Mine Is the Night Book Review

SUMMARY:  She lost everything she loved.  He had everything she needed.  But could she find the courage to trust him?
     Stepping from a battered coach on a rainy April eve, newly widowed Elisabeth Kerr must begin again, without husband or title, property or fortune.  She is unafraid of work and gifted with a needle, but how will she stitch together the tattered remnants of her life?  And who will mend her heart, torn asunder by betrayal and deception?
     Elisabeth has not come to Selkirk alone.  Her mother-in-law, Marjory Kerr, is a woman undone, having buried her husband, her sons and any promise of grandchildren.  Dependent upon a distant cousin with meager resources, Marjory dreads the future almost as much as she regrets the past.  Yet joy still comes knocking, and kindness is found in unexpected places.
     Then a worthy hero steps forward, rekindling a spark of hope.  Will he risk his reputation to defend two women labeled as traitors to the Crown?  Or will a wealthy beauty, untainted by scandal, capture his affections?
     The heartrending journey of the Kerr women comes to a glorious finish in Mine Is the Night, a sparkling gem of redemption and restoration set in eighteenth-century Scotland.

REVIEW:  This book was awesome!!  Having read the first book, Here Burns My Candle, I wondered how the author would bring conclusion and redemption to these two characters.  I knew how the story would work out since I am very familiar with the story of Ruth and Naomi, but I wondered about the details as they pertained to Elisabeth and Marjory.  Needless to say, I was not disappointed!!  Marjory, having had servants all her life, steps up to the plate and pitches in to help her cousin Anne and Elisabeth by cooking their meals and helping keep their small place clean.  Elisabeth works very hard to help provide her herself and Marjory so they will not be a burden to Anne, who lives on a small income as a lace maker and teacher.  There were some twists and turns in the story that kept my attention.   Parts of the ending happened as I hoped but it was not all predictable and was very enjoyable.  All in all, this was an excellent book!!  You will not be disappointed at all!!

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah for review without compensation.

Liz Curtis Higgs is the author of twenty-eight books with three million copies in print, including her armchair travel guide to Scotland, My Heart's in the Lowlands, and her best-selling Scottish historical novels, Thorn in My Heart, Fair Is the Rose, Christy Award-winner Whence Came a Prince, Grace in Thine Eyes, and Here Burns My Candle, the riveting prequel to Mine Is the Night.

Lessons from the La-Z-Boy Book Review

Correction:  After this review was posted, the publisher decided to change the name.  It is now called A Pleasing Aroma.  I will post it again with the new cover and new title.  MBJ


SUMMARY:  Is your life characterized by fast food meals, an over-scheduled calendar, and the feeling that life has become nothing more than a blur?  If so, then you need to take a five-minute timeout, prop your feet up in your favorite recliner, and reconnect with the Lord as you read Lessons from the La-Z-Boy.  The easy-to-read devotionals are ideal for busy believers who need a spiritual boost and the encouragement of God's Word to meet the demands of their stressful lives.  With relevant scriptural applications for the challenges we all face, you will find yourself refreshed in the Lord and longing for a closer walk with Him.

REVIEW:  This book is perfect for busy believers.  The devotionals are short, packed full of everyday situations and easy to read.  Dee Dee gives the reader hope by giving incidences from her own life, letting them know they are not alone in this walk we call life.  I highly recommend this devotional to anyone and everyone.

This book was provided by the author for review without compensation.

Dee Dee Wike is a budding author whose life is firmly anchored in her relationship with the Lord and her passion for God's Word.  In addition to having written Good to the Last Drop:  Refreshing Inspiration for Homeschool Moms and Other Busy Women, Dee Dee works as a part-time software support specialist, is a full-time wife and mother, and is a freelance writer for her hometown newspaper and a regional Christian news magazine.  Happily married for nearly twenty-five years, she resides in Tennessee with her husband Steve and their two children, Chris and Joy, where she serves in the Music and Women's Ministries of Central Church.  For more information on her speaking and writing ministry, visit www.deedeewike.com.

Give Away Winners are....

 The Life Ready Woman give away winners are:

Shara and Marva!!!

Send me an e-mail at chellybrown2008@gmail.com with contact information and I will send your book to you.

Congratulations!!

Gray Matter Book Review

SUMMARY:  When highly respected neurosurgeon Dr. David Levy decided to ask his patients whether he could pray with them prior to surgery, he had no idea what to expect.

     What if the surgery went poorly - who would be to blame?  What if it went well - would God or science get the credit?  And how would introducing prayer into the surgical process change his patients' and colleagues' opinion of him as a surgeon?

     While some patients hound comfort in Levy's request, others were skeptical or even downright hostile.  But in the end, everyone - even the good doctor himself - was transformed by the experience.
     A perfect blend of pulse-racing medical drama and profound spiritual insight, Gray Matter not only provides a fascinating glimpse into the elite field of neurosurgery as we watch Levy perform some of the most challenging surgical procedures in medicine today, it also provides a refreshingly candid and revealing glimpse into the heart and mind of a neurosurgeon - those divinely fallible beings we sometimes expect to play God.
     Levy's musings on what successful and unsuccessful surgical results imply about faith, forgiveness, and the power of prayer are at once unexpected and insightful.  And as he arrives at his ultimate conclusion that regardless of the results "God is good," one cannot help but be truly moved and inspired.

