Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren

Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson is the oldest of the Banning sisters and determined to provide for them after the death of her father, a sugar baron in the West Indies. Her childhood friend, Gray Covington, also intends to cross the Atlantic and rebuild his father's plantation on Nevis, conveniently located near Keturah's inheritance. However, in the years since their childhood friendship, Keturah has suffered greatly at the hands of a man and has no intention of being beholden to one. Ever. Still, Keturah and her sisters are unaware of all that awaits them on Nevis and Gray seems to be her only option for an ally. Will Keturah and Gray ever share more than adjacent land and crops? Can Keturah accept healing from the one who knows her in the depth of her soul? Read more in Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren.

Keturah is the first novel in The Sugar Baron's Daughters series by Lisa T. Bergren. The story line caught my attention nearly as quickly as the novel's stunning cover did. The gentle love story between Keturah and Gray ebbed and flowed as circumstances, perhaps Providence, led them toward a joint future. However, between all the topics addressed in the novel (status of women, infidelity, slavery, domestic abuse, etc.) and the overarching question of how Keturah's endeavor will turn out, the love story felt less prevalent than I would have liked. But that's just my personal taste.

Overall, Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren is a good read, but I'm not sure if I will read this again. Readers looking for a tale with a strong female protagonist pitted against unexpected odds will enjoy this book.

Read an excerpt from Keturah by Lisa Tawn Bergren on the publisher's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."

CSB Kid's Bible

I choose the CSB Kid's Bible for my daughter because it uses the text of the Holman Publisher's Christian Standard Bible, which I've heard very good things about. This Bible includes the full Biblical text and 40 full-color pages with study helps and maps. These include things like: Studying your Bible, a topical page for common life situations, and information about divisions of the Bible. There are also pages to develop Bible reading skills and testing Bible character knowledge. The introduction includes information on the translation philosphy of the CSB, gender language use in this translation, how to use footnotes, etc. This well-made, hardcover Bible seems durable and the full-color pages are vibrant and inviting.

My five year old daughter was immediately interested by this Bible. However, she's still learning to read and can't read it all on her own. She and I read portions of it together and talk about what we read. However, I think this Bible is probably suited for older children, tweens, and teens. I'll read it to her for now and in a few years I'll hand it over to her completely.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."

Talking About God by Steve and Cheri Saccone

Talking About God: Honest Conversations About Spirituality by Steve and Cheri Saccone teaches readers through observation, rather than directives, how to talk about God and share the Good News with people around them.

Talking About God is not the typical book about evangelism or how to lead someone to salvation. The book begins with a prologue, is filled with lengthy conversations the Saccones have had with friends, and concludes with some notes in the afterward. At first, I merely observed the conversations, but by the time I read through a few, I began to glean nuggets of wisdom out of each conversation. One nugget example: We are partnering with God when we reach out to people with the message of salvation. It's too easy for me to think that if I just say the words perfectly, things will work out and I will get them to be saved – as if I have control over anyone else's salvation... No, God prepares others and then brings us in and partners with us for the benefit of ourselves and the other person. Also, another nugget: Prayer laced through the conversations.

As I previously mentioned, most of the book consists of the reader observing, rather than being directly instructed. However, the prologue and afterward do give some pointers. In fact, there is an intensive, almost overwhelming, over-two-pages-long list of Do's and Don'ts in the prologue. Fortunately, it's not required to memorize these as most of them fall under: (1) Engaging people who need to come to know God. (2) Treating the person with respect and dignity even when they may not agree with us. (3) Being emotionally honest.

Talking About God by Steve Saccone and Cheri Saccone offers readers a different perspective than most books I've read on this subject. I found the book encouraging because the authors share their nervousness, insecurities, even occasional missteps and how God can use imperfect people to share the Good News of salvation. I think this book best fits with people who want to reach out to their friends, co-workers, and acquaintances who don't know God. It doesn't really address family members and the extra issues that can go along with that.

Read an excerpt from Talking About God by Steve and Cheri Saccone on the publisher's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."