Reading Pack to one lucky winner. Find out what readers are saying about the book here.

  One winner will receive:

• A $50 Amazon gift card
• Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 16th. Winner will be announced November 18th at Liz's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Liz's blog on the 18th to see if you won. (Or, better yet, subscribe to her blog and have the winner announcement delivered to your inbox! Just enter your email address on the left sidebar of her blog.)

Edna in the Desert

Picture a place in the middle of the desert. A place in which there are no other buildings around. No restaurants. No stores near by. No wireless service. No Internet. No life, at least according to Edna. This where she will spend her entire summer. Her grandmother, an unfriendly old woman with her hands on her hips like a five-star general. Her creased, emotionless face emerged in the sun would be her only human contact besides her grandfather who sat perpetually on the porch in his rocking chair until it was time for bed.

When Edna's parents are finally at wits end on what to do with her combativeness in both high school as well as trying to raise her in their household, they agree that spending the summer with her grandparents in Desert Palms might be the only thing that will work. The more they punish her the more disrespectful she becomes. But Edna doesn't consider Desert Palms a town, more like "coordinates on a map. After her latest incident at school involving socks, her father finally had had enough. Both of her parents had undertaken a military-like approach to this maneuver, and they were not turning back despite what she promises to do.

This would be the final straw. Her parents refused to consider medication and there was increasing pressure from the therapist to send her to a psychiatrist. It was time to do something radical. It seems she was always looking to prove herself to people and she simply didn't have respect for anyone.

"Edna, you have no respect for others. It can't go on, and it's not going to be tolerated,' Jill said.

"If it can't go on, it won't need to be tolerated. You're getting illogical-"

"And you're getting a lot of time to think."

Edna pictured herself trapped in her grandparents' dreary world. She was no longer sure if she was breathing. Hopefully she would pass out quickly and die. Until then she couldn't reveal any further weakness. Perhaps if she seemed happy about this idea it wouldn't seem like enough of a punishment, and her parents might change their minds. She could only hope that there was no way they were serious and that this was merely a sadistic joke, but the main challenge at the moment was to keep from crying."

I received Edna in the Desert by Maddy Lederman compliments of the author herself and eLectio Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. I think every parent can relate to this novel partly because at times our children have had that stubborn rebellious streak in them. That no matter what we try to take away or how many times we might punish them, the behavior remains. I love the approach that Edna's parents take to send her to a place where there is no technology, no internet, nothing remotely similar to a life she left behind. IN fact, they just got a telephone so they aren't that far behind in the times. She has to learn to contend with things for the entire summer and her grandmother is definitely NOT someone you'd want to upset. The desert will offer more than Edna could bargain for and in many ways she will not return as the young girl she was when she arrived. There is some age appropriate material in this novel that I would strongly suggest isn't ideal for young teens when Edna encounters Johnny, a seventeen year old boy she finds she is attracted to. I rate this novel a 4 out of 5 stars for that reason and is a true coming of age story in many ways. This is Maddy Lederman's debut novel and I know that this will be the first of many in her future!

For more information about Edna in the Desert, Maddy Lederman or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Edna in the Desert by Maddy Lederman

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

• Paperback: 182 pages
• Publisher: eLectio Publishing (September 9, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615884733
• ISBN-13: 978-0615884738
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches

Our God Comes

They say when you are having a really difficult day, when it feels as if the world is against you and your struggling to find peace in your life, listen to some praise and worship music and see if it doesn't change your perspective. It's hard to remain down when you are lifting up songs of worship and praise to God along with all the cares and worries you are dealing with.

The Antioch Movement, which began more than 20 years ago, is dedicated to seeing the local church reproduce the Kingdom of God through prayer, evangelism, and discipleship throughout the United States and around the world. We are a people passionate for Jesus and His purposes in the earth. It is from these values that we worship Jesus with all our hearts and lives. This music is part of the soundtrack of our journey in Our God Comes.

