The Sons of Isaac by Roberta Kells Dorr - my review

The Sons of Isaac by Roberta Kells Dorr takes you back to another time and place. It is an old story that can be found in the Bible (found in Genesis, starting book 24), one the author has brought to life with her telling of it. Starting with how Isaac and Rebekah met , with her traveling miles to marry a man she had never met. Then on to the birth of twin sons, Jacob and  Esau. Through the lives of these two boys and into Jacob's marriages to Leah and Rachel. Even though the story is an old one it could very well have taken place in today's world. With a family that has love, jealousy, greed, hope, manipulation, stubbornness, and faith in God. Roberta Dorr has done a remarkable job of bringing all of the characters back to life in her telling of their story and the way things might have been.

I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Jesus, Jihad, and Peace by Michael Youssef - my review

In Jesus, Jihad, and Peace by Michael Youssef , he explains the difference in beliefs of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Dr. Michael Youssef uses Biblical scripture to show how things that are happening in the world today, line up with the prophecies in the Bible. I personally gleaned a lot from this book.

I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from NetGallery in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Authority in Prayer by Dutch Sheets - my review

Authority in Prayer: Praying With Power and Purpose by Dutch Sheets is an awesome book filled with faith, humor, testimonies and so much more. The author shows Biblical reasons for taking authority in our prayers. A real faith-builder as you read of answered prayers and know that God does answer our prayers. Prayer is powerful! This book helped me to see that it is important to use the power we are given, by God, in our prayers.

I highly recommend this book.
I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Accept This Dandelion by Brooke Williams - my review

I found myself laughing all the way through Accept This Dandelion by Brooke Williams. Renee Lockhart, longing for a better position on the radio allows her friend to sign her up for the local TV version of "The Bachelor". From setting herself on fire, dancing a jig, wearing cut-offs to a pool party, even slapping a monkey, she has so many funny antics she would be hard to forget. And the "playboy" bachelor himself Ben McConnell who proves to be a much deeper and caring person than everyone first thought of him. Another finalist finds who finds out some "dirt" on Renee and passes it on to Ben in the hopes of helping her own chances of being the winner of his love. Who will he choose to give the dandelion and his heart too?

I enjoyed this book tremendously and highly recommend it!  I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from the author in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you for allowing me the chance to read this.

Look for this book on February 4th 2015

Steadfast Heart by Tracie Peterson - my review

I enjoyed the friendship between Lenore and Abrianna in Steadfast Heart (Brides of Seattle, #1) by Tracie Peterson. Together they made a beautiful team. Abrianna with a lovely heart that wants to help all the less fortunate and Lenore who has the means to do so.

I loved the ladies that run the Bridal School! Everything about them makes me want to meet them.

With the lawyer Kolbein, coming to Seattle, looking for his sister Greta, who he thinks is at the Bridal School, and falling for the beautiful Lenore. Wade always looking out for Abrianna, I expected him to also announce that he was in love with her.

I was left wanting to know more at the end of the book though, like what happened with Priam Welby? A very unlikable man from the beginning. And who committed the murders of the three men close to the Bridal School? Perhaps there will be another follow-up book with the answer to these questions in it. I would just like to know if I have figured it out right.


I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Esther: Royal Beauty by Angela Hunt - my review

I finished reading Esther: Royal Beauty by Angela Hunt last night and was completely lost in the telling of this old story. I'm a big fan of Biblical fiction and this will now be on my list of favorites as such.

I have read the Biblical story of Esther and studied it at different times, but after reading this book I will never look at it quite the same again! Angela Hunt brings this old story back to life by letting two characters, Esther (Hadassah) and a eunuch by the name of Harbonah tell the story. I tremendously enjoyed reading this age old story from this perspective. Even though I knew this story, it was still a real page-turner as I read from the view point of Hadassah and Harbonah. It was so easy to love these two, as I read along, crying and laughing with them.


One of my favorite quotes from this book, about this time long since past, so easily fits the Christian life that I walk, today as well.

 We walked in it, traded in it, communicated in it, and did acts of kindness for it. To the casual observer, we might have looked like ordinary people, but we were not. About that, at least, Haman was right. 
 We were children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and we served and invisible God, who remained close to us no matter where we lived. But our hearts did not -- should not -- belong to this world. 


I highly recommend this book to everyone who likes Biblical fiction.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.

Longing for More by Timothy Willard - my review

Longing for More: Daily Reflections on Finding God in the Rhythms of Life by Timothy Willard is a fabulous devotional. With 52 chapters and a daily reading to lead to a closer walk with Jesus. Each day begins with a scripture, follows with an inspirational reading, and a daily prayer.
This would be a great book to start your day off with along with your morning coffee. I read through the entire book and loved it! Now I will go back and re-read it as a morning devotional. With chapters inculding Love, Hope, Courage, Work, Anxiety, Family, Pain, Disappointment, Shame, Calling, and so many more, all focused on scripture. Timothy Willard helps to take different situations and shows how to find God in each of them.

One of my favorite quotes from this book is...

Perhaps today you need to walk out into the fields, or the woods, or the mountains. Perhaps today you need to feel, to sense, some otherness--the otherness of "my Holy One." Take the the time and walk. Get off your phone. Close your laptop. Shut down the tablet. The Everlasting awaits.  

This is so true we need to shut down things of the world and listen for the voice of God.
 
I highly recommend this book to everyone who like me, is longing for more, it will help you to slow down, pause, reflect, and feel God's loving grace.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review rather it be good or bad. Thank you.