An Amish Love

An Amish Love contains three stories which are all, as the title indicates, dealing with individuals who are Amish. A Marriage of the Heart is by Kelly Long, What the Heart Sees is written by Kathleen Fuller, and Healing Hearts is written by Beth Wiseman. All three stories are around 100 pages and focus on relationships which are being tested within the Amish community.

A Marriage of the Heart focuses on Abigail Kauffman and Joseph Lambert, who are in a marriage that allowed Abigail the opportunity to escape from the life she lived with her father. They struggle with various issues that are looked at within the extremely short first story. This story was a very quick read, and had me wanting to read more stories by Kelly Long.

What the Heart Sees focused on the characters Ellie Chupp and Christopher Bender. After becoming blind in a car accident at a young age, Ellie begins to befriend Christopher, who was also gravely affected by the accident that took her sight. Their relationship plays out within the pages of the story by Kathleen Fuller.

Healing Hearts is the final story in An Amish Love. Lavin and Naaman Lapp have been married 30 years and Naaman leaves for an extended period of time. The story focuses on their reconnecting after he returns home.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I liked that I could read a whole short story in one sitting, and they were similar enough to tie the book together, but not too similar to make me feel as if I was reading the same story three times.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Truth of the Matter

The Truth of the Matter by Andrew Klavan is the Third book in the Homelanders Series. The book again takes us into the mystery of Charlie West’s last year of life which he is unable to remember. His last moment of clarity is going to bed one night and waking up a year later being tortured. He does not remember being jailed for his best friend’s murder, falling in love, and becoming a wanted criminal.

Charlie is attempting to clarify his missing year by looking for the one person whose name he can remember: Waterman. Upon contacting Waterman, trouble ensues as the Homelanders continue to close in upon Charlie. Charlie continues to struggle to remember his missing past as well as stay hidden from the Homelanders and the police.

I really enjoyed this book, and finally starting to see some clarity on what happened the last year of Charlie’s life. I think this book would really be enjoyed by a middle school aged boy, particularly one who is interested in non-stop action. The book is continually going, and there is never a boring moment as we are brought along with Charlie on the roller-coaster his life is turning into.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Dining with Joy

Although Dining with Joy was the first book I read by Rachel Hauch, I plan on reading many more of her books in the future. It was a very enjoyable read, that I found hard to put down, as I was brought into the romance between Joy and Luke.

Joy finds herself hosting a cooking show on television after her father’s untimely passing. The only problem is...she can’t cook! She is relatively successful in keeping this fact hidden until Luke, a recently bankrupt chef of a Manhattan restaurant, joins her show. Her relationship struggles with Luke, along with her inability to cook being revealed to all on television by Wenda Devine would be enough to cause any person to question their faith. Throughout all of these disasters, Joy must rely upon her faith and her close friends to help her get through her struggles.

This book was a very quick read, and I will definitely be adding it to my list of gift ideas for friends and co-workers. I also want to read other books by Rachel Hauck, especially to learn more about Joy’s friends and her family.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Suitor for Jenny

A Suitor for Jenny, the second book in the Rocky Creek Romance books, by Margaret Brownley tells the story of Jenny and her two sisters as they travel to a new town with the hopes of finding suitable husbands. Although Jenny feels as if she is unlovable after her past mistakes, she is determined to find proper husbands for her sisters Brenda and Mary Lou. Since her parents are deceased Jenny is determined to find an educated man who is able to provide for her sisters so they never have to worry about where their next meal will come from.

Throughout the book, Brenda and Mary Lou find themselves thinking about men who their sister does not deem appropriate, but they learn the plans God has for them may be different than their sisters plans. They must learn to follow their hearts and God’s guidance in their lives. Throughout their journey to this discovery, they are faced with many trials and tests of their faith. They must also reconcile their past relationship with their father and also move past Jenny’s controlling ways. As Brenda and Mary Lou find love, Jenny changes her position on finding true love.

