Book Review: Sex Matters

About

The Unedited Truth About Sex
· Is hooking up really wrong?
· What about living together if you fall in love?
· If the Bible bans sex before marriage . . . is everything else fair game?
· What about same-sex relationships? Since when does God deny any kind of true love?

Great questions . . . but who has the answers?

Our culture creates a lot of confusion about sex. Honestly, sometimes it's difficult to know who's telling the truth. On one hand, when we read our Bibles or go to church, we hear how God's design is to wait for sex and save that kind of intimacy for marriage. But on the other hand, when we go to school, turn on the TV, or listen to many of the songs on our favorite playlists . . . they say quite the opposite. Naturally, this makes many of us wonder. Who's right? Sex seems fun. How can something so natural be off-limits?

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My Reflections:

Sex Matters is a frank, biblically sound book that deals with how to effectively broach the subject of sex with our children.

Lets face it, "the talk" is uncomfortable for our teens, but they absolutely have question and we need to be comfortable enough to find honest straight forward answers for them. You remember being young and instead of asking those awkward questions to your parents, where did you go? Friends, books, internet? While questions could be answered, wouldn't it be wise to be the source of faith filled answers for your teens?

Jonathan Mckee has given parents a fabulous tool in his new book. Questions like, Why Wait?, Is Masturbation a sin? These questions are answered and so much more...

In a culture laden with sexual sin and misinformation it is refreshing and empowering to have books like these to help us raise our teens to be the best they can be.

This undiluted book is a powerful tool and I am so glad to have had the opportunity to not only read this book by Mckee but also his other book "More Than Just The Talk" (See review here: http://citygirlmovestothecountry-tanya.blogspot.ca/2015/03/book-review-more-than-just-talk.html ) Resources like these are invaluable in raising kids in today's world, I highly recommend this book and the above mentioned one to add to your collection of reference books. Youth workers, teachers, coaches and students, this book is for you!

Thank you Jonathan Mckee for writing books like these addressing tough questions, that need to be revealed!

I received this book free of charge from Graf-Martin Communications in return for my honest review. Thank you Graf- Martin!

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The Author

1. 

   Jonathan McKee

   Jonathan McKee is an expert on youth culture and the author of more a dozen books, including Sex Matters, Get Your Teenager Talking, and The Guy's Guide to God, Girls, and the Phone in Your Pocket. He has twenty years of youth-ministry...
   

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Book Review: Buried Secrets

From the Back:

They both wanted quieter, safer lives.
But crime never sleeps . . .
and killers keep killing.
After years as a Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant is ready for the kinder, gentler life of a small-town police chief. But the discovery of a human skeleton by a construction crew at the edge of town taxes department resources. Enter ex-Navy SEAL Mac McGregor, the detective sent by the county to assist on the case. As they work to solve the mystery behind the unmarked grave, danger begins to shadow them. Someone doesn't want this dead person telling any tales--and will stop at nothing to make certain a life-shattering secret stays buried.

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My Reflections: 

Irene Hannon has done it again, a  spine tingling thriller that will keep you engaged and jittery until the bitter end.

This is Hannon's newest series "Men Of Valor,"  if you enjoy a romantic mystery and intense  action this will most likely be a favorite.
Though this is a great stand alone, this book definitely sets the stage for Hannon's upcoming novels. I am so eager to read the next book in the series!

The villain is cold and heartless, and will keep you on edge, don't read this on a dark stormy night. The protagonists are true to life characters and although faced with real danger and strife they hold fast to their values and face them in a human and true to life fashion.

Police Chief Lisa Grant and Detective Mac McGregor are tasked with solving the mystery of the newly discovered human remains. This grave seems to be tied to a cold file missing persons case, 25 years cold.... This skeleton is not talking, and the duo must dig deep to uncover the sinister truth.

Along the way they learn more about the mystery surrounding the case along with unearthing new found feeling for each other.

I received this book free of charge from Graf-Martin Communications in exchange for my honest review. Thank you Graf-Martin!

The Author

1. 

   © DeWeesePhotography.com

   Irene Hannon

   Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five novels, including That Certain Summer, One Perfect Spring, and the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have been honored with two coveted...
   

