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.

Truth Be Told

Truth Be Told, by Carol Cox. Amelia is heading home, believing she's to be catching up with her father and visiting. But when she finds herself saying good bye instead and grieving the death of her father. Left in her hands is her father's news paper. Once a good strong resources has since dwindled since her father's illness. Amelia takes over and is determined that she will only be reporting the truth, its just not with in her to lie.As she starts researching her father's stories she comes across one that catches her eye about the mine. She starts to dig deeper to try and unravel the story that the mine tried to silence her father on speaking about. Throw Ben into the story, who's assignment was to keep tabs on Amelia, but soon they discover that there is something to the things her father had been writing about the mine, not only that but then romance blossoms between Ben and Amelia. Amelia never dreamed that owning a news paper could be this dangerous or exciting.
  I enjoyed this book, it was pretty fast moving and it seemed a bit predictable in the story line, but that said it was still well written and captivating enough to keep readers there till the end. I'm really just not a big fan of romance novels, which this definitely is, so that part of the story line didn't capture my attention as much. The mystery of the mine did though! I would say its definitely worth a read!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing group.

With every Breath

With Every Breath, by Elizabeth Camden. Kate's only chance at college was winning a scholarship. Her family simply just didn't have the money to be able to send her. Trevor had the ability to afford college on his own, after all he was rich. It came down to the last competition and in the end Trevor stole the competition and her chance at attending college. Her rival had beat her. Her head for numbers served her well though as a statistician, Trevor always remembered her talent with numbers and her fiery attitude, so when he was looking for someone to work with him in searching for a cure for tuberculosis he knew Kate was the one to help. She agrees and they work side by side trying to save the lives of patients as well as warding off those who'd like to see their work ruined and throw in a bit of romance as well!
  This was an interesting book to read, I loved how the main characters interacted with each other. Kate's sarcastic streak when it came to Trevor was pretty funny. They're a pair you knew were just too much a like to be separate for long!| I did find the story could move a little slow in some parts. But the book overall was too interesting to put down! Elizabeth Camden did a great job at ensuring her readers would be there till the end!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Captured by Love

Captured by Love, by Jody Hedlund. Angelique left now with her step father and his new wife after first the death of her father and next her mother. She does what ever she can the best she can and as fast as she can to please her step father, but its rarely enough. After her sister Theresa was "sold" to the highest bidder in a so called marriage orchestrated by her step father and rather than live that life threw herself to her death in the river. Angelique is determined that the same will not happen to her. After all she loves Jean and as soon as the war is done he will return for her and they will marry as long as her step father holds to his word. All the people are faced with starvation after the British army starts taking the peoples supplies of food since their food sources are cut off. Angelique trying to live on the meager amount of food she does get, yet sharing more than she could do without to Jean and Pierre's mother. Who she's been caring for since the war started and her sons left. Pierre returns to the island to find his mothers house in shambles, that she's nearly completely blind and that the girl he considered just like a little sister all grown up. Together they all journey through struggle and love in a world that feels far from peace.
     I loved this book, it had all the elements of a great novel! suspense, a great story line, tragedy, etc. It was done so well you felt like you were there with them as you read. This book draws you in from the first page till the last! Its a book that I didn't want to take breaks from and was hard pressed to tear myself away from the pages! This author know what it takes to capture a reader and it shows in this novel! I'd read this book over and over again! Definitely worth a read!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group

A Woman of Fortune

A woman of Fortune, by Kellie Coates Gilbert. Clair had everything, and I mean everything. Anything she wanted was hers! A husband who adored her, and what ever money could buy her and her family. Until it was discovered that the money wasn't come by honestly. Clairs husband is arrested and faces jail for fraud. Her world comes crashing down, her husband is gone and the money is gone. Her children, now grown, are products of their upbringing. Snobby socialites who don't understand the important things in life. Now on her own and finding herself like the majority of the rest of the world, needing to work for the things they need. Clair and her family come together to battle through the shame of Tuck's criminal activities, loosing their social status and the respect that money once brought them, and trying to Find where God is in this mess. More than anything Clair's priority is that the family be held together!
     I really enjoyed this book! I love that the author took a twist on a novel that many Christian authors do not. Its rare to see a struggle, such as fraud, in a christian book. Even though I'm sure there's enough Christian homes out there that can relate to this scenario. I found myself loving some characters and hating others, which I'm sure is exactly what the author intended for us to feel! It really is a good read and I'm happy to have had the opportunity to have read this book! Its not a book that will disappoint!


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group