Recently I read "Rock Harbor Search and Rescue," by Christian author Colleen Coble, a mystery written for middle school to pre-teen children.
Emily is the protagonist, a girl in her very early teens who faces the usual ups and downs of a young teenager. But Emily is unique in her interest in the Search and Rescue (SAR) that is an important facet of the Rock Harbor, a town bordering one of the Great Lakes. Her dream is to get a puppy of her own to train as a search and rescue dog, a dog that will help her with what she wants to be when she grows up: a search and rescue leader like her grown-up friend, Bree.
Emily's plans take a decidedly negative turn when suddenly she finds herself accused of a crime of theft that she didn't commit. The accusation puts Emily's dreams of getting a puppy to train in SAR on hold. Emily knows she is innocent, but how will she prove it?
This is a fun mystery. Of course for me it was a light read, as it's gauged for kids and young teens. But I was interested in checking out some of the new Christian fiction for kids and pre-teens. I was not disappointed, as I think the book would be appropriate for and enjoyed by this age group.
Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the free e-book copy of this book in order to procure my honest review!
Monday, May 13, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
All in Good Time: A Book Review
"All in Good Time" by Maureen Lang was a great read! I thought it might be good, given the description of it. The book has a different plot and a different location than any Christian historical fiction I recall having read, and honestly I'm quite glad it does!
Dessa Caldwell, the protagonist, understands what it is like to have a past darkened with mistakes. But she also knows personally what the grace of God can do to wash away her sins and give her a bright future. This knowledge spurs her forward in her dream to open Pierson House, a refuge for former prostitutes of all ages in the bustling new city of Denver, Colorado, a city pulling itself up by the roots from the gold rush that brought so many people and all of their foibles and sins to the city.
Henry Hawkins is the owner of the most successful bank in town but he, too, harbors secrets about his past. However, he does not know the grace of God or the extension of that grace through others, and the burdens of his past are an awful weight to bear.
What happens when Dessa and Henry collide? Will their hearts and lives be changed for the better? Will Dessa get to see the dream God has planted in her heart to help fallen women come true? And will Henry's life, solitary and cold, ever change?
Things I liked about this book: I really enjoyed the fact that it is a historical novel, and the period of history as well as the geographical location. I also appreciated the realness of the characters, flaws, misgivings, shame, joy and all.
Things I didn't like: None that come to mind.
I would give this book 4/5 stars! And I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates good Christian historical fiction with a strong but realistic undercurrent of true grace.
Thanks to Tyndale Publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Dessa Caldwell, the protagonist, understands what it is like to have a past darkened with mistakes. But she also knows personally what the grace of God can do to wash away her sins and give her a bright future. This knowledge spurs her forward in her dream to open Pierson House, a refuge for former prostitutes of all ages in the bustling new city of Denver, Colorado, a city pulling itself up by the roots from the gold rush that brought so many people and all of their foibles and sins to the city.
Henry Hawkins is the owner of the most successful bank in town but he, too, harbors secrets about his past. However, he does not know the grace of God or the extension of that grace through others, and the burdens of his past are an awful weight to bear.
What happens when Dessa and Henry collide? Will their hearts and lives be changed for the better? Will Dessa get to see the dream God has planted in her heart to help fallen women come true? And will Henry's life, solitary and cold, ever change?
Things I liked about this book: I really enjoyed the fact that it is a historical novel, and the period of history as well as the geographical location. I also appreciated the realness of the characters, flaws, misgivings, shame, joy and all.
Things I didn't like: None that come to mind.
I would give this book 4/5 stars! And I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates good Christian historical fiction with a strong but realistic undercurrent of true grace.
Thanks to Tyndale Publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Monday, May 6, 2013
Pay It Forward: A Morning of "Ordinary" Blessings
"You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.....You will be blessed coming in and blessed going out." - Deuteronomy 28:3,5
I'm nearly certain most of you have read or heard these verses from the Bible a time or two. I know I have. And I have gratefully witnessed the blessings of God poured into my life in various ways, big and small, since I first accepted Jesus into my life as my Savior and my Lord. But today I just have to share a little incident that reminded me in a bigger way than usual how much my God loves me and chooses to bless me in the city and in the country, coming in and going out! I am so thankful!