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Book Review: What a Girl Needs From Her Mom

About

Mystified by the situations girls face today?
There's a good reason, Mom. Our girls are growing up in a completely different world than we did. But whether your daughter is very young or a teenager, you can equip yourself with the wisdom and practical help she needs for the pressures and decisions ahead.

With keen insight and warm encouragement, Cheri Fuller shares how you can become a more welcome influence at every stage in your daughter's life. Drawing from her own experiences and the expertise of others, Cheri answers all the top questions, including:

"How can I help my girl avoid the dangers of social media and navigate the digital world?"
"How can I counter society's unhealthy messages about body image and sexuality?
"How can I help my daughter (and me!) deal with her emotional ups and downs?"
"What are the best ways to instill good values?"
"How can I help her grow a firm faith in God?"

Filled with trustworthy suggestions, this book will help you steer your daughter toward becoming a healthy, confident young woman.

Includes Reflection Questions for Personal or Group Use
Great for understanding granddaughters, too!

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My Reflections: 

A must read for any mother who wants to connect with her daughter in a meaningful and intentional manner. 

We all want to raise happy, healthy well adjusted young women. In today's environment we soon discover that the ideal is far from perfect. Times are changing more rapidly that even our tech savvy children can keep up with. Peer pressure and media are no longer a slow cooker our girls live in, but a pressure cooker. They are not able to be little girls for long, instead are thrust into a very adult world that they are poorly equipped to navigate.

Fuller's book What a Girl Needs from her Mom is an insightful and encouraging read. The topics are well thought out and informative. Some of the subjects covered are

- Mothering in a changing world,
-A mom who bonds and connects with her daughter,
-A mom who listens with her heart,
-A mom who is present and engaged,
-A mom who helps her daughter navigate the digital world,
-A mom who encourages and builds confidence,
-A mom who helps her daughter learn to manage emotions, and so on..

When I first read through these titles all that I felt was GUILT... I mean wow, I majorly fail at this parenting gig on an hourly basis! 

This book offers us, (ME) hope and encouragement along with Gods design for parenting our daughters. I especially loved the sections in the end of the chapter where it gave questions to discuss or journal about. This is a wonderful way to reflect and pray about your circumstances and effect real change in our relationships.

If you are looking to instill healthy values, grow a firm foundation and develop a strong relationship, then I would encourage you to read this book along with Fuller's other book titles What a son Need from his Mom my full review here: 

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf-Martin Communications. Thank you Graf-Martin!

THE AUTHOR

1. 

   Photograph courtesy of Carl Cramer

   Cheri Fuller

   Cheri Fuller is a gifted speaker and award-winning author of more than forty-five books, including What a Son Needs From His Momand the bestselling When Mothers Pray. A former Oklahoma Mother of the Year, Cheri has worked with kids of all ages...

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Book Review: Finding Me

About

What would you do if you learned your life was a lie? All her life, Kelli Huddleston has been told the story of a fire--a fire that killed her mother and two siblings when she was an infant. After her father's death though, she uncovers evidence of a different story, including clippings about a boat accident that killed a young father and his infant daughter. And Kelli quietly realizes the story of her life has been a fiction.


How far would you go to discover the truth?
Armed with only a few pictures of what she thinks might be her family, Kelli crosses the country to Tennessee, determined to uncover the truth about what happened over twenty years ago in a small southern town. When the trip threatens to open doors to the past better left shut, and her plans for the future are jeopardized, Kelli is faced with an agonizing choice that will change her life forever.

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My Reflections:

Finding me has an intriguing plot wrought with  the destruction that lies hold. Cushman brings depth and drama to this tale with skill and precision.

Kelli Huddleston comes to grips with her past, when finding out that the life she believed was a lie. Imagine thinking your mother and two older siblings are dead presumably in a house fire, then discover that this is false. Add to this fact that it was your father who is now deceased that told you these lies. When it feels like Kelli's whole life is crashing around her like a flimsy deck of cards, she bravely sets out to find the truth, to find out who she is and where she came from. 

This book is chilling and graphic at times, but the gripping tale will leave you riveted until the very last page. This book feels too real to be just a story, it begs for attention and leaves the reader deeply engaged in the plot. While the ending leaves you begging for more detail, it is completed with promise and hope. I tend to like a story with details mapped out until the end, but not everyone likes their stories wrapped up pretty with a bow, after all how realistic is that?

