Answering the Toughest Questions About God and the Bible (Review)

This review is for the book "Answering the Toughest Questions about God and the Bible" by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz. I think the title is pretty self-explanatory because that is the goal of this book. There are awesome questions covered in this book, each taking up a chapter. Questions about the trinity, why the Bible is hard to understand, and the differences between God and Jesus. Each chapter is chock-full of interesting information and answers to these questions, with lots of questions for the reader to use to self-reflect. A lot of great scripture is used to help find the answers.

One con of this book - it didn't really seem that unique to me. I feel like I could throw a rock in a Christian bookstore and find several books like this. But I will say this book was very interesting and an engaging, easy-to-read format.

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book.

Most Important Women (Review)

This review is for the book "The Most Important Women of the Bible" by Aaron and Elaina Sharp. I loved this book! Every chapter that I finished, I couldn't wait to move on to the next one! Each chapter focuses on a woman in the Bible (or a group, like "Mary and Martha"). There is a nice quote about each woman, and then the scripture reference where we can find her. The authors give us her biography - as much as they can - and then her role in redemption, which really digs into the scripture. One really cool thing about this book that I have never seen before was something at the end of each chapter. The authors would say "By the Numbers" and then have some very interesting statistics. For example, when talking about the widow who gave two mites, at the end of the chapter, it says "Mites placed by the widow in the temple collection: 2. Minutes of labor it took to make two mites: 5." which was very interesting! Then with each chapter they also had "things we wondered" which were really intriguing questions!

I highly recommend this book. I think everyone who reads it will really enjoy it!

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book.

Too Far Down (Review)

This review is for the book "Too Far Down" by Mary Connealy. I have read a handful of her books and really enjoyed them all. I read the first book in this series, somehow missed the second book, and then read this - the third book. I am sure I would have liked the second book, but it wasn't necessary to read that before reading this one. This is part of her The Cimarron Legacy series. In this book, Cole Boden has returned to his family ranch because of his father's living will. He enjoys running the mines, but something is going on that is targeting his family and some of the miners. He has to solve the mystery of what is happening before his entire family gets attacked. Melanie Blake, a family friend, is also around and is determined to help the Bodens. Unfortunately for both Cole and Melanie, they find themselves falling for one another, even though they are an unlikely couple.

Great story with twists and turns and I really like the characters!

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book.

Living the Spirit Formed Life (Review)

This review is for the book "Living the Spirit-Formed Life" by Jack Hayford. In this book, the author talks about how we have such busy lives where we are so easily distracted, and how that means that we often overlook the work of tending to our spiritual lives. I think this was a great book and very well laid out. He goes over ten disciplines we can have in order to be firmer in our faith. These are things such as finding forgiveness, reading your Bible, and being submissive when appropriate. I really enjoyed the discussions that he had and felt that he used scripture correctly to go over these disciplines.

Thank you to Chosen Publishers for a copy of the book.

The Proving (Review)

This review is for the book "The Proving" by Beverly Lewis. I love Beverly Lewis and this book did not disappoint me at all. In this book, we meet Amanda Dienner. Mandy was raised Amish but she was never baptized into the church and she has been living as an Englisher for the past five years. She is shocked to learn one day that her mother has passed away and left an entire Amish bed and breakfast to Mandy. What's more, this comes with a stipulation that Mandy must keep the bed and breakfast profitable for 12 months, or she won't inherit it. Mandy takes a deep breath and goes back to the community she left. She has to face her family, her old friends, and come to the realization that these people really want the Amish experience - some of which she has forgotten! It's a struggle and a journey for Mandy throughout the 12 months. I loved this book and I enjoyed the characters and storyline a lot.

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book.

Dark Deception (Review)

This review is for the book "Dark Deception" by Nancy Mehl. This is the second book in the Defenders of Justice series, but I easily read it without reading the first in the series. In this book, we see Kate O'Brien. She is the key witness in a murder trial, and so she is in witness protection in a small town called Shelter Cove. When the evidence gets thrown out of the trial, her would-be murderer is let out of prison, and he is on the hunt for Kate. Tony DeLuca is the deputy marshal who was her protector during the trial, and Kate only feels safe when he's around.

This book has so many twists and turns, your head will be spinning! I thought I knew who the bad guy was, then I thought I knew again, and then I quit trusting this guy over here, and then I thought it might be this guy over here... wow! What a story. I really enjoyed the characters of this book and all the twists and turns. I read this book in two nights because I couldn't put it down. Really great read that will keep you interested the whole way.

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book.

The Two of Us (Review)

This review is for the book "The Two of Us" by Victoria Bylin. In this book, we meet Mia Robinson. She has had her heart broken one too many times, so she's sworn off men and she's focusing now on being a medical missionary. Suddenly, though, her 18-year old sister becomes pregnant and decides to get married, and Mia puts her plans on hold to try to help Lucy through this big step. Meanwhile, Lucy's husband has a friend named Jake who is a former police officer. Mia and Jake hit it off, which makes her life that much more difficult. She ends up trying to decide if she wants to see where her relationship with Jake goes or if she wants to fulfill her dream of being a medical missionary.

