Reviews by Amanda Klopping
Intentional Parenting
On 5/13 Amanda Klopping wrote: Intentional Parenting is by far one of the best parenting books that I have read. And it's no wonder, since the authors have vast experience at a family counseling center. So, not only have they been to the circus, they've been the lion tamers as well - so to speak.In all seriousness, though, ... Intentional Parenting, by Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan
The Christian Mama's Guide to the Grade School Years
On 3/21 Amanda Klopping wrote: The Christian Mama's Guide to the Grade School Years, by Erin MacPherson, is a humorous account of what it is like to usher a child into the first few years of school. It is a book geared toward prayerful parenting, and one that many parents would enjoy reading. It has great ideas, and is ... The Christian Mama's Guide to the Grade School Years, by Erin MacPherson
Accidental Pharisees
On 3/19 Amanda Klopping wrote: Accidental Pharisees is a pretty clever name for an important topic. The premise of this book is a discussion of overzealous faith and how to avoid it. By using the Pharisees and their lack of understanding about the spirit behind doctrinal laws, author Larry Osborne tries to show Christians ... Accidental Pharisees, by Larry Osborne
Confessions of April Grace: Chocolate-Covered Baloney
On 3/11 Amanda Klopping wrote: Chocolate-Covered Baloney: Confessions of April Grace, by KD McCriteApril Grace Reilly is a sixth-grade girl who definitely knows her own mind. And in her topsy-turvy world, that's a very good thing. She's got a grandmother who's dating a pastor from a neighboring church, an annoying sister ... Chocolate-Covered Baloney: Confessions of April Grace
House of Mercy
On 1/13 Amanda Klopping wrote: House of Mercy, by Erin Healy, is a story of charity, forgiveness, and redemption. Its main characters are members of a Rocky Mountain ranching family who are trying to succeed despite personal conflicts and pending financial ruin.I was excited to read this book because I had read Healy's The Promises ... House of Mercy, by Erin Healy
Starring Me
On 8/13 Amanda Klopping wrote: Starring Me is a YA book about seventeen-year-old Chad, who has been a pop star since winning a major television talent competition. He's trying to break into acting with his own show - but, his parents insist that his female co-host ... Starring Me, by Krista McGee
Garden of Madness
On 8/11 Amanda Klopping wrote: Garden of Madness is a story that was inspired by characters in the Biblical book of Daniel. Tracy L. Higley tells the story of a Babylonian princess who both literally and figuratively races to save her family and her country from a ... Garden of Madness, by Tracy L. Higley
This Scarlet Cord
On 8/1 Amanda Klopping wrote: In this interesting twist on the five chapters of the Book of Joshua that discuss Rahab, we get a glimpse into Jericho as it might have been before and during its fall. Rahab is a young Canaanite woman who in this story falls in love ... This Scarlet Cord, by Joan Wolf
Spirit Fighter
On 7/4 Amanda Klopping wrote: In this tale of adventure, 13-year-old Jonah and his sister Eliza are part-angels on a mission to save their mother from the forces of evil. Their mother, a nephilim half-angel, has been kidnapped by fallen angels. Jonah and his sister, ... Spirit Fighter, by Jerel Law
The Founders' Key
On 7/3 Amanda Klopping wrote: The Founders' Key is largely a historical discussion of the link between the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. It brings to light the intentions of the Founding Fathers as evidenced by outside sources such as the ... The Founders' Key, by Larry P. Arnn
Heart of Gold
On 2/11 Amanda Klopping wrote: Heart of Gold, by Robin Lee Hatcher, is the story of a young woman who moves with her minister father from the Confederate South to Idaho. Her southern sympathies are challenged as she meets people with differing viewpoints. She finds that she must better know her own mind as she makes a place for herself ... Heart of Gold, by Robin Lee Hatcher
The House On the Corner
On 1/21 Amanda Klopping wrote: The House on the Corner, by Michael Rains, is a novel about a boy who goes on a quest ostensibly to fight against a corporation that is controlling people's minds. He joins a group of people who are also working together toward this end.Honestly, I was very confused throughout much of this book. The ... The House on the Corner, by Michael Rains
Beyond Molasses Creek
On 1/21 Amanda Klopping wrote: Beyond Molasses Creek, by Nicole A. Seitz, is ultimately a story of finding peace and spirituality. Along the way, Seitz takes the reader on two parallel journeys - that of an American woman trying to find a place in her life's future, and a Nepalese woman trying to find the true story of her past.I ... Beyond Molasses Creek, by Nicole A. Seitz
Your 100 Day Prayer
On 1/8 Amanda Klopping wrote: This is certainly one of the best daily devotional books I've seen. As the title states, the book guides the reader through 100 days of Bible study, reflection, journaling, and prayer. The idea is to bring the same issue before God for 100 days, practicing persistence in prayer as Christ taught.I admit ... Your 100 Day Prayer, by John I. Snyder
The Bone House