One of the things I love about Cushman's work is that she makes her fictional stories so believable and 3 dimensional that the world around you literately falls away and you become swept up into the story so fully that you forget the world around you....and your need for sleep..
I am sure if you love a good Christian Mystery you will thoroughly enjoy "Finding Me."

I received this book free of charge from Graf-Martin Communication in return for my honest review. Thank you Graf-Martin!

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The Author

1. 

   Photo courtesy of Doug Ellis Photography

   Kathryn Cushman

   Kathryn Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. She is the author of five novels, including Leaving Yesterday and A Promise to Remember, which were both finalists for the Carol Award in Women's Fiction. She is also...
   

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Reviews

Cushman tells a deeply moving story of painful revelation and hard-won redemption steeped in small-town, southern charm, a tale full of heart and hope for all who have ever wished to feel that they truly belong.
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Book Review: Anna's Crossing

From The Back:

"This novel is a winner."--Publishers Weekly
Some endings are really beginnings . . .

On a hot day in 1737 in Rotterdam, Anna König reluctantly sets foot on the Charming Nancy, a merchant ship that will carry her and her fellow Amish believers across the Atlantic to start a new life. As the only one in her community who can speak English, she feels compelled to go. But Anna is determined to complete this journey and return home--assuming she survives. She's heard horrific tales of ocean crossings and worse ones of what lay ahead in the New World. But fearfulness is something Anna has never known.

Ship's carpenter Bairn resents the somber people--dubbed Peculiars by the deckhands--who fill the lower deck of the Charming Nancy. All Bairn wants to do is to put his lonely past behind him, but that irksome and lovely lass Anna and her people keep intruding on him.

Delays, storms, illness, and diminishing provisions test the mettle and patience of everyone on board. When Anna is caught in a life-threatening situation, Bairn makes a discovery that shakes his entire foundation. But has the revelation come too late?

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My Reflections:

This is an Amish tale like no other!.

Journey along side Anna Koninig as she travels from her small village of Ixheim, Germany to "the New World." The hardships she faces in the dank smelling belly of the ship are not for the faint of heart. Not to mention the constant threats of death, illness, dehydration, prejudice, condemnation and the language barriers.

Anna is a strong character, who does not give up. She holds everyone else up when they fall apart. Anna must come to terms with her plight and decide to embrace change or turn away. Sometimes an ending is really the start of something new...

Little Felix is a spirited lad filled with mischief and curiosity. He soon discovers the workings of the boat and weasels his way into the hearts of a few crew members as well. Can this boy stay out of trouble long enough to make it to the new world, or will his shenanigans cost him more than he can fathom?

Bairn has his life mapped out, and nothing can alter his course, not even the pretty Amish girl who keeps getting under his feet and sneaking into his thoughts! After a life of hardship and pain Bairn is determined to make something of himself, if only he can focus on the repairs of the ship and his responsibilities.

A tale interwoven with drama and discovery. This story will have readers mesmerized, not only is there historical fiction, but also a tender romance. If you are looking for a novel boasting all this on top of a story line filled with redemption and faith intermingled with the perseverance of the human spirit, look no farther, this one is a winner!

Woods Fisher is a talented writer who literally makes her characters come to life. You feel a connection and bond with her fictional works, this spurs you on to think deeply about the subject matter and story line, which brings the story to life in a whole other dimension. well done definitely a keeper.

I was given this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf-Martin communications, thank you Graf-Martin!

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The Author

1. 

   © Dan Davis Photography

   Suzanne Woods Fisher

   Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Letters, The Calling, the Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the...
   

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Book Review: "More Than Just the Talk"

From the Back:

Have Real Conversations With Your Kids About Sex. The old ways of having the "sex talk" just won't cut it anymore. Sadly, the number one place today's young people go to for answers about sex is Google. Meanwhile, kids view nearly 14,000 sexual references a year on television, and 70 percent of teenagers have encountered pornography on the Internet. If we want our children to know the truth about healthy sexuality, we need to create a comfortable climate of continual conversations.

Jonathan McKee will show you how to move beyond the initial awkwardness of this subject into an ongoing communication with your kids about God's amazing gift of sex. He equips you with what you need to talk openly about dating, temptation, porn, and purity, and you will find answers to tough questions and relevant Scripture on sexual issues.

It's normal for kids to be curious about sexuality, and they need to know that their parents are the most reliable source of information. Be the one your kids turn to on this crucial topic.