Today has been a rather ordinary day, the usual Monday, nothing too exciting. I had to run to the store to drop of a prescription at the pharmacy and pick up a few items while there. I ended up in line behind an elderly woman who seemed to be taking much longer than usual for dropping off a prescription. I was tired and wanted to be home more than anything, but I didn't feel impatient with her so much as I did with the pharmacy crew (there were several of them who seemed like they didn't have much to do and could have taken my prescription in a moment). So honestly, I felt a little impatient but I realized that's just the way it is sometimes, and waited for my turn.
The elderly lady turned to me after she was done and apologized, to which I of course smiled and honestly responded, "Oh, it's okay!" because I know in my heart that it's good for me to have to wait sometimes......it does build patience. And it was okay.
Fast forward about 25 or 30 minutes and I've found my small list of items, much smaller than my typical grocery run, a list including a book on sale that I'd been wanting to buy and was excited to find at a decent price at long last. I could have checked out on one side of the store, but decided that I wanted to try the one checkout that was open on the side I had entered originally. And there she was, the elderly lady who had been before me in line at the pharmacy! I smiled at her, feeling a little sheepish as I hoped she wouldn't think I had followed her, as of course I had not even expected to see her again.
Then the unexpected happened. I had barely begun to load my few items onto the express checkout belt when she looked at the cashier and said, "I would like to pay for her items, too!" I was stunned. I do mean stunned. I looked at her and quickly responded, "Oh no, you don't have to do that!" She smiled and laughingly said, "I know I don't have to but I'm going to!" So I thanked her profusely and said I'd never had anyone offer to pay for my groceries like that before, what a pleasant surprise. The cashier was as pleasantly surprised as I was, and both of us were beyond impressed. The cashier said, "Now that's pay it forward!" I smiled and said, "Yes, I will have to pay it forward!"
I told the elderly lady I would pray that God blessed her for her generosity and kindness. She was excited to get to treat me. And I was thrilled that someone would want to. And humbled by the fact that I had chosen to be sweet and smile at her both times I encountered her, because it really makes it easier all around if people would just be kind and respectful to each other.
So, how do I feel this morning? Blessed. It was not a massive grocery bill, and perhaps to some it would not seem so significant. But to me, it was a big deal. How often does the person in front of you choose to bless you, a random grocery shopper they don't know and probably never will? For me, it was the first time. I feel like God just wanted to brighten my day and remind me how much He loves me and looks after my most basic and yet critical needs......and He chose to show me through a willing, ordinary elderly lady who happened to be at the grocery and the pharmacy the exact same times as I. And I am so thankful . . . . . and excited to pay it forward.
I'm nearly certain most of you have read or heard these verses from the Bible a time or two. I know I have. And I have gratefully witnessed the blessings of God poured into my life in various ways, big and small, since I first accepted Jesus into my life as my Savior and my Lord. But today I just have to share a little incident that reminded me in a bigger way than usual how much my God loves me and chooses to bless me in the city and in the country, coming in and going out! I am so thankful!
Today has been a rather ordinary day, the usual Monday, nothing too exciting. I had to run to the store to drop of a prescription at the pharmacy and pick up a few items while there. I ended up in line behind an elderly woman who seemed to be taking much longer than usual for dropping off a prescription. I was tired and wanted to be home more than anything, but I didn't feel impatient with her so much as I did with the pharmacy crew (there were several of them who seemed like they didn't have much to do and could have taken my prescription in a moment). So honestly, I felt a little impatient but I realized that's just the way it is sometimes, and waited for my turn.
The elderly lady turned to me after she was done and apologized, to which I of course smiled and honestly responded, "Oh, it's okay!" because I know in my heart that it's good for me to have to wait sometimes......it does build patience. And it was okay.
Fast forward about 25 or 30 minutes and I've found my small list of items, much smaller than my typical grocery run, a list including a book on sale that I'd been wanting to buy and was excited to find at a decent price at long last. I could have checked out on one side of the store, but decided that I wanted to try the one checkout that was open on the side I had entered originally. And there she was, the elderly lady who had been before me in line at the pharmacy! I smiled at her, feeling a little sheepish as I hoped she wouldn't think I had followed her, as of course I had not even expected to see her again.
Then the unexpected happened. I had barely begun to load my few items onto the express checkout belt when she looked at the cashier and said, "I would like to pay for her items, too!" I was stunned. I do mean stunned. I looked at her and quickly responded, "Oh no, you don't have to do that!" She smiled and laughingly said, "I know I don't have to but I'm going to!" So I thanked her profusely and said I'd never had anyone offer to pay for my groceries like that before, what a pleasant surprise. The cashier was as pleasantly surprised as I was, and both of us were beyond impressed. The cashier said, "Now that's pay it forward!" I smiled and said, "Yes, I will have to pay it forward!"
