The Bridesmaid by Beverly Lewis

The Bridesmaid is the second book in the Home to Hickory Hollow Series.  I reviewed the first book The Fiddler here. 

Joanna Kurtz has been a bridesmaid several times and some people, like her sister Cora Jane, are wondering if she will ever be a bride herself.  Joanna is optimistic though that she will one day marry.  Her heart is taken with Eben Troyer.  They have a long distance courtship because he lives in Indiana.  Will Eben be able to leave Indiana to move to Hickory Hollow to properly court Joanna?  Should Joanna wait for him or move on?   

I liked reading Joanna's story. I appreciated her faith and her dedication.  She had a strained relationship with Cora Jane which caused problems through the book.  She also had a tough time because of her love for writing stories and her hidden desire to have her work published. 

This was an enjoyable book, and I have enjoyed it as I've enjoyed others by Beverly Lewis.  

This book was provided by Bethany House Publishers for my review. 

Have a day of blessings!

Grace

Have you read the new book by popular author Max Lucado?  It is called Grace. 

Book Description: 

Grace.

We talk as though we understand the term. The bank gives us a grace period. The seedy politician falls from grace. Musicians speak of a grace note. We describe an actress as gracious, a dancer as graceful. We use the word for hospitals, baby girls, kings, and premeal prayers. We talk as though we know what grace means.

But do we really understand it? Have we settled for wimpy grace? It politely occupies a phrase in a hymn, fits nicely on a church sign. Never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, “Do you believe in grace?” who could say no?

Max Lucado asks a deeper question: Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace? Strengthened by grace? Emboldened by grace? Softened by grace? Snatched by the nape of your neck and shaken to your senses by grace?

God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you. From insecure to God secure. From regret riddled to better-because-of-it. From afraid to die to ready to fly.

Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off.

Let’s make certain grace gets you.

My thoughts:
I have enjoyed reading this book as I have enjoyed other books by Max Lucado.  He has so many good books, and this one is another good to add to your library.  I believe the message of this book will be well received by many readers because this is something we all can relate to....trying to be good enough or do more or be successful in order to earn God's love.  None of those things are needed though.  And that is the point of this book.  The reader is reminded of what grace is and gives examples of people (both from the Bible and other modern day examples) who have given and received grace.  Another thing about grace is that once we realize the magnitude of the grace we have been given, we need to show that grace to others.  This isn't something we can do in our human selves. 

I liked this quote in the book and want to leave you with this:
"You are loved by your Maker not because you try to please Him and succeed, or fail to please Him and apologize, but because He wants to be your Father." 

I received this book from the Book Sneeze reviewers program for my honest review.

Have a day of blessings!

Audio book: Finding God in The Hunger Games

I have finished listening to a book called Finding God in The Hunger Games by Ken Gire and read by David Cochran Heath.  You can see the book here.

I have not read or watched The Hunger Games so on one hand it was interesting to me to hear this book and learn a little bit of the background of the popular book/movie.  The author looks to find any comparisons that can be made between God and the characters of The Hunger Games. He explores why a book of this type was written, why it was so popular in today's culture, and what people are searching for.  However, I thought it was odd that he wrote a book with this title after saying in the book that he couldn't find God in The Hunger Games.  This was a very short book, and I wondered if some of the topics could have been examined in more depth.  I don't really have anything against the book; it will not, however, be on the list of the best, most interesting books I have read.

The narrator David Cochran Heath did a good job, and I had no problem listening to him read.

This audio book was provided to me by christianaudio Reviewers Program for my honest review.
 
Have a day of blessings!

Book: Over The Edge

I would like to share with you a book I read called Over the Edge by Mary Connealy.  This is Book #3 in The Kincaid Brides series.  I reviewed book #2 In Too Deep here.

About the book:
Seth Kincaid survived a fire in a cave, but he's never been the same. He was always a reckless youth, but now he's gone over the edge. He ran off to the Civil War and came back crazier than ever.
After the war, nearly dead from his injuries, it appears Seth got married. Oh, he's got a lot of excuses, but his wife isn't happy to find out Seth doesn't remember her. Callie has searched, prayed, and worried. Now she's come to the Kincaid family's ranch in Colorado to find her lost husband.

Callie isn't a long-suffering woman. Once she knows her husband is alive, she wants to kill him. She's not even close to forgiving him for abandoning her.

