Mercy Rising

Simple Ways to Practice Justice and Compassion
About the Author:
AMBER ROBINSON is an ordinary woman seeking to bridge the gap between the needs for justice and balancing family, work, and service. Her life’s passion is to write and advocate for children with Compassion International. She speaks to groups who want to incorporate justice pursuits in simple, practical ways. She is an imperfect Christ follower and reluctantly optimistic.
Amber began this journey when chronic illness forced her to reevaluate her priorities and learn to serve with limitations in everyday life. She networks with leaders in the justice movement as well as everyday women with various limitations in time, resources, and energy but long to serve in simple, practical ways. What can we do at home, shopping, in business, or with family and friends? Not everything, but we can find our “one thing”.

Back Cover:
Images from the media leave us shaking our heads.  We want to do something about the hurts of the world, but we aren’t sure what steps to take.  In Mercy Rising, author Amber Robinson offers the tools women need to make the impact their hearts desire.  Filled with helpful hints, inspired insights, and solid biblical wisdom, this organized resource will show you practical ways to find and focus on serving those who suffer.  
With clever charm and earnest exploration, Mercy Rising will help even the busiest of women find the right place to spend meaningful moments practicing justice and compassion.
My Review:
I received this book a week after we had a missionary from Africa staying with us.  Needless to say, my heart was WAY primed for this topic!!  There are so many less fortunate in our world!!  It doesn’t seem to matter how desperate someone’s situation is, there is always someone more in need.  It doesn’t matter if you are in the United States or a third world country, there are people who need the basic necessities of life that most of us take for granted.  Mercy Rising if full of ideas and information on how YOU can get involved.  Monetary ideas, service ideas, prayer ideas, and the list goes on.  It doesn’t matter if you have a lot of time or NO time, there IS something you can do and it will make a difference. 
I loved this book, the stories of real people just like us making a difference.  I loved all the ideas, big and little, the lists of organizations you can get involved with, the information to help you decide where YOU fit in.  I also love that each chapter ends with a list of questions to enhance your thoughts on what you have just read.  
I really didn’t feel this book was just for women, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to make a difference, anyone who doesn’t think what little they could do would make a difference, and especially to those who have never really thought about making a difference!!
Thank you Amber Robinson for the complimentary copy of your book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Counting it all Joy!!

Let's Go To The Hop!!


Book Blogger Hop
In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!  So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list at the bottom of Jennifer's blog!!  Go Here!!


The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun!  This is a weekly event!  And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added!  We get over 200 links every week!! 


Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know!  Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added!  And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!

RULES:  (in hopes of simplifying things for everyone!)

1.  Enter your book blog link in the Linky List below (be sure to include how long you've been blogging and what genres you review!).  If you post about the Hop on your blog, please link directly to your Hop post (don't forget to answer this week's question - see below!).

2.  Visit other blogs in the Linky List!  Make new friends!  Follow new book bloggers!  Talk about books!  Rave about authors!  (Please do not leave your link and not visit other blogs - it's just not cool and not in the spirit of the Hop!)

3.  Post about the Hop on  your blog!  Spread the word about the book party!  The more the merrier!

This week Jennifer has asked us to tell what we are currently reading:

I am reading Mercy Rising by Amber Robinson and Angel Song by Sheila Walsh and Kathryn Cushman!!  Both for review, one to learn from and one for fun!!

Have a fabulous weekend and enjoy hopping!!

Counting it all Joy!!

Hurricanes in Paradise

Author Bio:  Denise Hildreth is a novelist and international speaker. She has spoken for the last ten years to women's ministries, churches, and for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Denise began her career over seventeen years ago writing for other people. She eventually ventured into the world of fiction with her first novel, Savannah from Savannah, and has since published several books. Her novels have been featured in Southern Living; hailed as "smart and witty" by Library Journal; and chosen for the Pulpwood Queen's and Women of Faith book clubs.




Back Cover:
From the moment Riley Sinclair stepped onto Paradise Island, Bahamas, and into her new job as director of guest relations at a five-star resort, she felt the pieces of her once-broken life finally coming together.  But the waters become choppy when Riley discovers that some who come to the Atlantis hotel arrive with more than just suitcases and suntan lotion in tow - they’re accompanied by their lurking demons, paralyzing secrets, and overwhelming fears.
Riley and three women guests are in desperate but unknowing need of each other, eventually forging unlikely yet powerful friendships.  With a hurricane headed straight for the island, together they embark on a journey of laughter and lunacy, heartache and healing.

My Review:
When I had the opportunity to read and review this book, I was really excited.  I had never read anything written by Riley Sinclair, but I love finding new authors I enjoy!!  I was not disappointed!!  This is a fabulous book.  It not only takes you on a journey to the Bahamas, it takes you on a journey through the lives of four women all of which are going through major storms of their own.  Some with storms in their spiritual lives, some with storms in their personal lives, and all with a storm threatening their physical lives!!  Through all the storms it is quite clear that God is with them, loving on them every step of the way even when they don’t see it or feel it.  I would definitely recommend this book to everyone!!  It covers everything from God working in the lives of people, to romance, to suspense.  It made me laugh out loud and it made me cry!!  Great book, can’t wait to read more from her!!
I would like to thank Tyndale Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Happy Reading!!


At the Hop!!

Book Blogger Hop

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!  So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list at the bottom of Jennifer's blog!!  Go Here!!


The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun!  This is a weekly event!  And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added!  We get over 200 links every week!! 


Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.

If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know!  Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added!  And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!




RULES:  (in hopes of simplifying things for everyone!)

