The Encounter by Steven Arterburn

All I can say is wow! I have read a couple of Mr. Arterburns novels but nothing prepared me for the powerful message of this book.

It is the story of a young woman, left heart broken, scorned and pregnant all alone in the world. She loved her son dearly but made the heart wrenching choice to leave him. Her son was adopted and grew up with wonderful parents but lived his life with the pain of wondering why his mother left him. His pastor talked him into returning to Alaska to search for his mother and for healing.

I was spellbound by the first page. I will be sending this to my stranged step daughter and I am sure that God dropped this book into my lap for a reason. I can't recommend this book enough!

I received this book free of charge in exchange for a review from Booksneeze. I was in no way required to give a good review!

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo

Heaven is for Real is a wonderful book about Todd Burpo's son visit to heaven during surgery. I got this book at 6:00 pm on Sunday evening and had it done before I went to bed. Who can resist books on heaven? We all dream and imagine what it is like so any glimpses we get are awesome! I am not sure if scripturally all things are correct but for the most part Mr. Burpo has the Bible verses to back up his son's claims. Is it true, who knows? But we all need to have a little faith in this life and believe in what we don't know. If this book makes a difference in one person's life, so be it!The Burpo's story of hardship leading up to the events of their son's heavenly experience are relative in this day and age of financial and everyday life's struggles. You can relate and feel the pain that the parents go through when their son is sick.Warning! You won't be able to put this one down. I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze in exchange for a review. I was no one required to give a postive review.

One Call Away by Brenda Warner

As I have stated in earlier posts, biographies are my favorite books to read. This one was no exception.

I loved this book. Brenda Warner is so ridiculously honest that she captures you from the first moment. I admit the first part of the book was a little confusing and chaotic but it pulled it self together about half way through.

Brenda was was a Christian woman who like the rest of us, makes mistakes, has regrets and sins. But like the rest of us she serves a risen God who forgives and forgets. She has servived betrayal, a handicapped child, divorce, poverty, the loss of her parents plus many other obstacles. She worked hard as a single mom to go back to school to provide for her children. Her marriage to Kurt Warner enabled them to do work and charities that they never dreamed of. Her fame and fortunes were not always what they are cracked up to be either.

I received this book from Booksneeze and was in no way obligated to give it a good review.

Stumbling into Grace by Lisa Harper

Stumbling into grace by Lisa Harper is fantastic! I have several friends who have went to see her and couldn't stop talking about her. So when I had a chance to read this book I jumped at it. Lisa is just so brutally honest in a refreshinly, honest, funny way. Her humerous stories of real life are so refreshing. She is also brutally honest about her past and even though I have never been abused nor did I have an unhappy childhood for some reason I could feel her pain. She does't ask for pity though. Her honest feelings about still being single strikes a chord as I did not get married till later in life and I understand the lonliness and longing that she feels. She is so ready to trust God though and completely puts her life into his hands. This is also one of those books that you would like to read again. The way she ties her real life stories with a Bible verse is amazing and so revealing. I highly recommend this book. I received this book free of charge from Booksneeze and was in no way required to give a good review.

Jesus, the Cia and me

My favorite type of book has always been an autobiography and this book did not let me down. The author had me spell bound from the first page. Not only do we get a glimpse of his life but he subliminally lets us into the life of his fantastic mother, and very ill father. The journey that the author takes from his troubled childhood, mixed up teenage years, college and then adulthood is very troubled but interesting. I love how the author tells how God took charge of his life at a very, very young age and never let go. It was a long journey before he realized how God had never let go of him and never left his side. It was a lesson for many of us even if we do not have to go through the trials and tribulations that he did. I strongly recommend this book. I received this book for free from Booksneeze and was in no way required to give a good review!

Heart of Ice

Heart of Ice by Lis Wiehl and April Henry. This book is the third installment of the Triple THreat novel series. I am not really a fan of mysteries or suspense novels but this is one book that I could simply not put down. I even took it with me to the bus stop and seriously considered reading while driving to work (just kidding). Allison Pierce, Nicole Hedges and Cassidy Shaw are respectively are a prosecutor, and FBI agent and news reporter. They were friends in high school who now help each other in cases. The mystery and suspense in this book are just great. They are very gifted writers and I just can't wait till the next book to come out. I received this book from Booksneeze and am not required to write a favorable review in any way.

The Noticer by Andy Andrews

The Noticer by Andy Andrews The book is absolutely incredible. It is so profound that you can't absorb it all in one reading. I plan on reading it again just so I can soak it all in. David Ponder, a time travelor is summoned by the ArchAngel to come up with the two words that can save mankind. He starts out meeting with Winston Churchill, Abe Lincoln and Joan of Arc before a mass of others join them. What I love about this is that I can just imagine the characters as they are talking and interacting. What an author than can write like that and make this so belivable. I strongly recommend this book if you are wondering your purpose in life. I received this book from Booksneeze and am not required to write a favorable review.

Reggie by Reggie Dabbs

The story of Reggie Dabbs is truly an inspiring book. His philosphy is what I always tell my child. He was born as the result of a $20 sexual encounter his mom had no choice in making. She was mearly providing for her children. Who can say what you would do in that situation. Fortunately for Reggie his mother had a wonderful teacher who adopted Reggie and took her into her home permantly. I love that Reggie does not dwell on the bad circumstances of his life, yet celebrates the victories and good things that have happened to him. I love stories that inspire. When all we hear today are stories about celebrities and their affairs, drug addictions and other shortcomings, Reggie's story is one we all need to hear. We all need to dedicate our lives to making this world a better place, learning from our past mistakes and moving on.

God's Wisdom for Mothers

I loved this book! I thought it would be another instructional book on parenting but to my surprise it is just full of the promises of God from the Bible. I ordered this book because I have a teenage son and I am not loving the teenage years! This has been a very trying teenage mom week and this book was a breath of fresh air. I have trouble just sitting down and reading the Bible but books like this are made for people like me. It is broke down into categories for whatever particular need you have that day. It is small and compact and you can even carry it with you wherever you go. If you have trying days no matter what the situation a promise from God's word is just what you need to get you through. That is what I really like about this...there is wisdom there for any need you have. A wonderful gift this would make. I received this book from Booksneeze and was no way made to give it a favorable review!

The Shelter of God's Promises by Sheila Walsh

I am reviewing Sheila's Walsh's new book, The Shelter of God's Promises. I have seen Sheila speak at several Woman of Faith conferences and have always been a huge fan. She is brutally honest and very intelligent. I was very excited to find out that she was turning her ministry into Bible teaching. I struggle relating to the Bible and I thought she would be a great person to learn from.
I just had trouble connecting with the book from the start. I started it over several times thinking it was me but I still never got into it. What she has to say is meaningful and purposeful and at times I would be captivated by her stories but then it would just lose me.
My guess is that someone else will pick it up and be transformed but it just didn't grab me in any way.