Christmas Roses by Amanda Cabot

The back cover of the short novel Christmas Roses by Amanda Cabot teases:

Celia Anderson doesn't have a husband on her Christmas wish list. But when a travelling carpenter finds lodging at her boardinghouse, she admits that she might remarry if she found the right man--the kind of man who would bring her roses for Christmas. It would take a miracle, though, to find roses during a harsh Wyoming winter.  But Christmas, after all, is the time for miracles . . .

I found this, my first book by Cabot to be a charming start to my Christmas season.  The characters are well developed and the pacing is quick even if somewhat predictable in outcome.

If you're looking for a bit of Christmas cheer, you will enjoy this winter tale.

I received a complimentary copy of this book to review from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.

 

My Journey to Heaven by M. Besteman

I don't spend great amounts of time thinking about the specifics of heaven.  I know that I know that I cannot begin to imagine it.  When I was given the opportunity to read Marvin Besteman's story, I couldn't resist.  Besteman was in the hospital after surgery to remove a pancreatic tumor.  He was in horrific pain.  He wanted nothing more than to escape the misery for awhile.

The back cover promises:

In My Journey to Heaven What I Saw and How It Changed My Life, Marv Besteman shares the true story of his experience of heaven with astounding detail. You'll meet the angels who accompanied him to the gate, overhear his conversation with St. Peter, and feel the joy as he recognizes friends and family members who touched his life.

I'm not sure what I was expecting, I suppose I thought I would learn something extraordinary.  Nothing in Besteman's words surprised me or seemed to share anything new.  There wasn't anything in his story that convinced me that he had really experienced what he says he experienced, and I am left feeling bad for all my doubting.  Was he dreaming, imagining, drawing on what he had seen and heard in his years of life?

There is much talk of Peter who he met at the gate to heaven; a gate made of dark wood, not pearls; dressed like the fisherman we read of in the gospel, with shaggy hair, not flowing robes and white tresses.  Peter had always been Besteman's favorite Bible character and I myself wouldn't mind the opportunity to stand in his presence and chat over what life with Jesus felt like from his perspective.  I truly wish I could grab hold of what this story shares and accept it as some sort of truth, not just Besteman's personal experience.

Somehow I think God just wants me to wait and see for myself, whenever that time comes.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The opinions I have expressed are my own.


 

Mary Magdalene by Diana Taylor

I have often wondered about the life of Mary Magdalene.  What was the story behind the story we read in the Word?  What happened in the life of this woman from Magdala?

Diana Wallis Taylor answered my questions in her new book Mary Magdalene, a novel, putting meat on bare bones.  Though much may be imagined, the parts of the story that have been recorded in the Bible held true.  I felt as if I was reading an amplified version of the Word, captivated from beginning to end.

If, like me, you have wanted to know more about Mary and all that Jesus healed and saved her from, don't miss this fast moving page turner.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The opinions I have expressed are my own.

 

Hiking Through by Paul Stutzman

The publisher's information page about Hiking Through: One Man's Journey to Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail by Paul Stutzman left me curious enough to want to read the book:

A life-changing journey begins with a single step.

After Paul Stutzman lost his wife to breast cancer, he sensed a tug on his heart--the call to a challenge, the call to pursue a dream. With a mixture of dread and determination, Paul left his job, traveled to Georgia, and took his first steps on the Appalachian Trail.

In Hiking Through, you'll join Paul on his remarkable 2,176-mile trip through fourteen states in search of peace and a renewed sense of purpose.

I was surprised and delighted by Paul's sense of humor, his keen eye, his humility and his love for the Lord.  He was able to share his doubts, fears and sometimes shaky faith in a way that moved and inspired me.

Paul invites us into the heart of his experience, so much so that I almost thought I felt the rain drenching me, the pains in my legs and the glorious breezes.  I almost wished I had the stamina and conditioning to join the adventure!

Even if you've never thought of hiking or other endurance adventures you will find much to enjoy in Paul's account of his time spent Hiking Through.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The opinions I have expressed are my own.
 

You're Already Amazing - Holley Gerth

When Holley Gerth's You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be became available I knew I was supposed to read it, certain that God would have something for me between the covers of this new book.

I admit that I'm like most other women I have met.  We never quite believe we measure up, never think we're good enough.  Holly's work here points the way to the truth of how God sees us, a reminder we all need.

What God wants most of all is you.  Just as you are.  Then he'll show you how he wants to use your life to partner with him in fulfilling his purposes.  It won't be a burden, but instead a glorious adventure - with plenty of room for mistakes, growth, and joy along the way.

This is more than mere preaching, more than just words on pages.  Holly offers exercises that help us focus our thoughts and discover what we believe about ourselves and our place in the life God created for us.

Dare to embrace who you are.  Dare to do those weird things you do.  Dare to trust God's whispers into your life more than the demands of the world around you about the "right way." You have the Holy Spirit within you, and he will show you what you need to change in a way that's gentle, life giving, and affirming.

When I first began reading, I was a bit skeptical. I do not like the "self-help" genre. I was happily surprised to find that this volume will not fit into that category, for it is indeed a "God-help" book, reminding all who read that He can do for us what we can not do for ourselves.

I can't think of any woman I know who would not benefit from a journey through this book!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

The Names of God Bible - Ann Spangler

I have not grown tired of spiritual things as I grow in my faith, but I find instead a greater hunger to know God more.  The publishers of The Names of God Bible by Ann Spangler say:

One of the best ways to get to know God on a deeper level is to know his names and titles as revealed in Scripture. Now the bestselling author of Praying the Names of God and Praying the Names of Jesus uncovers the richness of God's character and love found in his names right within the Bible text.

It appears that the arrival of this Bible was in perfect time, for I have been sensing God asking me study His names.

The original Hebrew names have been inserted where we are used to only seeing the translations "Lord" or "God" adding a richness not found in other editions.  I find myself understanding in a more profound way aspects of God's character.  There is a page on each of God's names that mention key places in scripture where the name is used, backgound information and other specifics connected to the name. 

One of my favourite features is the marked reading path for each name that leads me from the first passage where the name is revealed to the next and the next and so on.  I will find this useful as I plan to study each name, in depth.

I find the God's Word translation refreshing and the overall layout and print easy to read.

If you are searching for a way to draw closer to Yahweh, this should prove to be a helpful resource.

Bible has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The opinions I have expressed are my own.