Reviews by JBowen
Joni and Ken
On 5/9 JBowen wrote: Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story by Ken and Joni Eareckson Tada with Larry LibbyWriting of their own lives filled with struggle and suffering, Ken and Joni Tada’s story, Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story, forms a glorious testimony of a Christian marriage: love and devotion centered on God’s ... Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story
A Matter of Trust
On 3/28 JBowen wrote: Weaving mystery, suspense and a young widow’s attempt to rebuild her life, Lis Wiehl has crafted a novel that is hard to put down. Mia Quinn has returned to her job as prosecutor at the district attorney’s office. Not only does she juggle several law cases, but she also must deal with massive debts ... A Matter of Trust by Mia Quinn
Unglued Devotional
On 2/25 JBowen wrote: How do you react when the airline loses your luggage, when your daughter colors picture on your freshly painted wall, when the dentist advises a root canal? In Unglued Devotional: 60 Days of Imperfect Progress, Lysa TerKeurst presents everyday problems and scriptural solutions. In this excellent, ... Unglued Devotional
The Great House of God
On 1/21 JBowen wrote: With The Lord’s Prayer as a framework, Max Lucado’s The Great House of God: A Home for Your Heart infuses the reader with warm blessings. A literary visit to this house takes us through the foundation, into the living room and up the stairs to the observatory. We visit the study, the ... The Great House of God
The 5 Money Personalities
On 1/5 JBowen wrote: Did you know that you can commit financial infidelity? Or that money fights are not about the money? Or that you have a “money personality”? These questions and other marital and money concerns are addressed by financial planners and writers Scott and Bethany Palmer in their book, The 5 Money Personalities: ... The 5 Money Personalities
The Reason
On 11/5 JBowen wrote: I sympathized with the characters, I agonized with their heart wrenching traumas, I appreciated the Christian testimony— all until I came to the last chapter. The Reason,by William Sirls, is a novel replete with contemporary problems and relatable characters, but I was disappointed with the shocking ... The Reason by Willam Sirls
The River
On 9/22 JBowen wrote: Michael Neale’s The River delivers a poignant story of a young man’s coming of age and coming to terms with his father’s tragic death. It is an interesting read with engaging description and several riveting sections, but the lack of a clear Christian message somewhat disappoints. Neale ...
Twelve Unlikely Heroes
On 9/7 JBowen wrote: Would you like to meet a man who “was and was not” or a man who would not be king? These, along with ten other well-known and little-known men and women, are part of Twelve Unlikely Heroes, written by noted pastor and author John MacArthur. This book is a must-read spiritual ... Twelve Unlikely Heroes by John MacArthur
Through Rushing Water
On 6/20 JBowen wrote: The best book I’ve read in a long time, Through Rushing Water is a thoroughly engaging story that combines history with romance and adventure. Christian fiction writer Catherine Richmond has crafted an excellent, must-read novel that shines with genuine yet unique characters in a colorful, old West ... Through Rushing Water
The Truth About Grace
On 6/6 JBowen wrote: John MacArthur’s The Truth About Grace should be on the “must read” list for every Christian, especially those who have questions about the awesome, but somewhat mysterious quality of God’s grace. Beginning with the definitions of grace and ending with the “ongoing work of grace in the Christian’s ... The Truth About Grace
Hope Springs
On 5/23 JBowen wrote: Hope Springs Hope Springs by Kim Cash Tate is a Christian novel that deals with many family and personal dynamics. The story is set in the small Southern town of Hope Springs. With her husband serving a medical mission out of the country, Stephanie returns home to become a caregiver for her terminally ... Hope Springs by Kim Cash Tate
Arms of Love
On 5/17 JBowen wrote: A young man’s repressed terrors, a young woman’s desire to marry the man she loves, and the Amish principle of non-violence – all of these, in the backdrop of the Revolutionary War, come together in Kelly Long’s historical Christian romance, Arms of Love. While the premise of the book is compelling, ... Arms of Love by Kelly Long
The Truth About Forgiveness
On 4/30 JBowen wrote: The Truth About Forgiveness by John MacArthurIn The Truth About Forgiveness, pastor and author John MacArthur discusses God’s great gift of forgiveness. In this easy to read compact book, part of The Truth About series, MacArthur first explores our need to be forgiven of our sins. Our redeemer, ...