REVIEW:  This book was wonderful!!  Dr. Levy does not give you only the success stories of patients and prayer but those that were heart wrenching and difficult.  As he steps out in faith, encouraged only by knowing it is something God wants him to do, he sees changes in his patients and the other medical professionals he works with.  Dr. Levy doesn't force his faith or prayers on his patients or co-workers. He prays for all his cases: during the office visits, in pre-op, before surgery, during surgery and in recovery.
   Dr. Levy also helps his patients understand that forgiveness is a BIG part of healing.  He has helped people forgive the hurts of the past and help the healing of their bodies, along with their hearts.
   This book was an easy read, even with the medical terms and procedures described.  I really enjoyed it and think you will too.

This book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers for review without compensation.

David Levy, MD practices neurosurgery in San Diego, California.  His articles have been published in a variety of neurosurgical journals, and he is an accomplished and engaging speaker and presenter.  In his time off, David enjoys helping the less fortunate locally and in many locations throughout the world.

Joel Kirkpatrick is an award-winning journalist and author whose work has been featured on CBS Radio and in Time magazine, the Washington Post, USA Today, the Dallas Morning News and many other newspapers and magazines.  He lives in southern California with his wife and children.

The Bridge of Peace Book Review

SUMMARY:  Lena Kauffman is a young Old Order Amish schoolteacher who has dealt all her life with attention raised by a noticeable birthmark on her cheek.  Having learned to move past the stares and whispers, Lena channels her zest for living into her love of teaching.  But tensions mount as she is challenged to work with a rebellious young man and deal with several crises at the schoolhouse hat threaten her other students.  Her lack of submission and the use of ideas that don't line up with the Old Ways strengthen the school board's case as they begin to believe that Lena is behind all the trouble.
    One member of the school board, Grey Graber, feels trapped by his own stifling circumstances.  His wife, Elsie, has shut him out of her life, and he doesn't know how long he can continue to live as if nothing is wrong.  As the two finally come to a place of working toward a better marriage, tragedy befalls their family.
    Lena and Grey have been life-long friends, but their relationship begins to crumble amidst unsettling deceptions, propelling each of them to finally face their own secrets.  Can they both find a way past their losses and discover the strength to build a new bridge?

REVIEW:  I really liked this book.  The Bridge of Peace is the second book in An Ada's House Novel series.  I read the first The Hope of Refuge last year, which really helped me with a lot of the secondary characters and their backgrounds, which are still a big part of the book.  I like Lena's character and her desire to be a great teacher, seeing what each student was capable of and bring out the best in them, even the very difficult ones.  Even during her rumschpringe (a time of freedom for teenagers and young adults to decide if they want to join the Amish order), she attended public school to learn different teaching methods and to see how she could become a great teacher.  My heart went out to Grey.  Trying to overcome the difficulties of his marriage while trying to protect Elsie from gossip and scorn was very admirable, especially after the awful tragedy.  I highly recommend this book!!!  The third book is due to come out in the Fall 2011.  I can't wait!

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah for review without compensation.

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of The Wall Street Journal.  Cindy lives in Georgia with her family.

The Life Ready Woman Book Review and Give-Away

Check out the give-away located at the bottom of this review!!

SUMMARY:  This is a great day to be a woman....even when you're trying to balance it all!
     We have amazing choices and opportunities today - opportunities our great-grandmothers could never have imagined.  Yet we also encounter a whole new host of challenges.
    Every woman knows the feeling of struggling to juggle everything, wishing there were more hours in the day.  And every woman has also enjoyed the wonderful opportunities God provides that simply didn't exist a few generations ago.  The trick is knowing how to manage this crazy, modern life.  For those of us who follow Jesus, the challenge is even greater.  How can we live a modern life from a biblical perspective?
    The great new is:  there's a way to do this!  There is a way to be "ready" for life that leads to peace and enjoyment rather than stress and regret.  Within the ancient words of the Bible we can find a road map that applies directly to our lives as contemporary women: an encouraging, life-giving blueprint you can look to for clarity about the unique design, callings, balance, choices, relationships, and direction that God has for you.
    Becoming "Life Ready" involves thinking purposefully about subjects you may never have thought through before.  It involves courageous steps of faith at some points, and waiting for open doors in others.  But the end result will be that you not only survive but thrive in our do-it-all world.  Being a "Life Ready" woman means you are clear about your life, bold in your faith, and able to find God's best for you.  No matter where you are - younger, older; single, married, divorced, remarried; stay-at-home mom or busy executive; no matter your ethnic background or even your personal faith beliefs or questions - you can start today to reach for it.  The Life Ready Woman will guide you there!

REVIEW:  The Life Ready Woman - Thriving in a Do-It-All World lays out easy to follow steps to help you in our crazy busy world.  The first part starts out by laying the foundation using the Old and New Testaments.  Instead of condemning women for trying to be there for their families and doing it all, it shows us what God says in His word about His plans and purposes for us.  The second part gives us strategies for getting God's best for us that are clearly laid out to follow.  Some of it is not easy to do but sometimes necessary if we want to see God impact our lives.  I would recommend this book to any woman wanting help and direction while she is trying to do it all.

This book was provided by LitFuse Publishing Group for review without compensation.

Shaunti Feldhahn is a former Wall Street analyst, best-selling author (For Women Only), national speaker, and regular commentator in the media.  She and her husband live with their two children in Atlanta, Georgia.

Robert Lewis is the visionary leader behind the Life Ready series of video studies.  He is a pastor, best-selling author (Rocking the Roles:  Building a Win-Win Marriage), and the founder of the popular Men's Fraternity Bible study movement.  He and his wife have four grown children and live in Little Rock, Arkansas.

GIVE-AWAY
I have a copy of The Life Ready Woman - Thriving in a Do-It-All World to give to one lucky reader.  To enter, comment either on this post or on my Facebook profile.  I will pick one lucky winner on Saturday, February 26th.

Good Luck!!

Introducing Pepper!!