He Chose the Nails (What God Did to Win Your Heart by Max Lucado
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers
This book was provided to me free of charge by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
He Chose the Nails, What God Did to Win Your Heart. The title says it all.
The God of the Universe, the maker of the stars and sky, of all we see and don't see, became man and dwelt among us. And in order to win us, to create a relationship with us, and to make a way available to spend eternity with us, chose a cruel way for His son to die.
He chose the nails. He chose the cross. He chose the spear. Even though it would cost His son, Jesus, His very life, He chose the pain, and suffering for us.
God wasn't shocked when they mistreated His Son. He wasn't surprised that they beat Him and put a crown of thorns on His head. He wasn't surprised at the mocking or the hatred.
What if we were God? Would we have chosen the same fate for our Only Son? I think not!!! But God knew the only way for all our sins to be forgiven was by the suffering and death of the only sinless human ever created. So He chose the nails for us.
Max Lucado's books are defintely my favorite non-fiction books. I could read them all the time and get something new out of them. The word pictures and life examples make them resonate with me long after I finish the books. I recommend anyone getting this book, and reading through it carefully. It will show you the love of a Holy God in ways you may never have imagined.
Just think, He chose the nails just for you.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Prize of My Heart
Prize of My Heart by Lisa Norato
Published by Bethany House Publishers
Prize of My Heart was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review of the book.
Captain Brogan Talvis has been on a search for his son for the last 3 years, ever since his late wife disappeared with him. His search has finally led him to a shipbuilder, Nathaniel Huntley, and his daughter who have adopted "Drew" and raised him as their own.
When Brogan meets the family, he is surprised to find that he is attracted to Lorena, Nathaniel's daughter, who has been a loving caregiver to his son.
Lorena is surprised to discover that she, too, is falling for Brogan.
But both Lorena and Brogan have secrets. What will happen when they discover what the other is hiding? Will their love survive?
That love is tested when Lorena is kidnapped by a trusted friend, and would be suitor. Now Brogan will have to choose between rescuing the woman who has captured his heart, and the son he has searched for for so long.
Published by Bethany House Publishers
Prize of My Heart was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review of the book.
Captain Brogan Talvis has been on a search for his son for the last 3 years, ever since his late wife disappeared with him. His search has finally led him to a shipbuilder, Nathaniel Huntley, and his daughter who have adopted "Drew" and raised him as their own.
When Brogan meets the family, he is surprised to find that he is attracted to Lorena, Nathaniel's daughter, who has been a loving caregiver to his son.
Lorena is surprised to discover that she, too, is falling for Brogan.
But both Lorena and Brogan have secrets. What will happen when they discover what the other is hiding? Will their love survive?
That love is tested when Lorena is kidnapped by a trusted friend, and would be suitor. Now Brogan will have to choose between rescuing the woman who has captured his heart, and the son he has searched for for so long.
The Captive Heart
The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer
Published by Bethany House Publishers
This book was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review of the book.
The Captive Heart is the continuing story of the daughters of Caleb Bender. It follows the life of Miriam, Caleb's 19 year old daughter, who has never had a beau, and is old enough to be considered "old maid" material.
As we begin the book, we find Miriam struggling with her growing attraction to the Mexican man, Domingo, who has helped protect her family over the past year as they worked to establish an Amish community in Paradise Valley, Mexico.
Domigo has a pet name for Miriam, "Cualnezqui", which means Beautiful One. The problem with her falling for Domingo is that although he is a man of courage, and gentle with Miriam, he is not Amish, and the Amish frown on marrying outside their religion.
Her emotions become even more complicated when more Amish families move down to expand the community, and bring along a young Amishman, Micah, who has set his sights on Miriam.
As Domingo haunts her dreams, Miriam will have big decisions to make that will affect the rest of her life.
Read to find out what decision Miriam makes.
Dale Cramer has become a new favorite of mine in Amish Fiction. His books were recommended by Beverly Lewis, and I'm glad I took her advice and read his books. Read this series and see if you agree with me.
Published by Bethany House Publishers
This book was provided to me free of charge by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review of the book.
The Captive Heart is the continuing story of the daughters of Caleb Bender. It follows the life of Miriam, Caleb's 19 year old daughter, who has never had a beau, and is old enough to be considered "old maid" material.
As we begin the book, we find Miriam struggling with her growing attraction to the Mexican man, Domingo, who has helped protect her family over the past year as they worked to establish an Amish community in Paradise Valley, Mexico.
