Life After by Katie Ganshert

Brillant and soul-searchingly deep!  Katie Ganshert just continues to produce unbelievable works of art in her books.  The stories are amazing!  But the spiritual truths are so profound they make you take a second look and a third and fourth.  Remarkable!  As you read the character's thoughts you think to yourself WHAT did the author go through in her life to have such insights? She truly has a gift from God to portray the depth of emotion she does and with it the healing balm that only God can give.  This story is deep.  I mean DEEP!  It deals with tragedy on a scale that really makes even the stauchest Christian ask Why?  Ganshert isn't afraid to meet doubt, fear, questioning, "shaking a fist at God" kind of grief.  Ganshert delivers a story that isn't mere entertainment.  The author looks intimately into the mind of someone who wanted to ask God why much as David does in the Psalms.  And the main character of this book asks why again and again seeing glimpses of God but being beset by satan's lies.  This book is so powerful because it isn't sugar coating the real, down and out feelings of desperation when wondering why God let a tragedy come into your life...why God didn't intervene when He could have.  And why sometimes we don't see answers or reasons.  It is a meaningful look at tragedy, grief and how God's love is still stronger than any evil.  You won't be the same after reading this totally, outstanding book.

I received this book from the publishers and was not required to write a positive review.

Redeeming Grace by Jill Eileen Smith

This account of the Biblical character Ruth is full of rich historical detail. The author takes time to give description of tradtions, rituals, beliefs of followers of Yahwah and of Chemosh and the difference in life styles between Israelites and Moabites.  But it is not given in a dry way.  The author knows how to place these details inside the heart of the story so they naturally weave in and around the character's lives.  You will feel the sorrow and angst of Boaz, Naomi and Ruth when their prayers seem to go unanswered.  You will feel the fear and uncertainty when Naomi travels to Moab and when Ruth returns to with her to Bethlehem.  What would make a Moabitess leave all she's ever known to follow her widowed mother-in-law to a stranger land?  Only the searching heart who longs for the true God.  This story is a testimony of God's grace to all people and the courage He can instill in even the most humble of his followers to do great things.

I received this book from Revell publishers.

A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander

Tamera Alexander NEVER disappoints!  She's a master story teller.  You'll be intrigued on the first page and eagerly turn page after page till the last page.  I have read every book of hers and can't wait till she writes the next one.  Alexander takes an often unknown historical nugget and turns it into a lovely story filled with God's grace and many spiritual truths.  At the same time the tale she weaves is full of romance, mystery, interesting historical facts, vibrant, complicated characters and flavors of the culture and times. This particular book deals with the etiquette of what was considered proper for women in the 1870s.  The focus is on women playing on a public stage.  She also delves into the predjudice of class distinctions.  As the main characters, Rebekah and Tate face personal challenges they are confronted with their own versions of faith or lack thereof and what it means to follow God with their whole heart.  Dreams and ambitious goals are fought for and then realigned to God's will.  First impressions are shockingly not always what is truth as they get to know each other better and see what is really important in life.  This book was marvelous!

I received this book from the publishers and was not required to write a positive review.

The Newcomer by Suzanne Fisher Woods

The Newcomer by Suzanne Woods Fisher

This is a fantastic read!  Ms Fisher is a marvelous historical novelist!  From page one I couldn’t stop reading this book!  I read it all in one day and I can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out!  The story is set in the 1700s when Amish were immigrating to America in hopes of religious freedom.  It is a fascinating story of the different religious sects developing in Pennsylvania during these times.  Through the characters adventures we can compare and contrast the Amish with the Dunkers and Ephrata Community.  The characters bring to life these religious groups that sought peace and a simple way of living.  Bairn and Anna are in love but will love be enough to bridge the differences in their beliefs and desires in this new land?  What makes a good leader?  Is it Jacob’s stalwart face despite glaring obstacles?  Or is it Newman’s take charge charisma?  Does God speak to the individual heart?  Or only to the leader?  Read this book for a wonderful tale that will also help you search your own soul.

I received this book from the Revell publishers.