I really liked the characters in this book - they struggle with doubt, and they're honest about how they're feeling. Mia is torn because she wants to be with Jake but she thinks she's not trusting in God if she doesn't do the medical missionary gig. Lucy wants to trust God, but she's afraid of health issues that come with being pregnant. It's just a great story with romance thrown in there. Can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book.

Lifestyle of a Watchman (Review)

This review is for the book "The Lifestyle of a Watchman" by James W. Goll. In this book, Goll takes the reader on a 21-day journey to being a mature prayer intercessor. Goll does a fantastic job of pointing out scriptural references to intercessory prayer and using examples of people from the Bible, and then switching to people who use intercessory prayer in modern times. Every chapter ends with a suggested prayer for the reader to pray, and then questions for you to ask yourself and dig deeper. I really liked the stories he used for examples of intercessory prayer. The chapters go over so many situations, such as praying in a crisis, not giving up when you feel like you've been praying for so long, how to fast, how to trust in God for answers, and so on.

I really enjoyed this book and think others would like it as well.

Thank you to Chosen Publishers for a copy of the book.

A Name Unknown (Review)

This review is for the book "A Name Unknown" by Roseanna White. This is the first book in the Shadows of England series. In this book, we meet Rosemary Gresham, who has no family to speak of except the other thieves who have become her family. She actually lives with all of them and they have taught themselves to be "high-class" thieves so that they can survive. Rosemary is quite good at her job, and she is given a job which will really help the family if she succeeds.

She is sent to the home of Peter Holstein to find out some secrets about him. She has to pretend to be a librarian so that she can work for him. The time is drawing near to England being involved in WWI, and many people are afraid of Holstein because of his German name. Rosemary has to find out where his loyalties lie, and she also has to try to keep safe, because someone is out to get either her or Peter. They're both in danger. Not only that, but in the midst of trying to find out his secrets, they are actually starting to fall for one another.

I really liked the characters in this book, and the story, even though I was a little confused at Peter's present-day relationship with Germany, as well as why so many people hated him so much. But I truly enjoyed reading the book and I'd like to read more in the series.

Thank you to Bethany House and Litfuse Publicity for a copy of the book.

Essential Guide to Prayer (Review)

This review is for the book "The Essential Guide to Prayer" by Dutch Sheets. This entire book is on the power of intercessory prayer. He begins by talking about why this is such a priority, and goes into how to be an intercessor and why this is so important. He uses scripture to show great intercessors in the Bible, and how we can use that power today. Every chapter ends with a section called "Did You Understand?" where there are discussion questions to help you think about each chapter more in depth. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those wanting to learn more about intercessory prayer and why it is so important.

Thank you to Chosen Publishers for a copy of the book.

Winning the Battle (Review)

This review is for the book "Winning the Battle for the Night" by Faith Blatchford. This book focuses on God's intent for nighttime, sleep, and rest. Our world is so fast-paced that many of us struggle with nighttime anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, or brains that just won't quit. We don't get the rest we need, and then we are more vulnerable to anger, mood swings, and even throwing off our appetites and desire to be healthy.

One of the best things I read in this book that I had never thought of is that the dark doesn't belong to the devil. God created the darkness, and it therefore belongs to him. I am safe in the darkness because it belongs to God. His angels watch over me during the night. These are all promises that I can rely on when I am restless or afraid at night.

I really liked the premise of this book and I think that a lot of people could really use this to reclaim their sleep.

Thank you to Chosen Publishers for a copy of the book.

True to You (Review)

This review is for the book "True to You" by Becky Wade. I think I have read nearly all of the books she has written, if not all. I love her fun style of writing. She makes it easy to enjoy reading her books. This particular book is the first in her Bradford Sisters Romance series.

We meet Nora, who is a genealogist and the complete opposite of a risk-taker - especially after a tough breakup three years ago. John Lawson is a former Navy SEAL and seems to be everything that Nora isn't. But he needs her help because he found out he has an inherited condition, and he is adopted. He asks Nora to help him find his biological parents. As they begin to work together, a relationship starts to form. But they're so different, and both of them have some qualms from previous relationships. They are going to have to work through those to form a solid relationship.

I love the characters and the plot. This book is different from any other stories I've read, so I like the uniqueness of it.

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book.

Spiritual Warfare (Review)

This review is for the book "Spiritual Warfare for the End Times" by Derek Prince. I have read several books by Derek Prince and I do appreciate his perspective on challenging topics. Prince starts off by talking about what exactly evil is and how Satan works. He basically says if we don't learn how to overcome evil, evil will overcome us. He explains how Satan attempts to destroy us, but because we have victory in Jesus, we can overcome this. He goes over the church's responsibility and how we need to not only learn how to do this in our personal lives, but as a church body. It was a very interesting book and I enjoyed reading his perspective on this topic.

Thank you to Chosen Books for a copy of the book.

Counterfeit Comforts (Review)

This review is for the book "Counterfeit Comforts" by Robia Scott. This book was so, so good, and talked to me about something I didn't even realize I needed help with. Scott points out that we all have a familiar go-to stress reliever - a glass of wine, ice cream, a television show, online shopping, etc. These are fine for temporary relief, but none of them can leave us with a lasting satisfaction. And some of them lead to harmful and addictive behaviors.

