Be The Gift - A Book Review

Be The Gift by Ann Voskamp is a book that I can't recommend enough!  I was so excited when it came in the mail and it has far exceeded my expectations.  First of all, before even reading it, the book itself is simply beautiful.  It's a nice hardback book with a silk attached bookmark.  The photography is breathtaking.  I enjoyed just flipping through the book and looking at the beautiful pictures.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect.  I was mostly expecting a type of devotional book with designated reading per day, but this book is way better than that.  You can read one page, two page or twenty-five.  You can set your own speed and read as much or as little as you want in each setting.

This is a book that is much needed in today's day and age.  Instead of focusing on your own pain, heartache, trials and whatever else you are facing, you can find the healing and happiness you need through helping others.

Thank you to the Best Selling Author Ann Voskamp for a beautiful book!  I will definitely be checking out her other writings!

More about the book:

Did you know that your heart is beautiful even if it's cracked? Dare to share the abundance of your brokenness! Pairing her stunning photographs with selections from her best-selling books, Voskamp encourages you to G.I.F.T. Be the Giftincludes:

• 60 days of Give-It-Forward-Today ideas
• Free gift tags for attaching to your GIFTS (located inside back sleeve cover)
• Space to journal your experiences of GIFT-giving and intentional acts of kindness and givenness

***Thanks to booklookbloggers.com for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Too Far Down - A Book Review

Mary Connealy is an author that continuously keep my eye out for.  I instantly became a fan of hers when I first read the Kinkaid Brides Series and I have read all of her books since.  Too Far Down is the last book in The Cimarron Legacy series. 

If you have read any of Mary Connealy's books you know that she has a witty writing style and will keep you laughing throughout the whole book.  She also knows how to write a good western love story.  I had a little bit of a hard time with the first book in this series, but I stuck it out and I am so glad I did.  I have really enjoyed this series.  It has it all.  There is plenty of action, love, romance, mystery and humor.

One thing I like about this series is that you don't have to think.  They are easy, quick, entertaining reads.  I like to call them feel good novels.  If you are needing a book to fill your day this winter this is a great series to start with!

Cowboys, Action, Humor, and History Collide in Too Far Down
When an explosion kills men and damages the CR Mining Company, the Bodens realize their troubles are not behind them as they thought. Shadowy forces are still working against them. 

Cole Boden finds himself caught between missing his time back East and all that New Mexico offers. Sure he fights with his siblings now and then, but he does care for them. He enjoys running the mine and, when he's honest, he admits that Melanie Blake captures his interest in a way no other woman ever has.

Melanie has been a friend to the Bodens forever. A cowgirl who is more comfortable with horses and lassoes than people, she never expected to find herself falling for someone. Particularly for refined Cole Boden, a Harvard graduate who may not stay long at the ranch. She's determined, however, to help the Bodens finally put an end to the danger that's threatened all of them. But will putting herself in harm's way be more dangerous than anyone expected?

***Thanks to Bethany House Publishing for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

God Gave Us Family - A Children's Book Review

Little Pup's wolf family is on their wat to a special reunion with lots of cousins, games, roasting marshmallows and fun.  As the young wolf thinks about different kinds of families, it's the perfect opportunity for Mama and Papa to teach their inquisitive child about hte families that God brings together.  Some families are big and some families are small.  Some are led by grandparents and some are led by just one parent.  Some families include adopted children, yet each family is truly special.

Even the member of Little Pup's pack fill an important role in his family, although they sometimes pester him.  Papa gently reminds his son "We need to love the family God gave us".

This heartwarming tale will delight young hearts and help them understand how families of all types reflect God's unconditional love.

God Gave Us Family is a beautiful children's book written by Lisa Tawn Bergren and illustrated by David Hohn.  It teaches children the differences in families and how we should be thankful and love the family that God blessed us with.

The art work is so cute and colorful and this is the perfect book for snuggling up with your little one for some quality one on one time.  I love the "God Gave Us" theme! It is perfect for teaching your child about all that God has blessed them with.

This would be a great addition to your children's library.

***Thanks to bloggingforbooks.com for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Time To Stand - A Book Review

In a small Georgia town where racial tensions run high and lives are at stake, can one lawyer stand up for justice against the tide of prejudice on every side?

Adisa Johnson, a young African-American attorney, is living her dream of practicing law with a prestigious firm in downtown Atlanta. Then a split-second mistake changes the course of her career.

Left with no other options, Adisa returns to her hometown where a few days earlier a white police officer shot an unarmed black teen who is now lying comatose in the hospital.

Adisa is itching to jump into the fight as a special prosecutor, but feels pulled to do what she considers unthinkable—defend the officer.

As the court case unfolds, everyone in the small community must confront their own prejudices. Caught in the middle, Adisa also tries to chart her way along a path complicated by her budding relationship with a charismatic young preacher who leads the local movement demanding the police officer answer for his crime.

This highly relevant and gripping novel challenges us to ask what it means to forgive while seeking justice and to pursue reconciliation while loving others as ourselves.

This is the first book I've read by Author Robert Whitlow and I am now a fan!  It is a beautifully written novel and one that is very much needed with everything that is going on within our country.  It addresses so many issues with the main one being racism. 

The book speaks truth and healing and it will leave you thinking about what you read long after you put the book down.  I can't wait to check out some of the other books by this author.  If they are have as good as this one I know I will love it!