Domigo has a pet name for Miriam, "Cualnezqui", which means Beautiful One. The problem with her falling for Domingo is that although he is a man of courage, and gentle with Miriam, he is not Amish, and the Amish frown on marrying outside their religion.
Her emotions become even more complicated when more Amish families move down to expand the community, and bring along a young Amishman, Micah, who has set his sights on Miriam.
As Domingo haunts her dreams, Miriam will have big decisions to make that will affect the rest of her life.
Read to find out what decision Miriam makes.
Dale Cramer has become a new favorite of mine in Amish Fiction. His books were recommended by Beverly Lewis, and I'm glad I took her advice and read his books. Read this series and see if you agree with me.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley by Dale CramerPublished by Bethany House
Publishers
This is the first book I've read by Dale Cramer, and I decided to buy it because of a recommendation on the front by Beverly Lewis. I am a huge fan of Beverly Lewis' books, so if she said he's a good Amish fiction author, I had give the book a try. I was not disappointed! I will definitely be buying all the books in this series!
Paradise Valley is the first in a new series called The Daughters of Caleb Bender. It is based on on a true story of an Amish community that moved to Mexico in order to escape religious persecution in Ohio.
As the story opens, we meet the family of Caleb Bender, who after a run in with the police who are convinced that the Amish children are being negatively affected by their "truancy" from school, decide on a whim to buy 5,000 acres in a remote, mountain oasis in Paradise Valley, Mexico.
Caleb's family is the original settling family there, hoping to be joined by others from their Ohio community in a year, after the Benders have gotten established. But the move is a hard one for the family, especially the girls. Rachel has fallen head over heals for Jacob, and cannot dream of living apart from him, possibly forever. And Emma, secretly engaged to Levi, mourns the fact that they, too, may be torn apart. Then there's Miriam, their older sister, who has never been courted, and who knows her chances of finding an Amish beau in Mexico are slim to none.
The trip is a long one by train, and then by horse and buggy the rest of the way into the mountains. The closest town of any size is a full day's ride away. But the land is so fertile, it seems worth the ride!
In stark contrast to the beauty and fertility of Paradise Valley is the danger posed by local bandits intent on taking what the Benders have worked so hard for. The Benders had been warned of this danger, but had decided the pros outweighed the cons.
As time moves on, and the Benders continue getting the settlement ready, will there still be a place for the new families to come to? Or will the bandits steal it all away? What will happen to the girls?
Read the book to find out. ;)
This is the first book I've read by Dale Cramer, and I decided to buy it because of a recommendation on the front by Beverly Lewis. I am a huge fan of Beverly Lewis' books, so if she said he's a good Amish fiction author, I had give the book a try. I was not disappointed! I will definitely be buying all the books in this series!
Paradise Valley is the first in a new series called The Daughters of Caleb Bender. It is based on on a true story of an Amish community that moved to Mexico in order to escape religious persecution in Ohio.
As the story opens, we meet the family of Caleb Bender, who after a run in with the police who are convinced that the Amish children are being negatively affected by their "truancy" from school, decide on a whim to buy 5,000 acres in a remote, mountain oasis in Paradise Valley, Mexico.
Caleb's family is the original settling family there, hoping to be joined by others from their Ohio community in a year, after the Benders have gotten established. But the move is a hard one for the family, especially the girls. Rachel has fallen head over heals for Jacob, and cannot dream of living apart from him, possibly forever. And Emma, secretly engaged to Levi, mourns the fact that they, too, may be torn apart. Then there's Miriam, their older sister, who has never been courted, and who knows her chances of finding an Amish beau in Mexico are slim to none.
The trip is a long one by train, and then by horse and buggy the rest of the way into the mountains. The closest town of any size is a full day's ride away. But the land is so fertile, it seems worth the ride!
In stark contrast to the beauty and fertility of Paradise Valley is the danger posed by local bandits intent on taking what the Benders have worked so hard for. The Benders had been warned of this danger, but had decided the pros outweighed the cons.
As time moves on, and the Benders continue getting the settlement ready, will there still be a place for the new families to come to? Or will the bandits steal it all away? What will happen to the girls?
Read the book to find out. ;)
Sunday, April 1, 2012
This is Your Brain in Love by Dr. Earl Henslin
This is Your Brain in Love by Dr. Earl Henslin
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers
This book was provided to me free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my review. I am so thankful for that.