I told the elderly lady I would pray that God blessed her for her generosity and kindness. She was excited to get to treat me. And I was thrilled that someone would want to. And humbled by the fact that I had chosen to be sweet and smile at her both times I encountered her, because it really makes it easier all around if people would just be kind and respectful to each other.
So, how do I feel this morning? Blessed. It was not a massive grocery bill, and perhaps to some it would not seem so significant. But to me, it was a big deal. How often does the person in front of you choose to bless you, a random grocery shopper they don't know and probably never will? For me, it was the first time. I feel like God just wanted to brighten my day and remind me how much He loves me and looks after my most basic and yet critical needs......and He chose to show me through a willing, ordinary elderly lady who happened to be at the grocery and the pharmacy the exact same times as I. And I am so thankful . . . . . and excited to pay it forward.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Moon Over Edisto: A Review
Moon Over Edisto by Beth Webb Hart was such an amazingly good read! I wasn't absolutely sure how good it would be when I read the short description while searching for a book to review. But let me tell you, this book far exceeded my expectations!
Julia has faced several heartbreaking situations in her life, situations many never have to face. She has loved and lost. And now, when she is asked to do the unexpected and to step far outside of her comfort zone, she finds inner strength that she did not even know she possessed. Will she also find something else along the way? Something lasting?
I give this book 5/5 stars! Yes, it's that good!
What I loved about the book: I loved the characters. So very real, even where human emotions are concerned, difficult ones like bitterness, resentment, fear, longing, happiness, grief, etc.
What I didn't like so much: I don't know. I don't think there was anything I didn't like, except perhaps that I wished it was a longer book and had more at the end!
Thank you to BookSneeze for giving me a free copy of this book in order to procure my review. Please note that all opinions expressed are original and honest.
Julia has faced several heartbreaking situations in her life, situations many never have to face. She has loved and lost. And now, when she is asked to do the unexpected and to step far outside of her comfort zone, she finds inner strength that she did not even know she possessed. Will she also find something else along the way? Something lasting?
I give this book 5/5 stars! Yes, it's that good!
What I loved about the book: I loved the characters. So very real, even where human emotions are concerned, difficult ones like bitterness, resentment, fear, longing, happiness, grief, etc.
What I didn't like so much: I don't know. I don't think there was anything I didn't like, except perhaps that I wished it was a longer book and had more at the end!
Thank you to BookSneeze for giving me a free copy of this book in order to procure my review. Please note that all opinions expressed are original and honest.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Sick of Being Sick: How Being Sick Makes Being Well That Much Better
Dear Friends,
Of late I've barely found the energy to do much beside the basics.....cooking on a per-needed basis, laundry, school work and projects and papers for graduate studies. That's about it. Sprinkle in a little reading for relaxation and that's my life right now. Oh and sleeping. Because once I was finally able to sleep again I made certain to sleep a little more than usual to try and recover. Did I mention I've been sick? Because I have. Very, very sick for several days. Sicker than I can really ever recall being with any sort of stomach flu. Just finally starting to feel a little recovered when I had to go to the Emergency Room for severe and excruciating pains in my stomach and radiating into my back, so bad that I literally could barely breathe and was crying out from the pain. Apparently it was not my gallbladder (thankfully), a conclusion made after many, many tests and hours upon hours of being in the ER, drugged and "out of it." It was supposedly complications with the acid reflux/GERD I've battled for several years. Trust me when I say, I had NO idea that acid reflux could become that complicated. That painful. Since then I've been put on four very strong medications for a 10-day treatment, in an effort apparently to clear all the bad out and heal up what needs healing, etc. I am praying that the meds do what they are supposed to do . . . . because right now, in the first 1/3 of the treatment, I am hating all the side effects. I feel almost as bad from those as I did when I was so very, very sick a little over a week ago from the terribly violent stomach flu strain I picked up somehow. When I'm feeling "good" I'm still fatigued, dizzy and nauseated.
Has it been a rough 1.5 weeks? Yes, to say the least. On so many fronts. To be quite honest, I feel like the enemy just decided to take the biggest swing possible at me. I have no idea why. But when these massive tsunami force storms of life come my way, I like to dwell on the possibility that God has something even bigger and better (and I do mean positive) in store for me, waiting in the wings . . . .and perhaps that bigger and better something is precisely why the enemy is trying to take me down, yet again. Of course he doesn't want me to have what God has for me. And we know he is loaded with discouragement to hand us by the fistfuls. I have fought that discouragement this whole time. I have prayed and I am still praying. And it does help me get through and to feel excited when I think that God has something (whatever that may be, be it a physical blessing or a spiritual one) better in store for me!
