Anything

Anything

The prayer that unlocked my God and my Soul

Jennie Allen

Jennie and her husband Zac prayed a prayer one night that told God they would do ANYTHING he asked them to do. This prayer radically changed their lives and opened up the way for this book to be written.

I’d read some great reviews for this book and was looking forward to reading it to see if it lived up to my expectations. I wasn’t expecting it to blow me away. It isn’t the style of writing or stories, although those are good. It’s the message that she is presenting. What would happen if every Christian opened themselves up to praying that prayer? What would happen if we were willing to let go and give up whatever God asked us to part with? The message in this book is all about total surrender to our God and living a life that isn’t normal.

Not only did I enjoy reading this book, I felt convicted. It’s the type of book that I will be buying copies of to give to friends and family. It was just that good.

I received this book free of charge from Shelton Interactive in exchange for my honest review.

Firestorm

Firestorm

Lisa Tawn Bergren

Reyne is a firefighter. After losing four members of her team in a forest fires she retreats to research where it is safe and vows to never date a firefighter. But then Logan, a smoke jumper, enters the picture with his project that could save lives and ruins her good intentions. Now she must decide if it’s worth it to risk her heart and her life to Logan and firefighting.

I had read this book years ago when I read the entire series. But I couldn’t remember most of it so decided to read it again. I enjoyed it the second time around as well. There were a couple of flaws for me. One was how annoying Logan was in the beginning. I think the author did too great of a job of portraying how Reyne felt about him at first. It also seemed a bit more shallow than her previous books. It was a short, fun summer read, but not very much depth.

The story was entertaining and at times heartfelt. I think this time around the death of her friend touched me more than it did last time simply because of my experiences. So I’m guessing different parts of the book will resonate with different people. All in all, it was a cute book and I’m glad that I reread it.

I received this book free of charge from WaterBrook in exchange for my honest review.

This Scarlet Cord

This Scarlet Cord

The Love Story of Rahab

Joan Wolf

Rahab meets Sala, an Israelite boy when she is a young girl. But their families don’t intermingle and she is soon in Jericho while her father tries to find her the perfect husband. Perfect to her father means wealthy and important. But perfect to Rahab means someone she can relate to and who loves her. But that isn’t looking likely; especially when she is noticed by the king.

In the notes by the author she mentions her intrigue with the story and how it came about. She created a story around why Rahab was a believer and how she came to be part of Christ’s lineage.

I think she did a beautiful job. The story flows well and while plot driven, also engaged me with it’s well defined characters. It was a beautifully written historical fiction.

I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze in exchange for my honest review.

Bees in the Butterfly Garden

Bees in the Butterfly Garden

Maureen Lang

Meg has spent most of her life at an exclusive boarding school. When she learns of her father’s death, who she hasn’t seen in years, she returns to his home to learn about the man who paid for her schooling. What she finds is not what she expected. He is a thief, a con man. He didn’t have any contact with her because he wanted her to live a better life. But she sets out to become a thief as well. Her father is gone, but she wants to prove that she could have fit into his world. She tries to convince her father’s protégé that she is fit for the job, but he fights her the entire way.

This story is about forgiveness and redemption.  It’s a “modern” day story about the thieves on the cross and how one asked for forgiveness and the other turned his head.

This story began really slowly for me. Meg was annoying, the father’s fiancé seemed fake and I couldn’t get interested in the story. It wasn’t until about 2/3 of the way through the book that it began to pick up. The story seemed to flow smoothly, I just couldn’t get engaged. The author mentioned that she wrote the book to fit a title that she loved. And I think maybe that is why parts of the story didn’t seem to mesh well.  This book was only an okay for me.

I received this book free of charge from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.

The Atonement Child

The Atonement Child

Francine Rivers

Dynah is a sheltered Christian young lady who is raped and then learns she's pregnant. The book details her journey through her survival during the pregnancy and her decision to keep or abort the baby.

I really enjoy reading Francine Rivers books. They are captivating and well written. But I had a really hard time getting into this book. Maybe it was the subject matter, maybe because it felt a little cheesy for me, maybe because it also felt a little "preachy". I'm not for abortion, but the book felt more like a platform for a topic than a story. That being said, it's still well written and I would recommend this book as long as you don't mind the slightly preachy tone.

Twelve Clean Pages

Twelve Clean Pages

A Memoir

Nika Maples

Nika was diagnosed with lupus at the early age of twelve. She wasn't expected to live very long and came close to death several times. While in college she suffered a stroke and was a quadriplegic for months. Gradually she learned to walk, talk and function again.

She went on to become a teacher, inspiring others with her humor, hope, and courage.

I was a little leery of this book. Memoirs can so often be dry and boring, especially when dealing with someone's remembrance of difficult times. But this lady is a talented writer. She was able to write a beautiful story about a terrible tragedy and make it interesting and inspiring. Her outlook on life is honest and positive. Her relationship with her Savior shines through the pages. I'm just hoping this isn't her only book.