I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read, and even though it was the second book in a series, it’s not necessary that you read the first book in order to understand A Suitor for Jenny. I would be interested in reading the first book of the series to find out more about the townspeople of Rocky Creek. There are many characters that we only hear about in passing, and I think the additional books will also focus on these characters.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Where Hearts are Free

I was extremely excited to read the book Where Hearts are Free by Golden Keyes Parsons from the moment I set eyes on the cover which made me believe it would be a great romance book. Although this book concludes the Darkness to Light Novel series which I did not read in its entirety, I did not feel as if this book was lacking due to my not reading the first two books.

This book focuses on Bridget, a wealthy young woman in Philadelphia, PA in 1681. Edward Moorehead has been chosen by her father as the man she is to be married to, but Bridget has difficulty with this arrangement. Although Bridget wants to honor her family’s wishes, she realizes that Edward is not the man God has chosen to be her husband. Rather, she finds herself drawn to her childhood friend and family servant, Phillippe Clavell. Phillippe, who was once a member of French royalty, came to the United States as an indentured slave to Bridget’s family.

Overall, I was impressed with this book, and I really want to read the first two books in the series. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical books and also books that contain romance.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Outlive Your Life

Recently I had the opportunity to read one of the most recently published books by Max Lucado, Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference. I was extremely excited to get this opportunity, as I have enjoyed all of the previous books I read which were authored by Max Lucado. He did not disappoint with this work that focuses on how we can make a difference in the lives of those around us.

I like how Lucado uses the book of Acts for inspiration, or as a basis for this book, but he ties the concepts into our everyday lives. Through looking at the Church in Acts, he highlights the fact that we are called to help those in need. He focuses on helping others who are struggling with issues such as poverty, disease, and violence.

I would recommend this book for others, and I think it would serve as a great Bible Study for small groups. It is especially helpful that there is a Discussion and Action Guide at the end of the book which will provide topics that can be discussed in a small group setting.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Skin Map

Recently I read The Skin Map, the first book in The Bright Empires Novels Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead. I have to admit, I was not familiar with this author before reading this book, but I was fairly surprised that I enjoyed it from start to finish. I typically don’t read suspense novels, but I found this book to hold my attention and even found it hard to put the book down at certain points throughout the reading.
The book centers on the life of Kit Livingstone from London. When he is visited by his deceased great-grandfather, his life is forever changed. Throughout the book, there is the focus on traveling between different realities. In order to return to his reality and home, he must piece together the Skin Map which is dispersed among the various realities. There is also the aspect of rescuing another, as Kit must find his girlfriend and also return her to her own reality.
Although this book could have become extremely confusing with the different places and times, I felt he was able to maintain my understanding of what was going on during the jumps in time. Overall I enjoyed this book. I don’t know if I will stray from my more common reading of historical fiction, but I do know I will make sure to read the rest of the books in this trilogy.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

They Boy who Changed the World

They Boy who Changed the World by Andy Andrews is a great book for young children. It tells them that although they may not realize it now, the actions they are doing today will change the futures of others not just in the surrounding areas to where they live, but throughout the world.

The book looks at the lives of Moses Carver, George Washington Carver, Henry Wallace, and Norman Borlaug. Through the actions of all of these individuals came the creation of special seeds which were able to provide plants to feed two billion people throughout the world. The book looks at how all of these individuals’ lives were intertwined.

The pictures in this book were very cute, and I can see them being enjoyed by young children as they are read the book. I liked the historical aspect of the book too, as it focused on individuals that were vital to this country. I cannot wait to give this book to one of my younger relatives as a gift! I am sure they will enjoy it!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Edge of the Divine

Any woman who has ever struggled with their weight and balancing work, motherhood, and attempting to diet has something in common with Sandi Patty as she explains the journey she went through after her weight loss surgery in her book The Edge of the Diving: Where Possibility Meets God’s Faithfulness.

