BOOK REVIEW - Distinctly You

BOOK DESCRIPTION
All of creation is content to be what it was made to be except us. Fish flourish in water. Ants are not worried about their size. But we waste time on the three C's--comparing, competing, coveting. We aim at the bull's-eye on someone else's board, pursuing a race we weren't equipped to run. Cheryl Martin shows women how to develop their God-given uniqueness rather than becoming fixated on what they are not or do not have. Distinctly You unveils the actions and attitudes that may be sabotaging women and explores ways women can engage and build up their unique talents, interests, and strengths. Readers will be inspired by examples in the Old and New Testaments of people who were exceptional for God's kingdom. As the author shares her ongoing quest to be distinct for his glory, readers see how God created them to thrive.

Author's Website:  http://cherylmartin.org/web/product/distinctly-you/

MY REVIEW
When I saw this book online, I was immediately interested because I struggle with my self-worth. I have lived 40 years and still fight the battle of trying to be like everyone else. I have always felt the part of me that was distinctive was not good enough. Turning 40 made me come to my senses and figure out how to end this mind war once and for all and I was glad for the opportunity to read Cheryl Martin's latest book.

The book was divided into two sections which I thought were appropriate - blockers and builders. In my journey I have finally determined my blockers - the people/things I have given the power to define me - and I felt that Cheryl's reminder that only God should have that power was exactly what I needed. She writes about the 3 Cs - comparing, competing, and coveting. I am guilty of the comparing for sure - everything it seems that I think or feel can be traced back to comparing myself which ultimately is an insult to the One who created me. He created me to stand out, but my error was that I was wanting to stand out for myself and not God. This is what I feel is the practical message of the book - is my focus on me or God? It reminds me of the logo He>me. She also offers advice on how to tackle these blockers and begin building your distinctive self.

The two section format was well thought-out and I appreciate that her advice was backed up by Scripture. Cheryl is transparent and uses examples from her own life as she lays out the blockers and that helps me, as the reader, to better accept her advice. Distinctly You is a great book if you are looking to become the person you were created to be - a distinctive child of God who He created for a purpose with a plan for your life.

"Success from God's perspective is guarantees to those who are seeking His guidance and following the path He ordained".

"I was using the wrong measuring sticks (my peers' strengths and my expectations) to determine my worth and to define distinction. God never uses someone else's talents and abilities as the plumb line for our achievement." 

I was provided this e-book for free as an Advanced Reader Copy by NetGalley and Bethany House, a division of Baker House Publishing, for my honest review.

BOOK REVIEW - Until the Dawn

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
A volunteer for the newly established Weather Bureau, Sophie van Riijn needs access to the highest spot in her village to report the most accurate readings. Fascinated by Dierenpark, an abandoned mansion high atop a windswept cliff in the Hudson River Valley, Sophie knows no better option despite a lack of permission from the absent owners. The first Vandermark to return to the area in sixty years, Quentin intends to put an end to the shadowy rumors about the property that has brought nothing but trouble upon his family. Ready to tear down the mansion, he is furious to discover a local woman has been trespassing on his land. Instantly at odds, Quentin and Sophie find common ground when she is the only one who can reach his troubled son. There’s a light within Sophie that Quentin has never known, and a small spark of the hope that left him years ago begins to grow. But when the secrets of Dierenpark and the Vandermark family history are no longer content to stay in the past, will tragedy triumph or can their tenuous hope prevail?
Author's Website: http://elizabethcamden.com/books/until-the-dawn

MY REVIEW: 
Elizabeth Camden has given us another exciting read filled with history, romance, and mystery. The story takes place in a historic mansion in the Hudson River Valley. This part of New York and the Dutch migration were unfamiliar to me and I enjoyed learning more about them as I read the book. One thing I appreciate about Elizabeth Camden's books is that she always has interesting and different locations for her stories. She effectively describes both the interior and exterior of Dierenpark and it was easy to be drawn into the intrigue of the surroundings. I can understand Sophie's desire to want to stay at a mansion that has both a design of elegance and the spirit of a home.

The book has several characters that are growing spiritually and maturing throughout the story. I thought Camden did a great job defining the characters, giving you the ability to follow the characters as they developed. Sophie was very likable and she possessed great spiritual wisdom at a young age. I liked that she was independent in a time when this was not common or accepted. She did not have a full education, yet she was smart, intuitive, and had an unsinkable faith. Her smarts were gained from reading the books in the mansion's library and I appreciated this part of her story. My favorite character in the book was Quentin as I found myself routing for him despite his disbelief and cynicism. As we came to know more about his past my heart felt a tugging toward him. I can relate to some of the feelings and pains he was experiencing. I am a believer in true love and that God can ignite a fire between two people in order to show His love between them. They were exactly what the other person needed and that can only happen by Divine hands.

