Joyce Meyer's latest non-fiction release is a call to Christians to stand up and ACT. Meyer wants to wake us up to the injustice and suffering going on around the world. She calls us to to a part of what she calls the "Love Revolution" whose creed is this:

I take up compassion and surrender my excuses. I stand against injustice and commit to live out simple acts of God's love. I refuse to do nothing. This is my resolve. I am the Love Revolution.

I was struck by what Meyer had to say in this book. She began, on page 1, with statistics that quite simply broke my heart. 963 million hungry people; more than 1 billion people earning less that 1 dollar per day; 30,000 children a day dying because of poverty - 11 million each year - and most are under the age of five.

After reading these statistics and many more that Meyer includes on page one and beyond, I was hooked. I wanted to know how to be a part of this revolution, how I can possibly make a difference and impact the lives of these hurting people around the world. Meyer's answer: Love.

After sharing about needs of people around the world and then drawing our attention to those with needs in our own communities and even our own families, Meyer shares ways to reach out and make a difference. Some of the things she shares are as simple as allowing another driver to take a parking space that you were both waiting for (and doing so with a smile on your face) or mowing the lawn for an elderly neighbor.

She includes a chapter on how to "find out what people need and be a part of the solution." She calls us to look inside ourselves and ask ourselves tough questions like, "How selfish am I?" and "How much am I truly willing to help others?" These are tough questions to have to face the answers to - most of us aren't as unselfish or as giving as we wish we were.

Overall, The Love Revolution delivers exactly what it promises - ways to find a need and act in God's love to be a "part of the solution." If we would all read this book and live up to it's call, what a different place this world would be!

I can't say enough good things about Rene Gutteridge - or this book. I had the privilege of interviewing her recently and she shared about what it was like working with a co-author for the first time, how the idea for the book (and movie!) came about and what it was like writing about romance from a spiritual angle.

About Never The Bride:
Jessie Stone has spent thirty-five years fantasizing about marriage proposals, wedding dresses, and falling in love. She's been a bridesmaid eleven times, waved dozens of couples off to sunny honeymoons, and shopped in more department stores for half-price fondue pots than she cares to remember. But shopping in the love-of-her-life department hasn't been quite as productive. The man she thought she would marry cheated on her. The crush she has on her best friend Blake is at very best...well, crushing. And speed dating has only churned out memorable horror stories.

So when God shows up one day, in the flesh, and becomes a walking, talking part of her life, Jessie is skeptical. What will it take to convince her that God has a better love story than one of the thousands she's cooked up in her journals? Will she trust Him with her pen when it appears her dreams of being the bride are forever lost?

Edited: 08/19/2009 at 06:59 PM by jill.hart

Every girl wants a little adventure in her life now and then, but being kidnapped certainly wasn't the type of adventure that Kenzie Thorn would have expected. Kenzie knows that her job teaching prison inmates might be a bit dangerous, as is being the granddaughter of the governor, but she never expected something like this. When she's kidnapped by one of her new students she's not sure she's going to come through the experience alive.

The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn is a wonderful debut novel from author Liz Johnson. With just the right amounts of drama, suspense and romance, Johnson weaves a tale that will keep you reading late into the night. This is a great summer read!

About the Book
Myles Parsons is just another inmate in Kenzie Thorn's GED course until he kidnaps her, offering only a feeble explanation - that he's actually FBI Special Agent Myles Borden. Terrified, Kenzie doesn't want to believe his story of being undercover to protect her. Moreover, she can't believe that someone might really want her dead.

But just when Myles thinks he has her out of harm's way, his plans start to fall apart. He attempts to take Kenzie to a safe house - but the stubborn woman won't go! So together they must uncover the clues that will reveal a most shocking perpetrator. All the while Myles tries to keep his distance from Kenzie ... but finds himself falling in love.

About the Author
Liz Johnson grew up reading Christian fiction, and always dreamed of being part of the publishing industry. After graduating from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a degree in public relations, she set out to fulfill her dream. In 2006 she got her wish when she accepted a publicity position at a major trade book publisher. While working as a publicist in the industry, she decided to pursue her other dream-becoming an author. Along the way to having her novel published, she completed the Christian Writers Guild apprentice course and wrote articles for several magazines.

Liz lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she enjoys theater, ice skating, volunteering in her church's bookstore and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her nephew and three nieces. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn is her first novel. Keep up with Liz's adventures in writing at www.lizjohnsonbooks.com.

This is such a great book. It's clean and funny and just an all-around great story. Eugenia (Gennie) worms her way into your heart within the first few pages. I laughed out loud several times. Couldn't put this book down until I finished.
~ Jill

About the Book:
This Wild West adventure just might be the life she was meant to live.

