The River by Michael Neale

Another incredible book by Thomas Nelson Publishers. This is the story of Gabriel Clarke. Gabriel was born in the Colorado river area the son and grandson of River Guides. Gabriel's mother who was not sure of the river life left him when he was young. Poor Gabriel watched his father die when he was five while trying to save a kayaker. He was forced to go live with his mother in the midwest in a small farming town. His mother grew to love him but his childhood was troubled, lonely and full of grief. Without giving too much away the story is how Gabriele makes his way back to the River area to realize his heritage and background. His wise mother gave him his father and grandfathers journals and leads him to acceptance, forgiveness and hope for his future. I absolutlely could not put this book down. It was riveting from the first page to the last. As a watcher of hawks and a believer that God sends me hawks as reminders when I need them, I was particulary drawn to the hawk reference in the story. I know that God uses them in real life, not just Gabriele Clark! I received this book free from Thomas NElson publishers in exchange for a review. I am in no way obligated to give it a favorable review.

The Reason

The Reason by William Sirls This book is no less than amazing. I couldn't put it down and be ready to have the tissues in hand. The story takes place in a small town in Michigan where a blind pastor, his loyal wife and mentally challenged adult son attract a family of misfits by their faith and kindness. But a stranger in town, a carpenter working a the local hospital, comes to town and suddenly everyones world is turned upside down. Miracles start to occur after the church's cross is mysteriously fixed in a manner of seconds. Those who never have believed before are suddenly believers. It is hard to describe to much as not to give it away but this book is nothing short of spectacular. I think I was impressed just as much by the author's story at the end of the book as I was the story. I really can't recommend this book enough. If you are struggling with the things of life or if life seems without hope. This books is for you. Yes, it is fiction but it brings the message of God's hope loud and clear.......as the theme of the story says....."only believe". I received this book free of charge for Booksneeze. I was in no way obligated to give it a good review!

By Faith not by Sight

By Faith Not by Sight is the autobiography by Scott MacIntyre, American Idol contestant. Scott's story is so inspiring. What he has accomplished blind most sighted people never even imagine. I think the real story though is the story of his parents. His mother thought he was blind from an early age and the doctors kept telling her he was alright. Once the diagnosis was made she went beyond the call of duty to do what she had to do for her child. Once she realized that he had the gift of music she even went further beyond. The most memorable part of the book was when they took him and left him in England. I dread putting my teenager on the bus let alone leaving him blind in a foreign country. What love and will power those parents must have.

I have to admit the first part of the book was very slow for me. I had a hard time sticking with it. But the second part picked up and was a little easier to read and stick with it.

There is a reason that biographies are my favorite books. Other peoples story are the most interesting and the most inspiring.

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

Redemption by Bryan Clay

As I have stated many times....biographies are my favorites! This didn't let me down.Redemption is the story of Bryan Clay. A rebellious child whose parents divorce made him a bitter, challenged child. His mother never stopped praying for him no matter how rebellious he was. She was told by a counselor to put him in a sports program to keep him out of jail so a local track club was her only option.Little did she know that her decision would lead to two Olympic medals.Bryans life was a constant rebellion against God. His story and how he learned to surrender not only to God but to his coaches, family members and friends is an incredible and beautiful story.Being the mother of a rebellious teen, I could't put this book down. It also gave me hope that God does answer the prayers of a praying mother and cares about those hard to handle teenagers.I am giving this review in exchange for this book through Booksneeze. I am no way required to give it a good review.

Stand by Me by Neta Jackson

Never met a Neta Jackson book I didn't like and this one is no exception.  She has such a gift.  Her characters are so believable and I have to admit that I am Jody Baxter in real life.  I truly recommend that you start with the Yada Yada series and read them all.  But be prepared!  You will do nothing else but read once you start.  You can't put them down.  Then go to the House of Hope series.  Which leads us to Stand by Me, the first in the Souled out Sisters series.

Avis Douglas, principal of an elementary school and leader of the Yada Yada prayer group is reaching a critical point in her life.  Her and her husband Peter are at a crossroads and need to make critical decisions in their lives.  But Avis daughter and grandson are missing and then through in the mix the group of college kids who move into their building for the summer.

It moves me because the character is a leader and well thought of person but makes mistakes and has doubts just like we do.  God doesn't let her down though and sees her through.  You will love this book.....five stars!

Heaven is for Real dvd Based conversation kit.

After reading Heaven is for Real you can help but be very obsessive about heaven and how real it is. My junior high sunday school class have read the book and discussed it in great detail so when the dvd based conversation kit became available I jumped on it.

Pro's---You can't watch the Burpo family and not believe them. It erases all doubt. This is just a normal midwestern family who love Jesus and are very brave in telling their story. No doubt this has effected their lives.

Con's---The conversation kit is way too complicted. The dvd is conversation starter enough. If you followed the plan in the book it would just be boring and repeat itself. I think the whole thing just needs simplied and it would be so much easier on the leader of the class.

My junior high boys had mixed reviews but all in all kept their attention. That is quite a feat for 14 year old boys!

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.

Cut your Grocery bill in Half by Steve and Annette Economides

I have to tell you that I was very skeptical getting this book. I figured that it was just another author trying to get rich quick with a witty title. I consider myself the coupon/money saving queen and didn't think I could learn any more!

I was wrong! I was actually blown away by this couple. The hard work and dedication to their family is impressive and incredible. I was telling my husband how they only spend $350 a month on groceries and we just cracked up. There is no way. However as I read the book I can see how they do it! It is done with a lot of hard work though.

They give a lot of impressive tips, ideas and many other money savings techniques. I am excited to put some of them into play. There are also some scrumptious looking recipes that I can't wait to try.

I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for a review. I was not required in any way to give it a good review.

Out Live your Life by Max Lucado

What can I say?

This may be one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. I have never been a huge Max Lucado fan but this book might have me on the Lucado side!

The book is based on the New Testament and the early church. How the early church was started by twelve "hillbillies" so to speak. The first twelve made mistakes, worked hard, had menial jobs, were not rich, did not live in splendor or were born to kings. Yet these twelve changed to world. If those twelve could change the world could'nt we?

I read the Pot Roast chapter to my ad council and they loved it. We will probably buy copies to pass out to church members to try to inspire our congregation. Our church is very mission minded and I think they will all be inspired by it.

I truly urge you take this book and read it, study it and ready it again. You will be changed!

I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for a review and was in no way required to recommend it.

The Falling Away by T.L. Hines

The Falling Away
by T.L.Hines

I love books about the Christian supernatural (i.e. Frank Perreti). However this was not one of them.

The book is about Dylan Runs Ahead, who is running from his past. The story line is confusing and I literally had to make myself finish reading this book. At one point about halfway through the book I though just maybe it was going to get better but that was a very breif moment. The characters made no sense and they ended up in a cult before preforming exorcisms. What? Yes, that is what I said.

I hate to give a book a bad review and I will definately try another one of Mr. Hines books just to see if maybe I was not in the mood to read this type of book. I never thought I would find a book I didn't like but this one is it!

I received this book for free from Booksneeze.com and was not required to give it a good review.