This is the second book I have read by Elizabeth Camden and I have become a huge fan. I am grateful to have been given this book for review by Bethany House Publishing for my honest opinion of Until the Dawn.

BOOK REVIEW - Love Everlasting

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Abrianna Cunningham has always viewed her longtime friend, Wade Ackerman, as a protective  brother. Lately, however, she’s begun to see him differently and finds herself attracted romantically to him. But she’s confused and overwhelmed by these unfamiliar feelings.  Wade, on the other hand, has loved Abrianna for some time and has been waiting for her to realize they are more than just friends. When he asks her to marry him, she asks for time to adjust to their changed relationship. And then there’s Priam Welby, who has been relentlessly pursuing Abrianna. Will his underhanded tactics succeed in luring Abrianna into marriage with him?
Author's Website:  http://traciepetersonbooks.com/brides-of-seattle-series/

MY REVIEW:
Maybe it is the happy ending, but I always find the last book in a Tracie Peterson series is my favorite.  Throughout the series I have grown fond of our heroine, Abrianna, and her exciting adventures. Love Everlasting lets us see Abrianna in an adventure that may just cost her life and she deserves the casting role of heroine.

All along in the series, we have known that Wade has started to think of Abrianna as more than a friend and we finally get to see how Abrianna returns those same feelings.  I enjoy the differences in their personalities and how they compliment each other.  I believe that makes for a great marriage.  Her lively, adventurous spirit works well with his calm, practical spirit.  He tames her somewhat and she brings him to life.  How Wade would quieten her with his kiss was perfect.  My favorite parts of the book were their conversations.

As I read this book, I was reminded of the word change.  Abrianna was 21 years old and that age range brings about a lot of changes - physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.  Then, I felt the spirit remind me that life is full of changing seasons.  I recently turned 40 and I feel like I am going through one right now, so I wondered what lessons I could learn from Abrianna's story.  Remember to fully trust God, remember that I have friends and family that love me, and remember that in times of change... never change who I am.

BOOK REVIEW - Refining Fire

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Twenty-two-year-old Militine Scott is in training at the Madison Bridal School in Seattle, yet she has no intention of pursuing marriage. What respectable man would have her? But she has found the school provides the perfect opportunity to keep her unsavory past hidden. Thane Patton, though fun-loving and fiercely loyal to his friends, hides a dark secret, as well. He finds himself drawn to Militine, sensing that she harbors a haunting pain similar to his own. Will they allow God to make something new and beautiful from the debris of their past?

MY REVIEW: 
If you frequently read book series, you probably understand the long wait until the next book is released.  Tracie Peterson's books are no exception - I have eagerly awaited the rest of the story in several of her series.  With the Brides of Seattle , I was so excited to start reading the next book, Refining Fire.  After the first book, Steadfast Heart, I was ready to continue in the drama of the Madison Bridal School and the ladies living there.

Refining Fire is the story of a bridal student, Militine Scott, and her surprising relationship with a local boat maker, Thane Patton. I say the relationship was surprising because Militine had no interest in a husband (she was a student in order to seek shelter from her past).  I really enjoyed their story in the book because both Militine and Thane had  pasts filled with violence and remorse that with God's help they would overcome.  Each found their refuge in Seattle and were surrounded by friends who were strong in their faith.  Neither had a strong spiritual life, but together they began to grow in their faith and discovered true love.  We all have something in our past that we wish to escape and the question is where and in Whom we find our refuge.

If you have been enjoying this series, it is obvious that the heroine is Abrianna Cunningham and she continues to be the primary character.  Abrianna does not let you down in this book as she finds herself in several predicaments and also a love triangle.  The two suitors are local carriage maker, Wade Ackerman, and the wealthy businessman, Priam Welby.  I enjoy Abrianna's addition to the series due to her spunk and determination to serve her Lord and minister to those in need.  What a spirit she has!  Her comebacks to the new pastor, Ralston Walker, were witty and had me laughing as I read them.  At first I thought maybe Abrianna and Pastor Walker might have an "opposites attract" relationship start, but I was very relieved that was not in the plot-line.  Pastor Walker was definitely a character I was not sad to see exit the story.  I think if I was a character in this book, I would have to give him a good "what for".

