Reviews by Karla Akins
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What's Your Mark
On 5/2 Karla Akins wrote: Photo by Karla Akins Who was Jesus? What was his story? What mark did he leave? What's your story? What will be your mark? In this beautiful 112-page full-color book, celebrity photographer and social artist Jeremy Cowart presents 16 compelling stories of people who are making their mark today. ... Book Review: What's Your Mark? by Jeremy Cowart
Silent Night
On 4/4 Karla Akins wrote: Colleen Coble's Christmas Novella, Silent Night, isn't just for Christmas. It occurs during Christmas, but the story can be enjoyed anytime. The character Bree of the Rock Harbor series of books is one of my characters of Colleen Coble's many award-winning books. I'm also in love with Bree's search ... Colleen Coble's Silent Night
Sneak
On 11/29 Karla Akins wrote: I am going to make a bold statement right up front. I think SNEAK by Evan Anglier is one of the most important books people should read right now. The direction our country is going, the things the world is experiencing — people need to be aware of the things contained in this “faction” book. I ... Most important book for kids this year
Tidewater Inn
On 9/5 Karla Akins wrote: Coble delivers again in this cozy read-at-one-sitting novel. Coble fans will be delighted to spend time Bree and Sampson from the Rock Harbor series again, as they make an appearance in this lovely book. The mystery of what happened to Nicole keeps readers turning the pages and the delightful characters ... Tidewater Inn by Colleen Coble
Garden of Madness
On 6/27 Karla Akins wrote: Garden of Madness by Tracy L. Higley is one of summer's best picks. Set in ancient Babylon, it is the untold saga of Babylonian princess, Tiamat, the daughter of the mad king, Nebuchadnezzar, who prowls the luxurious hanging gardens, hidden from public view. This is the story of an arranged marriage, ... Best summer read
Nearing Home
On 3/27 Karla Akins wrote: Even as a young whippersnapper I wondered what it felt like to be old and know you only had a few days, months, years to live. Now that I’m over 50, I’m getting a taste of what it’s like to grow old, but I still have questions That’s one reason I wanted to read Billy Graham’s book. What goes ... Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well by Billy Graham Continue reading on Examiner.com Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well by Billy Graham - Fort Wayne Homeschooling | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/homeschooling-in-fort-wayne/nearing-home-life-faith-and-finishing-well-by-billy-graham-review-1#ixzz1qNCZs9r6
Then Sings My Soul Book 3
On 2/22 Karla Akins wrote: Then Sings My Soul Book 3 by Robert J. Morgan was everything I’d hoped it would be. I am a church musician and I love hymns I grew up singing them in a little Baptist church in Haysville, Kansas, and I love them even more now as a grandmother. I was especially delighted that this edition included ... Just as good as the first book -- if not better!
Waking Hours
On 1/4 Karla Akins wrote: When I chose this book to review, I was excited to get a chance to read it because I admire Lis Wiehl on Fox News. However, I was disappointed to learn that she had a co-writer. That was my first disappointment. The book didn’t keep my attention very well at first, but to be frank, it’s hard to ... Good Crime Novel
Has God Spoken?
On 9/13 Karla Akins wrote: In high school it can be a challenge to find relevant material because many homeschooled kids have already studied the Bible itself for many years. One of the things that's important for students to learn is apologetics -- the discipline of defending the Bible through the systematic use of reason and ... A Good Apologetic Resource
Thunder Dog
On 8/5 Karla Akins wrote: I am a dog lover. I have three of them. But none of them have the skills of a guide dog. I am in awe of service dogs and guide dogs and now I'm convinced even more that when God made dogs, He made them to be our friends. I give this book five stars because it kept me riveted from cover to cover. I never ... A quick, inspiring read, couldn't put it down
No Place Like Holmes
On 7/9 Karla Akins wrote: I was excited to get the chance to review this book as part of the Thomas Nelson booksneeze program. The story is about Griffin, an intelligent boy with a photographic memory and an obsessive habit of counting things (such as the15 wispy hairs on an old woman's chin). Because I have children with autism, ... No Place Like Holmes by Jason Lethcoe
The Skin Map (Trade Paper)
On 5/31 Karla Akins wrote: The Skin Map by Stephen Lawhead is, according to its publisher, Thomas Nelson, a unique blend of "epic treasure hunt, ancient history, alternate realities, cutting-edge physics, philosophy, and mystery." Thomas Nelson, known mainly as a Christian publishing company,has been stretching its genre tentacles, ... The Skin Map by Stephen R. Lawhead
The Band that Played On
On 5/7 Karla Akins wrote: There's nothing I didn't like about this book. Thoroughly researched, and beautifully written, I couldn't put it down. As a violinist and pianist myself, I have, for years, admired the band that played as the Titanic sank. I often wondered who they were. What was it about them that gave them such fearless ... The Band that Played On -- I couldn't put it down,
Sequin Bible - Pink
On 2/21 Karla Akins wrote: Thomas Nelson has a new Bible for girls called the Shiny Sequin Bible. It uses the International Children's Bible version/translation and the cover is an adorable pink with sequined hearts and flowers. At the back of the bible are the following maps: "Abraham's Journey," "The Desert Wanderings," "Jesus' ... Shiny Sequin Bible Only Sparkles on the Outside
What's He Really Thinking?
On 2/7 Karla Akins wrote: Want a woman's field guide to the male psyche? Check out Paula Rinehart's lastest gem: What's He Really Thinking? How to be a Relational Genius with the Man in Your Life. Just in time for Valentine's Day, every Christian woman needs this book in her library. Men make up about half of the world's population ... Paula Rinehart writes a jewel of a book!
The Jesus Inquest
On 1/17 Karla Akins wrote: The Jesus Inquest is an unbiased examination written in a courtroom style by an English barrister (lawyer) and presents the unbelievers' point of view versus the believers regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ, not just in reason of faith but in reason of fact (logos). In this work barrister X ... The Jesus Inquest: The Case for And Against the Resurrection by Charles Foster
The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible, NKJV
On 1/1 Karla Akins wrote: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible is a life application bible that makes use of Lucado’s copious notes from his preaching and writing career. While it is promoted as a study bible, it would be better titled as a life application bible of devotional bible. It has ... The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible
Resurrection in May
On 10/12 Karla Akins wrote: Lisa Samson is a master storyteller and has the indisputable gift of weaving a story. At the center of this one is a woman named May Seymour who is picked up by an aging, Claudius when she’s on the side of the road recovering from a hangover. In spite of Samson’s excellent way with words, an elderly ... Resurrection in May by Lisa Samson
I Am Hutterite
On 6/24 Karla Akins wrote: BOOK REVIEW: I am Hutterite by Mary Ann Kirkby, a coming-of-age memoir that gives us a peek inside the day to day life of a Hutterite colony. Mary Ann Kirkby was born to Hutterite parents in the Hutterite colony of New Rosedale in Manitoba, Canada. She is the oldest of eight children, and her life ... I Am Hutterite and Indiana's anabaptis heritage
Greater Love
On 4/26 Karla Akins wrote: Greater Love is the third book in the Tides of Truth series of books by practicing attorney and Christy Award winner, Robert Whitlow. Tami is a country girl from the mountains of Georgia. After graduating from law school, she moves to Savannah to accept a position in a law firm. Her faith is challenged ... Greater Love Needs Greater Action
Jane Austen
On 3/18 Karla Akins wrote: This is one of Thomas Nelson Publisher's new line of biographies called Christian Encounters. Written at an adult level, they make a great resource for parents and excellent texts for older homeschool students. Each biography includes an online reading guide with probing questions that can be printed, ... Let's Learn about Jane Austen
Rediscovering God in America
On 2/3 Karla Akins wrote: Author Newt Gingrich has played many roles in his life including Speaker of the House in the United States House of Representatives and political analyst for Fox News. His beautiful wife, Callista Gingrich, has earned accolades herself as President of her own production company, Gingrich Productions. ... A Great Resource for Your Library and Home School
The Tallest of Smalls
On 11/12 Karla Akins wrote: I love this book, The Tallest of Smalls, by Max Lucado. When I read the poem in his book, FEARLESS, I thought it should be a children's book. I wasn't surprised when I discovered Thomas Nelson Publishers had done just that. Max Lucado is one of my favorite Chrsitian authors. I am still reading his ... Perfect Christmas Gift for Kids
This Is Your Brain On Joy
On 10/14 Karla Akins wrote: THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON JOY: A Revolutionary Program for Balancing Mood, Restoring Brain Health, and Nurturing Spiritual Growth by Dr. Earl Henslin is one of the best books I’ve read in many years about brain health. Did you know your brain is plastic? That it can actually change with time from what ... Did You Know That Your Brain is Plastic?
Find Your Strongest Life
On 10/5 Karla Akins wrote: FIND YOUR STRONGEST LIFE: What the Happiest and Most Successful Women do DifferentLy by Marcus Buckingham is a brilliant self-help book for any woman trying to succeed. Hailed as a visionary by Toyata, Coca-Cola, Microsoft and Disney, Buckingham is in demand as a consultant for people and organizations ... Cradle Your Strengths
Fearless
On 9/8 Karla Akins wrote: Max Lucado is the reason hard copies of books may never go out of style. When I read his books, I always want to read with a highlighter because I don't want to forget anything he has to say. I want to savor every morsel because his words feed my soul in ways no other living author has. Lucado is ... Max Lucado is the Reason
The Noticer
On 4/27 Karla Akins wrote: The Noticer by Andy Andrews teaches us that sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective. Have you ever been to Orange Beach, Alabama? Did you ever meet an old drifter there named Jones? If you’d like to, read The Noticer. You’ll meet a delightful silver-haired man with the wisdom of ... The Noticer
The Unseen
On 1/29 Karla Akins wrote: If you like creepy Christian fiction, then go ahead and get THE UNSEEN by TL Hines. Hines labels himself as "The Author of Nor Bizarre." Boy he's got that right. I've never been one to read Stephen King type fiction. I love suspense, but it can't get too icky or hit ... THE UNSEEN by TL Hines
The Truth About You
On 11/23 Karla Akins wrote: I think I've found a book I can give to my sons who are both at crossroads in their life. One of my sons is in sales and another will be graduating from high school. It will make a fantastic Christmas gift! But I didn't read THE TRUTH ABOUT YOU for my sons. I read it for me. I'm a 47 year old grandmother ... The Truth About You: Your Secret to Success
Through the Storm
On 11/2 Karla Akins wrote: Life is messy. No one knows this better than Lynne Spears, mother of famous daughters Britney and Jamie Lynn Spears. I must admit, when I learned that Thomas Nelson had published a book by the famous pop singer’s Mom, I was puzzled. I had believed what too many viewers believe of ... THROUGH THE STORM by Lynne Spears