Then more trouble shows up in the form of a secret Seth's pa kept for years. The Kincaid brothers might lose their ranch if they can't sort things out. It's enough to drive a man insane--but somehow it's all making Seth see things more clearly. And now that he knows what he wants, no one better stand in his way.

My thoughts:
(I was looking at my blog posts and saw this still in "draft" mode from the beginning of October!  Oops!)

I enjoyed this book.  It was very similar to the other books I read by this author so I sort of felt I knew what to expect as I read.  

What I liked about this book was the idea of healing that happened for all the family members.  If you read the other books in the series, you see the deep pain and trouble that the brothers deal with because of their past.  I felt in this book there was healing for them all and that was nice to see. 

I also wanted to add that I liked how the covers of the three books in this series fit so nicely together in my opinion as they all have one of the brothers and his bride in the background. 

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for sending this book for my review.  I apologize for the delay in publishing my review. 

Have a day of blessings!

Do you have issues??

I had the privilege of reviewing She's Got Issues by Nicole Unice.  This is a DVD and there is a book of the same title. 

We all have issues as women.  It seems we often hide the reality of these issues because we don't want others to know our struggles or that we aren't want we seem to be on the outside.  In this study there are six lessons based on the issues we face as women.  These issues keep us from experiencing the life God has for us.  The six issues she addresses are control, insecurity, comparison, fear, anger, and unforgiveness. 

Do you have trouble with any of these?  As I was reading the book and watching the DVD, I was struck by how much I can relate to each them.  Some I would think to myself "Oh I don't have a problem with that."  Then as I got into it I could see how the issue is present in my life, either now or at some time in the past.  It was refreshing to me to see how other women struggle and that God wants more for us than to continue living with these issues.

Each issue is covered in two chapters of the book.  One thing I like is the questions asked at the end of each chapter that would be great for group discussion.  The DVD has six sessions that go with the chapters in the book.  At the beginning of each session Nicole interviews a lady about how she deals with a particular issue and what it has looked like in her life.  Then it changes to a group setting where she does some teaching, sharing both stories and examples from the Bible. 

I highly recommend this book and DVD for you to do as a study by yourself or with a group of ladies.  I really learned a lot from it and found it very applicable and "real life." 

You can see more about the book at this link, including a clip with Nicole Unice.

Thank you to Tyndale for providing this book and DVD for my honest review.
 
Have a day of blessings!

Book: For This Child I Prayed

Today I'd like to share with you a book called For This Child I Prayed by Stormie Omartian and illustrated by Susan Rios. 

In this book there are excerpts from another book by Omartian called The Power of a Praying Parent.  As parents we need to be in prayer for our children.  This book can serve as a guide to help you remember to pray about various topics/areas, such as protection, feeling loved and accepted, their understanding of the Lord, their future mate, and relationships with family.  Verses are included as well. 

I enjoyed reading this little book.  The prayers are written beautifully and the illustrations add appeal.  I believe it would make a nice baby shower gift or gift for any parent.

Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for sending me a copy of this book for my review.

Have a day of blessings!

Short-Straw Bride

I was happy to read Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer.  This is the author's fourth book.  (I also must say it makes the books a little more fun to read for me personally since I know the author in real life!)

From the publisher:

No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.

 

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth
Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?   

My thoughts:
I hope you will consider reading this wonderful book!  I was drawn into this book from the prologue when young Meredith sneaks onto the Archer land to retrieve her lunch pail.  Travis comes to her rescue and has been held in her heart as a hero since that day, even though she hasn't seen him again.  Years later when Meredith hears of a plot to destroy the Archer ranch, she wants to warn the brothers. 

I enjoyed getting to know these characters, and I definitely look forward to reading more about these brothers.  It would make a great series in my opinion! I appreciate the lessons learned by both Travis and Meredith as their story progresses...lessons that make them better people and that the reader can learn from as well.        

Here is a short clip about the movie as well if you'd like to watch it. 


Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for sending this book to me for my honest review. 

Have a day of blessings!

Audio book: How Should Christians Vote?

With the election coming up soon, the title of this book caught my eye.  How Should Christians Vote? is written by Dr. Tony Evans and read by Mirron Willis. 

