Nobody's Child is a bioethics suspense novel, written by Austin Boyd and published by Zondervan. Zondervan sent this to me at no charge to review. The first thing that came to my mind when I saw bioethics novel was that it was probably going to be a little bit boring..scientific..and over my head. However, this book was very interesting, kept my attention, and approached the bioethics dilemma from many different angles.
Laura Ann is about to lose the farm. Her father is dying and the money it takes for his care has put them close to losing everything. Her body is the last thing she has. Should she use it as a tool to save the farm? Sophia wants to raise a child and feels she only has one option. With the unusual sacrifice of strangers she has never met, she now carries the child she could only dream about once before. Ian is in love with Laura Ann and has been for a very long time. But could the secrets and past decisions that Laura Ann made going to stop him from loving her completely?
With a supporting cast of characters -- Uncle Jack trying to steal the farm and Aunt Rose standing by watching; Granny Apple the support and grandmotherly figure in Laura Ann's life; Stefany, a distant cousin with intuitive investigative skills; and a town full of gossips; this story is not only entertaining, but also will keep you thinking. Boyd does a great job in showing how one decision, permissible by science, leads to consequences for every one. And in the same way, there is no judgement in the book. Boyd does not condemn anyone for decisions made, but presents all points and in the end, leaves the decision up to you.
I highly recommend this book. You can read more about it on the Zondervan website.

The second book in the Bailey Flanigan Series is called Learning. It picks up where Leaving (Book 1) left off.
Bailey is in New York City performing on Broadway. Cody is still coaching football in a small town in Indiana. It seems like they have both picked up and moved on after the short lived romance. Bailey and Brandon are better then ever. Cody and Cheyenne are becoming closer as Cody helps Cheyenne with her recovery. But are Bailey and Cody really able to move past their love for one another?
While this book is almost as predictable as the first in the series, it still has me hooked and ready to read Book 3. There were still a few twists and turns and maybe life isn't going to be perfect after all. Bailey has reached a point where she is beginning to struggle and not everything in her life is coming as easy as it once was. On the other hand, Cody, who has struggled all his life, is finally experiencing success...both on and off the field. You will want to read this book and then wait (like me) for Book 3 (Longing). Also, in this book, Kingsbury continues the story of Ashley and Landon Baxter and the new trials that await them. If you followed the Baxter family in the past, be sure to read this series as well. I believe that you will truly enjoy these books. And while some points you'll agree, are predictable, you'll be just like me...hooked and waiting for the next.
And by the way, I'm still Team Cody!

Zondervan sent this book to me free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review. You can read more about this book and the others in the Bailey Flanigan Series on the Zondervan website.

I received a review copy of Toby Mac's book, "City On Our Knees", from Bethany Book House a few months ago. As I read this book one word kept coming to mind, action. Everyday we see needs all around us. Unfortunately, at best the number of needs is so overwhelming that we often feel powerless to do anything about them or at worst we have become numb to any need that does not directly affect our lives. This book offers stories of people who did not offer these up excuses instead they found a way to make a difference. Toby Mac not only offers up stories of bold love he also offers prayers and passages of Scripture that call us to action.

I used this book during my daily devotions and I found it it to be a tremendous resource. These stories are not only great to read, but they are very inspiring and motivating. I highly encourage every Christian to take the time to read "City On Our Knees".

