A Wreath of Snow

By: Liz Curtis Higgs

 

 

 

 

It was Christmas Eve of 1894 and Margaret (Meg) Campbell was heading home to Edinburgh.  She planned on spending Christmas with her family in Stirling but the bitterness of her younger brother, Alan, was too much to bear.  Her brother was tangled in a web of unforgiveness and anger as he was involved in a terrible accident when he was younger.  He also struggled with feelings of inadequacy as he felt he could never quite measure up to his sister.  A conversation between him and Meg turned into an argument that was too much for Meg to bear.  As much as Meg wanted to spend Christmas with her family she decided it was best to catch the next train home.  During her travels she met a handsome man named Gordon.  Gordon has secrets that will soon come light.  How will Meg react to the news she is about to find out? 

This is the first book I have read by this author and I must say that I enjoyed it.  The book was well written and was not entirely predictable.  It was great reading this during the holidays.  I also enjoyed the Scottish Shortbread recipe at the back of the book, as well as, a Reader’s Guide.  This is truly a wonderful story about the power of forgiveness and how one can be free from the past.

 *I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for my honest review.

Every Perfect Gift



By: Dorothy Love

 

 

Every Perfect Gift is the third and final book in the Hickory Ridge series.  This story takes place during 1886 in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee.  Sophie Caldwell returns to her hometown after years of living in Texas with her guardians, Wyatt and Ada.  Sophie has a true gift for writing and returns to Hickory Ridge to breathe life into the local newspaper, the Hickory Ridge Gazette.  When Sophie interviews Ethan Heyward regarding the building of the prestigious Blue Smoke resort she becomes smitten with him.  The feeling is mutual as Ethan cannot seem to get Sophie off of his mind.  As the story continues we learn that both Ethan and Sophie have secrets from their pasts that plagued them.  Both are unsure if these secrets will hinder their future together. 

This was the first book that I have read by Dorothy Love and I really enjoyed it.  Although it was the third book in the series, I believe it is a stand-alone read as I have not read the other two books.  However, the other two books may have helped me further in my understanding of some of the characters.  I would recommend there are many lessons learned.   This book illustrates how one person can change a person’s life in many different ways, both for the good and the bad.  Also, it shows that so often what we fear the most never comes past.  Finally, we learn that many times we pray for something that once received is not really what we want at all.  It may be worth noting that there is a short reading group guide at the end of the book for those who may be interested.

 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine

By: Max Lucado

I love days when I can sit down and read a Max Lucado book.  I so enjoy his writing style and am glad that I had the opportunity to read his new book Grace.  I think this book is another great piece as it explores the grace of God.  The stories that he shares are relevant and help to paint a clearer picture of the point he is trying to get across.  One of my favorite stories that he shares is that of a missionary physician and his daughter.  The story is in the eighth chapter called “Feared Dethroned”.  I absolutely love this story as it illustrates how God knows our needs before we do.  His grace is truly sufficient.  Max also gets personal in this book as he shares how he has experienced the grace of God through his struggle with alcohol.    

I highly recommend this book if you want to learn more about the Grace of God.  For readers who like to do further study there is a Reader’s Guide for each chapter starting on page 157.  I like how the Reader’s Guide is set-up as each chapter contains the following: Grace Reading, Review Scripture, Ask, Call on God and Explore Grace-Shaped Living.       

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Walking on Water When You Feel Like You're Drowning

By: Tommy Nelson & Steve Leavitt

 

 

This book was written by two men who have experienced depression, anxiety, panic attacks and stress.  Tommy Nelson is a well-known author and pastor.  Many may know him from his teachings about the Song of Solomon.  Tommy explains how he loved teaching the Song of Solomon but along the way he began experiencing anxiety and panic attacks.  He realized that although he loved what he was doing he was overworked and stressed.  He wisely noted that he did not think it was possible to burn out from doing something that he loved but he was wrong.      

 Steve Leavitt is a counselor and has a ministry called Hope for Life.  Steve understands depression and anxiety as his life was turned upside down when his wife was pregnant with their second child and was diagnosed with cancer.  He talks about his pain as the Lord took his wife home four months after delivering their second child.  He was left to grieve the passing of his wife and be a father to two young children. 

