Hearts Awakening

Delia Parr’s novel, Hearts Awakening, is a wonderful story of convenience, faith, trust, and eventually love.  

Elvira “Ellie” Kilmer is a thrity-two year old, very plain, spinster living with her cousin and his wife.  She had spent her courtship years tending to her unhealthy mother.  After her mother’s death, she was broke, too old to marry, and had only a couple of cousins to turn to.  She was in desperate need of a job.

Jackson was a handsome widow and father of two young boys who lived on the beautiful Dillion’s Island.  To date, his life was filled with betrayal, death, and scandal.  He was in desperate needed of help. 

She wanted a home, he needed a housekeeper.  She wanted a family, he needed someone to care for his boys.  She wanted a husband, he needed a wife, but in name only, to help rid him of the scandal surrounding the death of his wife.  So when he came to her with his proposal of convenience, she put her heart on the line and accepted.   Unfortunately, their lives were filled with secrets that could destroy their commitment.

Amidst Jackson’s bouts of anger, Ellie turned to the Lord for patience and guidance.  In times of turmoil and danger, Ellie turned to the Lord for peace and safety.  He was unappreciative and hurtful but her love for two heartbroken boys was truly a turning point in all their lives.

This is a great book filled with love, family, friends, and faith in the Lord!!  I had a hard time putting it down.  I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about  love and/or life in the past.  I love how the author had all the wonderful characters turning to the Lord in times of trouble and in times of JOY.  

I was blessed with a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Counting it all Joy!!

Angel

Somewhere to Belong

Daughters of Amana

Somewhere to Belong is a story of two young ladies who were raised in extremely different settings.  One,  Berta, the somewhat pampered, spoiled daughter of a Doctor living in Chicago.  The other, Johanna, lived a very plain life growing up in one of the seven villages of the Amana Colonies of Iowa.  

The two meet when Berta’s parents decide to leave their life in Chicago to live the simple life of Amana Colony.  Berta isn’t too happy with this decision and makes terrible choices.  She’s not willing to give up her old life and conform to the new life her parents want.  Johanna, on the other hand, has always wanted to see the finer things in life, but has always known, in the end, she belongs in the Amana Colonies, living the life she is used to.  Unfortunately, after secrets are revealed, both girls are wondering where they fit in, what they are to do with their lives, and in the end, both desire God’s direction.

I really enjoyed this book.  I don’t know much about the Amana Colony, but it seems similar to the Amish lifestyle without the Amish beliefs.  They turn to God for direction and live a life trying to please him.  The story of these two girls was full of twists and turns, and up and downs.  These girls learn to love each other and depend on each other even though they don’t always agree.  They learn to accept the other one flaws and all.  This was the first book I have read by Judith Miller, Somewhere to Belong was an easy read and I will look forward to reading a sequel.

I was blessed with a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Counting it all Joy!!

Angel

Friendship for Grown-Ups

What I Missed and Learned Along the Way

She grew up in Hollywood where there were few people to trust and even fewer to guide her.  By adulthood, she was strong, safe, and lonely.  Eventually, her desire to experience the connection of a true friend was stronger than the desire to be safe.  She quickly learned, she didn’t know how to be a friend or to have a friend. 

In this book, Friendship for Grown-Ups, Lisa Whelchel, from the hit sitcom, The Facts of Life, tells real stories of her path to friendship.  She tells of triumphs and of heartbreaks.  She tells of friends who betrayed and friends who loved.  She talks of her fragile heart and her fears.  She gives insight to finding a true friend, one who will love you, faults and all.

I loved this book.  I love how Lisa put it all out there for anyone to see.  Sometimes we put people like her on a pedestal and believe they have it all together.  I love how she shared how vulnerable she is, just like the rest of us.  Human, with human feelings, trials, and insecurities.  The stories are so real and heartfelt.  There were times when I could imagine myself sitting across the table from her just listening to her pour her heart out.

Her stories and insight really made me take a good look at myself and the kind of friend I am.  It helped me see that I haven’t always been the kind of friend I should have been and it deepened my desire to always be the kind of friend God wants me to be.  It also made me look at the kind of friends I have and the kind I desire.  

I would recommend this book to anyone involved in a friendship or desiring a true and Godly friendship.  

I was blessed with a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through the Booksneeze program in exchange for my honest review.

Counting it all Joy!!