The future is clearly mapped out for New York socialite Eugenia "Gennie" Cooper, but she secretly longs to slip into the boots of her favorite dime-novel heroine and experience just one adventure before settling down. When the opportunity arises, Gennie jumps at the chance to experience the Wild West, but her plans go awry when she is drawn into the lives of silver baron Daniel Beck and his daughter and finds herself caring for them more than is prudent - especially as she's supposed to go back to New York and marry another man.

As Gennie adapts to the rough-and-tumble world of 1880s Colorado, she must decide whether her future lies with the enigmatic Daniel Beck or back home with the life planned for her since birth. The question is whether Daniel's past - and disgruntled miners bent on revenge - will take that choice away from her.

Read the first Chapter of By Darkness Hid at RadiantLit!


REVIEW:
I adored this book. I was sincerely angry when I got to the last chapter - not because of the content, but because I didn't want it to end!

The characters are well-written and likeable (or thoroughly unlikeable - depending on their role in the story), the "fantasy" aspects are unique and believable and the plot worked. I was a little nervous when I started reading it - always am when I read fantasy - but Williamson drew me in and I soon couldn't put it down.

I will be waiting not-so-patiently for Book 2 and I can't wait to see what other story lines this author comes up with in the future!


ABOUT THE BOOK:
Half of Er'Rets is locked beneath an impenetrable shroud. On the side that still sees the sun, two young people struggle to understand the mind-communication abilities thrust upon them.

It's called bloodvoicing. Some say it's a gift. One of the newly "gifted" wish it had never come.

Achan has been a slave all his life. He is consigned to the kitchens of a lord and forced to swallow a foul potion every day. When an enigmatic knight offers to train Achan for the Kingsguard, he readily accepts. But his new skills with the sword do not prepare him for the battle raging between the voices in his head.

Vrell Sparrow is not who she seems. She masquerades as a boy to avoid capture by the powerful forces that seek to exploit her. But Vrell feels called to help a young squire who recently discovered his bloodvoicing gift, even if doing so requires her to work with those who could destroy her.

While Achan learns to use his new ability, Vrell struggles to shut hers down. All the voices strive to learn Achan and Vrell's true identities - and a different kind of voice is calling them both.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jill Williamson is a novelist, dreamer, and believer. She writes stories that combine danger, suspense, and adventure for people of all ages. An avid reader, she started Novel Teen Book Reviews to help teens find great books to read. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two book-loving children. By Darkness Hid is her first novel. Visit the author's website.

I adored the first book, Daring Chloe, in the Getaway Girls series by Laura Jensen Walker and this book is a great follow-up. Turning the Paige (love these titles!) is about Paige Kelley. She's a thirty-something single gal who feels like life is passing her by. With the help of her awesome book club - who have decided to create the adventures from the books they read (I want to be a book club like this!) - and through a series of life-altering events, Paige decides that it's time to make a change. She makes some tough decisions and handles some tough situations, but through it all she learns that God's plan for her is bigger and far better than she could have dreamed.

This is absolutely a series worth reading. I always walk away feeling inspired and excited about life.

Today I'd like to welcome author and speaker, Jill Savage. Jill's recent book Real Moms...Real Jesus, just released, and I wanted to ask her about her real mom moments..

Jill, tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

Mark and I have been married 25 years and we have five children. Anne is 24 and married to our wonderful son-in-love, Matt. Evan is 21 and married to our beautiful daughter-in-love, Julie. Erica is 18 and a college student at Heartland Community College. Kolya is 15 and in the 8th grade. We adopted Kolya at the age of 9 from Russia - the God story about his adoption is included in the Real Moms...Real Jesus book. And Austin is 12 and in the 7th grade.

Tell us about your newest book Real Moms...Real Jesus?

Real Moms...Real Jesus is a book designed to help moms understand that when Jesus lived on this earth he was fully God, yet fully man. We don't often think about the fact that he was a human being and he lived the full human experience: pain, hunger, fatigue, frustration, betrayal, disappointment. He experienced it all!

There's one verse in the Bible about Jesus that simply says "large crowds followed him everywhere he went." Well, isn't that the life of a mom? Large crowds follow her to the bathroom. They follow her to the kitchen. To the grocery store. She's in high demand! And when Jesus lived on this earth, He was in high demand, too.

Why did you want to write this book?

Most of us long for a friend who understands. Yes, we need girlfriends who understand what our life is like. But we also need to understand that we have a friend who understands in Jesus. Too many of us think of God as being distant and unable to relate to our daily struggles. But nothing could be further from the truth! He understands and he wants us to build our friendship with Him. He wants to not only be our Savior, but also our Friend.

What do you hope your readers will gain from this book?

I hope that readers will gain a new perspective about their relationship with Jesus. I also hope to weave God's truth into the daily life of a mom.

What unique elements will the reader find in Real Moms...Real Jesus?