Does it matter how you vote if you are a Christian?  Should you vote with one party or another just because you always have?  How should you answer when someone asks if you are a Republican or Democrat?  These questions and others are addressed in this book.  The author makes the point that we need to pay attention to what the Bible says about government (and there is a lot).  The author's opinion is that as a Christian you need to vote based on what the Bible says, not based on anything else.  I liked his use of the football game analogy at the end regarding the two teams on the field plus the officials.  He makes a strong point as well throughout the book for the value of human life. 

To be honest the narrator was hard for me to listen to.  He did okay but did not add anything to this book in my opinion as some I have listened to in the past have done. 

This was an alright book.  It gave me some things to think about and consider. 

This book was provided for my honest review by the christianaudio Reviewers Program

Have a day of blessings!

Audio: Jungle Doctor and the Whirlwind

I have finished listening to a book called Jungle Doctor and the Whirlwind by Paul White. 

I will admit when I first received this review opportunity, I listened to a sample portion of the book and was not sure this would be a book I would enjoy.  However, I am glad I had the opportunity to listen. 

About the book:
Paul White was an Australian missionary doctor in Africa who learnt to clothe his Bible teaching in fables, creating stories with a timeless quality. When he returned home to Australia his stories were discovered and published to world-wide acclaim. Enjoy the first four books in the series, Jungle Doctor and the Whirlwind, Jungle Doctor on the Hop,Jungle Doctor Spots a Leopard and Jungle Doctor's Crooked Dealings.

My thoughts:
This was a wonderful book.  I enjoyed the stories of the life faced by this missionary doctor and the people he was trying to help in Africa.  In this book there is an outbreak of dysentery and he works to help the people who are sick and tries to slow the spread of the disease.  The way he shared the truth of the Word with them through stories and fables was enjoyable and made me stop and think as I listened.  The book has a great lesson in my opinion.

One thing that was hard for me to follow was all the characters.  It took me a while to figure out who was who in this book. A list is given at the beginning which is helpful and I know if I was reading the print version I would have been able to refer back to this list to refresh my memory. The more I got into the book the easier it was to remember each one.

At first I thought the book would be hard to understand but I quickly became accustomed to the  narrator, Paul Michael.  I enjoyed his accent and the way he read this book.  
Thank you to the christianaudio Reviewers program for providing this audio book for my review.
Have a day of blessings!

The Guest Book

I received a wonderful book called The Guest Book by Marybeth Whalen.  I have read the other books by this author including She Makes It Look Easy and The Mailbox.  Both were great, so I was glad for an opportunity to review this new book. 

The Guest Book is set at the beach house that Macy Dillon visited throughout her childhood with her parents and brother, Max. Macy had a tradition of leaving a picture in the guest book of the beach house each year before they went home.  She would draw something relevant to the trip that year.  Each year she would return to find out what picture her mystery artist friend left for her as a response.  They had a conversation going back and forth for many years in the guest book.  The family stopped going to the beach for many years after Macy's father died. 

Years later Macy returns to the beach house with her Mom, brother, and daughter.  They each are broken and hurting, looking for some peace in their lives.  Will they find the healing they are all in search of on this trip, or will it be too painful to return to the beach house since the death of their father/husband?  Macy hopes to somehow find her mystery artist.  Does he even remember her and their guest book conversations? 

I enjoyed this book, the characters, and the beach setting so much.  I will admit that it did not go as I thought it would, which makes the book more interesting and enjoyable to me as a reader.  If you are looking for a good book to read before summer is over this would be a great choice! I highly recommend this book to you.  Also, there is a giveaway you can enter on the author's site for a weekend getaway to Sunset Beach!

Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for my review through a giveaway hosted on the author's website. 

Have a day of blessings!

Book: The Majesty of Prayer

Doesn't the cover of this book look inviting?  When you open the pages you will have to pause a minute to just look at the photos before you even begin to read the words.  The photographs in this book are just beautiful!  The reader can see many scenes of God's creation throughout the pages of this little book. 

The Majesty of Prayer by John MacArthur is a nice inspirational gift book that would be appropriate for a gift or as an addition to your coffee table or night stand.  Included are inspiring, beautifully written prayers as well as various quotes and Bible verses. 

Thank you to Harvest House Publishers for sending me this book for my honest review.
Have a day of blessings!

Book review: My Stubborn Heart

I read some good reviews of this book so when I saw I could review it for Bethany House I quickly requested it. 

From back cover:
Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can't help being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she can't quite put her finger on. He's clearly wounded--hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light...whether he likes it or not.

When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?