Tracie Peterson never fails to deliver a book with vivid imagery and an interesting plot-line that is rich in history.  I was not aware of the 1889 Seattle Fire and cannot imagine seeing my entire city engulfed in flames.  I think her choice in title, Refining Fire, was reflective of the burdensome fire in Militine and Thane that wore at their hearts.  God is no stranger to overwhelming fires and He can certainly tame them and bring about a beautiful refinement.  Beauty from ashes!

I was provided this book for free as an Advanced Reader Copy by Bethany House, a division of Baker House Publishing, for my honest review.

BOOK REVIEW - Sing For Me

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
When a good church girl starts singing in a jazz club and falls for the music—as well as a handsome African American man—she struggles to reconcile her childhood faith with her newfound passions.  Raised in the Danish Baptist Church, Rose Sorensen knows it’s wrong to sing worldly songs. But Rose still yearns for those she hears on the radio—“Cheek to Cheek,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”—and sings them when no one is around.  One day, Rose’s cousin takes her to Calliope’s, a jazz club, where she discovers an exciting world she never knew existed. Here, blacks and whites mingle, brought together by their shared love of music. And though Rose worries it’s wrong—her parents already have a stable husband in mind for her—she can’t stop thinking about the African American pianist of the Chess Men, Theo Chastain. When Rose returns to the jazz club, she is offered the role of singer for the Chess Men. The job would provide money to care for her sister, Sophy, who has cerebral palsy—but at what cost?  As Rose gets to know Theo, their fledgling relationship faces prejudices she never imagined. And as she struggles to balance the dream world of Calliope’s with her cold, hard reality, she also wrestles with God’s call for her life. Can she be a jazz singer? Or will her faith suffer because of her worldly ways?  Set in Depression-era Chicago and rich in historical detail, Sing for Me is a beautiful, evocative story about finding real, unflinching love and embracing—at all costs—your calling.

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE: http://www.karenschreck.com/

MY REVIEW:
I confess that I am drawn to books by the cover art...horrible, I know.  While book shopping at Mardel, my eye was drawn to a low shelf and there packed amidst several possible reads was a beautiful art deco font showing the title of "Sing for Me".  As a long time fan of Ella Fitzgerald and Rosemary Clooney, it is no wonder my eyes spotted this cover.  I've had this dream of being a modern-day lounge singer since probably about my sophomore year in high-school.  (That was about the time I discovered Harry Connick, Jr, my second musician crush...sorry Rick Springfield).  As I have gotten older and lost most of my singing ability, I am okay with letting Jane Monheit and Diana Krall carry that honor.

Maybe it was the excitement of starting the book or the stress I am currently going through in my job, but I had a hard time getting into the story of the book.  It is well-written and seems to be true to the time period, so I am sure I was to blame for my slow beginning.  I enjoyed the characters and appreciated the different dilemmas each were going through, but I was anxious to get to the music and romance. When that began to develop and became forefront, my interest fortissimo-ed and I finished the last half of the book in about a day.  I loved how the author included lyrics from hymns and standards throughout the story.  I found myself singing them all as I read and that makes a great read for me!

There are two evils addressed in the book - prejudice and stubbornness - and both of these give a painful ache to my heart.  Judgement has to be the most hurtful behavior in the world as it leads to much worse.  The judgement given to me since early childhood has not been the color of my skin or the religion I practice, but any judgement is hurtful and leaves permanent scars on the soul.  If I could have one wish granted, it would be that people would think first to accept differences rather than to punish them.  Let us live a life lead by love!  After all, we as Christians, are called to be examples of Christ who was Himself the truest form of love.

As I was finishing this book, the tragedy in Charleston occurred and I found myself crying for the families of the victims and the community.  I was saddened that in 2015 the cruelty of skin-color prejudice is still prevalent in our country.  It breaks my heart and I can only imagine the sadness it brings Christ who loved each one of us enough to sacrifice Himself for our freedom.  Oh, how I pray, that somewhere over the rainbow we can finally overcome this obstacle.

BOOK REVIEW - How to Enjoy Reading Your Bible

BOOK DESCRIPTION & AUTHOR'S WEBSITE
Do you feel like you should read the Bible more?  This book will help you want to read it.  Keith Ferrin has been talking to churches for years about enjoying God's Word. Here he shares the most helpful ideas and habits you can start using today. You will find ten proven tips that are equally practical whether you are a longtime Bible student or simply exploring what this life-changing book is all about.  Aimed at deepening your relationship with God, these simple suggestions will help you focus more easily as you read, remember Scripture better, and most importantly, enjoy the Bible and its Author more than you ever dreamed possible.
http://keithferrin.com/

MY REVIEW

"You have not truly mastered any part of the Bible until that part of the Bible has mastered you" - Bob Shinrock.

