Reviews by Beth Strand
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Broken Wings
On 2/25 Beth Strand wrote: If you like fantasy and you like angels, then this mix of the two by Shannon Dittemore will be right up your alley. Brielle and Jake, both humans blessed with unusual abilities are being targeted by the “Evil One” himself. Unknown to them, they are pieces in a much larger battle, one taking place ... “Broken Wings” Delivers Fast-Paced Angelic Fantasy
Moon Over Edisto
On 1/29 Beth Strand wrote: Julia has it all. She’s a successful artist in New York, well, making a living at least, and has a handsome British boyfriend. She’s heading away for a summer in Budapest and there may be a ring in her immediate future. Julia’s life is focused on the future, until her past decides to come calling. ... “Moon Over Edisto” Will Warm Your Heart
Threads of Grace
On 1/24 Beth Strand wrote: The widowed Grace Beiler came to Pine Hollow seeking a refuge for herself and her autistic son. Marriage was nowhere in her plans until circumstances force her to choose between marrying a younger man and losing her son. Can she be a wife to this passionate younger man and will the secret he harbors ... “Threads of Grace” Weaves a Delightful Romance
Lovelier Than Daylight
On 1/17 Beth Strand wrote: Based on actual events, this fictionalized account of love and conflict set against the Westerville Whiskey Wars of 1875 and 1878 brings an era to life with ease and grace. Susanna Hanby has her whole life ahead of her in a comfortable pattern. After a quick visit to her married sister, she’s enrolling ... “Lovelier Than Daylight” Brings the Westerville Whiskey Wars to Life
Every Perfect Gift
On 12/31 Beth Strand wrote: Sophie Caldwell has returned to the scene of her unhappy childhood determined to prove herself as a newspaperwoman despite the mystery of her parentage which puts some people against her. On one of her earliest interviews, she meets and finds herself attracted to Ethan Heyward who very quickly displays ... “Every Perfect Gift” Left Me Lukewarm
Fully Alive
On 12/3 Beth Strand wrote: After seeing Ken Davis at Women of Faith, I jumped at the chance to review this book. Ken had to be one of the funniest, most entertaining and inspiring speakers I’ve ever seen. Now the ability to speak live doesn’t always translate to writing well but Ken is just as entertaining on the page as in ... Are You Living "Fully Alive?"
Darkness Rising
On 10/7 Beth Strand wrote: Truly the only reservation I have of “Darkness Rising” is that I wish I’d read the first one first. Starting with book two in any series can leave you feeling like you came into the play on the second act but Lis Wiehl and Pete Nelson do a nice job of weaving background into the story without ... “Darkness Rising” is a Supernatural Thrill Ride
52 Little Lessons from It's a Wonderful Life
On 10/1 Beth Strand wrote: I don’t know about you but I love “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It’s on my “watch-it-every-year” list along with “The Bishop’s Wife.” So, when I saw that Bob Welch had put together “52 Little Lessons from It’s a Wonderful Life,” I was intrigued. And, a little doubtful…was this ... “52 Little Lessons from It’s a Wondeful Life” is a Must-Read for Capra Fans!
The Scent of Rain
On 8/12 Beth Strand wrote: Dapne Sweeten’s life has taken a severe turn for the worse. Left at the altar in a designer dress, she experiences the worst thing a professional nose can have…a sudden and complete lack of smell. Dapne is set to start a new job in two weeks using her well-trained nose to create scents that will ... "The Scent of Rain"
Simple Secrets to a Happy Life
On 7/16 Beth Strand wrote: Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit but Luci Swindoll has packed up almost 80 years of wisdom on how to be happy and packaged it in bite-sized essays. Each essay focuses on a different life lesson in happiness. The lessons are sorted into five parts, The Basics, Developing Your Style, Achieving Balance, ... If You Want to be Happy for the Rest of Your Life, Read ”Simple Secrets to a Happy Life” by Luci Swindoll
Constantly Craving
On 5/8 Beth Strand wrote: Is there something you find yourself craving more of? Romance, time, chocolate? Cravings may be a natural part of life but sometimes they get out of control and we find ourselves stuck in behavior cycles that are the best for us. We don’t even understand where our cravings are coming from. In “Constantly ... What Are You "Constantly Craving?"