1.  Enter your book blog link in the Linky List below (be sure to include how long you've been blogging and what genres you review!).  If you post about the Hop on your blog, please link directly to your Hop post (don't forget to answer this week's question - see below!).

2.  Visit other blogs in the Linky List!  Make new friends!  Follow new book bloggers!  Talk about books!  Rave about authors!  (Please do not leave your link and not visit other blogs - it's just not cool and not in the spirit of the Hop!)

3.  Post about the Hop on  your blog!  Spread the word about the book party!  The more the merrier!

This week Jennifer has asked us to share what book we cannot wait to get our hands on (past, present, or future):

I would have to say a new series coming out by Karen Kingsbury about Bailey Flanigan.  She is a girl I have followed in Karen Kingsbury's other series and I love them.  More than that though, I would love to just have the time to read her last book - Take Four - which I have but haven't had a chance to enjoy yet!!!

Have a fabulous weekend and enjoy hopping!!

Counting it all Joy!!

Simon's Crossing

Authors:  Charles William Asher and Dennis Patrick Slattery



Back Cover:
Enter the biblically historic world of Simon of Cyrene, where a world of grief, revenge, and tender devotion awaits.  There, families are torn apart, marauding soldiers enact their violent ways, and random events suddenly disrupt life.  Along this journey there will be encounters with Pontius Pilate, Veronica, Mary, and the sons of Simon, Rufus and Alexander, as they seek to grasp the mystery of a compassionate Nazarene, serenely putting into practice the kingdom of God.
Forced to carry the cross of Jesus, Simon of Cyrene, a little known biblical figure, reluctantly yields to his task.  At the same time, Simon struggles with personal loss and a fiery desire for revenge.  In Simon’s story, the vulnerability of our own journeys is laid bare as we cross paths with a simple wooden cross and a redemptive twist of fate.
In Simon’s Crossing, this ordinary man, from Cyrene, steps boldly our of the pages of the Bible.  He senses that his own life depends on the Nazarene staggering just ahead of him.  Persuaded by sacrificial love, we too discover what it is like to cross over into the imaginal power of a story well-told, where salvation lies close at hand.  Simon’s story compels us to carry on as well.

My review:
When I was asked to read and review Simon’s Crossing by Charles William Asher and Dennis Patrick Slattery, I was really excited and couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.  I love reading biblical fiction, and was excited to read about Simon of Cyrene.  I didn’t know much about Simon and was anxious to learn.  Unfortunately, this  wasn’t the case for me.  This book is completely written from the authors imagination and except for the fact that Simon carried the cross, it isn’t very biblically based.  
I did continue to remind myself that this book was fiction, but I really felt there should have been more truth to it since it is being marketed Religious Fiction and since the back of the book describes it to be based on the real story.  I was surprised at the sexual references, very graphically described between Simon and his wife.  I understand times were different back then, but I found the description distasteful and I was somewhat embarrassed to be reading it.
Take away all the sex and rape and this book would have been a wonderful version of what could have been Simon’s reason for being on the road that day.  It did give me insight and deeper thought as to what could have and probably did go on, on that awful day, during that walk to Golgotha.  A deeper look into how Jesus felt about us, even as He was walking His last walk, to save ME.
I know there are a lot of people who would love this book, it is well written, easy to read (minus all the sex), and it is an interesting scenario, I am just probably not the right person for it.  That being said, I do not feel I could recommend it to my target audience.
I definitely think there should be a warning or rating on the book because you would never think it to have such ADULT content.
Thank you iUniverse, Charles Asher, and Dennis Slattery for the complimentary copy of your book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Counting it all Joy!!

Let's Go To The Hop!!

I have been following this meme for a few weeks and am so excited to be linking up today with people who have a heart for words like me!!  Thank you Jennifer for hosting!!  Go here to link up.
This week Jennifer has asked us to share who our Favorite Authors are and why we love them!!
My Favorite Authors:
Karen Kingsbury, her books are so true to life.  They are always about families I can relate to and learn from.  I love how she links her characters all together with the Lord!!
Beverly Lewis, her writing about the Amish fascinates me and makes we want to visit Lancaster County myself!!
ABOUT THE HOP:
In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on! This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books! It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed! So, grab the logo, post about the Hop on your blog, and start HOPPING through the list of blogs that are posted in the Linky list at the bottom of Jennifer’s blog!!
The Hop lasts Friday-Monday every week, so if you don't have time to Hop today, come back later and join the fun! This is a weekly event! And stop back throughout the weekend to see all the new blogs that are added! We get over 200 links every week!! 
Your blog should have content related to books, including, but not limited to book reviews.
If you start following someone through the Hop, leave a comment on their blog to let them know! Stop back during the week to see other blogs that are added! And, most importantly, the idea is to HAVE FUN!!
DISCLAIMER:
The Hop isn't just for you to throw your link in there and not visit any other blogs. It's all about networking and finding new blogs that are of interest. So, in the spirit of the Hop, try to make some time to visit other blogs and don't post your link if you are not planning on visiting other blogs in the Hop that week. This is a weekly event, so if you don't have time this week, that's fine! We'll see you next week!
Have a hopping weekend!!
Counting it all Joy!!

Search

About Me

My Photo
Angel
I am a fully devoted follower of Christ!! I love my husband and kids more than I ever thought you could love. I have a wonderful granddaughter who is the most precious little girl in the world. I am a long time homeschool mom and love every minute of it. I thank God every day for blessing me with my family and allowing me to be able to stay home and devote my life to them!!!
View my complete profile

Followers

Booksneeze

I review for BookSneeze

Tyndale Publishers

I Review For The Tyndale Blog Network