This wonderful CD filled with songs of worship and praise consists of 14 songs and you are definitely bound to find something you love that lifts your mood and your soul. I've often times wished I could have my own CD of praise and worship songs from my own church to help me during long commutes, traffic jams and just rough days with turbulent storms that seem to want to drown me. This music had debuted on Itunes

The worship music and lyrics on OUR GOD COMES expresses the heart cry, prayers and joy of the worship team, songwriters and musicians from Antioch, led by James Mark Gulley. From the opening strains of audience approval, joyous praise and worship floods the listeners’ ears and ageless unchanging truths find a new sound for today! The savvy musical arrangements and gifted song writing flow from “Come” to “Our God Comes”, and the glorious experience is documented from the choruses of “Wonderful Counselor”, “How Much More” and “Savior Forever”. Clear Day Media Groupcreates products to help people see God clearly and impact the world through Christ-centered content. The 72-minute, live recording was produced by James Mark Gulley and assistant Owen Wible, recorded by Randy Adams and mastered at Marcussen Mastering in Hollywood, CA by Stephen Marcussen. Featuring songwriters James Mark Gulley, Stephen Gulley, Brandon Seibert, Thomas Wilson and Johanna Six, OUR GOD COMES also features worship leaders James Mark Gulley, Stephen Gulley, Johanna Six and Clare Berlinsky.

The full track listing for OUR GOD COMES is as follows: Come God And King Wonderful Counselor God Who Saves How Much More I Will Raise …Response Light Me Up Awaken Us One Hundred Three …Return Savior Forever …Selah Our God Comes

I received Our God Comes compliments of Clear Day Media and B and B Media Group 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. There is such a variety of amazing music to enhance your soul and spirit that everyone can find something that suits them. I'd rate this CD a 4.5 out of 5 stars and hope that you'll pick this up to add to your Christian music collection.

For more information about Our God Comes, Clear Day Media  or where to pick up a copy of this CD today, please click on the links below:

Our God Comes by Antioch Live

You can find Antioch Community Church on their website.

Paige Rewritten

"There are things in my life that I would like to be permanent. Nail polish that permanently stayed on my toenails. Hair that permanently stayed away from my legs. Sweet tea that was permanently in my fridge.

Luke is not one of those things I want permanently in my life. Or even in my city.

My mom likes to say that good things come in threes. "Remember that time we went to see The Phantom of the Opera, Paige?" she always says to me. "Not only did our seats get upgraded for free, but we won those tickets to go see Wicked and we met Mariah Carey!"

By met, Mom meant "saw from a distance," and to this day, I still sear it was not Mariah Carey.

And if it was her, then I really feel the need to tell her that cornrows are not a flattering hairstyle for her.

I'm curious what Mom would say about my current situation. I really don't think I am looking at three good things.

Maybe three confusing things.

Not not good things. 

Paige Alder is ready for some permanence in her life. For one, a job that allows her to utilize the college degree in counseling that she worked hard to achieve, not being a secretary until the day she dies working for Lawman Adoption Agency. Even with the promotion offer sitting on the table to make more money for doing exactly what she's been doing all along leaves her wanting more.

She has been trying to figure out her personal life as well with Tyler Jennings. She isn't sure if they are strictly great friends who do things whenever they can or if he wants something more than just someone to hang out with of the opposite sex. And then there is Luke Prestwick, her ex-boyfriend who has decided to move back to town and wants to see if there is a possibility to start over again. Decisions, decisions just what is a girl to do?

On top of that, her long lost sister, Preslee has come home with news that she has found God and wants a relationship with her family again including Paige. But is it really that easy to simply forgive despite all the pain she has inflicted on her parents as well as herself when she decided she didn't need them in her life any longer?

I received Paige Rewritten by Erynn Mangum compliments of NavPress and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. Once again Erynn has done it again. I absolutely LOVE this series, possibly because I find myself living in Paige Alder's shoes! Such decisions that she has to deal with and wondering just where she is going in life. At some point she has to deal with her sister returning to the family fold and while her parents are easy to forgive, Paige isn't. Like a contemporary twist on the prodigal son, Paige finds herself relating to the older son from the Bible story more than she'd like and even the advice she hands out to her high school girls in Bible Study about forgiveness hard to swallow. How can she talk about the ability for them to forgive people who have hurt them, when she is having a difficult time doing the same? I have to warn you however, this one does end on a cliff hanger and will make you wish the third novel in the series was available immediately! For me, this one once again hits a stellar homerun for my book lover's heart and I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars.

