52 Things to Pray for Your Kids

Title:           52 Things to Pray for Your Kids

Author:        Jay Payleitner

Genre:         Non-Fiction, Christian

Publisher:    Harvest House Publishers(February 1, 2015)

Pages:          192   

From the back cover

You thought you were doing okay, and then you became a parent. All of a sudden you see how imperfect you are. So how are you supposed to raise your children up into godly young men or women?

Popular speaker, author, and father Jay Payleitner knows the power of sustained prayer over his children. In his new book, he gives practical insight into

finding hope and encouragement in prayer

modeling a fervent prayer life for your children

going to God for help in everyday problems

praying for your children's safety, health, and character

seeking godly wisdom as you make decisions

Great for moms, dads, and small groups, this resource will help you pray powerfully for children of any age.

My Review

The title says what the book offers:  52 things to pray for your kids.  This could be grandkids, students, neighbors, and any other kid group you may have contact with.  Although I’ve been praying for my own kids for a few years, this book gives a fresh perspective.  There are stories of Payleitner’s experiences and sample prayers at the end of each “thing” you can pray.  Personally, I enjoyed reading how other people pray.  It was encouraging and enlightening.

Payleitner writes from the dad’s perspective.  He has written several books, many with the theme of being a dad and what each family member needs from dad.  He’s also a father.  Thankfully, he’s a father who writes and publishes books along with his other responsibilities.

The book has a relaxed tone, like having a conversation.  I found it easy to relate to, and I gained some ideas on how to bring up spiritual conversations with my kids.  Unfortunately, I’m not as creative as Payleiter is, but I can certainly learn from him.

I enjoyed this book, and it’s a nice reference book when I pray.  Sometimes I get into a rut, but this book has 52 different things to pray about, so it helps me to focus on different areas of prayer.

This isn’t just for parents, but it is a great resource for parents.  I would recommend this book to anyone who prays for kids, whether they are your own kids or not. 

I received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you Harvest House Publishers and NetGalley.

Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor

Title:                    Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor

Author:                Melanie Dobson

Publisher:            Howard

Market:                Christian

Genre:                 Historical Romance

Series:                 --

Length:                352 pages

Pub. Date:           June 16, 2015

Description (from Amazon):

When Heather Toulson returns to her parents’ cottage in the English countryside, she uncovers long-hidden secrets about her family history and stumbles onto the truth about a sixty-year-old murder.

Libby, a free spirit who can’t be tamed by her parents, finds solace with her neighbor Oliver, the son of Lord Croft of Ladenbrooke Manor. Libby finds herself pregnant and alone when her father kicks her out and Oliver mysteriously drowns in a nearby river. Though theories spread across the English countryside, no one is ever held responsible for Oliver’s death.

Sixty years later, Heather Toulson, returning to her family’s cottage in the shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, is filled with mixed emotions. She’s mourning her father’s passing but can’t let go of the anger and resentment over their strained relationship. Adding to her confusion, Heather has an uneasy reunion with her first love, all while sorting through her family’s belongings left behind in the cottage. What she uncovers will change everything she thought she knew about her family’s history.

Award-winning author Melanie Dobson seamlessly weaves the past and present together, fluidly unraveling the decades-old mystery and reveals how the characters are connected in shocking ways.

Set in a charming world of thatched cottages, lush gardens, and lovely summer evenings, this romantic and historical mystery brings to light the secrets and heartaches that have divided a family for generations.

My Review:

I have read Melanie Dobson’s work before, so I was excited to read her newest book.  I loved her book Chateau of Secrets, and I had high hopes for this book.  Dobson is a master at her craft, and I absolutely loved this book, too.  In fact, it surpassed my expectations and was a real treat to read.

This novel is a story within a story, and it is told from different points of view.  I was a little confused in the beginning because I didn’t know the characters.  Once I figured out who everyone was and what their relationship was to each other, it was exciting to read the different perspectives.  I had no difficulty knowing who was telling their story.  The dialogue was fresh and real, and I felt present in the story.  I loved each of the characters, and I was brought to tears by their pain.  The characters felt as real as Libby’s butterfly friends.

From the very beginning, I was drawn into this story, and I did not want to put the book down.  The characters grow and change over the course of the novel as the past and present collide.  There were also a lot of surprising twists to the story!  The struggles reach a conclusion, and the romantic aspect was sweet if not a bit dramatic (in a good way).  The vivid imagery allowed me to experience the cottage, gardens, and the manor home in my mind.  I could smell the flowers and feel the cool river on my toes.  This is beautifully written, and the words excite the senses.  Overall this family story is beautiful, heart wrenching, engaging, and joyous.

Although many books address the topic of forgiveness, this book presents the topic in an inviting way.  It does not preach to the reader.  Instead, the growth and maturing of characters brings wisdom and revelation of a need to offer and accept forgiveness.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the historical fiction genre, whether or not you like Christian books.  The Christian message does not overpower the story.  I would recommend parents read the book before younger teens read it due to the subject matter.  I would also recommend it to anyone who appreciates characters with Autism. Although the book doesn’t name the disorder, it’s quite clear to those who know people or work with people who are on the Autism spectrum.

Thanks to Edelweiss and Howard Publishers for providing a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Pros:      Beautiful story, engaging characters, fast paced

Cons:     None

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (Nearly perfect)