The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs

 

"As David once wrote, 'The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng.' Amen to that!  Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna are among that mighty throng who've heard God's truth and gladly given him the glory."

-excerpt, Chapter 8, Women of Christmas

 

 

 

 

 

I love Christmas.  Each year it seems like I want to start celebrating earlier and earlier.  Reading Christmas literature is something I like to do to deepen the meaning of the season for me.  This year I started with The Women of Christmas by author Liz Curtis Higgs.

 

 

The Women of Christmas is a a detailed commentary of the story of Christmas as pertaining to three women, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, and Ann, the prophetess who worshiped God day and night in the temple.  The book contains 8 chapters with a devotional/study guide at the back of the book for each chapter.

 

 

One of the first things I noticed about this book was the incredible amount of research the author has done.  It was amazing!  There are a lot of footnotes in this book, which I like.  I like to read a book and take away information about the Bible that I didn't know before.  In The Women of Christmas, Liz discusses things like the age of Elizabeth when she became pregnant with John the Baptist, the theory behind the possibility that Zechariah was also deaf along with being mute, and the very important encounter of Mary with the angel Gabriel. 

 

 

I really enjoyed this book.  I loved the research that was put into this.  That was the biggest thing for me.  I like it when an author does their homework.  I was a little disappointed with the book cover.  The dust jacket which serves as the cover is beautiful, but the book itself is plain and did not include the beauty you see on the dust jacket.  Also, I was a little confused about why the author chose to include information about Simeon in the book, other than to segue into her information about Anna. 

 

 

I recommend this book to anyone who would like to delve deeper into the Christmas story.  This book is a great one for study.  It would also be a great book for a Women's Bible study around Christmastime.

 

 

Many blessings to you as we make our way toward the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.,

Beth

 

 

Disclosure:  I received this book free as part of a free books for bloggers program at Waterbrook Multnomah.  I was not required to give a positive review.  The thoughts and opinions here are entirely my own. 

 

 

 

 





Homeschool Mom's Bible

 

"Have you been weighing the pros and cons of homeschooling and trying to decide what to do this year for your children's education?  Although the idea of schooling your children at home seems like a daunting task, you can successfully teach them.  Planning schedules, purchasing curriculum and making lesson plans may sound foreign to you right now, but God will help you if you will simply pray and ask for his leading.  Not only will he send the encouragement and support you need from homeschooling families, he'll also show you where to get ideas, resources and supplies you need to complete the task."

-excerpt from August 12th, "Mission Impossible"

 

 

 

Homeschooling is challenging.  God has entrusted the homeschooling mom with a great job, educating her children.  As a homeschooling mom myself, I need encouragement to persevere.  The best place to look for that is in the Bible.

 

The NIV Homeschool Mom's Bible is a Bible that has devotionals based on God's Word and is applicable to homeschooling situations.  Each devotion is penned by veteran homeschool mom Janet Tatman, who spent 25 years homeschooling four children.  In her devotions in the Homeschool Mom's Bible, she shares lessons and wisdom gleaned from God's Word.

 

When I received this Bible for review, I wanted to spend some time in the daily devotionals and not just rush right through it before I wrote about it.  I enjoyed each day's devotionals and the stories Janet shared.  In my opinion, she has walked out the scripture of what it means to "train your children in the Lord."

 

I liked the Bible.  Janet has lots of good things to say to homeschooling moms.  It would have been nice though, for a project of this magnitude to include devotionals from other homeschooling moms. Every homeschoolers experience is different, so it would have been better to get a variety of perspectives and thoughts.  The Bible and what God has to say about life does not change, but His plans might look differently for you than it would for me.

 

The Bible does also need a concordance.  That is kind of a must for me when I use my Bible.  I do however use this Bible as my regular reading Bible now.

 

I would recommend this Homeschool Mom's Bible to any mom who would like more wisdom from God's Word in her journey as a homeschool mom.  The devotions within will help deepen your convictions about what you feel is a calling in your life, to homeschool your children.

 

Many blessings to you on your journey,

 

Beth



 

 

*Disclosure Statement:  I received this Bible free from Booksneeze as part of a free books for bloggers program.  I was not required to give a favorable review.  The thoughts and opinions here are entirely my own. 

 



Sisterchicks on the Loose by Robin Jones Gunn

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.  Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."

-Psalm 126:2

 

I remember the first time I heard about these books, the Sisterchicks novels.  I overheard a conversation a librarian friend of mine was having with another person.  They were discussing whether or not either one had read the latest Sisterchicks book.  I hadn’t read much Christian fiction at that point, so I was very interested in knowing what they were talking about.  The first one I read was Sisterchicks Do the Hula.  The second was Sisterchicks on the Loose.  That was about 6 years ago.  When Waterbrook Multnomah had this book as one of my selections to review, something pulled at me to read it again.  I am so glad I did.