This is the second novel in the Paige Alder series, with Paige Torn being the first. While you don't have to read the first one to truly LOVE this one, I would highly recommend it. Erynn's writing style is so easy going, you truly feel like you're more than just reading this novel. You feel like you're living it!  Don't let the cover fool you, you'll want to pick this entire series up! For more information about Paige Rewritten, Erynn Mangum or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Paige Rewritten by Erynn Mangum

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

To read more reviews on Paige Rewritten from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Book Tour, please click here. 

• Series: Paige Alder Series (Book 2)
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (September 7, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1612913210
• ISBN-13: 978-1612913216
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches

King's Faith ~ DVD Review and Giveaway

18 is the magic number for Brendan King. It's not his age but the number of foster home's he's been in and he's hoping that he will finally find a place to call home, not just a temporary stop in life. Yet for Brendan, he's had to grow up fast and see things that many hope never to encounter in life. After losing his mother to drugs and alcohol and watching her die and never knowing who his father is, he goes with whatever family he can find. For Brendan, that would mean gangs. Gang members looked out for one another and were there for you when family wasn't. At least that is what he always believed.

Now after being released from prison after a drug raid that left his best friend dead, Brendan believes he discovered his new lease on life. It began when the only book he could have in prison was a Bible given to him from a pastor. Having nothing else to do and no hope for a future, Brendan discovered that there is someone who will never leave you and one that offers the life he always dreamed even if he never discovered it from his own family. Armed with trying a new path to life, he becomes a foster child to Mike and Vee who have suffered their own loss, their son who died as a police officer when a traffic stop resulted in being shot by gang members.

Now if Brendan can only convince his foster parent's that he has changed along with the kids in his new high school who wonder just how true the rumors are about him. However just as he's hoping for a positive change, the local sheriff keeps a close eye out believing no one can reform and eventually will fall back into their old ways. When Brendan's gang members are released from prison they come back around searching for a drug stash they believe that Brendan has hidden. Will he be able to hold fast to the faith he has found or will old habits call him back?

I received King's Faith by Provident Films and FlyBy Promotions for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. While this is a Christian based film, the subject matter deals with gangs and drugs and may not be suitable for all members of your family. Parental discretion is strongly advised but it does open up conversations for parents of teens to have with their children regarding the circumstances surrounding the issues Brendan faces not only from peer pressure from his old life but also in dealing with defending his faith to people who don't believe he's changed for the better. In this DVD extra's are some clips that can be used for Bible Study purposes as well as a discussion guide link for more resources. My 14-year-old daughter watched this with us and found it worth watching because is deals with the very things happening within our high school and she got to see an positive alternative by the end of the film both in the way of second chances and in how God can come through when you least expect it. Well worth every 108 minutes and for that I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars.

Now for the best part, thanks to Provident Films and Fly By Promotions, they are offering a giveaway copy to one lucky follower of my blog. Here's all you need to do to enter:

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

2. "Like" my Facebook page, Reviews From The Heart. 

3. Be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. No P.O. Boxes please!

4. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a copy of this DVD. Don't forget to include your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

I will notify the winner by email when the giveaway ends on November 14th. You can enter as many times as you want!

For more information about King's Faith, Provident Films or where you can pick up a copy of this DVD today, please click on the links below:

King's Faith by Provident Films

You can also find out more information on King's Faith through Facebook.

Thirty Days To Glory

It is said the power of prayer is one of the strongest tools a believer has. When we lift the needs of someone up in prayer, God hears. That is exactly what happens when Elmer Grigsby winds up on Catherine Benson's prayer list. Not knowing what she should pray for, she takes to whatever she believes the Spirit lays on her heart. "Father, please make sure Elmer Grigsby has what he needs to eat. And lead him in the ever lasting way." It's something that the Glory Circle sisters has decided to incorporate as this years project. To take random names from the phone book and pray for them. Catherine was gifted with the "G's."

All Elmer Grigsby knows is that each of his days for the month is marked off by the number of bottles of booze he has left to consume. If he rations wisely by the time he is finished with the last one, it's time to head to the post office to pick up his check, pay his bills and spend the rest in bottles of alcohol to pass the time. His only companion through this life is a cat he has managed to save from the trash and now they pass the days away scouring the local dumpsters in town looking for whatever they can find in the way of food or salvageable items. But all Elmer knows is after his last haul of alcohol, something is happening, things are changing in his life and soon they all culminate with a newspaper he finds. That and the prayers that seem to be changing him in ways he never knows. One that will lead him to a crossroad he never expected to find.

