You're loved no matter what

You're loved no matter what, by Holly Gerth. This is the third book by Holly Gerth that I've had the pleasure to read. She's a wonderful author and life coach. In this book we hear about how we are so pressured by society, peers, church, etc. to reach some level of perfection. Yet that's the opposite of the grace that God offers us. I love the comparison she made about Eve and us, when Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil to become more like God. How we now try as women to achieve perfectionism or at least the appearance of it in our lives and how that's not so differnt than Eve's goal in the garden. We need to learn to embrace how God created us, to learn to extend grace to ourselves and others. Christ died for us and loves us, no matter what, no matter what we achieve or don't achieve. We don't earn His love, it's already available to us exactly as we are. 

    What a great and timely message for women! There is such a pull as women to get it all right, the heated debates about working moms vs. stay at home moms, is the house clean, etc. women are more than a wife, mother, and a clean house. They are daughters of the living king, with value that's all their own, not related to being a mom or a wife. It's time that women realize who they are in Christ!

     Great book! I'd definitely recommend it! 

Book was recieved in exchange for an honest review.  

Anna's crossing

Anna's crossing, by Suzanne woods fisher. Anna's people are making the long ship ride from Germany to America in hopes of leaving the persecution their people recieved behind. Anna is hesitant to go, not wanting to leave her home, but also wanting to make sure her people arrive safely in America. So they set off for America, crammed on to a ship that is holding far more people than it should. It's on this ship that Anna meets Bairn, drawn to him for some reason. Bairn grew up on ships after being orphaned as a child, he resents the "peculiar"people and the faith they represent. Yet there's something about Anna that draws him to her, he finds himself caring for her but knowing that since she's Amish and he is not, they could never be together. Fighting for survival and fighting to be kept safe from those on the ship we travel with Anna across the ocean. 

     I loved loved loved this book!!! Suzanne fisher is one of my favourite authors! This book was wonderful! She did her research on actual events to improve the storyline. It's so well written and so capturing! A great novel that I'd absolutely recommend!

Book was recieved in exchange of an honest review. 

Dauntless

Dauntless, Valiant Hearts series book one, by Dina L. Sleiman. Lady merry finds herself caring for a bunch of orphans after her family and theirs were killed. They survive by remaining invisible. Sneaking in and stealing what they need to survive without ever being seen.  Which seems to be working pretty well for them. It's a monumenteous task to be a "mom" for all those children. Timothy who once loved merry finds himself back in her life again, in an unusual position. Merry is unsure if she can trust him or if he still loves her. 

    Well, I'm not to sure what to say about this book? I honestly just didn't enjoy it. I felt some of the subject lines were inappropriate for teens. It very closely follows the story line of Robin Hood, even references him in the book as some one else fighting against the ruler. I would have liked to have seen an original story rather than a slight spin off of Robin Hood. I had a hard time getting through the book for that reason, because it did just make me think it was a re-written story of the Robin Hood tales but with a female lead. I'm all for strong female leads, but I'd also like original story lines. Sadly it's just not a book I'd recommend. 

I recieved this book in exchange for an honest review. 

More than just the talk

More than just the talk, by Jonathon Mckee. In this book Jonathan McKee tackles the "sex talk" and why it is so important for us to have an open and honest dialog about sex. I think this is one of the hardest issues we have to tackle as parents. There is so much "sex" information (well wrong information) available to our children through tv, books, movies, magazines, music,etc. children are becoming aware of porn at younger and younger ages. Which makes the parents job of instilling the truth so much more important. I think my favourite thing that the author talked about was interacting with our kids in regards to sex and and mistakes they may make rather than over reacting! The church as a whole has a history of over reacting to sin, rather than talking about it and helping people out of it. I think this is a wonderful resource and am so encouraged by reading it and feel like I have more tools at had for talking to my kids on this topic. I have already been telling people I know all about this book and how good it is! Parents kinda need these books! Well done! 

Book was recieved in exchange for an honest review

The Crimson Cord

The Crimson Cord, Rahab's story. by Jill Eilieen Smith. With the small amount of scripture we know about Rahab, the author delves into a story of heartbreak, abuse, spiritual and emotional death, but ends with grace and healing. Rahab marries who she thought was a good man who she would have a family with and live a good life. But after he came back from war, where he saved the prince's life, he's a changed man. He's taken to gambling their money away and digging them into a debt that can't be paid off. Rahab and her husband are sold to the highest bidder to repay their debt, where Rahab finds herself forced into the roll of a prostitute. Alienated from her family because of their shame of her new profession, she finds herself alone, hated, and with no real value. Then some Israelite spies come to her home to ask her some questions, they find that they were figured out and officials are there to arrest them. Rahab hides them until it is safe and then asks them to promise to spare her and her household when their God destroys the city.
      I can't even begin to describe how much I loved this story! I loved so many things about it! I love that the author combined the story of the man who was forgiven much, but went after a man who owed little into this story. It worked so perfectly! I love the story of redemption of some one who lived a horrific life! Of course we know that it isn't a biblical accurate portrayal of Rahab, since scripture doesn't give us much information on her, it is a story oozing with Grace and love! There are very few books I can say I really loved, but this is one of them! I was thrilled to be given the chance to read this book and it didn't disappoint! I found I couldn't put it down after I was done, so it only took about three days to get through! I can't wait to read more books in this series!


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

The Trouble with Patience

The Trouble with Patience, by Maggie Brendan. Patience is new to town after inheriting her grandmothers boarding house. Needing to get away from an overly critical mother and seeing this as the perfect opportunity she moves in and starts fixing up the rickety house! Patience is accepted immediately into the community and comes with some Godly guidance and wisdom for the residence which she writes down into a devotional book she's been developing. Jedediah is the marshal in town and doesn't really seem to have much patience with Patience at first! Shortly though they find themselves caring from each other, but Jedediah has a gruesome past that might not let their romance survive.
     Personally I found the book a little hard to get into at first. The first few chapters seemed a little slow moving, but once I got past that then it did get much better. The story is cute, but a little obvious in places. I found by the end of the book I really did enjoy it, just found it a little harder to enter into the story. I have to say though that the author does a great job of giving you a picture in your head of what reality looked like at that time. You could imagine the dusty little town as she was describing it! Over all a good book, one you won't be disappointed that you read!


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

The Beauty of Grace

The Beauty of Grace, stories of God's love from today's most popular writers. In this book we come across stories from popular writers such as: Ann Voskamp, Laura Parker, Holly Gerth, and more! Stories, or more so insights of ways God has spoken to them, taught them and confirmed his love for them. I don't think I could pick a favorite chapter in this book. after reading so many and thinking "I love this one best" they all held so much truth and peace! Its a great book that brings you back to a place of reflecting on God and seeking him for your needs, be it emotional, physical, etc. This book lavishes peace on you, love, acceptance, allowances to not always be ok, to make mistakes and to know above all God is there not in a place of condemnation, but rather looking on you with grace! I love books that come with a reminder of who God really is. I really did enjoy this book and I"m sure I'll be referring back to it often!


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.