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My Reflections:
  
At our house we are always having "the talk" it is just natural for me to bring up things that embarrass my children, and cause them to groan. Usually this happens at the supper table when we are all together and going over our day and something will spark one of my crazy speeches. Having books around that share my beliefs and values helps our children to become educated and comfortable speaking about these issues as well.

Our sex-crazed world is filled with inappropriate images and skewed values, one only has to go to the grocery store and stand in the checkout line to see the way these messages are forced onto us. Even though we don't have cable at our house Netflix and the internet are still places that I monitor with a vengeance. Our kids need to be savvy when dealing with all the media that is thrown their way, they need to understand that not everything they see on TV or hear from their friends is factual.

Sex is a gift from God, but there are boundaries and limits that protect us from sin and destruction. I am so glad there are authors that are not afraid to broach this subject, with tact and straight talk.

More than Just the Talk: Becoming Your Kids Go-To Person About Sex is a great book for parents. It is informative, thought provoking, and gives parents an insight into what our kids face on a daily basis. Jonathan McKee bases this book on scripture, and teaches parents how to bring up touchy subjects with ease and honesty, all the while referring back to biblical principals. Though our kids don't face some of the issues presented in the book, (because they are home-schooled), the book has been a wealth of information and will continue to be a wonderful resource that I will refer to time and time again.

I was given this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf-Martin Communications. Thank you Graf-Martin!

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About The Author

1. 

   Jonathan McKee

   Jonathan McKee is an expert on youth culture and the author of more a dozen books, including Sex Matters, Get Your Teenager Talking, and The Guy's Guide to God, Girls, and the Phone in Your Pocket. He has twenty years of youth-ministry...
   

   Continue reading about Jonathan McKee

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Book Review: Dauntless

From The Back:

Where Legend and History Collide,
One Young Woman Will Fight for the Innocent

Born a baron's daughter, Lady Merry Ellison is now an enemy of the throne after her father's failed assassination attempt upon the king. Bold and uniquely skilled, she is willing to go to any lengths to protect the orphaned children of her former village--a group that becomes known as "The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest." Merry finds her charge more difficult as their growing notoriety brings increasing trouble their way.

Timothy Grey, ninth child of the Baron of Greyham, longs to perform some feat so legendary that he will rise from obscurity and earn a title of his own. When the Ghosts of Farthingale Forest are spotted in Wyndeshire, where he serves as assistant to the local earl, he might have found his chance. But when he comes face-to-face with the leader of the thieves, he's forced to reexamine everything he's known.

My Reflections: 

Dauntless is a mix of young adult medieval romance combined with a Robin Hood flair of sorts. A exceptionally enjoyable read filled with romance (clean), adventure and a touch of mystery. 

Merry Ellison the strong lead character is thrust into the role of protector, after her father makes some unwise choices. Taking it upon herself to care for the orphaned children of her former village she does what she must to support her charges. Merry is not the soft feminine girly girl of this era she is tough and highly skilled, ready to fight for what she believes in, even if it means death....

Hidden in the thick forests the "Ghosts of Farthingale" prowl through the wood to take what they must to survive. When pursued by Timothy Grey, a cat and mouse chase ensues causing risks nobody wants to face. Merry has not set eyes on Timothy for years and although she knows he is trouble she can't decide which of her emotions to trust? Her love for the children or her conflicting feelings for Timothy?  Though action packed, this story also has a soft side, an emotionally charged drama unfolds in the backdrop of England.... 

A great book for the youth in your life I would say from the ages 12-20, although I quite enjoyed this book and I would rate it as a decent crossover novel. 
I felt comfortable enough to give it to my 12 year old to read. There is a good amount of romance involved in this book but it is all very clean and appropriate in my opinion. This book has everything you would expect form a YA novel, devotion, true love, angst, drama, faith struggles, adventure and a touch of mystery. 

I received this book free of charge in return for my honest review from Graf-Martin communications. Thank you Graf-Martin!

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The Author

1. 

   © Silly Little Sparrow Photos

   Dina L. Sleiman

   Dina L. Sleiman holds an MA in professional writing from Regent University and a BA in communications with a minor in English from Oral Roberts University. Over the past eighteen years, she has had opportunities to teach college writing and literature, as well as...
   

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