Sisterchicks on the Loose, by Robin Jones Gunn, is the first in a series of wonderful novels about two fun things, friendship among women and travel!  Central in these adventures is Christ, and the beautiful things God communicates to these women, while they travel, thus changing their lives.  In Sisterchicks on the Loose, lifelong friends Sharon and Penny travel to Helsinki in search of Penny’s aunt she has never met.  Throughout their journey, they are challenged, encouraged, and drawn into a deeper walk of love with God.

Each one of these novels speak to me in a different away, but I always walk away feeling refreshed by the love and goodness of God.  In this particular Sisterchicks novel, one of the characters, Penny, has what is described as a “bionic nose.”  In other words, she has an extraordinary sense of smell.  I deal with this too, so that fact alone was encouraging, to encounter, albeit in fiction, another person who struggles with something so odd like I do.  In Sisterchicks on the Loose, you will find chocolate, Finnish saunas, lovely, glorious snow, but most importantly a stirring in the heart of God’s love for you as demonstrated to Penny and Sharon.

I would recommend this novel to any adult woman, and I often do!  I share my books and pass along copies whenever I have the opportunity!  If you are a woman who enjoys Christian fiction, and likes to travel, then this is a book for you!  I have talked to some women who have difficulty in friendships other women.  I believe this book will refresh your heart with hope for good friendships as well!

Many blessings to you on your journey in Christ.  May you discover all the goodness and love He has for you in His heart.

Blessings,

Beth

 

To learn more about the author, please visit www.robingunn.com.

Disclaimer-I received this book as part of a free books for bloggers program from Waterbrook Multnomah.  I was not required to give a positive review.  The thoughts an opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

 

 

“There are many who struggle to survive in life, many who have been used and abused in the name of love, many who have been sacrificed on altars of pleasure and “freedom.”  But the freedom the world offers is, in reality, false.  Too many have awakened one day to discover they are in bondage, and they have no idea how to escape.  It is for people such as these that I wrote Redeeming Love-people who fight, as I did, to be their own gods, only to find in the end that they are lost, desperate, and terribly alone.  I want to bring the truth to those trapped in lies and darkness, to tell that that God is there, He is real, and He loves them-no matter what.”

-A Note From Francine Rivers, Redeeming Love

 

This may very well be one of the shortest reviews I have ever written (or maybe not) for one of the longest books I have read in some time.  I had been aware of this book for a while, but had never picked it up to read it.  When it became a book review choice, I was intrigued, but then was very excited to read it once I read the description.

Redeeming Love is a work of fiction by Francine Rivers based on the Biblical account of Hosea and his marriage to a prostitute.   In this story, Rivers tells the story of Angel, a prostitute, sold into it as a child.  Throughout the course of her story, just like the story of Hosea and Gomer, which is an Old Testament picture of Christ and the Church, we get to see God drawing her back to Himself.

I liked this book.  It was very emotional, and a wonderful picture of how much God loves us and how He draws us to Him through the love found in His son, JESUS.   I did not want to put it down because I wanted to see how it ended, although I already had an idea. 

That being said, this book is somewhat graphic due to the nature of its content.  The subject material of prostitution is dealt with discreetly, but you are not left to wonder about what happened.  I had a difficult time with those passages.  This book is also a love story between Angel and Michael, a man whom God uses to draw her to Himself.  *Spoiler *There are several love scenes between them as well, which are discreet, but heated.

While I was reading, I asked several of my friends if they had read the book, and everyone that responded that they had said they liked it.  One friend said she would not let her unmarried daughter read it and I agree.  If I were to give a book a rating, this one would be “R” because of the content even though it is Christian fiction. Sorry Francine!  I think the subject matter could be understood by 18+, but it will awaken feelings that are better left undisturbed unless you are married.  I would recommend this book to anybody who wants a better understanding of how much God loves us.

One final thought that I might share is that this book has stirred my heart even more toward women who have experienced sexual abuse in whatever its form.  God longs to redeem and restore all the enemy has stolen, even the pain in our hearts.

With much love, I hope you know the One who wants to redeem you.

Beth

For more about Francine Rivers, and her book Redeeming Love, go here.

 

Disclaimer-I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of free books for bloggers program.  I was not required to give a favorable review.  The thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

 

 

 

Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I by Sandra Byrd

 

"We are all concerned for your well-being Majesty," I said.  I slipped one more rose into her Tudor arrangement but had, apparently neglected to snip off a thorn and it broke my flesh and I began to bleed.