Heart of Ice (trade paper)
On 2/13 Beth Strand wrote: Former classmates Cassidy, Allison and Nicole jokingly call themselves the “Triple Threat Club” because of their respective careers as a crime reporter, prosecutor, and FBI agent. Right now, a threat they never anticipated is moving in their direction and their lives are about to experience a major ... "Heart of Ice" Will Chill You to the Bone
Beyond Molasses Creek
On 1/23 Beth Strand wrote: Looking for a relaxing but thought-provoking novel to while away a winter’s afternoon? If so, I highly recommend “Down Molasses Creek” by Nicole Seitz. You’ll meet Ally Green, recently returned to an empty house and a lost love after her father’s death. After years of running from her past, ... Spend an Afternoon "Beyond Molasses Creek"
The Encounter
On 1/3 Beth Strand wrote: Mega-successful entrepreneur, Jonathan Rush has it all and then some. However, when we meet him, he is flying in his private jet to Fairbanks in the dead of winter. His goal is not another business deal but instead dealing with a mystery from his own past…why did his mother abandon him when he was ... Make Time for "The Encounter"
Smitten
On 12/16 Beth Strand wrote: Smitten is a four-part story featuring novellas by four different authors, Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunter and Denise Hunter. The premise is fun…the town of Smitten, Vermont, faces financial ruin when the largest employer closes its doors. Searching for a way to save their local economy, ... Not Exactly Smitten with "Smitten"
Healing Is a Choice
On 12/1 Beth Strand wrote: I divide self-help books into three categories. 1) Read them and toss them, 2) read them and pass them, or 3) read them, reread them, recommend them, reread again and keep my copy safely at home. “Healing is a Choice” by Stephen Arterburn definitely falls into the third category. Warning: This ... "Healing is a Choice" by Stephen Arterburn
The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook
On 10/14 Beth Strand wrote: I’ve got to admit that I got this book for the title, after all, Christian Zombie Killers…how great is that? I was completely unsure what to expect but ended up really liking this book. First, a warning, this book is not intended for young audiences, I say high school and up. This book is a hybrid ... The “Christian Zombie Killers Handbook” is Not for the Faint of Heart!
There You'll Find Me
On 9/22 Beth Strand wrote: The cast of characters in "There You'll Find Me" may sound a little hackneyed, but Jenny B. Jones pulls you right into the story and gives the characters an authentic voice that makes them more real than stereotype. The story centers around Finley, a grieving hotel heiress, who goes on a study abroad ... A Lot to Like in "There You'll Find Me"
Stained Glass Hearts
On 9/12 Beth Strand wrote: I have loved Patsy Clairmont ever since my first Women of Faith Conference more than a decade ago. This tiny older lady captivated her audience while holding a tangle of rubber bands. Her dry, witty, yet compassionate delivery carries over onto every page of “Stained Glass Hearts” and I must say ... Making Something Beautiful from the Pieces - “Stained Glass Hearts” by Patsy Clairmont
One Call Away
On 8/29 Beth Strand wrote: There’s nothing like hearing a survivor tell their story and Brenda Warner tells her story of trials and triumphs with a blend of grace and humility. From her life as a young Marine receiving the kind of call no parent ever wants to hear to the devastating loss of both parents, Brenda recounts her ... Help is always “One Call Away”
George Washington Carver
On 8/14 Beth Strand wrote: I like biographies. I really, really like biographies but this one was a bit of a slog. If I was writing a term paper or wanting to assign a reference book for a student, this would be a go-to book but as an enjoyable read, it fell flat. The information is well-organized, there are many excerpts from ... Just the Facts - George Washington Carver by John Perry
The Blessing
On 7/15 Beth Strand wrote: Words are powerful. We’ve all experienced the damage harsh words can do and, hopefully, have felt the balm of kind words in troubled times. Many of us can identify with Mark Twain’s remark about being able to live a week on a good compliment but The Blessing by John Trent and Gary Smalley goes ... Making Words Count - “The Blessing”
The Quotable Rogue
On 6/15 Beth Strand wrote: I’m not sure anyone else in American politics today is quite as polarizing as Sarah Palin. People seem to love her or hate her without any kind of middle ground. So, I was intrigued at the opportunity to review “The Quotable Rogue - The Ideals of Sarah Palin in her Own Words” by Matt Lewis. Sarah ... The Quotable Rogue