The Wonder of Your Love

I received a copy of The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review on my blog and Amazon.com.

I had a hard time getting into this book, which is rare for Beth Wiseman’s writing.  I restarted the first 35 pages several times (e-reader pages), and then gave it a 4th start to see how I liked it after page 70.  She did introduce a new character and gave a bit of a mystery story line that held my interest to see how it all panned out.  I thought it mixed too much Englisher life with the Amish life, introduced to two people who would marry by the end of the book in the first couple of pages, and didn’t really create the characters or families as richly as her other books. I was sad to see in the end of the book – a few lines of how the Amish judge harshly the Englishers – which would conflict with their beliefs, according to the character – but Beth wrote in a jean and t-shirt or tight pants and mid riff shirt abused teen girl with piercings that wanted to be friends with an Amish male teen as a “good friend” to help her get better. I can see why the mother was not pleased with the friendship. It was such a short story line, but short enough that if this teen came hanging out at my house, I’d discourage the friendship as well.   All in all – I did read it to the end, but only out of a day of feeling ill and wanting to know what the mysterious house would turn out to be. I’m not giving it a great review.

The Doctor’s Lady

I was able to review The Doctor’s Lady by Jody Hedlund this week as part of being a reviewer for Bethany House.

The book came at a good time where I needed to take a day’s break and curl up with a good book.  I followed Priscilla from Angelica on the East Coast to Fort Walla Walla on the West.  The characters were richly built, easy to identify with, and quickly sparked the “pulls ya in” quality that I like in a book.  I did /do tire of characters that seem to always whine and wonder to themselves parts of their lives that we are pretty sure will work out in the end, or through the book, so the whining/not communicating part got old. But – for these characters – I do think that on the trail, in few numbers of company, they, like us, only had a few thoughts to ponder on those many months. It reminds me not to continuously ponder a “what we said/what we think might happen” dialog in my own use of time.

I was so pleased to hear that the story had, in fact, been based on Narcissa Prentiss Whitman and Eliza Hart Spalding, the first White Women to cross the pass in 1836. As all good little missionary minded school girls of Oregon – we know / have learned quite a bit about these two courageous women.

Looking for a great book or kindle download? I suggest that you might really enjoy this one!

Wrapped in Rain, Charles Martin, Book Review

"Life is a battle, but you can't fight it with your fists. You got to fight it with your heart."

An internationally famous photographer, Tucker has traveled the world and seen both the serious and the strange. But when his brother escapes from a mental hospital and an old girlfriend appears with her son and a black eye, he is forced to return home and face the agony of his own tragic past. Back in rural Alabama, Tucker comes to terms with the ghosts he left behind. Miss Ella Rain once loved Tuck and his brother like they were her very own. Hiring her to take care of Waverly Hall and to keep them out of sight was the only good thing their father ever did. And though Miss Ella has been gone for many years, Tuck can still hear her voice. And she keeps telling him, encouraging him, that by reaching out to this young boy he can redeem his father's tarnished legacy and pass on the good she brought into his life.

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A very different writing style. Gripping. Descriptive. Starts at a run right in the middle. So much so – that I couldn’t keep up. We’d be neck deep in a place, a person,  - and then flip. Even in the diving in of a beginning – he was slow to pull out the full story. I was intrigued but almost put the book down. He made me want to know. I wanted to meet Miss Ella Rain. I wanted to protect Mutt and Tuck. I wanted to swoop up the little girl and dress her in wings. He captured my heart with this one. With a husband that suffered child abuse – without reason – I was drawn in. Oh if everyone had a Miss Ella.  My hubby did. He had a Mimi.  If you need a book that will capture your attention, and demand to be read- one that you are a passenger – without knowing where it will go – you won’t know or see any romantic theme – you won’t know what Mutt will do – you won’t know where Tuck’s heart will go – you’ll just ride. I definitely want to check out the other titles by Charles Martin – I am grateful to his amazingly clear writing voice!