"And I for yours.  Be careful," Elizabeth said as she turned back to her dispatches. "Roses have thorns."

 

 

 



Amazing.  That is the word that keeps coming to mind about this book.  The content is fantastic.  Roses Have Thorns is a fictional work based on actual events that occurred during the 16th  and early 17th century in England when Elizabeth I reigned as queen.  Told from the point of view of Elin von Snakenborg, a young women who comes to live in England from Sweden, and becomes one of Elizabeth's "ladies in waiting," the story is about women, relationships, the power that being a servant produces, and the sacrifice that often comes with it. 

 

There is so much I want to say about this book, but cannot so as not to give away information, so the story may unfold for the reader as it did for me.  I will say that I found it amazing the amount of content in this novel.  I remember looking at the number on the page and thinking, " I am only at page 70?"  Because this is a work of historical fiction, much research was done to stay as true as possible to actual events.  In this particular genre, as well as in Biblical fiction, that is a trait I esteem highly.

 

I grew to love Elizabeth while reading the novel, but at the same time wanted to withdraw from her because she was often extremely fierce.  Elin von Snakenborg, the voice of the story, was also a woman I came to admire.  The relationships among women and the courses they take is something worthy of study.  The relationship between these two women and the events they weathered makes for a very good story.

 

A few other thoughts on this novel. As with the other two novels in the trilogy, this one could also be considered Christian fiction, yet it is a little more subtle.  I think that is due to the nature of Elizabeth.  She was quietly spiritual, as is this novel.  There is reoccurring discussion of the division between Protestants and Catholics, but it is not the focus of the book.  There are also many references to scripture, but it is not as overt as was To Die For and The Secret Keeper, the other two in the Ladies in Waiting trilogy. 

 

Also, the novel, if given a movie rating, would be considered PG-13.  There is mention of physical matters between a man and a woman, but only in the purest sense between a husband and a wife, as God, who created sex, intended it to be.  I felt as though I should mention it because it in my opinion, as such a well done work of historical fiction, it would be a good novel to be included on a homeschool senior level reading list.  There is a lot of information that can lead to further historical research.

 

Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will enjoy this book.  Those interested in the time period surrounding the Tudors will especially enjoy this novel.  

 

Many blessings to you as you read!

 

~Beth

 

Disclosure Statement: I received this book free of charge from the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

 

 

 



Sent by Hilary Alan

 

 

"God is working in your life even when you don't realize it."-Hilary Alan, Chapter 2, Sent

 

It is a guiding thought in my everyday life that God has a purpose and a plan for each one of us.  This is one of the themes in the book Sent.  God is constantly at work to propel us into that plan, if we will let Him.  Sent is the story of the Alan family and how God propelled them into part of His plan for their lives. 

In December of 2004, a devastating tsunami hit Southeast Asia.  The magnitude of the devastation cannot be understand I am sure unless you have personally experienced it.  In response to that event, many people were sent or went to help those affected.  The Alan family was a family that God commissioned to go.  The book shares the story of the process they went through from God leading them to go and their journey there and back. 

While reading this book, many strong words come to mind.  Commitment. Faith. Love.  Obedience.  These are all words to describe this family.  This was their response to God and to the people of Southeast Asia. 

Recently I have been reading about minimalism.  Minimalism is a philosophy about living with less.  More is not always better.  I thought about this while I was reading this book.  You will find out when you read the book all of the stuff they had to strip themselves of to be obedient to what God was asking them to do.  The only thing you can take with you to Heaven is people.  In the book, Hilary Alan shares the experiences of her family and the people that came into their lives that they got to deliver God's Word to because of their obedience to Him.

 

While reading this book, there was something that bothered me however.  I don't know everything.  The older I get and the more I walk with Him, I realize I don't know as much as I thought I did.  There were times in the book when the author prayed for people and because it wasn't answered instantly or in the way she prayed, she thought it wasn't God's will or He answered her prayer in another way.  I get that about answering in another way, but I just felt like it wasn't a consistent belief with scripture because of the way she believed about some things.  God wants us to pray according to His Word.  He is faithful to that.  If the answer is delayed, it doesn't mean that God doesn't want to or won't answer.  He will answer according to His Word.  Maybe we need to change our belief about a certain area, to believe that we can have what God's Word says we can have.  He is faithful.

This book was very inspiring.  It was one that I had a hard time putting down.  I have a heart for missions, so this stirred my soul greatly.  It was very refreshing to witness a family whose major focus was fulfilling the plans and purposes of God, no matter what He asked them to do. 

