orphans – Page 3 – Leah E. Good

January 4, 2013March 1, 2013

Book Review & Giveaway: The Pirate Daughter’s Promise

*giveaway closed*
You all ready for another giveaway? This time the book is The Pirate Daughter’s Promise. I hope you’ll take the time to read the review and leave a comment. Commenting will automatically enter you for a chance to win the book*. The winner will be announced this coming Thursday, January 10.

The little girl nodded but did not speak. Her wide eyes darted around the dank cell and finally fell on Daniel’s face, seeking reassurance. Daniel offered her a smile and glanced at the guards who stood stoically beside the closed cell door. He knew this would be the last time he would see Skye before his execution at dawn. This would have to be goodbye, and he didn’t know how long the guards would allow his daughter to stay.

Skye McHenry has led a difficult life cheered only by her faith and her two friends, Will and Matthew. Most people despise her because she is the daughter of a pirate. When pirates kidnap Skye, she knows they are hunting for her father’s treasure. She is determined to keep her promise to never reveal its location. Can Will and Matthew rescue her before it’s too late?

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and read the entire book the same day I got it. The writing style is a bit unpolished at times, but this does little to detract from the story. Skye’s faith and determination are admirable, and I love Will’s chivalry. I also like the fact that the entire family can read this book. The action and clean romance will keep older readers engaged while there is nothing inappropriate for a younger audience. I am looking forward to reading more of Molly Evangeline’s work.

Author: Molly Evangeline
Audience: All Ages
Genre: Historical Fiction/Adventure
Pages: 226
Publisher: Self-published

Book Review: Christmas In Canaan

Is everyone ready for Christmas; wrapping presents, reading the Christmas story, and listening to the Focus on the Family Radio Theater production of A Christmas Carol? Well here’s a book to add to the Christmasy mix.

“That’s what I always wanted to know. Why would some fella be willing to do something generous for a kid he doesn’t even know?” Rodney asked. “Have to say I’m surprised, Mr. Burton. Of all the people on the face of the earth,” he said, his voice softening, “I figured if anyone knew the answer to that one, it’d be you.”

Racial tension and a fight between school boys seems an unlikely start for a Christmas story, yet that is exactly how Christmas in Canaan begins. Rodney, a smart black boy, lives with his grandmother. DJ, a white boy, is the son of a farmer and struggles with school. After getting into a fight, both boys resent each other. They are horrified when DJ’s father and Rodney’s grandmother force them to live together for four days. They might have remained enemies if not for an injured dog. As they tend to the dog their grudging partnership grows into the bonds of a friendship that will last a lifetime. Their friendship carries them through the death of Rodney’s grandmother, hard times on the Burton farm, and a Christmas where they can’t afford gifts. It’s on that Christmas that Mr. Burton teaches them that, wherever friendship is, there will always be “some Christmas”. And, years later, when Christmas comes to Canaan, Rodney is ready to bring “some Christmas” to the friends that have become his family.

This is a heartwarming tale of friendship. The story rambles along like a stream but is not without a few rapids. A great read for anytime of year, but especially good for the holiday season.

Authors: Kenny Rogers & Donald Davenport
Audience: All Ages (Would make a great family read aloud)
Genre: General Fiction/Historical Fiction
Pages: 325
Publisher: HarperCollins

November 15, 2012November 15, 2012

Book Review: Saving Levi

Hopefully by the end of the month, I’ll be able to pull together a list of my favorite orphan/foster care/adoption books in honor of National Adoption Awareness Month. In the meantime, I figured I’d do an extra book review. This will be the first non-fiction book review for the blog. Enjoy!

It would be 24 hours from the time Levi was left to die in the field until I first saw him.

Lisa Bentley and her family were serving in a small, Chinese orphanage when they met the little boy that would become their son, Levi. He had been found in a field, left to die. Seventy percent of the baby’s body was covered in third to fourth degree burns. His survival seemed doubtful. As he fought for his life, Levi drew people from around the world together.