I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.

Blog Give-Away

Today is the give-away for the book 

Break Through

When to Give In, How to Push Back

Tim Clinton & Pat Springle

Congratulations

Eileen Martin!

Please contact me at timamurrell(at)ymail(dot)com

with your mailing address.

Thank you to everyone who participated. I'm getting ready to read another book called Faith and Other Flat Tires. I have been sent two copies of this as well so be on the look out for another give-away.

Winning The Widow's Heart

Winning The Widow's Heart

Sherri Shackleford

Elizabeth is about to have a baby when Jack Elder, a Texas Ranger breaks down her door in search of a bank robber. Elizabeth is a widow, alone and afraid and Jack is there to help her when she needs it most. Jack is intent on catching a criminal and Elizabeth is sure that she can manage on her own. But both begin to realize how much they need each other.

This book was a fun read. The story flowed smoothly and was entertaining. I had a pretty good idea who the bank robber was almost from the beginning, but the romantic part of the story was sweet and ended nicely. My only complaint was some of the story threads didn't seem to be complete. It didn't really detract from the story, but was something I noticed.
This is definitely a fun summer read.

I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.

Shades of Sin

Shades of Sin

Lillia Forsythe

This is one of the books in the blogger contest. Check out my Bloggerthon - Free Books page for instructions on how to win this and many other books.

Chevelle is raised as a slave. Her life is horrifying. But when she's rescued she must learn to live in a world completely unfamiliar to what she's been used to. She can see slightly into the future and is learning to use her insights to help and protect her friends and the random stranger. She joins a band called Shades of Sin and learns which of her friends are real.

This book is an paranormal/fantasy book that is unlike any I've ever read. It reads quickly, has interesting ideas and only briefly describes the typical fantasy characters. The book has non-monogamous relationships, vampires and sexual slavery. It's definitely not your typical book, but well written and worth your read if you enjoy this type of fantasy.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my review.

Give-Away

I have been given an extra book to give-away on my blog by Handlebar Marketing.

I've just read the book and I'm excited that I can share it with my readers.

Please leave a comment on this post or the review post and I will randomly pick a winner on Monday.

Break Through

When to Give In, How to Push Back

Tim Clinton & Pat Springle

Break Through

Stay tuned for details about a give-away!

Break Through

When to Give In, How to Push Back

Tim Clinton & Pat Springle

Are you struggling with an abusive, controlling, or just plain unhealthy relationship? This book is all about having healthy relationships with people and when to give "tough" love and when to "give in". It's filled with practical advice, stories and thoughts on the correct way to handle relationships and love those around us. It's from a Christian perspective and would be gold for a person dealing with one or more dysfunctional relationships.

Even though I, thankfully, don't have to deal with any of these issues, I still enjoyed the book. It wasn't too clinical or boring and was filled with stories to break up the advice being given. Definitely a book I would recommend if you are struggling with a relationship gone wrong.

I received this book free of charge from Handlebar Marketing in exchange for my honest review.

The Messenger

The Messenger

Siri Mitchell

Hannah is a Quaker. But when her twin brother joins the Colonial cause she is torn between her love for her brother and her belief in not taking up arms. When her brother ends up in prison she goes against everything her faith and family has taught her to visit him.

I enjoy books that take real historical events and weave a story around them. This is a thick book. But I was able to read it quickly, because the story flowed so smoothly. The author created a fascinating story that was not only enjoyable, but also informative. It had a intrigue, romance and inspiration. I'll definitely be checking out the author's other books.

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

A Woman Called

A Woman Called

Piecing together the ministry puzzle

Sara Gaston Barton

This book is a memoir about Sara Barton. A lady who felt called to preach in a church that doesn't allow the women to do any public speaking. It chronicles her frustrations, her thoughts and her insights into the "minefield" of female ministers and public ministry.

Sara Barton is a good writer. Her style of writing and presentation make for an enjoyable read. She peppered the book with stories and antidotes that softened the message that she was presenting.

I enjoyed reading the book, but finished with a feeling of incompleteness. I know it's a memoir, but I didn't feel like any issues were resolved. The author is from the Church of Christ and uses quite a bit of her memoir to discuss the issues and experiences that she has with her church. I don't have a problem with this, but it might make it harder to relate to some of the things that she talks about if one is unfamiliar with this denomination. All in all, I felt it was a well written book, but just not something I could relate to.

I received this book free of charge from Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.

A Wish and a Prayer

A Wish and a Prayer

Beverly Jenkins

Preston is living in a small town that was purchased on Ebay and is being revitalized. His foster parents are great (at least his mom is) and he is enjoying his life. But an email from his maternal grandmother sets his world upside down.