Many blessings to you as you read.  My prayer for you today is that you hear His voice when He leads and obey as He guides you into what He created you for!  The rewards will be eternal.

 “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” -Romans 10:15

~Beth



Disclosure Statement: I received this book free of charge as part of a free books for bloggers program from Waterbrook Multnomah. I was not required to give a favorable review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren art by Laura J. Bryant

 

 

 

 

"...Even death couldn't trap God's Son.  He is life itself.  And God loved us so much, he wanted us to be with him always.  We can see signs of his Easter plan all around us."

                                                                                          -excerpt from God Gave Us Easter

A love of reading began early on in my life.  My mother cultivated it in me from a very early age.  Now, as a mom myself, I hope to do that for my children as well.  In choosing literature for my children, I always want to choose quality literature, words that will add to the life of my children.  I am so thankful for people who write and have a passion to communicate God's truth to children.  God Gave Us Easter is an example of the type of literature I am looking for. 

As part of a God Gave Us series, God Gave Us Easter is a story of how a papa polar bear teaches his young daughter about God and His greatest gift to us, Jesus.  The story goes through teaching in the Bible about how Jesus is the answer of redemption for mankind.  Bergren also uses examples found in nature of how death can produce life.

There are a lot of things I like about this book.  The author doesn't bash the Easter bunny or eggs, symbols often associated with Easter, but explains how they can demonstrate the love of God in His gift of Jesus.  She says, "Just like the shell cracks open and a chick comes out, we remember that Jesus was in a tomb...but he didn't stay dead."  There is also teaching in the book about Jesus being from the root of Jesse.  This is something I was unfamiliar with, and had never seen in a children's book, so I learned something too! (See Isaiah 11 and Romans 15.)  I also really liked the author's explanation of how Jesus speaks to our hearts, and that even a small child can be sensitive to His voice.

I recommend this book to parents of preschool and early elementary age children.  It would be a nice addition to Bible curriculum if you homeschool.  If you as a parent are unsure how to communicate Biblical truths to your children, this book would help as well.

Many blessings to you as you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this year and remember why God Gave Us Easter!

 

~Beth

 

For more information about the author please visit her at www.lisatawnbergren.com. 

 

If you would like to read my reviews of two other books in the God Gave Us series, please go to God Gave Us Love and God Gave us Two.

 

 

Disclosure Statement: I received this book free of charge as part of a free books for bloggers program from Waterbrook Multnomah. I was not required to give a favorable review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Sisterchicks in Gondolas by Robin Jones Gunn

 

"I don't think I had ever felt I had been shown grace before.  Now I knew grace was being extended to me.  What made it different this time was that I was ready to reach out and take hold of the grace being offered."-Jenna in Sisterchicks in Gondolas

 



This is my second time reading this book.  I am not sure if I have ever read one of the books in the Sisterchicks series more than once, but I am so glad I chose to do it with this one.  Sisterchicks in Gondolas is another in the Sisterchicks series by author Robin Jones Gunn.  This particular novel is set in Venice, Italy and is the story of Jenna and her sister-in-law Sue and the adventures of God's grace they experience while on a trip to Italy.  Given the opportunity to work as chefs for a men's retreat, the ladies experience the riches of Venice while experiences some of the riches God has in Him.

I alway love reading the Sisterchicks novels.  I have read them all but one, and they always bless me.  I come away feeling refreshed, just like I had been on the adventure with them.  The novels feel like the breath of God warming the soul.  Author Robin Jones Gunn is one of those writers that God has so blessed with the ability to be able to convey His presence, love, and empowering grace in the form of fiction. 

I recommend Sisterchicks in Gondolas to all women who want to be refreshed by the presence of God and go on an adventure.  This book reinforces the importance of the bonds between women and the beauty of how God works in friendships.  You will be blessed each time you pick up a novel in the Sisterchicks series. 

Many blesses to you as you read!

~Beth


"He restores my soul."-Psalm 23:3

To read an excerpt from the novel, please go here.

To learn more about Robin Jones Gunn, please go here.



Disclosure Statement:  I received this book free of charge as part of a free books for bloggers program from Waterbrook Multnomah.  I was not required to give a favorable review.  The thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

When Your Parent Becomes Your Child by Ken Abraham

 

"Each evening, as the music moved from upbeat, joyful jubilation to a slower, more deliberate worshipful mood, I watched Mom out of the corner of my eye.  Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, she tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and raised her hands above her head as expressions of praise and adoration of the Lord.  She often did something similar during our Sunday services.  As I observed my mom worshipping God so unabashedly, I thought, It's worth moving her here just to see that."