This is Your Brain in Love is a book that I could not finish. It didn't seem applicable to me, since it's mostly based on brain scans and their results. These scans are supposed to show exactly what parts of the brain is damaged (if I understand it correctly) and the resulting emotions they affect. I feel that the brain scan is a very expensive way to figure out how to stay in love with your mate. I have no idea what type of doctor to go to even if I wanted one of those scans.
I hate giving bad reviews, because I love books so much, and am thankful for being allowed to review the books for free. So I tried off and on for months to read it. I was too proud to say I couldn't get through it. I finally gave up.
Guess I won't be reading any more of his books.
Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers
This book was provided to me free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my review. I am so thankful for that.
This is Your Brain in Love is a book that I could not finish. It didn't seem applicable to me, since it's mostly based on brain scans and their results. These scans are supposed to show exactly what parts of the brain is damaged (if I understand it correctly) and the resulting emotions they affect. I feel that the brain scan is a very expensive way to figure out how to stay in love with your mate. I have no idea what type of doctor to go to even if I wanted one of those scans.
I hate giving bad reviews, because I love books so much, and am thankful for being allowed to review the books for free. So I tried off and on for months to read it. I was too proud to say I couldn't get through it. I finally gave up.
Guess I won't be reading any more of his books.
Monday, December 19, 2011
The Chair by James Rubart
The Chair
By James Rubart
Published by Broadman and Holman Publishers
This is the second book of James Rubart's that I have read, and my favorite of the two.
The Chair is the story of Corin Roscoe, an antiques dealer with a business in trouble, who is given a special chair from a seemingly random woman one day. When she gives him the chair, she claims that it is a special chair made by the best carpenter in the world.
As Corin tries to find the true origin of the chair, he encounters miracles along the way. A young boy is healed of his asthma after sitting in it. Is this chair able to perform miracles?!
His research takes him to the depth of danger as he soon finds out that he is not the only one interested in the origin of the chair, and that he is not the only one who will do anything to possess it.
The story is one of faith and longing. Of love and betrayal. Of hope and longing. Of miracles seen and miracles denied.
The Chair is a book I would highly recommend. And the best part of the book is the end. :) Read it. You'll be glad you did.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Hiding My Bruises While Singing In the Choir
Hiding My Bruises While Singing in the Choir
By Jan Juliano Balzer
Have you ever had a book that you just couldn't put down? One that called your name when you weren't there, beckoning you back again?
Well, this book did just that for me.
As you may know, I'm really a Christian fiction kind of girl. Give me a good mystery, thriller, or Christian romance, and let it take me away from it all. It's my escape.
So for a non-fiction book to grab me, it has to be good. And I can name only a handful that have kept my attention all the way through.
Hiding My Bruises While Singing in the Choir is the true story of a lady who I am proud to call my friend. We met because of another friend's book.
It's the story of a little girl with big dreams that grows up to have those dreams shattered, and then put back together again through the grace of Almighty God.
Jan's book had me gasping, holding my breath, and then breathing a sigh of relief. The tragedies played out in this book are turned into life lessons that we can all learn from.
The book had me thinking, and praying, and considering what God is doing in my life that will someday help someone else.
A highly recommended book for anyone who needs to be encouraged in rough times.
Thanks, Jan, for sharing your story, and for allowing me the privilege of reviewing it!
By Jan Juliano Balzer
Have you ever had a book that you just couldn't put down? One that called your name when you weren't there, beckoning you back again?
Well, this book did just that for me.
As you may know, I'm really a Christian fiction kind of girl. Give me a good mystery, thriller, or Christian romance, and let it take me away from it all. It's my escape.
So for a non-fiction book to grab me, it has to be good. And I can name only a handful that have kept my attention all the way through.
Hiding My Bruises While Singing in the Choir is the true story of a lady who I am proud to call my friend. We met because of another friend's book.
It's the story of a little girl with big dreams that grows up to have those dreams shattered, and then put back together again through the grace of Almighty God.
Jan's book had me gasping, holding my breath, and then breathing a sigh of relief. The tragedies played out in this book are turned into life lessons that we can all learn from.
The book had me thinking, and praying, and considering what God is doing in my life that will someday help someone else.
A highly recommended book for anyone who needs to be encouraged in rough times.
Thanks, Jan, for sharing your story, and for allowing me the privilege of reviewing it!
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