Jesus Freaks: Revised and Updated edition

 

My son read the original version of this book and, to my knowledge, he still possesses it. I received this book from the publisher for my honest review and opinion. 

A Jesus Freak is one who is willing to for Jesus no matter what. As I read each of the stories they would lead me to reflect if I would do whatever it takes for my faith in Jesus. Would I be willing to lay down my life for Him? This is such a powerful book I believe each of the stories should be read and thought about. This makes it a book I would recommend to the highest level. 

I am so glad that this book was revised. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me this book and thank you to dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs for being willing to bring this book back.

16 Bible Studies for your Small Group by Ryan Lokkesmoe

 

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book is filled with a variety of topics to cover in a small Bible study group. At the beginning of each lesson are icebreaker ideas to help focus the group and discover how things are since previous meeting. Then the lesson begins with a Bible reading, questions and commentary followed by key points to help others to connect with what has been taught. Each lesson is followed by prayer, either led by the leader or by one of the group. There are sample prayers given. All together each lesson is less than 10 pages long. 

I believe this book would be a great choice for those who want to lead a small group but are not sure where to start. It is a great resource and guide book. 

I recommend it highly.

Fascinating Bible Studies on Every Parable

 

I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Dr. William H. Marty has been a teacher at Moody Bible Institute for 37 years. While there he focused on the Old and the New Testament for freshmen.

This book focuses on the parables in the Bible. Dr. Marty talked about their main topic and their meaning. I knew most of the parables and found the information interesting. Some of the topics covered were the wheat and weeds, the leaven, the mustard seed, the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. He explained why Jesus used parables when he taught. Each section begins with the location of the Parable, then the author's takeaway, an in-depth telling of the parable, additional Biblical research related to the Parable, as well as optional activities and a memory verse.

I found this book to be an excellent resource for anyone that would like to read the parables and gain further understanding. I also liked the in-depth retelling of the parables with extra meaning throughout. This book would be perfect for an individual or small-group Bible study. 

I highly recommend this book . 

Falling Pomegranate Seeds: All Manner of Things. by Wendy J Dunn

I was given this ARC by NetGalley and BooksGoSocial in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

This is a touching book about Katherine of Aragon, friendship and loyalty. Maria de Salinas is the storyteller in this final book of the Falling Pomegranate series and where it may have helped to read the first book I did not. I was able to follow along with the characters and the writing. Part of this may have been because of my interest in life in this time and the wives of Henry VIII. 

Maria's cousin, Catalina, was sent to England to make a good marriage to the future king. Both girls are exiled from their homeland and now face many trials. The court in Tudor times was filled with danger and women were meant to listen and obey the men here. The two women are able to support each other through the hardships and fear.

Wendy Dunn writes about the Tudor times with such depth it is easy to see how this time is important to her, also. Her writing is beautiful, and her characters are rich. I loved this book and I highly recommend it. 

3 Words That Will Change Your Life: The Secret to Experiencing

 

This book is filled with practical suggestions which helped me feel God's presence all around me. When faced with what could be a negative habit, or situation I try to turn it around so that I can find the positive in it and praise God. I just need to remember GOD is here! 

Searching for Certainty by Shelly Miller

 

Shelly Miller, the author of Searching for Certainty is an encourager. She is someone that can take the written word and reach the reader's heart. The rest of the title of this book, Finding God in the Disruptions of Life, is what attracted me to this work as I have felt many disruptions about the time of this book's release. 

The titles of each chapter are:

Reframing Uncertainty

Where Is God?

Shhh! Be Still

Breaking Habits

Help Me Decide

Practice Presence

Winning or Whining?

Beholding Beauty for the Big Picture

Rest When Shadowed by Worry

Named and Known

Gratitude Brings Focus to the Blur of Uncertainty

Remembering Restores Certainty.

The length of each chapter made it doable to read one a day, however, it would be possible to read more. By reading at this tempo I was able to reflect on what I had read throughout the day.

This book should remain on my bookshelf for a while, as I return to it to refresh the teachings that I have learned.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Catastrophes and Heroes by Jerry Borrowman

 

I found this book to be filled with events that I had never knew or knew little about. I admit I do like to read historical books and this one was well-written and kept me reading to the end. The author introduces the catastrophe and then builds up the anticipation to the event itself. Then, if there is help, it comes just as history tells it. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions stated are my own.

To Fetch a Felon by Jennifer Hawkins

 

I love cozy mysteries. This one is set in the small English town of Trevena. Being set in England just makes it dearer to me.

This is the first in the Chatty Corgi series. Emma Reed has plans to open a tea shop, however, this woman has the rare talent of being able to understand what Oliver, her Corgi, says.

Trevena has the usual stories however, there is one about the disappearance of a resident who was not liked by many. Nicholas Penhallow owned the building that Emma would like to make her tea shop. Now it seems the rumor mill believes that his wife may have killed him and burned his body in their bakery oven.

This isn't the only mystery in this small town. Emma no sooner arrived in town, than she found the dead body of the woman who was interfering with her purchasing the tea shop, Victoria Roberts. Oliver decides to aid his senses to help find out the truth behind this murder

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, stories set in England or those that include a dog.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions stated are my own. 

A Wicked Yarn by Emmie Caldwell

This first book in the series A Craft Fair Knitters Mystery combines two things that I love crafting and cozy mysteries. Emmie Caldwell, the author, has places Lia in Crandalsburgh after living in York. As she is getting acquainted with her new town she decides to have a booth displaying her knitting projects along with the Ninth Street Knitters at a historic barn. One of Lia's friends runs the craft fair, however there are problems when the barn has been bought by the friend's ex-husband. His plans do not include a craft fair, in fact, he wants to tear it down after the craft fair. When the friend, Belinda, arrives at the barn, she discovers her ex's dead body. Of course she is suspect number one.

I loved this book and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. 

I was given this book by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own. 

Confessions of a Curious Bookseller by Elizabeth Green

 

I enjoyed this book. Confessions of a Curious Bookseller tells the story of a daughter who tries to live up to her father's expectations for her. Fern is a nerdy by engaging bookstore owner who is facing changes all around herself. She considers her store to be a part of her home and her employees are more friends and family than workers. So when a bigger store comes not only to her town but to her block Fern has to find a way to survive. 

The story is told in a series of emails between Fern and her employees, family, the owner of the new store and all she deals with. You find out about her through these emails, her pen pal and diary entries. 

Elizabeth Green wrote a cute, easy-to-read story.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices by Cal Orey

 

This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I would much prefer to heal my body with herbs and spices than other medicines. This book is very informative and the photographs are beautiful.

I recommend it.

This book was given to me by NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook by Ashley Craft

I loved reading this book. YES, I said reading. This is more than a cookbook. I has recipes but it also has maps of the parks with the locations of the different food items marked.

Each of the recipes are easy to follow and some of them do use ingredients like cake mix but none of them are difficult. But what I loved was the history of the parks and the background information on each of the recipes.

If you have someone that enjoys Disney Parks, or enjoys cooking with few ingredients this would make a great gift.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.