Reviews by Rick Casto
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The House that Love Built
On 5/21 Rick Casto wrote: My review:"The House That Love Built" takes the reader on a trip to Smithville,Texas. After the death of her husband Travis a couple of years ago, Brooke Holloway still finds it hard to believe that she is now a single mother to her two children Meghan, who is six and Spencer who at the age of ten has ... The House That Love Built ~ review
Threads of Grace
On 3/5 Rick Casto wrote: My take on this book:I find myself reading Amish fiction on a pretty regular basis and the one thing I notice about Kelly Long's writing is that she often takes us outside the box with her Amish fiction stories. In "Threads of Grace" she touches on a few interesting subjects that I hadn't read of before ... Threads of Grace by Kelly Long ~ review
Waiting for Morning
On 1/28 Rick Casto wrote: In "Waiting For Morning" I was transported back to the year 1896. Life hadn't been easy for Molly Hatfield and her brother Donny. Their parents are dead, and Donny is bound to a wheelchair, something that Molly blames herself for. She works in a saloon and takes care of Donny the best that she can, but ... Waiting for Morning by Margaret Brownley ~ review
Betrayal
On 12/11 Rick Casto wrote: Julia Grace had been married for eleven years to Angus Grace, and now that he was dead, she finally truly felt free, and truthfully cared less if she ever married again. Thing is her husband's half brother wants her ranch, and marriage might be the only way that she can keep it. When Hugh Brennan, a ... Betrayal by Robin Lee Hatcher
The Gaither Homecoming Bible
On 11/13 Rick Casto wrote: I don't ever remember a time when I wasn't a fan of Bill and Gloria Gaither, and their wonderful ministry. So when I learned that there was a Bible being published that featured not only them but many wonderful people who have come into contact with the Gaither's during the years.There are so many things ... The Gaither Homecoming Bible ~ review
The River
On 9/11 Rick Casto wrote: " The River" by Michael Neale was a comfortable read, the opening lines in the prologue really describe how I felt about this book," it's hard to explain how a powerful story can resonate within us on so many levels, but it's often the way they speak with passion, ... The River by Michael Neale ~ review
The Reason
On 8/29 Rick Casto wrote: "The Reason" was different kind of read for me, one that once I started reading I was loathe to put down. I will admit the first couple of chapters took a bit to get thru, but that was because we were learning all the characters in the story, but once I figured out who was who I was drawn in. When ... The Reason by William Sirls ~ review
The Choice
On 8/13 Rick Casto wrote: "The Choice" by Robert Whitlow is a book that really grabbed me from the beginning.It's a thought provoking story about choices and how they affect our lives.The year is 1974 and Sandy Lincoln seem to have everything a young girl could want. She is a popular girl has her dream boyfriend and is a cheer ... The Choice by Robert Whitlow ~ review
What You Need to Know About Bible Prophecy
On 7/10 Rick Casto wrote: "What You Need To Know About Bible Prophecy" is an easy to use and understand workbook that teaches the user the basics of Christian faith. It is written in down to earth easy to understand manner, which makes it easy to understand.Perfect for someone that is new to Christianity, but also great ... What You Need To Know About Bible Prophecy by Max Anders
Arms of Love
On 5/22 Rick Casto wrote: "Arms of Love" by Kelly Long is really different than any other Amish story that I have read. First of all it takes place back in 1777, and secondly it deals with abuse. The time setting was unique, and the topic of abuse was one I don't think I had encountered before in Amish fiction.Adam Wyse is in ... Arms of Love by Kelly Long
KJV American Patriot's Bible
On 3/13 Rick Casto wrote: As a person who enjoys reading history as well as studying God's word this Bible is perfect. No matter what I say my review can't do this Bible justice. From the vivid illustrations to the full colored sections that delve into different aspects of our countries history that literally captured my eye ... American Patriot's Bible
Heart of Gold
On 2/20 Rick Casto wrote: My thoughts about this book:"Heart of Gold" is a historical fiction that takes the reader on a wonderfully adventurous journey to the west during the heart of the civil war.Even though Shannon Dailey moves to Idaho territory with her father who is a minister.Her heart is back home in Virginia ... Heart of Gold by Robin Lee Hatcher ~ review
Smitten
On 12/13 Rick Casto wrote: I must admit I am becoming a fan of short stories. I really enjoy when I get several short stories in one book and with "Smitten" we get four short stories by four different authors, but the great thing is that the stories are interwoven together. Each story begins where the other ends off, and allows ... Smitten (A Book Review)
An Amish Wedding