Perhaps you don't agree with my train of thought here. That's okay. You don't have to. I respect your thoughts on why these tsunami storms blow into our lives, and how important it is to deal with them even while we keep our eyes and hearts turned toward our Heavenly Father in faith. But I am pretty certain you will agree with me when I say this . . . . have you ever noticed how absolutely marvelous it is to feel well after you've been ill? Just stay with me for a moment. I think honestly that's the only upside to ever being sick; the getting-well. The recovered. The happy and healthy. Because it's much like when the sky has been gray and gloomy for days on end and the sun finally bursts through the clouds and fills the air with golden life. You realize just how much you missed the sunshine, and how much it means to you.
While I'm not quite there yet, not recovered and so I cannot say that I'm fully healthy and happy to be so, I feel I am on my way there. I'm partway there. And for that, I'm so very happy. I'm glad for the little bit of health I've gained back and I'm anticipating being all well again . . . . because that will be the sunshine for me after a very long, very dark period of stormy weather.
Here's hoping your life is full of golden sunshine! But if you are going through a stormy period, please remember . . . . the sun will shine again. And when it does, you will notice it more than ever before!
Of late I've barely found the energy to do much beside the basics.....cooking on a per-needed basis, laundry, school work and projects and papers for graduate studies. That's about it. Sprinkle in a little reading for relaxation and that's my life right now. Oh and sleeping. Because once I was finally able to sleep again I made certain to sleep a little more than usual to try and recover. Did I mention I've been sick? Because I have. Very, very sick for several days. Sicker than I can really ever recall being with any sort of stomach flu. Just finally starting to feel a little recovered when I had to go to the Emergency Room for severe and excruciating pains in my stomach and radiating into my back, so bad that I literally could barely breathe and was crying out from the pain. Apparently it was not my gallbladder (thankfully), a conclusion made after many, many tests and hours upon hours of being in the ER, drugged and "out of it." It was supposedly complications with the acid reflux/GERD I've battled for several years. Trust me when I say, I had NO idea that acid reflux could become that complicated. That painful. Since then I've been put on four very strong medications for a 10-day treatment, in an effort apparently to clear all the bad out and heal up what needs healing, etc. I am praying that the meds do what they are supposed to do . . . . because right now, in the first 1/3 of the treatment, I am hating all the side effects. I feel almost as bad from those as I did when I was so very, very sick a little over a week ago from the terribly violent stomach flu strain I picked up somehow. When I'm feeling "good" I'm still fatigued, dizzy and nauseated.
Has it been a rough 1.5 weeks? Yes, to say the least. On so many fronts. To be quite honest, I feel like the enemy just decided to take the biggest swing possible at me. I have no idea why. But when these massive tsunami force storms of life come my way, I like to dwell on the possibility that God has something even bigger and better (and I do mean positive) in store for me, waiting in the wings . . . .and perhaps that bigger and better something is precisely why the enemy is trying to take me down, yet again. Of course he doesn't want me to have what God has for me. And we know he is loaded with discouragement to hand us by the fistfuls. I have fought that discouragement this whole time. I have prayed and I am still praying. And it does help me get through and to feel excited when I think that God has something (whatever that may be, be it a physical blessing or a spiritual one) better in store for me!
Perhaps you don't agree with my train of thought here. That's okay. You don't have to. I respect your thoughts on why these tsunami storms blow into our lives, and how important it is to deal with them even while we keep our eyes and hearts turned toward our Heavenly Father in faith. But I am pretty certain you will agree with me when I say this . . . . have you ever noticed how absolutely marvelous it is to feel well after you've been ill? Just stay with me for a moment. I think honestly that's the only upside to ever being sick; the getting-well. The recovered. The happy and healthy. Because it's much like when the sky has been gray and gloomy for days on end and the sun finally bursts through the clouds and fills the air with golden life. You realize just how much you missed the sunshine, and how much it means to you.
While I'm not quite there yet, not recovered and so I cannot say that I'm fully healthy and happy to be so, I feel I am on my way there. I'm partway there. And for that, I'm so very happy. I'm glad for the little bit of health I've gained back and I'm anticipating being all well again . . . . because that will be the sunshine for me after a very long, very dark period of stormy weather.