Angel

Sleep, It Does a Family Good

Archibald Hart’s book, Sleep, It Does a Family Good, offers help and hope for those who realize they need more sleep and those who don’t.  He explains the role of sleep in all aspects of our lives.  He offers suggestions on ways for every family member to get the sleep they need.  He even gives simple tests to determine if you are getting enough.  He discusses, not only, the sleep patterns of a busy mom wearing too many hats, but he  also talks of sleepiness in our children and teens and what is going on in our lives to contribute to it.  He relates marital problems, relationship problems, and even spiritual problems to sleep deprivation.

This book is packed full of great advice and exercises to rid us of our tiredness.  How wonderful it will be to wake up every morning refreshed, well rested, and ready to conquer the day.  He ends with exercises to help us end the day relaxed and ready to fall asleep quickly.  I love his ideas - reflecting on good things that have happened in our day, letting go of aggravating things, and dwelling on God.  What better way to end our day.

I loved this book, it is an easy read.  I would recommend it to everyone, business man/woman, stay-at-home mom, single person, families, Christians, non-Christians, teens, and everyone in between.  I believe it is never too late to start taking better care of ourselves, and with the advice in this book, we can conquer our sleep health.

I received this complimentary book from Tyndale Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion, thank you.

Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go

This is the story of Lucille O’Neal, mother of one of the greatest athletes of all time, Shaquille O’Neal.  It reveals her journey through life.  It starts with her upbringing by very rigid grandparents, walks through her battles of being a single mother, a wife, an alcoholic, a college student in her forties, and then being divorced and making a new way for herself.  She talks of her struggles with her sons fame and the downfalls of him becoming independently wealthy.  She shares her hurts and joys and her return to Christ late in life.

This book is an easy read, it is always interesting, to me, to see how others deal with the challenges of life.  I hated that she didn’t turn to Christ earlier in her marriage.  She really seemed to be of the opinion that her marriage wasn’t worth the effort to make it be what God intends for us to have in a marriage.  

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read about her struggles raising Shaquille and dealing with life, but only for enjoyment, not for wisdom.

I have been blessed with a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson for review.

Rick & Bubba's Big Honkin' Book of Grub

Rick & Bubba's Big Honkin' Book of Grub is probably the weirdest cookbook I have ever read!! I love to cook and also love to find great new recipes, unfortunately, I was very disappointed with this book. It is filled with odd humor and sarcasm, not good recipes. I was hoping for a humorous yet sincere approach from these guys on eating habits and recipes, what I got was advice on how to eat everything unhealthy I can get my hands on.

On a lighter side, I did enjoy their sense of humor when it comes to church potlucks and reasons to attend the "Spam" convention. I didn't however, think it appropriate to list "Jesus feeding five thousand", "the last supper", or any other biblical reference as justification for overeating or eating unhealthy. I think if are into reverse psychology this book could work for you, however, if you take any of their advise seriously, you could end up on the next season of "Biggest Loser"

I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a cookbook, the recipes aren't very original and there are lots of great cookbooks out there, sorry guys. On the other hand, if you are looking for a quirky approach to eating rules, this book could be for you.

I have been blessed with a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson for review.

Let all I say and do glorify the Lord!!!

Angel

The New Living Translation Break Through to Clarity Bible Contest and Giveaway

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Apple iPad 16G and a Life Application Study Bible
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Retail Value: $499.00

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Awarded when the NLT Fan Page hits the first milestone
Retail Value: $599.00

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Sweepstakes participants and winner(s) can be U.S. residents of the 50 United States, or residents of any country that is NOT embargoed by the United States, but cannot be residents of Belgium, Norway, Sweden, or India. In addition, participants and winner(s) must be at least 18 years old, as determined by the Company.

Sweepstakes Starts

March 17, 2010 @ 10:24 am (PDT)

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April 30, 2010 @ 10:24 am (PDT)

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Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope is my first Patsy Clairmont book review. First of all, Patsy is a part of the Women of Faith, and if you are familiar with them, you know she is such a joy and has a funny way of sharing God's word. Patsy holds true to who she is in this book, it is a very entertaining book to read. She takes 30 Proverbs and turns them into her funny, true life stories that I believe all of us can relate to in some way.

I love the questions at the end of each Proverb. These questions really make you think about your own life and whether or not you are striving to live a Proverbs life. I think this book would be great as a Bible study/small group guide with weekly devotions.

As when you look through a kaleidoscope you see many different shapes and designs, Proverbs is a look at God's plan for our lives and the beauty of His design.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves the word of God and enjoys the humorous side of life!!

I have been blessed with a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson for review.

Book Blogging

I started this blog to do my book reviews!!! I have always had a heart for books. Books of all kinds. God put this love in my heart and I hope and pray my reviews will help lead someone to read the words God has for them. May all I do and say Glorify the Lord!!!