 

I met Jesus in 1982, but I fell in love with Jesus in 2001 when I felt His calling and discovered my spiritual gift was teaching.  I am somewhat of a study nerd...I love the research of studying and then sharing what I learn with others.  This is most evident in regards to His Word.  I love the Bible and cannot get enough of His story.  This book will be a reference I keep on hand to gift others I meet who desire to know how to read the Bible with a "relational" approach.  It is that helpful and I wish I would of had it years ago!

Ferrin has written a wonderful reference for new and long-time readers of the Bible.  I enjoyed the personal way in which the book was written.  It was as if he were sitting with you at Starbucks sharing with you his 10 tips for having a better time "hanging out" with God.  With his one-on-one writing style, it was easy to become motivated to put the tips to use.  The tips are practical in that they are lined out in a good format and they are easy to understand.  This practicality made the book extremely motivating.  It feels as if he were your Bible Reading Coach and reminding you that it can be so much fun.

"How to Enjoy Reading Your Bible" has truly encouraged me and I look forward to working through the challenges he presents at the end of the book.  Even though my time with the Bible is frequent, I do see that I can sometimes fall into the "informational" reading approach.  It is so easy to find yourself there in a dutiful feeling instead of a desiring feeling.  My heart so desires time in the arms of my Redeemer and getting to know Him more deeply.  The book has also refueled my love for sharing the Bible with others and I have asked my Pastor to possibly facilitate a Small Group to put these useful tips in the hands of my fellow church members.

I was provided this book for free as an Advanced Reader Copy by Bethany House, a division of Baker House Publishing, for my honest review.

BOOK REVIEW- Until the Harvest

BOOK DESCRIPTION & AUTHOR'S WEBSITE
When family tragedy derails Henry Phillips's college studies, he's left unmoored and feeling abandoned. The only things that can tamp down his grief are the family farm, his fiddle, and an unexpected friendship with sweet but unusual preteen Mayfair Hoffman. Unfortunately, Mayfair's older sister, Margaret, despite her spray of freckles and cute, turned-up nose, has a completely different effect. His grandmother's helper, she's always around, ready to push his buttons, and it seems at first that she doesn't care about his troubles. Henry soon realizes, though, that Margaret's facing her own struggles. Mayfair's health and unique gift sit at the heart of those worries. Henry and Margaret soon find themselves relying on each other as potential tragedy collides with growing hope in a warm story of family bonds and the surprising ways healing finds us all.  http://sarahloudinthomas.com/

MY REVIEW
Personally, this was a very inspiring book to read. I chose to read it because it was set in the Appalachians and I have liked other books set in this area of the country. However, this book was SO much better due to the spiritual message that flowed through the story. It was an engaging read as I finished the book in only 1 day (I was home recovering from surgery, so pain was my only distraction).

I thought the book was a sweet love story. At first, the main love story seemed to be Henry and Margaret, two people trying to find their place in the world with the fear of an unknown future. Who doesn't love a story of two somewhat lost people being brought together by God?  I can relate to both of the characters, but more so with Margaret and her struggling belief in God's love for her.   The book suggested that maybe she couldn't really love until she better understood how much God loves her.  As I became more involved in the story, the TRUE love story seemed to be between God and all the interesting characters. He was very active in all their lives.  God's love shined so bright through His precious vessel, Mayfair (Margaret's younger sister). My eyes filled with tears when Beulah looked at Mayfair and said "I don't need to look into your eyes to feel your love".  My deepest desire is to offer this much love, kindness, and "peace of mind" to those I come into contact with in this life.

There were a few other insights I pulled from the story that I would like to share because I think they are sometimes forgotten in our lives today.  The first is the value of the wise elders in our lives.  In the story, all the older characters were full of wisdom that they so freely gave to the Henry and Margaret.  I cannot tell you the amount of wisdom I have learned from my grandparents and church members - they are such a blessing to my life.  The second is the value of the love we offer through our talents and gifts.  There is a focus on the healing that Mayfair offered her community, but I also enjoyed the telling of how Perla stretched food through hard times and I truly feel that Margaret showed love to Beulah and Emily by cleaning their homes as they were no longer able to themselves.  We all have something we do really well that we can use to serve those around us.

What a story! "Until the Harvest' was a sweet read and is well written by Sarah Loudin Thomas. I am very grateful to Bethany House, a division of Baker House Publishing Group, who provided me with the book for my honest review.