City On Our Knees by Toby Mac

Toby Mac is a Grammy Award-winning artist whose solo work has earned three certified gold albums. City on Our Knees, the inspiration for this book, spent thirteen weeks as Billboard's No. 1 Christian song. TobyMac is married, with five children, and lives near Nashville, Tennessee. The song is about a moment, "if we gotta start somewhere why not here". So you can successfully assume that the book is based on that same idea. The whole idea behind the book is the challenge you to step out of your comfort zone, out of your safety net, and take that first step to making amazing things happen. It is full of inspirational stories of people who have created change by not only being available to God, but by taking action. It also has various blog posts with TobyMac giving you further insight into his heart towards music, ministry, and this book.

"Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still" E.M. Bounds.

"Prayer itself is an art which only the Holy Spirit can teach us. Pray for prayer. Pray until you can really pray" Charles H. Spurgeon.

They are stories about people who have changed communities, about prayer groups that have changed cities, about prisons that have experienced massive revivals, about men and women who have quit their jobs and changed their lives in order to live for Jesus. If you are looking for something to inspire you, to get the wind of the Holy Spirit blowing again in your life, this is the book for you.

For more information on the book City On Our Knees or to purchase your favorite Christian fiction, check out DeeperShopping.com

**I received a complimentary copy of this book through Tyndale House Publishers

The Damascus Way by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke

Let me start off by stating that The Damascus Way is one of the better books I have read in a long time. It is the story of a young woman named Julia who lives with her mother in a beautiful home with a wealthy lifestyle. The story is situated 40 A.D. during the time of the apostles, more specifically during the conversion of Paul. Julia's comfortable life is soon shaken when she realizes that her father has kept a secret that leaves her questioning everything. The story bounces between Julia as well as a young Christian man named Jacob. Jacob works for Julia's father as a caravan guard but is seeking something more for his life. Julia and Jacob are drawn together when they inadvertently realize that they are both couriers for the persecuted church. A story of danger, of commitment, of persecution and abuse, and of wonder and hope. It will take you back to a simpler yet far more dangerous time and leave you in wonder at the passion and faith of these people who were privileged to live during the time of Jesus.

The books that speak to me the most are not the ones that are a good story, but rather the ones that leave me with a sense of purpose and a desire to get up and change something in myself. Although this is a fictional story, it is based during a time of history that is true and therefore the accounts are believable and realistic. In a time and culture where life takes all that I have, I cannot help but think that Paul and the apostles would be sorry for us. In that time, each person lived for God, with all that they were. They did not have much in the way of possessions, nothing to do but work hard and minister to others. All in all I was convicted and saddened that the "story" of Christians has changed so much.

I was incredibly touched by this book. It is well written, its realism is undeniable, and its power very real. I can find nothing to critique, from cover to cover, this book will grace my shelf for many years to come. For more information on The Damascus Way or to purchase a copy of your own, check out DeeperShopping.com. The book retails for about $10-$15 and will keep you turning the pages.

** I received this complimentary review copy from Tyndale House Publishers

Back On Murder Review

Book: Back on Murder
Author: J. Mark Bertrand
Publisher: Bethany House
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0637-5
Genre: FICT Suspense






Back on Murder is a book that will keep you guessing. As with any mystery novel, the key is to never be predictable. And the more books that are written, the harder it is to be original. I found this book to be a mix of originality and "been there done that". It was a little hard to get into at first, definitely not a book that has it's hooks in you from the very beginning. But overall, I was impressed with the storyline.


The storyline: The story begins with Roland March, an out-of-favor homicide detective. After a life-altering event (to which the book refers but keeps you guessing until the end), Roland was never the same as a detective. He slowly fell from the top to the very bottom and is now verging on the precipice of unwanted. A simple discovery makes him realize that he loves his job and he is given one last chance to save his career. Gambling on hunches and instinct, Roland steps out on a limb and follows a lead that no one else believes in. "Battling a new partner, an old nemesis, and the demons of his past, getting to the truth could cost March everything. Even his life."

What I liked about this book: I enjoyed the overall storyline of this book. Despite the slow tempo, it was interesting and provocative. I appreciated the relationship as portrayed between Roland and his wife. Although it depicts problems between them, their marriage remains strong. I enjoyed the mystery and sense of reality that came with it. It is obvious that Bertrand is familiar with the mechanics of the homicide department and this gave the book an essence of truth.

What I didn't like about this book: If Bertrand could have increased the tempo and made this book more suspenseful, it would be far superior. I thought it didn't really succeed in being a suspense. There was mystery to it as Roland searched to solve his case, however there was not really an element of nail-biting suspense. I thought Roland's character could have been developed a bit more. I believe the intention of leaving his story a secret until the end was meant to draw the reader in, however it had nearly the opposite effect. Too much mystery makes a story boring and I found it hard to relate to and understand Roland until the end.

Who this book is good for: Anyone who enjoys a good book really. This book is a great gift for man or woman alike. It is a fantastic read for any day and the slower tempo makes it possible to put it down and save it for another time. I appreciate that aspect as a mother who rarely has time to read as I was drawn to it but not controlled by it :)

For more information on the book, Back on Murder, or to purchase your favorite Christian fiction, check out DeeperShopping.com

**This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Unwilling Warrior Review

Book: Unwilling Warrior                      

Author: Andrea Boeshaar
Publisher:  Strang Book Group
ISBN: 978-1-59979-985-8
Genre: Historical Christian Romance                                          

I recently received Unwilling Warrior by Andrea Boeshaar in the mail. It is a historical romance (yes, I get a lot of those) set in the mid 1800's during the civil war. I read this book in one sitting, it was an easy read and interesting enough to keep me up late to finish it-which is always a good sign. The story is well written and the plot has a number of interesting twists to it. My first impression after reading it was that it is interesting albeit forgettable. Historical Romance is a tough genre as there is a LOT of competition out there. It takes something pretty bold to make a particular book stand out in your mind, and this is not one of those books.

The storyline: Valerie Fontaine is a 19 year old young woman whose mother has recently died. She comes home from finishing school to live with her father and finds her welcome slightly less than she was anticipating. She meets a young, handsome photographer, Benjamin McCabe, who is on a quest to find his younger brother and yes... it is "love at first sight". Insert jealous suitor and arranged marriage; add a little conspiracy and political treachery and you have yourself a story that goes above and beyond the typical romance novel.

What I liked about this book: I really enjoyed the development on the main character, Valerie Fontaine. She was almost believable and quite likeable. I also enjoyed the general storyline and plot. Andrea Boeshaar's flowing writing style made the Unwilling Warrior very easy to read and get into.

What I didn't like about this book: You guessed it... "love at first sight", jealous suitors, and all the things that make a story cliche and unrealistic. Give me a messy, tough, gut-wrenching romance that brings in the elements of true love and I will be a happy woman. I found the title did not match the story at all. There is one mention of the "unwilling warrior" in the novel and it really has nothing to do with the main storyline between Valerie and Benjamin.

Who this book is good for: This is a great book for a rainy day, a good book for anyone who enjoys romance, and most likely a good book for a teenager (this is the type of book I would have enjoyed when I was younger).

For more information on the book, Unwilling Warrior, or to purchase your favorite Christian fiction, check out DeeperShopping.com

**I received this book free of charge from Glass Road Public Relations