ALABASTER

Maryam is stuck in an abusive marriage, living with her in-laws in a conservative, toxically religious village. A few years back, her father was given a jar of priceless perfume by a dying leper and it seemed as if their fortunes would improve, but then Maryam's father contracted leprosy and was exiled from the village. Maryam and her siblings, Eleazar and Marta, experience the shame and ostracism this brings. The precious jar that was meant to bring them freedom has only brought destruction. But rumors abound concerning a new doctor; perhaps hope is on the horizon...

Alabaster brings a biblical-era Middle Eastern village and its culture to life for modern-day readers.

My thoughts...

A beautifully written story with the best characters, the perfect setting, and informative about the way people lived in that time and area. I loved the twists that came along at just the right times. Fifteen year old Maryam’s life is so sorrowful, her beloved father has a disease and he has been banished from the village, her husband is abusive…women were treated so badly. This is fiction but there were biblical characters that woven into the story. Great book!

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reclaiming the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation: Find True Peace in Jesus

Do you long to deepen your intimacy with the Lord? To find a sense of soul-steadying peace? To develop emotional strength? Then you will need to pause long enough to be still and know He is God. Trusted Pastor Robert Morgan leads us through a journey into biblical meditation, which, he says, is thinking Scripture—not just reading Scripture or studying Scripture or even thinking about Scripture—but thinking Scripture, contemplating, visualizing, and personifying the precious truths God has given us.

The practice is as easy and portable as your brain, as available as your imagination, as near as your Bible, and the benefits are immediate. As you ponder, picture, and personalize God’s Word, you begin looking at life through His lens, viewing the world from His perspective. And as your thoughts become happier and holier and brighter, so do you.

My thoughts...

The book has lots of information on how to meditate on scripture, the author has had problems with fearful thoughts and finds that by meditating on scripture he overcomes those thoughts and is left with peace. I firmly believe that the word of God can help us get through tough times but without an understanding of the difference of meditating on Gods word vs the world’s interpretation you can get confused. The author does a good job of explaining what true scriptural meditation is. Good information and a guide the reader can use.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

SMALL ADMISSIONS

One admission can change your life...forever.

When ambitious grad student Kate Pearson’s handsome French “almost fiancé” ditches her, she definitely does not roll with the punches, despite the best efforts of family and friends. It seems that nothing will get Kate out of pajamas and back into the world.

Miraculously, one cringe-worthy job interview leads to a position in the admissions department at the revered Hudson Day School. Kate’s instantly thrown into a highly competitive and occasionally absurd culture, where she interviews all types of children: suitable, wildly unsuitable, charming, loathsome, ingratiating, or spoiled beyond all measure. And then there are the Park Avenue parents who refuse to take no for an answer.

As Kate begins to learn there’s no room for self-pity or nonsense during the height of admissions season or life itself, her sister and friends find themselves keeping secrets, dropping bombshells, and arguing with each other about how to keep Kate on her feet. Meanwhile, Kate seems to be doing very nicely, thank you, and is even beginning to find out that her broken heart is very much on the mend. Welcome to the world of Small Admissions.

My thoughts...

Loved this witty, entertaining book. Absolutely loved the harebrained characters and the things they come up with, the things that drive people can be surprising to some and totally familiar to others. The main character, Kate, interviews prospects for admission to private school and these prospects along with their parents can be outrageous and hilarious. Definitely a lighthearted read I would recommend for all ages.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

DREAM VESSEL

Every night 7.2 billion people retreat into the realm of Dreams.

Dreaming is the universal experience.

Dream Vessel is the first-hand account of my attempt to escape God's call and His response to me defection. My experience illustrates how God speaks to "all flesh" through prophecy, dreams and visions.

The excerpts from my personal journals reveal:

• Characteristics of God-given dreams

• Unique qualities of visions

• Mysteries of God's symbolism

• Nature of prophetic gifts

It has always been God's intention to speak to us directly, just as He did in the Garden of Eden. Ours was an intimate relationship. The personal revelations I share will help you discover:

• Your glory

• Your Calling

• God's assignment

We were all designed to receive and interpret the messages of God's divine impartation. The spiritual gifts of prophecy, dreams and visions are to help us recognizes God's plan for our future when it manifest.

My thoughts...

This is pretty much a how to book on keeping a dream journal and interpretation of those dreams. Based on the author’s personal story about how she ran from her calling only to finally embrace it and is interested in teaching others. Whether you believe in prophetic dreams or not depends on how much you can get out of the book.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

ONE GOOD THING

Before you can fix it up, you might have to tear it down...

Embroiled in a battle to regain control of their renovation-turned-reality TV show, Do Over, Maddie, Avery, Nikki, and Kyra find themselves holding tight to the frayed ends of their friendship and relationships.

Maddie must face the realities of dating a rock star once again topping the charts and deal with her hapless ex-husband, while Avery is caught up in family drama even as she attempts to transform a tiny cottage into a home for the newly impoverished heiress who helped bankroll their last renovation. Put on bedrest, a hugely pregnant Nikki can’t quite believe love can last, or trust in her own maternal instinct. And Kyra, who has secretly put Bella Flora at risk in an attempt to salvage Do Over, must decide whether to accept a desperately needed bail out from her son’s famous father that comes with far too many strings attached…

But friendship is made for times like these, to keep each other—and their dreams—from crumbling.

My thoughts...

I have liked all of Wendy’s books and this one doesn’t disappoint me either. She tells a story in such a way that makes you love the characters and wish you were a part of the crowd. The TEN BEACH ROAD series is so so good I don’t ever want it to end. The words flow, the setting is beautiful, and the daily lives of those involved is familiar. These women don’t just sit back and take everything! Love their wit.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

INVITATION by Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt, and Alton Gansky

In the first cycle of the Harbinger series, four strangers discover they have extraordinary gifts and are brought together to fight a growing darkness. Meet the members of the Harbingers team—each written by an acclaimed author—in four linked episodes! Fast-paced and ongoing, this thrilling suspense collection reads like your favorite TV series.

​My thoughts...

Definitely a different type of book than I normally read, I really liked the characters and their interactions and the way the writers brought everyone together in each chapter. The writing styles of the authors fit together so well which made the story flow as though written by one person. The supernatural theme is interesting but just not my favorite genre. If you're into the supernatural you'll enjoy this book.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

LIFE AFTER by Katie Ganshert

On the day of a late spring storm, in Chicago, Autumn Manning boarded an “L” train. A bomb explodes, killing everyone in the train car except for Autumn—the sole survivor. A year has passed and Autumn suffocates under a blanket of what ifs and the pressing desire to bring the victims back to life, every day, if only for her. She doesn’t want their stories to be forgotten. She wants to undo what cannot be undone. An unexpected ally joins her efforts, also seeking answers and trying to find a way to stumble ahead.

But one victim’s husband, Paul Elliott, prays to let the dead—and their secrets—rest in peace, undisturbed and unable to hurt his loved ones. Caught between loss and hope, these restless souls must release the past to embrace a sovereign God.

​My thoughts...

Katie is such a good story teller, this is another great book. She really leaves you with an understanding of what the characters are feeling after such a disaster and how one woman's recovery touches the lives of so many and facilitates healing. Not to mention trying to understand why you lived and others didn't.

I was so happy with the way the book ended, how the story was told, and how the relationship between the main characters developed. Very enjoyable.

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.