***Thanks to booklookbloggers.com for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Isaiah's Daughter - A Book Review

Isaiah's Daughter: A Novel of Prophets and Kings by Mesu Andrews is a truly remarkable book!  this novel is completely different than most of the books I've read.  I'm always a little leary of "Bible story" fictional books.  For one, I don't want to read a book in biblical language.  I want to read and relax and understand.  For two, I don't like when a Bible story becomes so fictional that it strays from the truth.

What I do like is reading a book like this and it being rich in The Word of God.  A story that helps you relate and connect with biblical characters that you've read about your whole life. These are the things that Isaiah's Daughter offered for me, not the prior. 

It is very obvious that the author is rich in knowledge of the Bible.  She has a writing style that is captivating and I felt transported to biblical times as it felt I was walking beside the characters as their story unfolded.  

I will definitely be checking out more of the Mesu Andrews books.  If her other books are anything like this one, she will quickly become a favorite of mine!

I want to share a little excerpt from the beginning of the book...  Isn't that just beautiful.  It's simply poetic!  The first sentence had my heart and I knew I was in for a great reading experience.

Songs are written of sons, but daughters are left to whispers. So gather near, friend, to hear of a daughter beyond imagining. She had the heart of a lion. Braver than a soldier. Wiser than a king. She was queen in Judah long after King David’s bones had turned to dust. Long after the arrogance of Solomon’s son split Israel into two nations. When the northern tribes seized the name Israel, the southern tribes called their new nation Judah and placed David’s descendants on their throne. Judah’s capital was the city of Jerusalem and its God was named Yahweh. But Israel bowed to pagan gods and even led some of Judah’s kings astray. Yahweh’s prophets spewed warnings, and Judah’s brave daughter, the lion-hearted queen, dared ask the prophets why? When? And how will Yahweh’s judgment fall? One incomparable prophet answered, foretelling Assyria’s cruelty as Yahweh’s weapon of wrath. Isaiah, a man born to royalty, shouted at kings and comforted beggars. The records proclaim him husband to a prophetess and father of two sons. This is recorded, detailed, written. But what of his daughter? Her story begins when the northern kingdom of Israel joins forces with Aram, a neighboring nation. They attack Judah in retribution for refusing to join their coalition against Assyria. Isaiah prophesies to Judah’s King Ahaz— a promise and a warning. Ahaz ignores both. His decision forever changes the life of Isaiah’s daughter.

Isn't that just beautiful.  It is simply poetic!  The first sentence had my heart and I knew I was in for a great reading experience.

I would definitely recommend this book.  Head on over to Amazon and grab your copy now!  You won't be sorry.

***Thanks to bloggingforbooks.com for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Christmas at Carnton - A Book Review

Aletta Prescott is doing her best to support herself and her six year old son.  Recently widowed (her husband died fighting for the cause in the war against the states) and a baby on the way she knows she must find work soon.  If things weren't bad enough she is not being threatened with eviction.  Thankfully she sees a flyer that the Women's Relief Society is hiring.  She goes straightway to apply for the position only to find out that the position has already been filled.  Before leaving, she meets Captain Jake Winston, a wounded soldier who is recuperating from his wounds and ordered to help at the society.  Because of Captain Winston's willingness to help she gets another opportunity at employment.

A quick friendship forms between the two of them and it's not long before deeper feeling begin to develop, but they both are intent on fighting their feeling for each other.  Will love win out?  Will Aletta risk falling in love with another soldier? Will Jake's injuries ever completely heal?

I'm pretty sure this is the first book I've read by Tamera Alexander and I was not disappointed!  I absolutely loved the character of Aletta. She is such a strong character and strength is profound.  She has a determination to not give up under any circumstance.  It's no wonder Captain Winston fell in love with her, but on the other hand it is very evident how Aletta fell for Jake!  

This is the perfect holiday story.  It offers hope, faith and the true meaning of Christmas.  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history and romance.

***Thanks to booklookbloggers.com for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Cherished Mercy - A Book Review

Cherished Mercy is the third book in the series Heart of the Frontier by Tracie Peterson.  Mercy is the last of the three sisters to be featured and I think her story was my favorite yet. She has such a gentle spirit and strong faith.  You don't necessarily have to read the books in order, but I think you will enjoy the series all the more if you do.

Historical fiction is my favorite and Author Tracie Peterson did an amazing job combining historical facts in a fictional story.  It offered all the things I love about a good novel.  I hope the author decides to revisit this family because I would love to continue with this story.

FROM THE BACK OF THE BOOK:

Mercy Flanagan survived the Whitman Massacre as a child, and now her heart's cry is for peace between the native peoples and the white settlers inhabiting Oregon Territory. Unfortunately, most of the settlers would rather the tribes were removed from the land completely, one way or the other, and tensions are rising. Mercy has grown tired of Oregon City and feels that she has a larger purpose in life, so when she learns that family friend Eletta Browning is pregnant, she travels south to the Rogue River Valley to help. 

At the Rogue River Mission, Mercy meets Eletta's brother-in-law, Adam, who has suffered a broken engagement. Mercy finds him attractive, but Adam seems determined to focus on ministering to the local tribes and keeps Mercy at arm's length.

When tragedy strikes and tensions in the territory reach the boiling point, Mercy is pushed to the limit of her strength. She and Adam must rely on their firm faith in God in order to make it out alive.

If you haven't started this series yet, I encourage you to do so.  This final book ends the series beautifully.

***Thanks to Bethany House Publishing for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.