On 11/20 Rick Casto wrote: "An Amish Wedding" is a collection of three short stories written by three very popular Amish writers, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long. Most of the books that I have read that contained stories from three different writers usually don't connect but with this one the authors weave their ... An Amish Wedding ~ review
Lonestar Angel
On 11/1 Rick Casto wrote: For me this was a book that took me just a bit to get into, but really once I got a feel for the characters and their backgrounds it really took off for me. It was a book filled with mystery,suspense, romance and intrigue with a nice christian theme woven in. Imagine if you will your a young married ... Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble ~ review
His Steadfast Love
On 10/13 Rick Casto wrote: This is the second book that I have read by Golden Parsons and I really think I liked the first book titled "Where Hearts Are Free"much better than this one. I normally am a huge fan of historicals especially ones that take place around the Civil War but for me this book really didn't seem to be very ... His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parsons
Waking Hours
On 10/3 Rick Casto wrote: Book review for "Waking Hours":I haven't ever heard of Lis Wiehl but when I saw this book on Booksneeze I decided to give her writing a try. I thought the cover was quite eye catching and hoped the book inside was just as good. Well I think I am hooked on her writing. This book really captured my attention. ... Waking Hours by Lis Wiehl with Pete Nelson ---review
The Wonder of Your Love
On 10/2 Rick Casto wrote: "The Wonder Of Your Love" is the latest Amish book in Beth Wiseman's A Land Of Canaan Series. This is the story of Katie Ann Stoltzfus and Eli Detweiler. I found it quite interesting from the opening pages. Katie is an older single Amish mother, but there is a twist to her story. Her husband Ivan left ... The Wonder Of Your love by Beth Wiseman ~ review
Wrapped in Rain
On 9/11 Rick Casto wrote: I have never heard of Charles Martin the writer before, I actually have a cousin named Charles Martin but thats another story for another day.The writer Charles Martin really knows how to spin a story. While the book started out slow for me once it picked up momentium it became a book I couldn't put ... Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin ~ review
Treasuring Emma
On 8/9 Rick Casto wrote: In Kathleen Fuller's newest book "Treasuring Emma,"the plot revolves around Emma Shetler. She is a twenty five year old Amish woman who seems to always be in the role of caregiver. She took care of her mam until she passed away from cancer, and is still taking care of her grandmother and the farm. Her ... Treasuring Emma by Kathleen Fuller
A Reluctant Queen
On 6/1 Rick Casto wrote: "A Reluctant Queen," is the fictionalized book about Queen Esther from the Bible. Because I had never read Biblical fiction I wasn't sure how well I would enjoy this story but decided to try it anyway. For a fictionalized historical love story it wasn't bad, but for me I think I was expecting it to ... A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf
Beyond All Measure
On 5/16 Rick Casto wrote: Since I started reviewing books for Booksneeze I have found myself reading books that I normally wouldn't have chosen otherwise, but most of the time I am pleasantly surprised by liking them. With "Beyond All Measure," its no different. Its a historical fiction set during 1871. I like the fact that the ... Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love ~ review
The Final Summit
On 4/11 Rick Casto wrote: The Final Summit by Andy Andrews "The Final Summit" by Andy Andrews it the continuation of the story of David Ponder. In this story David is 74 and he misses his beloved wife who died unexpectedly. Most days he wishes he could just go to heaven and be with her again.Turns out David was a time traveler, ... The Final Summit by Andy Andrews
Plain Proposal
On 3/15 Rick Casto wrote: Miriam Raber is an eighteen year old amish girl who's lifelong dream is to become an Amish wife and mother, unfortunately for her though she has set her sites on Saul Fisher, an Amish man with a few secrets. The biggest issue he is facing is the fact that his dream is to become a professional chef, something ... Plain Proposal by Beth Wiseman
Seek Me with All Your Heart
On 2/27 Rick Casto wrote: Seek Me With All Your Heart is the first book in what promises to be an exciting new Amish series titled A Land of Canaan. What made this story unique for me was the fact that it is set in Colorado. Several amish families are headed west hoping for a new start. Some are moving because they are looking ... Seek Me With All Your Heart by Beth Wiseman
Curiosities of the Civil War
On 2/16 Rick Casto wrote: What a fantastic book for anyone who is looking to find out little known facts of the civil war. I am a history buff, and while some of the things I read in this book I actually knew about, there was far more that I had never heard of. The great thing about this book is the ability to be able to pick ... Curiosities Of The Civil War
An Amish Love
On 12/16 Rick Casto wrote: An Amish Love is a collection of three Amish stories that are sure to become favorites with fans of Amish reading. Seems like I have been reading alot of Amish stories lately, and I must say this book is one of my favorite so far.Each of the stories is a unique story of Amish love. The stories are written ... An Amish Love