-Excerpt from Chapter 12, "The Spiritual Matters," in When Your Parent Becomes Your Child

 

When Your Parent Becomes Your Child is a memoir written by Ken Abraham about the last years of his mother's life.  His mom, Minnie, developed dementia later on in her life.  This book is the story of how he spent the last years with his mom.  Readers who choose this book will learn about a very spiritual woman and how the dementia affected every area of her life.  There is a lot of information about the disease and wisdom from a very caring son on how to address situations when caring for a parent who is suffering from dementia.

It only took me two days to read this book.  I couldn't put it down.  It is very well written, albeit sad.  As a daughter of aging parents, this book provided some answers I had questions to about how to handle possible situations with mine and my husband's parents.  I admire the family's love for their aging mother and the efforts they made to make sure the last years of her life were full of joy and comfort.

I would recommend this book to people with aging parents.  Even if you don't have a parent who is experiencing dementia, your parents will age and this book might offer some insight on how to approach and handle certain situations.  If you have a parent with dementia, this book can also bring some comfort and wisdom to you.

One of the best things about the book was the fact that Mrs. Abraham's relationship with Jesus was at the very core of who she was.  It radiated out into everything she did.  I love that and that she passed that love of the Lord onto her children.  What a testimony!

To read an excerpt from the book, please go here.

 

Disclosure statement:  This book was provided to me free as part of a free books for Bloggers program at Booksneeze.  I was not required to give a favorable review.  The thoughts and opinions here are entirely my own.



52 Little Lessons from It's a Wonderful Life by Bob Welch

 

"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"

-Clarence in "It's a Wonderful Life"

 

As I began writing my review, I kept finding myself reviewing the movie.  That is kind of what 52 Little Lessons from It's a Wonderful Life does.  It takes the richest parts of the movie and expounds on them.  Author Bob Welch has taken 52 messages that can be found in the movie, "It's A Wonderful Life," and written a book that reads kind of like a devotional.

Each chapter of the book begins with the "lesson" the author is going to discuss, followed by a quote from the movie.  Each lesson is something that can be learned by watching the movie.  Examples of chapter titles are, "God Honors Our 'Childlike Faith',"  "You Matter to the World, "  "All That Glitters Is Not Gold," and "It Takes Time for Some Flowers to Bloom."  The author expounds on each of the messages interjecting more information from the movie, occasionally adding scripture to demonstrate the importance and applicability of the message he is trying to convey.

I really liked the book.  It is an easy read.  It will make more sense and mean more to someone who has already seen the movie, and is a fan.  There are many lessons that would be especially impactful to people who are Believers in Jesus.  The movie itself is about the impact that one life has on so many, a sentiment thoroughly personified in the Bible. 

The author has also included a lot of trivia about the movie.  I learned many things I didn't know before about "It's a Wonderful Life."  I am a huge fan of the movie.  I have a tradition of watching it on Thanksgiving every year as part of the holiday celebration and to transition between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  One thing in the book I think could be revised was that the author was under the impression that Zuzu's petals were from a paper flower.  I am still researching this but from the way it looks in the movie, and the fact the flower was put in water, I believe it was real.  That is a part I would recommend for edit. 

If you are a fan of this movie, you will enjoy this book.  I would recommend the book to anybody who likes the movie and would like to learn more about it or delve further into the richness of the story.  It would also make a nice Christmas gift. 

My prayer for you today is that you realize the importance of your life and that God has many good plans for you.  God Bless you as we move into this season of celebrating the birth of Jesus!  Merry Christmas!!

 

 

 

 

*Disclosure statement:  I received this book from Booksneeze as part of a free books for bloggers program.  I was not required to give a favorable review.  The thoughts and opinions found here are entirely my own.

This Scarlet Cord

"I think He has a plan for you, Rahab.  He put you into the hands of the slavers and He put you into the hands of someone who could teach you the truth about Him.  Now He has saved you from the dissolute rites of a false god.  You are important to Him, Rahab.  You must just wait and see what it is He wants you to do.  Wait and listen."

-excerpt from This Scarlet Cord

I think we all have images in our minds of what the Biblical accounts we have read are supposed to look like.  This one was no exception for me.  The story of Rahab is not one that I have read a lot, but I am familiar with it and where she fits into God’s story.  This Scarlet Cord is the fictional account of the story of Rahab by author Joan Wolf.

In her notes to the reader at the end  of the book, Joan Wolf states that she has take the story of a Rahab which, in the Bible, equals about 5 paragraphs, and lengthened it into a book of about 85,000 words.  That is not an easy thing to do, I am sure.  After reading Wolf’s last novel about Queen Esther, A Reluctant Queen, I was very eager to read this one.