The main Bible verse which Sandi Patty continually references is Job 26:14 which states “Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, And bow small a whisper we hear of Him!” She compares her decision to undertake weight loss surgery as an edge in her life. She makes it clear throughout her book that this decision was not entered into lightly, rather she prayed and looked to God for guidance in making this decision as much as she did with the other decisions in her life. Although this work is clearly about her decision to become healthy, there are other aspects of her life, rather than just focusing on one component. Sandi Patty also spoke about the difficulties her family went through as they relocated to another state, her musical upbringing and career, and some components of her marriage.

This book was a great afternoon read, and I really enjoyed learning about the struggles Sandi Patty went through with her weight, as it is an issue most women seem to struggle with at some point in their life.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Cast of Characters

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if some of your favorite Biblical stories were to happen today. How would Esther’s story be told in the current times...and that of the woman at the well? Throughout the book, Cast of Characters: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God by Max Lucado, I kept envisioning what their lives would have been like if they lived today.

The book is broken down into chapters, which each look at the story of a particular person from the Bible. Paul, Peter, Moses, Joseph, and Lazarus are just a few of the many stories which are looked at throughout this book. The set up is that of a devotional, where you can read one short “chapter” which focuses on one particular individual. At the end of the chapter, there are questions which help you reflect on the teaching of the previous chapter and also some Bible verses which should be read in relation to the teaching.

I really enjoyed this book. It was not at all difficult to understand, and all of the concepts the author addressed were straightforward. I found myself relating to many of the individuals and the correlations he made to the reader were insightful. The book is also a quick read, which can be read in one sitting or studied in greater depth as a devotional.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Billy Graham: His Life and Influence

After reading Storm Warning by Billy Graham (which my daughter loaned me after reviewing it for BookSneeze), I became interested in learning more about his life and what shaped his beliefs. Through the book, Billy Graham: His Life and Influence by David Aikman, I was able to learn more about one of the world’s most well-known Evangelists.

The book details the life of Billy Graham beginning with his childhood and the relationship he had with his parents and the influence they had on his decision to become a Christian. I enjoyed reading an honest description of his past which showed his flaws along with all of his positive attributes. The book detailed his revivals and experiences dealing with those countries affected by the Cold War along with his relationships with our past ten presidents.

In addition to the political aspects of the book, there was also a focus on Billy’s wife Ruth, and their children. Whenever anything is mentioned about Billy Graham and his wife, it is apparent the deep love they shared for one another and the sacrifices she made in order to support his work.

I enjoyed this book and learning more about all aspects of Billy Graham’s life. This will be an interesting read for everyone, whether you are a fan of Billy Graham’s work or just want to better understand the life of this man who had such a profound impact on teaching people about Jesus.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their Booksneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Searching for God Knows What

The book Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller was not at all what I expected when I chose to read this book in return for a review for Thomas Nelson publishing. Although I enjoy reading immensely, I found it very difficult to “get into” the book and found the overall tone of the book to be unfocused.

I felt as if the book took on a rambling tone where there are more personal observations than Biblical Based teachings. In addition to this, I found that I didn’t really enjoy his writing style. I understand he was attempting to connect with a younger reader, but I didn’t like the overly conversational tone. I also felt as if the author was negative toward the Conservative Christian Republican population in general and felt this book gave him the opportunity to distance himself from Conservatives and, in reality, bash Republicans and Fox News. He clearly wants to be read as an unashamedly Liberal Christian who likes to drink and smoke pipes, as he mentions during a few of the stories he tells about his past. He wants to seem worldly throughout the work. I don’t know if that is to appeal to a broader range of readers, but it was definitely off-putting for me.

I would not recommend this book to any of my friends and family. This will definitely not be a book I find myself reading again in the future as I do with so many of my other favorite books.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Heart Mender

The Heart Mender by Andy Andrews was the best book I have read in a long time. I read the book from start to finish in just one day, and I found it very difficult to put down. This book starts with a very common task, removing a dead tree from a home yard, and ended with a great historical story. The author of the book discovered a buried container in his yard containing elements from the German Navy, which set him on a journey to discover where the contents came from.