My thoughts:
This was a quick, easy read for me.  I enjoyed the storyline and the characters.  It was different from other books I have read from Bethany House though because it did have a few words and phrases that are not typical for Christian books. I liked Kate's character and her sensitivity to Matt and his hurting heart.  Also, I liked that she did not try to figure things out on her own but really looked to God for direction for her life, even if she felt the answer was not the answer she was seeking.  I appreciated the relationship between Kate and her grandmother and her grandmother's senior friends.  They were a nice addition to the book I thought.  Overall I did enjoy this book.  I would like to read a continuation of these character's lives.             

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers. 

Have a day of blessings!

The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis

I have finished The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis.  This is the first book in the "Home to Hickory Hollow" series. 

Englisher Amelia Devries finds herself lost in a rain storm when she is heading home after being one of the opening acts at a concert. She is a violinist but secretly plays the fiddle on the side.   She ends up at a cabin in the woods where Michael Hostetler is staying.  Michael offers shelter to Amelia.  The two become friends as they talk over a game of chess, and Michael invites her to visit Amish country with him once the storm clears.  Amelia enjoys her weekend staying in Amish country, makes new friends, and leaves with a changed perspective.   

Even though they live very different lives, they both are trying to live to meet the expectations of others.  Michael feels the pressure to join the Amish church while Amelia lives with what her parents expect her to do with her life and her music.  They both feel trapped and unhappy.

I always enjoy the books written by Beverly Lewis.  I enjoyed the encouragement shared by one of the characters Ella Mae and how Amelia used this in her life when she went back home.  This book makes me look forward to book #2 in this series. 

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing this book for my review. 

Have a day of blessings!

Book review: Blue Moon Bay

I borrowed Blue Moon Bay by Lisa Wingate from our local library and finished reading it last week. (Maybe you've seen it with a different cover, this is the large print edition.)

From the back cover:
Every Once in a Blue Moon Your Heart Waits at a Crossroads

For Seattle architect Heather Hampton, a trip back to tiny Moses Lake, Texas, is hardly in the plan. Yet because a promotion hinges on the sale of the family farmland, Heather heads to the last place she ever wanted to go. She's determined to return home, signed contract in hand, the next day.

But the currents of Moses Lake take visitors on unexpected journeys. As Heather's stay lengthens, she discovers a family steeped in secrets and an unexpected connection to local banker Blaine Underhill, despite his opposition to Heather's project. With each new revelation and question, Heather can't help but wonder if the handsome banker--and the family she has come to know again--are crooks or crusaders. Somehow she must find out the truth before she loses everything she has worked for and everything she's found on the shores of Moses Lake.

My thoughts:
This was a touching story with a little mystery too because Heather's family has so many secrets. Heather comes to Moses Lake thinking that she has a nice life that is flowing along smoothly.  She has secrets of her own though and past pains that she has never faced.  Being back in Moses Lake forces her to face reality.  I enjoyed the way this book was written and getting to know the characters.  I have read other books by Lisa Wingate and look forward to reading more of her books in the future.   
You can read the first chapter here.

 Have a day of blessings!

Book: Broken Wings

Recently a book caught my eye on the "new" shelf at our local library.  It is called Broken Wings by Carla Stewart.  It was the large print edition with this cover, which grabbed my attention.

This is the story of two women who meet by providence.  They are at two very different places in life, yet a friendship develops between them.  Mitzi Steiner spends her days as a hospital "pink lady" volunteer and caring for her husband Gabe who has Alzheimer's.  Brooke Woodson is engaged to a lawyer who is beginning his election campaign to be Tulsa's next District Attorney.  Mitzi shares her story and helps Brooke through her own brokenness.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters.  The struggles they face with Alzheimer's and abuse are two big issues to which women readers will be able to relate.  I look forward to reading more books by this author.   
 
Have a day of blessings!

Audio book: Fields of Gold

I have finished listening to an audio book called Fields of Gold by Andy Stanley. 

This is a short book with a great message about sowing and reaping.  So many times we feel fearful about giving and give out of what is left at the end of the month instead of giving at the beginning.  This is not how we should look at our giving.  This book reminds the listener that everything is really God's anyway.  If we can realize and accept this fact, we can develop a cheerful heart.  God wants us to be cheerful in our giving, not givers because it is something on a list to check off when we have done it.  If you give for the right reasons, it really can be a joyful time for you. 

I am glad for the opportunity to listen to this book.  It has been a positive reminder to me of why we give and to think about changes I need to make in giving. 

It is read by Lloyd James.  I thought he did a good job with this reading. 

Thank you to the christianaudio Reviewers program for providing this audio book for my review.
Have a day of blessings!

Book: In Too Deep

Today I would like to share with you a book called In To Deep by Mary Connealy.  I have read several books by this author and looked forward to reading this book that is Book 2 of her new series called "The Kincaid Brides."

I had not read Book 1 but was able to pick up on the characters and story fairly easily.  Rafe and Julia are already married as this book begins.  Audra ends up marrying Ethan, another of the Kincaid brothers, at the start of this story.  Audra is a young widow with two baby girls.  It is really a marriage of convenience that quickly turns to love. Trouble soon comes because some bad guys are trying to find some money stolen by Audra's dead first husband.  The trouble is Audra doesn't know where the money is located.  Ethan is afraid to let himself care for Audra because he doesn't want to be hurt.      

One of the themes I liked with this book was the idea of facing fears.  Ethan had fears because of childhood events that had held him trapped as an adult.  Audra did not feel she was brave, yet when the need arose she stood up to protect her loved ones.  I have read several other reviews of this book that did not really like how quickly the marriage of convenience turned to the two actually being in love.  Personally, I thought this was a nice change from other books I have read when it takes practically the whole book for the two to fall in love as you expect will eventually  happen.   

This book was provided to me by Bethany House Publishers for my review.

Have a day of blessings!
 

Book review: Twilight's Last Gleaming

I recently shared information on a book called Twilight's Last Gleaming by Dr. Robert Jeffress.  Now I would like to share my review as I finished reading it earlier this week. 

I appreciated this book and the stand the author takes for truth in a world where many are afraid to offend someone so they remain silent on important issues.  He spends one chapter discussing tolerance, its definition, and what the Bible says about judging others.  Another chapter focuses on four questions that Christians can ask themselves to help them decide which candidate to vote for.  This book serves as a reminder that Christians need to be preparing themselves for persecution and gives examples of those already being persecuted for their beliefs.  He brings up the Constitution and relates it to things happening in the world today as well.    

As I shared in my previous post, it is important for Christians to realize they are the lights in the evil, dark world in which we live.  We as Christians need to take seriously our role as salt and light.  This book focuses on that fact. 

Thank you to B & B Media Group for providing this book for my review. 

Have a day of blessings!

Audio book: The Scent of Cherry Blossoms

I have finished listening to Cindy Woodsmall's new book called The Scent of Cherry Blossoms. 

This is the story of Annie Martin, an Old Order Mennonite girl, and Aden Zook, an Old Older Amish boy.  Due to conflict at home with her Mamm, Annie goes to stay with her grandfather in Apple Ridge.  It is there she is reunited with Aden.  She had helped his family in the past when Aden's brother and father were involved in an accident. The two quickly realize they have feelings for each other; however, they are not sure what to do about their relationship since both of them have made vows to their separate faiths.  If they continue their relationship, Annie's grandfather has threatened to take away the partnership he has with Aden's family to provide electricity to their family restaurant.   

I recommend this book to you.  It was well-written, and I enjoyed getting to know these characters. I wondered how realistic this book is.  The characters snuck around to spend time together against their family's wishes.  Would this (and the outcome...don't want to give a spoiler) really happen?   I look forward to more books from this author.

This audio book was ready by Cassandra Campbell.  She did an excellent job and made this audio book very enjoyable in my opinion. 

Thank you to the christianaudio Reviewers program for providing this audio book for my review.

Have a day of blessings!

Audio book: Praying the Bible Into Your Life

I recently finished listening to Praying the Bible Into Your Life by Stormie Omartian.  In this book you will find verses matched with short prayers.  It includes verses from Genesis to Revelation. Some of the titles of the "chapters" include:  God Makes Himself Known to You, Ask God to Know Him Better, and Find Liberty in God's Presence.    

The book was read by Tavia Gilbert.  I enjoyed her voice and listening to her.  She did a good job with this reading I thought. 

It would be good to listen to as a way to grow in the habit of praying Bible verses when certain situations arise in life.  However, I felt as I was listening that it would be easier to focus on it if I was reading it instead of listening to it.  I would like to see the verses and prayers in print, maybe because I am more of a visual learner than only auditory. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from christianaudio Reviewers Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Have a day of blessings!