On 1/7 Amanda Klopping wrote: The Bone House, by Stephen R. Lawhead, is an interesting foray into the realm of speculative fiction. The main character, Kit, and his allies must travel through different parallel dimensions on a quest to find The Skin Map. The Skin Map charts the different dimensions of this "multiverse," but ... The Bone House, by Stephen R. Lawhead
Cherished
On 9/2 Amanda Klopping wrote: Cherished is a novel that is ultimately about the choices we make in life and the consequences that follow. More importantly, it is a novel about forgiveness and redemption. It inspires the reader through several different story lines about a St. Louis family and their friends.I think that what ... Cherished, by Kim Cash Tate
Stained Glass Hearts
On 8/22 Amanda Klopping wrote: Stained Glass Hearts, by Patsy Clairmont, purports to discuss the feelings of brokenness - the sense that life must be something more - that many of us have. The book is advertised as showing the reader how to see her life in a new way. The reader is to be led to see her life as a work of art.I ... Stained Glass Hearts - Seeing Life from a Broken Perspective, by Patsy Clairmont
Why God Won't Go Away
On 7/31 Amanda Klopping wrote: Why God Won't Go Away: Is the New Atheism Running On Empty? by Alister McGrath, is a thought-provoking book about the flaws of the New Atheist movement. While the title is a bit misleading - McGrath states in the final chapter that this book isn't the forum to explain why humans continue to be drawn ... Why God Won't Go Away: Is the New Atheism Running on Empty? - Alister McGrath
God's Love Letters to You
On 7/5 Amanda Klopping wrote: As the title says, this book is a devotional that was designed to be read over forty days. It focuses on ridding our minds and souls of the negative thoughts that bombard us from all directions in a fallen world. The author seeks to remind us of the positive thoughts that are sent to us by God through ... God's Love Letters to You: A 40-Day Devotional Experience, by Dr. Larry Crabb
The Seraph Seal
On 6/24 Amanda Klopping wrote: The plot of this apocalyptic novel is a simple one: The end of times is upon the world. The few remaining faithful have a short amount of time to decipher clues that indicate that, yes, the end of the world is here, so that they can adequately prepare as many people as possible for the final day. ... The Seraph Seal, by Leonard Sweet and Lori Wagner
No He Can't
On 5/16 Amanda Klopping wrote: The title of this book says it all: McCullough is not a fan of Obama's policies, and the book is devoted to listing specific offenses. It is divided into sections on the economy, domestic and foreign policy, and morality. I was looking forward to reading this book because I felt that it would provide ... No, He Can't: How Barack Obama is Dismantling Hope and Change, by Kevin McCullough
Lead. Serve. Love.
On 4/26 Amanda Klopping wrote: This book would make an excellent gift for a Christian in any stage of the journey. It would also make a wonderful Bible study for teens and adults alike. The book is a compilation of three-word phrases designed to help the Christian lead a more Christ-like life. Relevant Bible verses accompany each ... Lead, Serve, Love, by Gregory E. Lang
Max On Life
On 4/18 Amanda Klopping wrote: What proof do we have that the resurrection really happened? Do people who have never heard of God get to go to heaven? Why do bad things happen to good people? How can you teach a child humility without destroying his self-esteem? And what's really permissible in the Christian marriage bed?These are ... Max on Life, by Max Lucado
Johann Sebastian Bach
On 4/15 Amanda Klopping wrote: Three out of five starsThe premise of this book is a discussion of Johann Sebastian Bach and the influences that inspired his music. As biographies go, it is short and a quick read, offering a glimpse into the man who himself had a wide impact on the musical world.Of Bach's great many works, the one ... Johann Sebastian Bach, by Rick Marschall
The Final Summit
On 4/11 Amanda Klopping wrote: Four out of Five Stars The Final Summit tells the continued story of David Ponder, who has been called by the archangel Gabriel to lead a ... The Final Summit, by Andy Andrews
Unsinkable
On 4/4 Amanda Klopping wrote: Four out of Five StarsThis is the semi-autobiographical account of Abby Sunderland, the sixteen-year-old American who attempted to sail solo around the world in 2010. The book is written partly in Sunderland's first-person voice, and partly in third person to describe her background, the preparations ... Unsinkable: A Young Woman's Courageous Battle on the High Seas, by Abby Sunderland and Lynn Vincent
A Conversation with God for Women
On 3/19 Amanda Klopping wrote: Essentially, this book is presented in a FAQ-style format. It poses questions that many Christians have about their faith and what God expects from us. It answers these questions in the first person, as though God, Christ, or other people ... A Conversation with God for Women, by Marcia Ford
The Promises She Keeps
On 2/26 Amanda Klopping wrote: 5 out of 5 starsThe Promises She KeepsErin HealyThomas Nelson (2010)ISBN 978-1-59554-751-4The Promises She Keeps is a deeply compelling story about love and the decisions we make about what we do with the time we have in this life. The back of the book almost makes it sound like a romance, but instead ... The Promises She Keeps, by Erin Healy