Tag Archives: Book Review

The Lord Bless You Book Review

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Author Terry A. Smith states his book, The Lord Bless You: A 28-Day Journey to Experience God’s Extravagant Blessings is about how much God wants to bless the people he created. He says it is about how we can embrace God’s blessings in our life, and how we can bless the world around us.

The author defines blessing as being in harmonious relationship with God who wants to do good in us, to us, and through us.

Perhaps The Lord Bless You can best be summed up as this. God is good. God wants to be in relationship with you. He wants to do good in you, to you, and through you.

In short, God wants to bless you so you can be a blessing to others.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

The God Shot Book Review

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the God Shot book coverThe God Shot by Tara-Leigh Cobble contains 100 short devotions that look at sections from the New Testament to give a snapshot of the attributes and names of God.

Tara-Leigh’s hope is that by reading the passage in context, the reader will be able to see the meaning of each individual verse in new ways, and see how they all tie together to weave a picture of God and his goodness.

Each devotion points to a name or attribute of God. Tara begins these brief devotions with a short explanation of the scripture’s context. She moves into how the scripture relates to the reader. She closes out with application questions and thoughts to ponder.

The God Shot is perfect for when you need a quick devotion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

You can find my October Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!  

Strong in the Battle Book Review

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I highly recommend Strong in the Battle by Susie Larson. The spiritual truths contained in this book are truths we need to hold onto to help us be victorious in the midst of our battles.

Following each chapter are sections for practical application. They are: The Humble Way, Discern the Fiery Arrows, Say NO!, and Say YES! There is also a section called Spiritual Intelligence Training. This takes you deeper into Scripture relating to principles in the chapter.

There is so much in this book to ponder and be strengthened by. I found journaling my thoughts as I read helpful.

If you are in a spiritual battle, or want to prepare for the enemy’s next attack, Strong in the Battle is a great resource.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

You can find my August Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Concrete Evidence Book Review

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Concrete Evidence is the latest book by DiAnn Mills. It is sure to keep readers guessing as the story of suspense, mystery, misunderstandings, and a wide variety of characters unfolds through twists and turns.

When Avery Elliott finds her grandfather standing over a body with a gun in his hand, it sets off a series of events filled with multiple murders, accidents, near-deaths, threats, and danger. Characters are introduced who may or may not be the bad guys, leaving readers wondering who’s telling the truth and who isn’t until the end of the book.

Who to trust and who not to trust becomes a matter of life and death as Avery and FBI agent Marc Wilkins work together to find answers to their many questions before it’s too late. Throw in a hurricane and the questionable structural integrity of a dam, and you have Concrete Evidence.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley from Tyndale for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

You can find my August Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

The Apostle’s Sister Book Review

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Filled with biblical historical research, The Apostle’s Sister by Angela Hunt tells the story of Saul of Tarsus and his sister Aya, and their lives in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus’ crucifixion and Paul’s conversion to The Way.

This is the fourth book in Angela Hunt’s Jerusalem Road series. You do not need to read the previous books to understand The Apostle’s Sister.

Aya has a gift for singing and wants to use it. As a Jewish woman in Jerusalem, her options for using her gift are limited. After she finds a way to use her talent, her brother’s decision to leave his seat in the Sanhedrin, and devote himself to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, complicates her life in ways she never imagined.

At the back of the book the author explains her reasons for some of the details she includes in her book, along with pages of references for her research.

At times I felt the author’s research overshadowed the story. I didn’t really connect with Aya or Saul. The character I enjoyed most was a minor character.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

You can find my June Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

The Path to Peace Book Review

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blue designIn The Path to Peace, Ann Swindell asks questions. Two questions she asks are what does Christ’s victory mean for us in our daily lives? and How do we experience Christ’s victory in our day-to-day life, if our difficult circumstances don’t always or ever change?

By looking at the lives of eight people from the Bible, she shows readers who God was for these heroes of faith is who he is for us today. The same God who delivered them delivers us.

Written in eight chapters of five daily studies, The Path to Peace is not a quick devotional read. It is a book to spend time studying and reflecting on.

At the beginning of each chapter, Ann gives a suggested scripture to read, then recounts the story as if the person is telling it. She moves to how the person’s situation mirrored hers. Ann suggests how the reader might apply this to their lives. At the end of each chapter are questions for reflection.

For me, I believe the section on Christ’s mother, Mary, was the one I’ve read so far where I found the most area for reflection.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

You can find my June Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

When the Meadow Blooms Book Review

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woman in meadowWhat a wonderful story! Ann Gabhart’s latest novel, When the Meadow Blooms, is a story filled with rich characters. Some you will love. Some you won’t. Some are hurting. Some are hopeful. There are heroes to love for their honor. There are villains to despise for their evil.

Set in 1925 Kentucky, When the Meadow Blooms tells the story of widow Rose Meadows, her two daughters Calla and Sienna, and Dirk Meadows, Rose’s brother-in-law. There is so much heart in this story. It is easy to get caught up in each character’s life as they struggle with painful memories and past hurts, misunderstandings and forgiveness.

Of all the Ann Gabhart books I have read, When the Meadow Blooms tops the list. If you enjoy faith-based historical fiction, perhaps this will top your list as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

You can find my May Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

To Disguise The Truth Book Review

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Set in 1887 New York and Montana, To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano, follows Eunice Holbrooke and her Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency as they assist Arthur Livingston in finding missing heiress, Eugenia Howland. Disguised in widow’s tweeds, Eunice can keep her true identity from Arthur for only so long before they join together to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Within the pages of To Disguise the Truth, you will find a story with a cast of varied characters which weaves together a tale of murder, deceit, revenge, family, forgiveness, and a runaway heiress who must be found before she loses her family fortune.

If you enjoyed the previous Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency books by Jen Turano, you will probably enjoy this final book in the series as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

You can find my February Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

He Loves You So Devotional Book Review

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He Loves You So

He Loves You So Falling Deeper Into God’s Heart, is a 366-day devotional compilation of brief inspiring devotions. The devotions go day by day one scripture at a time through the Bible. The prayer reflects on the verse, affirming how it is applicable to life. The declaration sentence personalizes the verse as your own to hold on to.

Each of these devotions can be read in about one minute, but the value comes from spending time meditating on them. At least that is what I found to be true. What I appreciate most about this book of devotions is the way they are personalized.

If you enjoy the Sarah Young Jesus Calling series, then you may enjoy He Loves You So as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

You can find my February Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!

Shadows of Swanford Abbey Book Review

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Shadows of Swanford Abbey bookcover

Filled with interesting characters, mystery, intrigue, twists, turns, and romance set in a foreboding medieval monastery turned grand hotel, Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen is a delightful book for fans of Regency Romance that  keeps readers guessing.

Set in 1820 England, Rebecca Lane receives a vague message asking her to return home to help her brother. In the process of helping her brother, she teams up with childhood friend, Sir Frederick to solve a murder.

Amid the pages of Shadows of Swanford Abbey, Julie Klassen weaves a page-turning tale of sacrifice, forgiveness, and restoration. A tale I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Perhaps you will as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I gave.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

You can find my January Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!