I haven't read the previous books and I think this set the tone for my reading experience. There are quite a few characters and I just couldn't keep track of them all. I'm not sure if it was because I was reading a ARC or not, but there was no distinction between the stories. I would be reading along about Preston and suddenly realize that we were now discussing the mayor (a lady). It was very confusing. The stories were, for the most part, entertaining, but a bit too cheesy for me. Everything seems to work out too perfectly. The characters were "cute", but not gripping.

If you enjoy the types of books that have multiple story lines running through it than this book would be good. Just make sure you start at the beginning of the series. These books are definitely not stand alone books.

I received this book free of charge from Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.

Cellar Doors

Cellar Doors
Lance LaCoax

There is something sinister lurking in the small town of Willow. People are being killed by a mysterious something. A strange necklace, a secret society and a lost child all play a part in this gripping thriller.

Cellar doors leading straight to evil and a battle between heaven and hell are just the beginning.

It takes an amazing amount of talent to take a paranormal thriller, a genre I typically steer WAY clear of, and turn it into a book that I can't put down. The writer had me hooked by the first paragraph. I was freaked out and loving every moment. I literally couldn't put the book down.
There are typically two ways to write a book - character driven or plot driven. It takes a truly gifted author to combine the two. Mr. Lacoax has effortlessly combined the two to make a twisted and complicated plot that captures your attention, while at the same time making you care about the characters. Can't wait to read the sequel.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

Elegy for Eddie

Elegy for Eddie: A Maisie Dobbs Novel

Jacqueline Winspear

Several of Maisie's old acquaintances come to her office to ask for her help. They believe that their friend Eddie was murdered. Maisie sets out to find any clues surrounding death that might lead to this conclusion.

I haven't read any Maisie Dobbs books before this one. But I do enjoy a good who-done-it or mystery novel. This book was okay, but it certainly wasn't great. The story seemed to meander slowly along without anything happening for long periods of time. Her indecision about her boyfriend and her previous life were irritating and didn't seem to fit with the story at all. I won't give any spoilers, but I wasn't thrilled with the conclusions either. They didn't seem to wrap up like a normal who-done-it should. This might be a typical Maisie Dobbs novel, I don't know. But it left me wishing I'd read a different book and not wasted my time. It wasn't awful, but with so many great books out there it's hard to waste your time on one that is only okay.

I received this book free of charge from Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.

A Hint of Murder: The Bouncer

A Hint of Murder: The Bouncer

Lia Fairchild

This book is book three in the A Hint of Murder Series. Bobby, a bouncer, just wants to be a singer. But a little murder is getting in his way.

The list of suspects includes quite a few people, including Bobby. And the detectives have the difficult task of narrowing that list down.

This book had a different feel from the first two. I liked it even better. I think the list of suspects being so large made it more difficult to guess who the murderer was and also enlarged the feel of the story. The author did a great job of making you dislike or like certain characters. I really enjoyed the series and can't wait to read more from this author.

Links to my reviews of Book I and Book II.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Island of Secrets

Island of Secrets

Tammie Clarke Gibbs

This is one of the books in the blogger contest. Check out my Bloggerthon - Free Books page for instructions on how to win this and many other books.

 Lila reluctantly agrees to masquerade as her reporter friend who is laid up with a messed up ankle. It could be the scoop of a lifetime for her friend, so Lila agrees to pose as Cassie for a day.

She rides a boat to an island to meet Shane, the owner. His ex-girlfriend told the world that his resort has ghosts. So Shane agrees to let one reporter come to the island to prove her wrong.

What happens next will change both of their lives forever. Or were they already changed and just didn't know it?

I'll admit it right now, I don't care for time-travel books. I've read quite a few and just couldn't get into them. But occasionally I'll find one that really interests me. This book just happened to be one of them. I couldn't put it down. The plot and layout was good, the characters were engaging and the author has a way of pulling you into the story and sweeping you along with the characters. 

One thing that I don't like about most time-travel books is the inconsistencies with what happens to the characters when they go missing from the present. Ms. Gibbs addressed this and it made the story more appealing to me. I won't spoil it, but I loved the ending. It was sweet, but not what I was expecting.

On another note: This book could potentially be labeled as Christian fiction. I noticed some things throughout the book that, to me, pinpointed that the author was Christian. For those of you who don't care for this type of book - it is very subtle, you might not even notice. But I noticed her reference to God a couple of times and liked that element in the book.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for my honest review.

A Woman's Wisdom

A Woman's Wisdom

How the book of Proverbs speaks to everything

Lydia Brownback

The author takes the book of Proverbs and applies it to women. It's probably not a new concept, but it's a great one. I enjoyed the practical applications and how each section and piece of wisdom was broken down into something we could use and apply today.

This book would make a great study guide for a women's Bible study group. The chapters are relatively short and a study guide is included in the back. There are nine weeks if using this as a weekly study guide.

I think my only minor complaint is that at times it felt a little dry. It wasn't often, but enough that I remembered it at the end when thinking about what to say for the review. It's a great book and well worth the occasional slow spots.

I received this book free of charge from Crossway in exchange for my honest review.