Missing Isaac by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Rich in beautiful relationships this book takes the reader by storm in the opening paragraphs.  Beginning with Isaac risking his own life in an attempt to save his employer’s life to relationships that cross racial lines, society lines and old family feud lines, the author creates a fascinating tale of mystery.  Amidst the racial tensions stirring in the south in the 1960s comes an authentically warm and deep friendship that spans generations.  The deep prejudices highlighted in Luesse’s book help the reader see the hypocrisy and courage of people during this radical time in our country’s history.  Breathtaking and clever – this is a work of literary art.

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

The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz

Elisabeth seems to have the dream life every young woman desires.  A handsome fiancé who will give her a lovely home to be mistress over when she weds and social status everyone envies.  All suddenly changes when her father sends her mother away to be nursed back to health for her frailties.  Elisabeth immediately recognizes her father’s falsehood.  He has sent her mother away not for physical or mental health reasons but for her strong beliefs in the Patriots’ politics.  Soon after this her father flees Virginia to escape the Patriots’ growing strength in Virginia.  At the same time Elisabeth finds herself abandoned by her fiancé Miles.  Not knowing when and if her mother will return Elisabeth finds herself alone.  Into this dire circumstance comes Noble a cousin of Miles with strong Patriot ties.  He  volunteers to take Elisabeth and her maid servant into his home to keep them safe.  Elisabeth accepts for her servant girl’s sake but soon makes her way to Williamsburg to fend for herself as a lacemaker.  While she can’t totally forget Noble nor he her there are weighty matters at hand.  When the rebellion between England and the Patriot colonists escalates Elisabeth finds herself wondering where her loyalties really lie and where her heart belongs.

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

You're Gonna Love Me by Robin Lee Hatcher

You're invited into the small town homey feel of Thunder Creek, Idaho.  City girl Samantha returns to be caregiver to her grandmother.  She gets an unexpected surprise when she finds out her lost love Nick is the very man who rescued her grandmother from her fall from her horse.  There is an undercurrent of longing mixed with bitterness inside of Nick as he begins to spend time with Samantha.  Samantha has unresolved fears from her childhood that mix with her resentment of Nick's zest for adventure.  Two seemingly polar opposites yet they can't deny the attraction and friendship that is building up to something more.  Through the help of a strong family, community and church connection they each begin to find healing.  What God has in store for their future begins to unfold before their eyes.

I received this book from Booklook Bloggers and was not required to write a positive review.

Blessed Are the Misfits by Brant Hanson

Incredible!  Comforting!  Awesome!  Inspiring!  Assuring! I want to put exclamation after exclamation in my review of this book.  Brant Hansen has a very different outlook and inner look at spiritual matters that really blessed  my heart.  Over and over his words said to me:  I am okay to God.  The worse thing that Christians do to themselves or to each other is to give a sense of judgment for things we have no right judging in ourselves or others.  The words in this book very pointedly, often with humor or startling bluntness, tell me that God is someone that can be depended on even when I can't feel Him, see Him or understand what is going on.  At first glance the opening words of this book might seem sacriligous or discouraging because of the lack of emotion.  But I found that actually understanding that we don't have to be on a spiritual "high" to receive God's grace and love is extremely calming to my soul and gives me such a sense of peace.  The stories shared and ideas discussed are really deep.  I found myself reading a line and then sitting there and thinking:  Wow... Just wow what a God we have. 

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

31 Proverbs to Light Your Path by Liz Curtis Higgs

The cover of this book is so beautiful it caught my eye immediately.  I thought I like the proverbs and this will be a good devotional book for the month.  After reading the first chapter it was so good I went on to read the next chapter.  Needless to say I didn’t stick with my one chapter a day plan.  The author fills the pages with honest, open, narrative of her own experiences that other women can easily relate to.  She even encourages us that if we think we can’t relate to a certain topic in a proverb to think of it in a new way that can apply to our lives.  Each chapter ends with a short personalized prayer and then a “One Minute, One Step” exercise.  This is the very best part of the book!  In each “One Minute, One Step” portion the reader is given a 60 second assignment.  Liz challenges us to take the 60 second plunge and do it right then and not put it off to later.  She is right on about doing the challenge while the devotional is still fresh in your mind.   For example interesting challenges for your soul like putting money away in an envelope and carrying it around in your purse praying for the right person to give it to.  Or swallowing our pride and picking one thing we need help with and then asking someone to join us in that task.  These short challenges are fun and packed with meaningful self-insights.  I loved it!

This book was given to me by Blogging for Books but I was not required to write a positive review.