God Gave Us Love

God Gave us Love by Lisa Tawn Bergren and Laura J. Bryant is a wonderful children’s book.  The story is about Little Cub and his Grandpa. Grandpa takes Little Cub fishing to find pesky otter in their spot playing and scaring away the fish. Grandpa helps Little Cub to see that we are to show everyone love. Grandpa also explains the difference in love that God gives us for each other. He learns that go loves us so much and he wants us to give his love to others, even if sometimes they are hard to love. The author captures the true love of Christ and makes it easy form a child to understand. The illustration in the book is beautiful and is sure to keep the child wanting to turn the next page.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. 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 [...]: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"I am Second"

I Am Second by Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett is a book of short stories of real people. They each have one thing in common and that is God. Each story told by individuals in their own words is very touching and uplifting. Better know names such as Michael W. Smith, Bethany Hamilton and Sam Bradford along with others not so heard about have shared their addictions, heartbreaks and hang-ups. They all have learned to put God first in their life and over come their struggles. I found this book to be very interesting and easy to read. I would recommend it to anyone but feel teenagers and young adult would really benefit from it.

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.”

"The Crossing"

This book was a fairly good mystery. It kept me interested and reading until I finished. I was somewhat disappointed in the ending. I did not see the killer being who it was, but I guess that is what makes a good mystery. The story line is about a unsolved murder that happened ten years ago. Coming home on a bus from a high school football game the well loved cheerleading coach( B.J.) was murdered. Claudia Campbell is haunted over the death will panic attacks. Her husband is the State’s ADA who reopens the case to find the murderer. Other characters like Casio and Georgie make the story interesting. I’ve never read a book in this style before. It was different reading a dyeing woman’s thoughts. Some of which were hard to process. One other thing that struck me as odd was the mention of who was interracial, African-American or white at times. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to any one who likes mysteries.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. 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 [...]: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Voice

I just finished reading The Voice, New Testament by Ecclesia Bible Society. I have to be honest that it took me so long to read this book. I started out trying to compare scripture to other translations. That proved to be hard. I kept wondering why some very memorable scripture were taken so out of original context. It read very much like a story, quite lyrical and in a whole new light than ever read before. For someone who does not know the bible this might be an easy read for them. I feel the contributors of this book were under the direction of God. I found it to be just a bit too liberal for me. I thank Book sneeze for the chance to review 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.”

"As Silver Refined"

Kay Arthur's new book is compelling and thought provoking, just like her others.  She never disappoints her readers.  "As Silver Refined" is answer's to life's disappointments.  I thought it was very interesting that she begin the book back in ancient days in a Judean village.  There she takes us through the process of refining silver in the fire. It was a very interesting process and made me realize her thoughts that we are His precious treasure.  I really liked how she said we should turn our disappointments into His Appointments. It's hard to do but a good thought pattern to get in.  It helped me to see that you must face regrets over the past to forgive and forget. This is one book I will keep and read over and over again.  To have victory over Discouragement we must be Strong and Courageous.  I recommend this book to everyone, the author addresses many things we all face.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. 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 [...]: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Close Enough To Hear God Breathe

Close Enough To Hear God Breathe by Greg Paul.  The story of divine intimacy.  I really wanted this book to be good, but to be totally honest it was not.  It seemed more like the life story of the author with some scripture thrown in.  Mr. Paul  is a pastor of Sanctuary in Toronto.  It is a ministry where they help drug addicts, homeless, and other troubled people.  Some of the stories in the book were moving and thought worthy.  When he speaks of the death of his father was the only thing I could relate to.  The author talks of sailing and drinking wine, his divorce, and his children.  When he talks of his daughter, Rachel when she was small felt real to me.  In one chapter “Erotica” he describes the Song Of Solomon in an extremely sensual way.  I made me very uncomfortable.  I think it’s more about love.  Another part made me uneasy was when he talked about going to eat with a wedding party after a wedding.  He said he watched the bride and groom as the ate and talked with family knowing they just wanted to get out of their and consummate their marriage.  Kinda creepy for a pastor, I think.  The book jumps around with no flow.  It was a hard read.  It was small and could have been read in just a few hours.  It took me almost a week, never being able to enjoy it.  I appreciate the chance to read the book and give my honest review, but I would not recommend 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.”

Harvest of Grace

The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall.  This was the first book I had read by this author so I was not familiar with the Ada’s House Novel series.   I have read books about the Amish people before. 

This is a love story of Sylvia and Aaron.  Sylvia is the oldest  of her sisters and helps her dad run their farm.  She is a very hard worker and loves taking care of the cows.  Sylvia gets her heart broken when her beau marries her younger sister.  Later her sister has twins and becomes sick, she moves in the take care of her sister and the babies.  Old feelings arise and she finds herself sharing a kiss with her sisters husband.  She knows this is a sin and goes to her father and asks to leave the farm.  At first he will not let her go but later let’s her go, she is told she must give up her share of the farm she has worked so hard for as well as have no contact with her family.  I thought this was to harsh, but maybe a custom.

She goes to work a few hours away on the Blank farm.  The Blank’s are older and need help to try and get the farm to make some money.  Their daughter was killed a few years back and their son Aaron has been away at rehab for a year.  Upon Aaron’s return he wants his parents to sell the farm, pay off debts and move with him to a town and run an appliance store.  It was nice that Aaron gave God all the credit in his recovery.   Sylvia wants them to keep the farm and give her a chance in making it successful.  As they work together on the farm a relationship develops as well as problems.  There are many other good characters in the book with struggles and the author gives you a glimpse of their lives and their faith .  I think I would like to read other books in the series to know more about the other characters.  I recommend this book to anyone who likes stories of strong Christian Amish women.     

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. 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 [...]: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."