I’d been eyeing this book in CBD catalogs for some time and I finally purchased a copy at a homeschool conference several months ago. It’s a riveting story. Of course, when adoption and orphan care is involved, it doesn’t take much to make me like it! 😉 There are so many stories out there that showcase the very real truth that God cares about orphans. This book is one of those stories.

September 14, 2012September 14, 2012

Book Review: Roses for Mama

“I need to–to find ways to teach them. Encourage them. Just like Mama did with me.”

It has been three years since their parents death. Seventeen year old Angela and her nineteen year old brother Thomas work hard to keep the farm running and raise their three young siblings, but are their efforts enough? Angela worries that she will not train her charges as well as her mother would. When a wealthy man comes to town and begins courting her, Angela dreams of a new future for all of them. But when Carter realizes she plans to bring her family with her, he calls of the wedding. Will Angela’s responsibility keep her from marriage?

This is one of my favorite books and has been re-read many times. Angela’s devotion to her family is refreshing. The story pulls you along like the current of a gentle stream.

Author: Janette Oke
Audience: Young Adult through Adult
Genre: Nostalgic
Pages: 224
Publisher: Bethany House

Author Interview: Kristiana Gregory

September 1, 2012

Book Review: A Journey of Faith (Prairie River)

[Nessa] didn’t know how to disagree with a preacher, or if she was even allowed to, so she merely wrote, “Thank you, anyway, kind sir, but I am not going to marry you.”

Nessa has lived in an orphanage since she was a young child. Now, as her fourteenth birthday approaches, she worries about the marriage arranged between herself and the preacher, who is much older than her. Staying at the orphanage is not an option, so Nessa decides to flee. She arrives in Prairie River, Kansas with a depleted supply of money and no plans. Can she make friends and find a new life in Prairie River?

I read the Prairie River series several years ago and loved all of the books. I recently found one of the books at a book store and purchased it. Re-reading that book got me started and I have since re-read the first three books. I highly recommend them as good, clean and entertaining reading.

Author: Kristiana Gregory
Audience: 9 and up
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Pages: 212
Publisher: Scholastic

July 16, 2012July 15, 2012

Beautiful Pearl

She’s lying in her cradle,
Waiting for someone to care,
Needing someone to notice,
That she has a life to share.

Few know she’s born and waiting.
Few stop to open their eyes.
Who now will stop and listen?
Who now will care that she cries?

The God who sees the sparrows,
He calls His children to war,
Gives us His love and power
To fight for the weak and poor.

Who will take up the war cry?
To rescue a precious girl.
To live out pure religion,
And love a beautiful pearl.
————–
Please consider helping the Garner family as they adopt a beautiful little girl from Eastern Europe. Paisley has Spina Bifida and needs surgery in the U.S. as soon as possible.
Adoption Blog
Reese’s Rainbow Page

June 8, 2012September 10, 2012

Book Review: Worlds Unseen

When they see beyond the sky,
When they know beyond the mind,
When they hear the song of the Burning Light;
Take these Gifts of My Outstretched Hand,
Weave them together.
I shall come.

When Maggie promises to deliver a mysterious scroll to Pravik, she does not realize the magnitude of the journey she is embarking on. A clash between the forces of good and evil is beginning. A struggle that will change the seventh world. Maggie soon realizes that the scroll she carries is an important part of something she does not understand. Whatever happens, she must get it to Pravik. But will fulfilling her promise be enough?

I found this story about a year ago and was hooked from page one. This book is a riveting fantasy story with allegorical elements woven into it. I definitely recommend it. And there’s a bonus. You can read this book free by downloading the pdf file from Rachel Starr Thomson’s website. Be warned, once you read Worlds Unseen you’ll want to buy the other two books in the trilogy!

Author: Rachel Starr Thomson
Audience: 12 and up
Genre: Christian Fantasy
Series: Book one of The Seventh World Trilogy
Pages: 321
Publisher: Little Dozen Press

Join me on Wednesday, June 13th for an author interview with Rachel Starr Thomson!