Since the death of her husband, Catherine is passing away her elderly years writing daily reminders so as to not forget important details in her life. Her only companion is Emily who visits as often as needed to provide whatever care that Catherine needs, fixing meals, running errands or checking the mail. As Christmas nears and Catherine's family makes other plans instead of the usual family get together, Catherine remains bittersweet about all the changes happening in her life as well as the lives of the elderly ladies she's friends with at church. Her son and daughter believe that Catherine is too old to be living all alone in the house she used to share with her husband Edward before he died and feel that moving to a retirement home closer to either of them, might be the next step in her life. But Catherine isn't ready to say goodbye to her home just yet. She wants at least one more Christmas in her home before she can commit to making any major life changing decisions.

I received the novel Thirty Days to Glory by Kathy Nickerson compliments of Cross River Media for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed her are strictly my own. This is a perfect novel for those looking for a Christmas themed one with a powerful message by the end. The chapters toggle between the lives of Elmer Grigsby, a drunk who lives for one more bottle and Catherine Benson who just wants one more Christmas in her home. Because of the way this novel is written, the reader generally comes to care for Catherine and Elmer through their unknown connection through prayer. What happens by the end of the book, I didn't see coming but it definitely is bittersweet. I can only hope that Kathy Nickerson decides to continue with the cast of characters you come to love and care about through this novel at some future date. I for one would love to see many, many more! For that reason, I'd rate this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Thirty Days to Glory, Kathy Nickerson or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Thirty Days to Glory by Kathy Nickerson

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

You can visit Kathy Nickerson on her website by clicking here.

Traces of Mercy

For a woman known only as Mercy, a name bestowed upon her by a group of Nuns where she was living has the difficulty of two lives, one known and one becoming known. Mercy was found by a group of men, dressed like a man and with her chest bound at the buried under a wagon that had gone over a cliff. Now that she is in the process of recovering from her physical injuries, she can't remember who she is or what she was doing. She can't even remember anything as simple as her name. Now armed with learning things day by day as she retains the memories of only her present day, she struggles with understanding just who she was and what she was doing when she was found.

The only clue to her past lies with the clothes she was found it and the medallion she was wearing around her neck. A medallion that is meant to remind the wearer to pray for safety, Our Lady of Mercy. Now if she can only remember her past, she might have some ideas of what her future holds. Until that time, the doctor has arranged for a group of nuns at the Little Sisters of Hope to care for her and also a journal for her to write down her thoughts. It might be something in her writing that might trigger the memory that remains the only area that she hasn't been able to heal from.

When a chance encounter while out riding a horse to a nearby park in the heat of the day, she spots a peaceful looking pond. Thinking that a nice cool swim might just hit the spot while she waits for her horse to drink, she takes a plunge literally into a life altering course of action. Just as soon as she is stripped down to her undergarments, a carriage arrives with Rand Prescott and his date Cora on a picnic. Thinking that Mercy is a man, Rand asks Cora to turn her back and as Mercy rises from the lake it is apparent that he has mistaken her gender. More than embarrassed, Rand tries to apologize for his rude behavior but Cora isn't about to let it go. It will be just that fateful encounter alone that will bind Mercy and Rand in an unexpected way.

I received Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr and Cindy Kelly compliments of David C Cook Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance 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 one for me was hard to immerse myself in, despite knowing that the author was indeed the son of actor Michael Landon. The beginning was hard to draw the reader in and I found myself wandering more than I wanted to with when the story was about to get interesting. I like the premise overall and without going into too many details as that would give away the ending, I will say I did not like how it ended. I was hoping for so much more and was simply left wanting more. Not in a great way as to make me pick up the next novel in this book, but disappointed is a more appropriate term. For those that love novels surrounding the American Civil War with a romantic twist, then this might be one you'd like. For me, I'd rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and it simply wasn't one I could really get into the storyline without losing interest.

For more information about Traces of Mercy, Michael Landon Jr or Cindy Kelley, or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr and Cindy Kelley

 For more reviews on Traces of Mercy from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Book Tour, please click here. 

• Series: Mercy Medallion Trilogy
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: David C. Cook (October 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0781408695
• ISBN-13: 978-0781408691
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches