Reviews by Janet Hovis
The Boy Who Changed the World
On 9/7 Janet Hovis wrote: One of my favourite authors is Andy Andrews, and I was excited to review his children's book that is based on the adult book titled The Butterfly Effect. The significance of each action that we make is beautifully illustrated in ways that children can easily relate to. Four individual stories are included ... The Boy Who Changed the World by Andy Andrews
The Butterfly Effect
On 9/7 Janet Hovis wrote: Every move that we make is important ... and Andy Andrews demonstrates in his book The Butterfly Effect just how significant each event or decision in our lives can be to future generations. One example of the butterfly effect is the great Gettysburg battle in July 1863. The decision that Joshua Lawrence ... The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews
You Changed My Life
On 9/5 Janet Hovis wrote: You Changed My Life is the perfect gift book for someone whose actions have changed your life, for the better. Written in the typical Max Lucado style, this book has a collection of short stories that show the incredible impact that one act of kindness can have on someone else. There are relevant scriptures ... You Changed My Life by Max Lucado
Let's Do Lunch
On 8/17 Janet Hovis wrote: Roger Troy Wilson lost over 200 pounds by developing a very unusual diet plan. He believes that the key to losing weight is to eat everything you want, but make better choices. Some will say that this could be essentially called a fruit diet, as the author recommends that you consume astronomical amounts ... Let's Do Lunch by Roger Troy Wilson
Angel Song
On 8/1 Janet Hovis wrote: Angel Song is a story about Annie, an interior decorator from New York City who has returned to the small family home in Charleston where she grew up. She went home to help her sister Sarah celebrate receiving her master’s degree. Within hours of arriving home, everything is changed forever as the sisters ... Angel Song by Sheila Walsh and Kathryn Cushman
Same Kind of Different As Me
On 7/13 Janet Hovis wrote: Same Kind of Different As Me is the story of an unusual friendship that develops between Denver, a black homeless man and Ron, a very wealthy white man. Ron's wife Deborah felt led to donate time at a neighbourhood homeless shelter, and she somehow convinced her husband Ron to join her, one night a ... Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
The Heart Mender
On 6/18 Janet Hovis wrote: The Heart Mender is a beautiful love story, but it also details the ravages of war as innocent people were torn away from their loved ones. The story begins when the author Andy Andrews discovers some hidden artifacts from World War II buried in his yard. He begins a search to find out how and why the ... The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews
An Honest Love
On 4/23 Janet Hovis wrote: A great story intertwines the lives of two young couples as their romance blossoms, but secrets from their past threaten their future happiness. Before they can move on ... they need to trust each other enough to be honest. The refreshing simplicity of this Amish community and these young people as they ... An Honest Love by Kathleen Fuller
66 Love Letters
On 3/13 Janet Hovis wrote: 66 Love Letters is an amazing book about finding our own place in God's story. There are 66 chapters, one for each book of the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. In each chapter, Dr. Crabb presents a dialogue between man and God. He asks God a lot of questions, and God has such relevant and timely ... 66 Love Letters by Dr. Larry Crabb (Review)
Mom's Bible: God's Wisdom for Mothers
On 2/4 Janet Hovis wrote: I loved reading this Mom's Bible! The New Century Version is an easy to read translation that everyone will understand. The layout of the entire Bible is pleasing to the eye, and it is interspersed with tons of valuable commentaries and day to day applications. This Bible is a treasure and a valuable ... Review: Mom's Bible, God's Wisdom for Mothers (NCV) with notes by Bobby Wolgemuth
Where is God?
On 1/21 Janet Hovis wrote: "Where is God?" is the cry of people in tough times throughout the ages, and is very relevant today as tens of thousands have died and over a million people are homeless after the recent earthquakes in Haiti. All over the world people are asking the question, "Where ... Review: Where is God? (by John Townsend)
Saving Cicadas
On 12/24 Janet Hovis wrote: Saving Cicadas had me wrapped up in the lives of an unforgettable family, and I couldn't put this book down until I was finished. All the characters captured my attention - there is 8 year old Janie, her 17 year old sister Rainey with Down Syndrome, their mother Priscilla who is unhappily expecting ... Review: Saving Cicadas (by Nicole Seitz)
Healing Sands
On 12/4 Janet Hovis wrote: "You know where you've been, the silence whispered to me. Now - will that lead you to someplace you need to go? Or will you let time blow over your tracks before you find your way?" I love this quote from the book "Healing Sands". Ryan Coe's life was out of control. She is divorced, her husband has custody ... Healing Sands (by Nancy Rue and Stephen Arterburn)
The Sacred Meal
On 11/19 Janet Hovis wrote: I just finished reading “The Sacred Meal” and found it very enjoyable. If you would like to learn more about the sacred and ancient practice of holy communion, this book by Nora Gallagher is a very good place to start. I loved the simple way that Nora Gallagher described how we should look at the ... The Sacred Meal by Nora Gallagher (a book review)
Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain
On 11/7 Janet Hovis wrote: "Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain" is one of the hardest books I have ever read, but I highly recommend it. Maybe it was so hard to read because it was hitting too close to home. It took a long time for me to finish reading this book, but it was not because the words were difficult to understand. I simply ... Finding Purpose Beyond Our Pain by Paul Meier and David L. Henderson (a book review)
The Noticer
On 10/18 Janet Hovis wrote: I really want to meet Jones. I first heard about him on a Sunday afternoon while reading a book called “The Noticer”. Once I started reading the book, I couldn't put it down until I was finished. It was a quick and easy read, a heartwarming yet profound story that I will definitely read again. We ... The Noticer by Andy Andrews
Kabul 24
On 10/18 Janet Hovis wrote: Kabul 24 is a story of Taliban extremists who kidnapped and imprisoned 8 humanitarians from the SNI (Shelter Now International). In the summer of 2001, just before the World Trade Centre attacks in New York, eight missionaries were imprisoned for 105 days in absolutely inhumane and desperate conditions. ... Kabul 24 by Ben Pearson & Henry Arnold
Fearless
On 9/27 Janet Hovis wrote: I would highly recommend Max Lucado's latest book titled "Fearless" to anyone who is dealing with fear in their life, and that means everyone! Unfortunately, we all have fear ... and it could be a fear of dying, a fear of failing in our relationships, a fear of financial ruin, a fear of getting cancer ... Fearless by Max Lucado