The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen

This story is nestled in the charming English village of Ivy Hill.  There you will meet the heroine Jane, who at the outset seems the least likely to rescue anyone or anything.  Jane is a young widow who gained an inn through her husband's will.  The inn has a major loan against it and she must come up with a way to save the inn from financial ruin or lose her livelihood and her home.  Jane discovers some startling secrets along the way.  The side characters to this story are as intriguing as the main character.  Who are the "villians" and who are the "good guys" may not be as straight forward as one might imagine.  The more that is learned the more questions arise.  What are the real motives behind actions?  Who can be trusted?  This makes for a real page turner that is hard to put down.

NIV Journal the Word Bible

A lovely and practice idea!  This Bible comes with broad margins that are very fainted lined so you can write your notes to Scripture right in your Bible.  Whether it's notes from a sermon, Bible study group or your own personal studies, thoughts or prayers this is a wonderful idea.  I really like the faint lines because it doesn't make it look like a book you'd have in school.  It still appears as the Bible only you now can write in the border.  The lines help you write straight and space your sentences.  The cover of the Bible is really beautiful and has great eye appeal.  I also like the texture of the cover that is soft material over a hardbound book.  This Bible would be a perfect one to use in a group Bible study.  It would also be helpful for a new believer who wanted to add verses that correlated with others in a theme or even questions they wished to ask a pastor.  It is equally useful for teenagers or adults.  An added bonus is a handy table of weights and measures in the back pages to help the reader understand Biblical terms for weights and measurements.

I received this book free from the publishers.

Love Letters from God Holy Bible

Wow!  Glenys Nellist has done it again!  This is an amazingly, awesome, beautiful study Bible for young people.  Words cannot do it justice!  Not only are the illustrations magnificent but the "letters" from God really reach your heart.  If you've seen the picture books Love Letters from God by Glenys Nellist you'll totally love this Bible.  Even if you have never heard of the picture books this Bible is sure to woo your heart.  Throughout the Bible there are "letters" from God speaking to the child and relating the Bible passage to modern day events or discussing feelings child might have.  Included in this Bible are prompts for children to "journal" or write back to God and express their thoughts and ideas and emotions.  The prompts are very creative and in different ways helps the help express himself.  Sometimes they are asked to make a drawing or do an activity and other times it is simply a written message back to God.  The back cover says this Bible is written at the third grade level but as an adult I thoroughly enjoyed reading the special messages throughout this Bible and older children would benefit from the rich spiritual messages throughout the "letters" from God.  It is a wonderful tool to help children learn to journal and record their spiritual journey.  This is also a Bible that could be read to younger children and the prompts could be discussed verbally to help younger children who are learning about God and His love.

I received this book free from the publishers.

Child of the River by Irma Joubert

 Like a gently flowing river that picks up speed and hurls you over the white rapids - this book will have you hanging on to every word.  Persomi lives with a drunkard father and cowering mother.  From an early age she must find the inner strength not to give in to the depression and despair.  At each turn and twist of her personal journey she chooses to walk with integrity and look for ways to live fuller while seeking her own special purpose in life.  The author takes us through Africa's history during the atrocious time of Apartheid.  She shows us the political climate and various viewpoints held.  The reader will experience this in a heart wrenching way through the individual characters in the book and the consequences their held beliefs cost them.  The ramifications of dark secrets will impact Persomi in heart wrenching ways that no one could predict or imagine.  She is a character of rare steadfast faith and hope that shines like a light in a very dark time.  This is a 388 page book and I read it in one sitting because it is that good!

I received this book free from the publishers.

Rhythms of Rest by Shelly Miller

This is a much needed book on how to find Sabbath Rest.  This is an intelligent look at Sabbath from the perspective of a Biblical base as well as modern day research studies that confirm why a Sabbath rest is beneficial. But it is in no way a dry dissertation.  Shelly Miller brings to life Sabbath by personal stories that reflect the wonder, joy and healing of Sabbath.  She begins with Hebrew and Greek words that amplify the Sabbath rest God intended.  She goes on to explain the reasoning behind a Sabbath day and also sabbath moments where we carve out times of spiritual rest with just God and ourselves.  She emphasizes the "no guilt" mantra but rather a happy anticipation of the Sabbath day and times of restfulness throughout our every day week.  The reader is encouraged to guard the Sabbath as a treasure.  She explains that it is only in this Sabbath rest that we will discover precious jewels.  God made our bodies as such that if we do not participate in the Sabbath rest we will discover a forced rest by illness or anxiety.  Sabbath rest includes physical rest, mental rest and spiritual rest.  Through Bible references, scientific studies and personal experiences the author gives a picture of how precious and valuable the Sabbath really is.  The book concludes with a section on practical prompts to help the reader start to enjoy the Sabbath.

I received this book free from the publishers.

Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson

This author is a wonder!  She blends the picturesque scenery of Prince Edward Island with down to earth characters adds in a dash of charm with a remodeled inn and mixes in romance, mystery, and grace.  Liz Johnson immediately grabs your attention and holds your interest throughout the story.  It is almost an oxymoron with the tale gripping you at each turn with breakneck speed and at the same time the characters are in a very laid-back, peaceful atmosphere.  there are characters of different ages, dilemmas and experiences but their lives touch one another with profound impact.  You will read about a survivor's guilt and the battle within to find forgiveness and joy in life again. The reader is also shown a glimpse inside the head of someone who always comes in second.  The beauty with how the author deals with guilt -real or not deserved- is amazing!  This is just a superb story that demonstrates what believing in God's grace can do for us in intimate detail in real life situations.

I received this book free from the publishers.

Shadow of the Storm by Connilyn Cossette

This story will take you right into the heart of God's people as they begin their journey to freedom from Egypt.  The tale immediately takes on a aura of intrigue.  You can almost taste the manna, feel the dust and grime on your face and feel the awe at witnessing the hovering cloud with shekinah glory bursting from it's midst.  Author Connilyn Cossette shares many factual details of the desert, the customs and times into her book.  She has a gift of sharing people's emotions, thoughts and actions in vividness that makes the reader feel they are part of the story not just a bystander.  The story of Shira, Ayal and Dvorah takes the ideal of forgiveness down to the hard root level of how this would play out in real life. Even as I read their individual stories I found myself at some points judging the characters of this book. I didn't always like them.  I was angry and horrified by their actions.  I even thought to myself, "Where is the author going with this?"  But with amazing skill and insight into God's way of seeing a person's soul she brings to life a wondrous picture of how much God wants us to be His beloved children no matter what our past may have held.

I received this book free from the publishers.