Here's hoping your life is full of golden sunshine! But if you are going through a stormy period, please remember . . . . the sun will shine again. And when it does, you will notice it more than ever before!
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Psalms 84:10-12 (bold added)
Saturday, April 13, 2013
One Glorious Ambition: The Compassionate Crusade of Dorothea Dix
"It was a massive challenge to affect the lives of others while maintaining the private life required of a proper Boston woman. She felt her heart quicken. Howe echoed what Channing had once told her, about every person being our brother's -- or sister's -- keeper. She gleaned a certainty she hadn't known before. Here at last might be her glorious ambition." (One Glorious Ambition, pg. 200)
This book is a fictional novel based on a real person, Dorothea Dix, who lived in 1800s America. She always felt she had been created for a purpose, a God-given purpose and was driven to fulfill it. Eventually she realized her "one glorious ambition." In helping others, she helped herself overcome a life of sadness, loss, and rejection. In reaching out to the orphaned and dejected, she helped herself cope with being an orphan first in all ways that mattered and then for real, overcoming abandonment and stern criticism from her family. This is an inspiring story of someone who took the pain and loss that could turn a person into a bitter recluse and molded it, with God's help, into a life of great good. From helping her own family to teaching poor children to reaching out to the mentally unstable and rejects of society, Dorothea Dix chose to live a life well spent.
Things I liked about this book: I loved the story line, the main character. It was inspirational.
Things I didn't like so much: It seemed to run a little long on some of the details about federal government, house and senate, etc. Otherwise there's nothing I didn't like.
I would give this book 4/5 stars.
To check out the author's website, visit Jane Kirkpatrick here.
Thank you to Blogging for Books for a complimentary copy of this book in order to procure my honest review. Please note that all opinions expressed are my own. You can purchase your own copy of this book from several retailers, including Amazon by clicking here. You can also find other reviews for this book and the author's page this way. If you'd care to rate my review, please visit Blogging for Books and search for Rachel Rudin under Bloggers by clicking here.
This book is a fictional novel based on a real person, Dorothea Dix, who lived in 1800s America. She always felt she had been created for a purpose, a God-given purpose and was driven to fulfill it. Eventually she realized her "one glorious ambition." In helping others, she helped herself overcome a life of sadness, loss, and rejection. In reaching out to the orphaned and dejected, she helped herself cope with being an orphan first in all ways that mattered and then for real, overcoming abandonment and stern criticism from her family. This is an inspiring story of someone who took the pain and loss that could turn a person into a bitter recluse and molded it, with God's help, into a life of great good. From helping her own family to teaching poor children to reaching out to the mentally unstable and rejects of society, Dorothea Dix chose to live a life well spent.
Things I liked about this book: I loved the story line, the main character. It was inspirational.
Things I didn't like so much: It seemed to run a little long on some of the details about federal government, house and senate, etc. Otherwise there's nothing I didn't like.
I would give this book 4/5 stars.
To check out the author's website, visit Jane Kirkpatrick here.
Thank you to Blogging for Books for a complimentary copy of this book in order to procure my honest review. Please note that all opinions expressed are my own. You can purchase your own copy of this book from several retailers, including Amazon by clicking here. You can also find other reviews for this book and the author's page this way. If you'd care to rate my review, please visit Blogging for Books and search for Rachel Rudin under Bloggers by clicking here.
Monday, April 1, 2013
The Heiress of Winterwood: A Book Review
The beautiful cover of this book as well as the brief description of it caught my attention. This is a book for lovers of novels by the famous Jane Austen, or for any bookworm who loves a good mix of human striving, romance, adventure, a touch of suspense and a good dose of Christianity in a very authentic way. This book was far from cheesy or the usual Christian romantic fiction! I loved it!
The protagonist, Amelia, is a very real character. I was able to relate to her and to Graham, very much a supporting character, throughout the book and more so as the story progressed. Amelia gave her word to her dear and dying friend that she would raise and love her friend's baby. But her promise could mean a life of misery and extreme sacrifice for her, or worse . . . . Through the course of the book, her faith in God and in herself and others is tested repeatedly. Will she stand through the trials? Will she find true and commendable love? And will she be able to give the loving home she desires to the baby her dear friend left behind?
You'd have to read The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah Ladd to see for yourself how it all wraps up! But trust me when I say, you will be ever so glad you did! I give the book 5/5 stars!
Thanks to Booksneeze for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please note that all opinions expressed are original.
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