The story begins with Rahab as a young girl and ends shortly after the fall of Jericho.  Both the beginning and ending are plausible because the Bible doesn’t really include that information.  There are some areas in the middle that I would consider more fiction than Biblical.   That being said, I am simply going to share some things I liked about the novel, and a few that I didn’t.

I am not a Bible expert.  I am supposed to write a review, so these are my feelings toward the parts of the book I didn’t like.  The story doesn’t follow 100% of the Biblical account of the story of Rahab.  The Bible mentions in several places that she is a harlot, and the author changes that fact, which kind of skews the way  she helps the Israelite spies.  Also, Wolf places Israelites in other cities and not with the rest of the Israelites coming out of Egypt during the Exodus, which is where Sala comes from, and is how he comes to know Rahab before the siege on Jericho.  I find this extremely hard to believe.  I realize this is fiction, but this is one point I had issue with.  It has however pushed me to my Bible to do some further research. 

Another portion of the book that was difficult me to read, was when Rahab’s family comes to Jericho and there is A LOT of explicit discussion about Baal worship and the sexual connotations surrounding their religious rituals.  It is not severe, but I really would rather not read about these things and skimmed over a large portion of this section of the book. 

That being said, there were some things I did like, and I thought the author did a wonderful job weaving into the story.  I liked the love story between Rahab and Sala.  What girl doesn’t like a love story?  It was very sweet and pure and I enjoy reading about how it grew.  I really loved how Wolf revealed the conversion of Rahab to Yahweh as a process in the story.  The Bible doesn’t say anything about that either, but we know it must have happened at some point because she became a part of the Israelite family and her name is in the lineage of Jesus.  That part of the story was a beautiful thing.  The last thing I really liked was how the author rehearsed the Battle of Jericho and how the walls fell down.  I thought she was very creative and descriptive in the development of how the Israelites took the city of Jericho.  It appeared to stick to the Biblical account but was developed in areas where we have no information. 

The last parts of the story was redeeming for the book.  If you enjoy Biblical fiction, this will be an interesting read for you.  I would recommend it for 18+ though because of some of the sexuality found in the book. 

Many blessings as you read and I hope you find Jesus and His story in whatever you read.

*Disclaimer-I received this book free from Booksneeze as part of a free books for bloggers program.  I was not required to give a positive review.  The thoughts and opinions found here are entirely my own.

The Secret Keeper-A Novel of Kateryn Parr

"The king had told Kate, upon her marriage, to choose whichever women she liked to pass the time with her in amusing manners or otherwise accompany her for her leisure.  The queen certainly did so; we played cards and dice and she love to hunt with her greyhounds.  But His Majesty did not realize, I was sure, the extent to which Kate was about more serious business.  Her chambers were oft filled with women who held spirited debates upon philosophy and religion."

-thoughts from Juliana St. John in The Secret Keeper-A Novel of Kateryn Parr

Before I began reading The Ladies in Waiting series by author Sandra Byrd, I didn't know much about the Tudors or the Protestant Reformation.  But now, after reading The Secret Keeper-A Novel of Kateryn Parr, I am feeling much more informed and educated.

The Secret Keeper-A Novel of Kateryn Parr, rehearses the life of Kateryn (Katherine) Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII, during her reign as queen.   Told from the point of view of Juliana St. John, a fictitious character within the realm, we peer into the life of one of England's very influential queens during the time of the Protestant Reformation.

Byrd has done extensive research in the life of this queen and those who were friends and enemies during her time in the royal court.  After reading this novel, I was prompted to do some further research for myself, as I was after reading the first novel in the series, To Die For-A Novel of AnneBoleyn.

As I read the novel and then researched I found out what an integral part the women of the royal family played during the Protestant Reformation.  There were also some divisions within, which created a lot of bloodshed, literally, but it was a real time of growth for the Church.  I imagine this fact and her interest in the Tudor family are what prompted Sandra Byrd to write this book.  I know that there are many other novels out there on the royal family during this time period, but none quite possibly as inspired as this.

Spiritual elements the reader will find within the novel are the gift of the Spirit revealed as by prophecy.  Prophecy, the Word of Knowledge, and the Word of Wisdom are all speaking gifts within the church, given by the Holy Spirit to further God's purposes and plans, as listed in 1 Corinthians 12.  Byrd does a lovely job revealing this in the character of Juliana St. John through dreams given to her, and as the reader will find, to help carry out the plan of God during this time. 