Throughout a flashback, the story of a German Naval Officer unfolds. He finds himself stranded on a beach in America, and through the kindness of a stranger, he is nursed back to health. Josef (German Officer) and Helen (the woman who finds him on the beach) both face obstacles in their past, and through their new relationship, they are able to overcome these past struggles.

I love any book that deals with history, specifically the time period of World War II, and I was not disappointed with this book. I would recommend it to anyone, even if you are not entirely interested in history. The book also looks deeply at the aspect of forgiveness and the important role it plays in everyone’s life. This book quickly moved to the top of my list of favorite books, and I cannot wait to read more books by the author Andy Andrews.

is book was supplied by Booksneeze without charge with no obligation for me to write a positive review.

Never Let You Go

Never Let You Go by Erin Healy tells the story of Lexi and the turns in her life that brought her to where she is today. Her sister was brutally murdered. Her mother and husband abandoned her. Her father entered a mental hospital. She was left alone to deal with the wounds left by those around her. All at once, her past comes colliding into her present. Her husband returns, with the help of her mother. The man who murdered her sister is up for parole, and a polarizing figure from her past is threatening her.

Overall, I found this book different than anything else I have ever read. I had a very difficult time “getting into” the book at first since there were VERY MANY characters introduced in a short period of time and they all had back stories with Lexi that were not explained the first time we meet the characters. At the conclusion of the book, I enjoyed the overall themes contained within its’ pages: such as the message of the importance of Faith in your life.

Although I don’t know if I would choose to read a book along these lines again, I did enjoy reading about the types of struggles people may face in their life. It made me a little more aware of the devastating effects a life ruled by drugs may have on not only the individual themselves, but everyone involved in their lives.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Essentials for Life

Essentials for Life by Marcia Ford serves as a book which details fifty of the essentials for life. They range from essentials such as spreading the good news, studying the Bible, holding on to hope, setting aside time for worship, and accept who you are, just to name a few. Within each of these "chapters" or short devotionals, there are Bible verses which relate to the specific topic and a breakdown of the two essential things you should DO and those two things which you must not be afraid to do or mistakes you must not make; they are broken down into the DON'T category.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I think I will read through it again in the futre as a devotional, by reading one chapter at a time, rather than the book in its entirety. I also enjoyed the breakouts on the sides of the book which listed quotes that relate to the specific topic, interesting notes, and Bible verses that address the topic. The book was very easy to read and understand, and there were topics that related to everyday life. It also makes you think about topics which all people grapple with such as tithing, integrity, hope, forgiveness, and grace. It serves as a reminder as to how to deal with the essential topics in life.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Jane Austen by Peter Leithart

Jane Austen by Peter Leithart tells of the life and death of Jane Austen. The book delves into the most famous works of Jane Austen and looks at the personal correspondence between Austen’s family to create a picture of what kind of person Jane was. The book also looks at the Christian faith of Jane and her family.

Although I liked hearing about Jane Austen’s history and her family members, I felt that the book was a little confusing at points. There were various names and family histories explained which were difficult to remember. Also, I haven’t had the opportunity to read any of her works (although I watched and loved the movies) and this also caused me a little difficulty in reading the books. Various characters were discussed, and it was hard to discern one from one another. I found myself having to frequently go back to previous pages to remember what relationship Jane had with the particular person being discussed.

I was also hoping for a more detailed description of the life of Jane Austen which would go into more specifics, but I understand that this is difficult to do due to the timeframe in which Jane Austen lived. I think the author is an expert on everything Jane, but I don’t feel that his relationship with her works came through the pages. If there had been less quotes and more detailed descriptions, I would have enjoyed this book more.

I received this book free of charge from booksneeze.com in return for a review of the book.