His Love Endures Forever by Beth Wiseman

This book was written in an engaging manner. I couldn't put the book down. It had enough twists and turns to keep my interest. I also felt it was a good story about forgiveness and trusting God when things don't go the way you dreamed or wished. I have one misgiving about that book and that is the topic of being "unequally yoked". In this story it all worked out beautifully with the non-believer coming to Christ. In real like sometimes that happens but many times when people marry when one partner is not a Christian it leads to heartache. But I guess as in all novels you have to allow yourself the luxury of getting into the "fantasy" part of the story even if it means simply that there was a "happily ever after" ending. Other than that I really thought the author did an excellent job of showing how a person works through the stages of forgiveness and why forgiveness is equally important to the victim as to the aggressor.

This book was given to me free by the publishers through booksneeze. I was not required to write a positive review.

Songs of the Brokenhearted by Sheila Walsh

I believe Sheila Walsh when she writes about trusting God because I know she's been through a lot of heartbreak in her own life.  I think it is important to have interesting stories that also portray a Biblical/Spiritual truth.  This book does both.  One suggestion is I think it should have been written as a series with more than one book.  It touched on so many topics where a someone deals with heartbreak.  But I felt like it didn't give enough time to each situation before it moved on to another. 

 I thought it was very encouraging to show how Ava used ministry to others as a way of helping herself deal with heartache.  I believe that is part of the healing process whether it be grief or anger.  Reaching out to others and thinking and caring about others helps prevent a "poor me" type attitude. 

I received this book free from Booksneeze and was not required to write a positive review.

God Loves Broken People (and those who pretend they're not) by Sheila Walsh

In the introduction Sheila Walsh says that if she could only write one book this would be it. As I read the pages of this book I could not put it down. I read it straight through in two sittings and that only because I had to go to sleep. As soon as I woke up I began to read again. This book is marvelous beyond words in my opinion. You feel as if you are sitting next to Sheila drinking hot chocolate as she talks to you.

What I like about this book is that it is a well written, well balanced book. It is very personal and yet organized in a way that goes through different steps/stages of grief and recovery in a sound Biblical manner. Sheila uses stories from her life and others to help us see how real people held on to God and drew nearer to Him during painful times. She also brings in scripture references through Bible characters' lives and favorite Bible verses that she uses personally in times of crisis and daily living.

I have read a lot of books that deal with "why God lets bad things happen" and "healing our wounds" and "dealing with our issues" - but this book by far is the absolute best. Sheila does not candy coat anything. She talks about real pain and real struggles and admits that it is not an easy journey. She even admits that as humans we do not have all the answers and that answers are not always given to us by God either. But she points to scripture after scripture where God proclaims His love for us. Through scripture she shows that we are not abandoned in our darkest hour. Then through her life stories and others she shows the miracle of how we go on because the real miracle is that we often feel God closest when life is at it's worst.

I think maybe this is a hard concept for anyone who hasn't really suffered a devastating crisis because it sounds impossible. But if you're ever gone through something horrible and survived with God's grace you really see how good God is. I felt comforted and encouraged and fortified to face trials as I read this book. I also for the first time didn't see my brokenness as shameful or a wasted part of me but something that God could use to make my life more meaningful and a way to help others along the journey of life.

There are no words to give justice to this book. It is something I would recommend to anyone and in fact I plan to buy copies and give to my family members and friends.

I received this book free from booksneeze and I was not required to write a positive review.

Awesome look at friendship!

Beyond Molasses Creek by Nicole Seitz 

When I first started to read this book I wasn’t sure I would like it.  It took me several chapters to get “into it” but once I did I couldn’t put it down.  What appears to be trite selfish motives at first is explained in rich detail so that you understand the character and feel what she is feeling.  This is a beautiful story of the emotional/spiritual journey of Ally. 

As a child Ally’s best friend is Vesey, an African American boy who lives across the creek from her.  Their childhood is spent trying to keep a friendship when others feel it is wrong.  They live in the south during the height of civil unrest in our country.  As they enter their teens their families forbid them to have a friendship.   

