Book Reviews

These books were given to us by the authors and publishers for us to read and review. After the review, we will add them to the MOPS Library so that others may check them out and enjoy them. Thank you to all who have donated books. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Thank you as well to all who have read and reviewed the books.

Book: Bible Stories for Growing Kids
Author: Francine Rivers & Shannon Rivers Coibion
Reviewer: Melissa, MOPS at Oakbrook

WOW!  What an awesome book!  I plan to buy this as a devotional for my family!

The illustrations immediately drew me in and let me know this book is for kids.  Each story is told in plain words with pronunciations for difficult names and places.  The stories are defiantly rooted in the Bible.  Although they are somewhat fiction, I didn’t feel that is was blasphemous or wrong and very believable.

I really enjoyed the growing time at the end of each story.  There are facts to learn, truths to glean, and questions to discuss.  I especially enjoyed the tips for prayer, as this is an area my kids find helpful.This is a quality children’s resource I can happily recommend!  I give it 10 stars on a scale of 1 to 5!!
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Book: Bottom Line
Author: Kimberly Stuart
Reviewer: Melissa, MOPS at Oakbrook

My latest read was called Bottom Line by Kimberly Stuart.  WOW!!! Did I love this book or what?!?!?  Unfortunately for me, it was book 2 in a series and I can’t locate book 1 (or books 3-? if there are such things).  I enjoyed EVERYTHING about this book.  It has believable characters, a great plot, laughter, tears, and frequent reminders of God’s love and grace.  How do you get anything better than that in fiction?

I could relate easily to this story about a SAHM with an EGR (extra grace required) toddler.  Heidi (the Mom and main character) gave up her job in the workforce when Nora was born and hasn’t looked back—much.  She does miss the extra income.  She finds a way to supplement her family’s income through a “Christian-based” sales company.  However, that is not without its problems.  She also struggles with the idea of expanding their family and prays for God to show her and her husband what His will is for them.

This book gets a DEFINITE 5 stars from me (OF COURSE that’s out of 5)!  I may even put this author on my Christmas list!!!
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Book: Daughter of Joy
Author: Kathleen Morgan
Reviewer: Cara, MOPS at Oakbrook

Daughter of Joy is an intriguing story that makes you think about your own life. Kathleen Morgan writes about Conor MacKay and Abigail Stanton who have both been hurt badly in their past. Through these difficulties, Conor has turned his back on God, but Abigail holds on to Him now more than ever. Can this really be God’s will for them? It is a captivating love story that unfolds with twists and turns, heartbreaks and joys.
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Book: Desperate Pastor’s Wives
Author: Ginger Kolbaba & Christy Scannell
Reviewer: Melissa, MOPS at Oakbrook

I just finished reading Desperate Pastor’s Wives by Ginger Kolbaba & Christy Scannell.  This is a fiction book with four main characters, these ladies each being a pastors’ wife.  It interested me because I, too, am a pastor’s wife.

Overall, I would say that this is a funny, easily-read fiction work with likeable characters and an interesting plot. Each of the ladies has an issue they are struggling with, and have trouble confiding in anyone other than the group members. They even, at times, have difficulty in confiding in their spouses. It is very relatable and rings true to those of us in the same situation. These ladies are experiencing real pain and one even questions God’s hand in her life, which is something I think most Christian women experience at some point or another in their lives.

There is a “villain” of sorts in the book, as well, named Katherine “Kitty” Katt. She is the “perfect” pastors’ wife of another church in the area, who flaunts her perfection at every opportunity. This woman certainly gets “on the nerves” of the other pastors’ wives and is not invited to partake in their bi-monthly escapes to a neighboring town for lunch and sharing. She does, however, end up having a human side and ends up baring her soul for the other women in a strange twist at the end of the book.