If you have read some of the previous series from Karen Kingsbury, then you are probably very familiar with Bailey Flanigan. We are first introduced to during the Baxter series of books. And then her story is continued in the recent Above the Line series. Now, Bailey has her own story. Even if you haven't read any of the other books, you will still enjoy this book.
Bailey is now in college and ready to face life's next adventure. She loves the theater and arts and it is her dream to someday perform on Broadway. Her recent heartbreak over her breakup with Cody is leaving her feeling empty and not sure what to do next. When her good friend, and Hollywood star, Brandon Paul, starts working his way into her heart, will she leave the dreams of Broadway for Hollywood? When a call comes from Broadway, Bailey is excited about going, but also a little sad -- leaving home and moving to New York City sounds too good to be true. But can she really leave her family, Cody, and Brandon, behind and start this adventure on her own?
While Bailey is beginning her new adventure, we also follow Cody, who is starting and adventure of his own. He has moved to Indianapolis and has taken a football coaching job in the small town of Lyle. Here, his faith is tested and big decisions are made. In the midst of this, has Cody moved on from Bailey and found somebody else?
Also in this series, we are back on another journey with the Ashley Baxter. Landon is having asthma attacks and his health is worrying Ashley. Did his time at Ground Zero affect his lungs? What will be next for this couple?
Leaving is your typical Karen Kingsbury novel. Prayer fills the pages as each person faces a new trial. If you enjoy Karen Kingsbury, you will enjoy this book. If you have read any of the Baxter series books (Redemption, Firstborn, Sunrise) then you will want to read this book and continue on the journey.

To read more about Leaving and the new Bailey Flanigan Series, visit zondervan.com. I have received this book from Zondervan at no cost for me to review.

The Corruptible is A Ray Quinn Mystery and Mark Mynheir is the author. It is published by Multnomah. I was sent an advanced reading copy by the publisher to review.

Ray Quinn is an ex-homicide detective who was injured on the job. He runs a private investigating firm called The Night Watchman. He also is a consultant still for the Orlando Police Department. Quinn was recently hired by a company to retrieve some stolen information. The suspect is an ex-cop whom he used to work with, Logan Ramsey. When he finally finds Logan, he learns that he is not the first. Ramsey is dead. The case just got a whole lot more difficult for Quinn to solve.

Mystery books are one of my favorite genres to read. I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was very well written and it kept my interest. I had a hard time putting it down. I loved the sense of humor that Mynheir was able to convey through his characters. I also enjoyed the Christian aspect of this book. It was not preachy, and yet it was easy to find.

To read more about The Corruptible and see other books written by Mark Mynheir, go to the WaterBrook Multnomah Publisher's website.

Recently I received a review copy of Steve Sonderman's book "How to Build a Life-Changing Men's Ministry" from Bethany House. In my experience how to books like this are not that helpful because they offer stories on how one particular church did ministry in their location and in the local church context. More often than not these books are not transferable because they don't convey ideas that can be helpful in multiple contexts. Thankfully, this book is not one of those. Sonderman offers an extremely solid and beneficial how to book that can easily be adopted in multiple ministry contexts. First and foremost I appreciate how he starts his book. He begins by showing the need for men's ministry and then showing what type of Christian man they believe the Bible is calling them to strive for. It is always helpful to know what you are aiming at. Sonderman offers an excellent resource for any men's ministry. I highly recommend this book to anyone or church that are serious about discipling the men of their church.

Heart of Lies is written by Jill Marie Landis and is part of the Irish Angel Series. Zondervan sent this book to me at no cost for me to review.
Maddie grew up in a tribe of thieves and beggars on the streets of New Orleans. The tribe has disbanded due to the death of the leader, and Maddie hopes that as an adult she can begin a new life. However, her old life continues to follow her. When the two "brothers" she has left from the tribe kidnap the child of a wealthy carpetbeggar, Maddie's life will never be the same again. She has taken part in the kidnapping by hiding the girl, and when the girl escapes, Maddie has no choice but to chase her. Close behind Maddie is Tom Abbott, a Pinkerton who has been hired by the family to find their daughter. When Tom finds Maddie, there is a mutual attraction, however as an accomplice in a kidnapping, Maddie and Tom must fight the attraction. In the midst of all this, Maddie is offered a new life. Will she be able to accept it?
I really enjoyed this book. It took me a few chapters to really get into it, and then it was hard to put down. One thing that I really like about this book is that even though it is part of a series, the books can be read in any order. I am sure that had I read the first book in the series (Heart of Stone), I would have a little more background, however, I wasn't lost or struggling to figure out what was happening at all. This is a fun read with a lot of likable characters. The spiritual references throughout the book (forgiveness, second chances, redemption, love, and so on) are there, however you will have to look closely sometimes and they seem to be hard to recognize at points. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm sure that you will too.
To read more about this book and to see what the author has to say, visit the Zondervan blog.