Need You Now
On 4/6 JBowen wrote: A compelling read for parents and teenagers, Beth Wiseman’s Christian fiction novel, Need You Now, presents problematic issues of today in a no-holds barred format. Wiseman deals with autism, teen rebellion, and the psychological addiction of cutting. Her story also explores the effects that ... Need You Now by Beth Wiseman
Simply Grilling
On 4/2 JBowen wrote: Serving up appetizers such as bacon-wrapped dates and desserts such as grasshopper icebox cake, chef and cookbook author Jennifer Chandler presents mouth-watering recipes in Simply Grilling: 105 recipes for quick and casual grilling. The author bills her book as “easy, no-fuss grilling.” She ... Simply Grilling: 105 recipes for quick and casual grilling by Jennifer Chandler
Dawn Comes Early
On 3/20 JBowen wrote: Featuring a gun-toting criminal, a feisty female writer of dime novels, and a handsome blacksmith, Dawn Comes Early, by Margaret Brownley, delivers a wild west Christian fiction romance sure to please. When Kate Tenney answers an ad to work on the Last Chance ranch, little does she know that ... Dawn Comes Early by Margaret Bromley
Beauty for Ashes
On 2/20 JBowen wrote: Beauty for Ashes by Dorothy LoveBeauty for Ashes by Dorothy Love is a fast paced Christian novel filled with action and romance. Set in post Civil War Tennessee, the story centers on Carrie Daly, a young widow, who yearns for new love while she tirelessly cares for her brother’s family. In this historical ... Beauty for Ashes by Dorothy Love
Heart of Gold
On 1/30 JBowen wrote: A Christian historical romance of the American Old West, Heart of Gold by Robin Lee Hatcher is a pleasurable and inspiring read. When Shannon Adair moves with her minister father, Delaney, to the Idaho Territory, her thoughts remain on the Civil War that is raging near her Virginia home. Shannon ... Heart of Gold by Robin Lee Hatcher
Moments of Truth
On 1/15 JBowen wrote: God’s plan of salvation is presented clearly and thoughtfully in John MacArthur’s book, Moments of Truth: Unleashing God’s Word One Day at a Time. Using excerpts from this pastor and author’s previous works, this devotional presents 365 daily dated lessons. Each one imparts Biblical truth, ... Moments of Truth by John MacArthur
The Lucado Inspirational Reader
On 11/23 JBowen wrote: In The Lucado Inspirational Reader, by Max Lucado, the best of this renown pastor and author is gathered in one portable edition. Max discusses topics ranging from "The Church" to "Second Chances." This excellent book has something for everyone and meets needs of hungry hearts.While reading, we feel ... The Lucado Inspirational Reader by Max Lucado
The Grace of God (Trade Paper)
On 10/1 JBowen wrote: The Grace of God by Andy StanleyIn this upbeat and engaging book, Andy Stanley relates God’s redemption story in a style that everyone can relate to and learn from. Beginning at the beginning with Adam and Eve, Andy traces mankind’s fall and God’s “cleaning up of the mess sin had made” (22). ... The Grace of God by Andy Stanley
Wrapped in Rain
On 9/8 JBowen wrote: Set in modern day Alabama, but with flashbacks to an abusive childhood, Charles Martin’s Wrapped in Rain: A Novel of Coming Home sends a message of forgiveness. Although written in a realistic and engaging style, elements of the novel appear to drift from the focus. The basic concept of this story ... Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin
Surprised by Oxford
On 8/4 JBowen wrote: Surprised by Oxford, A Memoir by Carolyn WeberComing from a dysfunctional and disadvantaged background, Carolyn Weber is awarded a scholarship for graduate study in England. In her memoir, Surprised by Oxford, Weber describes her experiences as an American girl privileged to study her beloved literature ... Surprised By Oxford, A Memoir by Carolyn Weber
Water's Edge
On 7/19 JBowen wrote: Water’s Edge by Robert Whitlow is a suspenseful legal thriller infused with spiritual truths. The main character, Tom Crane, just fired from his prestigious big city law firm, returns to his north Georgia hometown to close down his deceased father’s law office. Tom steps right into the middle ... Water's Edge by Robert Whitlow
A Place Called Blessing
On 7/2 JBowen wrote: As a toddler, he subsisted on dry cereal and orange soda. A few years later, his parents were killed and he entered the foster care system. At the age of six, he accidentally started a fire that took the life of his playmate. Thus, considered unadoptable, he spent his childhood and adolescence in a children’s ... A Place Called Blessing:Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins
Billy Graham in Quotes
On 6/20 JBowen wrote: Billy Graham in Quotes by Franklin Graham with Donna Lee Toney is a wonderful, concise sampling of the famous preacher’s words of spiritual wisdom. On “Life,” Dr. Graham shares “We must learn to live triumphantly amid the traumas and pressures we face daily.” (214) Concerning “The ... Billy Graham in Quotes
Jesus, My Father, The CIA, and Me
On 6/4 JBowen wrote: In a touching but perhaps superficial biographical memoir, Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me: A memoir… of sorts, Episcopal priest Ian Morgan Cron relates the story of his childhood growing up with an alcoholic father. Although his father was indeed a CIA agent for brief periods, this is not so much ... Jesus, My Father, The CIA and Me: A memoir...of sorts by Ian Morgan Cron
Beyond Talent
On 4/28 JBowen wrote: In Beyond Talent: Become Someone Who Gets Extraordinary Results, John C. Maxwell’s usual wise insight appears to take a back seat to the inclusion of redundant, albeit encouraging, supporting material. Maxwell states that we really can reach our full potential, even if we think we can’t. Stating ... Beyond Talent by John C. Maxwell
Max On Life
On 4/19 JBowen wrote: In Max on Life, Texas pastor and author Max Lucado responds to 172 questions with frank but sensitive insight. Lucado addresses questions from the news headlines such as terrorism and abortion. He also deals with church concerns: denominations, hypocrisy, and when to leave a church. He responds ... Max On Life by Max Lucado
Take Action Bible, NKJV
On 4/19 JBowen wrote: The Take Action Bible presents the complete scriptures in the New King James Version along with pertinent stories of contemporary people realistically demonstrating their faith. The humanitarian organization, World Vision, has cooperated with Thomas Nelson Publishers on The God’s Word in Action campaign, ... The Take Action Bible published by Thomas Nelson in the New King James Version
The Fight of Our Lives
On 3/26 JBowen wrote: The Fight of Our Lives: Knowing the Enemy, Speaking the Truth and Choosing to Win the War Against Radical Islam by William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn delineates the threat of terrorism and calls a politically correct America to wake up. Beginning with the Ft. Hood attack, the authors discuss warnings ... The Fight of Our Lives: Knowing the Enemy, Speaking the Truth and Choosing to Win the War Against Radical Islam by William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn