My Foolish Heart

Hello avid readers I have another fun book for you to read by Susan May Warren. This is a deep haven novel, but have no fear because you'll still be able to read it without any knowledge of the series. In My Foolish Heart we find Isadora Presley a radio talk show host with a very severe case of panic attacks that literally has left her house bound for several years. Isadora is a woman who gives romance advice to her fellow listeners even though she's never dated anyone. I really enjoyed this book and how Susan May Warren approached issues of purity, fear, and beauty. She allowed the message of salvation and grace to be in the characters daily routine, and it flowed extremely well. So if you're wanting an easy read, with the fluidity of an experienced writer feel free to look up My Foolish Heart.

The Lady of Bolton Hill

Hello Readers I have a remarkable book to share with you this morning.  The Lady of Bolton Hill was surprising because the back of the book really didn't give much of it away.  There is of course romance, but entwined is mystery, suspense, witty dialog, and important issues.  What an amazing delight to read on Christmas day.

Clara Endicott was raised knowing that God had a great plan for her life and she was to use it accordingly.  While Daniel Tremain's life was more about finding the next meal.  These two unlikely people become friends over their passion of music, and thus begin an amazing journey together.  What I liked about this book was how easily the author (Elizabeth Camden) wrote.  I know that sounds kind of cliche but in all honesty she made all her characters with depth and humor.  There was also genuine love for God's children.  We are commanded to love our neighbor, but that issue is never truly touched on by an author, until now.  We are commanded to be examples of Christ and the Endicott's truly are a great example of that.  We'll see them make mistakes, but that is really the greatness of God, constantly forgiving and showing abundant grace when sin rises.  So please read this awesome book, you won't regret it.

The Bible i.e. the story of Christ

Hello Readers, I wanted to take the time to write about a really important story that can literally change your life.  It's from the book of Matthew, Christ's story of self sacrifice and love for everyone in the world. God sent Christ into this world as a newborn baby to grow up to be the ultimate sacrifice for a sinful people (us).  If Christ had not died in place for us we would be separated from God and heaven forever.  What other religion has a God who would die for us, so we may be forgiven for sins? It literally  is a truly amazing story.

If you're one of those readers who doubt that Christ is God, I ask you to find a Bible and start reading it.  Be thorough, study it, as if you are studying for a test.  Too many times people don't believe in something, but have never done the research.   And if you are someone who truly believes in the story of Christ do not let a day go by without letting the world know about Him.  That's one of our commissions from God "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."  -Matthew 28:19-20.

If you have questions about Christ please feel free to write a question in the comment area of my blog and I will answer them to the best of my ability.

The Power of a Praying Wife

I wanted to take the time to talk to the wives or future wives in my reading group. I started reading The Power of a Praying Wife when Todd and I got married five years ago. I read it at least once a year to remind me how important it is to pray for our relationship, but also to protect my husband from satan's attack. The author Stormie Omartian covers the major areas of a man's life. His job, thought life, and actions; all of these will make his relationship with his wife a good one or a bad one. I am a firm believer of prayer and Stormie does a great job at helping me pray for Todd. If you've never prayed before, wanting the best for your husband, or you're struggling in your relationship with him this is the book for you. Please dear readers read The Power of a Praying Wife. I will leave you with one of Stormie's quotes "First of all, let me make it perfectly clear that the power of a praying wife is not a means of gaining control over your husband, so don't get your hopes up! In fact, it is quite the opposite. It's laying down all claim to power in and of yourself, and relying on God's power to transform you, your husband, your circumstances, and your marriage."

The Blacksmith's Bravery

I'm sorry that this took so long, but this book was really hard to finish.  The Blacksmith's Bravery by Susan Page Davis is set in Idaho just before the turn of the century (1887).  Vashti is a former saloon girl who just recently accepted Christ into her heart.  Wanting to make it on her own she applies for the job as a stagecoach driver.  Griffin Bane owner of the livery, stagecoach, and the blacksmith shop, has too many irons in the forge so to speak.  Short on workers he finally agrees to allow Vashti to drive.

What should have been a great adventure for me as a reader; with highway robbers, romance, and an interesting plot, fell flat.  The beginning was slow with characters I didn't recognize and the author didn't take into account that someone might not have read the first two books in the series.  That would have been fine, but there really wasn't much development and I just didn't care for the side stories.  Hopefully Susan Page Davis will get better at her writing skills or I'll be avoiding her books from now on.

A Reluctant Queen

So I just finished this book A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf. This book is about the book of Esther in the Bible. Now for me I personally love the book of Esther, I think it's romantic, heroic, and by golly a great historical piece. What I can't stand is when an author takes certain liberties with factual events and distorts them! This is what Ms. Wolf did in her book A reluctant Queen, and it irritated the living day light out of me. If you're going to write about history don't bend the truth so it's more exciting, don't blatantly lie about historical characters, it's just wrong. So on that note dear readers, I strongly suggest you not read A Reluctant Queen, there are plenty of other authors who have written historically correct fictional works on the book of Esther, and they were better reads too.

Sixteen Brides

Don't you just love a good story? A story of when it finishes you're like hey I want more! Well the book Sixteen Brides is just the book for you. Stephanie Grace Whitson writes an enthralling story of sixteen women wanting to head out on their own and make a new life for themselves. This story is a great blend of humor, angst, trepidation, mystery, and love. Where the characters pop out in real life. Ms. Whitson writes with such ease as she blends several of the women's story into one. Sometimes I have a really hard time when an author writes several of the characters stories. I usually am that reader who skips the chapters of an uninteresting character just so I can read about the character that I want. Needless to say, most authors, don't blend them well enough together for me to really want to know someone elses viewpoint. Sixteen Brides is the exact opposite; I came to really care about each and every one of those woman's situation and truly put myself in the situation that they were in. With the beautiful plains of Nebraska as your backdrop and some memorable women I hope you enjoy Sixteen Brides

Question

I'm curious to see, dear readers, what your favorite Christian books are? It's been a rare past couple of days in Amarillo. The snow has actually stuck and it's really kind of cold out, so getting to the library has been low on my list. Don't worry though, I will get there and I'll be sure to get a review out to you A.S.A.P. While I'm waiting for the weather to warm up the question popped into my head. What do my readers like to read, what is their favorite author, or favorite Christian book. If you want to comment you have to become a follower, and I would love to hear from you because I'm hoping that there might be some new books I can look up to read and review. Happy reading and if you live in Amarillo stay warm :-)

Redeeming Love

My friend Carmen asked me to do a review on Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Let me preface this first that this book is for mature people. So mom's if your daughter is an avid reader, please read this book first before you allow her to read so you can judge the contents to see if it's appropriate for her. Now with this being said I will say that it is by far one of the best books about God's amazing grace and love for us. Francine takes us on Angel's journey through prostitution, marriage, and forgiveness. If you're ever wondering if God loves you or why He allowed certain things to happen to you this is the book you should read. I will also say that this is a great book to give to someone who doesn't know Christ or can't comprehend that God loves them even with their past. So dear readers I highly recommend this book!

Look to the East

This time around I read a more of a somber story about World War I. Look to the East is about a small town in France. In 1914 the village of Briecourt has a century old feud between to warring families, that divides the town in half. Julitte was adopted by the Toussaint family when she was very little. Rumors have kept her apart from the village because of where she came from and her mysterious gift that allows her to see when people die. It is with this note that the German army comes to take over the small village of Briecourt. Both families must join together to survive and hide those who need to be hidden. I haven't really ever studied World War I and it was interesting to read about it. The author Maureen Lang does a great job at setting the story around this town and their struggles before and during the war. I'm kind of a history buff so reading (I hope) the facts of what happened was intriguing. Please don't feel that I take World War I lightly. War, no matter what it, is horrible, but I strongly feel that we should never ignore history, because unfortunately history can be repeated. So this leads me to say if you like a good romance with some supense and history added to it please read Look to the East. I would like to add though that this story has a happy ending to it.