Ally ends up being a world traveler and living a very secular life “free” from the constraints of her religious upbringing.  She ends up with a broken and bitter heart pushing her farther from her family and God.  As her father’s health is ailing he comes to rely on Vesey not only for help but as a friend. 

 When Ally returns home for her father’s funeral she learns a lot about herself, her dad and God. This story has several surprising twists.  If you want an awesome look at loyalty, true friendship and love then give this a try. 

I received this book free from Booksneeze.com and was not required to write a positive review.

His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parson

His Steadfast Love

by Golden Keyes Parsons

This was an interesting historical fiction book placed in the time of the Civil War. I think it brought out an important part of the war that few people realize. What I am referring to is the idea that not all slave owners beat their slaves, however it was still wrong to own another person. This was a concept that many Christian slave owners had a hard time coming to grips with. This struggle is brought out in the story.

Amanda's father is a preacher and devoutly religious. He owns slaves and refers to some of them as family. But through the book the reader is shown the discrepancies of what the Bible teaches us about treating each other and being a slave owner. Amanda begins to question her lifestyle especially in connection to slaves when she begins a friendship with a soldier on the Union side.

This book blends interesting facts about our country at war, the emotional turmoil of having friends and family on opposite sides of the war and the power of God's forgiveness.

The only thing I didn't like was that they made the women a little too helpless in various situation. But I have to remind myself that back in the 1860s perhaps women appeared helpless because they did not have the freedoms and independence that women enjoy today.

I appreciated that the love story showed a friendship that deepened into commitment. It was refreshing to have the couple show respect for each other and honor each other as their love grew. I also thought it was important that while they loved each other they did not rebel against their parents who were opposed to the relationship. Instead they endeavored through love and prayer to “win” their parents over to understand why they felt God had brought them together. They were patient as they waited for God to show them if they could be together forever.

I received this book free from the publishers through booksneeze.com. I was not required to write a positive review.

Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin

Wrapped in Rain

by Charles Martin

This is a fanastic book about redemption and the power of unconditional love. It shows that one person can truly make a difference and that sometimes the prayers and love of that person outlast the person's life.

The story begins with a frightened child and chronicles the terror and abuse he lived through from his drunken, unloving father. But God sent a Nanny to the family who loved him and taught him that His Heavenly Father was tender and compassionate.

The child grows to manhood not really fully understanding or embracing God as His friend or savior. But the young man does believe in the love of “Mama Ella”, who was hired by his father to be maid and child care provider for him.

The truly amazing thing about this story is that even though it is a novel the spiritual truths are so profound and real! God IS like this. He CAN do miracles beyond our imagination. And it inspired me because I work with children every day and I pray to be a light for children as “Mama Ella” was.

As the story continues there are many twists and turns and the words and love of “Mama Ella” save many lives from destruction and despair. It reminds us that our prayers for someone else may seem to be fruitless but we don't know the ways that God is reaching out to that person to draw them to Himself.

I received this book free from the publisher through booksneeze.com. I was not required to write a positive review.

Healing Hearts by Beth Wiseman

This book is composed of three novellas written by Beth Wiseman. Each story focuses on the need for the main character to receive or impart forgiveness. Ms Wiseman uses the Amish lifestyle as a backdrop for each story. While the particular beliefs of the Amish may differ from the reader's beliefs there is a lot of spiritual truths and practical applications in relationships that anyone can gain a blessing from.

The author brings out the importance of forgiveness for the receiver and the giver. It is interwoven in an interesting and sometimes surprising way. It is written with a lot of emotion and as the reader you begin to feel what the characters are feeling and you ache for their loss, confusion, anger, bitterness and longing to reconcile.

The first story deals with a lost love. The second story deals with a daughter longing to be accepted for herself. The third story deals with a husband and wife who have grown apart and now face an empty nest. Each story brings out the tug-of-war of forgiving or holding on to a grudge. In each case the character has a valid right to not extend forgiveness. But the author, through the story, shows that forgiveness is always beneficial to all involved and can often bring the healing and love the misused person has longed for.

I would recommend this book because it is easy to read, kept my interest and also gives spiritual insights on forgiveness, faith in God and healthy family relationships.

I received this book free from the publisher through booksneeze.com. I was not required to write a positive review.