FYI- There are a couple of passages in the novel including a rape scene, and a few passages in reference to risqué teasing of a physical nature with Elizabeth I when she was 14.  They are written in a discreet manner, but you are not left to wonder what happened, and did cause me a pause in my reading for just a bit. 

I enjoyed reading this novel for many reasons.  I like historical fiction.  But The Secret Keeper is a combination of Chick lit (yes girls, there is a lovely romance within the pages), Historical fiction, and Christian fiction, which made it all the more appealing to me. 

I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.  You will learn about a pivotal time period in Christian history while learning about an amazing queen, who was also a student of the scriptures and a writer herself.  Maybe you will be prompted to do a little further research of your own. Many blessings to you as you travel back in time with The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr.

To learn more about the Tudors and the author of the Ladies in Waiting series, Sandra Byrd, please visit www.sandrabyrd.com.

Disclosure:  I received this book free from the publisher.  I was not required to give a positive review.  The thoughts and opinions here are entirely my own.

From the Library of C.S. Lewis: Selections from Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey by James Stuart Bell with Anthony P. Dawson

"Let us then according to the Gospel consider this visible world chiefly in this view, as an emblem of things invisible, and a means to lead us by reason and faith to the sight of God our great, our chief good."-from Samuel Johnson in the section "The Gleaming of Divine Brightness"-Heaven, Death, and Immortality

C.S. Lewis.  When I hear that name, immediately my mind goes to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  I don't remember reading the novel when I was younger, but I do remember watching the cartoon based on the book as a child.  I remember always crying when Aslan died, no matter how many times I had seen it. As a middle school teacher, I read the book to my students.  You can tell so much about a writer by what he writes about, and by the spirit behind it.  When you read C.S. Lewis' writings, especially the aforementioned book, you see into the heart of a man who seeks to promote Christ. 

From the Library of C.S. Lewis is a  look into the life of the writer.  What did he read?  Who influenced him?  James Bell has put together a list and samples of the writers that influenced  C.S. Lewis.  The book is divided into sections based on different themes in Christianity, with each section containing samples of writing from historical figures that influenced Lewis such as Martin Luther, William Cowper, Samuel Johnson, Andrew Murray, Saint Augustine, and many others.  At the end of the passages there is a little bio about the writer, so you get to know them a little better too.

I like the book because it gives insight into one of the world's most well known writers.  There is information in the book on Christians that I have never heard of before which is very interesting to me.  The reader will also come away with a greater depth of understanding of Christianity in a different time period than their own. 

I recommend the book to anyone who wants to deepen their knowledge of the history of Christianity.  I believe fans of C.S. Lewis will be inspired with a greater glimpse into who the man was and what influenced him as a writer and a Christian.  One thing I have taken away from this book, due to some of what I would consider controversial writers in the book, or maybe those considered in Contemporary Christianity to be avoided, is that because you cannot agree with some people on certain subjects or topics, doesn't mean you cannot agree with them on anything.  I think that is really important in the body of Christ right now.

My one criticism about this book, and I realize that this is not the purpose of the book, is that I would have liked to have seen samples of Lewis' as well under each of the sections.  "How Dearly You Have Paid for Me"-The Life and Sacrifice of Christ section as well as many others would have been enhanced by seeing a sample of Lewis' thoughts on the subject alongside those who influenced him.

One final little tidbit of info.  This is not a book to whisk right through.  The writing contained within is through provoking and the language is not contemporary so it requires focus to grasp all the writers are trying to communicate.

Blessings to you as you seek to learn more about one of Christianity's most influential writers!

~Beth

Disclosure:  I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of a free books for bloggers program.  I was not required to give a positive review.  The thoughts and opinions here are my own.

Reading List Summer 2012

Listed below is my reading list for the summer of 2012.  I am looking forward to spending a lot of time reading (Lord willing on the beach...) Hope you get some ideas from my list.  Check back later because I will be posting a reviews for several of the books on this list! 





 Reading List Summer 2012

The Message//Remix: The Bible in Contemporary Language

Battlefields & Blessings: Stories of Faith and Courage The War in Iraq & Afghanistan by Jane Hampton Cook, Jocelyn Green & John Croushorn

Circle of Quiet by Madeline L'Engle

Found Art: Discovering Beauty in Foreign Places by Leeana Tankersley

From the Library of C.S. Lewis: Selections from Writers Who Influenced His Spiritual Journey  by James Stuart Bell

The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Katern Parr  by Sandra Byrd

Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes by Robin Jones Gunn

Stories of Faith & Courage From the Home Front (Battlefields & Blessings) by Karen Whiting & Jocelyn Green 

This Scarlet Cord by Joan Wolf

Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar

What are you planning to read?