An Amish Christmas, expanded edition
On 11/29 Rick Casto wrote: An Amish Christmas a previously released title by Thomas Nelson, but the twist is they have included a bonus story in this printing. I found this book a quick easy read, that really packs alot in to each of the stories. The stories do move along at a quick pace because they are novellas, but I felt like ... An Amish Christmas December In Lancaster County
Start! The Bible for New Believers, NKJV
On 11/8 Rick Casto wrote: I was anxious to review this Bible. I wondered what it could have that would make it special for new believers. Well what I found right off the bat at the beginning of the book was a section titled The Plan of Salvation, which even includes a prayer for people who are unsure that they are saved. The ... Start The Bible For New Believers-review
A Suitor for Jenny
On 11/1 Rick Casto wrote: A Suitor For Jenny is the second book in the Rocky Creek Historical Romance series written by Margaret Brownley.This book takes place in Rocky Creek Texas, shortly after the civil war. Jenny made a promise to her dad on is deathbed that she would take care of her two younger sisters, Brenda and Mary ... A Suitor For Jenny by Margaret Brownley
Transforming Church in Rural America
On 10/11 Rick Casto wrote: Transforming Church in Rural America is a book with an interesting concept on how to grow rural churches so that they will be more productive, draw in more people, and most of all be able to afford to run and maintain their church buildings. I can really see how some of the ideas in the book might be ... Transforming Church in Rural America by Shannon O'Dell
Where Hearts Are Free
On 9/21 Rick Casto wrote: Where Hearts Are Free is a historical fiction novel set in Pennsylvania in 1681. Philippe and his family, who were members of French Royalty have come to The New World from France to escape the problems going on in their home country. While coming by ship they lose their money and two of the boys Philippe ... Where Hearts Are Free by Golden Keyes Parsons
Immanuel's Veins
On 9/13 Rick Casto wrote: Immanuel's Veins was a book that I couldn't put down. I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started reading the book, but boy was I pleasantly surprised by the depth of this novel. At first I couldn't imagine why Thomas Nelson had published a book about vampires, because that is where my mind went ... Immanuel's Veins
Outlive Your Life
On 9/10 Rick Casto wrote: Posted by anonymous at 7:04 PM 0 comments Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Faithful by Kim Cash Tate Faithful is written by a new to me author. I wasn't sure what to expect but I really was surprised. First the title had me fooled, its about being faithful to God, I thought it would have something to ... Outlive Your Life
Faithful
On 9/8 Rick Casto wrote: Faithful is written by a new to me author. I wasn't sure what to expect but I really was surprised. First the title had me fooled, its about being faithful to God, I thought it would have something to do with marriage. The book kept surprising me, I thought it would wind up being chick-lit, but it was ... Faithful by Kim Cash Tate
The Boy Who Changed the World
On 9/7 Rick Casto wrote: The Boy Who Changed The World is my first time reading anything by Andy Andrews, and even though it was a children's book I found the message very inspirational and message we often forget. That everything we do matters, Andy explains it as the Butterfly Effect. It's like every time we do something it ... The Boy Who Changed The World
Lee (The Generals)
On 8/20 Rick Casto wrote: I was very excited to get to read about Robert E. Lee. I am an avid history fan and wondered what this book might tell me about The Great General that I didn't already know. It takes us back to the beginning when the first of the Lee family came to the new world. It also discloses to us that Lee was ... Lee A Life Of Virtue By John Perry (review)
Resurrection in May
On 7/16 Rick Casto wrote: This is a book that I really haven't decided whether I like or not. It is a gripping tale of May Seymour. When Claudius Borne finds May drunk along the road and takes he home a story unfolds of how Claudius allows May-May to stay on his farm so that she can learn to come to grips with the things that ... Resurrection in May
Sarah's Garden
On 6/18 Rick Casto wrote: I have never read an amish based story before but decided to give this book a try and was surprised that I liked it. Sarah is a very shy Amish woman who would rather be working in her garden but when quite by accident she meets Grant Williams, she is drawn to him immediatly. Even though he is English ... Sarah's Garden
NCV Dad's Bible
On 5/23 Rick Casto wrote: The Bible is a New Century Version and I must admit this is the first time I have read a NCV Bible and I really like it. With this translation the words seem to flow together so well which makes this bible read almost like a novel... This Bible starts out with a brief synopsis at the beginning of each ... Dad's Bible:The Father's Plan by Robert Wolgemuth