In this book Tommy and Steve not only tell their stories but provide a biblical prospective to healing.  The book contains three parts: The Dark Descent, Questions from the Depths of Despair and Keys to Recovery.  The book was written in an alternating fashion meaning that in one chapter Tommy would tell part of his story and then Steve would tell his.  There are also some chapters that are just written by Steve.  I did not particularly care for the format of the book as it could be a little confusing at times but I did like the content.  I think both of these men have amazing testimonies and they could have written individual books.

 I would recommend this book to anyone experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks, stress, obsessiveness and perfectionism.  This book would also be good for spouses or family members who would like to help or better understand what their loved ones are experiencing.    

 *I received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House.          

 

52 Little Lessons from It’s a Wonderful life

By: Bob Welch

Fall has arrived and once again I am reminded that the Christmas season is not too far away.  I enjoy Christmas classics which is why I was excited about the opportunity to review 52 Little Lessons from It’s a Wonderful Life.  Bob Welch has penned a delightful book which contains 52 life lessons from this classic movie.  Each chapter has a title (which is the life lesson), a line (or lines) from the movie and then a few pages expanding upon the life lesson. 

I really enjoyed this book as it gave an in depth view of the movie.  I look forward to watching the movie this year as I am sure I will notice things that I have not noticed before reading this book.  One part of the book that I really enjoyed was the Author’s Note in the beginning.  Bob talks about how a bank in the city that he lives in requires all new employees to watch a series of scenes from this movie.  He quotes the bank president who said, “The message in that film, is the message we want our employees to come to work with every day: the idea that our actions make a difference in the community around us.”  What a powerful statement!  If you like this movie I believe you will enjoy this book.    

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Be Still My Soul

By: Joanne Bischof

 

Lonnie, eager to escape from the clutches of her abusive father, finds herself in a very precarious position.  When her father catches her kissing the ladies’ man, Gideon O’Riley, he forces the two of them into marriage.  Although they do not want to be married to each other, they know that they cannot escape the inevitable.  Joel Sawyer, Lonnie’s father, has made up his mind crushing Lonnie’s dreams of moving in with her Aunt Sarah when she turns eighteen. 

Come along on Lonnie and Gideon’s journey.  They are an unlikely pair, who manage to learn lessons in faith, love and forgiveness.  Along their journey they encounter a loving couple named Jebediah and Elsie.  They are just the example that Lonnie and Gideon need in their life. 

I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down.  It had a lot of twists and turns and evoked many emotions.  This is the first novel by this author and I look forward to reading her second book in this series.  This series is called Cadence of Grace and the second book “Though My Heart is Torn” will be released in April 2013.  I have included some additional resources below, including a link to the first chapter.   

   

Additional Resources:

• Author's Web Site
• More Info
• Read Chapter One
• Author Bio

*I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for my honest review.

Perfect Lies

By: Jennifer Crow

 

 

 

 

This book is about Jennifer, a pastor’s wife, who had many struggles, both physical and mental, and her road to healing.  Everything looked perfect on the outside but inside she was going through so much inner turmoil.  There are nine lies that Jennifer  believes people struggle with: I am unlovable, I am worthless, I am unacceptable, I am unable, I am a target, I am not angry, I am bad, I am in danger and I am deprived.  In each chapter Jennifer mentions emotions that are associated with each lie.  For example, if you believe the lie that you are worthless then you may also be experiencing sadness, depression and inferiority.

 

Jennifer believes that the Lord healed her through what is called Christian Meditative Prayer.  She addressed the lies that she believed through scripture, prayer and meditation.  She devotes a chapter at the end of the book to explain what Christian Meditative Prayer is and how to use it.  She understands that many people shy away from meditation because often it is associated with New Age.  However, she mentions that we are to meditate on the Word of God.    

 

This book spoke to me and has helped me during my own journey to healing.  It was an answer to my prayers and I would like to thank Jennifer for sharing her story.  I do not agree with everything that is said in this book but I found a lot of the information helpful.  I would recommend this book because it helped me.  However, I realize that there are many people that may not be able to receive from this book.  Regarding meditative prayer, you will have to decide if it is right for you.  I believe we are to meditate on the Word of God and the Lord always needs to be our focus.

 

*I received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House.