Be the Gift by Ann Voskamp

If you've never read any of Ann Voskamp's books the description of the book pales dramatically to her actual written word.  She's a master at words that evoke images, emotions and a desire to draw closer to God.  Her writing is raw, heart-felt, stirring, shocking and transparent.  She allows us glimpses into her own heart to help us better understand the heart of God.  This lovely book is filled with photographs of her farm, home, and family.  From a bowl of cherries to the wheat fields to a child's toes we are drawn into her intimate world.  This book is a devotional book with a challenge.  The challenge to spend 60 days giving of ourselves to a hurting world.  She invites us to give sacrificially as Christ gives to us.  She challenges us to go outside of our comfort zone and use our imagination to find ways to "pay it forward" to someone who is hurting.  She gets down to the gritty realities of  our hesitation to do good for those who rub us the wrong way and asks us to give of ourselves to them in a meaningful way.  The end of the book has pages where the reader can write how they lived given in that day - for 60 days.  Then there are 60 heart challenge ideas on how we can pour out ourselves to be a gift to others.

I received this book from BookLook but was not required to write a positive review.

The Crooked Path by Irma Joubert

The Crooked Path delivers a beautifully tender love story. If you're tired of "steamy love scenes" with little emotional depth then you'll love this book.   It is deeply passionate and at the same time a "clean" love story.  The love between characters is built slowly and sincerely through the pages.  It is heart stopping at times and agonizing at others when love seems just out of reach.  The details rendered in this book make the Africa of old come alive.  Through the eyes and heart of Lettie we meet her childhood friends and first crush.  At the beginning of the book we find Lettie a very shy and unsure girl.  As the story progresses Lettie gains strength in her faith and in who she is.  As she accepts herself she begins to blossom in ways she could never imagine.  The affects of WWII and emotional trauma on her friends changes the way they thought life would turn out.  Through it all is woven a thread of hope and an appreciation and reverence for being alive.  Lettie and her friends must each find their own way to savor the precious moments as they come and the courage to go on when detours, deadends and roadblocks seem to prevent their dreams from coming true.

I received this book from BookLook publishers but was not required to write a positive review.

Little Book of Bible Stories by Jean Fischer

This lovely little book is filled with adorable Precious Moments characters that will delight the hearts of young and old.  Little ones will enjoy holding their very own Bible story board book with easy to turn pages.  Parents will appreciate the durability and beautifully depicted Bible stories on each page.  Stories from Creation to Jesus resurrection are told in clear, simple language yet with enough description to make the story interesting.  Each story has two pages.  Page one is the story.  Page two is the illustration with a short poem or prayer and Bible verse to emphasis the Bible story.  Illustrations have lots of color and cute details such as baby birds in nests and lambs with shepherd boys.  There are multi-cultural children included in the illustrations.  Jesus is illustrated with olive toned skin.  Throughout the book Precious Moment children are shown in modern day settings and in Bible story time frames.  The scriptures included can be used to help a child begin to memorize short passages of scripture.   Whimsical yet with deep spiritual truths - this book is perfect to help your child know the Bible stories in a more personal way.  It can be used in children's church or church schools as devotional readings or at home for family worship or at bedtime before you tuck your little one goodnight.

I received this book from Booklook publishers but was not required to write a positive review.

Fierce Hearted by Holley Gerth

What I really enjoy about this book by Holley Gerth is it doesn't feel like a book.  It feels like a convesation with a trusted friend.  The title is perfect!  And the cover artwork is beautifully matched with this title.  Each chapter begins with a profound quote by other authors.  Then Ms Gerth begins to tell a story.  These stories are pieces of her life that she's woven into a meaningful worship thought.  Her idea of being fierce hearted is deeply spiritually based.  She shows how God can work through our self-doubt, trials and even the cruelty of others to help us have hearts that are confident, brave and not afraid to love.  This is so much more than a devotional book.  It is a book that can help you begin a self discovery journey with the Lord as your guide.

I received this book from Revell publishers but was not required to write a positive review.