I received an free download to my iPod to read in exchange for mentioning the book on my blog and writing a review on a book publisher site. I am allowed to give my free truthful opinion.

The Harvest of Grace–Cindy Woodsmall

I love Cindy Woodsmall's family gathering at Ada's House. The Harvest of Grace intertwines so many of her characters - if she would have added some holiday themes or a wedding, it would have felt like a family gathering! I read the book in a day - enjoying catching up with everyone and meeting a few new folks. It makes a great stand alone novel - but you'll get so much more out of it if you have read her other books!
Here is a chance to win a copy of the book!

Sweet Sanctuary–Book Review

"Without the storm, how would we know the sweetness of shelter?" -Ruth

Out of the clear blue, Wren’s Grandma Ruth arrives on her doorstep, dreaming of a grand party to celebrate her 95th birthday. Wren and her young son Charlie love the idea, but it quickly gets complicated: Ruth wants Wren’s estranged siblings to attend and she wants Wren to sing her all-time favorite song: “His Eye Is On The Sparrow.” It’s the very song Wren sang one fateful day during her childhood . . . and Wren hasn’t sung a note since.

Though she’s glad to have Grandma back in her life, Wren’s sleeping on the couch in her own house now . . . and worried about the expenses piling up. After all, her job at the community library is in jeopardy after budget cuts, and the fancy music program she wants for her son is getting farther and farther out of reach. What’s more, Paul—the guy she's drawn to yet avoids—ends up being a major part of an important library project.

With family arriving and old wounds resurfacing, Wren’s about to fly when she discovers something special—a gift of grace beyond her wildest dreams.

I enjoyed this book!  After downloading it to my iPod and starting my iBooks App – I found that I was drawn to the story.  I did tire of the characters constantly “thinking” about all that has gone on and what will happen – for Wren – in the end – it really was the point of the book.  Grace – Peace – Trust.  I really enjoyed the way the story turned out – Sheila Walsh leaves a great big twist – to pull it all together – that you will not be expecting. Well. Ya will now – but I’m not going to tell what the twist is!  A perfect rainy day, rest day, read.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.” BookSneeze.com gave me an ebook Reviewer Copy for the purpose of this review.

Grace Card–a DVD Movie Review

 

(An opportunity to WIN a Free Copy of the DVD
is presented at the end of my personal review.)

Everyone I have met has had that moment.

You’re cruising through life – doing all that “they” said you should do – setting up life just the way you want it to go.

And then IT happens. Outside of your control. Through no great fault of your own, although you’ll spend the weeks or years to come trying to tag it on yourself. Quickly, however, the finger can be pointed to The One at fault.

It doesn’t seem to matter if The One is family or stranger. The seeds have been sown, and time is left to grow the beast into a full grown plant of bitterness, sorrow, anger, rage, depression and despair.

Everyone I have met has their own version of the story. Death. Divorce. Loss. Unemployment. Estrangement. Affairs. Accidents. And sometimes, not just the big things. The big things seem to give one a sense of Entitlement to Anger.

What if – you are not The One was wronged – but The One at fault? What if you offered forgiveness – what if you righted the wrongs as best you could from this day forward? What if you are The One who has to accept that forgiveness? What if people would judge you for the rest of your life – wondering why or how someone could accept their plea and offer them Grace?

I will be praying for you

I watched Grace Card last evening with a couple of girl friends. Based on the rating and the beat of the trailers, we thought it was going to be more of a fast paced action movie. There is action – but it is slow. Deliberate. The type that sinks in. You can feel the pain that Mac and his Wife have been through these past 17 years. You can feel the Pride, and then the Shame that Sam goes through as he finds his life intertwined in Mac’s Anger and Grief. You can feel the regret from Grandpa George as he shares how Grace was extended to his Grandfather, and how his family has walked away from that path to loose a son to words spoken in anger. And each one watching – knows that their story is being played out on the screen.