Fresh Brewed Life by Nicole Johnson

“And his love pouring over the grounds of our lives wakes us up to a more flavorful, meaningful, rewarding life than we ever could have imagined.”

(excerpt from Chapter 1, Fresh Brewed Life)

This is not a book you can read quickly.  It is meant to be read slowly and on purpose, which is what I did and what I didn’t do.  It took me a while to finish this book.  I began reading it about six months or so ago.  It traveled with me through many transitions.  I would pick it up become very interested, and then have to ponder the contents, so it got put back down again. 

Fantastic book.  Life changing.  Author Nicole Johnson entitled her book Fresh Brewed Life, and that is the goal of the book.  To help you recognize that your life can be full and fresh. To assist you in a transformation from something that might not seem as lovely, to something beautiful, fresh, and full of body.

You will look at yourself inside and out while reading this book.  Literally.  If you don’t want to examine who you are, don’t pick it up.  I know I may sound a little dramatic, but I am serious.  I think that is why I put it down so many times.  It is hard to make changes sometimes.  But when you have the courage to do so, you can be better on the other side.

So what is in the book?  Well, the author shares a lot about her own experiences, which enables her to share with us, better how to have this Fresh Brewed Life.  The fresh brewed part is an analogy reference to coffee, of which you will learn more when you read.  A few different areas you get to examine are your beauty, your anger, your sexuality, and your friendships.  There are lots of great opportunities for journaling also.  One question in the chapter 2 is “What keeps you from living your life?  The author also gives you the reader assignments of “Fresh Brewed Adventures.”  One such assignment is in the chapter about friendships-

Plan an extravagant, expensive, special day with a close friend.  Think of as many fun things as possible to squeeze into one day.  Give your friend a copy of the expensive day you planned; then do something inexpensive and spontaneous together.

I really enjoyed this book. I will admit it was a little painful at times.  It forced me to take a closer look at myself.  It wasn’t about sin.  It was about areas that needed change, or needed to be loved, or just needed to come out into the light, and get some attention.  I will revisit the book and spend some more time with a journal this time around.  I don’t think anybody can read it just once.

I recommend it to any woman who feels like she wants a braver, bolder, fuller life.  If you often ask yourself, “Is this all there is?”, then maybe you are missing something that Fresh Brewed Life can help you discover. 

Many blessings to you as you discover how “Fresh” and beautiful your life in Christ can be!

To learn more about the author you can visit her at Nicole's Fresh Brewed Life.

Disclaimer-I received this book from Booksneeze as part of a free books for bloggers program.  I was not required to give a favorable review.  The thoughts and opinions in this review are entirely my own.

God Gave Us Love by Lisa Tawn Bergren

"God gave us love so we could see goodness in others, even when they make us grumpy."
"I know, I know," Little Cub said with a sigh.

When I read a children’s book to review, I usually read it many times.  It helps to get a clear understanding of what the author is trying to communicate and I always see something new I might have missed in reading the time before.  I did the same with this book, God Gave Us Love, by Lisa Tawn Bergren, but this time I decided to include one of my children in my review process.  You may be thinking, “Well, duh!” Me too!

Immediately as I began reading it to my child, he was amazed that I was talking about the otters at the beginning of the story.  He didn’t sit all the way through the story.  He is little, but he did listen for a few moments to hear about the amazing power of love.

God Gave Us Love is another book in a series of God Gave Us books by Lisa Tawn Bergren.  The sweet little book covers many different facets of love, such as love between family, love between friends, and the love that came from God when He sent His son JESUS to us.

I like these books in this series more and more all the time.  I love that they communicate something wonderful about God to my children.  The truths about God are wonderfully woven in a sweet setting in the arctic between the sweet polar bear Little Cub and her family.  I received this book in board book form which makes it even better for little ones to carefully turn the pages. 

The illustrations by Laura J. Bryant are beautiful.  They bring the story of Little Cub to life as she learns from her grandfather about love and how it demonstrates forgiveness and kindness to those it reaches.

I recommend this book to any parent of small children who want to share the concept of God’s love.  Mrs. Bergren does a wonderful job of weaving an often complex subject into this story and teaching it in a way an inquisitive child can understand.  This would be an especially nice book to buy for a grandparent to share with their grandchild.

Many blessings to you as you read with your child and learn how God Gave Us Love.


To learn more about the author, please visit her at www.lisatawnbergren.com.

*Disclaimer-I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of a free books for bloggers program.  I was not required to give a favorable review.  All the opinions and thoughts here are my own.