I felt that the book had many good moments and kept my interest, if for no other reason than to learn what happened to these women in the end. I did, however, have a little trouble believing some of the events as they were described. It was almost as though the author wasn’t sure how to write their great ideas into story form, so it came out kind of stilted. One difficult point for me was the ending when Kitty is exposed and the ladies each share their hearts with her. It seems to happen to easily, as each woman’s soul is bared with this virtual stranger. Then Kitty shared her problems (that we’ve seen hints of throughout the book) and “seems” to have broken through her façade. However, after a brief stop at the bathroom, she’s back to her ice princess ways. The book ends shortly thereafter with a quick quip that “it’s all good”. I found the ending to be less than fulfilling.

This book has great potential; I just didn’t feel that it was as good as it could have been.
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Book: If You Can’t Lose It, Decorate It: And Other Hip Alternatives to Dealing with Reality
Author: Anita Renfroe
Reviewer: Cara, MOPS at Oakbrook

In If You Can’t Lose It, Decorate It, Anita writes as if she is talking with a girlfriend.  She talks about changing your attitude (redecorating) towards your situation on subjects such as kids, finances, relationships, work and so much more while keeping it light and filled with laughter.  It’s a must read for every woman in any situation to help you get a new perspective on life.
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Book: In His Dreams
Author: Gail Gaymer Martin
Reviewer: Cara, MOPS at Oakbrook

In His Dreams is a very compelling and thought provoking read.  It is a story of true love that unfolds from a chance meeting.  But, is it chance or is it God’s plan?  Marsha and Jeff are both vacationing on Beaver Island for the summer.  Marsha lost her husband, Don, 4 years earlier and was struggling to find her way.  Jeff was also struggling through life as well with the loss of his brother (Marsha’s husband) and his wife, being left to be the father and mother to a daughter with a disability.  Can they really learn to trust and love each other and lean on God after all they have been through?
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Book: Maggie’s Story
Author: Dandi Daley Mackall
Reviewer: Melissa, MOPS at Oakbrook

This book drew me in because it is based in a “Podunk town in Ohio” (which is where I’m from) and promised to be about love.  Neither point disappointed me.

I was pleased to discover that this is a modern day re-telling of Mary Magdalene’s story.  All events were updated to today’s language and circumstances so that the non-Bible reader could pick it up and relate to it.  I enjoyed seeing what events of today the author would equate to those of long ago.

This was a quick, enjoyable read that I would recommend to friends both Christian and non-Christian.  I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.
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Book: Remember to Forget
Author: Deborah Raney
Reviewer: Melissa, MOPS at Oakbrook

Remember to Forget by Deborah Raney is a must-read for all romantic fiction lovers out there!  This was such an awesome page-turner; I had it read in about a day (not bad for a book of nearly 350 pages)!

Our main character, Maggie Anderson, is in need of a major life over-haul!  Her childhood wasn’t good and her adult life isn’t promising to be much better.  That is, of course, until she is carjacked!  How can that be a good thing?  You’ll have to read the book to find out!  God can use ANY situation in our lives to bring us to Him, and Mrs. Raney shows that beautifully in her book.  Another important character in the book, Trevor Ashlock, has had his fair share of problems as well.  But he has kept his faith in God through it all and is used by God to point Maggie in the right direction.  And though Maggie has to hide the truth from him as first, he finds himself in a position to help her escape from her past forever.  Will he help her do it and be able to forgive her for the deception?

After reading this book, I immediately went to the library’s website and put a hold on all books by this author!  I have now finished another 4 of her books and have a short stack to complete.  I HIGHLY recommend this author for a smooth read and a DEFINITE feel-good book!

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Book: The Story of Me
Author: Stan and Brenna Jones
Reviewer: Cara, MOPS at Oakbrook

The Story of Me was very good at answering questions from young children without going into too much detail.  Stan and Brenna Jones start off with a little boy asking his parents to “Tell me the story about me.”  Then his parents lovingly explain how God uses parents to make a baby and how it is brought into the world.  They also include helpful information about talking to your children about sex at different ages.  It’s a great book for every parent to read with their child.