And just like Sam, and Mac, You have a choice to make. Do you extend the Grace Card? Can you ? Will you? I read a book this week that asks the question – I wonder if one knows the ripples in the pond – how many and how far – are created from a single pebble? If the pebble – or the boulder – has been dropped in your pond – I urge you to watch this movie – and remember how we too – have been saved by grace.

Grandpa George’s own grandfather wrote these words as a boy: “I promise to pray for you every day, ask your forgiveness, grant you the same, and be your friend always.” To whom in your life do you need to offer The Grace Card?

Ephesians 2:8-9

^7-10Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.The Message (MSG)

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. New King James Version (NKJV)

On their website – they offer a 4 week study - free PDF download – Here - http://www.thegracecardmovie.com/ministryresources

Leave a comment below – and I randomly draw a winner on Friday to have a DVD shipped to your home!

From the Publishers-

 The Grace Card    - Witness the Power of Forgiveness

Everything can change in an instant … and take a lifetime to unravel. When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, the ensuing 17 years of bitterness and pain erodes his love for his family and leaves him angry with God … and just about everyone else. Mac’s rage stonewalls his career in the police department and makes for a combustible situation when he’s partnered with Sam Wright, a rising star on the force—who happens to be a part-time pastor and a loving family man.

    Can they somehow join forces to help one another when it’s impossible for either of them to look past their differences—especially the most obvious one? Every day, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships and heal deep wounds by extending and receiving God’s grace. Offer THE GRACE CARD … and never underestimate the power of God’s love.

    DVD Release Date: 8/16/2011

    Website: http://www.thegracecardmovie.com/

    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thegracecard

    “Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services  mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  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.”

PrayerWalk, Janet Holm McHenry

The Weather is Getting Warmer...Get Outside and Make a Difference!

Click here to read the first two chapters of PrayerWalk.

It’s Time to Exercise Your Prayer Life! Years ago, Janet Holm McHenry suffered from depression, weight gain, and exhaustion. Then she began a prayerwalk routine that not only transformed her life but also profoundly impacted the lives of those around her. Learn how you, too, can set out on a journey to increased energy, better health, and greater joy–and experience a rich, full prayer ministry that will have a lasting impact on your loved ones and community–one step at a time.

Click here to read the first two chapters of PrayerWalk.

From Angie -

A desire to daily exercise has been stirring in my soul. I have excuses – pain – knees – starting to exercise to loose weight when the weight itself hinders progress?  One day of walking means 2 days laid up at home? The pool is too far away. The Lake is too cold. The road is too busy and full of hills . . . I got em. Lots of em.

I requested PrayerWalk to review – to help inspire me to combine the two desires in my heart that seem to be put on a back burner every time something “more urgent” comes to my day.  Prayer and Walking are two things that get stale in my life – and I wanted a jump start. Mind you – I pray. All day long. For every little thing. For every person He brings to mind. For my family, Little shout outs. Quiet moments on my prayer bench. But what I have been lacking is the solid hour of intercessory prayer. A solid hour of quiet. An appointment with the Lord.

Janet Holm McHenry wrote PrayerWalk in two halves. The first half a step by step detail of how she started walking – with a 30 day guide in the back to get you from a 1/2 mile walk to a one hour walk. She is very encouraging and in instructing.  For Me – I could have had a whole book of the second half.  The How /What/ Who of her intimate prayer life. How often do we get to sit with a sister and listen to her, in a humble but wise and experienced way, as lets you in on the very words of her prayer life. Her doubts? Her struggles? Strongholds? Victories? When things get pale and repetitious? Janet Holm McHenry lets you in. I was encouraged to see that our prayer journey has been similar. Mine on paper, hers on the road.

I have had my intercessory prayer on paper, but I have the list so memorized that I can stand at the gate for my friends and family what ever the location.

Since reading this book – and while reading it – I have taken a CanoePrayer action, this summer, to take the canoe to the one mile point or further, praising the Lord – giving Him my worries, listening for His voice.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to become “a woman of Prayer, Strength & Discipline.”

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”