The Girl's Still Got It

The Girl's Still Got It by Liz Curtis Higgs is an enlightening read about Ruth.  Loved the cover copy-take a walk with Ruth and the God who rocked her world.  This would make you read the book just by that.  I am a huge fiction reader but love how Liz writes, so I read her non fiction as well.
We travel with Ruth from Moab to Bethlehem and watch how God works in Ruth, Naomi and Boaz's lives. She has made this book of the bible so much more understandable and how God uses this rags-to-riches redemption story and how pertinent this is to my own life.

Love how she goes thru each chapter and thoroughly explains it and then throws a modern day Ruth in real life story in and how they tie together.  That was really a neat way to add to the storyline.

After reading this book you can never read the story of Ruth in the bible the same way after reading this book.  Liz has included a great study guide in the back of the book which is very helpful. Pleas look in the very back for a priceless rendition of the "Righteous Ruth Rap"--priceless and worth the price of the book just for it.

Thank to Waterbrook Press for my free copy just for my honest opinion.

Grace

Grace by Max Lucado is his latest book and it is another winner.  There are many books on this subject, but Max makes this topic so much more understandable with his unique writing style.  I am a huge Max fan and this book was "over the top" good.
He has enough grace to pardon every sin, solve every dilemma, wipe every tear, and answer every question.  It's more than we deserve and greater than we imagine.  If those sentences don't make you interested in reading this book, something is wrong.
I have highlighted most of this book since there are so many nuggets in these pages:

The meaning of life.  The wasted years of life.  The poor choices of life.  God answers the mess of life with one word: grace.
Grace comes after you.  It rewires you.  From insecure to God secure. From regret-riddled to better-because-of-it.  From afraid-to-die to ready-to-fly.  Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off.
To accept grace is to accept the vow to give it.

These are just a few of my favorite lines in this book, many, many more great stories also.
There is a great readers guide in the back of the book that I really enjoyed also.
So, get your highlighter out, a hot drink and be prepared to see grace in a new and wonderful light as your read this book
Thanks to Thomas Nelson for this free book just for my honest opinion.

Borders of the Heart

Chris Fabry has written another masterpiece-Borders of the Heart.  He is one talented writer that always gives the reader a great story that has interesting characters, great story lines, God's redemption in the story.  This one is unique and extremely good.

J.D. is near Tuscon trying to forget painful memories in his past.  He is working on an organic farm and there is one rule-see an illegal and call Border Patrol.  He finds a girl-Maria, in the desert near death and the story begins.  He hides her out and then realizes there are evil people trying to kill her. They are beginning a cat and mouse chase.  They are not sure who is the killer and are just trying to stay alive.
J.D. has secrets that collide with Maria's past and how in saving her, he can save himself.

This story will hook you from the beginning and not let up till the final page. Great story with a love story intertwined and lots of with God's mercy and grace thrown in.  Very interesting ending and a book you will enjoy.  In fact, read all of Chris Fabry's books-you will not be disappointed.

Thank you Tyndale for sending me this book free just for my honest opinion.

  Author Q&A and Borders of the Heart trailer: http://mediacenter.tyndale.com/1_products/details.asp?isbn=978-1-4143-4862-9.

Darkness Rising

Darkness Rising is the second book of the East Salem Trilogy and as the title suggests, it is truly a supernatural suspense book.  I am still trying to figure out if I liked it or not.  It was good is spots and in spots I felt lost.  This book continues the evil that lurks in East Salem except with a new twist.  Dani Harris is a forensic psychiatrist and Tommy Gunderson is a ex football player from the first book and they are romantically involved as this story continues. They are trying to uncover what is happening at the St. Adrian's Academy with strange events happening and a death. Dani and Tommy are given clues by an older lady who has researched  the supernatural forces at work in the town for generations. They must find out who and what is behind the evil and the battle of angels and demons come full force against each other throughout this story. When the unseen becomes  seen. faith is the only weapon strong enough to fight a battle of murder and betrayal and angels and demons.  More characters are enlisted to help this cause and a lot of science dealing with the brain, chemicals relating to autism and brain tumors left me completely in left field.  I found that part not very interesting and made the storyline drag for me.

The authors have researched the supernatural, angels and demons and crafted a supernatural suspense with a lot of historical parts woven in the story.  They did leave you hanging on the last page and now we have to wait a year till this storyline ends-bummer.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson for sending this book free of charge just for my honest opinion.

The Deposit Slip

Ten million dollars is missing after Erin Larson's fathers death. As she searches his deposit box at the bank, she finds a worn and tattered deposit slip saying he deposited that money in the bank.  The bank has no record-now what. That is the storyline from a new book by Todd Johnson.
Erin has hired lawyers in the past to help, but of no avail.  She hires Jared Neaton who really wants to help but wants the money more. He is up against a shady law firm who is making Jared's life and work extremely hard.  He wants to help Erin, but he could lose everything or he could gain a lot of money. As he digs deeper he discovers something very dangerous and the people who want this to never come to trial are making threats to both Jared and Erin. 
I found this a very good legal thriller, especially since the author is a lawyer.  The storyline kept my interest, but one thing bothered me.  Bethany is a Christian publisher and I found very little Christian emphasis or God working in their lives and that is what keeps me reading Christian fiction.  Otherwise, this is a well written book.
Thank you Bethany Publishers for sending me this book free just for my honest opinion.

The Reason

"Only Believe" has a new meaning for me after reading this astounding debut book by William Sirls. I was not prepared for what was to happen to me while reading this book.  I found myself identifying with some of the characters, their flaws, misgivings, doubts and just genuine questions. What surprised me was how engrossed in this book I became.  This was truly one book I did not want to end, it was that good.  I found myself smiling at the book, crying in spots and just loving the characters and the storyline. We all find ourselves asking the question: Where is God when bad things happen? Does God ignore the prayers of the faithful? These two questions were masterfully answered for the characters in this book.
The characters are unforgettable-James Lindy, the blind pastor of a small congregation amid adversity, can he "only believe?"  Macey Lewis is an oncologist helping five year old Alex battle aggressive leukemia.  Will she trust modern medicine or "only believe?" Carla's past is haunting her and is trying to learn to forgive-will she "only believe?" Brooke is Alex's mother who is fighting for her son's life and wants God to save him.  Can she  trust God and "only believe and he will be healed?  Kenneth, the carpenter is working on the new hospital wing and is "gifted" in restoring broken crosses, broken lives, restoring sight, but you have to read the book to find out his best "miracle".
I found myself highlighting parts of this book and here is an excerpt from the book.
Jim looked at Kenneth. " Can you tell us the reason why God does everything he does?"
Kenneth held up his fists and then slowly fanned his arms out to his sides.  "You know the reason, James Lindy."
"I know," Jim said.  "But I was hoping everyone could hear it from you."
The carpenter nodded and then uncoiled his fists, exposing his palms.
"The reason is God loves you."
This book has challenged me to live out my faith in a new and gifted way.  My heart has been forever changed and "only believe" has become more personal and one I will share more.
Thank you William Sirls for a superb book and please write more.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing this book free just for my honest opinion.