In this book, she talks about overcoming her own counterfeit comforts and encourages readers to make it past these temporary "feel-good" situations and find more permanent peace. Sometimes that means letting go of people, changing your thought process, and self-evaluate. She gives really great steps on how to do all of these things and find a more permanent comfort in your relationship with God.

Thank you to Chosen Publishers for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Conspiracy of Silence Review

This review is for the book "Conspiracy of Silence" by Ronie Kendig. This is a book from the series "The Tox Files". In this book, there is a centuries-old disease that is unleashed, and Cole "Tox" Russell is the one who is called into action. He gets together his old Special Forces team to work with trained archaeologists and FBI experts to find a cure, before the plague spreads too rapidly.

This is a book that will definitely interest you if you like some mystery, military force, global ties, and romance all wrapped up in one novel. I did find it a bit hard to get into, and there is a lot of background on the characters that would probably be clearer if I had read any of the previous novels in the series.

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book.

Amish Weddings (Review)

This review is for the book "Amish Weddings" by Leslie Gould. This is book three in the Neighbors of Lancaster County series, but you could easily read this as a standalone novel. It was really good. It was actually pretty unexpectedly juicy for an Amish romance novel! In this book, we meet Rose Lehman, who is set to marry the bishop's son, Reuben Byler. Then Rose meets an Army buddy of her sister's beau, and she can't help but be attracted to him. He seems so much more attractive than her boyfriend, and he seems to like her. It's hard to say no when he wants to spend time with her. Then Rose's sister Lila is in an awful accident, and Rose has a bit more freedom than usual. She has to decide how to use that freedom and make some difficult decisions.

This book was great. The plot was really unusual for an Amish novel, but it was also a situation that probably isn't very unusual in real life. I love that there is redemption found in this novel. I enjoyed the characters a lot as well. I would definitely recommend this book and I would like to read the rest of the series as well.

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book.

12 Blessings (Review)

This review is for the book "Receiving the 12 Blessings of Israel" by Paul Thangiah. In this book, Thangiah goes through each blessing that Jacob gave to his 12 sons and he parallels them with the blessings that Moses gave the 12 tribes. He then shows how we can apply that to our lives today. Thangiah is a pastor in India and throughout the book he describes many miracles, blessings, and answered prayers that have come his way. It was really inspirational to read some of the things that had happened to him because of his faithfulness.

I really enjoyed this book and learning more about these blessings and the scriptural parallels. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to Chosen Publishers for a copy of the book.

Fatal Frost (Review)

This review is for the book "Fatal Frost" by Nancy Mehl. This is the first book in the Defenders of Justice series. In this book, we meet U.S. Marshal Mercy Brennan who was just shot in the line of duty. She is still undergoing therapy and psychological evaluations from that when she is suddenly put on a special assignment. The assignment entails her being sent off with her friend and coworker Tally, and another U.S. Marshal who just happens to be her ex-boyfriend Mark.

Hardly before the assignment even gets started, Mercy realizes the assignment is actually set up to keep her in a safe place. Unfortunately, with a traitor in the office, the enemy knows exactly where she is... and is coming for her. She has a lot of questions about why they are coming after her and how they are going to stay safe. Throughout all of this she has to learn to trust Mark again, as well as come to terms with what she feels in regards to God.

This is a great book with lots of danger and suspense! Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book.

The Wish (Review)

This review is for the book "The Wish" by Beverly Lewis. I have read dozens of her books and I have never been disappointed with one of them. This is one of her standalone novels. In this story, we meet Leona Speicher and Gloria Gingerich. They are two Amish girls who come together and soon become like sisters. Leona even dreams of leaving her family and becoming part of Gloria's seemingly perfect family. But soon, something happens, and overnight the entire Gingerich family moves away unexpectedly. Gloria doesn't contact Leona for several long years. When she does, the family has left their Amish roots far behind. Leona desperately wants to pull her friend back into the Amish community. Her fiance is worried that she is biting off more than she can chew, though.

I loved this book. I loved the characters and the friendship. I loved how Leona encouraged Gloria and supported her even when she had obviously left her Amish traditions in the past. This is a great story of friendship and finding your way home.

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers.

Delilah (Review)

This review is for the book "Delilah: Treacherous Beauty" by Angela Hunt. This is one of Hunt's "Dangerous Beauty" novels. The other two are "Esther" and "Bathsheba". I have to say that I have never read either of those books, but after reading this one, I have got to get my hands on the other books in this series!

In this novel, Angela Hunt takes the story of Samson and Delilah and she adds a bit of background to the story. She uses the small portion of the story that we know from scripture, and she adds a bit of historical fiction to make the story come together. I have to say that this story was brilliant. I love how she was able to string scriptural and historical references into the story to make it seem like it really could have happened. She added a bit of perspective from Samson that included his weakness for women, and the perspective of Delilah who was mistreated and abused, and brought them together in a way that you just won't be able to put this book down.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more by Angela Hunt in the future.

Thank you to Bethany House for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.