Each chapter looks at some character trait in Jesus' life that can help us in our life as a mom. In between the chapters are interactive vignettes that provide brief, refreshing glimpses into our real, messy, busy lives.

There are also questions at the end of the chapter for further consideration and suggested Bible reading in the book of Matthew. If the reader chooses to pursue the suggested reading, she will have read the book of Matthew completely by the end of the book!

There is also a leader's guide in the back of the book so it can be used in a group setting.

This is a Hearts at Home book. What is Hearts at Home?

Hearts at Home is an organization that encourages, educates, and equips women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home encourages moms through annual conferences, our extensive website (www.hearts-at-home.org), a free bi-weekly electronic newsletter, a radio program, and an entire line of books designed to meet the needs of moms all over the world!

Any closing thoughts?

I am very excited about this book! I believe that if a mom can strengthen her relationship with Jesus Christ, she will feel more equipped to be the mom she wants to be. I'm also offering an online book discussion on my blog beginning Tuesday, April 7. If you'd like to join us, you can subscribe to my blog at www.jillsavage.org.

I'd love to hear a reader's thoughts after they read the book, too! You can connect to me through my blog at www.jillsavage.org.

Thanks, Jill, for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your real mom, real Jesus moments with us.

You can purchase your own copy of Real Moms...Real Jesus by clicking here.

And be sure to check out Hearts at Home, their conferences for moms, and all their online resources here.

About Sweetwater Gap:
A story of love and second chances. She wished she could go back and change things . . . but life doesn't give do-overs. Could anything but good-byes be waiting on the other side of Sweetwater Gap?

Josie Mitchell's sister Laurel thinks she's come home to pitch in with the apple harvest and save the family orchard. Her brother-in-law Nate thinks she's there to talk the overworked, very pregnant Laurel into finally selling the family business. The orchard's new manager Grady Mackenzie just thinks she's trouble with a capital T. They're all right . . . and all wrong. Because no one really knows what drove Josie from home in the first place. Why she's never come home before, even for her own father's funeral. Why she pushes herself so hard . . . and what she's running from. And nobody, not even Josie, is prepared for the surprising new fruit she'll find on her last trip home.

About the Author:
Denise lives in Indiana with her husband Kevin and their three sons. In 1996, Denise began her first book, a Christian romance novel, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her books often contain a strong romantic element, and her husband Kevin says he provides all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

Hear my interview with Denise at http://radiantlit.com/2009/04/...-visits-radiantlitcom/.

What. A. Great. Book. I adored this book. It's sweet, funny, charming - everything you want in a novel. I love a strong heroine, so the main character stood out to me immediately when I read the back of the book:

From the Back Cover
In A Vote of Confidence, the stage is set for some intriguing insight into what it was like during 1915 to be a woman in a "man's world."

Guinevere Arlington is a beautiful young woman determined to remain in charge of her own life. For seven years, Gwen has carved out a full life in the bustling town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, where she teaches piano and writes for the local newspaper. Her passion for the town, its people, and the surrounding land prompt Gwen to run for mayor. After all, who says a woman can't do a man's job?

But stepping outside the boundaries of convention can get messy. A shady lawyer backs Gwen, believing he can control her once she's in office. A wealthy newcomer throws his hat into the ring in an effort to overcome opposition to the health resort he's building north of town. When the opponents fall in love, everything changes, forcing Gwen to face what she may have to lose in order to win.

And I wasn't disappointed. Hatcher draws the reader in and kicks the story off from page one. Gwen is a great leading lady - tough enough to run for Mayor and yet "soft" enough to give piano lessons and care for the people of Bethlehem Springs. I'm glad there are more books to come in this series. You will be, too!

Still Going It Alone: Mothering with Faith and Finesse When the Children Have Grown is author Michele Howe's follow-up to Going It Alone: Meeting the Challenges of Being a Single Mom. In this second book, Howe speaks to single moms who are preparing for an empty nest.

Topics Include:
* Adjusting to a quieter home
* Supporting grown children as they embrace independence
* Managing your career and finances
* Being a grandparent
* and much, much more

Author Michele Howe has written ten books for women specializing mainly in single parenting issues. Her book, "Going It Alone: Meeting the Challenges of Being a Single Mom" (Hendrickson Publishing), provided hope and practical helps for single moms new to parenting solo. She has also authored "Pilgrim Prayers for Single Mothers" (Pilgrim Press) and a third book of helps for single mothers titled, "Successful Single Moms" (Pilgrim Press.) In addition to these resources for single mothers, Michele wrote four separate titles combining real life stories with inspirational prayer retreats. These titles published by (Jossey-Bass) include: "Prayers for Homeschooling Moms," "Prayers to Nourish a Woman's Heart," "Prayers of Comfort and Strength" and "Prayers for New and Expecting Moms."